Ice (Elite Forces #1)(40)

“What were you saying?” Fuck if I know, because when he's near me, I can't do logic, especially when he's this close. My mind starts the insanity of wanting to touch him even though the reason I'm over here is to tell his ass off.

“I was saying…. You can't just watch me.”

“Oh, but Jade. Watching you is exactly what I want to do. Your perfect skin…” He moves his hand down my arm, sending chills all over my body. How does he do this to me? My mind was so clear from the few days at my parents’ house, now I can't even put him in his f*cking place.

Our eyes are locked. His other hand begins to slide down my other arm, skipping slightly as he covers my wrap. I let my eyes fall to his chest and watch as it rises with each breath he takes.

I swallow hard and finally speak. “It's f*cked up, Kaleb. I can't deal with f*cked up. I need something normal. I don't want to worry that you're tracking me and watching my every f*cking move.” A smirk lands on his face, and I watch him contemplate his next sentence.

“Jade, I was simply stopping by to check on you. That is it. I haven't heard from you since you ran from my bed. I know you have shit you're dealing with, and I'm just worried about you. But if I ever wanted to track you, I could.”

“I know you could, and I don't want that shit in my life. If we’re going to see each other at all, you have to leave the technology to the level of normal people, Kaleb. I'm not kidding. A cell phone or email, that's it.”

“So we’re seeing each other?” He backs off just slightly, still pressed up against me, just not as tightly.

“I didn't say that. I'm just laying down the ground work if we’re going to consider it. Even if we’re just friends, I need boundaries and you…. You don't seem to have any of those.”

“You have no idea the restraint I have with you, my sweet Jade. I can deal with your rules, but you need to deal with mine.” My eyes move to his again, and I wait for him to continue. “You can't f*cking run. You want normal… Then you have to communicate like normal, and when I want to taste your f*cking body, you let me. Because remember, Jade, I want you. I can deal with your rules outside the bedroom, but I make the rules inside. Beyond that, I don’t give two f*cks how we set it up. I just want to know you're on the same page as me.”

I don't know if we’re on the same page or not completely, but I nod in agreement, because honestly, my body wouldn't allow any other reply.

His mouth lands on mine, and his arms pull me closer to him, even though that didn't seem possible in the moments before. His kiss is passionate, and I find myself matching his intensity. He feels good and wrong at the same time. Like I'm playing with an explosive that will go off any second. Of course, it could simply be the fact that Harris is nearby and has to be seeing all of this. Shit.

I push Kaleb off of me and breathe deeply, pulling my thoughts together. What am I doing? Do I want this with Kaleb? Yes. Do I want to deal with the pissing contest between the two of them? No.

I look over and see Mallory smiling the biggest damn smile of her life, while Harris is loading the back of his truck with harsh movements. I know he's pissed about this, but he's going to have to get over it.

“Were you going away with Harris?” Kaleb’s face has dropped, and it's obvious he truly wasn't watching us before. If he would've seen all the luggage and us walking out together, our conversation would've been so much worse.

“My friend Mallory and I were going to meet him in Alabama, but he offered to drive us instead. It's just a weekend away that I desperately need. Nothing more, Kaleb.”

“I bet he did.”

“Stop. I'm not dealing with that either. I've told you we are nothing more than friends, I need you to own that.”

“I've seen you with him, Jade. It's hard for me to not want to kill him.” Yeah, well, it’s hard for me to not want to kill you right now. I don’t say that. But I sure as hell feel it. What I do say is what he needs to hear.

“He also went to battle with you and had your back the whole damn time. This will be a deal breaker with me. You two have to get along.”

“Fucking hell, Jade. He would f*ck you right now if you offered.”

“He's a guy, of course he would. I'm not talking about this again, so you need to deal with it. I've told you we are nothing more than friends and that's the truth.” I watch him watch Harris. He's glaring at him, and right now, I wish I could go back in time and not meet Kaleb the same way. Being wrapped around Harris probably wasn't the best first impression I could give, but it is what it is. That's how it happened, and it's what probably sparked Kaleb to go after me like he did in the first place.

“I'll deal with it.” The muscle in his jaw moves as he tightens it.

“Yes, you will. Right now.” I wanted to make amends with things in my past, but I need to do it with my present as well. These two guys need to know where I stand, and I can't think of a better time than right now. “Follow me.”

I walk away, leaving him no chance to react, then walk up to Harris and tell him we all need to sort this shit out. “Let's talk inside.” Mallory looks entirely confused, however, she follows us in instead of pumping me full of questions outside. I know she’s biting her damn tongue.