Still Jaded (Jaded #2)(15)

I shifted even closer and slid until I felt him intimately between my legs. Bryce sucked in his breath and watched me, his eyes filled with desire. I grinned, one of those secretive smiles because I had the power in that moment. I arched my hips forward and nipped the corner of his mouth when he groaned.

Then I whispered against his lips, "She's my problem. Not yours. And Grace can handle a lot more than you give her credit for."

Bryce grasped the back of my head and held me still. He fused his mouth to mine, exploring me fully, slowly. I wanted more, and my hands twisted around his shoulders to hold him closer.

"We'll deal, I guess." Bryce shifted to lay me down, covering me with his body while his lips lingered on my neck.

I cradled his head and then moved my hands down to feel each outlined muscle in his back.

He looked up, holding my gaze for a long minute before meeting my mouth. I gasped, fell back, and entwined my legs around his waist, holding on as if my life depended on his touch—and sometimes it really did feel that way.

We shed what little clothing we still wore. The rest of the night left me aching, and I knew I'd be useless in the morning, but I didn't care. Bryce was back. That was all that mattered. I'd figure out the rest tomorrow.

I woke the next day with a pounding headache. I groaned and twisted amidst the sheets and naked limbs. Bryce had me wrapped in his arms with one of his legs thrown over mine, effectively pinning me to the bed. Seeing his head tucked underneath a pillow, I couldn't stop a grin at the sight of his Mohawk as it stuck up in every which way. His eyes had crinkles from fatigue around them. I stroked his muscled shoulder and arm until I found his side.

Bryce grumbled in protest and burrowed further underneath the pillow.

Then his phone went off. I jumped at the harsh sound, but Bryce rolled over and answered in a smooth motion. "Hello?"

After his first deep breath, I knew it wasn't good. After his second one, when he pinched the nerve in his forehead, I sat up. This was definitely not good. Then he snapped out, "We'll talk later! I won't discuss her with you."

He threw his phone back on the nightstand and smothered his face with the pillow.

Really not good.

I held my breath but asked after a beat, "Was that your mother?"

"Worse," he groaned.

I ran my fingers down his back and marveled how he was sculpted like a god.

"Sheldon."

I snatched my hand away. "What?"

"That was my agent."

"Oh." Then I remembered the weasel. "Oh."

Bryce sighed as he flipped onto his back and gazed up at me. His frustration was obvious. He slid his hand over my knee and caressed me there. "Mathias is not happy about our adventure last night." He grimaced as he sat up to rest against the headboard. "Apparently, he was under the impression that we had broken up. He wants us to do that now. He caught our thing on television and doesn't think you've changed."

"What?"

He grimaced. "Look, can you try and be nice to people? I don't want to give Mat the satisfaction of being right. He thinks you're the devil incarnate and wants us to break up."

"Break up?" That ass.

Bryce nodded. His gaze was hooded. I couldn't see what he felt anymore. "You heard what I said to him. I won't discuss you with him, but this is my warning—he won't go away."

I gulped. "Meaning what?"

"Meaning that things could get ugly. Let's try not to give him any more ammunition against us. He's a great agent, but he's not a great guy. And he doesn't know how to have a healthy relationship to save the life of him." He took another deep breath. "I'm already going to apologize in advance for whatever he has up his sleeve."

My heart sank. This didn't sound good at all. "Why can't you fire him?"

"Because I have a contract with him and he got me on the Suns. He got me back to L.A." His finger touched under my chin and lifted my face to his. "He brought me back to you. I'm thankful to him for that."

Oh. Well, when he put it that way, I groaned. I didn't care if he brought Bryce back to me. Mathias was a little weasel of a man and I knew he was up to no good. He had hated me from the start and now I knew that hatred hadn't diminished over the last six months.

I vowed not to let him hurt us.

When I got to campus that morning, I wasn't in the best of moods. I had to be nice, even if it killed me. I wouldn't give Mathias what he wanted, even if it meant I had to become a new Sheldon. A nice Sheldon. A friendly Sheldon.

I only hoped that I didn't kill myself in the process.

The first person I ran into was Leah. Of course. Instead of the scantily clad Leah, I was surprised to find her fully clothed this time. She was dressed in a tight pink cardigan, long sleeves, and snug jeans with jeweled back pockets. Her hair was swept back in a high ponytail that actually looked classy.

Shocker.

As she turned from her mailbox, she froze in place.

I sighed. Maybe she'd ignore my presence as I went to my own mailbox. That would've been the smart thing to do.

"Are you going to do the usual and call me a slut?"

Nope. Not smart.

I plastered a smile on my face. "You look very nice today."

"Liar," Leah snorted.