6. Jace

SIX

JACE

Sitting at the bar with Poppy three nights ago had me heading home picturing many more nights just like it.

Only at my house.

And just the two of us.

She walked into the bar and all the air was sucked out. We noticed each other instantly and she held me captive, with jeans that fit her thighs perfectly and a Cakeology t-shirt showing off amazing curves. Her hair up in a ponytail had her looking like the girl next door.

But I know better.

She's fire and I'm going to get burned if I play with her. With each step she took closer to me, I had to fight to stay in my seat. She was definitely flirting with me but I wasn't sure if she was serious or just looking for fun. I'm not looking to settle down but I would like to establish a relationship with someone who's looking for a bit more than just sleeping arrangements.

And with my job? It's hard to do that. Women like the allure of danger, but when it comes down to it? Most won't stick around.

I also like things done in order and always assumed that's how it would go. I need to establish myself in a job before I can establish myself as a man actively looking for someone. I have to be able to give effort to a relationship, decide if there's more there that's worth working for, and then eventually make the jump to make it for real.

Poppy has me thinking extremely out of order.

The horn from the car that plays Party In the USA pulls me from my thoughts but only throws me back into the present with the most gorgeous woman I've ever laid eyes on.

"Boys! I've got something for you!" she sing-songs as she enters the station. She breaks into the Maroon 5 song, Sugar.

"Give it to me!"

"I need some sugar!"

"Oh, girl, you're right on time!"

I hear each of the guys hound her and it makes me clench my fists. I shake them out and take a deep breath. I have no stake over this girl. Why does it bother me what they say to her?

I grab the cloth and dust off my hands, leaning against the door frame to the kitchen, and watch the guys circle around her. But when she connects eyes with me over their heads and says, "Looking good in that uniform, Sully. You guys should make a calendar," my heart races.

"If we make a calendar, probie has to be Baby New Years! That means a bib and diaper is his new uniform!"

The guys all crack up, elbowing each other with "atta boys" and all I can do is shake my head, taking it in stride.

"Don't let them push you around down here Sully," she says, scolding them.

The guys all let out wolf whistles and throw a few more one liners at me.

"That's all part of being a probie. I'm used to it and expected it when I came in," I state matter-of-factly .

Poppy pops a hip and places her hand there drawing my eyes to the shape of her waist. "That's what I like about you, Jace Sullivan. I bet you can outshine these guys any day, but you won't do it because that's not the order of things. Am I right?"

My lips pull but I do my best to remain silent. The guys all wait expectantly for me to crack.

"Maybe that's my cue, to disrupt the flow around here," she continues to push.

"You can disrupt our house any time, Poppy," Brian says

"There's only one house I have in mind, fellas." She grins with a devilish look in her eye.

"Oohhh!" the guys call out again and Maddox and Brian rush me, bumping me around. Poppy gives a wink and blows a kiss, then she's out the door once more.

"Bro, if you don't say yes to that you're a damn fool." Brian shakes his head at me.

"Right? She came looking for you. It's very clear she wants you," Ted chimes in.

"What the hell? Always the young ones," Brian snipes out with no malice at all.

"You have to let her know you're interested. You are interested right?" Maddox presses me.

"Fuck yeah I am!" I yell out the words and the guys laugh because this is definitely not a side they've seen of me. I gain my composure again. "But I have to stay focused on this station. Finish my time, train for my final test. Plus, we don't make sense."

"What the hell is there to make sense about? Just get your dick wet?—"

Before Brian can even finish that sentence, Maddox and I are both on him, jacking him up against the wall. When he has his hands up in defense, Maddox and I look at each other and begin to laugh. We both let him go, smoothing out his shirt as we step back.

"Damn, probie. You got it bad for my fiancée's cousin, don't you?"

I can't deny it, but I can't admit it out loud yet either. But my actions are definitely telling all my secrets right now.