The Pact: Rebels of Ridgecrest High (Book 1)

Something hard and warm is pressed up against my back. My head aches as I crack an eye open to a dark room. Only a slither of sunlight peeks in, enough to tell me this isn’t my room…and isn’t my bed.

Hell, this isn’t even my house. Is it Asher’s? A room I didn’t see? He said there were six bedrooms in their house, and I only bothered to check out his and Madison’s.

But that doesn’t explain the warm body spooning me. Is it Asher? Oh god, please don’t be Asher. I shuffle forward, and my bare legs swish against the sheets. Fuck, shit. I grasp at the fabric over my chest. I’m wearing a top. One that isn’t mine.

I hear a deep groan beside me. Asher? I don’t remember a thing from last night. Football, Asher, party… I can’t.

My stomach hurts and my limbs are weak. I blink and see aspirin and a glass of water sitting out for me. I sit up a little and take them. I down the whole glass of water, the liquid soothing my dry throat. I feel a little lightheaded and groan as my head hits the pillow. I roll over, hoping the person beside me isn’t a guy…even though I know it is.

I see dark brown hair—it’s all disheveled from sleep—a strong jawline, and light stubble of facial hair. His lips part, and he lets out a small snore.

Jace Montero.

Holy fuck. How the? I sit up and scan the room. My head pounds at the sudden movement, and I can see I’m in his room. Not a lot has changed in four years, except a poster of a girl in a bikini on a red Corvette and football trophies that I haven’t seen before.

Why the hell am I in his bed? How did I even get here?

I need to pee, so I slowly extract myself from his bed without waking him. He’s wearing a white tee, so he isn’t naked. That’s a good sign, right? I peer at the huge top that’s down to mid-thigh. It’s red and has Rebels emblazoned across the front. I’m wearing his football jersey.

I roll my eyes. I have no idea how I got here, but this—I pull at the fabric—is interesting and not how I expected to wake up today.

I sneak down to the bathroom, hoping Ella or Daniel don’t see me sneaking out of their son’s room. I quickly do my business and wash my hands. I look at myself. My makeup is smudged and my eyes are bloodshot. I wash my face and drink a little more from the faucet. I put some toothpaste on my finger and quickly finger brush my teeth to get the bad taste out my mouth then gargle with mouthwash.

I’m feeling semi-human as I sneak back to Jace’s room. I look around on the floor for my handbag. It was in the car last night. I left it in there, so I could come home if I wanted to. But I don’t see it. I look around for Asher’s car keys and find them in my jeans pocket. I scrunch my nose up at the stain on my jeans. Omg, did I throw up?

I’m so confused, but I try to focus on what I remember. Dancing, the fairy lights outside. Feeling sick. I was sick, and there was a girl…Jessica? My head pounds, and I don’t want to wake up Jace. I don’t know why I’m here or how, but I’m hurting too much to fight with him right now.

My body sways, and I know I just need more sleep. I crawl into the bed, as far away as I can from Jace, and cover myself. I close my eyes. I will get up soon and sneak home… Dad might have a hidden key somewhere, and I can get in.

I hear someone speaking softly, and I want them to be quiet. I roll away from the voice, but I don’t open my eyes. I don’t wanna get up. Just let me sleep in. I’m too hot, though. The sheet is stifling. I roll onto my back and reach for the hem of the shirt, and I shuck it. But it’s not enough. I throw back the sheets and sigh as the cool air of the room hits my heated skin. I feel better already.

My muscles are achy, so I stretch my arms up and arch my back, letting out a yawn. I hear a groan from beside me and freeze.

I just realized where I am. Holy fuck. I roll my head toward the sound and open my eyes slowly. Two big chocolate eyes stare back at me.

Jace. I suck in a breath.

He puts his phone down beside him, never looking away from me. He must have been talking to someone on his phone.

He doesn’t speak. He just watches me. I notice then that he isn’t wearing a shirt. He had a white one on earlier, and now he is only in blue boxer briefs.

I slowly lower my arms and his eyes fall to where my chest rises and falls rapidly. I’m in my pink lace bra and thong that I put on last night. Tension stretches between us. It’s like a thick sexual fog has landed over us.

My skin prickles when he licks his lower lip. My heart speeds up, and I bite my own lip to stop myself from moving. It’s like I have been caught in a spider’s web, and if I move, he’ll eat me.

Do I want him to eat me? I rub my thighs together, aware of how wet I am. The desire builds, and I let out a small moan as sparks light up my body. Jace rubs his hand down his smooth chest and abs until he’s cupping his erection over the thin fabric of his boxers.

He strokes himself a few times over the fabric, and I watch, wanting to reach out and touch him. I want to feel how hard he is for me. I want him to feel how wet I am for him. I run my fingers over my breast, his eyes following my every movement. I dip them down to my belly then over the lace of my thong. I’m soaked as I tease my clit, arching my back and softly gasping at how aroused I am. Fuck.

Jace groans as he presses the heel of his palm into his erection. The sight has me working harder. I rub myself until I can’t stand it anymore. I slip my fingers under the fabric of my thong, and my fingers find my clit again.

I moan as the feeling spreads through my body. It won’t take long for me to come like this. I keep up my assault on my clit, working myself higher and higher. Closing my eyes and arching high off Jace’s bed, I gasp. The rush of my orgasm is so intense, it almost shocks me.

When I open my eyes, Jace has freed his cock. It’s long and hard as he strokes it. At first, the strokes are slow as he twists his fist on the up strokes. But when our eyes meet, the strokes become faster and jerky. I lick my lips and look down at his hard length. The head of his cock is shiny with pre-cum, and I reach out to him.

He stops and watches as I run my finger over the top of his cock. I’m greeted by more pre-cum and the strangled groan of Jace. I look over and see him watching me. He’s so tense, his muscles all bunched up and tight. He’s a beautiful sight and not one I was expecting to see. I bring my finger to my mouth, and he watches, his mouth parting, as I suck it in, twirling my tongue around so I can taste him.

His abs clench tight, and he groans deeply as ropes of cum spray onto his taut stomach, over and over until he shakes and lets out a deep sigh before sinking into the mattress.

We still haven’t spoken a word; we just stare at each other. Like, if one of us speaks, it will break the spell. I don’t want that. I don’t think he does either. All I can hear is our rapid breathing and the beat of my own heart.

But the spell is broken by the sound of footsteps, and before we can do anything but turn, Jace’s door swings wide open, slamming against the wall. Roman is standing in the room, looking down at us, breathing hard.

Oh, fuck.