Temptation
Chapter 7
By Crystal

"Where is Nick?" Everyone had been seated at the dinner table for five minutes, yet there was no sign of Nick.

"He was just in my room. We were chatting. I could go hunt him down for you, if you'd like?" Jace offered.

"Thank you Sweetie." Jane smiled graciously.

"My pleasure. Feel free to start without us." Jace put her napkin on the table and jogged upstairs into her room. Nick was sitting on her bed, staring off into space.

"Now it's my turn to ask. What are you staring at?"

"Hmm? Oh god. How long have I been up here?" he asked, running a hand through his locks.

"A good few minutes. Penny for your thoughts?" She sat down next to him on the bed.

"I was thinking about what you said."

"Oh. Sorry, I've often been accused of being too forthcoming, too brash with my honesty. I hope it hasn't made you uncomfortable."

"Not really. I guess I'm just more uncomfortable with this whole situation."

"Oh, Nick. Stop fussing over something completely unworthy of fuss. You don't pick your family. It picks you."

Nick looked at her and smiled, lazily. "You're right. Still, damn my hormones, I would have you in bed by now if it weren't for small details."

Jace smiled, sighed and lay back on the bed. "I know exactly what you mean. We're much a like, you and I. Back in New York I was very much accused of being a playa - and I enjoyed every minute of it." Nick lay down next to her and laughed. "Being eighteen has its perks. And, of course, my mom never knew. Not that I'm a part animal, not really. I always maintained excellent grades, was popular and had a great relationship with my mom. But there was always this insatiable need to be…. Either seductive or seduced. Boy, was it fun."

"You sound like me," Nick commented. He turned to face her and the smile faded. "Well, we're only half related and almost complete strangers. There is no need for us to act too chaste. I mean, we're young and want to have a good time."

Jace looked at him with a cunning smile. "I can read right through you Carter. Look but don't touch. Is that what you're saying?"

"You never told me, Jace. What is your last name?"

"Actually, I use both names. My mom is Rebecca Stevens, so I go by Jace Carter-Stevens. I rather like it."

"I'm sure you do," he smiled.

"So about where you're taking me. I'm sure you won't disappoint me."

"Wouldn't dream of it." His smile made her blood heat up. It rushed through her body at a quick pace, igniting a fire in her she had barely known before.

"We should head downstairs. Your parents probably think we've run away."

"No, I'm sure they're completely clueless. Just the way I like them to be."

"You are a wicked one!" They got up and headed for the door. "Being a New York playa and all, I have to know one thing…. From one sex crazed teen to another. How big are you, Nick?"

"You are forthcoming."

"Hey, I warned you!" she smiled.

"In a word? Big."

"Ooh. Okay, now shut up. You know, brothers aren't supposed to talk dirty to their sisters."

"Right. And what about sisters to brothers?"

"Doesn't apply. I'm only your half sister."

Nick leaned in close and smiled. "Then the same would be applied to me."

"Okay okay! You win. Now let's eat, I'm starving. And I need energy for tonight."

"Wait. I have to bed the laws here for a minute. Right now, we're not related." Nick leaned in just close enough to brush her lips very slightly over hers. She looked him deep in his eyes and smiled. "But we are. Besides, look, not touch."

Nick looked down at her lips, then her eyes. "If you say so."

"The blood that runs through your more sensitive man parts, also runs through my body. Let's keep that in mind."

"Jace. You are a walking paradox."

"And I enjoy it, immensely, as do others."

"Not me."

"That's just because you can't have me, Nick. And you always want what you can't have." She lightly kissed his bottom lip, then walked out.

"Don't I know it."