Jade #2 Now that Garret’s decided he’s no longer following the rules of his wealthy family, he can finally develop a closer relationship with Jade. Things are going well, but Jade still worries that being with Garret is only temporary. And because of that, she’s not sure how much of herself and her past she’s willing to let him see.
Garret does all he can to assure Jade that the two of them can last, but convincing her of that is difficult when she’s never trusted anyone. So he has to show her, by being there when she needs him the most, even when she tries to keep him away.
The mysterious letter from Jade’s mom still haunts her and now she’s getting threatening phone calls. Someone from Jade’s past will stop at nothing to keep his secrets from getting out. And his number one secret is Jade.
Knowing You (Jade #2) - Excerpt 1
Garret swims over and stands up right behind me, placing his hands on
the edge of the pool around my head. He’s so close I can feel his warm breath
on my neck and it sends a shiver down me.
“When are you gonna admit I’m a better swimmer than you?”
“Never.” I flip around and let go of the pool, quickly grabbing his
shoulders so I don’t sink since I’m too short to touch the bottom. But now my
legs are dangling awkwardly and I’m having a hard time holding myself up. Garret
notices and casually puts his arms around me, pulling our bodies
together.
My heart is beating wildly but I try to keep my breath steady to hide
it. “When are you gonna admit I’m a better runner than you?”
“I’ve already admitted that. I’ve told you that several times. I’ll
say it again. You’re a better runner than me. Now do you have anything to say
to me?”
“Hmm.” I pretend to think. “Nope. Nothing.”
He smiles. “You just can’t give me a compliment, can you?”
“I give you compliments all the time!” I wrap my legs around his
waist. He doesn’t even react.
“Like what? Because if you gave me one, I totally missed it.”
“I don’t know, but I’m sure I’ve given you one.”
“I’m sure you haven’t.” He keeps his eyes on mine, barely blinking.
“I told you how much I liked those lights you gave me for my birthday.
That was kind of a compliment.”
“Not really.” He slides his hands down under my thighs, supporting my
weight. It allows me to loosen my grip on his shoulders but it also makes me
completely breathless. “Jade, is there anything I do that you like? Anything
you think I’m good at?”
I know what he’s implying and yes, there are many things he does that
I like. And he’s definitely good at them. Like the way he’s holding me right
now? Definitely good.
Before I can speak, he slowly licks the water from my lips until they
part, then slips his tongue in my mouth. I wrap my hands behind his neck as his
tongue explores my mouth in a way that gets my body so scorching hot that even
the water can’t cool me down.
After a few incredible, mind-blowing minutes, he slowly pulls
away.
“Do you like it when I do that?” There’s that cocky smile I know and
love.
I smile back. “I’ll admit you’re pretty good at that.”
“Finally! A compliment.” He lets me go, forcing me to grab the edge of
the pool. He sets himself up in the lane next to me like he’s preparing to swim
laps.
“Hey, where are you going?”
“I have to practice.”
“So we’re just done here?”
“We haven’t even been on a date. I was only kissing you because I was
trying to find something you thought I was good at. And I did. So we’re done.”
He takes off swimming, leaving me wanting more. Much, much more.
Knowing You (Jade #2) - Excerpt 2
“I don’t know what I was thinking letting you plan our date,"
Garret says. "You probably would’ve picked that taco stand for dinner if I
let you.”
“Nah. Probably the burger joint by the dry cleaners.”
“That place is just as disgusting. Well, that confirms it. I’ll be
planning the dates from here on out.”
“I still haven’t agreed to go out with you again.”
He nudges my foot under the table and smiles. “You will.”
Our food arrives. Just as we start to eat, a mariachi band stops by
our table singing some type of love song. It makes me laugh, not just because
of the song but because they’re not very good. The main singer is way off key.
I try to hide my laughter because the guy is really trying hard.
Garret sees me struggling. He sets his fork down, then reaches over
and holds the hand I’m not eating with and gazes into my eyes. The mariachi
guys notice and assume their music has caused Garret’s romantic gesture. The
bad singer nods at Garret and gets a huge grin on his face, singing even
louder.
I’m practically in tears trying to keep from laughing. I give Garret a
look to cut it out, but he’s enjoying this way too much. He picks my hand up
and kisses it.
Finally, the song ends. Garret takes some money from his wallet and
gives it the guy.
“Muchas gracias,” the singer says. He points to me. “Beautiful girl.
You two are a lovely couple.”
“We are, aren’t we?” Garret says, smiling at me, then back at the
singer.
“You two get married some day. I sing at your wedding.” He reaches in
his pocket and pulls out a business card.
“Thank you.” Garret takes the card, then looks at me. “Jade, he could
sing at our wedding. Wouldn’t that be great?”
I kick his foot under the table. “Um, yeah. Great.” I turn to the
singer. “Thanks again. It was very nice music.”
The guy nods and moves on to another table. Garret releases my hand
and goes back to eating like the whole scene didn’t even happen.
“Did you have to do that?” I ask him. “You knew I was dying over here.
They would’ve left if you hadn’t started that hand holding crap.”
He shrugs. “I didn’t want them to leave. I was enjoying it.”
“They were horrible! That guy was way off key.” I take a bite of my
taco.
“He did better than I would do. I didn’t think he was that bad. And
you must’ve liked him at least a little. You agreed to let him sing at our
wedding.”
I almost choke when he says it. I take a big gulp of my soda. He
continues to eat as if his wedding comment is perfectly normal and expected.
“We’re on a first date here, Garret. I think it’s a little early to plan a
wedding.”
“I guess. Then maybe he could sing at our graduation party.”
“Four years from now, I don’t think he’ll still be employed as a
singer.”
I hear the guy belting out a new song at a table on the other side of
the restaurant. He’s so horrible. Now that they’re gone, I’m finally able to
laugh.
Garret shakes his head, but he’s laughing, too. “You’re so mean. At
least he’s trying.”
“I’m sorry. I can’t help it. He’s just so bad.”
For the rest of dinner, I keep thinking about Garret’s wedding comment.
He couldn’t possibly be even the tiniest bit serious. We’ve only known each
other a few months and we technically weren’t even dating during those months.
He was probably just making a joke. But still, hearing Garret even
mention the idea of marrying me makes those annoying butterflies that have now
taken up permanent residence in my stomach flutter with happiness. Which only
makes me wonder what this boy is doing to me.
I’m Jade, the sarcastic, independent, smart ass who has no interest in
marriage or weddings or rings or any of that stuff.
And yet my stupid heart skips a stupid beat when that stupid boy
tosses out the idea that someday he might marry me.
 |
| BOOK 1 |
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