Author's Pov

Blaze heard her call the name and grabbed the phone. “Ignore it.”

“Yeah, ignore it,” Axel added without looking up from tying his boots.

Jace didn’t even hesitate. “Bet she misses nagging.”

Jennifer smiled. She tossed the phone aside and focused on her eyeliner.

“How do I look?” She asked, turning in a flair style.

“Gorgeous, Red.” Jace complimented.

“Absolutely stunning, Doll. Let's get in the car now before it's too late for dinner.” Blaze urged.

Jace opened the car door for her like a gentleman, helping her in with a firm hand at her waist. The contact lingered a second longer than necessary, and Jennifer swallowed hard. Why did his hand feel so good on her waist?

She brushed off the thought and smiled widely.

The car ride was filled with light teasing and music, but Jace stayed unusually quiet. His fingers tapped against his thigh, his eyes on her through the mirror, and more than once.

When they pulled up to the hotel, Jennifer gasped. It was a rooftop restaurant, lit with golden lights, soft music playing in the background, and roses on every table.

“Wow. You guys didn't have to.” she said, stepping out carefully.

Blaze winked. “Our baby sister’s not allowed to turn eighteen like a peasant.”

Axel laughed, already tipping the valet. “You deserve a royal entrance.”

Jace stepped behind her, brushing her hair back gently. Then, without a word, he leaned in and kissed her forehead. That was a second forehead kiss.

Jennifer stiffened. She was feeling weird, but weirdly good. Why did it feel good?

Jace was her step brother, she shouldn't be doing that. So many thoughts ran through her head, especially one of Jace kissing her down there like she heard in her audiobook.

But somehow… It felt dangerous.

She masked the heat in her chest with a bright smile. “Thanks,” she whispered.

Blaze noticed. “You okay?”

“Of course. I just… I wanted to spend tonight with you guys. Nothing more.”

“Fair,” Blaze said, pulling her suddenly onto his lap. She yelped in surprise, laughing.

The set table was perfect, and she was sitting on Blaze’s perfect laps. What could be better?

Blaze cut a part of the cake, they all followed his hands expecting it to go into Jennifer's mouth—

Splat! The cake landed on her face.

“Blaze!” she shrieked, her eyes wide in shock.

Axel cackled. “Happy freaking birthday, Little mouse.”

Jace smirked. “It’s tradition.”

With icing dripping down her cheek, she laughed harder than she had in years. Someone turned up the music, and Blaze dragged her up to dance.

She danced with each of them, twirling and laughing, her heels clicking against the marble floor. Then Axel spun her dramatically, right into Jace’s arms.

“Hey there, birthday girl,” he said, his voice low, his breath warm near her neck.

“Hey,” she replied, a little breathless.

They danced slower despite the upbeat rhythm. His hand pressed against her back, firm and steady, and for a second, Jennifer forgot everything. That he was her stepbrother and what she was feeling was dangerous.

Jace’s fingers brushed her hair from her face, then Axel tripped over a chair and took Blaze down with him. Jennifer laughed so hard her stomach hurt.

Slowly, they all got drunk. Axel and Blaze especially. After every dance, they took a shot because it was their golden sister's birthday.

But the wine and the dancing caught up to Jennifer. She felt her head spin. Her hand flew to her mouth.

“Shit,” she muttered.

“Come on,” Jace said immediately, wrapping an arm around her and guiding her toward the restroom.

Inside the bathroom, he helped her rinse her face, holding her hair back. She leaned over the sink, breathing deeply.

When she finally looked up at him, he was staring.

Her perfect shoulders. Her flushed cheeks. That innocent, radiant smile.

Jace stepped closer. “Has she always been this perfect?” he thought. “When did she grow into this? When did I stop seeing her as just Jennifer and start seeing her as… everything?”

Caught between the buzz of champagne and the pull in his chest, he reached out.

Jennifer blinked up at him, his hand cupped her jaw. Jace hesitated for just a breath, then he kissed her.

His lips tasted like heat and fire and something far more that what she wanted to let go. Her fingers curled slightly against his chest.

Then he pulled away gently. Jennifer stood frozen, her breath caught, heart slamming against her ribs.

They stood frozen for a second too long after the kiss. Neither of them moved or breathed properly.

Jace stepped back first, rubbing the back of his neck. Jennifer bit her lip, her heart racing faster than it ever had. They didn’t say a word, but their eyes said everything.

They returned to the rooftop, walking apart, pretending to laugh at Blaze’s drunken rambling and Axel’s slurred jokes.

But Blaze wasn’t that drunk. And Axel… he didn’t miss much either. Blaze narrowed his eyes briefly, watching how Jace couldn’t quite meet Jennifer’s gaze. How Jennifer tucked her hair behind her ear three times in under a minute.

Axel said nothing but caught Jace avoiding eye contact with both of them. His jaw clenched, and he poured himself another drink.

Jennifer tried her best to act normal, to laugh, to smile, but the feeling of the kiss on her lips wouldn’t fade. It was still there, making her skin burn for more.

Blaze handed her the suite key. “Try to get some sleep, Doll. Yeah?”

Jennifer nodded with a tight smile and hurried up to the hotel room. As soon as she shut the door, she ran to the desk, pulled out her leather bound diary, and flipped it open.

‘Dear Diary,

He kissed me. Jace kissed me.’