Keeping the Beat: An Adrenaline Novel Read Online Free Page B

carried over to the sink. I heard Jace move behind me, grabbing the glasses and moving to set them on the counter next to me. “Seriously, Jace. I can handle this if you want to go.”
    Chancing a look over my shoulder I saw that Jace was standing with his back towards me, using a rag to wipe down the dinner table. The angle gave me a nice view of his strong back and toned arms. Sighing I turned back to the sink, tensing when Jace came to stand next to me. Taking the wet dishes from my hands he began to dry them as we worked together in a steady rhythm that came from years of routine.
                  The first time I had seen Jason Craw he had intimidated me. That had been until he’d flashed that wide grin, the one that was so wide it could swallow you whole if you weren't careful. He was more than a foot taller than me, which I had always liked but I suspected it reminded him that I was like his little sister. All of the women in his life were tall and willowy. My complete opposite.
                  When the dishes were done I backed away from the sink, wiping my hands on the dish towel to dry them before offering it to Jace. “Thanks for the help,” I said giving him a tentative smile. Looking up into his eyes I waited for him to say something, growing increasingly frustrated when he only continued to stare at me. “Do I have food on my face?” I asked snatching the towel from his hands to run it over my mouth self consciously.
                  “When’s the big move?” He spoke at last, crossing his arms over his chest. His eyes were laser focused on me making my heart stall in my chest as I started fidgeting with the towel in my hands.
                  “Probably Saturday depending on everyone’s schedule.”
                  Jace nodded sharply, a muscle ticking in his jaw. “Declan says you need space from the farm. He said you needed space from us.” Bending down to look into my eyes, Jace studied them momentarily. “He also said you were lying. I’d like to know why.”
                  Sucking in a breath, I took a step back right into the kitchen table. “It’s not a lie.”
                  “But it’s not the whole truth is it?”
    Despite everything that had happened between us I couldn't help but react to the plea I heard in his voice. Shaking my head I took a deep breath and looked down at my feet before looking at him again.
                  “No, but it’s still true. I need to be on my own for a bit. I can’t keep going on like this.” I hesitated trying to think about what I wanted to say. “I need a change.”
                  “Kenzie,” he said my name in a husky voice and my hands got clammy. I tried to look anywhere but into his eyes knowing that if I did I would crack and tell him anything he wanted to know. When I continued to look just over his shoulder, Jace took my chin in his hand and forced me to look at him. “What’s going on with you?” 
                  Feeling unbelievably tired I leaned back against the table. Jace’s hand fell from my face but he remained still as a statue in front of me. I gave him a long look as I started to fidget with my hair. “Why are you so concerned all of the sudden?”
                  “Don’t be like that, Kenzie.” Frowning at my tone, Jace shifted on his feet shoving his hands into his pockets. “All I have ever wanted was for you to be happy. I love you. We all do. Don’t go.”
                  I closed my eyes at his words, feeling a sharp pain in my heart knowing he would never mean them the way I wanted him to. Taking a deep breath, I blinked back the tears I felt rushing to the surface and pushed away from the table, stopping short when Jace shuffled to block my path.
                  “You have to let me go, Jace,” I ordered softly.
                  The man