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[i][color=darkgray]Featuring [color=BF225D]Ariana Mossos[/color] and [color=bbeefb]Mr. Jace Russo[/color][/color][/i]

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[color=darkgray][indent][indent]The youngest member of the Mossos clan had spent the majority of the holidays with her large family in Greece, and away from one of her favorite people in the world. The sights, activities and time spent with everyone kept her entertained for the most part, but the brunette’s thoughts always went back to him whenever she was alone. Three weeks had seemed like forever without his kisses, his burning touch on her skin, and the rush of adrenaline of the forbidden relationship they shared. So when Ariana finally got the text message she’d been praying for since the day of her arrival to Florida, she was unable to hold back the squeals of excitement. She quickly [s]lied to[/s] informed her parents she'd be spending the weekend with one of her friends, packed her overnight back with his favorite selections of lingerie (and some new acquisitions she'd purchased during her trip) and made the short trip down the familiar streets of Crown Heights and to his cozy home.

Ariana pressed the doorbell once, and was quickly greeted by a tall, bearded man with black hair and piercing blue eyes, wearing nothing but those gray sweatpants that drove her crazy. Grinning, she took a second to hungrily and shamefully stare at his chiseled features before speaking. [color=BF225D]"You called, Daddy?"[/color] she asked the man innocently, looking up at him with kittenish eyes but with that suggestive smirk on her juicy cherry gloss-covered lips.

The last few weeks of Christmas vacation had given Mr. Jace Russo time to do the usual nothing with his life. The winter break of the most attractive male teacher of King's Academy had consisted of grading a few tests, visiting family and watching football with his friend Brent. While he hadn’t been counting down the days until his favorite student got back from vacation, he did have the date carved into the back of his mind. Giving her a good day or two to settle back in, he had finally sent her the classic: [color=bbeefb]“I miss you. You should come see me”[/color] text. It wasn’t a lie: he did miss her from time to time. However, his message had been more code than sincerity. And luckily enough for him, the young woman had picked up on the hint. 

[color=bbeefb]”Welcome back, Princess,”[/color] he responded, looking down at her. Moving from the doorway back into the living room, he turned down the volume on the TV as Ariana made her way inside. [color=bbeefb]”How was Greece?”[/color]

[color=BF225D]"Ugh, [i]exhausting[/i]!"[/color] she huffed, slipping her sneakers off by the door and making a beeline straight for the refrigerator to grab one of the pink lemonade bottles her favorite teacher kept in stock for her. [color=BF225D]"As much as I love traveling, I was so ready to be back home. Don't get me wrong: I had a lot of fun, obviously,"[/color] the brunette explained, hopping up to sit on the kitchen counter, opening her lemonade bottle and taking a long sip. [color=BF225D]"The sights and the shopping were fabulous, as always. But you know how big my family is. There were my grandparents, my parents, my siblings, my cousin Romeo and his girlfriend, my aunt and my other cousins… It was a circus! With the amount of people around me all the time, there were times that I felt so suffocated. I felt like I couldn't even take a shower without feeling like someone was hovering over my shoulder!"[/color]

Setting the remote back down on the coffee table, Jace made his way over to the kitchen to stand in front of her, resting his hands on her thighs as she spoke. 

[color=bbeefb]”Hopefully now that you're back you can relax,”[/color] he said, reaching his hand up to brush her hair behind her right ear. [color=bbeefb]”Do you want anything to eat? You know I’d be more than glad to fix you something.”[/color] 

[color=BF225D]"Wow, dinner tonight and everything? I'm in for a treat,"[/color] she teased, letting out a small laugh before throwing her arms around his neck. [color=BF225D]"I already ate back home, but I wouldn't say no to some dessert."[/color]

He couldn’t help but smirk at her comment before leaning down to kiss her. [color=bbeefb]”Always quick to the chase, aren’t you?”[/color]

Ariana's flirtatious laughter filled the kitchen. [color=BF225D]"Always,"[/color] she murmured, taking some time to return his kiss with some additional passion and pulling away only after she was breathless. [color=BF225D]"I was away from you for three weeks, Jacey. You can't tell me you didn't miss me as much as I missed you."[/color]

[color=bbeefb]“You know I did. I couldn’t even pretend that I hadn’t missed you if I tried. I don’t have that much will power.”[/color] He stepped away from her momentarily to grab a drink from the fridge. [color=bbeefb]”I heard from Amanda yesterday. Oh, joy. She’s back in full swing in New York. Can’t say I blame her after the hell that was the reunion. Remind me to never go to one of those things again, would you?”[/color]

The mention of Jace's ex-girlfriend always brought a rather comical expression to the brunette's face: the scrunched-up face you make when you step on a turd with your favorite high heels on. Ariana hadn't had the 'pleasure' of meeting Amanda Woodall in person, but from what she'd gathered, the blonde was a nightmare. How her charming, fun, outgoing and beloved teacher had gotten tangled up with someone like that was a question the young woman would always ask herself.  

[color=BF225D]"I mean, I did tell you it was a bad idea. But you're both stubborn and a masochist, so there was nothing I could have said or done to keep you here,"[/color] she scolded him with a shrug and a roll of the eyes. [color=BF225D]"But anyway: moving on. What did Little Miss Dragon Lady want with you now?"[/color] she asked, crossing her arms in front of her chest.

[color=bbeefb]”Oh, you know… Just wanted to catch up, let me know she was twelve weeks pregnant, and wish me a Merry Christmas. Just the usual stuff.”[/color]

Ariana nearly choked on the sip of lemonade she'd taken from the bottle just seconds before Jace dropped this bombshell on her. [color=BF225D]"What?!"[/color] she cried out, frowning at the man while her heart raced a million miles a minute, just like the stream of questions coming out of her mouth. [color=BF225D]"Babe, please don't tell me it's yours. Because it can't be yours, right? You told me you stopped seeing her months ago. Right?"[/color]

[color=bbeefb]”Of course it’s not mine! Thank God. And yeah, I did stop seeing her forever ago. I wouldn’t lie to you.”[/color] He took a deep breath, running his fingers through his hair. [color=bbeefb]”But yeah. She went back to Benjamin, so I guess they ended up working things out. It’s his kid.”[/color]

The young woman watched the man carefully for a few silent seconds, taking in his gestures and expressions. She could tell the news had done a number on him, even if he was trying to act unbothered about it. Of course, the young Mossos was never one to shy back from seeking the truth, even if it hurt. And in the complex case that was Amanda and Jace, she'd peel the band-aid right off if it meant her darling's wounds would heal faster. 

[color=BF225D]"Do you still love her, Jacey?"[/color] Ariana asked him in a voice barely louder than a whisper, waiting for his answer with bated breath.

Her question took him by surprise. While he thought that he was used to her bluntless after all this time, it still caught him off guard from time to time. He looked her in the eyes, seeing the slightly worried look there. Why she was worried - he didn’t know. As far as Jace knew, this was still just a casual thing to Ariana - even if he thought he felt different? Jace pushed away the thought and answered her question. 

[color=bbeefb]”No. No, I don’t.”[/color] He opened his drink, taking a sip before speaking again. [color=bbeefb]”We’ve always been complicated, but in the end, we both knew it wouldn’t work. We both agree that we’re still good friends. If she ever needs me, I’ll do my best to be there. But as far as loving her? No,”[/color] the man stated, shaking his head.

[color=BF225D]"Okay."[/color] Ariana murmured, letting out the breath she'd been holding and taking the last few sips of her drink. The young woman was fully aware that what she and Jace had was a friends with benefits type of deal between two consenting adults. But although romantic feelings weren’t supposed to be involved, Ari cared enough about her lover to know that he deserved much more than Amanda The Toxic Dragon Lady. [color=BF225D]"You know, for someone so smart, that Amanda's kind of an idiot,"[/color] the brunette declared, setting her empty lemonade bottle on the counter next to her and wrapping her arms around Jace. [color=BF225D]"I can't believe she'd let you go like that. I would never do that to you."[/color]

Listening to her words, Jace smirked. [color=bbeefb]”You sure about that?”[/color] he asked in a joking tone as to try and hide how serious he was. [color=bbeefb]”I mean, you have college… cheerleading…. Wouldn’t an old man just hold you back?”[/color] 

Ariana's laughter filled the kitchen space. [color=BF225D]"Okay, first of all: you are not old. Are you slightly older than me with a degree, a career and your own home? Yes. But that doesn't mean you're old, Jace. Hell, some of the other guys you teach fucking wish they looked like you. So let's get that dumb thought out of the way, okay?"[/color] she told him, playfully tapping his nose with her index finger. [color=BF225D]"And second of all, who says I can't go to college, be a cheerleader and the world's best girlfriend to you at the same time? You know me, love: I can multitask."[/color]

Jace laughed quietly. [Color=bbeefb]"My knees pop when I stand up sometimes, but I guess you have a point,"[/color] he replied. [Color=bbeefb]"Just sort of always thought you would get a scholarship and move away or something. But no matter what you decide, I'll be here to support you."[/color]

[color=BF225D]"A scholarship?"[/color] she repeated, letting out another round of laughter and shaking her head. [color=BF225D]"My grades aren't even that great, and even if I were to get a cheer scholarship, I'll stay right here. I'm not letting some other chick take my place."[/color]

[color=bbeefb]”Fine, fine. But just promise me if some great opportunity comes knocking at your door you won’t turn it down, okay?”[/color]

[color=BF225D]"Yes, father,"[/color] Ariana replied sarcastically, rolling her eyes at him. She hated when Jace made comments like that. She knew they came from a place of genuine concern for her and her future, but it made him sound so much like her father that it killed any other feeling she could have for him. [color=BF225D]"Are we done with the lecture, Mr. Russo? Because I didn't come all the way down here for you to play guidance counselor with me. That’s Mrs. Quinn’s job, not yours."[/color]

He held his hands up defensively. [color=bbeefb]”I know. Mushy stuff isn’t your forte,”[/color] Jace said jokingly. 

Ariana rolled her eyes again and shook her head. [color=BF225D]“It’s not the mushy stuff I have a problem with, Jacey,”[/color] she explained, wrapping her arms around the dark-haired man again. [color=BF225D]“It’s when you start lecturing me and acting like a wrinkly old man. You’re my [i]daddy[/i], not my [i]father[/i]. There’s a difference.”[/color]

Of course. How many times had Jace said or done things to remind them both of the apparent age gap? While Ariana would reassure him time and time again, something told him that this wouldn’t be forever. Sadly, he couldn’t help but hope. 

[color=bbeefb]”Apologies, love. Did you wanna grab a shower or something? I know that show of yours was coming on soon. What was it called again?”[/color]

[color=BF225D]"A show?"[/color] she repeated in disbelief, staring at him for a few seconds to see if he was being serious before bursting out in laughter. [color=BF225D]"I haven't seen you in three weeks, and you think I came all the way down here to watch a show with you?"[/color]

[color=bbeefb]”Well isn’t Netflix and Chill a thing now?”[/color] he asked, a smirk on his face. Of course he was only joking now. Hopefully she would understand that.

The laugh from before was now a knowing little giggle, with Ariana visibly perked up now. She  shot him a mischievous smirk and a playful wink. [color=BF225D]“Oh thank God. I was starting to think you didn’t miss me as much as you said you did…”[/color] she purred, pulling on the elastic band of his sweatpants.

The smirk now more of a smile of joy, Jace took Ariana’s head between his hands before kissing her slowly. He [i]had[/i] missed her. Terribly, at that. Was it wrong for him to admit? No… he didn’t think it was.
 
[color=bbeefb]"You know I have, Kitten,”[/color] he said, taking her right hand in his while leading her down the hallway. [color=bbeefb]”Now come on. I think it’s time we finally dropped the chit chat and celebrated your return.”[/color]
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