"Jace!" she whispered, her voice filled with shock and embarrassment.
Jace chuckled, clearly amused by her reaction. "Be careful how you call my name, sweetheart. You have no idea what it's doing to me," he said, his tone playful yet sincere.
Grace took a small step back, her breath hitching as she tried to steady herself. The tension between them was electric, charged with an intensity that both thrilled and terrified her.
Jace's smirk softened into something warmer, as he reached out and lightly traced the outline of her cheeks with his fingers. The touch was light, yet it sent a shiver down her spine.
"Sorry," Jace drawled, "I got carried away."
Grace looked up at him, her heart racing, but she couldn't help the smile tugging at her lips. "I… I just wasn't expecting that."
"I know," Jace said, taking a half-step closer, his voice dipping lower. "I can't help it with you, Grace. You make it impossible to keep my cool."