All Good Things (21 page)

"I think I want soup for supper." I said after a long moment and Jace's lips moved into a grin against mine.

"I thing I can manage that." He said before pressing his lips to mine. The kiss was gentle and it pulled viciously at my heartstrings. By the end of this thing...whatever it was with Jace, I was bound to be a walking disaster.

Jace pulled away as I shivered. He slid his hands over my arms before dipping his head to press his hot lips against my shoulder. "Are you cold?"

"A little." I admitted. His eyes swept my face as he removed his hands from my body and walked into the living room. I instantly regretted telling him I was chilly. I hadn't thought he would walk away from me. He picked up a remote from the coffee table and turned up the fire before pulling a soft gray throw from the shoulder of the black leather couch.

I watched as Jace closed the distance between us again. I couldn't help the rush in my heart as my eyes swept over the expanse of his perfectly endowed body. Everything about him was purely decadent. His face and body were, surely, the envy of the Gods. Broad shoulders and muscular arms curved into a defined chest and sculpted waist. His hips were narrow and firm and his legs were long. He was a decadent package of man at six foot three. Watching him stalk toward me was an erotic sight in itself. The effect he had on my body was simply, unbelievable.

"Here," he wrapped the blanket around my shoulders. He ran his hands over the blanket on my arms and pulled me to a stool. I climbed onto the flat expanse and watched as he moved to the fridge. "I hope you like chicken, vegetable and quinoa soup."

"Sounds delicious."

He pulled a large glass dish from the fridge and set it on the counter beside the stove. "I didn't make this." He admitted. "Mrs. Clark tends to make soup and other little things while she is here. She doesn't believe I cook for myself." He looked up at me and winked. "I think she believes I starve myself without her here to feed me."

I laughed. I liked this side of Jace. Seeing him joke and play was cute, and deliciously unexpected. In his element, he was fabulous. I couldn't help but wonder why this was the first time I was seeing this side of him. Was so he weary of the world, he posed behind a cool, hard exterior that nothing, and no one, could touch?

"Well, as excited as I am to critique your culinary talents I must admit I'm excited for that soup." I beamed. "It looks divine."

Jace looked up at me from where he was pouring the soup into a pot on the stove and his smile faltered. My heart jumped. What had I done wrong? "Will you stay the night, Olivia?"

Where had that come from? "Um, I really was not expecting to stay."

"Why not?" He frowned as he placed the empty bowl in the sink.

"Well," I shifted on the stool. "I don't have any clothing to wear tomorrow and I have to be at the store early."

He looked away, but his shoulders stiffened. "I thought you would like to stay here tomorrow."

"You're taking the day off work tomorrow?" I asked. I was surprised and the fact was obvious in my tone.

"No, but I thought maybe you would like to just relax."

I felt my spine stiffen as I took in his words. "You wanted me to stay here in your home without you here?"

He looked back over his shoulder at me as he stirred the soup. "Is that a problem?"

I narrowed my eyes. "Yes, Jace. It is a problem."

He cocked his head. "Why?"

Was he serious? "Why do you think I should stay here?"

He shrugged. "It was just a thought."

"Okay, well I'm declining the offer."

"Fine." He shrugged. "Will you stay the night?"

I shook my head. "Not tonight."

"Why?" he persisted. Good lord, this man was a piece of work. No wonder he was so rich. He knew no bounds.

"I already told you. I don't have any clothing to wear tomorrow. I do not like walking out of here in the same clothing I walked in."

"Is that your only reason?"

I nodded. "Pretty much."

"Well, I can get you some clothing." He said as thought the problem was now non-existent.

My mouth dropped. "No."

He raised his brows, clearly astonished. "And, why not?"

"I have my own clothing, Jace. If you gave me advance warning on when you wanted me to spend the night here, I would be ready...but, you didn't and therefore, I'm going home."

He tightened his lips, but did not argue. "Fine. I would like you to spend the night tomorrow."

I ignored his clipped tone. "Fine."

He looked back at me and shook his head. "You test me, Olivia."

"You test me, Jace." I quipped.

His jaw clenched. "You defy me at every turn and challenge me at everything. I don't understand why you do this?"

"I don't know why I do either." I shrugged. "Maybe it's because you clearly expect me to jump when you say jump."

Jace shook his head. I could see he was annoyed and, possibly, angry with me, but there was nothing I could do about it. He was driving me near insane with his commanding domineering. It was one thing in the bedroom...I liked it sexually. It was hot as hell, but outside the bedroom. That was something I couldn't fathom accepting.

"The soup is ready." Jace growled as he filled a bowl for me. "I have some documents to look over. I will be in my office. Gabe will drive you home when you're ready."

I stiffened. "You're not eating with me?"

"No." He turned and walked away. I was stumped. It was nearly eleven and he was ditching me. I thought about arguing with him, but instead I looked down into the soup and waited for him to close the door to his office. As soon as he escaped behind the closed door, I bolted across the floor to the elevator, leaving my soup untouched. I was in no mood to be stopped by him and I hoped he didn't find a way to halt my flight.

When the elevator rolled open, I stepped through the door and pressed the lobby button.

Chapter 14

She irritated me. Everything she did evoked an unwelcome emotion from me I had never before been forced to entertain. Even Lexie, who was the epitome of regret, hadn't possessed the ability to make me feel so helpless and robbed of control.

I shook the thought from my mind as I stared out the window of my office. Olivia was nothing like Lexie. Even I knew they were worlds apart, but I couldn't help but be weary of her regardless. She was female and I had learned the hard way how very conniving and ruthless females could be. Lexie had shown me just how heartless the female species were. Beneath their soft skin and wide eyes, they were little demons.

Since Lexie, I had been able to locate the demons they possessed in their eyes, I found greed disguised as love, and manipulation disguised as weakness. In most men, those things worked...but not me. Never again would a woman fool me. Lexie had nearly destroyed me, and yet, even as I searched for something untrue in Olivia, something that would light the much needed fire under my ass so I might regain my control and walk away from her...hell, I would fucking run from her if I could...but I couldn't. There was nothing amiss about her. She was an innocent in every aspect of the word.

Olivia was cautious of everything. She was cautious of me, and yet, she had given me so much more than she had ever given any other. The idea I was the only man on the face of the earth who had ever been inside her was mind-blowing. She was sweet and so fucking untainted by me. If I weren't so weak, I might walk away for her own damned good...but I couldn't. I just couldn't. She was unlike anyone I had ever pursued. She was good and kind and caring. And, she deserved so much more than me. I was poison to her. But, regardless of my toxicity, I was determined to flow through her veins. I wanted to possess her completely. I wanted her to want me, to rely on me, to need me. I had never wanted a woman with such completeness before. The thought terrified me. She terrified me.

I dragged a hand through my hair. My chest felt tight and my breaths were coming in shallow. What the hell had she done to me? How could I be feeling anything for her? My defenses were built so high and impenetrable she never should have found a way to weasel in. She never should have found a way to break through my barriers. But, she had. Somehow, she had found a way into my heart. I cared for her. That was obvious. It was not love. I was not capable of love, and I would never allow myself to live in such a delusional state as to believe I had somehow found the ability to love, but I did care. I cared more than I should.

I turned on my heel and marched out into the living room. My eyes quickly shot to the island where her still steaming bowl of soup sat with the spoon at its side. She hadn't even touched it. Where the fuck was she?

"Olivia?" I called. My eyes wandered to the stairs and I thought just maybe she'd gone to wait for me in my bed. I knew the thought was just wishful thinking. I had dismissed her when I had gone into my office. I told her to eat and leave. It was obvious she had taken one of my commands to heart, although it was not the one I would have preferred her to listen to. Damn! Why the hell did everything she do inflict feelings of intense frustration? The woman was impossible.

I pulled my phone from my pocket and called Olivia's number. It went to voicemail. My blood heated as my heart throbbed viciously in response to her rejection. Rather than pouring my anger out into her voicemail, I hung up and called Gabe.

"Mr. Rush," Gabe's line opened.

"Is she with you?" I snapped.

"Yes, Sir." Gabe said and I released a tight breath.

"Where are you taking her?"

"Home, Sir."

"Can you please put her on the line, Gabe."

"Yes, Sir."

There was muffling in the background as Gabe explained to Olivia I was on the phone, and I wanted to talk to her. My fingers twitched and my heart thundered.

"Mr. Rush," Gabe's voice came back on the line. "She does not wish to speak with you."

If I had thought I was angry before, I was livid now. I wanted to take her over my knee and spank her pretty ass until it was pink and tingling. "Make sure she gets home safely." I gritted my teeth as I spoke. "And, tell her I'm sorry."

"I will, Sir." I did not miss the surprise in Gabe's tone.

***

Gabe pulled up outside my condo and I sighed in relief. Part of me had been terrified Jace had somehow convinced him to turn around and take me back to his condo, but he hadn't. I didn't know if I was upset about that or not. Did he not want me there with him and if he didn't...then why was he calling? Was he mad I didn't eat the soup? If he was afraid of me going to bed without eating, then he was a fool. I was upset and I totally planned on eating away my frustrations with freshly baked brownies and a cup of white hot chocolate.

I reached for the door handle. "Thank you, Gabe."

"You are welcome, Olivia." He said with a glint in his eyes and a fondness in his tone I could not explain. Gabe had never looked at me like this.

I paused, frowning at him. "Good night."

"Mr. Rush expressed his apologies, Miss." I stiffened and Gabe continued. "To the extend of my knowledge, Mr. Rush has never apologized for anything, to anyone. He simply does not see the need to grovel because of his actions. I know that might not mean a whole lot to you, but I know Mr. Rush and I will be the first to tell you he means it."

I nodded. "Right now I'm upset with Jace. I'm sure by tomorrow, I will not be so frustrated, but right now I'm in need of a good cup of white hot chocolate and some relaxation." I smiled gently as Gabe nodded. "Good night."

"Good night, Olivia." He called. "I will be here in the morning to take you to work. You have my number. You can call me anytime."

"Thank you." I said as I closed the door. I walked to the door of my condo with a heavy heart and overactive tear ducts. For reasons beyond my ability to comprehend, I was a raging mess of emotions that could not be controlled.

I pushed the door of my condo open and flicked on the lamp that sat on the table by the door. Warm amber light spilled into the space and, I sighed. I looked down to see if Trisha was home with Trey, but there were no shoes. Instead, there was a letter. It was addressed to me in handwriting that resembled the previous letter. My heart stilled before it began beating rapidly in my chest. Who the hell was sending me these letters?

I closed the door and carefully locked it behind me. I wished I would have stayed at Jace's tonight. I was afraid without Trisha home and I really did not want to be alone. I also, did not want to read the letter. Slowly, I bent to pick up the paper envelope. I twisted the thin slice of paper in my hands before I stood and walked into my kitchen. I turned on every light as I moved. I was terrified, and every shadow posed as a threat to my existence. I knew I was being ridiculous. The sender obviously slid the letter under my door and walked away...but, I was still afraid...maybe, I was not alone.

I crossed the distance of my condo and quickly pulled the curtains closed over every window before walking to the kitchen. I was agitated.

A thump sounded back in the condo toward my room and my heart started pounding so loud and hard I could feel it against my eardrums. I froze. I stared into the darkness of the hallway and waited for my assailant to attack me. My heart wept as little black paws with one white toe poked out of the darkness, followed by a stretching kitten eager for some attention.

Moo-moo meowed as he padded across the floor toward me. He arched his back and rubbed against my leg as I laughed aloud at my ridiculousness. Jeez, I couldn't remember a time when I had been more spooked.

I decided to avoid any more fear for the night and texted Trisha.

Are you coming home tonight?

No, babe. See you tomorrow. Xoxo.

Xoxo.
I texted back as I stared at the letter on the counter.

I poured Moo-moo a dish of milk before I tore open the envelope. I took a deep breath as I listened to his little tongue lapping up the milk and tried to regain some semblance of courage.

I plucked the letter from the envelope and unfolded the paper.

Olivia,

I see you have chosen to blindly ignore my previous warning to you. I must admit this upsets me. I am deeply bothered by your ignorance. I thought, perhaps, you were smart enough to save yourself and walk away from the monster in the man...but I see now after watching you from afar, you are not stupid or ignorant. You are innocent. And, it is because of that, I must take extensive measures to protect you from him and from yourself. You cannot be trusted to protect yourself and, therefore, I assure you, you can trust in me to protect you. I will shy from nothing to keep you safe.