All Good Things (5 page)

I knew men like Jace. I had grown up with them. They didn't fascinate me or captivate me...so, why did he? I was stumped, but if I had to take a leap and guess, I would have to assume that it was his eyes. His blue eyes made me feel exposed down to my very soul. When he cast his gaze on me, my flesh came alive and my blood warmed. No one had ever made me feel so animated. That had to be the reason for my unexplainable infatuation. Nothing else made any sense.

Jace was all wrong for me. He was everything I ever warned myself against. It was men like him that kept me from pursuing any healthy relationships. I couldn't even allow myself a night of carefree fun with Trisha because of the things I had seen men with money and power do. My own father was no exception to the rule. I made a vow years ago, I would be nothing like my mother who was little more than a trophy wife to her cheating, overbearing husband. Men like Jace, and my father, were dangerous. They cared about nothing, and no one, but themselves. Image was everything to them. In the world they lived in, it had to be. But, I had been raised in that very same world and I knew, first-hand, what happened behind closed doors. I had no desire to immerse myself within that life. And I was proud to say, I was somewhat immune to the glitter and glamor.

I stood from the desk and wandered into the bathroom. I'd made up my mind. If Jace ever decided to come through with his promise and show up, unbidden, in my life, I would turn him down. Any perusal of him would be unhealthy, never mind dangerous to my sanity. It would be flat-out lethal.

It was best I nip this in the butt now, rather than falling to pieces as a result of my weakness later.

***

"I was thinking a serene green." I paused, looking around the blank canvas of the building I hoped to turn into my café bookstore. "And dark wood trim."

Trisha nodded exuberantly. I could see she was relieved to see me back at work. It was obvious by the glances she kept throwing me, she expected me to start moping over the fact that Jace still hadn't walked into my life clearing the wake of mysteries he'd left behind.

That was not going to happen.

"Yeah, I think green sounds nice." She plopped her hands on her hips and spun, eyeing the entire canvas that was mine to transform. The thought sent my blood pumping at a delicious pace through my veins.

"Good." I beamed. "I cannot wait to walk in here and smell the scent of fresh lattes and newly printed books."

Trisha shook her head. "You're the only person on the earth who shoves their nose in every book they pick up."

"They smell like peace." I defended myself adamantly.

"I didn't know peace had a smell."

I shot a smile at her as I walked to the back of the store. "There's a book in my purse. Take a whiff."

"Thanks. But, no thanks."

I shrugged. "Suit yourself."

"You know ereaders are becoming popular now, right?" Trisha asked cautiously. "People don't really need to buy books anymore."

I frowned. "There will always be people, like me, who adore both. There is nothing wrong with an ereader. They offer books you cannot get anywhere else."

"Aren't you worried no one will bother to support your business?"

"Not at all." I grinned. "There is still the coffee."

Trisha smiled her brilliant smile as she shook her head. "You are much more confident than I would be in your shoes."

My heart lurched at the thought that this might not take off like I hoped it would, but if it didn't...it was nothing I couldn't jump back from. I was still young. "I have you to remind me how awesome I am."

She threw her arm around me and pulled me in for a tight hug. "You will always have me."

I knew I would always have Trisha. It always amazed me how protective the girl could be over me when she couldn't even manage to pay a bill on time without me reminding her. She considered me experienced in the world of paper, but innocent in every other aspect of life. I didn't really understand her logic, but I assumed it was because I hadn't slept around at all during high school or even college. I had always preferred to spend my time with my nose buried in the crease of a book or my mind in the clouds.

"When are you expecting the contractor to arrive?" She asked, releasing me from her embrace.

"Soon." I glanced at my watch to find he was late. "He should have been here fifteen minutes ago."

"Oh," the corners of her lips dipped in a frown. "That's not a good start."

"Anything could have happened," I shrugged it off. "This is New York."

"The city of possibilities." Trisha finished off for me and we laughed like hyenas at our ridiculousness.

Just then, the door opened. A man walked into the room as we quickly swiped at the tears that had formed in the corners of our eyes from laughing too hard, for too long. He looked behind him, shifted uncomfortably and sighed. "I'm Trey Boyd, the contractor."

I fought to assemble myself as I closed the distance, offering him my hand. "I'm Olivia LeRoux and this is Trisha Bauer. It's nice to meet you." And it was. He was hot!

Trey had sandy hair and amused green eyes. His muscles bulged under his fitted blue shirt and his hand was strong and warm as it folded around mine.

"It's my pleasure." His steady eyes remained on my face for longer than necessary and I felt a blush creep into my cheeks.

I shifted uncomfortably. Trisha came to my rescue, shoving her hand into his. "You made it. We were almost worried you weren't going to show."

"That would be bad for business." He smiled and Trisha melted. I literally watched as the muscles in her back relaxed beneath his grin. He really was good at this. Trisha didn't melt for just anyone. She flirted with anyone who looked her way, but melting was reserved for a small selection of men who walked the earth.

Trey pulled his hand from Trisha's. His eyes flickered over my body as though he was drinking me in. He was cute and definitely interesting. But, he just didn't do it for me...not the way Jace did. I caught myself before my track of thought was lost in the memory of Jace's heated gaze. I cursed internally.

I was so not going there!

I cleared my throat. "Well, I guess we should be getting started."

"As you wish." Trey winked, as he turned his back to me. My mouth fell open as I watched him move to a small table that had been brought in for situations like these. Trey laid his plans on the dusty surface and started pointing, forcing me to close the distance between us so I was able to understand what he was referring to when he spoke.

Trisha shot me a shit-grin when I moved nearer to Trey. I glared daggers at her. If she humiliated me today by offering to set us up on a date, I would kill her and bury her body in Central Park. There was only so much stimulation my nerves could take and their weekly cap had already been used on Jace.

Trey went over everything. On top of being absolutely stunning, he was truly exceptional at his job. And, beyond that, it seemed he was passionate about every aspect his job entailed. His energy was vibrating around him as he spoke about the colors, the set up of the café section and the rows of built in bookshelves. He missed nothing. He was so hired.

If there was anyone I trusted with aiding me in making my dream become reality, it was him. His eye for detail in a blank opus was extraordinary and I would be a fool not to see that.

"What do you think? Is there anything I missed?" He asked. I leaned over his drawing. I was in awe of his talent.

"No," I breathed. "I think you captured my vision for the place."

"I'm glad to hear that." He grinned and leaned down on the table next to me. His face was inches from mine and my heart lurched. "When do we start?"

"Um," I straightened and he chuckled. "When can you get a crew together?"

"As soon as Monday." He said confidently.

"Sounds great." I smiled, trying to keep a professional tone to our conversation. "We will start Monday."

***

"Cheers!" Trisha squealed as she clinked her wineglass against mine before taking an ample gulp of the deep red liquid. She sighed in delight and smiled. "I've been waiting to crack these bottles since last Thursday."

I smirked. "I bet you have."

"Hey," she barked. "Just because you don't see the reason to indulge in a celebratory drink, doesn't mean I'm as boring."

"Uh, huh." I took another sip and inhaled the scent of herbs and spice that wafted from the lasagna in my oven. I knew most people in New York used their ovens as a place to store shoes, but I couldn't get over how absurd that was. New York was expensive as it was. I couldn't fathom the excuse of eating out each night. Plus, I enjoyed cooking.

"Seriously, Olivia," Trisha took another sip before setting her glass down on the coffee table to add another coat of paint to her toenails. "You need to live a little more."

"I am living."

"No, you are existing." She argued pointedly. "There's a difference."

I sighed. "And how do you suppose I live?"

"How about dating?" She proposed and I cringed. "Trey is totally into you and he is crazy hot!"

"I don't know,"

"Oh, come on," She flailed her hand and I watched with wide eyes as the purple brush moved through the air. If she dropped it, and got the shinny purple paint stuck in the rug, I was going to freak. "You are twenty-two and you still haven't had sex. I have been waiting for years for you to tell me you finally let it go."

"Seriously?" I exclaimed. "That's why you want me to date?"

She shrugged. "Honey, I just want you to experience."

I sighed. "Maybe I'm waiting for marriage."

She laughed. She actually laughed at me! "That's bullshit and we both know it."

Offence burned in my cheeks as I stared at her, waiting for her to explain. When she didn't elaborate on her comment, I spoke. My voice was thick. "Why is that bullshit?"

Trisha dunked the brush back into the nail polish and tightened the lid. "I think you and I both know you don't believe in marriage."

I knew where she was getting this...but, was I really so opposed to the idea? "No, I believe in marriage."

"You do?" She asked in surprise. Her eyes were wide. I felt as though I had grown another head for her to ogle.

"I don't know," I stood as the ovens timer chimed. "I don't believe in the kind of marriage my parents had, but who knows...maybe marriage isn't so bad."

"Okay, I can entertain you." She said as she followed me into the kitchen. "Exactly what kind of marriage do you think you want? Because I hate to break it to you since your parents really are totally and completely screwed up. But, all marriage really is is a binding contract."

"I know." I murmured. I shoved my hands into oven mitts and opened the door before pulling the hot dish from the heat and setting it on top of the stove.

"Well, what kind of marriage are you waiting for? Because, from where I'm standing, if you're waiting on marriage, then you're going to die a virgin."

I glared at her. "I want the union without the contract."

"Then, that is not marriage."

I shook my head and lifted my glass to my lips, downing every last drop.

***

I rode the elevator to the top floor, thanking small mercies there was no one in the confined space to witness my unease. It had been a week since I'd last spoken to Olivia. I felt as though I was starving for some sort of interaction with her. I hated how weak I had become since meeting her. It was as though she had my balls in her fist and I was helpless to go about my life the way I always had before meeting her. I wished I had never left the office early that Thursday. If I had stayed late, like I usually did, I wouldn't have seen her. I would still be the Jace Rush that used women for my pleasure without thinking of them again. It was difficult to admit, even to myself, but I hadn't enjoyed a woman's body since I'd met Olivia. It was probably why I was so damned irritable. I hadn't had release in a week, not for lack of trying.

I had even gone to the grand opening of my newest hotel I hoped to make into a chain with a supermodel I met while on business in Malan. She was stunning. I had wanted her when I'd met her in Malan, but for legal complications, I had walked away. I didn't usually consort with women who walked in my world. They were too educated. And, if I was being honest with myself, I knew they wouldn't be willing to sign my contract. They knew enough about my world to know, not everyone with money and power was as fucked up as me.

I'd been told I liked sex rough, and after shit went down with Lexie, I even started seeing a psychologist. He recommended I have a lawyer draw up a contract to have signed before entering into a physical relationship with another individual, and because I was still paying Lexie for the 'supposed' abuse she endured by my hand. I took his advice and applied it to every sexual relationship I had since. I'd learned my lesson.

The elevator door chimed as it rolled open. I stepped out into the foyer of the top floor and Laura smiled at me from her desk. She'd worked for me for years. After the sorry excuse of a man she had called a husband disappeared to Italy with another woman, I'd given her a raise and the position she currently held. She had two kids at home and without the pay raise she wouldn't have been able to support for them. I didn't mind though. She was always on time and she was efficient.

"Good morning, Mr. Rush." She greeted and I nodded. "Mr. Cage would like to see you in his office when you have a moment."

"Would he?" I growled.

"Yes, Sir." Laura nodded. Her eyes glittered knowingly and I shook my head as I turned away from my side of the upper floor to the left where Caleb's office sat.

I didn't bother knocking to alert him to my presence, I just twisted the knob and walked in. I was not surprised, or even fazed, by the sight that greeted my arrival. It was not yet eight a.m. and Caleb was already indulging himself with a woman. Her back was to me and her legs were spread wide. Her beige skirt was bunched up at the waist, baring tanned thighs. I fucking hoped she didn't work for me.

Caleb lifted his face from between her legs and grinned as he wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. The woman whimpered her frustration, but Caleb didn't seem to notice.