All Good Things Absolved (19 page)

I nodded, feeling my eyes mist with tears. I was an emotional pregnant woman - and I was not sorry for it in the least. Jace set his hand against my knee and I looked up at him. His brow was knitted in confusion. "You're crying?"

"Not yet." I shook my head, feeling Trey's eyes settle on me.

"Why are you about to cry?" Jace asked gruffly. "Do you want me to turn around?"

Trisha scoffed and I shook my head on a giggle. "They are called happy tears, Jace." Trisha stated matter of face as she reached into the front seat to squeeze my shoulder. "We're home, Liv."

"Home?" Jace frowned.

"This was our home." I explained. "This was the place we lived for."

He nodded, but I could see by the confusion in his eyes that he didn't understand what I was talking about. "All right."

I cocked my head toward the cabin. "Let's get inside. Grace is bound to have something in the oven."

***

I sat back in the chair and grinned like the Cheshire cat as I took in the scene around me. Everyone was sitting at the dining room table and the room was bustling with laughter and easy banter. Everyone was at ease and everyone was blissfully happy. I rubbed my hand over my belly.

Grace's eyes followed the glimmer of my ring. "That is one stunning diamond, Olivia." she winked. "You've done well."

"Why, thank you." I beamed up at Jace and my heart fluttered at the proud smile he wore. Damn, he was beautiful. I doubted I would ever wake a day and live without feeling my heart grow feather light with happiness. This was true love in its finest expression. It was perfection.

"And you're going to be a mom." She shook her head, looking at her husband Clive with shimmering eyes. "I never thought I would see the day."

"Honestly, neither did I." I laughed and Jace shook his head.

"She will be an amazing mother." He added determinedly. His hand found my knee and he squeezed gently. "She has more love in her than anyone I know and that is all a child really needs."

Clive nodded with mischievous eyes. "We gave Trisha endless love and look at how she turned out."

"Dad!" Trisha whined. "I turned out amazingly and you know it."

"If you say so, darling." Clive nodded with mock obedience and the table burst into laughter.

As soon as the humor fell to the wayside, Grace turned to Trisha. "When can we expect you to be married?"

She snorted. "When I find a decent man."

"You're not with Trey?" She frowned and Trisha sighed heavily.

"Mom, I told you we weren't together before we even came here."

"I thought you were avoiding the truth." She blushed and looked at Trey with uncertain eyes. "I'm sorry dear. I don't mean to embarrass you.

"It's really fine." he rubbed his forehead. "We're just friends though."

"Well," Grace shrugged on a smile. "That might just change. You never know."

Trey nodded. "That's true. You never know what'll happen."

At his comment, the entire table turned silent and Trisha stared. Her entire face was contorted with dumfounded shock. It was apparent she didn't know how to react.

Thankfully, Jace broke the ice. "Well, Mr. And Mrs. Bauer. We'd better head off to bed. I know Olivia is exhausted and she needs her sleep. Doctors orders."

"They were Doctors orders from a month ago, Jace." I protested playfully. I wanted to go to bed more than anything, but I enjoyed teasing him and I couldn't pass up a pristing opportunity as this.

"Olivia," he sighed. "I will carry you."

My mouth dropped at the threat in his tone and Clive chuckled. "Better listen to him, woman."

Jace snapped his finger and pointed at Clive. "I like you."

"You're not too bad yourself, young man." Clive returned as he leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms over his chest. He looked back at me. "You'd better get up there, Liv, or he's going to have to act on his promise."

I looked sheepishly up at Jace and found he was wearing his shit-grin. "You know I will, Angel."

"Oh really?"

"Are you challenging me?"

I shook my head quickly. "I would never!"

Trisha laughed loudly, slapping her knee for good measure. "Just throw her over your shoulder, Jace."

Trey joined in the banter against Olivia. "Show her whose boss."

Jace bent at the waist, ready to scoop me up in his arms. I threw my hands up in the air. "Okay. Okay." I squealed loudly. "I'm coming."

"That's my girl." Jace murmured against my ear when I stood, coming to stand close beside him. "Goodnight." Jace spoke sincerely. "We'll see you in the morning."

"Oh," Trisha's hand fell against the surface of the table. "I forgot to mention we were going skiing first thing in the morning. I don't suppose you're going to come?"

I shook my head at the same time as Jace spoke. "Absolutely not. She's pregnant." He scoffed.

"I know she's pregnant." Trisha snapped in return. "Pregnant women ski all the time."

Jace set glaring eyes on me. "You're not going."

I rested my hand against his forearm. I could almost feel him vibrating with anger-induced worry. "I'm not going." I set my eyes on Trisha. "You know we've already had a close call and I can't risk it, Trisha." I shrugged. "I wanted to do some shopping anyway. You guys go and have fun and we'll see you when you're back."

"Sounds like a plan." Trey butted in, keeping Trisha from replying with any snarky remark that might find its way from her mouth.

"Love you all." I blew a kiss as Jace's hand wound around my waist. One moment my feet were firmly planted on the ground and the next, they were lifted in the air and I was settled firmly against his chest as he cradled me in his arms.

Jace took the stairs two at a time and walked down the hall to our bedroom. He shut the door behind him before setting striding across the room and setting me on the bed. Even though we were on the other side of the cabin, I could hear them all laughing joyously as they shared tidbits about their lives.

"Do you want a shower or bath?" Jace asked.

"I'd love a shower." Before I even had the words from my mouth, Jace was pulling my sweater over my head. His hands were quick to unclasp my bra and I moaned as my swollen breasts fell free from the restraining fabric.

He pushed me back on the bed, his eyes hot with desire as his hands trailed a fiery path over the smooth skin of my chest and belly to the material of my leggings at my waist. Slowly, he pulled the skintight clothing from my body before stripping me of my panties. He bent his head, pressing his lips to the soft spot on my ankle before kissing a tender path up my calves and thighs. When he came to the V in my thighs, his hands pushed my knees apart and I sucked in a harsh breath of air as I waited for the feel of his lips on me. My tender flesh was throbbing in needy awareness as he lowered his head, running his nose slowly along the length of my parted lips. My moan was strangled as his tongue jutted into my opening, his nose pressing into my aching clit. My hands fisted into the comforter atop the bed and my back arched - a telltale sign of pleasure.

Jace grabbed my butt in his hands, cupping each cheek, his thumbs digging into the side of my hips. I pulled my bottom lip into my mouth and bit down hard as I struggled to hold my moans inside. The need to let them loose only seemed to aid in the build-up of my pleasure. He massaged my opening with the tip of his tongue, lapping up my juices with vigor. Every swipe of his tongue sent a thrill pulsing through my body. Without thinking, I wrapped my legs around his shoulders, holding him to me. Silently begging and pleading for more. I needed more.

"Jace, please." I moaned.

He moved his hand to my opening and I felt the pad of his thumb pressing against my sensitive spot. "Tell me what you want, Angel?"

"You." I sounded distraught even to my own ears. "Please. I only want you."

"Always." Jace spoke through husky tones.

I nodded, desperate for him to claim me. "Always."

"I'll give you anything and everything, Angel." He murmured. Passion was thick in his voice and I didn't doubt that he meant every word he spoke.

"I only want you." I breathed.

He unhooked my legs from around his neck before hiking me up from the bed, wrapping my legs around his waist as he carried me across the room to the quaint bathroom. He closed the door and kissed me hard as he sat me down on the vanity. "Taste yourself on me, Angel."

My stomach felt tight and knotted at his words. I was aching for him inside me and his dirty words were agonizing torture. "I taste me, Jace."

"Do you see what I can't get enough?" His hand hooked the back of my neck, pulling me tighter against him. I ran my hands up the length of his chest before finding his buttons. Quickly and with shaking hands from anticipation, I tore each button from their holes. "You taste so fucking good."

"Make love to me." I begged.

"Not yet," he shook his head, his teeth clamping down on my bottom lip. "Not until you can't go another second without me inside you."

I groaned in sweet frustration. "I'm already there."

He thumbed my bruised lip as he pulled back to look at me with smoldering eyes. "No you aren't." He moved his hand down to the swollen throbbing flesh of my most tender spot. "But you will be."

I let my head ball back as he pushed his finger ever so slowly inside me, milking my body of every second of pleasure it had to give. I felt the need for him in my toes as he found a torturously sweet rhythm. His thumb worked the sensitive flesh of my clit as his finger pumped inside me, working me to the edge and stopping only moments before I found release. With a cocky grin and brilliant blue eyes, Jace turned his back to me to start the shower.

He was a sight in his dark jeans and unbuttoned shirt. His black hair was messy and his lips were wet and red from kissing me. He looked like a God. My God.

When he walked toward me, I felt my heart leap in my chest. His eyes zeroed in on me and my hands started shaking, my body quaking. "You're gorgeous." His eyes moved over my body and goosebumps littered my flesh. "Your breasts are swollen, your nipples pebbled for me." He groaned and licked his lips. His words were killing me. If he didn't stop, surely I would combust all on my own. "With your legs spread, I can see your need for me. I fucking love seeing you undone because of me, Angel. If I died now I would be a happy man."

"Jace," I moaned. I was through with waiting for him. I needed release and my own hands would do the damned trick. I let my hand move down my body to the wet V in my thigh and as soon as I found the bundle of nerves at the apex, I moaned. I let my other hand find my breast and I rolled my pebbled nipple through my fingers. I could feel him watching me with hot, jealous eyes but I didn't care. I let my eyes fall closed and my breathing became short as I pushed my finger inside my opening, moments from sweet release.

Shock rolled through my body as Jace pulled my hand away. He held his cock in his other hand and his eyes were bright and determined as he slammed inside me to the hilt. He stopped moving as I shattered around him, biting his shoulder to keep my moans at bay.

"This is mine, Angel." His voice was hoarse against my throat. "Only mine. You come for me."

I nodded. "Yes."

As though finding solstice in my agreement, he started to move, finding a delicious rhythm that had my orgasm climbing to the moon for the second time in only a few minutes.

Chapter 19

"If you don't pull over right now," I winced, shifting in the seat. "I'm going to pee in this car!"

"Olivia," he sounded strained - but damn! My bladder was strained.

"Jace, it hurts."

His eyes set on me, almost frantic. "What hurts?"

"My bladder!"

"Shit," he shook his head. "I'm trying to find somewhere to park!"

"Oh, God!" I crossed my legs, hoping for relief. "Let me out of the car and I'll walk to the café."

"No."

"You can meet me there!" I protested, knowing full well why he didn't want to let me out to walk. He didn't want to take the chance that something or someone might hurt me. "This over protective thing you've got going on is going to kill me."

"Olivia, you're not walking in an unfamiliar town to a café without me."

"It's not unfamiliar to me." I snapped. I was balancing on the fine line between livid and down right annoyed. "I basically lived here for a month twice a year."

"Two weeks." He corrected. "You stayed here for two weeks in the winter."

"And a month in the summer."

Jace swung the Range Rover into a parking lot and I jumped down, half running for the nearest café. He was quick to appear beside me and as he clutched onto my arm, I knew he was ensuring that I wouldn't fall as I raced down the snow coated sidewalk toward the nearest Café. "Slow down."

"If you tell me to slow down or wait for another minute," I growled. "I don't know what I'll do, Jace."

"I don't know what's gotten into you." He said as we walked into the Café. I didn't take the time to answer him as I bolted to the bathroom. Just before I closed the door behind me, I heard Jace speak. "The wife's pregnant." There was a consecutive mumbling of understandings before I let myself forget about the world outside the washroom. I had business to take care of.

I opened the door to find Jace leaning against the wall with his arms crossed over his chest. The collar of his black jacket was popped and his angular jaw was set. "Better?"

"You have no idea." I grinned.

"I think I do." He peeled himself from the wall. "Although I must say I never want to witness that again."

"Pardon?" I plopped my hands on my hips. "You wouldn't pull over."

"I wasn't going to let you piss in the woods in winter, Olivia." His tone was hushed.

I rolled my eyes. "And when we got to town you just couldn't find a parking space and refused to let me out so I could find a washroom."

He shook his head. "Do you really want to argue about this?"

"I didn't know we were arguing." I shrugged. "But if we were it was because you were being unreasonable."

"I wasn't."