All Good Things (18 page)

She nodded. "Absolutely."

"Why?"

She stood and walked to my closet, pulling a black satin dress from a hanger. "Because, someone has to be there to kiss away poor Trey's wounds when you shatter his hopes."

I shook my head. "I am not going to wound him."

"Yes, you will." Trisha argued. "You are so caught up in the world of Jace Rush, you can't even see how affected Trey is by you."

"He is not affected by me." I frowned. "He's just tempted by the challenge I present."

"Keep telling yourself that, but Jace Rush has you wrapped around his finger." Trisha slipped out of her jeans and tank top before stepping into my dress. I rolled my eyes.

"I don't want to talk about Jace tonight." I said flatly.

"You want to do so much more than talk about Jace." She waggled her brows at me and I blushed.

"Oh. My. God." Her eyes widened. "You do want him again!"

"Trisha," I warned. "Let it go."

"Absolutely not. No can do, sister." She followed me into the hallway as Moo-moo weaved through my feet on his way to my bedroom. "Why don't you just call him back and tell him you'll meet him?"

"I have plans with Trey."

"I could have plans with Trey." She winked at me. "Believe me, by the end of the night that boy will forget you even exist."

"Oh my goodness." I covered my ears. "I don't want to hear it."

She laughed for a moment before all traces of humor were gone from her face. "I'm serious Liv, you need to let Trey know you have feelings for someone else. Someone he can't compete with."

"I thought I had." I frowned. "I even left with Jace yesterday."

"Look, I still don't like Jace, but it's obvious you do." She sighed. "I have no idea what you see in him, but I know you, well enough, to know you are not irrational in regard to the men you choose to allow into your life. If you feel something for Jace, there is a reason. I think you should follow your gut...or, your heart." She scrunched her nose. "Whatever that saying is."

I laughed. Trisha was the worst person in the world to hand out advice. She did what she wanted regardless of the consequences. The fact that she was offering me her advice, and it was to take a chance with Jace, should have me doing the exact opposite. But, it didn't. It had me itching to dial the number I programed into my phone after Jace called me today. I wanted to, so badly...and I knew if he had asked me to dinner like a normal person, I would have gone. But, he hadn't. He demanded I be ready, and at his disposal, and I couldn't allow him to believe he had control over me. I couldn't.

"Look, I will let you flirt with Trey and, all that, tonight...but, I really can't call Jace." I spoke softly, hoping she didn't demand an explanation, because I simply, couldn't give her one.

Trisha stared at me for a long moment before finally nodding. "Fine. But, you need to figure out what you are going to do with Jace. You have a choice to make. And, if you want him in your life, you better make it quick. Men like Jace Rush don't wait around for long."

My stomach flipped at the thought of Jace simply losing interest in me, but then maybe that would be for the best. "I'll think about it tonight."

The door buzzer rang and Trisha flashed a wide smile. "Come on, Liv. The night is young and the possibilities are endless."

I weaved my arm thought Trisha's as we made our way to the ground floor where Trey was undoubtedly waiting. I tried to ignore the hopeful butterflies that swarmed my stomach at the possibility that maybe it was not Trey...but Jace. If it was, I knew I would be all kinds of helpless against his charms. I would, undoubtedly, allow him to fly me away, with no questions asked.

Trey grinned at us as we walked toward him. I thought there would be confusion in his eyes when he realized Trisha was joining us, but there was not. Instead, he looked almost relieved.

"Hey," he breathed. His eyes moved over Trisha, and then, over me. "The taxi is waiting."

I nodded and smiled as Trisha slid her arm into Treys, leading him to the door. "Let's be on our way, then."

I followed close behind them and slid into the taxi next to Trisha who was cuddled, as close as she could get to Trey in the backseat. He didn't seem bothered by her sudden affections in the least and I couldn't help but wonder, if maybe, Jace or Gabe had sunken their fangs into Trey.

"So, are we still going to the same place?" I asked, leaning over Trisha to see Trey.

"Uh, yeah." He nodded.

I couldn't help but frown. Trey was acting weird and I didn't like it, but I was not about to badger him for an explanation. I focused out the window, trying to forget about Trisha's incessant flirting.

The taxi pulled up outside a little Italian restaurant that had a patio stretched out on the sidewalk. It was a quaint restaurant I couldn't picture Jace ever dining at. He was too extreme...in everything he did. A place like this, surely, wouldn't appeal to him, but even though my logic was nearly perfect, I still felt as though I was about to turn around and look into his captivating, cobalt eyes. The thought made me shiver.

"Are you cold?" A deep voice asked against my ear. Holy shit! He's here! I couldn't force myself to turn around and face him. My stomach was flipping like a fish out of water. My fingers trembled as I toyed nervously with the hem of my dress. Why was he here? "After extensive hounding on my part, Trey told me where you were going to be tonight."

That rat! "He did?"

"Yes." Jace hadn't moved from his position behind me and I hadn't moved to face him. My eyes were focused on the retreating backs of my dates.

"What are you doing here?" I breathed.

"I came to take you to dinner." Jace said roughly. "It would have been so much easier if you would have just allowed me to pick you up at home, but I don't mind the chase." He purred in my ear. "Actually, I like the chase."

Wow...how was it possible for my entire body to engulf in raging flames at only his words? It made no sense.

"We should go in then," I said. "Don't you think?" God...I wanted him to say no. I wanted him to tell me we didn't need to go to dinner anymore. I was not hungry for food. I was ravenous for him.

"We should." He moved away from my back to stand beside me, but his hand set against the small of my back. The pressure of his hand heated my skin through the thin layer of my dress and, I sighed. Jace looked down at me through hot eyes and I blushed. "You know you are beautiful," he spoke softly. "Exceptionally so, when you blush."

"Thank you." I murmured. I wanted to find it within myself to be angry with him...but, I couldn't. His persistence was something I had to admit thrilled me.

"You are very welcome." He spoke with control. How was it I couldn't refrain from being so affected by his mere presence, and yet, he was entirely unaffected by my touch? It made my nerves dance.

"Why are you here, Jace?" I asked. I hated how the question made me sound so needy, but I had to know what he was doing here. I had to know what he wanted from me because only this morning, I was certain, anything personal between us had vanished.

"I wanted to see you, Olivia." Jace replied coolly, before he fastened his attention on the hostess. "We are with the Boyd table."

"Of course, sir." The woman nodded obligingly, but not first without giving him a slow once over before licking her plump lips. I shook my head and shifted uncomfortably.

Jace didn't seem phased by the hostess as she led us through the restaurant and out onto the patio. The patio was cute. It was decorated to give the feeling of Italy. There was a long stretch of wooden beams overhead and along every beam, twinkling lights flickered. The patio was covered with plants and flowers. It was a place I would definitely like to visit again. I was cheesy like that. I liked flowers and lighting and sappy stories of love and happily ever after.

Trisha looked up from her flirting with Trey and her eyes widened at the sight of me with Jace. Trey appeared to be feeling both uncomfortable and angry, but I didn't really care. He sealed the deal on our friendship when he told Jace where I would be tonight. I only wondered what he had bargained for in order to give Jace the information...or what Jace held over him. It was more than obvious Trey still didn't like Jace. His eyes were narrowed and his shoulders were tense as he watched Jace pull the chair out for me to sit in. I sat and he slid the chair closer to the table before taking a seat beside me. This was going to be one awkward night.

Trisha leaned into the table, eyeing Jace seriously. "You decided to join us?"

Jace nodded. "I did."

"How did you know where we would be?" She asked. "I was under the impression Liv didn't want to have dinner with you."

I felt my face flush a deep cherry red as I stared in horror at Trisha. Leave it to her to be blunt and frankly...rude.

Jace nodded again. "Your date actually told me where you were going to be tonight and I thought I would join."

Trisha's brows raised. "My date?" She looked at Trey who looked like he was ready to murder Jace in the worst of ways. "You invited him?"

"I didn't invite him." He growled, staring haughtily at Jace. "I told him where we would be and hoped he would not join, but here he is."

I decided now was as good a time as any to speak up. "It is what is it, so let's just make the best of it." Jace smiled tightly as his eyes swept over the table. It was obvious he didn't want to be here. He was uncomfortable. I shifted in my seat, pushing my chair away from the table to stand. "On second thought, you guys have a nice evening. I'm going to get out of here." I looked down at Jace. "Are you coming?"

Jace shook his head sharply. "No, Olivia. You need to eat."

Here he was being bossy again. I don't know why it was surprising to me. It shouldn't be considering the fact that it was just in his nature to act as though he owns everything and everyone.

I focused steely eyes on him. "I am leaving, Jace." I took pride in my unwavering tone. "You can come with me, or you can stay here. It's your decision."

I turned to walk away and he cursed. The sound of chair legs on the stone patio made my heart jump. I looked over my shoulder to wave at Trisha who winked at me before walking from the restaurant.

I felt Jace near me before he spoke. It was as though my body responded to his on another level my mind couldn't comprehend. My skin tingled and my stomach flipped.

"Why do you insist on defying me in everything?" He demanded.

I shrugged. "Why do you insist on acting like my father?"

He stiffened, visibly, at my side. "I do not insist or even want to be your father, Olivia."

"Then, stop trying to control me at every turn." I snapped.

He caught my upper arm in his grasp, forcing me to stop walking and meet his blazing gaze. "I'm taking you home, Olivia. You need to eat and we have important matters that must be discussed."

I sighed. "Do these important matters include your ridiculous notions that I need a bodyguard?"

He growled low under his breath. "They include, but are not limited to, your safety."

"I am not discussing any 'alleged' dangers with you, Jace." I tried to pull my arm from his hold, but he wouldn't relent. "Let me go."

"Are you coming with me, Olivia?" He asked seriously. There was nothing humorous in his tone. His jaw was hard and set in a firm, grim line. His eyes were steely. I had a feeling if I walked away from him now, I would lose any hope of ever having him in my life again.

The thought of losing him was too much. I nodded. "I'm coming with you."

Chapter 12

My hands curled into tight fists against the granite countertop of the island in Jace's kitchen. My eyes burned and my knees were weak as I sat numbly staring at the contract laid out in front of me. In all my life, I never once imagined I would be sitting in the kitchen of a man I was borderline obsessed with, staring at a contract that, basically, requested I sign away the rights to my body, and my time...to him. The words on the sheet of paper were not complex. As a matter of fact, they were really quite simple, direct even...but I still couldn't wrap my mind around them. They were absurd. This was absurd! But, the most ludicrous thing of all was, I was seriously considering picking up the black inked pen Jace had set beside me and scribbling my signature over the blank space provided.

All in all, the contract requested I give Jace the right to possess my body sexually and in every other way possible...and in the event the relationship goes sour, I can never take him to court. For anything.

My eyes skimmed over the section that would require me to accept Gabe as my personal driver slash bodyguard. I sighed, feeling severely overwhelmed. It was funny how that was what overwhelmed me on the contract. It was not the countless other shocking points. No, it was the thought of taking a bodyguard that pushed me over the edge. My mother must have dropped me on my head as a baby. There was no other explanation.

I glanced up to see Jace leaning back against the counter. His hands were shoved deep in his pockets and his eyes were serious and probing. Intense. He was waiting patiently for my answer. He appeared to be cool and calm...and collected, while I squirmed at the impropriety of every second word I read. I wanted to make him sweat.

"Do you have a highlighter?" I asked.

He narrowed his eyes. "What do you need a highlighter for?"

"Do you have one or not?" I asked quietly.

Jace didn't say anything as he pushed himself from the counter and disappeared from the kitchen. I looked down at the contract again.

I was requested to provide him with complete sexual authorization over my body. I would try everything he desired, at least, once. My stomach tightened with the delicious discomfort that screamed...I wanted him. Okay, I guess I could deal with that.

One request down...

Jace came back with a yellow highlighter and set it down on the contract. He didn't say a word and I didn't either. I decided to categorize the contract into two sections. Things I could live with...and things I couldn't. I pulled the lid off the highlighter and skimmed the contract.