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.
He patted her thigh, dismissing her. "You can leave now."
The girl frowned, but she didn't protest as she slid off his desk and walked from the office. I waited until the door closed before moving across the office to sit in one of the white leather chairs Caleb had positioned before his desk.
"I'm sorry you caught me having breakfast," Caleb's grin didn't falter.
"You knew I was coming. You requested my presence, Caleb." I growled. My annoyance spiked.
"Yes," he shifted in the high-backed chair. "I suppose I did. But I didn't think you would oblige."
"Why not?"
"You have been...irritable as of late." He stared at me intently and I growled under my breath. "Why?"
"If you have nothing important to discuss, then I will be getting back to my office. I have work to do." I stood.
"You still want her." He stated and I froze mid-step. My blood warmed in my veins as I turned to stare intently at Caleb, daring him to speak another word. He did. "Admit it, Jace."
"Now, why would I do that?" I asked. The tone of my voice came out bitterly and I cursed internally. The last thing I needed was Caleb knowing how entirely affected I was by Olivia.
Caleb laughed. "If you want her this bad you should just take her."
"It's more complicated than that." I snapped.
"Well, I suggest you figure it out, Jace." He leaned over his desk, looking at me with challenge in his eyes. "Because, I can't take another day of your shitty ass attitude."
"Screw you." I turned and walked to the door. If I didn't get out of here soon, I would end up throwing a few painful punches at Caleb. It was not that the idea didn't appeal to me, because it did. Caleb was an ass and he deserved a good beating, but when we fought the business suffered. It just was not worth the money we would lose.
"Forget about me Jace, and screw her." Caleb taunted with laughter in his voice. "You know the only reason you can't forget about her is because you have deemed her forbidden fruit."
I let the door fall closed behind me, shutting off the rest of his spiel. I didn't want to hear it. I had already decided if I couldn't forget about her by today, I would make my move. That had not changed. I would approach her today.
And, I was going in for the kill.
Chapter 4
"All right, Olivia," Trey shifted his weight onto his right foot as he stood by the door of my soon to be shop, looking unsure. "I'm going to head out for the night."
I nodded tiredly, pushing my hair back from my face as I tore my attention away from my laptop. "I'll see you tomorrow."
"Yeah." He opened the door and I bent my head, turning my attention to the screen. "Uh, you want to grab a bite to eat? I know an awesome Italian place just around the corner."
My stomach rumbled. I was hungry, but I didn't want Trey to get the wrong idea, if I agreed. It was already late and the ebony sky was a glowing ember ignited by the glimmer of thousands of street lamps. In my mind, New York at night was one of the most romantic settings in the world, and the last thing I needed was a boyfriend. I already had so much going on in my life, the thought of a boyfriend was just overwhelming and on top of that, I hadn't been able to stop thinking of Jace. I knew it was silly and unrealistic of me, but I wanted him. There was no reason, or logic, behind the burning desire, but none-the-less, it was there.