"Is something wrong?" I asked unsurely as he studied me. His lips were tipped in a frown that marred his handsome features and his eyes were hard and sad. I couldn't begin to fathom what had upset him so quickly, but I wanted to make him feel better. I needed to make him feel better. I already missed the glitter that lived in the depths of his deep blue eyes.
"No," He shook his head. "How are you getting home?"
I felt as though I had been slapped by the sudden topic change and my face heated of its own accord. "Um, I'm walking."
Anger flashed in his eyes. "You are not walking."
"Pardon me?" I asked. I was completely taken aback. Who did he think he was to tell me what I was or was not doing?
Jace pulled a key ring from his jacket. "I'll drive you."
I shook my head. "You don't have to. I like the walk."
A shadow crossed his face, daring me to argue. "I told you once, you are not walking. This is New York. It's no place for a young woman to go gallivanting along the streets at night."
My mouth dropped. He might be able to talk this way to his other conquests...or whatever I was to him, but I would not stand for it. I don't give a shit how much money he makes. I'm not going to submit to his ridiculous whims.
Without looking at him, I moved to the table and pulled the strap of my laptop case onto my shoulder. "Are you ready to leave?" I asked.
Momentary surprise flashed in his eyes before pleasure settled into the deep blue depths at my easy acceptance of his demands. I shook my head, biting back a growl of frustration. If he thought I was going to lie back and take his shit, he had another thing coming. I didn't know him from a patron in the café I visited regularly. He had no right to make demands of me.
Jace walked from the shop and I shoved my key into the lock before twisting my wrist harshly. The lock thudded in the door, and I sighed, as I turned to face him, dropping my keys in my bag. "I'm walking home, Jace. I don't appreciate being told what to do. I had enough of that from my parents and I'm not taking it from you. Goodbye."
"Then, I will walk with you." Jace said through tightly clenched teeth. I rolled my eyes. "Don't roll your eyes."
"Don't tell me what to do." I snapped.
I watched with interest as a muscle in his jaw twitched. "Let's go."
"I can walk alone." I sighed. "Obviously, you have a car here. There is no point in you walking me to my condo when you are going to have to walk back to retrieve your vehicle."
"You're correct, Olivia." Jace growled. "There is no point."
I stomped my foot without thinking how ridiculously childish the action would appear and blushed immediately afterward. He was so immensely irritating. I had spent ten minutes with him and he already had me wanting to pull my hair from my head.
"Then get in your car and drive away." My voice shook as I spoke, my anger audible. "I've taken care of myself in this city for the last five months, and I will continue doing just fine. I don't need you hovering over me as though I'm a child."
"Then stop acting like a child." Jace barked. "If you don't want me to drive you or walk you, at least call a cab."
My heart lurched in fear. I hadn't ridden in a taxi since the accident. I didn't remember it, but for some reason, I was unexplainably terrified of riding in one again. "No."
"I'll pay for it." Jace offered and my cheeks flamed. My fear turned quickly to anger.
"This is not about money. I already told you I would pay you back." I snapped. My voice was raising an octave with each passing minute. Soon, I wouldn't be able to control myself.
"Then what the hell is it about?" Jace barked back at me. I had a feeling he was not quick to anger and his heated reaction surprised me. By the look in his eyes, it had surprised him too.
I folded my arms over my chest and tapped my foot on the cement as I thought through my options. I wanted to walk because the night air was refreshing against my heated skin, but I knew if I walked, Jace would too. I didn't want him to have to walk back to his car because of me. And, there was absolutely no way I was getting into a taxi just yet, so I decided I was left with him driving me.
I shook my head. "You realize this is absurd?"
Jace fisted his hands, but aside from that, his body exuded no movement. "I do."
"You realize you are absurd." I stated, needing to clarify I didn't believe I was in any way at fault for this ludicrous situation we were trapped in.
"If you say so." Jace muttered.
"If you insist on being difficult, you can drive me." I finally said and my tone was defeated.
Jace sighed in relief. "I insist."