All Good Things(20)

My heart rushed as I thought of bolting from the car, but I knew I couldn't. Whatever this attraction was Jace held over me, I was aware it simply could not be denied. I was simply not strong enough.

Finally, I replied. "I do like to escape." I admitted quietly. I felt foolish as I looked at my fidgeting hands in my lap. "Sometimes, I just need to."

There was no warning for what happened next. I had no time to prepare my heart, and I was certain that if I did, I still wouldn't have been able to muster the courage to stop him.

Jace slid his fingers beneath my chin, tilting my head back so I was staring up into his devilish eyes. His touch sent electrified jolts through my entire body, igniting my core into uncontrollable flames of desire. I tightened my thighs, willing the delicious ach away as he dropped his eyes from mine to stare hungrily at my lips. Without thinking of the action, I swiped my tongue over my lower lip, wetting it. My heart raced and my nerves tore at my insides. I pulled my bottom lip into my mouth, scraping my teeth over the plump, moist lip before releasing it. I felt the blood rush to the surface and my bottom lip burned from the assault, but I was too far gone to care. I was lost in his eyes. Jace made a sound deep in his throat, and I knew he was a man of broken will.

His mouth crushed against mine as his hand moved from beneath my chin to cup the back of my neck. Every hair follicle on my body was on high alert, over stimulated from his touch as he weaved his hand through my hair, grabbing hold of the wavy brown locks as he tilted my head back so he had better access to my mouth.

I didn't fight him. I couldn't fight him. His mouth covered mine completely, his lips moving in perfect sync with mine. My mind lost control of rational thought and I released my body to his command. His tongue poked at my lips, demanding entrance and I obliged. The heat of his mouth set my entire body on fire as he explored every inch of my mouth, possessing every crevice, claiming every part of me I could give.

Jace flicked his tongue against mine, coaxing me to loosen myself to him, and when I did, I moaned into his mouth. He kissed me harder, forcing me into the back of the seat. It was as though he wanted to swallow my moan and possess my pleasure. The desperation behind the action only made me burn hotter for him. My mind was hazy as Jace pulled his tongue from the dance with mine to lavish attention to my bottom lip. He sucked it into his mouth before biting down. It stung, but the sting was delicious. I moaned a plea and he, a tortured sound, as he moved to kiss my chin. His tongue trailed a fiery path over the line of my jaw and I tilted my head obediently for his access to my throat. Without warning, he nipped at my earlobe and the wet need that had accumulated between my legs, doubled.

"You smell so good." Jace's whisper was tortured against my neck as he inhaled deeply. "I fear if I do not stop now, I will take you in my car, whether you are ready or not."

I moaned at his words. I wanted his mouth back on mine. I wanted his hands on my body. "I'm ready."

Jace groaned and pulled back until he was sitting in his seat. There was too much distance between us. I felt as though I was robbed of an essential need to survive as he moved away from me. I wanted to grasp hold of the expensive black dress shirt he wore and pull him closer to me. "Good night, Olivia."

My mouth dropped open as my mind struggled to comprehend his words. He wanted me gone? After a kiss as hot as that, he wanted me to walk away? Was he so unaffected by me that he could dismiss me with such ease?

My body burned with unsatisfied need, and humiliation, as I pulled at the door handle. It would not relent. How the hell was I supposed to open this thing? I yanked harder, fearing for a moment I might ruin the handle, before deciding, I really didn't care. He had enough money to fix it. He could concentrate on fixing the car I'd break while I licked my newfound wounds.

There was a gentle thud and the door opened. I realized with even more humiliation, the car had been locked and Jace had been the one to unlock it. My cheeks burned again, as I threw myself from the car, determined to run to safety before he decided to say anything else. But, the heavens weren't so gracious.

"I'm sorry, Olivia." Jace spoke without looking at me as I closed the door. I should have slammed it, I thought. But I couldn't bring myself to abuse such a beautiful work of art.

I stood on the sidewalk, hugging my arms to my stomach as I watched the sleek car disappear into the night.





Chapter 5

I drove to Rush Industries because I knew I wouldn't be able to sleep. Not after kissing Olivia. There was no coming back from something like that. It was, fucking, life altering. I was ruined. I could still taste her in my mouth and, somehow, her scent clung to my clothes. I could still smell her. She had a sweet fruity-floral scent that drove me to the brink of insanity. Everything about her drove me to the edges of insanity and, I knew, that soon I would, willingly, jump from the ledge.