A large fireplace assembled with smooth, gray tile, stood between the living room and the dining room. The kitchen stood on the other side of the large dining area. The fireplace allowed the space to feel open, while at the same time, giving a distinct feel to each separate room. I ambled toward the kitchen, as though in a trance, and marveled at the grand beauty. The cupboards were all a white gloss and the counters were black granite with flecks of cerulean dispersed intricately within the rock.
Three beautiful, white vases, stood on the island with fresh white lilies. The chairs that sat at the island were a contemporary style of black leather.
I looked back at Jace who was leaning against the tile of the fireplace with a look of heavy curiosity in his eyes. I had the sudden urge to run my fingers through his messy black hair, but I resisted, for humiliations sake. I was not on my territory and I would not be the one to initiate anything intimate. Jeez, I didn't really even know how to initiate anything romantic. In situations that called for romance, I had always been too busy stressing over my need to keep it platonic. I had missed the steps.
"Do you like it?" Jace asked heavily. His voice was deep, and even though I must have been mistaking, I thought maybe I'd heard worry stress the fringes.
"I do." I breathed. "There are no words."
"I'm glad you like it." He smiled genuinely. "This space reflects me entirely."
My throat fought to close. "It's a beautiful space, Jace."
He shifted against the fireplace, holding his hand out to mine. "Come with me."
I narrowed my eyes. "I'll show you the rest of my space, Olivia."
My heart rushed with equal portions of excitement and fear, but regardless of my feelings, I moved to set my hand into his. His fingers enclosed around mine and his eyes burned as he turned to lead me away from the impeccable design of the kitchen. He led me to a staircase I truly have no idea how I'd missed before. It was between the entrance and the living room. The stairs went straight before branching off in two separate directions. It was stunning. The steps were assembled with a shinny white stone material and the handrail was glass. I noticed a room I had missed before and couldn't help but inquire.
"The room below the stairs, what is it?"
Jace tensed, but did not turn to face me as he continued his ascent. "It's my office."
"Oh," I squeaked, feeling as though I may have crossed some invisible line.
Jace led me down an open hall with paintings of shocking beauty on the walls. We passed four doors, and at each one, I had wanted, desperately, to stop and peek. But, Jace kept walking, and I followed. Finally, he stopped at the end of the hall. He turned to look at me, and behind his heated gaze, I thought I saw humor.
"I have four guest bedrooms." He explained, gesturing to the doors we had passed. "This one is mine." He placed his hand on the knob and opened the door.
I released his hand as I moved into his bedroom. I hadn't known how badly I wanted to see his bedroom until I was standing beneath the threshold. Wow. It was so...Jace. The entire far wall was a window that looked out over New York, while the wall to my immediate left was compiled of the same smooth grey tile that surrounded the fireplace downstairs. Only, this wall appeared to be one enormous fireplace. Six small fires were dancing about a foot off the ground and each one was separated by almost five feet of space. The fires looked to be embedded within the tile, but it was just an illusion crafted by the cut of the stone. The floor was made of the same dark marble as the rest of the condo, and a silver-gray shag rug sat in the center of the room with a very large bed on top. The bed was framed by black lily-gloss, but the sheets and duvet were crystal white. It was such a drastic color change from the dark, but it worked. With the light of the fires, the room in all its' cold splendor, appeared warm and sensual.
"This is unbelievable." I breathed. I turned to find Jace leaning against the door that was still open. He was watching me with a hunger in his eyes that I ached, on some primal level, to satisfy.
"Are you still exhausted?" He asked with interest as his eyes moved over my face, studying my reaction. Was he serious?
"No Jace." I shook my head. "I don't feel tired right now." I didn't know exactly what I was feeling, but I was fully aware it was anything but tired. My stomach was doing flips and my skin tingled with acute awareness.
I watched as Jace peeled himself from the doorway, kicking the door closed as he stepped toward me. My heart lurched and I thought once about running from his predatory advance, but I remained where I stood. He had left the door open for my escape, but I had given wordless permission for him to close me in...with him.