All Good Things(36)

I was like poison to her, but the problem was I was already in her veins and now that I was there...I didn't know if I could leave. It was not a matter of want any longer. She'd bewitched me. There was no other explanation for my sudden carelessness.

I paused in my advance for the door and glanced back at her again. She must have been exhausted to sleep through my relentless pacing. A smile touched my lips as I stared at her. I shook my head at the involuntary reaction my body entertained in response to staring at her. I threw open the bedroom door and let myself out into the hall, closing it, silently, behind me.

I descended the stairs into the living area and stared out at the dark sky. It was only midnight and I hoped Olivia continued to sleep while I tried to figure out what I was going to do about her. I knew one thing for certain. I could not enter into a sexual relationship without her first signing a contract. I simply did not know how I was going to explain that to her. Olivia was not the type of girl I typically decided to spend my time with. As a matter of fact, I wasn't even sure I wanted to have the kind of relationship with Olivia I had with so many other women. After Lexie, I still had the urge to dominate women to a point I knew was sadistic, but I'd taken precautions, and apart from Lexie, I had never pushed them too far. If I thought they couldn't handle it, I released them and sent them on their way. But, Olivia was different. There was no doubt I wanted to dominate her, because I did. I wanted for her to be willing to push her boundaries to please me. I wanted her submission...but, I didn't want to induce pain. Even if the end result was typically pleasure. I didn't want to raise any object to her and nor did I want to raise my hand. The urge simply was not there.

Regardless of what I wanted to do to Olivia sexually, I had to figure out how I was going to incorporate her into my life without her ever knowing of the man that I had always been. After the publication of the article in the gossip magazine, I had good reason to worry about Olivia. I had more enemies than the devil and I knew they wouldn't think twice about using Olivia as a means to acquire what they desire most, my destruction.

If I could, I would have my every enemy watched, but that was impractical. The only option I was left with was having Olivia guarded, but I could already smell an argument brewing over that. The woman liked her privacy there was no doubt about that. She had made it more than clear.

"Jace?" Olivia's voice echoed through the space. I turned to find her standing on the stairs. She was wearing my shirt. The sight made my cock jump, but I clenched my teeth and tried to force my eyes to her face rather than her bared leg...that were wrapped around my waist only a few hours ago. Shit, head in the game! There are more important things to be discussing here.

"Come here." I commanded, and her eyes narrowed as she stepped down the steps, crossing the distance into the kitchen where I sat. Her arms were folded protectively over her chest as she scooted up onto the stool beside me. Damn, I liked the way she looked with her messy hair in my kitchen.

"What is it?" Worry fringed her tone and my heart throbbed. The last thing I wanted was for her to stress...over anything.

"We have to talk." I began, but she interrupted me.

"Don't worry about it, Jace." She shook her head, refusing to meet my eyes. "We talked about this. You took my virginity, not my soul or heart or anything else. It's not a big deal." She lifted her eyes and forced a smile. "Don't worry, I won't start confessing undying love to you." She joked.

My mouth dropped. I couldn't believe that's what she thought I wanted to talk about. I was not that much of an ass; was I? And as for her soul and heart...maybe I did want those things? Ah, hell. I needed to make an appointment to meet with my shrink.

I regained my bearings and spoke. "That's not what I wanted to discuss, Olivia. You're right. We already did talk about that." I should have told her that her undying love was a welcome confession, but I didn't want her to slap me, so I left it at that before I moved on. "What we need to discuss is the matter of your safety."

Her body stiffened. "My safety?"

"Yes, your safety, Olivia." I spoke sternly. I needed her to understand this was serious. "You don't understand how dangerous it is to be considered important to me. I do not want to take any chances that something might happen to you because of me."

She laughed. "Jace, be serious."

"I am." I growled.

"Nothing is going to happen to me. We are not in love as that article claims we are and I am of no importance to you." She laughed again as though the possibility of my caring for her was ridiculous. "Soon, the world will realize just how ridiculous such a notion is. You don't need to worry."