Wow...how was it possible for my entire body to engulf in raging flames at only his words? It made no sense.
"We should go in then," I said. "Don't you think?" God...I wanted him to say no. I wanted him to tell me we didn't need to go to dinner anymore. I was not hungry for food. I was ravenous for him.
"We should." He moved away from my back to stand beside me, but his hand set against the small of my back. The pressure of his hand heated my skin through the thin layer of my dress and, I sighed. Jace looked down at me through hot eyes and I blushed. "You know you are beautiful," he spoke softly. "Exceptionally so, when you blush."
"Thank you." I murmured. I wanted to find it within myself to be angry with him...but, I couldn't. His persistence was something I had to admit thrilled me.
"You are very welcome." He spoke with control. How was it I couldn't refrain from being so affected by his mere presence, and yet, he was entirely unaffected by my touch? It made my nerves dance.
"Why are you here, Jace?" I asked. I hated how the question made me sound so needy, but I had to know what he was doing here. I had to know what he wanted from me because only this morning, I was certain, anything personal between us had vanished.
"I wanted to see you, Olivia." Jace replied coolly, before he fastened his attention on the hostess. "We are with the Boyd table."
"Of course, sir." The woman nodded obligingly, but not first without giving him a slow once over before licking her plump lips. I shook my head and shifted uncomfortably.
Jace didn't seem phased by the hostess as she led us through the restaurant and out onto the patio. The patio was cute. It was decorated to give the feeling of Italy. There was a long stretch of wooden beams overhead and along every beam, twinkling lights flickered. The patio was covered with plants and flowers. It was a place I would definitely like to visit again. I was cheesy like that. I liked flowers and lighting and sappy stories of love and happily ever after.
Trisha looked up from her flirting with Trey and her eyes widened at the sight of me with Jace. Trey appeared to be feeling both uncomfortable and angry, but I didn't really care. He sealed the deal on our friendship when he told Jace where I would be tonight. I only wondered what he had bargained for in order to give Jace the information...or what Jace held over him. It was more than obvious Trey still didn't like Jace. His eyes were narrowed and his shoulders were tense as he watched Jace pull the chair out for me to sit in. I sat and he slid the chair closer to the table before taking a seat beside me. This was going to be one awkward night.
Trisha leaned into the table, eyeing Jace seriously. "You decided to join us?"
Jace nodded. "I did."
"How did you know where we would be?" She asked. "I was under the impression Liv didn't want to have dinner with you."
I felt my face flush a deep cherry red as I stared in horror at Trisha. Leave it to her to be blunt and frankly...rude.
Jace nodded again. "Your date actually told me where you were going to be tonight and I thought I would join."
Trisha's brows raised. "My date?" She looked at Trey who looked like he was ready to murder Jace in the worst of ways. "You invited him?"
"I didn't invite him." He growled, staring haughtily at Jace. "I told him where we would be and hoped he would not join, but here he is."
I decided now was as good a time as any to speak up. "It is what is it, so let's just make the best of it." Jace smiled tightly as his eyes swept over the table. It was obvious he didn't want to be here. He was uncomfortable. I shifted in my seat, pushing my chair away from the table to stand. "On second thought, you guys have a nice evening. I'm going to get out of here." I looked down at Jace. "Are you coming?"
Jace shook his head sharply. "No, Olivia. You need to eat."
Here he was being bossy again. I don't know why it was surprising to me. It shouldn't be considering the fact that it was just in his nature to act as though he owns everything and everyone.
I focused steely eyes on him. "I am leaving, Jace." I took pride in my unwavering tone. "You can come with me, or you can stay here. It's your decision."
I turned to walk away and he cursed. The sound of chair legs on the stone patio made my heart jump. I looked over my shoulder to wave at Trisha who winked at me before walking from the restaurant.
I felt Jace near me before he spoke. It was as though my body responded to his on another level my mind couldn't comprehend. My skin tingled and my stomach flipped.
"Why do you insist on defying me in everything?" He demanded.
I shrugged. "Why do you insist on acting like my father?"