All Good Things(60)

"Here," he wrapped the blanket around my shoulders. He ran his hands over the blanket on my arms and pulled me to a stool. I climbed onto the flat expanse and watched as he moved to the fridge. "I hope you like chicken, vegetable and quinoa soup."

"Sounds delicious."

He pulled a large glass dish from the fridge and set it on the counter beside the stove. "I didn't make this." He admitted. "Mrs. Clark tends to make soup and other little things while she is here. She doesn't believe I cook for myself." He looked up at me and winked. "I think she believes I starve myself without her here to feed me."

I laughed. I liked this side of Jace. Seeing him joke and play was cute, and deliciously unexpected. In his element, he was fabulous. I couldn't help but wonder why this was the first time I was seeing this side of him. Was so he weary of the world, he posed behind a cool, hard exterior that nothing, and no one, could touch?

"Well, as excited as I am to critique your culinary talents I must admit I'm excited for that soup." I beamed. "It looks divine."

Jace looked up at me from where he was pouring the soup into a pot on the stove and his smile faltered. My heart jumped. What had I done wrong? "Will you stay the night, Olivia?"

Where had that come from? "Um, I really was not expecting to stay."

"Why not?" He frowned as he placed the empty bowl in the sink.

"Well," I shifted on the stool. "I don't have any clothing to wear tomorrow and I have to be at the store early."

He looked away, but his shoulders stiffened. "I thought you would like to stay here tomorrow."

"You're taking the day off work tomorrow?" I asked. I was surprised and the fact was obvious in my tone.

"No, but I thought maybe you would like to just relax."

I felt my spine stiffen as I took in his words. "You wanted me to stay here in your home without you here?"

He looked back over his shoulder at me as he stirred the soup. "Is that a problem?"

I narrowed my eyes. "Yes, Jace. It is a problem."

He cocked his head. "Why?"

Was he serious? "Why do you think I should stay here?"

He shrugged. "It was just a thought."

"Okay, well I'm declining the offer."

"Fine." He shrugged. "Will you stay the night?"

I shook my head. "Not tonight."

"Why?" he persisted. Good lord, this man was a piece of work. No wonder he was so rich. He knew no bounds.

"I already told you. I don't have any clothing to wear tomorrow. I do not like walking out of here in the same clothing I walked in."

"Is that your only reason?"

I nodded. "Pretty much."

"Well, I can get you some clothing." He said as thought the problem was now non-existent.

My mouth dropped. "No."

He raised his brows, clearly astonished. "And, why not?"

"I have my own clothing, Jace. If you gave me advance warning on when you wanted me to spend the night here, I would be ready...but, you didn't and therefore, I'm going home."

He tightened his lips, but did not argue. "Fine. I would like you to spend the night tomorrow."

I ignored his clipped tone. "Fine."

He looked back at me and shook his head. "You test me, Olivia."

"You test me, Jace." I quipped.

His jaw clenched. "You defy me at every turn and challenge me at everything. I don't understand why you do this?"

"I don't know why I do either." I shrugged. "Maybe it's because you clearly expect me to jump when you say jump."

Jace shook his head. I could see he was annoyed and, possibly, angry with me, but there was nothing I could do about it. He was driving me near insane with his commanding domineering. It was one thing in the bedroom...I liked it sexually. It was hot as hell, but outside the bedroom. That was something I couldn't fathom accepting.

"The soup is ready." Jace growled as he filled a bowl for me. "I have some documents to look over. I will be in my office. Gabe will drive you home when you're ready."

I stiffened. "You're not eating with me?"

"No." He turned and walked away. I was stumped. It was nearly eleven and he was ditching me. I thought about arguing with him, but instead I looked down into the soup and waited for him to close the door to his office. As soon as he escaped behind the closed door, I bolted across the floor to the elevator, leaving my soup untouched. I was in no mood to be stopped by him and I hoped he didn't find a way to halt my flight.

When the elevator rolled open, I stepped through the door and pressed the lobby button.





Chapter 14

She irritated me. Everything she did evoked an unwelcome emotion from me I had never before been forced to entertain. Even Lexie, who was the epitome of regret, hadn't possessed the ability to make me feel so helpless and robbed of control.