"You promised you would tell me if something happened to make you feel unsafe." His eyes searched my reaction, but I held myself together, remarkably well, considering the penetrating blue eyes that were, for all intents and purposes, glued on me. Why on earth hadn't I thought to turn off some of the lights before answering the door? Oh right...because no other human being was as observant as Jace.
"I'm fine, Jace." I said. "I just didn't want to be alone tonight and Trisha is still out with Trey."
Jace nodded stiffly. "Well, in that case, I'm not leaving."
"You're not?" I squeaked. I did not see Jace Rush, of all people, sleeping in my queen sized bed with the three-hundred and fifty thread count sheets. He was an Egyptian cotton and silk kind of man.
"No, Olivia," Jace purred. "I am not leaving."
"Okay."
He cocked his head. "You're not going to fight me on this?"
"No."
"Why?" His eyes glittered and he held his breath as he waited for my whispered response.
"I want you to stay." I admitted.
Not a moment after I spoke the words, his lips were on mine. They were hard and hot. There was emotion I couldn't begin to understand in his kiss, and in response, I gave him my all. He demanded my all. His lips moved with an urgency that made me want to fall into him and lose myself completely in his entity. It was euphoric.
I pulled away from the kiss to set my empty cup on the countertop. I weaved my fingers through Jace's and tugged on his hand, leading him to the hall that would take us to my bedroom. Tonight, I just wanted to be with him like two normal people who were more to each other than just a warm body. Tonight, I wanted to envelope myself in his scent. I wanted him to consume me completely so I might forget everything negative in my life. The letters, the contract, the knowing that nagged relentlessly at my mind I would one day be forced to stand alone and empty as Jace turned his back and walked away. Tonight, I wanted to feel loved by this man. I knew in the deepest recesses of my mind and heart it would be nothing more than an illusion...but a beautifully, crafted illusion, it would be.
I turned around so Jace would not catch sight of the sudden pain that flared in my heart at the fact I feared loosing him. I let a sway fall into my hips as I led him toward my bedroom. I could feel his eyes on me, enveloping my body in heat as I moved closer to my destination. I couldn't wait to have him inside of me. The thought of him filling me, yet again today, made my stomach muscles clench with a need that could not be denied. I didn't know what it was about Jace...or even how he had found a way to sneak under my skin, but he had. He was like a drug I could not resist, and after first taste, I was irrefutably hooked. His essence swam though my veins, fueling a desire for more of him. I was an addict to his touch. It was time I admit it to myself...it was already too late to avoid the inescapable pain I had tried so hard to keep myself from.
I turned into my bedroom. The light was on already and Jace stepped into the room. His eyes immediately locked on my bed. A look of horror crossed his face before a firm scowl took its place.
"What is that, Olivia?" Jace asked. He was still looking at my bed. Was it really that bad? It was smaller than Jace's bed, but it was still comfortable.
"Um," I shifted. "My bed?"
"No," Jace growled. "The fur ball on your pillow. What is that?"
I laughed. He was joking about Moo-moo. "That's Moo-moo." I said proudly.
Jace shook his head as though he could somehow will away the image of my little kitten. "Moo-moo?"
I frowned. He was not joking. He really didn't understand. "It's a kitten, Jace."
"I know what it is, but why is in here? And on your pillow for God's sakes?" Jace growled.
Was it so abhorrent I have a kitten on my pillow? Did people in this city not have animals? "Moo-moo lives here."
Jace threw a look at me that said he thought I was crazy. "Are you even allowed to have cats in here?"
I shrugged. "I don't know and I don't care. Moo-moo goes where I go. End of story." I dropped Jace's hand and moved to the bed. "Did you never have a kitten while you were a kid?"
He shook his head. "No."
I frowned at the clipped tone he'd used with me as I scooped the kitten up into my hands. I held him to my chest and walked back to where Jace stood at the door. He was clearly uncomfortable with the little purring ball of fur, but I didn't care. I held him out to Jace. "Here, hold him."
"No."
"Jace," I growled. "Will you grow up?"
He glared at me, but held his hands out for the kitten. "I don't like it." Moo-moo struggled immediately in his grip and Jace bent to set him on the floor, watching as he scampered down the hall. I laughed.