I shrugged. "I don't know, Jace."
"Don't fucking lie to me, Olivia." He warned. "My patience is tested and-,"
I cut him off. "You made love to me last night, Jace."
"And you interpreted that as goodbye?" He frowned as I nodded.
"You never promised to stay." I fought my tears. "You said you would never make love to me, Jace."
"I made love to you because I had to. I needed you last night and I want to need you again." He groaned as he rubbed his forehead. I stood frozen as his words washed over me, seeping through my defenses and attacking my heart. "I wanted to wake up to see you smile at me."
I couldn't fight my tears any longer. The sadness turned to debilitating happiness and they spilled over my lashes. Jace looked horrified as he watched my eyes fill with tears that ran down my face. I didn't think, I just bolted into his arms. I wrapped my arms around his neck and pressed my body into his. This man evoked feelings within me no other held the power to inflict. How I thought for even a moment I could just move on without him in my life?
I pulled away from him as he set me on the counter. I wrapped my legs around his waist and stared into his brilliant blue eyes. "Why did you leave?"
"I don't sleep for long, Olivia." He shrugged off my concern. "I took a taxi home to retrieve my laptop and I stopped at a Starbucks on the way back to get you a hot chocolate. I figured it wouldn't be long until you woke, but I honestly thought I would be here before you did."
"You took a taxi?" I gasped.
"Yes." He frowned. "Gabe brought me here and I was not about to call him in the wee hours of the morning to get him to drive me around the city."
"Did you drive back here?" I winced at the thought of him leaving his car on the street.
"No," he smiled as though he could read my thoughts. "I took a taxi."
"Good." I breathed.
He cocked a brow, leaning over the island to drag the tray of morning fuel over the counter. He handed me the hot chocolate and I took a long sip, reveling in the sweet taste. "I don't know how you drink that."
I frowned. "Have you ever had it?"
He looked horrified at the thought I might make him try it. I watched as he debated on lying to me, saying he had, so I wouldn't make him try it. Lucky for him, he decided on the truth. "I do not enjoy sweet drinks, Olivia."
Very well. I wouldn't make him try it. It would be too sweet for him. "Well, I like it."
He looked relieved as he watched me take another sip. His jaw was tense and I knew something was on his mind. I didn't have to wait long. "Why were you so afraid, that you would take a knife into your hand?"
I felt my face pale. "I was just worried, Jace."
"Why?" He persisted. I hoped my lying had gotten considerably better.
"Well, I didn't grow up here and I never know what will happen. I knew it was not Trisha and I thought you were gone, so I didn't know who it was. I thought it was better I had a means to protect myself."
Jace's jaw ticked. "You do realize to use a knife, someone has to get very close to you."
I nodded. "It was better than nothing."
He shook his head in exasperation. "And, you're still opposed to having a bodyguard?"
I nodded. "I am."
He growled low under his breath. "You will be the death of me, Olivia."
"Happy to be of service." I winked at his open mouthed gape.
"You are incredulous."
"I learned from the best."
"I'm sure you did."
I cocked my head to the stool. "What's the laptop for?"
The glitter in his eyes dimmed. "I have to work. I wanted to spend the morning with you and since you flat out refused to spend it at my place, I am forced to do my work here."
My heart fluttered. "How sweet of you."
His brow raised and he shook his head as he leaned in to kiss me. "Your smart ass mouth is going to get you into trouble one of these days."
I pressed my lips against his. "Oh, please Lord, let today be that day."
Jace pulled away from me with fire in his eyes. "You should sleep a little longer. It's not even five a.m. and you will be exhausted by the end of the day."
"I don't think I can sleep." I pouted as I watched him move around the island to the stool. He pulled his laptop from the bag and set it on the counter.
"I'm leaving for Paris on Monday and I would like you to join me." Jace stated factually.
I couldn't help but marvel in his ability to switch from easy-going to absolute control freak. It was slightly disconcerting and a whole lot of mind-blowing. "Um, this Monday?" I lifted my leg onto the counter so I could face him. I knew it was unorthodox to be sitting on the counter, but I didn't really care. It was my counter.