All Good Things(8)

Jace cocked a grin that would have made any girl turn to cream. Any girl but me. "I couldn't leave. I had to be sure you were all right."

Wow, he sounded sincere. I almost wanted to curl up and soak in his words like the Hawaiian sun, but I kept my expression stern and untouchable. I had learned my lesson on trusting without reason. I would not make the same mistake twice. "You can leave now."

He shifted, but his grin never ceased. "You heard the Doctor. You have to stay awake for the next few hours, and who better for the job than me?"

I frowned. "I can keep myself awake."

His smile disappeared and steely determination filled his ice blue eyes. "I'm staying. I've waited four long days to hear your voice. Now that you're finally awake, I am not leaving."

I stared at him in awe. There was something about him that told me not to question his decision to remain in the room with me. Raw power, unlike anything I ever experienced, rolled off him in waves. Instinct told me to accept his company without quarrel, but the side of me that was unable to consent without challenge, refused to rest.

"Fine. You don't have to leave, but we are not discussing anything personal." My tone was barbed, challenging him to argue. His eyes flashed in a moment of surprise, but finally, he nodded and settled back into the chair.

"Sounds perfect." His eyes never left mine. "I don't do personal."

I scowled at his reply. His overall aura was bursting at the seams with confidence. Who was this man? How could any one person be so full of himself? I almost worried he would drown in his ego, suffocating with self-inflicted expectations. I rolled my eyes and sighed, trying to think of something that might conquer the silence but I came up empty. After countless minutes of strained silence where Jace just stared at me and I avoided his eyes like the plague, I had to say something.

"What do you want to talk about?" I asked. It was apparent by my tone I was on edge. How could I not be? I felt as though his gaze was moments away from lighting me on fire.

"Well, since you have forbidden anything personal...that leaves us with very little to discuss. Does it not?" His voice moved over me like silk and I fought the urge to curl my toes at its decadency.

I needed to harden my resolve. Men, like him, were the last things I needed in my life. Actually, men, in general, were the last things I needed invading my carefully planned agenda. And, who was I kidding? Jace was stunning. He was everything I was not. I had no place thinking the heat of his gaze held anything more than friendly concern. He was so far out of my league it wasn't even funny.

I glanced at him and realized he had yet to put a shirt on. I shifted uncomfortably and winced at the stiff pain that held onto my body. Jace frowned and I scowled at him. "You should put a shirt on."

"You don't like the view?" He asked. I stared at him with wide eyes. Was he serious? His expression was serious...but he couldn't possibly think the question was appropriate.

My cheeks were warm as I fumbled for an answer. Finally, I settled for the truth. "The view is nice, but I would still prefer you put a shirt on."

He grinned as though he had just won a gold medal, and I rolled my eyes. He stood and walked to a small suitcase, while I watched the muscles in his back shift with each movement. Goodness me...he really was a piece of art. His body should not be covered, and yet, I had asked him to do just that.

"Are you sure you want me to put a shirt on?" Jace asked without looking back at me as he pulled a black dress shirt from the bag. My eyes widened, and my already warm face, felt as though it was on fire.

"Um, yes." I murmured, forcing my eyes to look away from his picturesque physique.

Jace laughed. The sound was all consuming and my eyes lifted of their own accord, finding the source of the sound. His lips. If I was not discharged from this hospital and his company, I was surely going to combust. Jace made me think thoughts I had never bothered to entertain before now, and quite frankly, the thoughts were inappropriate. I should be scolded, but to hell with the idea of admitting my thoughts aloud to earn a well deserved scolding.

I sighed and watched as he moved across the room with the skilled agility of a stalking panther. Jace made me feel as though I was safe, while at the same time, inflicting the fight or flight response. It was conflicting and I decided he was not responsible. No, I had to be hazy from the coma. I would not admit he affected me so completely.

"What shall we discuss?" Jace asked as he sat on the edge of the bed, puncturing my bubble of personal space.

I fought for control. "What would you like to talk about?"

"I want to talk about you, Olivia." He said matter of fact. There was no humor in his eyes. All fun and games had been lost the moment he buttoned his shirt.