"I still have your clothes here." He stated, looking forward.
My jaw dropped. All that for nothing? My voice was shaky. "Are you serious?"
"Very." Jace said. His tone was bored and I visibly prickled.
"I'm going to shower and get dressed." I stated as I stood.
"Breakfast will be ready soon." Jace replied.
"I already said I wasn't hungry."
"Olivia," he warned.
"Jace," I warned back at him.
Gail huffed. "That's about enough you two." She pointed at me. "You're eating because your just too damned thin and as for you Jace," she pointed her finger at him and his eyes widened. "Stop harassing the girl. She's got a life outside of you."
I felt my eyes grow wide as I waited for his wrath to crawl out of its cave. But to my surprise, Jace didn't say anything at all. He nodded before shooting me a glare over his shoulder. I felt like a small child being scolded. A blush tainted my cheeks and I sat back on the island stool beside Jace. I avoided his sharp blue eyes as I watched Gail work at the stove. I could feel their heat on me and I knew I would be in trouble later. Oh well.
"Do you want the whole works?" Gail asked.
"Yes," Jace said.
I narrowed my eyes. "What's the works?"
"Whip cream, berries, syrup?" Gail's eyes twinkled.
"Sounds good to me." I grinned at her. It was a heart attack on a plate, but hey, I was too skinny anyway.
"Good." She nodded and went back to flipping the hot cakes.
I watched as Gail decorated the pancakes before sliding the plates across the granite. Jace grinned at his dish and my heart leapt in my chest. Sometimes, he looked like a child, while other times he looked so damned haunted. I liked this side of Jace, the side where easy smiles and childish breakfasts lived. It was enlightening.
With a deep breath, I dug into my pancakes. When I'd made it through half the food on my plate, I sighed. "I can't finish this." I blushed. "I'm so full it hurts."
Gail tisked. "You're too skinny."
"I'll work on my appetite." I promised as I stood.
"Where are you going?" Jace asked as he finished his last bite.
"I'm getting ready for work."
"Oh really?"
I narrowed my eyes. "Yes. Really."
He nodded and I turned my attention to Gail. "Thank you very much for breakfast. It was delicious."
"You're very welcome." Gail smiled.
I shot a warning glare at Jace before walking in the direction of the stairs. Before I knew it, there was a warm hand on the small of my back. He whispered in my ear. "Don't you think you deserve punishment for that little scene you pulled?"
"No."
"I'd run if I were you, Olivia." Jace's tone was thick with warning and my skin littered with goosebumps. I didn't think twice about what I did next, with a loud squeal, I bolted for the stairs. My heart hammered in my chest as I took the steps two at a time. I could hear Jace behind me and I was certain Gail's laughter flooded the kitchen but I was too concentrated on getting to the spare bedroom where I would find clothing to wear and locking the door. I just needed time!
I got to the top of the steps and chanced a quick look over my shoulder. Jace's face was murderous. He was three quarters of the way up the steps. On another scream, I darted for the spare bedroom. Jace's footsteps pounded behind me. I threw my hand out and twisted the knob of the spare bedroom before shooting inside the room and slamming the door behind me.
Jace held the doorknob and I found myself unable to twist the lock. "Olivia, open the door."
"No!" My heart was beating against its cage as I fought to catch my breath. "Go away!"
"I'm serious, Olivia." Jace growled. "Open the door."
He sounded mad. But the damned brute had told me to run. What did he think I would do? Walk? "I'm serious, Jace." I argued. "Go away."
"I will count to three and then I'm forcing the door open whether you're in the way or not." He stated. "One," My eyes widened and I looked wildly around the room. "Two," My eyes caught sight of the bathroom. If only I could get there before he caught me. "Three." I bolted for the bathroom as the door shot open, banging loudly against the wall. I was halfway across the room when I felt strong arms wrap around my waist.
"Jace," I wailed. "Put me down!"
"Quiet." He barked as he walked back to the door. He kicked it closed before walking to the bed. One minute I was in his arms, the next I as in the air. My butt hit the bed first and I grappled for the edge, trying to get away from him. His hand caught my ankle and he pulled me back down the bed, flipping me over onto my back. He caught my chin in his hands and stared at me. I was so nervous, I giggled.