All Good Things Exposed(36)

I nodded. "I am."

His eyes flickered to mine as he pulled his hand away. I watched him lick the moisture from his finger as he turned his back to me. "What time are you off?"

I swallowed. "Um, in a half hour."

"Good." He walked to the door. "Get dressed. I'll be waiting for you. You'll be coming home with me tonight."

"Jace," I began to protest but my words fell away when he pinned ice blue eyes on me.

"I spoke with Trisha." His tone was not one I dared to argue with. "She's aware you will be spending the night with me." With that, Jace walked from the office.

I stood staring at the closed door with my mouth hanging open and my clothes on the floor. I couldn't believe this was happening to me, but none-the-less, I bent, picked up my clothing, and dressed myself as quick as I could. I thought about leaving my office to find Jace, but I couldn't seem to find the courage. Instead, I curled up on the couch closest to the fire and fought the tears threatening to surface.

Never before had I ever felt so used and humiliated. I'd sucked Jace dry, knowing all the while he wouldn't reciprocate the action. I didn't think it was his lack of affectionate touch that humiliated me so deeply. I think it was the fact that he'd literally fucked my mouth…and I'd liked it. I liked pleasuring him even at my own expense. But then he'd gone and touched me. I'd felt like a science project as he'd swiped his finger over my wet, swollen flesh to confirm what he already knew. That I would be wet. For him.

That was humiliating. The way he pulled his finger away from me with a look of utter confidence on his face, as he stood clothed before my naked body. Cloaked in judgment, I felt netted by shame at my inner turmoil. I'd always believed the act of making love should be selfless. But this time it had been anything but. This time, I hadn't been making love to Jace - I'd been dominated by him.

The thought set a heavy ache in my chest as I stared into the fireplace. The warmth radiating off the flames barely succeeded in melting the ice that covered my body. Jace had hurt me deeply and I didn't really understand why. I'd submitted to him, knowing full well - expecting him to dominate me. So, why had it come to me at such a shock? Why was I hurting?

In the back of my mind, I knew the answer. I knew I was hurting because I had fallen victim to sexual humiliation. It was a difficult pill to swallow. And, the knowledge that this was exactly where Jace wanted me…well, it was a thought I couldn't seem to cope with.

The door clicked open and footsteps sounded on the floor behind me. I didn't bother to look up at the intruder. I knew without the use of my eyes that it was Jace. I could feel him. My entire body came alive whenever he was near. Awareness surged within me.

"Olivia?" I heard the question in his tone. "Are you all right?"

"Yes." I said meekly. I almost hoped he called me out on my lie - since he knew when I was lying.

Jace sighed. He moved around the couch to kneel before me on the floor. With his searching eyes level to mine, I felt the beating of my heart quicken. It was a feat that I ignored it. "Are you ready to go home? The girls are closing up."

I focused on the fire over his shoulder. "Where is home, Jace?"

From the corner of my eyes, I saw a wrinkle of confusion form between his brows. Silence stretched and I thought for a moment that he was not going to answer me. "Home is where I am."

My eyes fell to his and my lips parted. "What?"

"Your home is where I am, Olivia." Jace sighed. "Come. I want to take you to bed." He stood, holding a hand out to me. When I made no move to accept his hand, he sighed, bent at the waist and scooped me up into his arms. I knew it was childish, but this was an affection I needed from him. I needed to feel as though he cared for me. I needed to feel as though he thought of me as more then just a sexual conquest and submissive. I needed to be wanted because of the woman I am - brains, independence, stubbornness and all the rest. God, that's all I wanted from him. Acceptance. Love. Adoration. Honesty. There was nothing else.

When Jace stood to his full height, I buried my face in his neck and wrapped my arms around his shoulders. I held him to me tightly, breathing in the scent only he possessed. His fingers spread over my ribs, claiming more of my body and he pulled me tighter into his chest as he held me like a wife crossing over the threshold. He tilted his face toward mine and pressed his lips against my temple. On a sigh, he sat down on the couch with me in his lap. I curled my feet into the split in the cushion, determined to warm my cold toes as he rocked me gently.

After long moments of silenced passed us by, he spoke. "I'm sorry for what I did. I shouldn't have fucked you like that."