All Good Things Exposed(37)

He felt guilty. My stomach clenched. "I wanted you to, Jace." I admitted and it was the truth. I pulled away to look him in the eyes. "I just didn't realize that it would feel that way."

Jace cocked his head. "What way?"

"So degrading…humiliating…wrong." I spoke each word hushed.

Jace nodded. "Do you still think you can do this, Olivia? You've only had a taste of what being a submissive is like. Do you really think you can handle it?"

I thought about his question. I was careful not to answer too fast. My decision to be a submissive was, in its best, rash. I had to consider this fully before I decided I wanted to continue with what we were doing. "Yes." I said after long minutes had passed. "It's what you need and I want to be what you need."

Jace shook his head. "I need you, Olivia. I don't need anything else."

I shook my head. "That's not true."

He flinched as though I'd slapped him. "How do you figure?"

"Well, you wouldn't do it if you didn't need it." I said simply.

He worried his bottom lip as he considered my words. After what felt like a thousand painful heartbeats, he answered. "I used to need it and in some ways, I still do." His eyes held mine. "But every day I want it less. Because you matter more."

I leaned in and pressed my lips to the corner of his mouth. "Then we will take it day by day."

He tightened his hold on me. "I can't imagine living without you."

My heart fluttered in my chest as I soaked up his words. They weren't the three little words with the power of a nuclear bomb, but they were still radioactive. And right now, they were good enough for me. They were hope.

"Let's go home." I whispered. He nodded, standing with me still against his chest. I giggled. "Jace, put me down."

"Never." He walked purposefully to the door, flicking off the fire as he walked, setting the remote on the table.

"I don't want my staff to see this?"

"What?" He frowned. "Me claiming you?"

I shook my head in exasperation. "Yes, exactly that. Put me down."

"I like holding you." He stated gruffly.

I sighed. "You can cuddle me all night long, Jace."

Mischief lit his eyes. "I've got other plans for you tonight, Olivia."

"Oh, really?" My heart stuttered.

He laughed, his eyes daring me to challenge him. "Yes. Really."

"Well, I look forward to these plans, Mr. Rush." I teased and he grinned.

"You do?"

"Oh yes," I breathed. "I most certainly do."

"Woman, you amaze me." With that, he pressed his lips to mine in a kiss to rival all other kisses. His tongue traced the line of my lips before delving deep into my mouth, dancing with my tongue. His lips moved against mine, gentle, rough, needy. He drank me in. His kiss was the kiss of a man starved, and it stirred my senses. I weaved my hands in his hair and pulled him tighter to me. A moan toppled from his lips at my near violent claiming of his mouth. I swallowed his sound, reveling in the effect it had on my body. Every inch of my skin was warmed by his touch, tingling with throbbing awareness. In the back of my mind, I was aware my staff was waiting for me to close the café and I had to stop this. But damn…I didn't want to. I could have stayed linked to him like this the entire night. Kissing like teenagers on a couch. It was beautiful in its innocence.

Finally, I found the ability to pull away from him. We both gasped for air as though starved. His eyes were hooded as he stared down into my face. He was so beautiful. And he was mine.

Whoa! Where had that though come from? Oh my - I was learning to be possessive from Mr. Possessive himself. Hum, I wondered what he would take of this?

"What's that look on your face for, Miss LeRoux?"

"What look?" I asked innocently. I knew exactly what look he was referring to. I'd seen it on his face plenty of times and I could feel it on mine.

"Hum," he mumbled the grunt. "As if you don't know what I'm talking about?"

I set wide, innocent eyes on his face. "Nope. I have no idea. I'm innocent."

He laughed. "It's all right." He traced the line of my nose with his. It was a gesture that would have knocked me on my ass it I had been standing. It was so gentle and loving - I didn't know what to take of it. "I like that look on your face."

"You do?" I was breathless. He'd robbed me of it.

"I do." He set me on my feet. "Let's get going."

I nodded. "Let's."





Chapter 10

I watched Olivia lock the door of the café. She'd sent the girls she had working for her home only minutes before shutting off the last of the lights and walking out herself.