All Good Things Exposed(38)

"I can't believe you ordered me a white hot chocolate." She said as she turned to face me, dropping the bulk of keys into her bag.

"Yeah," I held the cup to her. "It's probably cold now though. I didn't think it would take so long to coax you off the couch."

She tossed a mock glare at my teasing tone. Any and all fear that it might have sparked was quickly killed as she started giggling. Like a hyena. After a few embarrassing moments - on her part - she pulled herself together and looked down at her drink. "You know," she paused as though building her courage. I was immediately concerned. "I haven't drank a white hot chocolate since I asked you to leave."

That was a revelation if there ever was one. She loved that sugary crap. "Why?"

"Well, it reminded me of you." She shrugged. "Tasting it makes me think of you…"

I didn't know why, but I liked this. I liked that I'd made such an impact on her. I wanted the things around her to remind her of me. I wanted her to think of me when I wasn't there. "As screwed up as it makes me, I like hearing that."

She gasped. "Why?"

"Because you were thinking of me." I admitted shamelessly. I took her hand in mine and crossed the street to where my waiting car sat. "I like that you think of me."

"Jace," she spoke my name so seriously it warranted a wide-eyed glance. "I think about you every day." She blushed and I couldn't help but think she was the most beautiful thing I'd ever seen. "I think about you more than I should."

I pulled her against my chest, pressing her back into the side of my car. "You could think about me ever second of every day and it's never going to be enough, Olivia."

"What's enough, Jace?" she asked breathlessly. Her eyes searched mine and she wet her lips as she waited for my answer.

"Nothing is ever going to be enough." I said on a hoarse growl. "With you, I'm always going to want more."

"Jace, I," she cut off her words as she pressed her lips to mine.

I felt shattered down to my very core as I took in the words I was certain she had been about to say before she stopped herself. I ground my body into hers, kissing her deeply and passionately. I was, for a moment, unaware that I was trying to kiss a confession of love for me out of her tightly sealed lips. But I wanted it. As insane as it was, I wanted to hear those three words from her. I needed them. I'd never wanted to hear them before, but with Olivia, I wanted to. Wanting things I'd never wanted from any other before her was becoming the norm.

Finally, I pulled away from her and she breathed in gasps of air as she stared up at me. I thought I could see love shining in the depths of her brown eyes, but I wasn't sure. I wouldn't be sure until she took the leap and spoke the words aloud. I wanted her to take that leap. The thought was breath robbing, heart stopping, palm-sweating and downright shocking.

"Take me home, Jace." Her eyes fluttered sleepily. "I'm exhausted."

"Why so tired?"

"Today has been…" she paused as though thinking of the right word. "Tiring. It's just been tiring and I'm ready for bed."

I nodded. "All right, then." I set my hand on the small of her back and guided her gently around the car to the passenger side. "Get in. I'll take you home."

I don't know why, but my heart felt about as full as a hot air balloon. If it swelled any more, surely my feet would rise off solid ground and I would find myself elated by…love?

I shook the thought from my head and rounded the front of my car. When I sat down in the seat beside Olivia, my heart warmed at the sight of her. She looked so at peace in my space, it made me feel euphoric…that I was the one who did this to her. Her face was tilted slightly toward me and her eyes were closed. Her lips were soft and relaxed and her hands were holding tight to the coffee cup between her legs. Her breathing was even and I wondered for a moment if she'd already fallen asleep, or if she was just on the brink. I didn't question her. I reached over and plucked the coffee cup from her hands, setting it into the cup holder before I started the car and sped off into the direction of my penthouse.

***

I started awake by the sound of an elevator door dinging. To my surprise, I was cradled in Jace's arms. The door opened to reveal the door to his suite and I gaped. I'd slept through the ride, and the ordeal it must have been to get me out of the car. Instantly, my face heated and I jerked in his arms to look up at his face.

He was already looking down on me with hooded blue eyes framed in thick ebony lashes. "You're awake."

"Mmm," I moaned and snuggled into his chest again.

Deep laughter rumbled in his chest, rolling off his lips. "You're beautiful when you sleep."