All Good Things Exposed(54)

I eyed the door cautiously, waiting for the dreaded moment someone other then Jace walked through the door. Movement caught my eye and my heart lurched as Jace stepped into the room.

"You looked scared." He frowned, quickly closing the distance between us as I sat up in the bed. I held the blankets to my chest.

"I was worried someone would see me naked." I admitted. My cheeks tainted red.

He startled. "You think I would allow someone to see you naked?"

"Well,"

"I wouldn't. Ever." He shook his head as though the thought were abhorrent. "You're body is for my eyes only. Do you understand me?"

God, he was something fierce when he was passionate about something. It made the butterflies that had been dormant in my stomach for so long flutter to life. "I understand, Jace. Your eyes only."

He reached out, caught my jaw in his hand and tilted my lips to his. In an explosion of warmth, his tongue danced with mine, making me feel sleepy and sated. God, I loved this man. How could I ever think I would be able to survive without him? He was like water and whiskey. He was an essential addiction.

Jace pulled away. "You're tired."

I nodded on a sigh. "I am."

He looked regretful. "Sleep, Angel. I have some work I've got to finish before I leave."

I frowned. "I have to get back to the café."

"No, you don't." He shook his head. "Franco will close the shop."

"Franco will not close tonight, Jace. He opened."

"I spoke with him already and he assured me he would close." Jace said matter of fact. I knew immediately I was not going to like this.

"You paid him off didn't you?" I accused. "You offered my staff money to close for me."

"I did."

"He took it!" I gasped. I'll fire his ass as soon as I get back!

"No." Jace shook his head, his eyes narrowed. "He didn't take it, but he agreed to do you a favor."

"Oh," I frowned. "You realize there was no need to do that. I have a girl on nights who has a key."

"I didn't realize." Jace admitted. "Regardless, Franco will be there." He turned to leave me alone but paused, turning back. "Interesting character he is."

"If you're insinuating that he's gay, I think he is bisexual."

Jace gave a small grimace. "To each their own."

"He's a good person. The ladies adore him." I said with a smile. It was the truth. Franco was a tenacious flirt and the ladies reveled in the attention.

"And you?"

"I like him." I shrugged. "I hired him."

"Do you flirt with him?" Jace asked and my eyes widened.

"Goodness no." I scowled. "That would be so inappropriate!"

"Good." His tone was clipped as he spun around.

I wasn't ready for him to leave and I said the first thing that came to my mind. "Why do you have a bedroom in your office?"

Jace stopped beneath the threshold of the door and turned to face me with an inquisitive look on his face. "I practically live here, Olivia. My work is my life. The only times I am away from the office is when I'm with you. It's just easier having a place to sleep where my work is."

I realized just then how very sad Jace's life is. He spends his time working for a company he clearly has no passion in and for what? He doesn't need the money. Surely if he sold the company he would have enough to live his life doing whatever it was he desired. I remembered him mentioning architecture at some point. Why didn't he do that instead? Why was he allowing his life to be so completely consumed by something he didn't want?

"Jace," I sighed his name and he cocked his head, clearly confused. "Is this all you want from life?" I could have sworn my heart was breaking in my chest as I imagined him growing older like this. It freaking hurt. He deserved the world and had it at his fingertips - so why wasn't he taking it in his fist and treasuring it?

"Don't, Olivia." He scowled. "Don't look at me with pity." He strode quickly across the room to sit on the bed facing me. I could practically taste his scent as I stared into his hard, wounded eyes. "This is my life. You're the only thing I have to look forward to in the mornings. I didn't know happiness before you, but I still have responsibilities."

"I know, but Jace, you could lessen your workload."

He shook his head. "I can't."

"You can." I stated stubbornly. "Get an assistant."

"No."

I groaned deep in my throat. "Why not?"

"Because I don't trust people."

"Do you trust me?" I asked.

His eyes glimmered with mirth. "Are you asking for a job, Angel?" he didn't leave me room to deny him. "You're hired."