"Jace," I scolded. "I'm not working for you. I was trying to prove that you could trust people if you only allowed yourself the chance."
"Not in this office." He shook his head and stood.
I sighed on a huff and flopped dramatically back to the bed. I was exhausted. Not just physically, but mentally. This crazy, neurotically possessive man was not only the meaning to my life, but also the devastation to my mind. Surely, if I didn't crumble on my own, he would break me. But I needed him regardless. I knew I always would.
***
I sat at my desk and looked to the door of the bedroom once again. What had I been thinking when I demanded she come here? I could barely get my work done just thinking about her prancing her sexy ass around the city - and now that sexy ass was in the room next to me…naked. How the hell had I expected myself to concentrate?
I sighed, rubbed my brow and tried to focus on the plans for the hotel development in Italy. Caleb had finally emailed me the documents. It had only taken him forty-eight hours. The lazy bastard.
After going through every document Caleb sent me, I powered off my laptop and gathered Olivia's clothing from the floor. The sky was dark and I knew Olivia had to be more tired than I thought for her to sleep this long without interruption. I entered the bedroom and my heart fluttered at the sight of her. She was so beautiful and all mine. I'd claimed every inch of her body and now I wanted her life. I wanted to be the center of her existence. Fuck, I was twisted. But I wanted it. I needed it. I needed her to need me. The thought of her waking up every morning to me inside her was euphoric. The thought of closing my eyes beside her to rest each night was a image I never imagined I would ever be so lucky as to behold. I could only hope I never fucked it up. I could only hope she never ran from me again.
I closed the distance between us and sat beside her on the bed. She was on her back, the blankets up around her neck. Slowly, I pulled them down to display her bared chest. As though possessed by some unknown force to touch her, I reached out and ran my fingers over her breasts. Her nipples pebbled instantly and she moaned, shifting in her sleep. Her breasts pressed into my hands and I smiled as I watched her face. Sleep released its hold on her and she opened beautiful sleepy brown orbs.
"Hey," she spoke quietly. It soothed me. Everything about her soothed me.
"You slept for a long time." I stated and she raised her brows.
"Really? What time is it?"
"It's late. The sky is dark."
She rubbed her forehead. "Wow, I must have been exhausted. Look what you do to me."
If this was what I did to her, I'd die a happy man. She stretched and snuggled back into the bed. "I like what I do to you."
"You do?" She asked breathily. My cock twitched and I cursed. I wasn't going there right now. For the rest of the night I wanted to hold her, talk with her and hear her laugh. I wanted to know more about her. I wanted to know everything.
"I do." I smiled. "Are you ready to go home?"
Her easy smile pulled into a frown. "We're leaving?"
"You wanted to stay?"
"Not really," she sighed. "I'm just feeling insanely lazy at the moment and the thought of dressing myself is not one bit appealing."
I laughed a full belly laugh at her words. God, she was cute. She was sexy and cute. She was perfect. And I was a fucking mess. "Stand up." I commanded, pulling her lace panties from the pile of clothing I'd collected. She wiggled off the edge of the bed, watching me cautiously. I knelt before her, picking each ankle up before slipping her feet through the holes of her panties. I slid them slowly up her stockings before settling them against her hips. I plucked the bra from the pile, sliding her arms through the straps before clasping it against her back. Next, I moved to the sweater dress she'd been wearing. "Lift your arms." She did and I pulled it over her head, smoothing it over her tiny frame.
She cocked her head and looked at me with an unsure smile I wanted to kiss from her face. "You dressed me."
"I did."
"I've never had anyone dress me before." She whispered breathily. Her voice croaked and I felt my lips tip in a frown. Had I upset her?
"Are you all right?" I asked seriously, catching her face between my hands.
She shook her head. "I'm fine," she waved her hand as she went to make the bed. "I'm tired."
I reached for her wrist. "Olivia, what's wrong?"
She sighed heavily. "Nothing, Jace. Please let go of my wrist."
"No. Not until you tell me the truth. Something is bothering you and I want to know what it is." Damn it! This woman was going to be the fucking death of me. How did she expect me to take her half-hearted assurances at face value? Jeez, she looked pale and sad. There was no way I was just letting this go. She was crazy if she thought I wouldn't press.