Obsessed(32)

He returns carrying two shopping bags. "I went to your apartment."

"You what?" I'm startled and instantly unsure of how he could have gotten past the doorman.

"Fred Johnson and I have done business together." He continues, "I mentioned that you'd had a problem in your apartment last night and he was more than happy to let me in."

"You know the man who manages my building?"

"I do." He grins.

"Please tell me you haven't bought the building." I try to cover the anxiety in my voice.

"Not yet." His voice teasing.

I raise my eyebrow before taking a small sip of the coffee.

"If I did own it, I'd lower your rent." The smile on his face is widening.

"You couldn't. I own," I counter.

"You own? Or you and Mark own?" There's surprise in his voice.

I hesitate before I reply, "Actually, Mark owns the apartment I live in." I take a deep breath and look directly at him. "I want to be able to move out on my own but I'm still working on how to make that happen."

"I understand." He holds his hand out to me. "Come with me."

I follow him down the hall to the bedroom. He motions for me to sit on the edge of the bed as he places the shopping bags on the floor.

"Ivy." He kneels in front of me. "There were some broken things at your place."

"Yes." I sigh. "Liz broke a wine glass and then I heard more glass when I ran out."

"I cleaned it up." He stops as if to gather his thoughts. "But it was more than just a wine glass."

I raise my eyebrow giving him a quizzed look.

He leans to the left, reaching inside one of the shopping bags. I gasp the moment I see the edge of the weathered picture frame. It's bent, splintered and the glass shattered.

I can't stop tears from filling my eyes. "Oh no. No." I stare at it unable to move.

"This is you and your mother, isn't it?"

I nod. "It's the only photograph I have of the two of us." I stare at it resting in his hands. "She ... my mother..." I sob, trying to say the words. "She made the frame herself."

I reach out to run my finger along my mother's beautiful face in the image. She's cradling me as she sits beaming in the hospital bed the day I was born.

"I'll have it fixed." His voice is so calm.

"It's destroyed," I whimper.

"It's bruised. Trust me with it, please."

I look from the frame to his face. I study his eyes, seeing the deep and genuine concern in them. "Yes. I trust you. "





Chapter 14




"Thank you for picking up some of my things," I say to Jax as I walk back into the kitchen after having a warm shower and getting dressed.

"I knew you'd look lovely in that dress." He smiles at me. "Purple is really striking on you, Ivy."

I look down at the simple sundress and white strappy heels he brought for me from my place.

"I haven't seen you with your hair pulled back like that." He stands next to me, running his hand down my cheek, past my chin and unto my neck.

I sigh, enjoying his touch. "I'd like to go to my apartment now."

"I'd like to stop somewhere before we do that, if you don't mind." There's a playful tone to his voice.

"Please say it's not the police station." I frown as I look up at him.

He gently moves his hand from my neck back to my face, cradling my right cheek with his palm. "Ivy, last night you said no police. I wouldn't push you to do anything you don't want."

"Thank you." I place my hand over his relishing in the feeling of his touch.

"No. I should be the one thanking you." His other hand finds my left cheek and our eyes meet.

"For?" I search his eyes for an answer.

"You came here last night. I was the one you wanted when you needed help." His voice is soft, gentle and soothing. "That means more than you know."

I smile. "I'm not sure why but you make me feel so safe."

His tone becomes more serious. "You're safe with me, Ivy. I loved taking care of you. That was a gift for me and so today..."

"Today?" I ask, wondering what he has in store for me.

"Today I repay the gift."

I 'm puzzled and I'm certain he can read that within my expression. "I should be the one repaying you for everything you did for me."

"You will." He reaches for my hand. "All of the pleasure I'm going to take from you today, tomorrow and every day after that will be my compensation."

I stand silent while my mind jumps to an image of him in the shower, nude, semi-erect and wanting.

"You want that don't you, Ivy?" he asks with confidence. "You want me to help you feel pleasure, don't you?"