All Good Things (33 page)

I couldn't help but wonder why Jace was so different from them. I didn't understand where his calculated control originated from when Karen was obviously so joyful. I wished I had a moment alone with her to draw some of my questions to the surface.

"You two come back soon." Karen demanded.

"Of course we will." I beamed my joy and Jace rubbed the small of my back.

John held out his hand for me to shake. "I hope I didn't frighten you away forever, Liv." His barrel laughter roared. "We would love to see you around again. I just love property hunting with Jace."

"I'm sure you do John." I teased. "And, as for scaring me away, you will have to step up your game."

He stepped back. "Is that a challenge?"

"Take it at face value." I grinned and Karen shook her head.

"I think you've met your match." She teased.

John shook his head. "No, I think Jace met his match."

Chapter 25

I let myself fall back into the couch cushion and sighed at the peaceful sight of Jace's living room at night. The fireplace was on, casting a warm, orange glimmer over the contrasting shades in Jace's penthouse.

Outside, dark, heavy clouds rolled over the city in a gloom, threatening rain. The wind howled and lightning flashed in the sky. A storm was soon to rage war on the city, but I was safe with Jace.

"A blush wine for you," Jace handed me a crystal glass. The pink liquid twinkled in the dim light of the fireplace.

I brought the wine to my lips and reveled in the sweet taste. Jace preferred red wine. I watched as he moved fluidly to sit next to me. His hand rested on my bare feet I had tucked into the split in the cushions and he sighed.

"My Mother adored you." His tone was gruff and thick with emotion.

"The feeling is mutual."

"I'm happy I took you to meet her." He stated. "My sister is in love with you and John liked you, too."

I rested my head back against the cushion. "And, I liked them as well."

"You have my entire family wrapped around your little finger." Jace said seriously. I lifted my head from the cushion and stared into his eyes.

"And, where do I have you?" I didn't know what made me ask the question, but once I did...I realized I needed an answer.

Jace thought for a moment and my heartbeat hindered. "Where do you want me, Olivia?"

What a way to turn that question back around on me! I had not been expecting to be bombarded with a question so difficult to form an answer for. But, I had no choice. This was not a moment I was able to walk away from, no matter how uncomfortable it might be. This was my chance to tell him what I wanted most. And, I refused to shy away from an answer.

"I want you with me, Jace." I said softly, tracing my finger around the rim of my glass. "Always."

His breath hitched. It was so terrifyingly beautiful to see such an intimate reaction to my words. It made me feel both empowered and hesitant.

"I think we can manage that." Jace's words were husky, but it was their meaning that set me over the edge.

Without thinking anything through, I reached for his wine glass. He surrendered it to me without hesitation and I set it on the coffee table. I didn't know why I felt the need to be as close as I could physically get to him, but I did. I wanted him inside me. I wanted him to fill me. I needed this. Him. Now.

I pulled my dress up just past my knees and straddled him. His hands moved to rest against my hips as I leaned in to claim his lips. My lips touched his in an explosion of passion so intense, I had to fight the tears that welled up inside of me. Oh, God...if I never loved again, I knew I would be okay. Because, I loved Jace so completely. There would never be another in which I would find this passion, desperation, and thrill, all in one. Jace was everything to me and more. I couldn't think of a single scenario to make me run from him.

In the distance, thunder roared and lightning flared, igniting the room for only a moment. But, that moment was enough. In that single moment, I saw everything I would ever need in Jace's eyes. He loved me.

And, I was, undeniably and irrefutably in love with him.

I jumped at the shrill sound of Jace's cell phone. His face fell and the moment was lost. Sorrow filled my chest as I moved to climb from his lap. But, rather than letting me go as I thought he would, he held me to him.

"Don't." The word was a plea on his lips. I couldn't deny him.

His phone silenced and I sighed my relief. He slid his hand to the back of my neck to pull me in for another kiss and his phone rang again.

"Fuck." Jace growled. "I'm sorry, Angel. I should answer."

"I understand." I slid off his lap as he fished his phone from his pocket.

"Rush." His answer was clipped, bordering on harsh. I watched the features of his face tense and my heart stilled before resuming at a pace so painfully high, I thought I would surely pass out. "Laura, calm down. You did nothing wrong. I'll be right in."

Jace hung up and flashed stress filled eyes toward me. "I have to go to the office. One of our biggest deals just fell through. Laura is in a panic over my absence in the office." Regret flashed in the depths of his blue eyes and I shook my head. "I have to go."

"Jace, I understand." I smiled gently. The last thing I wanted him to feel was fear I would be angry. He had an emergency at work, and I understood his need as the head of the company, to be there. I loved him. I would support him.

He stood and walked briskly to the door. I followed quickly behind him as he shrugged into his suit jacket. "Will you be here when I get home?"

My heart fluttered. "Do you want me to be here?"

He nodded. "I do."

"Then I will be here, waiting." I promised. "So long as you drive safe. That rain is torturous."

"Anything for you, Angel." Jace leaned in to kiss me on the lips. It was a gentle, quick peck...but within it was a promise of so much more. "I will see you as soon as I can."

I smiled. "I will be here."

I watched with a heavy heart as Jace walked quickly from the penthouse.

***

Two hours later, I was still at a loss for what to do. The man must not spend much time here, because he really didn't have much in the category of entertainment. He had a massive television, but I'd never really been one to enjoy loosing myself in acting. I preferred reading and I wished I had my ereader. As I made my way back to the couch in a pout, there was a heavy knock on the door.

My step stuttered as I contemplated ignoring the visitor, but in a fleeting moment of bravery, I padded across the floor. I opened the door to find a thin blond staring back at me. She was gorgeous. Her blue eyes were pretty, not nearly as piercing a blue as Jace's, but they were nice. Almost the shade of clear water.

"Hello?" I cocked my head. "Is there something I can help you with?"

"You're Olivia LeRoux, aren't you?"

How did she know my name? "Yes, and you are?"

"My name is Lexie." She held out her hand for me to shake, and cautiously, I took it in mine. "I need to speak with you. It's important." She peered behind me and I stiffened. "Can I come in?"

"Um, it's not my place. Maybe we shouldn't talk in the hallway."

"I've been in there before." She smiled, but it was both sad and forced. "I'm Jace's ex-girlfriend and what I have to tell you is extremely important. I only need a moment of your time."

My heart plummeted into my stomach as I stared at the gorgeous girl before me. She was his ex? What on earth was he doing with me when he could have her? Obviously, she wanted him back...why else would she be here?

My mind registered a frightening possibility and I blurted my question. "Are you the one sending the letters?"

Confusion flitted through her expression. "Letters? No." She shook her head. "However, I have been trying to get your attention, but you are always with someone. Be it Jace, or your roommate." She shrugged. "I had a feeling this is my only chance and I took it. You need to be informed before things get too far and you are left like me."

"Left like you?" I glanced her over. I had no idea what she was talking about. She looked fine. Better than fine, actually. Her clothing was expensive and her nails were manicured.

"Empty, Olivia." She said matter of fact. "I am empty."

At her tone, I shivered. "What are you saying?"

"Are you going to let me in?"

"No." I shook my head. "We can talk out here, or you can leave. It's your decision."

She pursed her lips. "Fine."

"What do you have to say, Lexie?" I asked pointedly.

She drew in a deep breath, looking almost pained. "I was in love with Jace, once. I gave him everything I had...I gave him all of me and denied him nothing. And he took everything...and when I had given him all I had...he pushed for more." Tears welled in her eyes and I fought my need to hurry her on. My heart was pounding, thrashing violently in my chest. "I was in love with him, Olivia. You have to understand. I was desperate for him in every sense of the word, and I let him control me in every way, until he commanded every aspect of my life. That was the way he wanted things...it's the way he needs things."

"I don't understand."

"You wouldn't. Because, for some reason, he is not treating you the same way. He changed his tactics after me...he must have. But, the conclusion is inevitable. You will end up just like me."

I shook my head. "Stop talking in riddles and tell me what you came here to tell me, Lexie."

"Jace is a dominant. He is a sadomasochist. He can't control it, and he can't change it. It's why he needs to control everything else in his life and everyone else's life. It's why he owns Rush Industries and it's why, one day, he will own you, too. Just as he owned me."

My mind was reeling. Jace was a sadomasochist? Impossible. He was controlling and demanding...but, he was far from abusive. Lexie had to be delusional. She had to have concocted up some fabricated illusion of Jace in her mind...because, this simply did not make any sense.

"I think you are confused. "I said slowly.

Lexie shook her head sharply. "No. I'm far from confused." She growled. "Jace murdered my child...his child, with his sick commands. And, stupid me, I aided him, and now, I'm paying for my mistakes, day after day." Tears fell from her eyes, but I couldn't respond. She obviously believed what she was saying was true. She believed Jace killed her baby. Their baby.

"No,"

"Yes." She nodded. "Just ask him. It's obvious he thinks he didn't need to tell you, but sooner or later, he will need you to satisfy his sexual needs...and they are not easy. I promise you, I am not lying." She reached out and grasped hold of my hands, but I ripped them away. I couldn't touch her. I couldn't be near her. My feelings of obvious animosity did nothing to sway her determination. "You need to leave Jace before he ruins you. I'm trying to save you. Please, listen to me."

The elevator dinged and my eyes fluttered to meet shocked green eyes I recognized. Caleb was here. Why?

Caleb's face fell and he strode quickly across the lobby. "What the hell are you doing here, Lexie?" He roared, and I flinched.

Lexie ran to the elevator and once she was inside, her eyes met mine. "Just ask him. It's all you need to do."

The doors closed.

Chapter 26

"What was she doing here, Olivia?" Caleb asked, his voice commanding. "Where's Jace?" I looked up at him and he swore hard and loud, making me flinch. "She told you everything didn't she?"

That was it for me. Every ounce of will I had to hold back my tears crumbled. I was in a state of shock I feared I would never come back from. Caleb had known Jace was a...monster...and still, he allowed me to continue with my fabricated illusion of Jace being my prince charming? "You knew?"

"Fuck, Olivia." He ran a hand through his hair. "You don't understand."

I shook my head. "I can't do this."

With those words, I bolted to the elevator and beat the button hard. Caleb moved quickly to stand beside me. "You need to talk to Jace. You owe him that much."

My heart thrashed with the pain of loss, humiliation, and fear, I felt in that moment. "I don't owe him anything!" I screamed as loud as I possibly could. I was near certain the entire building heard me clearly.

Caleb flinched, but he was not ready to back down. Not yet. "How can you take her side in this?"

My hands fisted tightly. "There is no other side, Caleb. The girl lost her baby because of him. How can you not take her side?"

"You don't understand. You obviously don't have all the facts." Caleb said as the elevator rolled open. I stepped inside and he followed.

"Get out." I was shaking, completely robbed of all control. "Get out!" I screamed.

"Please, at least, let me drive you home."

"No." I shook my head. "Get out!"

Finally, Caleb nodded. He stepped from the elevator a moment before the doors started to close. While I rode to the ground floor, I cried.

***

Caleb's name lit up my phone. "Where the hell are you?"

"Lexie was just with Olivia."

"Where's Olivia?" My heart raced and my mind fogged.

"She left, Jace."

"Where?" I yelled.

"I don't know." Caleb sounded distraught.

"What happened?" I asked.

"Lexie told her about the baby." Caleb replied.

"And she didn't understand?" I asked. Well, fuck...of course she wouldn't understand. I'd been the cause of the death of a child. No one could understand that. But, I'd hoped she would.

"She thinks you're a monster, Jace." Caleb sounded pained.

"I am a monster, Caleb." My heart felt as though it was being torn from my chest. "But, with Olivia, I felt like a man. I felt worthy."

Caleb sighed. "Go to her. I'll use your home office to conference the investor. I will fix this. You fix your relationship with Olivia." There was a pause. "You need her."

***

I didn't think twice about pushing through the glass doors and running into the rain. The doorman called for me to stop, but I couldn't. I left everything at Jace's house. I didn't have a thing on my person. No money for a cab and no keys to the condo. I could only hope Trisha would be home when I finally made my way there.