All Good Things (30 page)

Jace pushed open the drivers door of his car and I waited as he jogged around the nose of the vehicle to open my door. He held his hand out to me and I placed my hand in his. I felt like a princess...or, a queen, as he helped me from the seat. I couldn't stop the beaming smile that claimed my features as I rose to my full height.

"You are so beautiful." Jace murmured as his hand moved to rest against my hip. My heart thundered as he pulled me into his chest, bending his head to press his lips against mine.

My breath hitched as his tongue parted my lips and my heart soared, flying high. His hand tensed, tightening his hold on my hip before he released, sliding his fingers beneath the fabric line of my shirt until his fingertips made contact with my skin. I hissed in a breath as he traced gentle circles over the skin of the small of my back. I wanted him to lay me down right here in the parking lot to show the world just how much he owned me.

I shifted, pressing my body flush against his and he moaned into my mouth. "I want you right here. Right now."

My skin tingled with anticipation as I breathed a breathy response. "I'm yours to take, Jace."

His eyes blazed as he stared down at me. "Say that again."

I froze. "Take me?"

He shook his head. "The other part."

"I'm yours." I whispered.

He groaned deep in his throat. It was a tortured sound as he set his forehead against mine. "I love the sound of those words coming from your lips."

"I mean them, Jace." I spoke, confidently. "I am yours. Completely."

"I want to take you home to bed right now, but you deserve a real date." He sighed as he pulled away. "I will wait to take you until later."

I shivered almost violently as he pulled away from me. I wanted to protest against his sudden desire to provide me with a normal, mundane dating experience, but I knew he needed this just as much, as he believed, I deserved it. So, rather than protesting and demanding he drive me back to his penthouse, I nodded and slid my hand into his.

"I can't wait until later."

He threw his head back and groaned. "You will be the death of me."

I pushed myself up on my tiptoes and kissed his chin. The brush of stubble against my lips sent a thrill through me as I imagined how it would feel against the softer, more sensitive areas of my body. That was a thought for later tonight, I chastised myself with a sharp shake of my head.

"Take me for a drive." I begged.

"Come." He tugged my hand. "I've been here before. They know me well."

I frowned. "They do?"

He chuckled. "You're not the only one with a need for speed."

I bumped his shoulder with mine. "I didn't think you were one to let loose like this."

He frowned, looking down at me with deep blue eyes. "Have you not noticed my collection of cars? They're all built for speed. Did you think I purchased them to sit and collect dust?"

"Um," I shrugged. "Maybe."

"That is a preposterous assumption, Olivia." He scolded teasingly. "You should be ashamed of yourself."

I laughed. "Yes," I nodded through my blush. "It is preposterous. You'll just have to teach me a lesson."

His shoulders stiffened and he hissed in a deep breath as he looked down at me. Horror mingled with, what I believed, was arousal in his eyes. His hand tightened around mine and his brow furrowed, marring his handsome features with a look of stress. "What did you say?"

I fumbled for words. What did I say to set him off? "I was teasing you, Jace."

He nodded, looking pale. "Of course."

"Jace," I frowned. I didn't know what to say, or what had made him so tense. I had only been teasing...but he had looked at me with...appalled hunger?

"They are waiting." He nodded to the tall industrial building and forced a smile. "Come."

My attention wavered as a tall, bald man, in his early forties started walking toward us. His eyes were filled with laughter as he stared at my hand tucked in Jace's. His eyes scanned my face and he nodded. My heart knocked in my chest.

"Jace Rush." His burley voice carried over the airwaves and Jace nodded in response. "It's been a while. I was wondering when you were going to come around for your next fix."

I cocked my head to the side. "Fix?"

Jace laughed, shaking hands with the bald man. "Olivia, this is Kyle." Kyle extended his hand and I shook it.

"How do you do?" His eyes scanned my face again and I blushed under the scrutiny.

"Fine, thank you." I swallowed my nerves. "And, yourself?"

"Oh, I'm great." He grinned, released my hand and looked back at Jace. "You here to race the Veyron?"

"We are." Jace nodded. "Olivia will be my passenger today."

Kyle winced. "You know we can't let you take her out with you, Jace. It's too dangerous."

"I will pay whatever I have to pay to get her into the seat next to me." Jace spoke easily and I blushed bright red. This was, so not, how I saw our date unfolding.

"Jace, it's really okay." I ensured. "I don't mind watching."

He looked down at me with fierce determination and heady confidence. "You're coming with me, Olivia."

"Jace, think about this." Kyle said roughly. "I've seen you drive. You're good. But, if you lose control...you aren't walking away. Do you really want to subject her to that possibility?"

"You know I won't take the same risks with her beside me, Kyle." Jace spoke with venom. "She's coming with me."

Kyle shook his head uncomfortably before setting steely eyes on me. I squirmed. "You'll have to sign a waver."

"Of course." I smiled unsurely and Jace tightened his hold on my hand.

"Come on, then." Kyle turned his back. "Let's go sign your life away."

***

I stared through the windshield at the track ahead and wiped my moist palms on my thighs for what felt like the thousandth time. I was nervous. My seatbelt was buckled and the car was stationary. I thanked the heavens for small mercies as the low rumble of the engine drowned out the rampant beating of my heart.

Jace frowned. "We don't have to do this."

I shook my head. "I want to." Especially after he paid all that money to get me into this seat beside him. There was no way I was backing out now.

"Are you sure?" Jace asked. He revved the engine and the Veyron growled, a sweet seduction of my senses.

"Oh," I smiled breathily. "I'm sure."

"Hold on." Jace grinned...and then he floored it.

The Veyron shot off like a black arrow from the pavement and into the air. I stared straight ahead as the rubber claimed the asphalt. My entire body felt as though it were defying gravity as I was pulled back into the seat, molded to the leather. My heart raced in my chest as exhilarated excitement consumed me entirely.

I don't know if it was nerves, or terror, or joy, but a laugh that mocked a squeal, sounded from my lips and I pressed my eyes shut tightly, allowing the speed to overtake me. Everything cleared from my mind. The worry of the day fell away. The threat and stress of the letters dissipated, as speed took precedence. I forgot about the bodyguards who'd been commanded to stand in the background of my life, always watching, ever alert and waiting for the need to intervene.

I felt like I was flying...and I didn't have a care in the world.

Surely, this was why Jace loved to race. This had to be the point at which drove him to press for speed. There was liberation in this act that no other could give. It was like a drug...and, I was addicted.

The engine growled and the car slowed. The rubber hummed against the asphalt and I opened my eyes. Jace was looking at me with a smoldering intensity glowing in his eyes.

"Wow," I breathed.

"You liked it." He stated. It was not a question, but I nodded regardless.

"I loved it, Jace." I laughed like a lunatic. Obviously, I was coming down from my cathartic high. At the sound of my laughter, Jace joined, unable to stop himself.

"Did you want to go again?" Jace asked seriously. I pulled my bearings together enough to answer him.

"I would love to." A rush unlike any other flooded my belly as I thought of riding with Jace again. "But, by the looks of Kyle," I pointed to where Kyle stood. If he had hair, I'm certain, he would have pulled every last strand from his head. "I think we should call it a day."

Jace glanced at Kyle who was now jogging across the tracks. Tense relief filled his eyes as Jace rolled the passenger window down. Kyle gripped the hood of the car as he leaned down into the window, looking winded.

"I've never been more worried about a race in my life." He sighed. "And, I've seen some knuckleheads get behind the wheel."

"I would never let anything happen to Olivia, Kyle." Jace reprimanded the man for his worry, and I shook my head, looking up at Kyle.

"Thank you for letting me drive with him. You have no idea what the speed did for me." I grappled for the right words. "It was like everything inside of me, that's been weighing me down, was just tossed away...lost at the start line."

Kyle's eyes flickered with knowing. "I understand, Olivia." He nodded and I knew the speed gave him release, too. "If you ever want to come back, don't hesitate. I have both the license, and the training, to drive with passengers. You can ride with me." At the last part, he glared over my head at Jace.

"I will be back." I ensured.

"She will be back with me." Jace added as he revved the engine. "See you again, Kyle."

Kyle shook his head and crossed his arms over his chest. A look of bewilderment flared in his eyes as he watched the car drive away.

I couldn't help but notice as we drove from the parking lot onto the road, a black BMW SUV followed our trail. I knew the men within the vehicle were the appointed bodyguards and, I frowned.

"They're not very discrete." I mumbled and Jace nodded tensely.

"Discretion is not their purpose." Jace stated. "They have one purpose and that is to protect you."

I bristled. "And you."

Jace frowned. "I can take care of myself, Olivia."

I sighed. "Well, you agreed to take a bodyguard and that's all that matters."

"It's pointless." He argued.

"It's not pointless, Jace." I picked at my nails. "Not if they are the difference between you living from an attack and dying."

"I will not be attacked." Jace shook his head and I could see the conversation was getting to him. "I've lived in the limelight all my life. I know how to handle the crazy people who have nothing better to do than stalk and terrorize others."

I narrowed my eyes. "Have you been threatened before?"

"Yes." He stated. "On countless occasions."

"What did you do?" I asked. My stomach tightened, feeling as though a rock had been dropped into the pit.

"Never once did I employ a bodyguard." He replied stiffly and, I stiffened.

"I'm sorry...but, I care for you." I said quietly. "I don't want something to happen to you...and think it was my fault and I could have prevented it. Whoever is writing these letters doesn't want me with you. I'm certain you would be safe if we were to part ways." I pulled in a shaky breath. "I don't want to be the cause of something awful happening to you. Do you understand what I'm saying?"

Jace's jaw was set tensely. "I understand what you're saying. I took a bodyguard for you, Olivia."

"And, I thank you." I said.

"Let's enjoy the rest of our day."

I nodded. We still had a few hours before we had to meet his family for dinner. I would need to get changed, but we still had an hour to kill.

"What do you want to do now?" I asked, trying to hide the mischief in my tone.

Jace eyed me warily. "What do you want to do?"

"I want to go to an ice cream parlor with you." I grinned excitedly as he pondered my request.

"I haven't been for ice cream since I was really little." He shook his head in wonder. "It's probably been almost twenty years."

"No." I gasped. "You're joking."

He shook his head. "No, it's been a while."

"You were like...seven then." I shook my head. "You never went for ice cream?"

"We were busy." Jace said stiffly at the memory.

I swallowed my frustration at his lack of a childhood. Even I, who'd had a crappy childhood, went for ice cream every now and again. "What was your favorite flavor?"

Jace chuckled. "I was pretty boring."

"Go on, what was your favorite?" I prodded.

"Vanilla."

"That's not boring. It's delicious." I beamed. "Can we go?"

His eyes glowed as he glanced at me. "You really want ice cream?"

"I do."

"All right then." He nodded. "Where do we find an ice cream parlor?"

Chapter 23

I stepped closer to the lady behind the ice cream counter. Jace stood uncomfortably at my side. He was, so obviously, out of his element, but I wanted him to know there was so much more to life then his work. I wished I knew a little more about him so I could judge his reactions to places like these. There was no doubt in my mind, I loved Jace...but, I didn't know him very well. I made it my mission to get to know him better. I wanted to know everything about him. I wanted to know his favorite drink, fruit, place...I wanted to know his dreams and fears. I wanted to be the one he trusted to confide his innermost desires. I wanted it all with Jace...the good, the bad, and the ugly.

"What can I get for you?" The lady asked politely.

I looked up at Jace. "You have to get a cone dipped in chocolate. They are the best."

His eyes widened. "What are you getting?"

I shook my head and turned back to order. "May I please get a white chocolate cone dipped in sprinkles with a scoop of white chocolate ice cream."

She nodded. "And you, Sir?"

Jace shifted. "I'll have a cone dipped in white chocolate with a scoop of vanilla ice cream."

I couldn't help but laugh, as the words rushed from his mouth. He looked so terribly uncomfortable, it bordered on hilarious. I weaved my fingers with his as I stepped to the cash register. I pulled my wallet from my purse and Jace stiffened, glaring haughtily at me.

"What are you doing?"