I stiffened in his arms as fear clawed through my veins. Why would he have contacted Lexie? My throat felt tight as I mustered the will to speak. "What did it say?"
"He told her to try and convince me to leave you for her. And he threatened to expose my every secret." I felt his arms tighten around me as though he thought I might leave him. I wouldn't.
"Jace," I was whispering. "I don't care about your past. I don't care about what you've done or the secrets you hold. I don't care about any of it. The only thing I care about is what you do from here on out. I want a husband who shares his life and thoughts with me. I never want to be sent away from your office so you can discuss something with another woman in private." I turned to face him and he continued to hold me tight. "Do you know how bad that hurt?"
"Fuck," he set his forehead against mine. "You don't know how it kills me to hear that I've hurt you."
"Then don't hurt me." I said through an eye roll.
"You know I don't mean to." He nudged me from the floor of Caleb's office. "Come on. We have 'us' things we need to get done today."
I wanted to ask what kind of 'us' things he had in mind, but first, I needed to get one more thing straight. "I need you to promise me something."
"What is it?"
"I need you to promise me you'll talk to me. And you'll always be honest - about the letters, Lexie, your past and everything that happens in your day. I don't want to be left in the dark. I don't want to feel the way I did ever again."
Jace lifted his hand, running his knuckle over my cheek. "I love you." He breathed.
"You know I love you, but that's not what I want to hear right now."
He chuckled. "Ever aware." He gave me a shit-grin. I loved that grin. "I promise to be honest with you always."
"Thank you." I smiled. It was a happy smile and I felt it in my heart.
"You're very welcome." He cocked his head to the door. "Let's go."
I followed Jace through the hallway, passing Caleb on our way through the reception area. Poor Laura looked frazzled, but when I sent her a smile she returned it with a real one. Jace led me to his office and I gasped at the mess of glass on the floor.
"What happened here?"
"Caleb." Jace muttered on a shake of his head.
"What?"
Jace lifted a brow. "He came barging in here to defend your honor."
I laughed. "Oh my," I covered my mouth to keep my laughter under restraint. "Remind me to thank him."
"Will do," Jace replied dryly. He released my hand and walked to his desk, opening the drawer on his right. He shoved his wallet in his pants before returning to my side. "Let's go do some 'us' things."
Chapter 25
We bypassed the lobby and went straight to the underground garage where Jace parked his car. I was relieved. I didn't feel like prancing though the lobby where I knew I would be met with hateful eyes. I only wanted to go home and relax, but Jace said we had 'us' things to do. And, I had to admit I was interested.
Jace sat down in the seat beside me, and the engine roared to life. "So," I tried to nudge the conversation, but Jace only looked at me like I had two heads, so I continued. "What 'us' things do you have planned, Mr. Rush?"
"Well, I was thinking we would go pick a cake."
"A cake?"
His eyes narrowed. "For our wedding - that is happening in two months."
I laughed. "Do we even have a venue?"
"Of course." He frowned. "My mothers house." He shifted and looked at me through weary eyes. "Are you all right with that?"
"Yes," I smiled, feeling the heavy lump in my throat again. My goodness gracious! My emotions really were wild! "I am so much more than all right with that."
He looked relieved. "Good."
"How many people do you think will be there?" I asked.
"How many do you want?" He asked seriously.
"I want a small wedding." My voice was small and cautious. What did he want?
"Me too." I looked up immediately to find his eyes on mine, and my stomach jumped, my throat feeling tight with emotion one again.
"Let's go taste cakes." I grinned. Suddenly, I was excited.
***
I'd tasted a Swiss Chocolate, Caramel, Raspberry Lemon and Lemon. My favorite was the lemon, but I could clearly see Jace liked the chocolate. He was boring like that.
"You like the chocolate one, don't you?" I asked with an accusing tone. Jace grinned. The shit-grin.
"You like the lemon." He threw back at me with a wink.
"You know me so well." I teased playfully. "But which will it be? Lemon or chocolate?"