9
Olivia
Staring up into his gaze, I lean in. I feel hypnotized under his spell. I want to kiss him. Taste his lips. He’s handsome, more gorgeous than any other man I’ve been with, and a hell of a lot richer.
Instead, I take a step back, trying to get away, needing space. I can’t let my head drift into the clouds, pretending this is something it isn’t.
It’s a business transaction. That’s it.
I trip over my own feet and spill my coffee all over me and his wood floor.
A shriek emits from my lips, along with a curse.
I don’t drop my mug, it’s still in my hands, but it splashes the contents everywhere.
Including my white t-shirt.
“Are you okay?” Jace’s voice is warm and filled with concern.
I pull the wet t-shirt away from my body, the liquid painfully hot against my skin. It takes everything in my power not to rip my clothes off.
He yanks his t-shirt off and hands me his shirt. “Put this on.”
“In front of you?” I squeak.
“Or go into the bathroom. It’s not like I haven’t seen breasts before.”
Well, he hasn’t seen my boobs. I’d prefer to keep it that way.
He turns the stove down and grabs a kitchen rag to wipe the floor before hurrying to his room.
While he’s out of sight, I yank my shirt off and slip his t-shirt on. It’s warm and smells uniquely of Jace. It’s a musky scent, earthy and clean. I try not to take a huge whiff, but the smell surrounds me, and I honestly don’t mind it.
I like his pheromones, or it’s been too long since I’ve had sex.
Probably both.
* * *
After breakfast, I get dressed, and Jace hands me the keys.
Matteo dropped them off while I was in the bathroom getting ready.
Jace scribbles down the address of the apartment. “Do you need directions?”
“I can look up the place on my phone,” I say. I don’t want to inconvenience him any more than I already have. Doesn’t he need to be at work? He has a huge company to run, and I’m getting in the way, keeping him from doing his job.
“Okay. I’ll be in touch with the paperwork, doctors appointments, and anything else you need. Matteo works for me, and if you can’t reach me for some reason and it’s an emergency, you can always contact him.”
He jots down Matteo’s phone number.
I’m not sure what type of emergency I’d have, but I smile and nod, trying to show my appreciation.
“Thank you,” I say.
Jace walks me out, opening the wrought-iron gates so that I can leave. “This place is practically a fortress,” I say.
“That’s the point.”