21
Jace
I was hoping that she wouldn’t bring up that kiss we shared. Not because it wasn’t amazing and passionate. It was probably one of the most intense kisses that I’ve had, but it wasn’t real.
She’s not mine.
It was all an act. And apparently, we’re both good at pretending.
Except she wasn’t pretending. She didn’t know I was acting on impulse to save her. Protect her. Well, to protect my unborn child.
The kiss ignited a spark inside of me, and now every glance at her, my insides stir, my body reacts to her.
It has to be the pregnancy. She may be hormonal, but she’s also carrying my son or daughter.
It’s the only explanation.
I mean, sure, she’s beautiful, sexy as hell, and has a great ass. But it’s more than that. There’s a familiarity between us like we’re old friends. It’s comfortable. Easy. I don’t have to pretend to be someone else around her.
Not that I’ve divulged the real me either, but the pieces that I let her witness, we merge seamlessly.
“Jace, are we going to talk about that kiss or just pretend it never happened?”
Part of me wants to pretend it didn’t happen because that would be easier. But I have to face the fact that I kissed her, and even if it was just an act to protect her, I enjoyed it.
“I kissed you because I don’t want rumors starting with the Caruso’s.”
Her brow tightens, and the corners of her lips frown. She pouts.
It’s rather cute.
“What kinds of rumors?” she asks.
“Luka’s men have been watching you, following us. They assume we’re together, and I don’t want it getting out that I hired and paid for a surrogate.”
“I don’t understand why it matters, but I respect your decision to keep it private,” Olivia says.
“Thank you,” I say and turn for the door. I need to have a word with Matteo, ensure the compound is secure, and have one of my men return with Olivia’s belongings from my house.
* * *
I shut her bedroom door and step out into the hallway. Matteo is waiting for me.
I accompany him down the stairwell and to the war room. It’s where all our meetings are held of importance. There’s equipment to ensure nothing is overheard and no signals go in or out of that room.
“I wasn’t expecting you to bring the girl by the compound,” Matteo says.
I shut the door behind him once we’ve been allocated our privacy in the war room. We’re not at war today, but we might as well be. Every day, it seems as though there is a new battle. Some we win, others we live to fight another day.
“We were being followed. I couldn’t chance taking her back to the house. Besides, Caruso’s men saw us shopping for baby things.” I wince at my own words. I’d been careless. I should have brought multiple guards with me. Usually, I have more than just one or two bodyguards following me, keeping eyes on me while I don’t have to watch my back.
But I’d been swept up in the moment, enjoying spending time with Olivia, and had allowed her to take me shopping.
It had been my idea. I don’t blame her. I blame myself.
Matteo grimaces. “Does she know who you are, that you’re don?”
Does he expect that she’ll find out while living under my roof at the compound? I don’t plan on her discovering the truth. In a few months, she’ll be gone, out of my hair, and I’ll never have to see her again.