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From the corner of my eye, I saw Gail stare at Jace as though shocked by his words and tone. Who did she know the man I loved to be? He had so many faces - so many sides. It was a wonder my senses weren't ruined, because since meeting Jace they had been on constant overdrive.
"Well," I sighed. "I guess I'll have to wear your shirt then."
Abhorrence flashed in his eyes and his jaw locked. "You're not walking out the door with no clothes on, Olivia."
"You're telling me what to do?" I asked pointedly.
He glared. "You want to have this discussion here?"
I knew he was talking about my agreement to being his submissive. And damn it, of course I didn't want to have this conversation in front of Gail. But I had to play it right and I wouldn't be blackmailed. "If you want to, then by all means."
A vein in his neck bulged and I knew I'd won this round. Jace wasn't about to divulge the terms of our relationship to his housekeeper. "Don't argue with me, Olivia."
"Don't argue with me, Jace." I replied. I noticed Gail watching us with interest as she mixed the pancake batter.
"You're not leaving. If I have to tie you to my bed, I will." His threat was nothing to take lightly. I was playing with fire and I knew it.
"I have responsibilities, Jace." I tried another rout. "I have to work. The café just opened and it already looks bad that I'm not there. I can't ditch out on the whole day."
"Why not?" Jace asked.
I frowned. Was he serious? No, he couldn't be. "Because I need to make a living."
"I have plenty of money." I saw Gail raise her brows and I bristled. Great now she's going to think I want him for his bank account. That's just what I need.
I drew in a long even breath. "All right - I want to work. I want to be at the café."
"Olivia,"
"Jace, you're pissing me off." I said bluntly. "I'm going whether you like it or not."
He ground his teeth and fisted his hands. "I'm driving you."
I nodded. I figured I would relent on the details that didn't really matter all that much rather than fighting and losing. "That's fair. We'll need to stop at my house for clothes first."
"I still have your clothes here." He stated, looking forward.
My jaw dropped. All that for nothing? My voice was shaky. "Are you serious?"
"Very." Jace said. His tone was bored and I visibly prickled.
"I'm going to shower and get dressed." I stated as I stood.
"Breakfast will be ready soon." Jace replied.
"I already said I wasn't hungry."
"Olivia," he warned.
"Jace," I warned back at him.
Gail huffed. "That's about enough you two." She pointed at me. "You're eating because your just too damned thin and as for you Jace," she pointed her finger at him and his eyes widened. "Stop harassing the girl. She's got a life outside of you."
I felt my eyes grow wide as I waited for his wrath to crawl out of its cave. But to my surprise, Jace didn't say anything at all. He nodded before shooting me a glare over his shoulder. I felt like a small child being scolded. A blush tainted my cheeks and I sat back on the island stool beside Jace. I avoided his sharp blue eyes as I watched Gail work at the stove. I could feel their heat on me and I knew I would be in trouble later. Oh well.
"Do you want the whole works?" Gail asked.
"Yes," Jace said.
I narrowed my eyes. "What's the works?"
"Whip cream, berries, syrup?" Gail's eyes twinkled.
"Sounds good to me." I grinned at her. It was a heart attack on a plate, but hey, I was too skinny anyway.
"Good." She nodded and went back to flipping the hot cakes.
I watched as Gail decorated the pancakes before sliding the plates across the granite. Jace grinned at his dish and my heart leapt in my chest. Sometimes, he looked like a child, while other times he looked so damned haunted. I liked this side of Jace, the side where easy smiles and childish breakfasts lived. It was enlightening.
With a deep breath, I dug into my pancakes. When I'd made it through half the food on my plate, I sighed. "I can't finish this." I blushed. "I'm so full it hurts."
Gail tisked. "You're too skinny."
"I'll work on my appetite." I promised as I stood.
"Where are you going?" Jace asked as he finished his last bite.
"I'm getting ready for work."
"Oh really?"
I narrowed my eyes. "Yes. Really."
He nodded and I turned my attention to Gail. "Thank you very much for breakfast. It was delicious."
"You're very welcome." Gail smiled.
