All Good Things Exposed (17 page)

"Get used to it, Olivia." Gabe said, his eyes serious. "He's not planning on going anywhere."

"You know this?" I asked. "Has he told you?"

The vehicle rolled to a stop. "We're here."

I lost my track of thought as I pressed my face to the tinted window. Wow. The building we were parked across the street from was enormous. It was a tall mass of curved concrete and dark, reflective glass. RUSH INDUSTRIES sat atop the expanse of entrance doors in steel gray letters that looked both intimidating and intriguing. My heart thudded. This was the first time I'd seed Jace's workplace in person. I'd been meaning to make a trip to his place of work, but had constantly put it off for one excuse or the other. Now I knew why. I was absolutely petrified of walking into his domain. The people within these walls worked for him. They knew him. Knew about him. The women surely doted on him. I had no interest what-so-ever in walking through one of the many glass doors.

I turned to Gabe. "Why are we here?"

"This is where Jace is." He frowned at my obvious discomfort.

"I'm not going in there."

"Why not?"

"I don't want to."

"Why?"

"Because," I folded my arms over my chest and blurted the first thing I thought of. "I'll get lost."

Gabe chuckled incredulously. "You'll be fine." He assured. "Jace is on the top floor."

"I'm not going."

"You are."

"And why is that?"

Gabe looked at me seriously. "You'll go because Jace is working on a multi-million dollar deal and he cannot leave the office right now, but you know as well as I do that if you don't go to him right now, he will leave. He will throw away the millions he will land in this deal and chase you down. That will ultimately affect the holiday bonuses many of his staff are expecting this year, myself included." He eyed me with hard, determined eyes. "Are you prepared to do that?"

"You don't paly fair." I pouted.

"Why do you think he hired me?"

"Touché."

Chapter 13

I walked into an immaculate lobby and froze. Holy shit! This place was freaking stunning. I felt out of place and worried frantically on my lower lip as I thought of scuffing the cream marble floor with the heel of my shoe. I didn't even want to walk. Instead, I stood still, allowing my racing heart time to ease into its normal rhythm. My wide eyes took in the beige walls and white marble pillars that stood sporadically throughout the space. The pillars were massive, their sharp angles bled into the floor without difficulty. Black leather furniture adorned the space and a white cream marble desk, rounded against the artfully curved wall to my right. Straight ahead, there was a massive staircase that led to offices and elevators. The feel of the space was truly exquisite, but it wasn't Jace. I had to admit I was surprised and mildly disappointed.

Taking in a deep, calming breath I moved toward the intimidating desk with impeccably primped women behind it. I instantly felt inadequate. These women were clearly high fashioned. I felt my spine stiffen as one woman set cold blue-gray eyes of judgment on me.

I know I don't belong here, I thought to myself. Instead, I said, "I'm here to see Jace Rush."

Her eyes widened and a smirk tipped the corner of her plush lips. "
You're
here to see Mr. Rush?"

I know it's fucking unbelievable.
I smiled sweetly. "Yes, he's expecting me."

"Are you certain?" She asked. Her hand was already on the telephone. Was she going to call him and ask permission to send me up to his office?

"I'm pretty certain." I said tiredly. This was a gong show! I was ready to turn around and run out the doors when I felt a hard warm hand on my lower back.

"Olivia," A familiar voice spoke my name and I turned around to dancing green eyes. "It's been too long."

I felt my face flush red as the memory of our last meeting came rushing to the surface. "Caleb," I stuttered before tearing my eyes away from his face to the woman behind the desk. Her eyes were wide with astonishment as she watched my interaction with Caleb.

"Mr. Cage," She said breathily. Oh, here we go again. Another man that made panties fall at the drop of a smile. Jeez…when they came they flocked! "She says she's here to see Mr. Rush."

Caleb nodded, his eyes hard as he stared at her. "She is." His tone was clipped. "I wouldn't be surprised if she soon becomes Mrs. Rush, so from now on, when she comes looking to meet with Jace send her right up." I felt my mouth drop and I swore it hit the floor.

"Oh," she spluttered. "Of course," She settled eyes on me that were of a new light. I could have sworn I saw…resentment and possibly respect. I didn't know how the two emotions went hand in hand, but I wasn't in the right state of mind to ponder.

Had Caleb just said he thought I would soon be Mrs. Jace Rush? He had to be shitting me!

Caleb continued. Apparently he was on a roll. "Actually, just make her a company ID. I'll sign for it right now."

"Certainly," her words were breathless as she opened a drawer and pulled out a paper. She quickly set it on the counter with a pen and Caleb scrawled his signature on the line. "You'll need your picture taken."

My eyes shot to the girls. "Right now?"

She nodded, eyeing me uncertainly. I was fully aware I was pale and probably looked ill. But Caleb had just hit me with a brick! I was still trying to recover.

"Yes, right now." She sighed. "I'll need to make you a card before you leave."

"Oh," I tried to shake myself back to the here and now, but all I could hear was the same sentence rolling around in my mind. Mrs. Rush. Mrs. Rush. Mrs. Rush. Holy shit! "How long will it take?"

She frowned. "It'll only take a half hour." She leaned into the counter. "Are you going to be all right?"

Upon her question, Caleb's eyes darted to my face. I could see him frown from the corner of my eyes, but I couldn't seem to pull myself together. Damn it!

I plastered a smile on my face but it did nothing to color my pale skin. "Of course. I'm just tired."

She nodded as though that made sense. "Well, just fill out the information here," she pointed to the paper. "And I'll get started making your card."

I did just that. I filled out my name, address, phone number and birthdate. I couldn't believe all the information that was needed for this, but I didn't it none-the-less. It didn't surprise me. My control freak obviously exercised his ridiculousness in every aspect of his life. The thought was comforting. At least it wasn't only me who tempted the beast from its lair.

I pushed the paper forward. "All done."

"Great," She beamed a plastered smile. "Let's get your picture taken." She led me around the desk to a hidden seat with a camera pointing toward it and I sat. She leaned into the frame and snapped it without warning. I scowled and she stood. "I'll deliver it personally."

"Thanks." I muttered as I stood and walked back toward Caleb.

"You'll be with Jace?"

I nodded. "I think so."

Caleb chuckled at my discomfort. "She'll either be in Jace's office or she'll be in mine."

I knew what she was thinking the moment Caleb said the words. What a whore. She thought I was sharing my goodies with both men! I could see it on her face and I felt as though I was about to toss my cookies all over her. Jeez, I needed to lie down. All this nervous stimulation was taking its toll. And the fact I'd been fucked senseless the past two days was a huge contributing factor.

Caleb didn't wait for her to reply as he pressed his hand into the small of my back, forcing me to walk toward the grand staircase. I felt like a robot on auto.

Caleb was quiet as we waited for the elevator. I could still feel his hand on the small of my back, but oddly enough, it wasn't uncomfortable. I didn't like men touching me. Well, Jace excluded. But Caleb made me feel comfortable…like a brother. He was close to Jace, I knew that much. The man had a freaking key to Jace's house for goodness sakes. He went to see Jace's family without him! Of course they were close. I think it was the fact Jace was so trusting of Caleb that made me feel at ease around him. Jace didn't trust many people, but those he did trust I found were solid people with good hearts and strong minds.

The elevator rolled open and I walked in with Caleb close on my heels. "You're oddly quiet, Olivia."

"I am?" I frowned. "Do you really have anything to compare me to?"

"Well," he rubbed the scruff of his chin in thought. "Considering the first time I seen you, you gave me a run for my money and actually punched me…and the second time you screamed bloody murder at me…yeah, I think this is oddly quiet."

I felt a blush stain my cheeks. There the color is! "Sorry about that." I looked to the floor, feeling embarrassed.

"Don't be." He shrugged. "You were under a lot of stress."

We were definitely talking about our last meeting. "I was."

"You know Jace was ruined when you asked him to never talk to you again." It wasn't a question. It was a statement and it hit me like a ton of bricks.

I nodded. "So was I."

"I know."

"You do?" I felt my eyes look up to meet his.

He nodded. "You wouldn't have gotten back with him if you didn't. Not after learning of his past."

"You know everything?" I asked quietly.

"I know more than I should. I care about Jace and I have never seen him so into a woman before." He paused. "I hope you know what you're doing with him, because I don't think he could survive if you walked away again."

"I don't want to walk away." I said. I meant it.

"Good." He shoved his hands into his pockets. "I don't know if you see it yet, or if he knows it yet, but you mean more to him than anything else on this earth. You make him fucking crazy. Since the first day he saw you, he's been wrapped around your finger so tight he's hopeless."

"I care for him just as much."

Caleb shook his head. "I don't think that's possible." He rubbed his brow. "I meant what I said down there, Olivia."

I felt a frown tug my brow. "I don't know what you're referring to."

"Jace will make you Mrs. Rush. It's inevitable. So, if you can't handle that you need to leave and never look back again." His words were hard and sharp as a dagger to my chest.

I swallowed and stared directly into his eyes. "I'm not going anywhere."

Caleb nodded. "I was hoping you would say that." He stepped toward me, pulling me into his arms. I went willingly, not that I would have had much of a choice. Caleb was stronger than he looked. "Welcome to the family."

At his words of complete acceptance, I felt my eyes mist with tears and I hugged him back. "Thank you, Caleb."

"Anytime." He released me. "If you ever need anything you know where to find me."

I nodded at him as the elevator rolled open, displaying an impeccable reception area. There was a woman sitting behind the desk. She was pretty, but not exceptionally so. And when she smiled, I felt as though it was real.

She stood, rounding the curve of the white gloss desk. "You must be Olivia?"

"She is." Caleb said for me.

I extended my hand and she slid hers into mine. "And you are?" I asked politely.

"I'm Laura. I've worked for Jace and Caleb for years. You've got to be stronger and smarter than these two hooligans to work for them that long."

Caleb clutched his chest as though wounded. "Ouch," I could see he was fighting a grin. "Hooligans? I was thinking we were more like dragons or demons or something." Green eyes flickered to me. "I mean really, hooligans?"

I couldn't help but laugh at their easy exchange and I shook my head. "It's a pleasure to meet you."

"It's a pleasure to meet you." She winked, pulling me away from Caleb. "Jace's office is this way. He's on the phone right now but he wants me to send you right in."

"Sounds good." I smiled back at Caleb and he waved, turning to walk in the other direction. Was that where his office was?

"So, how long have you and Jace been an item?" She asked and I felt my eyes bug out of my head. She must have noticed because she quickly continued. "You aren't obligated to tell me anything. I'm just interested. I've never known him to take women seriously. He and Caleb are quite the players." She halted her steps and covered her mouth looking horror stricken. "Oh, I don't know what's gotten into me. I'm so sorry."

I laughed. I liked her. "It's fine. I know about Jace and his past." I winked. "I have access to Google."

She laughed, but there was still a strain of nervousness in it. "Oh, good ol' Google."

"Although I wouldn't call us an item." I shrugged, taking in my surroundings. This was so much more like Jace. It must have been redone. "I don't really know what we are."

"I know this much," she said honestly, sternly. "You mean something to that man. In all my years, he's never had a woman apart from his mother and sister up here."

"Really?"

"Really." She nodded. "That man doesn't trust anyone. He won't even get himself a personal assistant. He says he'd rather do it all himself." She shook her head. "Ridiculous."

I nodded. "That is." It was a huge company. How on earth was he doing it without a personal assistant?

"I mean, I help him when I can, but I got a good enough load on my plate and I got kids too. So I can't have my whole life revolving around this place the way he does, you know?"

"You have kids?" I asked as she stopped outside smoked glass double doors.

"I do." She nodded proudly. "Well, you'd better go on in. He's waited long enough for you to get here."

"He's impatient." I scowled as I pulled on the handle. I half expected to find it locked, but it wasn't. By the time I walked in and closed the door, Laura was gone.

I turned around to find myself in a dark, tastefully decorated office. It was enormous. My eyes went right to the desk across the room where Jace was sitting in a large leather black chair. His blue eyes were on me and I couldn't force myself to look away. Despite all the intricately designed furniture adorning he space, I could only look at him. I was hypnotized.