Last Olive Bistro ✓

Chapter 29: Possessive

After a few days flew past—all filled with nights of cooking elaborate meals and making love—Saturday night came and it was time for Jacob and I to relax and go out for dinner again as a couple, and have someone else do the work. I wore one of my new dresses—a sleek and short black number, sexier than the ones that came before, and tied my hair up in a high ponytail.

"You need something—here," Jacob said while his fingertips softly ran over the bare space across my chest. He retreated to his walk-in closet for a brief moment and returned with a rectangular box. "Try this."

"What is it?" I asked, taking it.

Jacob smirked and stuffed his hands in his pockets. "It's something for you." He bounced once on his heels, eager for me to open the gift.

I removed the lid and revealed a dazzling diamond necklace encased in black velvet lining. My breath stopped short of a choking gasp as I stared wide-eyed at the jewelry.

"Jacob, this is extravagant," I said, breathless.

He smiled and came nearer to clasp the work of art around my neck. I brushed my fingers across the thin line of diamonds, smoothing them evenly across my collarbone. Jacob stepped in front of me to get a complete view.

"It's not too tight?" he asked.

"No, not at all."

He raised his hand to my throat and cautiously compressed his grip. "Now?" he whispered in his low, husky voice. His hot breath kissing my skin and sending a shiver up my spine. He knew the precise way to get my blood rushing.

I grinned and lowered my eyes to his lips that were centimeters from mine. "Yes, but I like it."

He lifted his brows in curiosity and responded, "We're really getting to know one another, aren't we?"

Jacob dropped his grip and took a small step back, beaming at me.

"I never expected you to be like this when I saw you walk in the first time," I said. "You looked like Mr. Serious with your tailored suit and calm disposition."

Jacob adjusted his silver cufflinks and replied, "I never expected it either."

I cocked my head. "What do you mean?"

He laughed a little and admitted, "As I've spent more time around you, Chloe, you've brought something out in me. I don't know what, but it makes me want you like crazy, all the time."

~ ~ ~

He took me to an upscale Italian restaurant that overlooked the water from the patio. From the extensive series of cuisines we shared over the last few days, we agreed to go back to the basics and have it easy for our night out. We wanted to enjoy each other's company and get away from the house.

"I can't believe I go back tomorrow," I mentioned. "These days went by too fast. I don't know if I'm ready to just jump back into 'normal' life."

Jacob sipped his wine then ripped a piece of bread for himself. "You don't have to go back."

I rolled my eyes, wishing it could be so easy. "Hopefully things change; I mean, I could work somewhere else," I paused before continuing, "I won't feel comfortable around Angela, knowing how much trouble she's caused you before."

He sat back and turned his head to look out at the landscape. The sunset was fiery over the water, igniting rays of burnt orange and golden gradients throughout the baby blue backdrop. The light cascaded on his face, shaping it with every perfect shadow line.

It was an unusually quiet night for a Saturday and the most prominent background noise was the hissing of crickets just emerging from their daytime hideouts. Most patrons opted to be inside with the air conditioning, but Jacob and I enjoyed the fresh air and privacy of the patio.