Chapter 5
5
VICTOR
I ’ve never been the kind of person to rush into anything. Before I bought my Bentley, I drove the same BMW for fifteen years until it fell apart. But when it comes to Olivia, I’ve lost my ability to reason. Logic is out the window, and she’s become my all-consuming drug.
All I need is one more hit. One more taste. Then I’ll quit, I promise.
Every junkie’s famous last words. Now I can happily count myself as one of them.
In the two days we’ve been apart, I haven’t gotten her off my mind. If it stopped at thinking, I wouldn’t be so worried. But for the first time in my life, I’m glued to my cellphone, waiting for her response to my text messages, often doing so when I’m supposed to be working.
Like now, while I’m standing outside La Superiorite’s American head office.
“You doing alright, Vic? Looks like you’ve seen a ghost,” Vance asks, giving me a firm slap on the shoulder to snap me back to reality.
“I’m good.”
It’s not a ghost that caught my attention.
She’s a fucking angel.
“Are you ready for this?” He adjusts the top button of his blazer and pats down the front to ensure he looks his best. As the face of the Valentine corporation, Vance always looks his best. Today is no exception. A fancy suit, neat new haircut, and cleanly shaven face, Vance looks ready to conquer the world, let alone this meeting.
Bzzt. Bzzt.
Another text from Olivia.
“It’s your meeting, brother. I’m just here for support,” I answer, sliding my hand into my pocket to grab my phone. If I’m sneaky about it, I can respond before we’ve made it through the lobby.
We start walking, and I scan my phone.
Olivia: Guess what I’m thinking about?
Put your phone away. Leave it in your pocket and pretend you didn’t just read that. You cannot walk into this meeting with your mind racing for an answer or, worse, a rock-solid cock.
“Yeah, but it’s your contract.” Vance sounds nervous. If Olivia had never happened upon my path, I’m sure I would’ve been too.
But after spending time with someone who’s so far removed from my world, I guess Mother’s words have finally sunk in. Happiness isn’t hinged on one successful meeting after the next. Slow down, enjoy the little things.
And I can’t get enough of my little thing.
“Relax. Deep breaths. You’re gonna do great.” My turn to pat him on the shoulder. It isn’t much, but hopefully, it bolsters his spirits enough to settle his nerves.
Vance nods and steps through the door. I smash out my response to Olivia before I follow.
Me: How you can’t wait for our next night out?
We’ve barely greeted the receptionist when my phone buzzes again.
Olivia: No, you silly. Your tongue inside me.
I knew I should’ve ignored my phone until this was over. But there isn’t a moment of reprieve before another comes through.
Olivia: And how much better your long, thick cock is going to feel.
“Christ,” I mutter without realizing the word left my lips.
“What was that?” Vance turns to me, his face scrunching in confusion.
“Nothing.” I pocket my phone again, immediately feeling another vibration against my thigh. No more distractions, not yet. “Let’s do this.”
An hour and a half later, we emerge from the building. Vance releases a heavy sigh of relief, and the sickly green nervousness he wore on entry into the building is replaced by red-faced excitement.
“Goddamn, what a rush,” Vance says as we get back to our cars. “I think we just secured a billion-dollar business like it was nothing.”
Of course, we did. These meetings are merely a show of good faith at this point. But I suppose I can understand Vance’s nerves. It’s the biggest conquest we’ve taken on without Mother at the helm of our company.
“You did great in there.”
“We need to go out and celebrate,” he says, getting into his car.
I fully plan on celebrating this monumental achievement, but it won’t be in a seedy bar, getting drunk with my brother. As much as it will disappoint him, I’d rather bask in the glow of this success with the future mother of my children.
“Not tonight.” I can hear his heart shatter with disappointment. “Let’s finalize this thing, then we’ll do it properly.”
“Don’t wanna count your chickens?” he asks glumly. “I get it.”
We say our goodbyes, and I head back to my car.
Taking some time to scan the texts Olivia left, each one filthier than the last, I make three stops before pulling my car into the private practice’s parking lot. I hadn’t intended to see her tonight, but she forced my hand.
Me: When can I see you again?
I send the message as I get out of my car and collect the items I acquired. With it nearing the end of the day and the parking lot empty apart from four cars—one of which is Dr. Sinclair’s—there shouldn’t be any hurdles in my way from sweeping Olivia off her feet.
Olivia: Hmm. We’ll have to see. You know, I’m a busy girl.
She answers as I reach the door.
Me: Too bad.
I enter immediately after hitting send.
“What are you doing her—” She can’t even get her question out before she notices the items in my hands.
In one, a box of chocolates with a bushel of red roses hanging precariously in the crook of my elbow, and in the other, a snow-white teddy bear almost as big as Olivia holding a heart.
Tears well in her eyes, and her face glows with pure joy. Seeing her brighten up this intensely over a gesture so small melts my heart into my guts.
“Guess I couldn’t wait any longer,” I answer the question she couldn’t finish. “Two days has been hard enough. I don’t think I’d survive another night alone.”
Olivia jumps out of her chair and sprints toward me. She collides with me with so much force that the roses go flying across the reception floor.
“Thank you,” she whispers before hoisting herself up to gently peck me on the lips.
Fuck that. There’s no way I’m going to let her get away with a tender peck after all the torment she put me through today.
Hooking my arm holding the chocolates around her neck, I bring her in for a passionate embrace. She gives in to my desires, allowing me to part her lips with my tongue and explore her mouth for way too long before she remembers we’re still in her office.
“Victor,” she scolds me and pulls away. But the smile on her face and her rosy cheeks are enough to tell me she isn’t upset at all.
“It’s your fault. You’re the one who put all those naughty thoughts in my head.” I wink and hand her the chocolates and stuffed toy before collecting the scattered roses off the floor.
“Ah, that’s what this is about. Well, if you give me another twenty minutes, we can go back to your place and explore those thoughts.” She spins around with the elegance of a ballerina and skips back to her desk.
“Then I’ll suffer those twenty minutes in silence while thinking about all the things I’m going to do when we’re alone.”