Chapter 7
OLIVIA
“Thanks for a great fuck. See you later.”
I can’t get Carter’s words out of my head.
“Thanks for a great fuck. See you later.”
Since the second he uttered them and left me alone in his office, they’ve been on repeat, going round and round in my brain until all I want to do it yell ‘What the hell?’ at him.
For the life of me, I cannot work out what he meant. I get the first part; it was a great fuck except there was no need to thank me. He wasn’t the only one enjoying it.
It’s the ‘see you later’ that’s tripping me up. Does he think we’ll hook up again?
A shiver rolls through me.
God help me I want to.
Against all my better judgement, I want another go-round with Carter.
Hell, I want a hundred and even then it might not be enough.
I’ve spent all day brooding over our encounter.
I should be going over inventory for the boutiques, heaven forbid there not be enough designer handbags and handcrafted jewelry to cover the coming Christmas shopping period, but all I can think about is last night and the mind-shattering sex I had with Carter.
In his office!
At Boyd’s!
I glance at the clock. Six-fifteen. If I left now…
“No!” I stand so fast, I send my chair back with such force it slams into the wall behind me. “Shit.”
Inspecting both chair and wall for damage, I breathe in for the count of four, breathe out for five several times.
“I will not let him get to me.” I’m not about to admit it might already be too late.
Alexandria called earlier to suggest dinner—just the two of us—and while I know one of my closest friends needs a shoulder, an ear, I couldn’t bring myself to say yes. Discussing her newly single status would only drive home the lie I’ve been living for almost five years.
Carter is the only person other than my lawyer and my ex—who, thankfully, is on the other side of the world—who knows I’m divorced.
I’m such a fraud. Even with my two best friends.
My childhood has made me protective of my private life. After the way my parents happily splashed their every exploit in the tabloids for the world to see my entire life, I guard my privacy like a lioness guards her cubs.
No one gets close.
Not even Alexandria and Elizabeth—the two woman I call my best friends—know Colin walked out barely a year into our marriage.
I’ve guarded that secret from everyone.
Everyone except the man who has served me drinks every other month for the last few years.
Carter Boyd.
Now that I look back, I can see I let him in with ease. I feel comfortable—safe—with him. Like I can say or do whatever I want and not be judged. And if anyone has a reason to judge me, it’s Carter.
I’ve been picking up a different man every time I set foot inside his bar and not once has he commented on it. Not once.
Instead he’s become a friend—a confidant—and after last night, a lover.
My fingers curl around the back of the chair as memory drenches me with arousal. Last night he drove me out of my mind and body, and I’d give anything for another night in his arms.
Anything.
Unlocking my fingers one at a time, I glance down at the suit I’m wearing. I didn’t change when I arrived home. A subconscious defense against my need to return to Boyd’s—return to Carter.
If I’m not dressed for the place, then I can’t go.
It is a completely ridiculous attempt to thwart my own desire. As if a desk full of work and a layer of clothing can stop me if I really want to go.
And I can’t lie to myself any longer. I really want to go back to Boyd’s—back to Carter.
With every fiber of my being I want to get in my car and drive the thirty or so minutes to his bar and have wall-banging sex with Carter again.
My keys and bag are on the foyer table. All I have to do is walk over, scoop them up, and get in the elevator.
I’m halfway there before I realize I’ve moved.
In the foyer before my next heartbeat.
And out the door, pressing the lift button within one breath.