Chapter 14 Isaac
Isaac
Fuck.
Of course she had to call me that, but I’m not going to give in and chase after her until the time is up.
The moment the door shuts, I take a few deep breaths to slow my pulse.
Ten minutes is plenty of time to find her.
More than anything, I want her to squirm.
I probably shouldn’t have suggested a little game of cat and mouse, but I needed to stop her from spiraling about everything.
It backfired.
As I roll up my sleeves, I catalogue each interaction I’ve had with Olivia over the past few months. I truly tried to be her friend…
No, I didn’t. It was all a lie.
There is no reality where I want her to be anything other than mine.
Not just a random night together, I want her until we’re old and gray, arguing over something inconsequential like whose turn it is to check the mail.
We may be playing right now, but I was serious about the stakes.
In twenty minutes, I’m going to find her.
And with any luck, I’ll get to keep her.
With time to spare, I send a quick message to Todd granting Olivia complete access to my suite, and to ensure no one disturbs us for the rest of the evening.
I explain to Todd that I’ll be headed downstairs shortly by myself, and he strongly advises against going solo.
It’s a risk, but if I have any chance of Olivia staying with me tonight, I have to do this alone.
The hotel is swarming with security, so there’s no harm in Livy and me indulging ourselves a little…
“What the hell am I trying to do? Seduce her?” I mutter to myself. Olivia isn’t a woman you seduce; she’s a woman you claim and never let go once she surrenders herself to you. I made the mistake of letting her go once, and I won’t do it again.
Once my time is up—okay, fine, it’s only been fourteen minutes—I put on my glasses and go in search of my girl.
There are four restaurants and three bars here, so it shouldn't be too much of a challenge to locate Livy.
I make my way downstairs and check the restaurant where we had dinner.
Every table is full with no solo diners.
I try the restaurant beside it with the same result.
The sports bar next door, where I first ran into her, is full of people watching game highlights.
I check the booths in the back—no Olivia.
My pulse begins thrumming in my ears. Did I fuck this up?
The Mexican restaurant across the lobby is a little less busy, with four or five people sitting at the bar and only about two-thirds of the tables filled.
At the end of the bar, there’s a white plastic bag and two clear plastic cups with what appear to be margaritas.
Even after having dinner, the sight makes my mouth water.
If I can’t find Livy and have to give up the room, I may be able to convince her to let me stay if I come bearing gifts of nachos and margaritas.
It’s said the way to a woman’s heart is through her stomach…
or does that only apply to men? Either way, it’s worth a shot.
I flag down the bartender, and he flings his towel onto his shoulder as he makes his way over. “Good evening. What’ll it be?”
“I’d love a large order of chicken nachos and two margaritas to go, please.”
“You’ve got it. Cash, card, or charge to the room?”
“Room,” I confirm.
He types into his computer and slides it across the bar to me. I fill it out to include my room number, gratuity, and last name, then pass it back to him. Returning to his computer, he frowns, then glances over at the to-go order, and back to me. “Isaac Banks?”
“Yep.”
“A woman was here maybe fifteen or so minutes ago and said you’d be here to pick up her order. She put it under your name.” He gestures with a nod toward the food at the end of the bar. “Did you need a duplicate order?”
Of course Livy would find a loophole, but I can’t wipe the smile off my face, loving how she ordered the same thing.
I thank him and retrieve the food while he cancels out the other order.
I check the time—only three minutes left to find her.
I cheated, and still this plan of mine has taken a turn for the worst. But even if I give up my room for the night, it was all worth it.
For the first time in what feels like a lifetime, hope settles in my chest, and I won’t give up until she’s mine for good.
I check the receipt of the order, searching for a clue.
You’re close, Daddy.
Fucking hell. She’s right that we’re two different people now.
There’s no way in hell my sweet Olivia would’ve ever called me that when we were younger.
Sure, we had fun sneaking around campus for quickies—this is different.
I’m hungry for her, more than I ever have in my life, curious just how much she’ll let me play with her.
I’m about to try another bar when my smartwatch dings with an incoming text.
Livy
You’re almost out of time.
Luck is on my side tonight with her text—my girl wants to get caught.
I leave the message unanswered and head to the elevators.
There’s a good chance she’s watching me, and I make a show of accepting my defeat with each step, or at least attempt to appear as indifferent as possible.
In mere minutes, she could be mine for the rest of the night, but if she truly wants the room to herself, I’ll gather my things and I’ll try again with her tomorrow.
There are two couples waiting with me at the elevator bank, and as I watch the numbers count down, an eerily familiar sweet, floral scent gives me pause. Excitement swirls in me that the chase is finally over, but I remain facing forward.
After several excruciatingly long seconds, Livy finally taunts from behind, “Did you give up?”
I don’t completely turn, no matter how much my heart aches to see her. Keeping my voice low, I dip my head to the left slightly to ensure only she hears me reply, “It seems you won the game.”
“The game isn’t technically over for another forty-five seconds,” she counters with entirely too much levity in her tone. It’s like a damn song, and if we weren’t in public, I’d pin her against the wall behind her, reminding her exactly why we’re playing this game in the first place.
“Do you want to be caught?”
“Yes.” Her single word comes out breathless, and dare I say, a little needy. I can’t remember the last time I felt this rush of adrenaline, and struggle to contain my amusement.
The elevator doors open and the four other people waiting with us step inside. Not wanting anyone to see Livy and me getting out on the same floor, I quietly tell her, “Go. I’ll take the next one.”
She steps around me to get in, glancing over her shoulder, eyes alight with mischief. A man holds the doors, offering, “There’s room.”
“Oh, I’m waiting for someone.” I lift the drinks and bag a bit as if that’s my excuse. “Thank you, though.”
He nods, letting the doors shut. My girl’s smile is bright, the same one I remember from so long ago.
There’s a chance she won’t let me in the room once I get there, but seeing her devilish grin not falter while the metal slowly separates us only solidifies for me that this will be the first of hundreds of more nights together.
Another elevator dings before opening, and I make my way over to it, grateful no one else steps in with me as the doors close.
Not only do I need time to think, but parading around with two drinks looks a little suspicious.
I’ve been so caught up in my obsession with Livy that I’ve ignored the possibility that there could be media, or even just nosy hotel guests, who could ruin everything.
Fucking careless.
But after all this time, could I really have a second chance with the one woman I never stopped loving? I’m a man of my word—I won’t touch her unless I know this is more than just a hormonally-charged moment between two college sweethearts.
But, fuck, do I crave her.
Just one taste couldn’t hurt. Right?
The numbers slowly tick for what feels like eternity.
Once I reach my floor, I take a moment before exiting.
This is it, and it could all blow up in my face if I’m not careful.
My door is propped open by the large metal lock, and with Todd keeping an eye on everything, I’m only a little on edge.
Still, I check left and right before pressing it open with my foot.
“Livy?”
“You know, by definition, I won,” she calls out from farther in the suite.
Unsure what I’m walking into, I set the food on the counter of the kitchenette, and take my time moving through the living space and into the bedroom. Livy’s facing away from me in a white terrycloth robe, teasing a glance over her shoulder as she hears me enter.
“This room is mine now, right?”
All at once I’m reconsidering my choices. Every ounce of my being is itching to storm over, rip off that robe, and claim every inch of her. “It’s all yours,” I finally admit, leaning against the doorframe, shoving my hands in my pockets.
“Well, your shower is nicer than mine, so I’m going to hop in.”
“I’ll leave you to it.”
“Or you could join me?”
A growl gets stuck in my throat. “Fuck, Livy,” I choke out. “Do you have any idea how hard it is to say no to you?”
She turns and walks backward toward the ensuite, taunting me to follow her. “Then don’t.”
The memory of her perfect body is all I’ve had to go on for years, but she’s impossibly more beautiful than I remember. She’s more confident in her skin, and I ache to worship each curve, but rein in the temptation; I have my whole life to touch her.
“I thought you were worried this was a bad idea.”