Chapter 42 - Quinn
FORTY-TWO - Quinn
Olivia lays on me, perfectly nestled in that sweet spot that’s half on my side and half on top of me with her arm resting on my chest. Her head is tucked under my chin, giving me the best position to inhale her sweet scent with every breath as she rubs my chest with her middle finger.
All I hear is the sound of her breathing and my heartbeat.
Both of us are completely naked, but there are no inhibitions or fears of judgment in this basement with us.
Nothing matters but the fact that we are together.
We’ve returned to where I realize we’re supposed to be—in each other’s arms.
When she ended it before, I knew that I didn't want it to be over, but I didn't realize how much I still wanted her.
I tried to do the thing everyone does when they get dumped—have a glow up and move on.
I planned on going back to the gym and getting my weight up while cutting some fat.
I tried to think of ways to make more money, which took me down some dark roads considering the things I'm capable of.
I've never been one to shy away from a little illegal activity, and I was especially down for it if it meant I got to drive into work in a new car, with a tight and toned body and a few extra commas in my bank account to flaunt however I saw fit.
I was ready for that life because I had no other options, and I knew my boys would be there to support me.
Marcus and Rob would be in my corner, rooting me on as I had my glow up and put it all on social media, hoping Olivia would see it, and never accepting that I did it all for her.
I was ready, but as I lie here with her now, I know for a fact that a glow up would've been the worst thing in the world for me, because it would've been superficial. It would've been fake.
Olivia is the glow up.
There is no bigger flex than having her lying on my chest, skin to skin, our hearts beating in sync, knowing that I'm with the woman I want most in the world. Social media won't get to see this, and that’s how I know it’s real, because what is known doesn't have to be said. I don't need to let the world into our lives to show off. Every time we pop out together and people see us in real life, they’ll know we’re the real deal.
We don't need likes when we have our love.
“What are you thinking about?” Olivia asks, nearly whispering even though we’re alone.
A smile teases my lips. “Everything and nothing all at the same time.”
She giggles. “What does that mean?”
“I'm not sure I even know. My mind is all over the place.
Thoughts of how you and I first began keep repeating.
I see the moment you called me into your office to help you with the breaches, knowing you could trust me to get it done for you.
I see our first time having sex in your office, the first time you dropped to your knees for me …
in your office. Damn, you really liked to fuck in your office, didn't you?”
Both of us start laughing as we embrace our beginning for all its beauty and adventure.
“I couldn't help it,” Olivia replies. “A switch would flip every time I saw you, and I would change from being the boss to a needy little submissive in an instant. That’s how I knew I wanted you. You brought out the submissive in me, and the more time we spent together, I knew I needed to bring out the Dominant in you.”
“The left of the slash,” I quip.
“Absolutely, Sir,” she says flirtatiously.
“Oh, don't say that word or I swear this nice little aftercare moment will be turned upside. You know I can't resist it.”
She laughs again. “I know. It’s nice having a little button I can push to set you off. It’s what you get for being so perfect that you set me off just by entering my office. I risked it all for you back then.”
“Indeed you did. It has definitely been a fun journey. Even through the ups and downs, I've enjoyed the fuck out of this ride. Personally, I think we should stay on it together.”
“Well, I agree.”
“Yeah? And what happens when people from work start to find out that we’re together?”
“I couldn't care less,” Olivia says, shocking the hell out of me. “We’ll pay HR a visit in the morning just to make sure we’re doing it right, and after that nothing else matters.
People may act surprised in the beginning, but eventually it’ll just become the norm.
And if it doesn't, I’ll fire them for not being able to act professionally. ”
“Ooh, you're getting fiery and I think I love it,” I say with a laugh. “You already know the main culprits are going to be Stephen and Nick. They will always be our biggest haters.”
“Well, that hate will get them fired,” she says, and I can tell she's just playing. “They've been on thin ice, and I thought I needed their experience after getting rid of Jon, but you and I were the ones who brought in the EWB deal. Well, it was pretty much all you, but you know what I mean.”
My smile is big. “Yeah, I know what you mean, baby girl.”
“Right. We don't need them. This can be a new beginning for Obsidian.
My father's old company, now being run by his daughter in a way that he wasn't able to get around to.
Same company, new way of doing things. New leadership.
New thought processes. New attitude. Out with the fucking old.
Anybody who can't get on board can get the fuck off then.”
“Now that is the boss ass CEO I know and love,” I say with a chuckle, and the room goes silent. A few intense seconds go by as I take the time to repeat the phrase in my head while swallowing hard, then I add, “Well, you know what I mean.”
“Yeah, I know what you mean,” she says slowly, copying the words I just used a few seconds ago. “Umm, yeah … so … I guess all I'm saying is that I'm in a new frame of mind now. No more fear. I feel strong and ready to move forward … with you.”
My teeth scrape across my bottom lip. “I can't even tell you how good it feels to hear you say that. I'm ready for that, too. I think we can be on some power couple shit. The two of us running the fastest growing cybersecurity company on the east coast, pissing off all of our haters as we continue to grow and succeed together. We’ll be unstoppable, even if I have to hack everybody’s servers to get them to see it.”
Olivia laughs, but I can tell she knows I'm not kidding. I’ll do whatever it takes for us to get what we want. She can be the hero wearing the cape for her father and women who deserve to be in power all across the world. I’ll be the villain making sure she gets it all by any means necessary.
“It sounds like a bright future to me,” she says, nuzzling into my neck and breathing in my scent.
“As bright as the sun, baby girl,” I reply as I somehow pull her in even closer. “We’re two stars orbiting each other, and there won't be anything brighter than us.”
Olivia turns her head and buries her face into my neck as she squeezes me back with one arm, and I close my eyes, settling into it without a care in the world.
Not too long ago, I was confused and unsure of myself.
I was ashamed of the person I was on the inside, and just as ashamed of my past. All of that is gone now.
No more shame. No more fear. I finally feel settled. With Olivia, I am home.