Chapter 43 - Quinn
FORTY-THREE - Quinn
“Ijust need you to trust me.”
“Aww, come on, man. Seriously?”
“Of course. Trust that I know how to take care of you.”
“Well, I know you do, but usually it’s the other way around. I’m supposed to be the one taking care of you, baby girl.”
Olivia smiles, wrapping both of her arms around one of mine as we walk along the sidewalk together.
Bright lights from the shops and restaurants we stroll past brighten up the street as cars slowly cruise through the city on the busy road to my right.
The cold air from the oncoming winter tries to find its way inside my coat, but I'm wrapped up tight, as is Olivia in her dark blue jacket with a tan and white fur hood. Once we’re inside wherever the hell we’re going, she’ll remove it and showcase a white dress that will cast a magic spell on me like I've drank a love potion, and I’ll spend the entire night waiting to go back to our playhouse and wreak havoc.
But for now, I remain patient as my submissive plays the Dominant role and guides me down the street to an unknown destination for my birthday.
The past few months have been busy. Work at Obsidian has picked up exponentially since our contract with EWB, because more and more companies realized that little old Obsidian was ready for big time partnerships.
Suddenly, we weren't the ones begging companies to work with us or having to scheme our way into securing deals. Alliant Credit Union called us and practically threw their money at us after the EWB deal, with Louviers coming in right on their heels. We locked in both credit unions quickly, which only made us even more popular. In no time at all, Olivia had tripled Obsidian’s revenue and made us the hottest cybersecurity company in the state, using her expertise in finance to link us to financial institutions.
The work she was doing before taking over Obsidian actually came in handy, killing a common talking point her detractors used to love to use.
Bitches like Nick and Stephen still tried to hate when Olivia began bringing in new clients, but when she promptly fired them both, all of that came to a screeching halt.
Rob was promoted into Nick’s position, and then he made a hire of his own to fill Stephen’s old spot.
Now the executive wing is filled with bosses who know how to lead without having to rely on racism, patriarchy, or misogyny.
No more mediocrity. All of this was part of our plan.
Now we have a meeting tomorrow with one of Delaware’s premier banking establishments, with twelve locations statewide.
It’s called Del-One, and once we lock this in, we’re going to need a much bigger office!
As for Olivia and I, we fell into the routine of being together like it was something we’d been doing our entire lives.
Sometimes people just fit together without much effort.
Having the same sense of humor, work ethic, ambition, sex drive, and love certainly did the trick for us, but the most important part of all of it has almost nothing to do with the way we have sex.
Our best attribute as a couple is that we’re best friends.
Our foundation has been built on the way we communicate with each other the same way best friends do.
We laugh together, keep it real with each other, and support each other like we grew up living next door.
To me, Olivia is on the same level as Marcus and Rob, but then we’re able to turn everything up once we’re alone.
Our D/s dynamic kicks in like we’ve popped pills the second we touch each other, and it’s the best thing ever.
This is what true love looks and feels like.
I didn't know what perfection was until this.
My best friend is also my submissive—my right of the slash.
“Is the place at least close by?” I ask, chattering my teeth on purpose. “I'm freezing my ass off out here, baby.”
“It is,” Olivia replies, squeezing my arm tighter. “It’s right here.”
I look up and see a black and white sign that reads Docklands Riverfront above a wooden door covered in dangling fairy lights.
“Docklands?” I say. “I haven't been here in a minute. What made you choose this place?”
“I don't know,” she answers. “Stop asking questions and come on. We’ve got some celebrating to do. You only turn twenty-eight once.”
I chuckle at the opening she just gave me, then I exploit it. “True. Do you remember turning twenty-eight, or is that too long ago for you to remember?”
We stop at the door and Olivia lets go of my arm just to punch me in it. “I'm not too old to kick your ass, Mr. King.”
I rub the spot on my shoulder that she just hit, wincing.
“Wow, you're an abusive old woman.” Olivia slugs me again, harder this time.
“Ow! I'm just kidding. I love you no matter what. Even if you were wrapped up like a mummy, you’d still be my everything.
But, you're also going to pay for hitting me.”
Olivia grins as I grab her hips and pull her body close to mine. “Oh yeah? I hope so.”
We kiss just as snow begins to fall from above.
It’s not cold enough for it to stick, but it still gives the moment a magical feeling as our lips press together and snowflakes land in our hair and kiss our cheeks.
When I open my eyes, I feel like I've just kissed an angel. Olivia smiles at me and I feel stunned by her beauty like it’s the first time I'm seeing her. I'm a lucky motherfucker.
I remember the day she walked into the conference room in the executive wing, sucking all of the air out of the room and leaving my lungs deflated as she stepped to her seat and shook every fragile ego to its core.
From that moment to this one, Olivia has never failed to impress me.
It’s all a stark reminder that I desperately need to ask this woman to marry me as soon as the time is right.
Maybe not right now, but definitely in the near future.
We make too much of a beautiful mess together to ever be apart again.
Olivia places a hand on my chest and gestures toward the door. “Come on. Let’s go celebrate your birthday, Sir.”
I smirk as she opens the doors, thinking about the moment I get her alone in her basement, but my thoughts are broken up and scattered as we step inside the bar and an enormous shout startles me to the point of freezing in place.
“Surprise!”
My eyes widen as I realize I'm standing in front of a crowd of people who are all staring right back at me with smiles on their faces and joy in their eyes.
Slowly, I start to recognize them all. A handful of people from work fill out the back, a few friends from school stand in the middle, and Marcus, Rob, his wife Sandra, and Eden stand in the front, all of them clapping as Olivia pulls me into the bar she clearly rented out for me.
I look over at her in shock. “You set all of this up for me?”
“Of course I did,” she answers with a proud smile.
“How did you get everybody here?”
“That was easy. I just talked to Rob while we were at work one day, and he took care of contacting Marcus and everybody you guys knew from school. I did a little sneaking to speak to the few people we work with that you actually like, and the rest was history. Easy peasy.”
“Wow. You're incredible, baby,” I say as I pull her in for another hug that Rob and Marcus quickly break up.
“Alright, that’s enough of that,” Marcus’s hating ass says first. “Look, Olivia, I've only known you for a little over a month, and you're already killing me with the PDA. I'm going to need you to tone it down for me, please. Thank you.”
“Ignore this hater,” Rob interrupts as he and I dap each other up. “It’s good to see you, Miss Lucero. I can't believe we actually pulled it off without him knowing.”
Rob gives a half-hug to Olivia, then moves out of the way for Olivia and Sandra to hug, too.
“It’s so nice to see both of you—and would you please stop calling me Miss Lucero?” Olivia says playfully. “And I know. I can't believe he didn't figure it out.”
“I've been too focused on work to be paying attention to what y’all are doing,” I say. “And with the Del-One meeting tomorrow, I've been extra locked in.”
“Yeah, yeah, yeah,” Marcus says. “Enough work talk. Let’s go over here and get these drinks started, shall we? We’ve been waiting on you two for half an hour and I desperately need a sip of something strong.”
“Happy birthday, Quinn,” a new voice cuts in from behind me. I whirl around and give a big hug to Eden, who moves from me to Olivia before joining the group.
“Thanks for coming, Eden,” I say. “I know you all were here before us, so I don't know if you've met already, but allow me to introduce you to my childhood friends. This is Rob and his wife Sandra.” Eden shakes hands with Rob and Sandra as they exchange polite nice-to-meet-you nods.
“And this is our crazy and single friend, Marcus.”
“Nice to meet you, Marcus,” Eden says with an extended hand.
“The pleasure is all mine,” Marcus replies as he shakes her hand and maintains strong eye contact.
Eden doesn't look away, and the two of them engage in some very flirtatious smiling for much longer than is required for a usual introduction.
Olivia and I grin at each other as the two of them release their hands but continue stealing glances at one another while pinching their lips together to keep from smiling more.
“Well,” I say with wide eyes and an all-knowing smirk. “I think this definitely calls for a drink.”
“I'm with you,” Olivia says.
Rob grabs his wife’s hand and starts walking toward the bar. “Let’s get it.”
I take Olivia by the hand and the six of us go over to the bar and order shots of tequila to start the night off right.
Everyone in attendance does a quick salute with us before we knock our drinks back, and the party comes to life as the DJ turns on Squabble Up by Kendrick Lamar.
The atmosphere brightens around all of us, and the mood stays as high as the stratosphere the entire night.
Later in the evening, Olivia and I notice Marcus and Eden standing at the end of the bar, talking quietly to each other with uncontrollable smiles on their faces. Marcus leans in close to her, whispering something only she can hear, and Eden reaches over and grazes her fingers across his forearm.
“Look at these two,” Olivia says, shaking her head.
“Crazy,” I say. “Maybe it’ll turn into something serious.”
“I hope so,” Olivia responds. “She’s been through a lot.”
“I know. So has he,” I say, hoping that the two of them can actually turn their relationship misfortunes into something with a happy ending.
Marcus has been a player for far too long.
Maybe Eden can whip his goofy ass into shape and make him man up.
Personally, I would love to see the two of them work out.
Then it would be perfect. Eden and Marcus.
Rob and Sandra. Olivia and Quinn. Vacations and close-knit families sound like a vibrant future to me.
I reach over and touch Olivia’s hand to pull her eyes away from the newly-forming couple. “Hey. Thanks for doing all of this. It was really great.”
She smiles and clasps her fingers with mine. “You're very welcome. I'm glad you liked it. I know we’ve got big things happening tomorrow, but I hope this was a good distraction.”
“It was perfect. But the night’s not done, you know.”
“Is that right? What’s happening next then, Sir?”
“Well,” I say, moving closer so I can whisper into her ear.
“First, we’re going to say goodbye to everyone.
Then, we’re going to go back to the car, where I'm going to lean over and lick your clit just enough to feed my addiction to hear you moan. Then, we’re going to drive back to your place, walk down into the playhouse, and you're going to kneel for me like the good little slut you are. From there, the sky’s the limit.
All I know is that I'm going to spend every waking minute of the night thinking of new ways to tear you apart. How does that sound, Miss Lucero?”
She grins with a raised eyebrow. “It sounds like we need to get started on saying our goodbyes.”
“That’s my girl,” I say, taking her by the hand as I stand. “Let’s go.”
Olivia licks her lips and follows my lead, her eyes as bright as stars. “Yes, Sir. Are we trying anything new tonight?”
I grin, imagining the layout of the playhouse and wondering where my mood will take me. Maybe we’ll give electroshock a go. Or perhaps we’ll dive into the depths of breath play. It all sounds good to me.
“Well, I don't know, baby girl,” I say. “But do you trust me?”
Olivia smiles, knowing that her response to this question has always been more and more every day. Tonight, she leans forward and kisses me softly. I run my fingers up the back of her neck and head until they're high enough to grip her hair, and I tug softly as I kiss her back.
We forget the world for a moment, until Olivia steps back and answers, “Yes, because I love you, Quinn. With all of my heart.”
My world spins. It’s the first time she has ever said she loved me, even though she has done a bad job of hiding it.
I have felt it for a little while now. I guess that’s what love is supposed to be like.
Even if it isn’t being said, you should feel when someone loves you, and I’ve felt Olivia’s love for me.
I’ve felt my love for her, too. It has been growing more and more each day, and there has never been a more perfect time to speak it into the world.
“I love you too, Olivia,” I reply. “For a while now.”
She licks her lips and kisses me again, but this time feels different.
It’s funny how just saying the words I love you can change everything.
The kiss is more tender and passionate because now we know that love is fueling it.
It’s the best kiss we’ve ever shared, and everything else between us will be better now, too.
Our relationship has just reached a new level, and I don't think I've ever been more excited about the future. It’s not just my future now. It’s ours.
Quinn and Olivia. CISO and CEO. Sadist and masochist. D and S. Both sides of the slash.
THE END