Chapter 2 Jesse
CHAPTER TWO
Jesse
I’ve known Olivia Quinn for a while now, primarily through my sister, Ivy.
She’s the kind of person who lights up a room without even trying, always ready with a sarcastic quip or a witty remark, and even though I’ve been around her a few times, I’ve never really gotten to know her, really know her.
Not one-on-one in this way. And I must admit, she’s kinda cool.
She’s not what I expected. She’s quieter than I thought she’d be, but still sharp as hell, her eyes darting around the place, taking everything in.
When she glances at me, I feel that familiar pull in my chest, a weird knot tightening in the pit of my stomach. I shouldn’t feel this way. This is Livvy, my sister’s best friend, for goodness’ sake. But tonight feels different.
“So,” she says, breaking the silence as she picks up the menu, glancing over the drink list. “I have to admit, I wasn’t expecting this place to be so… rustic.”
I grin, leaning back in my seat, watching her. Her hair falls around her face in messy waves, and there’s a quiet confidence about her.
She knows precisely how out of place she feels, but isn’t going to let it show. It’s endearing. “It’s part of the charm. Small towns don’t do fancy. But they know how to make a damn good steak.”
“Good, because I’m starving,” she says, almost too eagerly. “I’m not even sure what I’m in the mood for, but whatever it is, I need it now.”
I chuckle. “You’re not picky, huh?”
“Not when I’m this hungry,” she says with a smirk, her eyes glinting. “And not when it comes to food. I’ve had some interesting meals in my time, being on the road for work most of the time. You’d be surprised what I’ll eat if it means I don’t have to cook.”
I raise an eyebrow. “Oh, I’ll bet.”
We place our food order, and the drinks arrive, a couple of local beers. She takes a sip and sighs, as if the simple act of drinking something so familiar is a relief. I lean in a little, curious about her.
“You’ve been quiet tonight. I thought you’d be more… chatty,” I tease, trying to lighten the mood. “You’re usually a little less serious.”
Livvy shrugs, but there’s a slight edge to it. “I’m just trying to relax, you know? It’s been a challenging time at work recently, and I need to take a step back. At least for the couple of weeks that I’m here.”
I lean forward, my interest piqued. The last time I saw her, Livvy was cracking jokes, always on top of the conversation, but tonight there's something different in her eyes.
That sharp edge I’m used to is still there, but it’s tempered with a depth. She seems tired.
“Sounds like you're carrying a lot on your shoulders.”
Her fingers tap the side of her glass, her gaze wandering off for a second before she meets my eyes again. There's a quiet heaviness in her expression now, something that wasn’t there before.
“Yeah,” she says with a quiet sigh, her lips pulling into a tight smile that doesn’t quite reach her eyes.
“You know how it is. Rising through the ranks, getting all that recognition, but then it starts feeling like a rat race, and all you’re chasing is a paycheck.
” She shakes her head, taking another long sip of her beer.
“I don’t know if I even love it anymore. ”
I nod slowly, trying to read her. The words are clearly coming from somewhere deeper than she intended. She’s trying to keep it light, but I can see through the cracks.
“It sounds like you're talking about more than just the work,” I say gently, offering her an opening.
I don’t want to pry, but I can’t help feeling that if she lets me in, she might say what’s really on her mind.
She lets out a bitter laugh, almost to herself.
“I guess I am. I’ve spent years working under Richard Stokes.
He’s a nightmare. Like a walking, breathing power trip wrapped in a suit.
” She leans back, her eyes narrowing as if the mere mention of his name has soured her mood even more.
“The guy’s a total jerk. Always demands more, never gives anything in return.
I mean, he’s just relentless. No matter how much you give, it’s never enough. ”
I can feel the tension radiating from her, the frustration she’s carrying like a weight she’s had to lug around for too long.
I want to reach out, tell her to let it go for the night, but I don’t want to brush this off either. This might be the first time I’m seeing the real Livvy… the person behind the jokes and quick comebacks.
“So, this guy… is he the reason you’re so fed up?” I ask, watching her closely.
She nods, her fingers now gripping the edge of her glass a little too tightly.
“Yeah, it’s mostly him. He’s got this way of making everything feel like it's your fault, like nothing you do is ever good enough. And he’s the kind of guy who’ll make you feel like you're the problem when things go wrong. It’s exhausting.
” She exhales sharply. “I’ve been stuck in this cycle for too long, and I’m starting to wonder if it's even worth it anymore.”
I lean in. “I’m sorry, Livvy. That sounds like a toxic situation to be in.”
She waves her hand dismissively, but the smile she gives me is small and tired. “That’s why Ivy invited me here for a break. To work out what I want to do next.”
I nod, understanding more than she probably realizes. A break is exactly what she needs. The pressure and strain of expectation can become too much after a while.
“You deserve it,” I say, trying to reassure her without making it sound pitying. “I mean, we all get caught up in what we think we should do, instead of what we actually want.”
Livvy glances at me, a glimmer of more, maybe relief, passing through her eyes. “Yeah, that’s exactly it. I’ve been so focused on doing the right thing for so long that I forgot what it feels like to… live.”
She falls quiet for a moment, staring into her glass, watching the amber liquid swirl, as if she’s looking for answers. I can tell she’s in her head, probably grappling with everything she’s been pushing aside for months.
Before I can say anything else, the food arrives. The waiter sets down two steaming plates in front of us, each one looking more delicious than the other.
Livvy’s eyes light up. “Okay, now this? This is what I’m talking about.”
I grin. “I told you. They know how to do it right around here.”
She picks up her fork, cutting into her steak with a satisfied hum. “I didn’t expect the mountain town to be so good at steak. This is…” she pauses, taking a bite. “I think this is better than anything I’ve had in the city.”
I laugh, delighted by her enthusiasm. “Well, what did you think we did up here? Drink moonshine and eat squirrel stew?”
She gives me a mock glare. “I’m sure that’s on the menu somewhere. But I’m glad it’s not tonight.”
Her eyes glint with playful mischief as she takes another bite, her lips curling into a smirk. “So, Jesse, if this steak is the best thing to happen to me tonight, what are you going to do to top it?”
I cock an eyebrow, leaning forward a little, pretending to consider. “Oh, I don’t know. I’d say dessert, but I think we both know you’ve already got a pretty sweet taste in your mouth.”
Livvy stares at me, her eyes wide for a beat before she lets out a low laugh.
“Smooth,” she says, clearly amused. “But I think you might be getting ahead of yourself there.”
I smirk, leaning in a little closer, lowering my voice just enough to make her take notice. “What if I said I could make the rest of the night just as sweet?”
Her grin widens, clearly enjoying the banter, but there’s something more behind it now, flirtatious and teasing. We’re both dancing around the same game. “You’re bold, I’ll give you that.”
This is innocent.
Just a bit of fun.
Ivy wouldn’t mind us laughing.
“Bold is good,” I reply, keeping my tone low and playful. “And if you’re not careful, it might just be the best part of your evening.”
She raises an eyebrow, her lips curving into a provocative smile. “Is that a challenge, Jesse?”
I chuckle, the heat between us intensifying with every word. “If you want it to be.”
For a moment, we stare at each other, the flirtation hanging in the air in an electric current. Livvy finally looks away, taking another bite of her steak, but I can feel the shift, the new tension simmering between us.
Yeah, this is innocent…
The mountain air feels different up here—crisper, somehow more alive. I can feel it in my lungs as I walk beside Livvy, the distant sounds of the town fading away behind us.
It’s just the two of us now, the forest stretching out on either side, the only light coming from the glow of the stars above, and the cabin we’re heading toward.
Livvy keeps her pace steady, but I notice she’s holding herself a little tighter, fighting the chill in the air.
I can’t blame her. It’s late, and the mountain evenings can get downright cold, even in the summer. She pulls her coat tighter around her shoulders and looks over at me, her eyes sparkling in the dim light.
“You know, this place is kinda beautiful,” she says, breaking the quiet. “I really do like it here.”
I glance at her, her profile lit up by the faint glow from the porch light at her cabin in the distance. “Yeah, that’s why I moved here. I came on vacation once and just fell in love.”
She chuckles lightly; the sound is almost lost in the wind. “I’m not surprised.”
I don’t say anything right away, watching as she continues walking ahead of me, her head slightly tilted, still adjusting to the quiet of the place.
She’s different up here. The Livvy I met before, sharp and witty, with that biting sarcasm, has been set aside in favor of someone more honest.
We reach her cabin, and she stops just outside the door, turning to face me. The light from inside flickers through the small window by the door, creating a halo shape around her.
I feel that pull again—the one I’ve been ignoring all night. The tension has been simmering between us since dinner. It's in the air, something that has no words, but demands to be acknowledged.
“Thanks for walking me back,” she says, barely above a whisper.
She doesn’t quite meet my eyes, and I wonder if she feels it too.
I give her a small smile, not trusting my voice at first. “No problem. It’s a nice walk. Peaceful.”
She steps closer to the door but pauses, glancing up at me again. Her lips twitch, she’s holding more back.
“You’ve got this way of making things feel easier,” she says suddenly, her tone almost shy, as though she’s not used to letting people in. “Like nothing’s too serious.”
It catches me off guard. I can feel a little knot in my chest tighten, but I try to shrug it off. “I’m good at keeping it light. It’s easier that way, right?”
She nods, her gaze lingering on me for just a second too long. It’s a challenge; she’s daring me to make the first move. The air is heavy with something unspoken between us.
I take a step forward, my body already deciding for me.
Her breath hitches. That little sound, a soft, almost imperceptible catch, sends a jolt straight to my chest. She’s close. Too close.
The space between us is so narrow now that I can almost taste her, the heat from her body radiating into mine. I can see the pulse in her neck, the way her lips part ever so slightly. She’s waiting for something.
I no longer ask myself why. I don’t think, don’t hesitate. My hand is already on her arm, gently pulling her closer.
The touch is electric, lighting every nerve in my body on fire. She doesn’t pull away. Instead, she tilts her head just a little, her eyes dropping to my lips.
I see it in her eyes, a flicker of something raw and dangerous. Desire.
Her chest rises and falls with each breath, and I can feel it, feel the way she’s getting lost in this too. She’s just as aware of the space between us as I am, maybe more.
I lean in, slow at first, giving her the chance to step back if she wants to. But she doesn’t. She’s frozen, her body practically leaning into mine. That’s all the invitation I need.
I close the gap in one swift movement, pressing my lips against hers.
It’s a kiss that’s utterly different from the playful teasing we’ve had all night. This isn’t light, and it sure as hell isn’t innocent.
This is the kind of kiss that leaves no room for second thoughts. My mouth moves over hers, demanding and hungry, and she responds in kind, her lips parting to let me in.
Her hand comes up to my chest, fingers pressing hard against me. Maybe she’s afraid I might pull away if she doesn’t hold on. The heat between us intensifies, so hot we’re both burning up.
My pulse is pounding in my ears, and I can feel every inch of her against me, her body fitting into mine perfectly.
I deepen the kiss, pushing her closer, and she lets me, letting go of whatever little control she had left. Her lips move against mine, slow at first, then faster, desperate. She can’t get enough.
I feel her breath hitch again as I slide my hand to her back. She shudders, and I can’t tell if it’s from the cold air or from something else, much hotter, burning under the surface.
Shit.
Things aren’t so innocent now.