16. Chapter Sixteen
chapter sixteen
. . .
Carter
“You did what?!”
Mel slammed her drink down on the table.
I squirmed in my seat, heat rising to my face. “It's not what you think, Mel. Olivia was in pain, and I was just trying to h?—”
Blair's laughter cut through the tension, her shoulders shaking as she tried to catch her breath. “Oh this is too good. Please, Carter, do tell us how you 'helped' dear Olivia.”
I shot her a glare, but it only made her laugh harder. Mel's eyes bored into me, waiting for an explanation. I paused, trying to find the right words.
“Look, she was hurting. You know about her condition. Was I supposed to just stand there and watch her suffer?”
“So you decided to play doctor?”
“No! Well, not exactly. She needed relief, and I... provided it.”
Blair wiped tears from her eyes, still giggling. “I bet you did, stud.”
“Shut up, Blair,” Mel and I said in unison .
I leaned forward, lowering my voice. “It wasn't like that. It was... clinical. Professional.”
Mel snorted. “Professional? Carter, there's nothing professional about getting your employee off.”
“I know, I know. But you don't understand. She was in so much pain, and nothing else was working.”
Blair's laughter finally subsided, and she looked at me with a mix of amusement and curiosity. “So what exactly did you do? Give us the dirty details.”
My face flushed even hotter. “I'm not going to?—”
“Oh, come on,” Blair pressed, “we're all adults here. And clearly you've crossed a line already. Might as well spill.”
I glanced at Mel, who was still glaring at me, but there was a hint of curiosity in her eyes too. I sighed. I wasn't getting out of this.
“I... used my hands. That's all you're getting.”
Blair whistled low. “Damn, Carter. I didn't think you had it in you.”
Mel shook her head, but the corners of her mouth were twitching. “You're an idiot, you know that?”
“Trust me, I'm well aware.” I emptied my glass in a single gulp, the alcohol burning a path down my throat. The weight of Mel and Blair's stares pressed on me like a physical force. “Look, I know I fucked up,” I admitted. “But I couldn’t bear to see her like that.”
Mel's expression thawed. “Carter, I get it. You care about her. But this...it's a minefield. You're her boss, for Christ's sake.”
“You think I don't know that?” I snapped then immediately regretted it. “Sorry. I'm just...I don't know what to do now. ”
Blair shifted forward, her teasing tone gone. “Have you talked to her about it?”
“Not really. We've both been avoiding the subject.”
“You need to address it,” Mel said. “Set clear boundaries. Or end the working relationship entirely.”
The thought of not seeing Olivia every day made my chest tighten. “I can't fire her. She's too good at her job.”
Blair raised an eyebrow. “Is that the only reason?”
I didn't answer. The truth was, I wanted Olivia in my life. And that terrified me more than anything.
Blair rolled her eyes. “Come on, Carter. It's obvious you have feelings for Olivia. Why not explore them?”
“Because it's complicated,” I growled. “She's my employee, remember?”
“So?” Blair shrugged. “People meet at work all the time. It doesn't have to be a big deal.”
Mel cleared her throat, her expression thoughtful. “Carter, I've known you since we were kids. I've seen how you've been with women since your mom died.”
I stiffened, not liking where this was going. “What's that supposed to mean?”
“It means you keep everyone at arm's length. You've never let anyone get close enough to hurt you. But maybe Olivia could be different.”
I scoffed, trying to ignore the way my heart skipped at the thought. “Different how?”
“She's already gotten under your skin,” Blair said. “You care about her more than you want to admit. ”
“That doesn't mean anything,” I protested, but even I could hear the lack of conviction in my voice.
Mel put her chin on her hand and looked at me. “Carter, when was the last time you felt this way about someone? When was the last time you even considered letting someone in?”
I stayed silent, unable to come up with an answer.
“Look,” Mel continued. “I'm not saying you should jump into anything. But maybe it's worth considering why Olivia affects you so much. Why you're willing to cross lines for her that you've never crossed before.”
I raked a hand through my hair, feeling cornered. “And what if it all goes to shit? What then?”
Blair smirked. “Then you deal with it like a grown-up. But at least you'll have tried.”
I stood in my closet, staring at the rows of meticulously organized shirts and suits. My hand hovered over a thin gray sweater before moving to a sleek black blazer. What the hell am I doing?
I'd told Olivia I wouldn't be at Marco's party. But now I was agonizing over outfit choices like some lovesick teenager. The memory of her smooth skin against mine flashed through my mind, and I gripped the edge of a shelf, steadying myself.
“This is a terrible idea,” I muttered.
But the thought of seeing Olivia outside of work, away from the constraints of our professional roles, was too tempting to resist. The image of what happened between us the other night had burned itself into my brain. The vulnerable yet trusting way she'd looked at me had cracked something open inside me.
I pulled out a fitted white shirt, considering it for a moment before tossing it onto the bed. Casual, but not too casual. I didn't want to look like I was trying too hard.
As I dressed, I tried to rationalize my decision. It was just a work event after all. I should make an appearance, show support for Marco's new venture. The fact that Olivia would be there was incidental.
Liar.
I caught my reflection in the mirror and paused. The man staring back at me looked hesitant, conflicted. This wasn't like me. I didn't do uncertainty. I made decisions, stuck to them, and never looked back.
But Olivia had changed everything.
I'd been so focused on the project and maintaining my professional distance, but when I saw her suffering, something inside me had shifted. In that moment, my only thought had been to ease her discomfort. And the unexpected intimacy that followed felt... natural.
I straightened my collar, took a deep breath, and grabbed my keys.
Twenty minutes later, I was walking into Eclipse. I scanned the crowd, searching for Olivia. Doubt crept in. What am I doing here?
Then I saw her.
She stood near the bar, laughing with Meghan. Her hair cascaded down her back in loose waves, and her little black dress perfectly accentuated her curves. My mouth went dry, and sweat prickled at the back of my neck.
As if sensing my presence, she turned. It was like something out of a movie. The moment our eyes locked across the room, everything else faded away. Surprise flashed across her face.
I moved towards her, weaving through the throng of bodies. With each step, my resolve wavered. This is a mistake. I should turn back.
But then Olivia smiled, and all my doubts evaporated.
“Carter,” she said as I reached her. “I thought you weren't coming.”
I shrugged, trying for nonchalance. “Changed my mind.”
Her eyes sparkled. “I'm glad you did.”
Meghan stood next to Olivia with an impish look on her face, her eyes darting between us.
I coughed, trying to form coherent thoughts in the face of Olivia’s lingering smile. “How's the party?”
“It's great! Marco's really outdone himself.” Olivia gestured around the club. “Have you seen the VIP area yet?”
I told her I hadn’t, and she waved to Meghan before grabbing my hand. “Come on, I'll show you.”
Her touch set my blood on fire as she led me through the crowd. I was inexplicably nervous, and I desperately hoped my hand wasn’t sweaty. We climbed a short flight of stairs to a secluded area overlooking the dance floor. The music was muffled here, allowing for conversation.
Olivia leaned against the railing, her eyes bright. “So, what made you change your mind about coming?”
I hesitated. The truth was too complicated, too dangerous to voice aloud, but I made an attempt anyway. “Thought I should support Marco. And”—I paused, meeting her gaze—”I wanted to see you.”
Her cheeks flushed. “Carter, about the other day?—”
“We don't have to talk about it.”
Olivia shook her head. “No, I think we should. What happened between us?—”
Before she could finish, Marco appeared, slinging an arm around each of our shoulders. “There you are, Livvy! Hey, Carter!” He smacked a big kiss on my cheek, and my eyes narrowed as I jerked away. Marco simply laughed. “Come on, shots are on me!”
I stiffened, my eyes still locked on Olivia's. The moment had been shattered, leaving me with a mix of relief and frustration.
“Shots?” I raised an eyebrow at Marco. “It's barely nine.”
“It's a party, Carter. Live a little!”
I glanced at Olivia, who shrugged with a resigned smile. “When in Rome, right?”
We followed Marco back to the bar, where a line of shot glasses awaited us. The bass pulsed through the floor, matching the quickening of my pulse as Olivia's arm brushed against mine.
Marco raised his glass. “To new beginnings!”
New beginnings, indeed.
The tequila burned my throat, but I welcomed the distraction. Olivia winced as she set her glass down, and I fought the urge to reach out and touch her.
“Another round?” Marco asked, already signaling the bartender.
I waved a hand. “I'm good. Work tomorrow.”
Olivia laughed. “Always so responsible, huh? ”
Screwing up my courage, I leaned in close, my lips nearly grazing her ear. “Not always.”
Olivia's eyes widened, her lips parting slightly.
“Carter,” she breathed, her voice barely audible over the pulsing music.
I stared at those voluptuous, kissable lips, fighting the urge to close the distance between us. “We should continue that talk,” I murmured, tracking the movement of her throat as she swallowed. “Somewhere private.”
Olivia nodded, color staining her cheeks. She glanced around then took my hand again, leading me away from the crowded bar. We weaved through the throng of dancers, the heat of her palm against mine sending goosebumps up my arm.
Eventually, we found a secluded corner near the back of the club, partially hidden by a velvet curtain. Olivia turned to face me.
“About the other day,” she started. “I wanted to thank you for... helping me. But I also think we need to address what happened.”
I rubbed at the back of my head, suddenly at a loss for words. It was impossible to explain the storm of emotions she stirred in me. I shook myself and tried to remember how to form coherent sentences. The pulsing music and dim lighting of the club faded away, leaving only Olivia and the humming electric current between us.
“What happened, it wasn't professional. But I can't deny that I wanted it. That I still want it.”
“Carter, I?—”
“Let me finish,” I interrupted, stepping closer. “You're my employee, and that complicates things. But you're also the first person in a long time who's made me feel alive.” I brushed a strand of hair from her face. She leaned into my touch, her eyes never leaving mine. “I don't know where this leads, but I know I can't ignore it anymore. You've gotten under my skin, Olivia. And I'm tired of fighting it.”
She inhaled sharply, and her tongue darted out to moisten her lips. We were standing so close I could feel her body quivering. I tilted my head, my heart galloping?—
A nearby burst of laughter shattered the moment, and we jumped apart. There was only one thing to do.
“Did you drive here?” I asked.
“No. I took an Uber.”
“Good. Let's go.”