20. Chapter Twenty
chapter twenty
. . .
Carter
Work was significantly more enjoyable now that I didn't have to hide my attraction to Olivia. We tried to be discreet while on the job site or at the Price Industries offices, but at my house, we were free to do as we pleased.
Which was how I ended up with my pants around my ankles and Olivia bent over her desk.
It was officially fall, and the weather had started to turn. Olivia showed up in a tight cream-colored sweater dress that hugged her hips and ass. I lasted all of twenty minutes before burying my cock inside her.
I gripped her hips, savoring the softness of her skin beneath my fingers. The little catch in her breath as I thrust deeper was music to my ears. The desk creaked under our combined weight, but I didn’t care. I wouldn’t have stopped fucking this woman if my whole damn office collapsed around me.
“Oh God, Carter,” Olivia moaned, her knuckles turning white as she gripped the edge of the desk .
I leaned forward, pressing my chest against her back. My lips found her ear. “You drive me crazy, you know that?”
She turned her head, eyes dancing with mischief “Good. That's the plan.”
I growled and picked up the pace. The sight of her, flushed and trembling beneath me, sent a surge of possessiveness through my veins.
“I'm so close,” she gasped.
“Come for me, Sunny.” Using the nickname had become second nature.
Her body tensed then shuddered as she cried out. The clench of her walls around me pushed me over the edge, and I followed her into blissful oblivion.
We took a few moments to catch our breath before I pressed a kiss to her shoulder and reluctantly pulled away. I grabbed tissues from the box on her desk. They needed replenishing again. As I fixed my clothes, I couldn't help smirking at the satisfied look on Olivia's face.
“So much for being professional,” she teased, smoothing down her dress.
I shrugged, unrepentant. “You're the one who wore that dress.”
“Fair point. But we should probably get some actual work done today.”
I nodded, forcing myself to focus on the stack of blueprints waiting for my attention. “You're right. The community center won't build itself.”
As we settled into our respective tasks, I stole glances at Olivia. The way she munched on those damn Twizzlers, the slight purse of her lips as she read through emails—every little detail fascinated me.
“What if they don't like me?”
“One, not possible. Two, you already know Mel.”
I lounged on the edge of my king-size bed, the Egyptian cotton sheets cool against my palms. My eyes followed Olivia as she flitted about my master bathroom. The marble countertops were cluttered with her makeup and hair products, and the scent of her vanilla perfume mingled with the sandalwood of my cologne. Her presence had transformed my once stark sanctuary into something warm and lived-in. I was surprisingly at ease with the change, absorbing her into my space as natural as the sun rising each morning.
“You look beautiful,” I said, admiring her reflection in the mirror. “They're going to love you.”
Olivia flushed pink and smiled softly. “You're biased.”
“Doesn't make it any less true.”
It was moments like these that made me wonder how I ever thought it would be possible to keep her at arm's length.
“You know,” I started, leaning back on my elbows, “we could always skip this dinner. Order in, watch a movie...”
“Nice try, but no. We're going. Besides, I want to meet your friends properly.”
I groaned dramatically, but there was no real protest behind it. Truth was, I wanted her to meet them too. It was a big step I never thought I'd take.
“Fine. But if Blair starts grilling you about your intentions, I'm stepping in.”
“ My intentions? Shouldn't they be more concerned about yours?”
I stood up, crossing the room to her. My hands found her waist and pulled her close. “My intentions are entirely honorable, I assure you.”
“Mhm. Is that why you're trying to make us late?”
I nuzzled her throat and nipped her earlobe. “Can you blame me?”
Olivia shivered, goosebumps flaring over neck. She brought her hands up and rested them on my chest. There was a moment when I thought she might give in. But then she pushed me back gently, eyes twinkling.
“Later,” she promised. “ If you behave.”
I laughed, releasing her. “You drive a hard bargain, Sunny.”
She grinned, turning back to the mirror to apply a final touch of lipstick. I watched her, amazed at how quickly she'd become an essential part of my life. It should have terrified me. But with Olivia, it felt right.
Twenty minutes later, I handed my keys to the valet outside Kooma, the sushi joint downtown that Blair had picked for her birthday dinner. As I rounded the hood, Olivia stepped out of the passenger side.
Rooted to the curb, I gaped at her as realization slammed into me.
“Uh, you okay there, boss? ”
No, not even close. I'd known this woman for barely a month. There was no way I could be in love with her. Was there?
“I'm fine. Let's get you inside where it's warm.” Wrapping an arm around her shoulders, I steered her inside, shelving my existential crisis for later.
The warmth of the restaurant chased away the early fall chill. The hostess led us to a private room where Blair and Mel were already seated, deep in conversation.
“Carter!” Blair exclaimed, rising to greet us. “And you must be Olivia. I've heard so much about you.”
I felt Olivia tense beside me, her smile warm but nervous. “All good things, I hope?”
“Oh, honey,” Mel chimed in, “the way this one talks about you, you'd think you hung the moon.”
A blush scorched my neck. “Alright, alright. Let's not embarrass the woman before she's even had a chance to sit down.”
We took our seats. Right away, I noticed how naturally Olivia fit into the group. She laughed at Blair's jokes, talked to Mel about her work, and managed to make me feel completely at ease in a situation that would have usually made my stomach squirm.
Love. The word echoed in my mind, terrifying and exhilarating. I'd spent so long keeping people at arm's length, and here was Olivia, effortlessly dismantling my carefully constructed walls.
I stood up, my chair scraping against the floor. “Mel, I need to talk to you. Now.”
Mel's eyebrows shot up, but she followed me as I strode towards the restrooms. I glimpsed Olivia's concerned face and Blair's puzzled expression before we rounded the corner.
As soon as we were out of earshot, I whirled to face Mel. The words spilled from my mouth in a frantic rush, bypassing all filters.
“I'm freaking out.”
Mel frowned and cocked her head. “I can see that. What's going on?”
“What's going on?!” I hissed. “I think I'm probably in love with that perfect, beautiful woman out there, but I can't be certain because I've never loved anyone before. How do you know? Is there some sort of test I can take?”
She raised her eyes to the ceiling. “Don't be an idiot.”
“Don't be mean! I'm having a crisis!” I pushed a hand through my hair feverishly.
“Carter, just relax. It's only been a couple weeks. You're still in the honeymoon phase.” Mel had shifted into her soothing voice.
It worked. I latched onto her words like they were a lifeline. “You're right. It's not love. It's just... infatuation.”
“I didn't say that.” She shook her head, exasperation creeping into her expression.
“Then what are you saying?!” I threw my hands up, utterly lost.
Mel grabbed my shoulders, forcing me to meet her gaze. “I'm saying you need to go back out there, have dinner with your girlfriend, and stop stressing.”
My eyes widened. “She's my girlfriend?!”
“Oh my God, you are hopeless.” Mel threw her head back and groaned.
Without another word, she returned to the table, leaving me standing in the dimly lit hall. I leaned against the wall and closed my eyes, taking a few deep breaths to calm my racing heart .
My eyes snapped open as a gentle touch landed on my arm. Olivia peered into my face, her brows knitted with concern.
“Carter? Are you okay?”
I opened and closed my mouth soundlessly, groping for a coherent response. “I'm fine,” I said, cringing at how unconvincing I sounded. “Sorry, I was... thinking.”
“About what? You look like you've seen a ghost.”
“It's nothing,” I said, summoning one of those fake smiles I always scolded her for. “Let's get back to dinner.”
We made our way back to the table. I pulled out Olivia's chair for her but then second-guessed myself. Was that too much? Too chivalrous? Does she think I'm trying too hard?
Blair raised an eyebrow at me as I sat down. “Everything alright, Carter? You look a bit off.”
“I'm great,” I said, my voice coming out higher than usual. “Never better.”
I caught Mel's eye, and she gave me a pointed look. I knew she was telling me to relax. But how could I relax when every fiber of my being was screaming that I was in love with the woman sitting next to me?
It seemed Blair wasn't going to let me relax either. She leaned forward with an evil glint in her eye. “So, Carter, how's it feel to be whipped?”
“Excuse me?”
“Oh, come on”—she gestured between Olivia and me—“you're practically glowing. It's disgustingly adorable.”
I pretended to study the menu. “I don't know what you're talking about.”
“Please,” Blair scoffed. “You, Mr. I-Don't-Do-Relationships, are sitting here making googly eyes at Miss Olivia. It's like watching a real-life romcom.”
I desperately wanted to look at Olivia, to gauge her reaction, but I was afraid of what I might see.
“Blair,” Mel warned, but her wife was on a roll.
“Remember when you said you'd never bring a date to one of our dinners?” she continued, her grin widening. “And yet, here we are. I think hell might have frozen over.”
I gripped my menu tighter, willing myself to stay calm. “Things change.”
“They certainly do,” Blair agreed, her tone dripping with amusement. “Next thing we know, you'll be picking out china patterns and discussing baby names.”
Olivia nearly choked on her wine.
Mel swooped in like a guardian angel, redirecting the conversation. “So, Olivia, what did you do before you started working for Carter?”
I flashed her a look of pure gratitude while Blair's lips curled into a disappointed pout.
“That was so much fun!”
A more-than-a-little-buzzed Olivia clung to my arm as we waited for the valet to bring the car around.
“I just love them. Don't you love them?”
Fuck, she's using the word love a lot.
“We should do that again soon.”
I nodded, trying to keep my composure. Her infectious enthusiasm was hard to resist, but the L-word kept ringing in my ears.
“Yeah, they're great,” I managed, my voice gruff.
The valet pulled up with my car, and I helped Olivia into the passenger seat. As I slid behind the wheel, she turned to me, her eyes shining.
“I'm so glad you invited me tonight. It means a lot to me.”
I gripped the steering wheel tighter, unsure how to respond to such earnest sincerity. Her hand found mine, and I started at her touch.
“Hey, you okay?” she asked, concerned lines forming on her brow.
I sucked in a breath, trying to steady myself. “I'm fine, Sunny. Just... processing.”
She stroked her thumb over my knuckles. “Processing what?”
I hesitated, torn between the feelings swelling in my chest and my instinct to keep my distance. But looking into Olivia's eyes, I was incapable of lying to her.
“Us,” I admitted. “This thing between us. It's new territory for me.”
“I know, Mr. I-Don't-Do-Relationships, but you're doing great.”
She leaned in, her breath tickling my cheek. I turned to face her, our noses almost touching. The air between us sparked with tension. Before I could overthink it, I closed the gap, capturing her lips with mine.
The kiss was different from our others—slower, deeper, filled with unspoken promises. When we broke apart, our heavy breathing echoed in the confined space of the car .
“Let's go home,” I breathed, my heart racing.
“And drink more wine.”
I laughed. Drunk Olivia was adorable. “Sure. Just don't pass out on the drive.”
“No promises.” She slunk down in her seat, eyes already closed. By the time I pulled up to her house, her breathing had long since evened out.
After carefully maneuvering my car into Olivia’s driveway, I cut the engine and sat for a moment, lost in thought. The amber glow of the porch light spilled through the windshield, illuminating her peaceful face as she slept. Her chest rose and fell with each gentle breath.
Sighing, I climbed out of the car and made my way around to her side. I opened her door as quietly as possible, wincing at the faint squeak of the hinge. I fished her house keys from her purse before reaching across her. I unclicked her seatbelt then gently lifted her into my arms and cradled her against my chest.
I kicked the car door shut with my foot, the muffled thud too loud in the quiet night. Balancing Olivia in my arms, I navigated the porch steps, the old wood creaking beneath our combined weight. As I unlocked the front door, I heard the soft patter of paws approaching on the other side.
“Hey, Pete,” I whispered as the eager pup greeted us, tongue lolling out and tail thumping rhythmically against the doorframe. “Shh, we don't want to wake her up.”
Pete's nose nudged my leg as I stepped inside. Fortunately, I was now familiar enough with the house that I was able to navigate it in the dark. The floorboards groaned softly under my feet, and the faint ticking of a clock somewhere in the house marked the passing seconds.
I gently laid Olivia on the bed, the mattress dipping slightly under her weight. She stirred. The sheets rustled as she shifted, but she didn't wake. After removing her shoes and placing them by the nightstand, I grabbed a fluffy blanket from the foot of the bed and covered her. She instinctively snuggled into its warmth, a contented sigh escaping her lips.
I sat on the edge of the mattress, gazing at her sleeping form. My mind filtered through the events of the evening—the laughter that had bubbled up from deep in my chest, the stolen glances that sent electricity coursing through my veins, the way her hand fit perfectly in mine.
This woman, with her sunny smile and unwavering kindness, had become as essential to my existence as the air I breathed.
Leaning over, I brushed a stray lock of hair from her face, the silky strands slipping through my fingers. I bent down inhaling the sweet scent of her skin as I kissed her forehead. The words were out before my brain had the chance to intervene. A whispered confession, barely audible even in the quiet bedroom.
“I love you.”