Chapter Seventeen #2
“No, I wasn’t. But I think I got my rope-tying badge if you’re interested later,” I murmur, stepping closer so my chest is at her back. I look up in the mirror, placing my hands on her hips. We look fucking good.
“Hmm.” She turns to face me, smoothing her hands down my chest. “Here I thought I was the one who liked tying people up.”
“I think you’d love to be on the receiving end. Give up some more of that control, Killer.”
“But you know I like it.” She pouts, and my lips pull to the side.
“I know a lot about what you like, Olivia. But I’m sure we can find out a few new things together.” She inhales deeply, her eyes darkening beneath her hooded gaze.
“If I were a betting man, I’d say your panties are getting damp, Killer.” I lift her chin with my finger as she swallows hard before parting her lips. “No time for that, baby. We’ve got plans.”
“You would be wrong,” she replies breathily.
“Really?” I arch an eyebrow. Surely she feels this, too?
“Yeah, but that’s only because I’m not wearing any panties.”
Fuck. She’s living up to her nickname a little too well. My dick is gonna fucking burst. She’s right about control; I’ve got zero of it. She’s got me by the balls.
Olivia winks before slipping on her stilettos and flicking her blonde waves over her shoulder.
I adjust my pants, take a deep breath, and hope these are the most boring people on the planet so we duck out early and I can fuck her into the headboard for the rest of the night.
◆◆ ◆
The girls are downing margaritas like there’s been a shortage and they suddenly have access to an open bar. Which I guess they do, since I’ve left my Amex with the bar staff under the strict instruction that no one else in my party picks up a check.
Olivia and Nicole are getting along like a house on fire, and despite Josh’s initial apprehension, he seems like an okay guy, albeit a little obsessed with Nicole. But hey, can’t blame a guy for that. I’m certainly not in a position to.
“So, you don’t work together normally?” Olivia asks.
“Nope. Poor Josh here lost a bet with my brother and ended up taking his place helping this weekend.”
Olivia laughs. “Sounds like something my brother would do. What was the bet?”
“It was a shuffleboard game. Don’t ask. They’re obsessed.”
Josh rolls his eyes. “We are not obsessed , Nicolette.”
He takes a sip from his bottle, and she looks at him all doe-eyed. He shifts uncomfortably and starts peeling the label of the bottle.
“Isn’t that game for old people?” I ask, teasing.
His head snaps up, and I instantly hold my hands up in surrender. “Just kidding, man.”
Everyone laughs, and Olivia places her hand on my thigh, giving me a light squeeze.
“It is weird, though, because Josh is the best shuffleboard player in Austin. He’s won a load of competitions,” she boasts.
“They’re just bar games,” he dismisses her with a swish of his hand.
“Not that one up in East Creek. You won like one thousand dollars that night.”
“You remember that?” he turns to her, smiling.
“Who wouldn’t remember winning one thousand dollars? It was so much fun. That night, I lost a bet and had to run around the pool table in only my bra and panties.”
Olivia laughs. “We need to stay in touch. If I’m ever in Austin, I’m gonna hit you up for a good time.”
“The whole bar saw her in her underwear,” Josh says, throwing his hands up.
“I got so many drinks bought for me. It was the best night.” Nicole smiles.
Taylor Swift starts to play, and Nicole squeals. “Come on, let's dance.” She grabs Olivia’s hand and drags her from the booth.
The locals make room for them on the dancefloor, stepping out of their way as they bend and snap or whatever else they’re doing.
All I know is Olivia looks like she’s having the time of her life.
She’s relaxed, happy, and carefree as they take turns twirling each other around.
I hope I’ve played a small part in making that happen.
I turn to Josh, who is staring just as intently at Nicole.
“So, how long has this been going on?” I ask him, pointing my finger between him and Nicole’s chair.
“We’re not—”
“Hey man, we’re probably never going to see each other again. Lay it on me,” I say, taking another swig of beer. Dr. Alfie would be proud. Making friends and offering to be a listening ear. Call me a regular human being.
“She’s my best friend's little sister.”
I nod. As if that fucking explains anything.
“She doesn’t look so little to me,” I say finally as he raises an eyebrow. “Okay, yeah, she is short, but you know what I mean. She’s a grown woman.”
“She’s off-limits. Besides, I’m not interested in her.”
“Sure, man, that’s why you can’t take your eyes off her and saw red the second she mentioned running around a pool table in her bra and panties.”
He laughs, shaking his head before sighing. “Fuck, she’s a fucking wild child. Just does whatever pops into her head. She lives in the moment, and that’s not something I can do. ”
We turn back toward the girls—and fuck . Nicole is dragging Olivia to the pool table.
They shake hands with two guys and begin a game of doubles. My heart skips a beat for a second as I wonder what the bet is.
“Fuck me, she’s gonna have her tits out in ten minutes, and her brother’s going to kill me.”
I look over to Olivia and realize she must have made the bet, too. And I suddenly remember she’s not wearing any panties.
◆◆◆
“Austin, it’s Saturday night. You know that’s my off-limits time.” The harsh drawl hisses into the phone.
“I know, Alfie, but it’s an emergency.” I look back through the window, and I can make out Olivia laughing with Nicole as she covers her ass when she bends to take her shot at the pool table.
Thankfully, they seem to be taking care of each other despite the taller of the guys leering at them like they’re his next meal.
“Are you in danger?” Alfie’s voice has returned to his professional self, and I almost feel bad.
“Well...no. I’m at a bar with Olivia. And she’s gone to play pool with some other guys.”
“For the love of—”
He sighs heavily into the phone, and I roll my eyes. For a medical professional, Dr. Alfie Adams is kind of theatrical.
“Is she not allowed to play pool with other people?”
“She is...I just don’t want to do anything I’ll regret if one of them gets handsy,” I admit.
“Then don’t.”
He doesn’t elaborate, and the line is silent for a few seconds.
“What do you mean? ”
I shuffle along the sidewalk out of the way of patrons entering the front door.
I can still see them through the window, but I know Josh is making sure they’re safe while I’m out here.
Had he not been there, I never would have left the room.
I know bad men. I used to be a bad man. Now that I have her, I have an awful feeling that I have something monumental to lose.
I’ve never felt more vulnerable in my life.
It’ll either be someone taking her away from me or something I do that will make me lose her. That’s why I needed to call Alfie.
“If you don’t want to act a certain way, then don't. We’ve talked about her seeing you as a partner. What kind of partner do you want to be? What kind of partner does she want? You don’t need to answer me now. But think about it and act accordingly.”
“Right . . . and if something goes wrong?”
“You can’t prepare for every eventuality, Austin, but you can be true to the person you’re trying to become. Let your long-term needs guide you.”
“Thanks, Alfie. I’m not going to do anything stupid,” I say, and I mean it. I’m not going to fuck this up.
“Good. You’ve never been the jealous type, so I don’t know why you’re worried now.”
“I’ve never had anyone to be jealous over before.”
He laughs a little. “Yeah, I know what you mean. Listen, I’ve got to go. I’ll see you at our session next week.”
The phone clicks off and curiosity grows in me at his words. Alfie has never been one to share. Given his profession, I’m sure he has friends that he confides in, but I can’t exactly be one of them while I’m his patient.
It’s an odd sort of relationship. He knows everything about me, and despite going to high school with him, I know very little about his life. Although, I would bet my business I know exactly who he’s talking about when he says he knows what it’s like to be jealous.
I slip my phone back into my pocket and pull open the door to the bar. The crowd has grown, and the drinks are flowing. Holding my hand up to my mouth to mimic taking a drink, I catch Josh’s eye, and he gives me a nod before turning back to watch the girls.
Suddenly, I realize I don’t need to worry. If anyone is going to do something they shouldn’t do tonight, it’s Josh.