Chapter 10
As much as I resisted it, I found myself keeping my distance from Oliver. I prayed I wouldn’t run into him at work. He had pleaded with me all Sunday night to change my mind and come back over, but I remained firm in my decision.
Three days later, I couldn’t shake the sinking feeling that maybe it wasn’t the right choice. He had gone silent on me, and I feared it spelled the end of our relationship. What I had thought would give us both space seemed to have backfired, leaving me longing for him more than ever.
I missed him terribly. After work on Wednesday evening, I rode the elevator up to his office floor. Oliver typically worked late into the evening, and we often met afterward to share a meal and spend the night together. I hoped fervently that he wasn’t in a meeting or, worse, out of town.
The receptionist had already left for the night, and most of the office staff had cleared out. A few executives remained in their offices, and I prayed Oliver was among them. I passed Henri in the hall, and he stopped to talk to me.
“Can I help you with something, Miss Stewart?” he inquired politely.
“I’d like to see Oliver if he isn’t busy,” I replied, trying to keep my voice steady despite the nerves churning in my stomach.
“Mr. Fox hasn’t been in the office for the past few days. He’s been working from home,” Henri informed me.
“I didn’t know that. We haven’t…I haven’t seen him,” I admitted, feeling a pang of guilt.
“I’m sure he would welcome your call,” Henri offered kindly before nodding and continuing on his way.
I sighed heavily, my heart aching once again. Oliver seemed to be taking our separation harder than I had anticipated. Shouldn’t I be the one paralyzed with sadness, considering my age? With a heavy heart, I made my way back downstairs. A light drizzle had just begun to fall, and I hurried down the sidewalk, eager to escape the melancholy that threatened to consume me.
“Miss Stewart?” a familiar voice called out.
I looked up to see Vlad standing at the curb, holding the door open for me. His presence was unexpected, and I couldn’t help but wonder if Henri had sent him to fetch me or if Oliver himself had made the request. In the month since I had started dating Oliver, I had never addressed Vlad personally, but now I felt compelled to seek answers.
“Vlad?” I said tentatively.
“Yes, Miss Stewart?” he replied, his tone formal as ever.
“Ryleigh, please,” I corrected him, hoping for a more personal exchange.
“I prefer to address you as Miss Stewart,” he insisted stoically.
I sighed inwardly, pressing on. “Is Oliver all right?”
“Mr. Fox is under the weather,” Vlad informed me cryptically.
“He’s sick?” I asked, concern flooding through me.
“He’s unhappy,” Vlad clarified, his words heavy with meaning.
“I guess that’s my fault,” I murmured, feeling a pang of guilt.
“I’m taking you to him,” Vlad announced abruptly.
“Thank you,” I replied softly, grateful for the opportunity to see Oliver, even if it meant facing the consequences of my actions.
Behind my eyes, a stinging sensation threatened tears, but I held them back. I didn’t deserve Oliver. Fifteen minutes later, Vlad pulled up in front of Oliver’s building. He offered me a tight smile as he opened the back door, and I stepped out, walking into the lobby where the concierge directed me to go right up to the penthouse.
Oliver was waiting for me, looking worn and haggard. Dark circles shadowed his blue eyes, and wrinkles I hadn’t noticed before marred his usually smooth face. Dressed casually in black shorts and a light blue t-shirt, he stood barefoot, his expression stoic as I entered the room.
“Oliver…” I began tentatively.
“Shut up, Ryleigh,” he growled, cutting me off.
“I’m sorry,” I whispered, feeling the weight of my actions.
“I said, shut up,” he repeated sharply.
I fell silent as he approached me, forcefully taking my purse from my hand and dropping it to the floor. He pressed his lips to mine with such intensity that I was sure they would bruise, gripping my hair so tightly it hurt. I remained silent until I felt wetness on my cheeks. Opening my eyes, I saw tears streaming down Oliver’s face. I pulled away gently.
“No, Oliver, don’t cry,” I pleaded softly.
“I thought you were gone for good,” he confessed, his voice strained with emotion.
“I just needed space. We should talk about everything,” I suggested, trying to ease the tension between us.
“I’m sorry I pushed you,” he admitted, his tone filled with regret.
“I’m sorry I didn’t handle it better. I’ve been miserable without you,” I confessed, reaching up to wipe away his tears, a small smile playing on his lips.
“I’m glad I wasn’t the only one. Why didn’t you call me?” he asked, his voice laced with concern.
“I wanted to see you in person. Why haven’t you gone to the office?” I inquired, trying to redirect the conversation.
“Working here is just as good. I’ve been in such a foul mood that my negotiation skills are better. I shaved a quarter of a million for a building I wanted to purchase,” he explained, a hint of pride in his voice.
“I thought you had people to do that?” I questioned, surprised by his hands-on approach.
“Sometimes, I like to take the helm. Congratulate your boyfriend on a job well done,” he replied, his smile widening.
“Let’s talk,” I suggested, taking his hand and leading him to the leather couch in his living room. Oliver remained close, as if he couldn’t bear to let me go.
“I’ll do anything you want. Don’t leave me again,” he pleaded, desperation evident in his voice.
“I didn’t leave you. I just needed space,” I reassured him, feeling a surge of affection.
“I know. I pressed too hard,” he admitted, his grip on my hand tightening.
“We should set some rules so this doesn’t happen again,” I proposed, hoping to find a solution.
“Like what?” he asked, willing to compromise.
“Maybe we could have a day or night apart each week,” I suggested tentatively.
“Day. I sleep better with you next to me,” he countered, his voice softening.
“I don’t want to neglect my friends and my brothers. I haven’t seen my parents since we got together. I should visit them,” I explained, wanting to maintain my connections.
“I can go with you,” Oliver offered, surprising me with his willingness.
“You want to meet my parents? You haven’t even met my brothers,” I pointed out, surprised by his sudden enthusiasm.
“I want to meet all your family,” Oliver insisted, his tone determined.
“I think you should meet my brothers first,” I suggested cautiously.
“Arrange it,” he commanded.
“Finley doesn’t have a lot of time. He’s busy with his business. Maybe we can have drinks or dinner with Matthew,” I proposed, trying to find a compromise.
“I’d like that. I want to know all about you,” he replied, his expression softening.
“Do you want me to sleep over tonight?” I asked, hoping for closeness after our recent rift.
“I would. I haven’t slept in three nights,” he admitted, his exhaustion evident.
“What are you going to do when you travel?” I questioned, concerned about our time apart.
“Pack you in my suitcase and take you with me,” he joked.
“Very funny. I have a job,” I retorted.
“If you work for Fox, then you can come with me. How is work going? Any better?” he inquired, shifting the conversation.
The truth was that my job hadn’t improved much. I was considering a change.
“I think I want to look for another job. Sadie said her company is hiring,” I admitted.
“Connect?” Oliver guessed.
“Yes,” I confirmed.
“Then you would be working for me,” he revealed, surprising me.
“Excuse me?” I exclaimed, caught off guard.
“Because Connect is a subsidiary of Fox Asset,” he explained calmly.
“Why didn’t you tell me this before?” I questioned, feeling a mix of emotions.
“Does it matter?” he deflected.
“I guess not. I wanted to get into PR, but not like this. My degree is being wasted,” I lamented.
“Consider working for me. Speaking of traveling, I have a trip scheduled the first week of August,” Oliver revealed, changing the subject.
“You’re leaving me for a few days?” I asked, feeling a pang of loneliness already.
“Four. I have several meetings in Vancouver,” he confirmed.
“I guess I’ll be lonely,” I admitted sadly.
After the past few days, I didn’t want to be separated from Oliver. I was miserable without him around and I now knew, so was he.
“Not if you work for me. You can be one of my assistants,” he suggested, trying to reassure me.
“Oliver, you have three. What the hell would I do?” I protested.
“I would find work for you to do. You could be my personal assistant,” he proposed.
“Does that include sex?” I teased, trying to lighten the mood.
“It could,” he admitted.
“Then I would be a high-paid prostitute,” I joked further.
He looked at me horrified, “Jesus Christ, don’t say that.”
“It’s true. You would be paying me to work, and if we had sex, then I would be a prostitute,” I reasoned, feeling a mix of amusement and discomfort.
“Then we won’t have sex until you’re off for the day,” he decided.
“You told me your assistants are always working, so we would never have sex,” I countered, teasing him playfully.
“The hell we wouldn’t. I would fire your ass,” Oliver retorted, his tone half-joking, half-serious.
“You would terminate me to get your rocks off?” I teased back, a smirk playing on my lips.
“Why don’t you just become my wife and then you can work for me for free,” he suggested, his tone suddenly more serious.
“Oliver,” I cautioned, feeling a rush of emotions at his unexpected proposal. We had just discussed living together, and now he was talking about marriage.
“I’m sorry, but I won’t lie to you. I want you to be my wife in the future,” he confessed, his eyes sincere.
“That’s a while away. We’re several months from that. How is it that you lived thirty-six years without being caught?” I asked, trying to lighten the mood with a touch of humor.
“Because I didn’t find the right girl until now. You’re the right girl,” he replied, his gaze unwavering.
“What am I going to do with you?” I sighed, feeling both overwhelmed and deeply touched by his words.
“Kiss me,” he requested, his voice soft but filled with longing.
I stayed over Oliver’s without going home to get clothing. He made slow, sensual love to me. It was filled with passion and need. I loved him with all my heart and even more so because he showed me that he could be vulnerable. I was tired in the morning when he woke me. I had to leave to get ready for work at my apartment. Vlad took me home. I wasn’t sure if he ever slept.
I called Matthew that afternoon to ask if he wanted to meet up for dinner or lunch on the weekend. We made a date for Saturday afternoon. I hoped that Oliver could tear himself away from work to join me. I really wanted my brother to meet him.
“We’re having lunch with Matthew on Saturday. Can you make it?” I asked eagerly.
Vlad was driving to my apartment. I was picking up some clothing for the next day so I could spend the night at his place.
“What time?” he asked.
“I have several calls on Saturday.”
”1 p.m.,” I said.
“I think I can swing it, but I’ll have to meet you there,” Oliver responded, his voice laced with determination despite his busy schedule.
”I really want you to meet my brother,” I emphasized, hoping to convey the significance of the occasion.
”What about Finley?” Oliver inquired, displaying genuine interest in meeting every member of my family.
”He has a deadline and can’t spare the time. You’ll meet him soon enough,” I assured him, already picturing the moment when my siblings and Oliver would finally cross paths.
”I hope so. I want to meet your entire family,” Oliver confessed, his sincerity warming my heart.
As I debated whether to invite him upstairs or let him stay in the car, Oliver interjected, ”I have a phone call to make. Do you mind if I stay here?”
”No. I should be down in a few minutes,” I replied, grateful for his understanding as I prepared to head upstairs to pack. Stepping out of the car, he escorted me to the lobby of my building, a gesture of his unwavering consideration.
Once upstairs, I began gathering my things when Sadie, perspiring from the oppressive July heat, breezed into the room. ”You”re home?” she remarked, her voice tinged with surprise.
”Yeah, but I”m leaving,” I responded, though my attention was immediately drawn to the tear-streaked anguish etched across her face.
Concern flooding my senses, I dropped the panties I had been holding and rushed to her side. ”What”s the matter?” I inquired, the worry evident in my tone.
Through choked sobs, Sadie revealed, ”Dan wants to be friends. He said we don’t have chemistry.”
My heart sank as I processed her words. She had invested herself in their relationship, only to be met with rejection and heartache. Despite my own reservations about Dan, I couldn”t help but empathize with Sadie”s pain.
”I”m sorry. I knew you really liked him,” I offered, extending a comforting embrace.
”Now I have to work across from him every day when I don’t want to see him at all,” Sadie lamented, her voice heavy with frustration and disappointment.
I listened empathetically, knowing the sting of heartbreak all too well. ”Ignore him. You didn’t do anything wrong,” I reassured her, hoping to provide some comfort in her distress.
”To top it off, he’s been flirty with Megan, who sits a few cubicles down from me. You think he was just using me?” Sadie”s voice cracked with a mix of anger and hurt.
”He sounds like a jerk. I think you dodged a bullet. Suppose he did that when you were dating for six months? It would’ve been worse,” I reasoned, trying to offer a perspective that might ease her pain.
”I just can’t seem to find a decent guy. What am I doing wrong?” Sadie”s voice wavered with self-doubt, her vulnerability laid bare.
”Maybe you’re trying too hard?” I suggested gently, hoping to provide insight without causing further distress.
”Are you leaving?” Sadie interrupted, wiping her nose and gesturing toward my bag, her need for companionship evident in her plea.
”I was. Do you want me to stay?” I asked, willing to set aside my plans to support my friend in her time of need.
”I need you. I did it for you,” Sadie confessed, her words revealing the depth of our bond and her unwavering loyalty.
”Let me call Oliver. He’s waiting,” I offered, recognizing that Sadie”s need for solace shouldn”t come at the expense of my relationship. She left my room to wash her face and blow her nose in the bathroom, leaving me to dial Oliver”s number.
He answered right away, his voice a comforting presence on the other end of the line.
After Sadie excused herself to freshen up, I dialed Oliver”s number. He picked up almost immediately.
”What’s taking so long?” His voice was tinged with curiosity.
”I can’t go. Sadie needs me,” I replied, feeling torn between my friend”s distress and the longing to be with Oliver.
”I’m not sleeping alone tonight,” he declared firmly, his words soothing my worry.
The line clicked off abruptly, leaving me with a frown. I tried calling Oliver back, but it went straight to voicemail. Before I could attempt another call, a knock echoed through the apartment.
Opening the door, I found Oliver standing there, a determined look on his face. ”We’re not sleeping apart. I’ll stay here tonight,” he announced, his voice leaving no room for debate.
”Thanks for hanging up on me,” I muttered, a mixture of amusement and exasperation in my tone.
”I wanted to get up here as fast as possible,” Oliver confessed, his eyes reflecting urgency.
”You didn’t have to hang up,” I chided gently, though a smile tugged at the corners of my lips.
Leaning in, he kissed me softly and whispered in my ear, ”I’ll make it up to you later.”
As Sadie emerged from the bathroom, she was surprised to see Oliver. ”How are you?” he asked, his concern evident in his voice.
”Shitty. Men are pigs,” Sadie replied with a sigh, her frustration palpable.
”Oink,” Oliver quipped, eliciting a weak smile from Sadie before she retreated to her bedroom to change.
Oliver followed me into my room, closing the door behind him. As I began to undress, he approached me, his touch gentle yet possessive as he cupped my breasts when I removed my blouse.
“No,” I whispered. “Sadie does not need to hear us having sex.”
For the past few weeks, Sadie had been spending time at Dan’s apartment, which meant when we were here, we could make noise.
“Does that mean we aren’t having sex tonight?” Oliver teased, his voice laced with a hint of disappointment.
“Oliver, you’re like a sex-starved teenager,” I chuckled, playfully swatting his arm.
“It has nothing to do with being sex-starved. I love having sex with you,” he admitted, his eyes filled with desire.
“We can wait until tomorrow night when we’re at your apartment,” I suggested, trying to stifle a giggle.
“I’m sure we can find other things to do instead,” Oliver countered, a mischievous glint in his eyes.
“Such as?” I raised an eyebrow, feigning innocence.
“Other things,” he replied with a smirk. “What about dinner?”
“We could order in,” I proposed, considering our options.
“What do you feel like having?” Oliver inquired, his tone suggesting he had something particular in mind.
“You,” I teased, unable to resist a flirtatious remark.
“Besides me, sex fiend,” Oliver chuckled. “I feel like a steak.”
“I don’t think any of the restaurants will deliver steak,” I mused, pondering our culinary choices.
“I don’t,” Oliver declared confidently, his eyes lighting up with excitement.
I rolled my eyes at his confidence because I was sure he was right. With just one phone call, we could be enjoying a five-star meal in less than an hour.
“Then get steak. Ask Sadie what she wants,” I suggested, knowing Oliver would handle the arrangements.
Oliver stepped outside to find Sadie sitting on the couch, wiping her eyes with a tissue. As I finished changing, I observed how tender he was with her, putting his arm around her shoulders for comfort. When I emerged from the room, he released Sadie and went into the foyer to make the phone call for food.
“That was nice of you to comfort Sadie. She appreciated it,” I murmured, snuggling closer to Oliver”s chest as we settled into bed.
“Why is she so worried about finding a rich guy?” Oliver inquired, his voice tinged with curiosity.
“I told you that she didn’t have much when she was a child. She wants her adult life to be different,” I explained, tracing circles on his chest.
“I could ask Connect to promote her. She doesn’t need to find a guy to make her own money,” Oliver suggested, his concern for Sadie evident.
“Don’t do that. You can’t demand your companies promote people,” I cautioned gently, understanding the complexities of corporate dynamics.
“I’m sure she’s quite capable at her job,” Oliver persisted.
“She’s also only been there for five weeks. It would look strange. Even stranger if people found out we’re friends and I’m dating you,” I pointed out, recognizing the potential complications.
I playfully stuck my tongue out and licked his nipple, eliciting a surprised hiss from Oliver.
“Don’t do that unless you want to wake Sadie,” Oliver warned with a grin.
“Is that a challenge?” I teased, raising an eyebrow suggestively.
“I’d bet that you can’t keep quiet,” Oliver challenged, his eyes dancing with amusement.
“You act like I’m the only one that makes noise during sex. You’re pretty loud yourself,” I countered playfully.
“I can be quiet,” Oliver retorted confidently.
“Go for it. I want to see who cracks first,” I dared, a mischievous glint in my eyes.
Oliver reached down, lifting his hips to remove his boxers with a determined grin.
“Come on, get undressed. I’m taking you up on your bet,” he urged, his tone laced with anticipation.
I bit my lip nervously, unsure if I could keep quiet. Sometimes Oliver made me want to scream when we made love. As I hesitated, he grew impatient and clawed at my panties, tearing them off with a swift motion.
“Those were expensive,” I protested weakly.
“I’ll buy you several pairs if you like. Now off with the t-shirt. I take great pleasure in your breasts,” Oliver said, his voice low and husky.
I sat up and shucked off my t-shirt, tossing it to the floor. My panties were somewhere under the covers which Oliver pushed off us. He crawled between my legs and started to tease me with his tongue, eliciting a suppressed moan from me. The things he could do with his mouth.
I practically tore the bottom sheet off the mattress with my fists as he brought me to climax. It felt exquisite. He gently cleansed me with his tongue before moving up to kiss and suck my breasts, finally capturing my mouth in a hungry kiss. He positioned himself at my entrance, slowly sliding inside, and we lost ourselves in the intimacy of the moment.
“You feel so delicious,” Oliver murmured, his voice low and husky.
“Shouldn’t that be ‘taste’?” I teased, a playful smile tugging at my lips.
“That too. Have I ever told you I could eat you all night?” Oliver whispered, his breath hot against my skin.
“Several times. Are you going to move or sit inside me all night?” I quipped, a hint of impatience in my voice.
“I like being inside you,” Oliver admitted, his tone filled with desire.
“I want you to fuck me, not park your penis,” I insisted, a surge of need coursing through me.
“It’s the perfect parking spot,” Oliver countered, his voice laced with amusement.
“Fuck me, Oliver,” I whispered, my voice thick with desire.
He began to move his hips, starting slow before gradually picking up the pace. It was a rhythm I found myself enjoying, his attentiveness in bed unlike anything I had experienced before. I reached out, gripping his taut ass, my nails digging into his muscles as waves of pleasure washed over me.
“I need to stop,” Oliver suddenly said, his voice strained.
“What? No. It feels so good,” I protested, disappointment coloring my tone.
“Too good. I’m going to come,” he explained, a hint of urgency in his voice.
“Then come,” I urged, my own desire driving me to encourage him.
“You haven’t yet,” Oliver pointed out, his breath coming in ragged gasps.
“Do you want to argue or come?” I challenged, a mix of frustration and desire in my voice.
He responded by thrusting into me harder, his movements becoming more erratic until he spilled inside me. I gripped him tightly, my own orgasm crashing over me in waves. Oliver trailed kisses down my throat as I arched into the pillow, his teeth marking my shoulder in a possessive gesture.
“Do you always have to do that?” I whispered, a hint of annoyance in my voice.
“I’m marking my territory,” Oliver replied, his tone teasing.
I scowled at him playfully, but he remained on top of me, lavishing attention on my breasts and nipples. I could feel him still partially erect inside me, a promising sign of his desire for more.
I shifted my hips. “Are you getting hard?”
Oliver groaned. “As a matter of fact, I am.”
I raised my eyebrows. “I didn’t know you could do that.”
“I have a low refractory period.”
I wasn’t sated. It seemed whenever I was with Oliver, I couldn’t get enough. I could be sore and muscles aching but I still wanted him.
“Do you want to have sex again?”
He nuzzled my cheek. “That’s my plan. If we were at my apartment, I would make love to you all night.”
“I have to work in the morning.”
“So do I. If you worked for me, we could play sick and stay home.”
I feathered my lips across his. “My boss wouldn’t like that. He’s a workaholic.”
“He would if you promised to stay in bed with him.”
“You’re rock hard.”
“And I’m making good use of it,” he said as he began to thrust inside me.
The next morning, my alarm disrupted the haze of sleep, reminding me of my obligations. Despite being groggy, I couldn”t help but marvel at Oliver”s stamina, considering how he kept me awake for most of the night. His embrace was comforting, yet tinged with desire, evident from the hardness pressing against me.
”How can you be hard after last night?” I teased, feeling the soreness from our passionate night.
”You turn me on,” he replied, planting kisses along my shoulder and arm.
”I”m sore, so you should take a cold shower,” I suggested, half-jokingly.
”Want to join me?” he countered, his tone suggestive.
”If I join you, the cold shower won’t be needed,” I quipped, the playful banter between us continuing.
As the sound of running water filled the room, signaling Sadie”s early rise, Oliver proposed, ”Want to play? You can make noise now that she’s showering.”
”I”m not in the mood,” I admitted, feeling the fatigue seeping into my bones.
”I can get you in the mood,” he assured, his hand finding its way to my breast, eliciting a response from my body as I arched my back, pressing my chest into his palm.
”Still not working,” I chuckled, appreciating his efforts but knowing that rest was more pressing than another round of passion.
“Liar. I bet your soaked.”
“Not really. I’m just not into it this morning.”
Oliver pushed off the covers and rolled me onto my stomach, sliding his hard body over mine. He slipped his hand between my legs and found out I was lying.
“Spread your legs.”
“Like this?”
“You’ve never made love in this position?”
The few partners I had were limited to two or three positions and this was not one of them. Oliver and I hadn’t explored many others yet.
“No.”
“You’ll like it. It’s very intimate.”
He moved his hips so his cock was poised at my opening and in one fluid thrust, he was inside me. Oliver was the first man to give me a vaginal orgasm. Before him, I needed my clit stimulated to come. He pounded his pelvis against my ass, pushing my body into the mattress with each thrust. I moaned into my pillow and he bent down to kiss my back.
It didn’t take long before I had another explosive orgasm, probably because my swollen clit was rubbing against the sheets. He followed, filling me up with his hot semen. I was exhausted and ready to call into work when I heard the water turn off.
“Time for a shower.”
“I can’t move,” I mumbled.
“Do you need me to carry you?”
“You’re naked and so am I. I don’t think Sadie would appreciate it.”
The bathroom door squeaked as Sadie came out. I heard her footsteps as she padded down the hall and closed the door to her bedroom. Oliver scooped me up and popped open the door, hightailing it to the bathroom. I wanted to yell at him because Sadie could open the door at any minute, but I held back.
“You’re crazy,” I said as he turned on the water.
“That’s what they tell me.”
I grinned. “Who are they?”
“Business associates,” he said as he perused my naked body.
“Maybe it’s true.”
“You just said it was.”
We washed each other tenderly, the warmth of the water soothing our bodies. Wrapped in towels, we emerged from the bathroom, relieved to find Sadie absent from the living room or kitchen. I knew that once she got over Dan, I”d seize every opportunity to spend time at Oliver’s. Keeping quiet during sex was a challenge; I was naturally vocal, and suppressing my expressions of pleasure, especially with Oliver, felt stifling.