Chapter 16
I decided not to be lazy and start work at Fox the following Monday. I spent a lovely weekend with Oliver, and now it was time to learn all about his business. He took me home Sunday to get some clothing for the next day. Our apartment was empty, and I assumed Sadie was with my brother.
Oliver gave me the other side of his closet, which was almost empty. I brought a few dresses and skirts because I had a feeling I would be sleeping here more often than not. I chose a gray business suit and short-sleeved white blouse. Oliver dressed in a black suit and white shirt with a silver tie. We sort of looked like twins.
”You look very businesslike today,” Oliver remarked as he adjusted his tie in the mirror.
”Thank you. So do you,” I replied, smoothing down the lapels of my jacket.
”Do you want coffee?” Oliver offered, his gaze meeting mine in the reflection of the mirror.
I shook my head, declining the offer. ”No, thank you.”
”Don’t be nervous. You’re working with me,” Oliver reassured me, his voice gentle.
”I can still be nervous. I heard my boss can be a hardass sometimes,” I joked.
”He can, but he melts around his beautiful fiancée,” Oliver said, stepping closer and wrapping his arms around me from behind.
I smiled at his words, leaning back into his embrace. ”And the sexual harassment starts. You should be ashamed of yourself.”
”I don’t feel ashamed. I love you. I love everything about you,” Oliver whispered, pressing a kiss to my neck.
”You’ll need to learn to keep your hands to yourself at the office,” I teased, gently pushing his hands away.
He chuckled, the sound rumbling deep in his chest. ”We’ll see.”
Oliver left the room to fill his travel mug with coffee, giving me a moment to put the finishing touches on my outfit. I applied a light layer of makeup and tied my mahogany hair back into a sleek ponytail. It was getting long, and I toyed with the idea of cutting it short.
He returned a few minutes later to inform me that Vlad was downstairs. I slipped on my black heels and followed Oliver out to the foyer, feeling a mix of excitement and nerves as I prepared to embark on this new chapter in my life.”
When we got to the lobby, my stomach started to churn, and I felt my nerves go into overdrive. They got worse as we got closer to midtown. I hoped I wouldn’t see any of my old coworkers, at least not so soon after my departure. I started wringing my hands and Oliver reached over to stop me.
“You’ll be fine. No one will give you a hard time,” Oliver reassured me, his voice steady and comforting.
“It’s not that. I don’t want to see any of my old coworkers,” I said.
“What if you do? You have a better job now. Blaze should’ve taken care of you better,” Oliver remarked, his expression reflecting a hint of annoyance.
“Yes, they should’ve,” I agreed, a touch of bitterness coloring my words.
Vlad pulled up to the curb, and Oliver exited the car first, extending his hand to help me out. I straightened my skirt and glanced up at the imposing building before us. Oliver offered his arm, and I gratefully accepted as he led me inside.
I breathed a sigh of relief when I didn’t spot any of my former coworkers in the lobby. However, my heart sank when Candice appeared while we were waiting for the elevator. Oliver was engrossed in conversation with an associate, leaving me to face Candice alone.
“Ryleigh, you work in this building?” she said with surprise as she approached us.
“Yes. I have a job with Fox,” I confirmed, trying to maintain a composed demeanor despite my discomfort.
“And I see you got engaged. Congratulations,” Candice remarked, a forced smile plastered on her face.
“Thank you. This past weekend,” I replied, forcing a smile of my own.
“Who’s the lucky man?” she inquired, her curiosity evident.
“Oliver Fox,” I answered, my voice steady as I met her gaze.
Her eyes widened in astonishment, especially when Oliver turned and extended his hand for her to shake.
“Mr. Fox, congratulations.”
“Thank you,” Oliver replied politely, shaking her hand before turning his attention back to me.
Our conversation came to an abrupt halt when the elevator doors opened, and we stepped inside. Oliver squeezed my hand reassuringly as we moved to the back of the car. His office was on the top floor, so we would be the last to exit anyway.
“Who was that?” Oliver inquired softly after Candice had departed on her floor, his expression curious.
“Candice. I worked with her. I’m sure the gossip will be going around the Blaze once she tells everyone. Beatrice will probably justify my leaving because I’m dating you.”
“You’re not dating me. You’re engaged to me.”
When the elevator arrived on the floor for Fox Asset Corporation, Oliver led me to our offices. Mine was right next to his and empty of furniture except for a desk and a large black leather office chair. I would need to select a few items to fill up the space. I saw the walls were painted a very light blue and I smiled. Though we had only been together for a short time, Oliver knew what I liked.
“Thanks. I love the color.”
He smiled. “I thought you would.”
Oliver walked into my office and led me to one of the corners, pressing one of the panels in the wall. It popped open and I saw I had a full bathroom with a small closet.
I felt sheepish. “This office isn’t for me. This is an executive’s office. I should work in a cubicle.”
“Eventually, you will be an executive. Mrs. Ryleigh Fox will have her own staff and take care of a percentage of my business,” Oliver declared with unwavering confidence.
“You would trust me?” I asked.
“Of course. You’re smart and talented. Once you learn the business, you can do anything,” Oliver affirmed, his voice brimming with certainty.
“Thank you for having faith in me,” I replied gratefully, feeling a surge of determination coursing through me.
“Always,” Oliver murmured softly, pressing a gentle kiss to my forehead before excusing himself. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I have a conference call in five minutes. Join me when you get settled.”
I watched him depart, feeling a sense of excitement bubbling within me. It was my first day, and already I had a spacious office with its own bathroom. I imagined my coworkers whispering about the new girl working for Oliver, especially once they discovered our engagement.
Taking a few moments to compose myself, I settled into my new surroundings. I stowed my purse in the desk drawer and discovered a furniture catalog waiting for me. Flipping through its pages, I selected a few pieces to personalize my office. Before long, Henri knocked on my door, startling me from my thoughts.
“Yes?” I answered, slightly taken aback by his sudden appearance.
“I see you found the catalog. I can take your choices and create a requisition for whatever you desire,” Henri offered, his tone professional yet friendly.
“Uh, thank you,” I replied, feeling a pang of guilt as I considered the disparity between his role and mine.
Henri efficiently took note of my selections before swiftly departing. As I prepared to head to Oliver’s office, I couldn’t shake the feeling that Henri deserved my office more than I did.
Quietly entering Oliver’s office, I found him pacing as voices emanated from his desk phone. His gestures were confident and decisive, and he looked entirely at ease with his sleeves rolled up.
Taking a seat on the couch, I observed him conduct his meeting with a mixture of admiration and intrigue. When the call finally concluded, Oliver joined me on the couch, his expression expectant.
“Did you gain anything from my meeting?” he inquired, his gaze fixed on me.
“I did. It seems like you have a problem with your distributor,” I responded, drawing on what I had gleaned from the conversation.
Oliver nodded thoughtfully. “What do you propose I do about it?”
“Find another distributor,” I suggested, my mind racing with possibilities.
“I’ve looked. They’re more expensive,” Oliver admitted, a hint of frustration evident in his voice.
“Are your circuit boards getting made without parts?” I pressed, seeking to understand the root of the issue.
“No. The line is at a standstill,” Oliver confirmed, his brow furrowing with concern.
“Doesn’t it make more sense to pay the higher prices and take a smaller profit than letting the line sit? Do you have orders to fill?” I reasoned, offering a solution to the dilemma.
“Yes. We’re backlogged,” Oliver conceded, his expression softening as he considered my suggestion.
Our conversation continued, with each exchange reinforcing my belief that I could make a valuable contribution to Oliver’s business. As we brainstormed solutions together, I felt a sense of purpose blossoming within me, eager to prove myself in my new role alongside Oliver.
Oliver stroked his chin then went to his desk and typed a few things on his laptop. He looked at me and smiled then picked up the phone. He was talking to his production manager, Stanley. I listened closely. Oliver was taking my advice.
“You were right,” he said as he hung up the phone.
“You needed me to tell you that? You should fire your other people,” I teased, a playful smirk tugging at my lips.
“It wasn’t their choice. I tried to negotiate with the other distributors,” Oliver explained, his tone filled with exasperation.
“And how did that work out?” I quipped, unable to resist needling him a bit.
“Smartass,” he retorted with a chuckle.
“But you love me. So, what is the end result?”
“We’re offsetting the increase in parts price by passing half the cost onto the consumer. It’s only a few dollars and shouldn’t be a problem,” Oliver revealed, his expression softening as he shared the resolution.
“See, it wasn’t so bad,” I remarked, feeling a sense of satisfaction at our successful brainstorming session.
“I decided I don’t want you to be my personal assistant. I want you to be my trainee. I’ll teach you everything so you can handle things in my absence,” he announced, his eyes full of determination.
“Are you planning on going somewhere?” I inquired, a hint of concern creeping into my voice.
“I have meetings planned and might need you to handle a negotiation,” Oliver explained, his gaze steady as he assessed my reaction.
“I can’t do that. I’m nowhere near ready,” I protested, feeling a surge of apprehension at the thought of such responsibility.
“Did I say tomorrow?” Oliver countered, a faint smile playing on his lips. “Your education started ten minutes ago and so far, you get an A.”
“Do I get a reward?” I asked, unable to resist a playful remark.
“When we get home,” Oliver replied with a suggestive grin.
“My home or yours?” I asked, feeling a flutter of excitement at the prospect of spending more time together.
He settled into his chair. “I wanted to talk to you about that. You should move in with me.”
I gasped. “Move in?” I echoed, feeling a mixture of surprise and anticipation at his proposal.
“You’re there a lot anyway,” Oliver pointed out, his voice gentle as he voiced his reasoning.
“But Sadie can’t afford the apartment on her own,” I objected, feeling a pang of guilt at the thought of leaving my best friend in a difficult situation.
“You can pay until the lease is up or I’ll give her a check,” Oliver offered, his tone reassuring.
“I’m not sure how much she’s there anyway. I think she’s been at Finley’s apartment,” I admitted, feeling a twinge of concern for my best friend’s budding romance.
“They’re getting hot and heavy?” he asked.
I shrugged. “I guess. I need to spend some time with her,” I mused, making a mental note to catch up with Sadie soon.
“This weekend. We’re heading to Southampton,” Oliver said.
“I can’t wait. Should we go there early?” I suggested, eager to start our weekend getaway.
“You just started and you’re asking for a day off already?” Oliver teased, a playful smirk gracing his features.
“No. I wouldn’t take advantage,” I replied, shaking my head with a laugh.
“I know you wouldn’t. It’s all taken care of. My staff will clean and stock my home with food and drinks. We’ll have a chef there all weekend so we can relax without cooking,” he said.
I clasped my hands together. “I can’t wait. I want to swim in the ocean,” I said, already envisioning the blissful weekend ahead.
“Do you know when everyone will arrive?” He inquired, shifting the conversation back to our plans.
“Probably late. My parents and Matthew are taking the Jitney,” I replied.
“They don’t need to. We can all travel in my limo,” Oliver suggested, his practicality shining through.
“You always want to leave late,” I pointed out, teasing him gently.
“Because I hate the traffic,” Oliver countered with a grin.
“I don’t think everyone wants to leave at eleven,” I remarked, considering our family’s preferences.
“What time will they get there on the Jitney?” Oliver questioned, his brow furrowing with concern.
“Probably eleven,” I said.
“So four hours from the city to sit in a bus?” Oliver mused, his expression reflecting a mixture of amusement and disbelief.
“Yep. What do we do in the meantime?”
Oliver gestured to the chair. “You learn. Sit and I’ll go over a few things with you.”
My head is spinning. Oliver kept me busy all day and I’m exhausted. When Vlad picked us up, I leaned against my fiancé and promptly fell asleep. He woke me when we arrived at his building.
“Time to go upstairs.”
“I’m quite comfortable here.”
“Should I ask Vlad to drive around the city?”
“Like I’m a baby?”
“You are a baby, my baby.”
“I’ll go upstairs. Your bed is much more comfortable than this seat.”
I yawned as I opened my eyes. Oliver held my hand as we walked to the elevator. In the penthouse, he pressed me against the wall of the foyer and gave me a bruising kiss.
“What was that for?”
“It’s from all the sexual tension. Working with you is harder than I thought.”
He moved his hand to my breast, cupping it and pinching my nipple. All the exhaustion I felt slipped away as my arousal took over. We were like two dogs in heat, tearing at each other’s clothing. Oliver lifted me against the wall and lowered me down on his hot shaft. He wasn’t gentle and I didn’t want him to be, fucking me harder than he ever had before.
“Yes, yes, fuck me,” I screamed.
“You like that? I love being inside you,” he panted.
Our union was short as I detonated and my orgasm tore through me. He gave me a few more punishing thrusts before he spilled into me with a loud grunt.
“Jesus Christ, that was good,” he murmured into my ear.
“Yes, it was,” I muttered, boneless and sated.
Oliver carried me to the bedroom, leaving our discarded clothing on the floor of the foyer. We stripped off the rest and took a long hot shower together where we couldn’t stop touching each other. After we dried ourselves, we went to the kitchen to find something to eat.
“I have crab salad,” Oliver said as he peered into the refrigerator.
I rubbed my hands together. “That’s fine. Who exactly does your shopping?”
“The building supplies grocery service.”
He removed the container of crab salad and some cold cuts for sandwiches. If people thought wealthy people always ate filet mignon and caviar, they should see us.
I took silverware from the drawer. “Wow, this place is awesome. Maybe I should move in here.”
Oliver chuckled. “You really are getting spoiled.”
“I have to agree. Maid, grocery, dry cleaning and restaurant service. I would have a field day.”
He pressed a kiss to my temple. “You can have it all if you move in with me.”
I sighed. “Can we discuss it later?”
“If you granted me one wish for my birthday, it would be to have you here all the time.”
I raised my eyebrows. “Your birthday? Is it coming up? You never told me when it was.”
“First week of October.”
I sucked in a breath. “I’m glad you said something. I would look like an ass if I didn’t get you a gift.”
It was just another reason why I didn’t want to move in. There was so much we didn’t know about each other. Shit, I didn’t even know when his birthday was and that was serious.
“You are my gift. My most favorite gift ever.”
“I feel the same way,” I said, catching his gaze.
We sat at the dining table, the clink of silverware punctuating the comfortable silence. I savored the delicate flavors of the crab salad, watching Oliver as he meticulously rolled ham slices around Swiss cheese. He was a man who found joy in the simplest pleasures, a trait I cherished, especially given the wealth that could have easily made him pretentious.
”I”ll need to plan something special for your birthday,” I thought aloud, a smile playing on my lips. ”You went all out for mine.”
Oliver glanced up, his eyes full of warmth. ”Don”t worry about it too much. Just having you there will be enough.”
I finished my salad and leaned over to kiss him on the cheek, a soft, affectionate gesture. As I got up to put the bowl away, I noticed the sky through the window. The sun was beginning to set, painting the clouds in hues of orange and pink.
”I want to sit out on the patio,” I said, drawn to the beauty outside.
”Do you want a glass of wine? I have white,” Oliver offered, already moving to get up.
”That sounds good,” I replied, my heart warming at his thoughtfulness.
”Go on,” he insisted, waving me off with a smile. ”I”ll get it for you.”
As I stepped toward the patio door, I paused and turned back to him, my voice soft and earnest. ”I love you.”
Oliver looked at me, his expression tender. ”I love you too,” he said, his words a promise that filled the space between us with a profound sense of belonging.
”Not more than me,” Oliver called out as I opened the slider. The warm pavers greeted my bare feet as I made my way to the conversation area, a cozy space adorned with brown wicker furniture and light blue cushions. Settling into the chaise lounge, I stretched out, the evening air wrapping around me as I waited for Oliver to bring my wine.
Fifteen minutes passed, and a sudden, frantic yell from inside startled me. My heart pounded as I leaped up and rushed back into the house, only to skid to a halt in the kitchen. There, facing off with Oliver, was a man who looked eerily similar to him. I stumbled against a bar stool, drawing both their gazes.
”This doesn’t concern you,” Oliver growled, his voice hard and unyielding.
I frowned, planting my feet defiantly. The other man’s eyes lingered on me, making my skin crawl with a feeling of unwanted exposure.
”Who’s this?” the man slurred, his speech thick with alcohol.
”No one,” Oliver snapped.
The words sliced through me, and I felt tears prick at the corners of my eyes. Overwhelmed, I turned and fled to the bedroom, closing the door firmly behind me. Moments later, the front door slammed. I curled up on the bed, hearing Oliver”s footsteps approach. He entered quietly and sat down next to me, but when he touched my shoulder, I recoiled.
”I”m sorry,” he murmured, his voice soft with regret.
”You said I was no one,” I sniffled, my heart aching.
”It’s none of his business who you are to me,” Oliver explained, his tone urgent. ”I don’t want to expose you to his toxicity.”
”Who was that?” I asked, wiping my eyes.
”Jonah. He wanted money.”
”How did he get upstairs?” I asked.
”I let him up. He said he had something important to tell me about our parents.”
”Did he?” I pressed, needing to understand.
”No. It was a lie to get up here. Jonah is a manipulator. I don’t want him to stain your innocence,” Oliver said, his voice laced with frustration as he sat beside me on the bed.
”I’m not innocent,” I retorted, pulling away slightly, my eyes meeting his with defiance.
”You’re innocent of his misdeeds, and I want to keep it that way. I don’t want you around him,” he insisted, his hand reaching out to touch my shoulder, but I shrugged it off.
”He’s your brother,” I argued, the words hanging heavy in the air between us.
”He’s done awful things. He’ll never change, and I can’t risk his presence,” Oliver responded, his tone resolute, a shadow of pain crossing his features.
”What about when we get married? You won’t invite him?” I asked, my voice filled with disbelief.
”No. I want to enjoy my day, and I won’t if I have to worry about him causing trouble or getting drunk and insulting our guests,” he said firmly, his jaw tightening.
”I can’t understand it,” I said, shaking my head in bewilderment.
”Because your brothers are good. Matthew and Finley would never hurt you the way Jonah has hurt me. He disgraces the Fox name. My parents would be ashamed if they found out how he turned out,” Oliver explained, his eyes darkening with a mixture of sorrow and anger.
”He looks like you,” I observed quietly, my heart aching for the man beside me.
”Yes, he does,” Oliver agreed, a bitter smile touching his lips.
”Aren’t you afraid he’ll go public?” I asked, the thought of scandal adding to my anxiety.
”With what? If he does, the reporters can dig out a rap sheet as long as your arm. The only reason why it’s not as long as your leg is because I’ve stuck my neck out to save his ass. I can’t do that anymore. I have you to think about and eventually, our children,” Oliver replied, his eyes locking onto mine with determination.
”He spoiled a good day,” I whispered, the weight of the evening”s events pressing down on me.
”Don’t let him. You were brilliant today. I expect great things from you,” Oliver said, his voice softening as he tried to comfort me.
”Are you finished for the evening?” I asked, the exhaustion evident in my voice.
”I thought you wanted to sit outside with a glass of wine?” he reminded me, his eyes searching mine.
”Not anymore. I had a busy day,” I sighed, feeling the fatigue settle in.
”Are you sure?” Oliver asked, concern evident in his tone.
”Positive. My boss worked me like a pack mule,” I replied, managing a small smile despite the heaviness in my heart.
”I should have a talk with him,” Oliver said, a playful glint returning to his eyes, trying to lift the mood.
”Maybe I’ll let you,” I said, my smile growing a bit, appreciating his attempt to make me feel better.
”Can you tell him I love him and I would like him to hold me?” I murmured, my voice barely above a whisper.
”Let me empty out the wine glasses and lock the slider. I”ll be back in a few minutes,” Oliver replied, his tone gentle and reassuring.
I nodded and snuggled into my pillow, exhaustion overtaking me. It wasn”t long before I drifted into a restless sleep. My dreams were troubling, not my usual nightmares, but unsettling, nonetheless.
Jonah”s face haunted me, even though I had never seen pictures of him. His resemblance to Oliver made him disturbingly familiar. I woke with a jolt, my heart racing.
Oliver looked up from the paperwork he was paging through beside me. ”Are you okay?” he asked, concern etching his features.
”Yes. Just a bad dream,” I replied, trying to steady my breathing.
”Another one?” he asked, his brow furrowing.
”This was different, but not as bad as my usual,” I said, hoping to downplay it.
”About what?” Oliver pressed gently.
I hesitated, unwilling to admit that Jonah had been the central figure. ”I felt like I was falling,” I lied.
”Don’t be nervous about working. You’re with me,” Oliver said, trying to comfort me.
”I know. It’s a lot to take in. I don’t want to disappoint you,” I admitted, my voice small.
”You? Never. You’re doing a wonderful job. Keep it up. I think I want to take you to Los Angeles with me in September,” he said, his eyes lighting up.
”Really? I haven’t been there in a long time,” I replied, feeling a spark of excitement.
”Then I definitely want you to come with me,” he said, a smile playing on his lips.
”Is this because you want to teach me something or because you can’t go without sex for a few days?” I teased, trying to lighten the mood.
”Both. I need you and I sleep better when you’re with me,” he confessed, his voice softening.
”I think I want to move in here,” I said, the words surprising even me as they left my mouth.
”You do? What changed your mind?” Oliver asked, his eyes widening with a mixture of hope and surprise.
”I love you. Of course, I would still have to pay rent. Sadie can’t afford it on her own,” I explained, the practicalities of my life creeping in.
”I said I would write her a check,” he reminded me, his tone patient.
”The only thing is this place is big and I’m not sure I want to be alone when you’re not here,” I admitted, my fears bubbling to the surface.
”Then come with me for every trip. We can even take a few extra days to enjoy whatever city we visit,” Oliver suggested, his eyes shining with excitement at the prospect.
I smiled, feeling a sense of relief and anticipation. ”I like that idea,” I said, reaching out to take his hand.
”Good,” he replied, squeezing my hand gently. ”We”re going to make this work. I promise.”
”That would be lovely. You really are scoring points,” I said, smiling as Oliver nuzzled my cheek and stroked my hair with his fingers.
”We should probably talk about the wedding. What do you want?” Oliver asked, his voice soft and thoughtful.
”I haven’t thought about it yet. We’ve only been engaged a few days,” I admitted, feeling a bit overwhelmed by the sudden shift in conversation.
”You can have whatever you desire,” he assured me, his eyes full of promise.
”Suppose I want to get married on the great lawn of Central Park?” I suggested, testing the waters.
”I’m sure it can be arranged. I have a few friends in government,” Oliver replied with a confident smile.
”Who would be your best man?” I asked, genuinely curious.
”I have a few friends from college. They’re scattered across the country, but you’ll meet them,” he said, a hint of nostalgia in his voice.
In the entire time we were dating, I hadn’t seen Oliver hang out with any friends in Manhattan. I wasn’t sure if he had any.
”Do you have any in the city?” I probed.
”Of course, I do,” he replied, almost defensively.
”Why haven’t I met them?” I pressed, raising an eyebrow.
”It’s the summer and most of them are busy just like I am. Besides, I’ve been wrapped up in my gorgeous fiancée,” Oliver said, smirking playfully.
”I want to meet them,” I insisted, not letting the subject drop.
”The summer is almost over. You will,” he promised.
”What are their names?” I asked, wanting to know more about the people who were important to him.
”Ivan, Dax, and Wilmer. They’ve spent most of the summer overseas,” Oliver said, relaxing back into the conversation.
”Conducting business?” I asked, curious about their lives.
Oliver started to laugh. ”Enjoying the European sun. All three are trust fund babies.”
”So how do you know them?” I asked, intrigued.
”From college,” he replied simply.
”You’re the only one of the four of you that works?” I asked, feeling a mix of admiration and curiosity.
”No. They work but sparingly. Dax and Wilmer buy and sell art and Ivan is a retired hockey player,” Oliver explained.
”Hockey?” I echoed, surprised.
”He’s Russian. He played in the league for a few years until he got his brains scrambled one too many times. He had to call it quits,” Oliver said.
”Are they all your age?” I asked, picturing the eclectic group of friends.
”More or less. We all met in college, so we’re around the same age,” Oliver said, smiling as he reminisced.
”I’m looking forward to meeting them,” I said, feeling a sense of anticipation.
“Yes. I’ll have to keep you close so the wolves will stay away,” Oliver teased, his eyes twinkling with mischief.
My eyes grew wide. ”They wouldn’t hit on me, would they?”
”No, of course not,” he reassured me, chuckling. ”But I’m sure they will be quite taken with you. You’re beautiful. They thought I would never get married.”
Oliver picked up the remote and flipped through the channels a few times, stopping abruptly on a gossip show called “On the Six” when he heard his name mentioned. I sat up, alert, when the word ”engagement” caught my ear. The show was reporting on our engagement, and the screen displayed a picture of us walking out of work that evening, followed by a close-up of my ring.
I leaned closer, my heart racing. ”How did they even get that picture?”
”Fuck. I’m sorry,” Oliver muttered, running a hand through his hair.
”What are you sorry for?” I asked, my brows knitting in confusion.
”I thought we would have more time before it got into the news cycle. I was having the PR department write a press release. It was supposed to be sent out tomorrow,” he explained, his frustration evident.
”It’s not your fault. Stop apologizing. You didn’t tell me you were having a press release prepared,” I said, trying to soothe him.
”I would have once I approved it,” he replied, sighing.
”I love you. I don’t give a shit if people know,” I declared, taking his hand in mine.
”It’s not a matter of caring; it’s a matter of security,” Oliver corrected, his eyes serious.
”We have security,” I pointed out.
”But now that it’s out, you’ll need it when you’re not with me,” he said, a protective edge in his voice.
”Who? Vlad?” I asked, thinking of the stoic bodyguard.
”Would you like Vlad?” Oliver asked, raising an eyebrow.
”He doesn’t talk much,” I said with a small smile.
”His job isn’t to talk; it’s to make sure you’re protected,” Oliver replied, his tone firm.
”Is there anyone else I can choose?” I inquired, hoping for options.
”Who do you have in mind?” Oliver asked, his curiosity piqued.
”A woman?” I suggested tentatively.
”I don’t have any on staff, but I could get you a couple,” he said, considering it.
”Two?” I asked, surprised.
”I’m high profile and now you are too,” he explained.
”What about before? I only had Vlad driving me. He didn’t follow me around,” I reminded him.
”People didn’t know you before. Now they do,” he said, his voice heavy with the new reality.
”This sucks. I think you should buy a house on some private island in the Caribbean,” I joked, trying to lighten the mood.
Oliver smirked. ”I own a few.”
”I thought you said you didn’t have any other residences?” I asked, confused.
”I don’t, but I do own a few islands. I can build a house if I like,” he said casually.
”That would be a perfect honeymoon. No cameras and totally private,” I mused.
”Would you like that?” he asked, his eyes sparkling with the idea.
”Maybe,” I said, smiling at the thought.
”I can start building right away. It might take a few months,” Oliver said, already planning.
”Jesus Oliver, I was only kidding,” I laughed.
”I’m not. Perhaps it could be a new tradition. We could take vacations there,” he said, his tone serious.
”What about your businesses?” I asked, practical concerns surfacing.
”I can still be reached by satellite phone if anything arises,” he assured me.
”So, no internet or anything? Just a phone?” I asked, feeling a bit skeptical.
”You sound disappointed. Aren’t I enough entertainment for you?” he teased, his eyes twinkling.
I rolled my eyes. ”Yes, you are, but I might get bored. You might get bored of me,” I said, voicing my insecurities.
”Highly unlikely. You constantly turn me on. Sometimes I’m in awe of you, like this morning. You amaze me,” he said earnestly, his eyes filled with admiration.
I could feel my face heating with embarrassment. How could this business tycoon be in awe of me?
”Stop teasing,” I murmured, feeling shy.
”I’m not. It’s true. You’re everything I always wanted,” he said, pulling me close.
I smiled, feeling a surge of love and gratitude. ”And you’re everything I always wanted, too.”
Oliver pushed me onto my back, his touch igniting a fire within me. His lips found my neck, and a shiver ran down my spine as he trailed kisses along my skin. In moments like this, I couldn”t get enough of him. I wanted to lose myself in the intensity of our passion, to consume every moment with him.