A/N: I'm sorry for being away longer than usual. I'd tried to make amends by writing an extra-long chapter for you guys. Thanks for your comments encouraging me not to drop this story. I'm committed to this story, but your comments encourage me to carve out time to write. I wish there was a way for me to respond without posting the teaser chapters.
Several of you correctly pointed out that Olivia is styled to mimic Kerry Washington's 2016 Oscars after party look. I intended to include that in my A/N for the last chapter, but I forgot. Sorry!
Mesus, you owe me a plate of fresh-baked chocolate chip cookies. ;-)
I wrote and edited this chapter on my iPad. Please excuse any typos and grammatical errors. I hope you enjoy!
"Then we shall," he said, offering her his arm. Olivia laid her hand on his arm, allowing him to escort her from the room. When they reached the top of the stairs, he paused and took a long look at her. "Are you sure you can walk?"
"I'm sure," she replied, smiling brightly. "Are you worried about the heels or the dress?"
"I'm not worried about anything. I just want to make sure you're comfortable," he said nervously.
"I'm fine. Why would I be uncomfortable?" Suddenly feeling insecure about her choice, she asked, "Do you wish I had selected a more modest dress?"
"No," he replied with surprised alarm. "I want you to wear whatever makes you feel good. Knowing you picked this dress to wear tonight, while you are with me, is giving me all kinds of naughty thoughts. I'm having a difficult time keeping my hands to myself," he said, running his finger slowly along the yellow string that ran between her exposed cleavage.
Olivia shivered under his feather-light touch. "Then why are you hesitating? What's wrong?"
"Nothing's wrong," he said reassuringly, dipping his head and brushing a kiss against the sensitive spot right below her ear that made her purr. "I'm just not ready to share my incredibly beautiful, youthful, sexy fiancée with a room full of dirty old sexagenarian men."
"Share? Are we going to an Eyes Wide Shut style ball?" she teased, slowly moving closer to him. He laughed and wrapped his arms around her small waist. Growing serious, she said in a sultry voice, "Even if we were it wouldn't matter. You, Fitzgerald Grant, are the fantasy. You don't have to worry about sharing me."
As soon as the words left her lips, she realized what she said and worried how he would respond. When their eyes connected, she didn't know what to make of the combination of affection and amused confusion displayed on his face. She could practically hear his mind racing as he studied her closely, searching her face to determine if there was any truth to her words or if it was simply a slip of the tongue. She reached up and gently placed her index and middle fingers across his lips. "Shh..," she said, silencing his unspoken thoughts. "We have thirty-eight hours before we return to Miami. Let's just enjoy being here, together, and not waste the precious minutes we have left thinking about what's waiting for us at home."
Olivia removed her fingers from his lips and stretched up on her tiptoes aiming to place a chaste kiss upon his lips, but at the last second, Fitz moved out of her reach. She frowned, disappointed. Was there something she missed? Was he distancing himself from her because of her earlier slip up? Addressing her confusion, he offered, "Your lipstick. Stacey would kill both of us if your make up is smeared in the event photos."
"I think the shellac on my lips can withstand a kiss."
"Probably, but do you really want to risk it?"
Olivia pouted in his arms, pressing her body intimately against him. "Are you really not going to kiss me all night so our pictures will be perfect?" she whined.
"Have you seen how sexy you look tonight? The chance of that happening is none. I'm just waiting until after you make your grand entrance before I risk ruining the perfection that you are right now."
"In that case, we should join the others downstairs."
Fitz tightened his grip on her waist, holding her close. "Are you sure you're okay with this? It's not too late to change your mind about ditching the ball and flying to Paris," he teased.
Olivia leaned in, resting against his firm, muscular body. She closed her eyes and breathed deeply, allowing his scent to consume her. Everything about him screamed confidence, power, and masculinity and, for a moment, she allowed herself to pretend he was hers. There, securely wrapped in his embrace, she felt protected and safe. "I'm sure," she replied softly. "Promise me you won't start anything tonight." He hesitated for a moment, provoking a hip check from Olivia. "Fitz," she warned. "Promise me."
He pulled away from her enough so that she could see his face without straining her neck. "I won't start anything, but, if someone else does, I promise you I'm ending it quickly. I'm not going to make the same mistake I made last night. I was serious when I said I'm not taking my eyes off of you all night. I won't allow anyone else to hurt you."
"Don't you think you're being a tad bit overprotective?" she asked.
He didn't know how to respond. She roused a protective, possessive nature in him that had never been present before. Now that she'd allowed herself to be vulnerable with him, he couldn't bear the thought of her being hurt in any way. "No such thing," he said placing a soft kiss to her temple. "I will always protect the people I care about."
Olivia shuddered in his arms as the air grew thick between them. How did they keep finding themselves here, in these moments of naked truths where their admissions bordered on confessions? Eventually they would have to stop flirting with what was happening between them and address it, but tonight was not the night. Changing the topic to ease the tension building between them, she said, "Let's not lose sight of why we're here. Let's go convince the Merkles and the others you're ready to join them as the head one of the most successful design-build firms on the east coast."
"Just the east coast? Why not the country? The world?"
Olivia laughed, the sound a sweet melody that soothed his lonely heart. He could spend the rest of his life making her laugh. "You have to crawl before you walk," she teased, tapping him lightly on the nose. "Let's get you in the CEO chair first, before you start plotting to take over the world."
"With you by my side it's just a matter of time before I do both," he said, flashing her a grin that made her want to melt in his arms.
"You cocky devil," she laughed before adding, "Are you taking me to this ball or did I get all dressed up for nothing?"
"It definitely wasn't for nothing," he said seductively, his eyes roaming slowly over her scantily clad body.
Olivia playfully swatted at his arm. "Let's go handsome," she said, intertwining her fingers with his and leading him down the stairs.
Fitz and Olivia made their way arm in arm to the main entrance where the staff were greeting guests arriving for the ball that hadn't been invited for the weekend. They were pointed in the direction of a winding staircase leading to the basement of the main house. Olivia's pulse raced, a nervous excitement coursing through her veins as she tightened her grip on Fitz's arm. He looked at her, smiling softly, and kissed her on her forehead to calm her nerves. "Relax, beautiful. It's the other women that should be nervous. You're about to suck up all of the oxygen in the room."
"Is that a good thing?" she asked shyly.
Fitz fought against the emotion welling up inside him. "It's a very good thing. You're about to prove to everyone what I already know." Olivia looked at him with a raised eyebrow, inviting him to continue. He smiled widely and continued, "That I'm the luckiest man on the planet."
The couple descended the marble staircase leading to the grand ballroom, where they were met by the murmur of conversations from the small crowd of people mingling in the ballroom foyer. When the couple came into view, a hush fell across the room, and for a moment, it felt as if all eyes and camera lenses were on them. "Told you," Fitz boasted, but Olivia didn't hear him, she was too distracted by the beauty and grandeur of the room.
From her elevated position on the stairs she had an unobstructed view into the ballroom. There were at least a dozen dimly lit beautiful crystal chandeliers that shrouded the room in romantic shadows. Sharply dressed waiters buzzed about the room carrying heavy trays of hors d'oeuvres and glasses of champaign. Guests dressed in dapper tuxedos and elegant evening gowns were gathered around cocktail tables decorated with crisp white linens that were in stark contrast to blood red roses that dominated the centerpieces. In the center of the room, there was a sprinkling of couples twirling around slowly on a large white marble dance floor. At the north end of the room there was an orchestra playing softly enough that the guests could talk without shouting. The south end of the room had a large bar manned by several affable but efficient bartenders pouring drinks with a slight flair. It was a scene plucked straight from a movie, one that Olivia never thought she'd personally experience.
She'd been trying to deny it all week, but each passing day made it more difficult to ignore, life was good as a member of the one percent. However, she wasn't on the arm of just any multi-millionaire, she was with Fitzgerald Thomas Grant, III, and he had proven himself to be everything she'd ever wanted in a partner. Today, he'd been too "everything". Too gorgeous. Too attentive. Too perfect. For hours at a time, she'd forgotten she was married. Forgotten about everything except the man standing beside her and how he made her feel.
Noticing that Olivia had stopped walking, Fitz turned to her and asked, "Is everything okay?"
"Everything is fine. I'm just taking it all in, trying to remember every single detail," she said, continuing her descent as the crowd below resumed their conversations.
Fitz smiled at her warmly as he carefully guided her to the bottom of the stairs. "Stick with me beautiful and all this and more could be yours," he teased. Before she could respond, he reached out, cupping her cheek with one hand while wrapping his free arm around her waist, and pulled her close. He dipped his head down and kissed her softly, smiling against her lips when he heard the camera shutters going off around them. He allowed himself only a moment before he broke their kiss, ever mindful of the judging eyes casting long glances their way.
Fitz maneuvered them into the crowd waiting to be granted entrance to the ballroom, keeping one arm possessively wrapped around her waist. Olivia noticed many of the guests were looking in their direction. "Why does it feel like people are staring at us?" she whispered.
"Not us, Livvie, you."
"There are just as many, if not more, women staring at us as men. The brunette near the door is practically fucking you with her eyes."
He pulled her in front of him so they were facing each other, running both of his hands down her back to the slope of her butt. He loved her ass. Soft, firm, perfect; just like everything else about her. "Are you jealous?" he asked playfully.
"Should I be?" she asked in a sultry voice.
He grinned at her wickedly. "You know you're the only woman I want in my life." Fitz looked deeply into her chocolate doe eyes. Why had it taken him so long to realize how perfect she was for him? She had literally been right under his nose for four years and somehow he had repeatedly looked past her. Yes, he had always known that she was beautiful, intelligent, and incredibly sexy, but he'd been an idiot and never taken the time to really get to know her. Why had he simply accepted that she was happily married without taking a moment to really see her, to determine if her heart believed what her mouth parroted?
Olivia looked at Fitz curiously. His comment brought up a question she'd been dying to ask. It was a running joke between the pair that he hadn't had sex in five days, but they had only been in the Hamptons for three days. What had Fitz so distracted that he opted to abstain for the two days prior to their trip knowing it would be five additional days before they returned to Miami? He spent Monday night living down to his reputation, drinking, partying, and sleeping with random women. What changed for him on Tuesday?
Fitz noticed the faraway look in Olivia's eyes and wondered what she was trying to process. His comment about her being the only woman in his life shouldn't have been news to her. They frequently joked that she was his longest relationship. For years, Olivia and his mother had been the only women of importance in his life and, if it were up to him, Olivia's role in his life would only grow after they returned to Miami. Looking at her now, contently resting in his embrace, it seemed heresy that she wanted to be anywhere but exactly where she was. He chuckled when he observed a question quivering across her lips. "Ask me," he prodded her in hope that being completely transparent with her would allay her fears and allow her to trust herself with him.
"Ask you what?"
"Whatever it is you're thinking about. Ask me. You know I don't have secrets from you."
Olivia laughed, turned away from him, and noticed the crowd had thinned in front of them. "It's our turn. Let's speak to the Merkles and head inside," she said, taking his hand in hers.
"Fitz, Olivia," Jean said with a charming smile, welcoming the pair. She approached Olivia with open arms and kissed her on both cheeks. "You look stunning in that dress, my dear, absolutely stunning."
"Thank you," Olivia replied, bashfully, feeling slightly uncomfortable under the regal woman's gaze as she tried to gauge if the compliment was genuine or shade.
Before she could say more, Fitz interrupted, taking the older woman's hand and raising it to his lips. "Jean, you look beautiful. The emerald green of your dress makes your eyes radiant tonight. Stephen better keep a close eye on you or a younger, slightly more handsome man may try to steal you away," he flirted, with a wink.
"Fitzgerald," she replied with a gasp, a slight blush creeping across her cheeks. "You are quite the rascal. I'm surprised Olivia lets you out of the house."
While Fitz entertained Jean, Olivia approached Stephen. "Good evening," she said, extending her hand to him, who in turn kissed the back of it.
"You are, in every sense of the word, breathtaking this evening. Young Fitzgerald is an extremely lucky man to have you on his arm tonight," he replied.
Olivia laughed politely. "I prefer to think he's on my arm. Fitz in a tuxedo makes for delicious eye candy. Don't you agree?" It was Stephen's turn to laugh at her charm. "On another note, I wanted to thank you for so graciously loaning us your helicopter today. The experience was a real treat."
Stephen smiled warmly, "You're most welcome, although, I was disheartened to hear the two of you sullied my baby and my home with those hideous jerseys. Did Fitz extend my invitation?
"Did I do what?" Fitz asked, approaching her from behind, his arm once again finding her waist.
Olivia smiled in acknowledgement, as she leaned into his embrace. "He was asking if you extended his invitation to join him for a Yankees game. I was just about to tell him that it would be our pleasure to join him in enemy territory." Looking at Stephen, she said, "But, I must warn you I will be representing my boys loudly and proudly. You may want to reconsider your offer," she said, her lips turned up in the most beguiling smile.
Fitz was impressed by how easily Olivia had adjusted to his world. Long gone was the woman from a few days ago who was insecure, nervous, and consumed with worry about being inadequate. She had been replaced by this quietly confident beauty that easily captured everyone's attention. Even more, there was no trace of awkwardness between the pair, it was as if they had always been and only needed to find each other. She had surpassed all of his expectations of her as his companion for the weekend.
After a few exchanges of playful taunting with Stephen, the couple made their way into the ballroom. When they walked past a waiter carrying a tray of champagne flutes, Fitz reached out and swiped two glasses. He handed one to Olivia and asked, "How many have you had?"
"Two and a half over two hours. I'm fine," she said, continuing her aimless stroll into the room with him following close behind her.
"How many can you handle?"
"Many more than three." Fitz looked at her with a raised eyebrow. "I had at least five at lunch the other day and I was fine."
"You were tipsy after lunch on Wednesday," he said matter-of-factly.
"Maybe," she said, smiling brightly, "but I was still appropriate. Don't worry, I've had lots of practice. I won't embarrass you."
"I'm not worried about you embarrassing me," he said, stopping in front of one of the cocktail tables.
"What then?" she asked. Fitz's eyes danced with mischief. A sudden understanding washed over Olivia. "Oh…" she whispered on a long, drawn out breath. "You were planning to get me drunk so you could take advantage of me tonight."
"What kind of man do you think I am?" he asked, feigning outrage and disappointment. "I don't have to get women drunk to seduce them. The promise of being with me is usually enough to charm my way into their beds."
Olivia took a long sip of her champagne. "Is that what's happening here? Are you charming your way into my bed?"
"Are you forgetting that I woke up in your bed this morning?"
Olivia leaned closer to Fitz and, in her most sultry voice, whispered in his ear, "I remember every detail of this morning." Her tongue darted out, briefly licking his lobe, eliciting a soft moan. She pressed her body close to his before adding, "Especially the part about you waking up with your pajama bottoms still on." She pulled away from him giggling softly.
"It's not nice to tease, Livvie," he groaned before swallowing the rest of his champagne in a single gulp. "I'm going to need something stronger if you're going to keep this up all night."
"It's not my fault you're an easy mark." Olivia wrapped her arms around him, turning her face up to his, silently inviting him to kiss her. He stroked her cheek tenderly with his thumb, looking down at her and finding her staring back at him with soft doe eyes. He tenderly held her face in his powerful hands, the juxtaposition of his strength and his gentleness heightening her arousal. Olivia waited for him to make his move, but he remained still. "Who's the tease now?" she whispered.
Fitz lowered his head and covered her soft lips with his. He slowly parted his lips, waiting for her response. When she opened her mouth, he moved swiftly, capturing her tongue and drawing it carefully into his mouth. Olivia moaned softly as he gently sucked on her tongue. There was no trace of inhibition as she matched his efforts, their tongues engaged in a lazy and sensual exchange. She willingly following where he led, totally absorbed by the pleasure of his mouth on hers, her body slowly melding into his.
The sound of camera shutters going off around them pulled Fitz out of his lust-induced haze and he separated their lips slowly. Olivia's eyes fluttered open and an adorable annoyed frown spread across her face. "Damn photographers," he growled, running a frustrated hand through his hair. "I swear the Merkles are going to have a hundred photos of us kissing if they don't find somewhere else to point their lenses."
Olivia laughed. "Shouldn't you be used to this? I'm the one that should be hiding from the cameras, not you. Unless," she paused, her bottom lip protruding slightly, "you don't want to be photographed with me."
Moving lightening quick, Fitz bent over and nipped her lower lip, causing Olivia to squeal in surprise. "I wouldn't care if they were just taking pictures of me. I don't like them photographing every move you make. You're not some pin-up girl for their viewing pleasure," he growled.
She rested a hand on his chest, trying to soothe him. "You can't protect me from everything. For now, we have to trust that they're doing their job and only their job. If that's not true, we'll handle it together."
Fitz released a defeated sigh and offered her a weak smile. "You're right. Come with me," he said, grabbing her hand. "I need a drink and then there's someone I want you to meet." Olivia followed him as he led her across the room in the direction of the bar.
The Merkles' guests were a veritable who's who list, as the titans in their industry proudly peacocked around the room, not so subtly dropping hints about their recent accomplishments and offering challenges to their competitors. The next hour was a blur of names and faces as Fitz introduced her to seemingly every developer, architect, and contractor on the east coast. Some of the names were familiar from her role as his assistant, but most were new to her. Almost everyone was well acquainted with and respected Big Gerry. Most made a point to remind Fitz that he had very big shoes to fill if rumors of his father's retirement were to be believed. A select few made it clear to him that if he was not deemed a worthy successor they would be interested in the job. Throughout it all, Fitz mostly managed to keep his composure, only needing Olivia to run interference with the occasional provocative asshole.
Olivia's favorite party guest by far was Harrison Wright, a smooth, fast-talking, impeccably dressed African American developer from Washington, D.C. He and Fitz met in graduate school and became fast friends. It didn't take her long to figure out why, as she was certain they could both charm their way into a nun's panties. The poor women of Cambridge didn't stand a chance during the three years that duo prowled the bar scene. Harrison regaled Olivia with tales from their graduate school days that were embarrassing to Fitz, but appropriate for the mixed company. Although Harrison was a shameless flirt, Olivia was surprised to find that Fitz was completely relaxed around him. She made a mental note to suggest that Fitz meet Harrison for dinner when he traveled to Washington for a conference at the end of next month.
When they were finally done mingling, Fitz escorted Olivia out onto the dance floor. The couple twirled around the dance floor, grateful to have a moment to themselves. At first, Olivia was too aware of the eyes and shutters that were focused on her and Fitz as they gracefully moved around the room, but she eventually relaxed into the comfort of his embrace. After that, it didn't take long for her to forget that there were other couples dancing in the same space as she concentrated on Fitz's expressive blue eyes and the way his body felt pressed against hers. They were mostly silent as they danced and Olivia wondered what he was thinking about. Today had been a perfect day and she was afraid she'd spoil it if she started asking questions about what was going on in his head. Instead, she rested her head on his chest and allowed his calm presence to quiet any doubts she was having. After a few songs, the band shifted to a tango. Much to Fitz's displeasure, Olivia bowed out, leaving the dance floor explaining that the style of her dress didn't afford her the freedom necessary to do the dance justice.
The couple was standing, sipping champagne, and people watching when Stephen approached the pair. "Fitz. Olivia," he greeted them.
"Stephen," Fitz replied politely, while Olivia smiled softly in his direction before looking around the room for a place to escape what was sure to be another conversation about the Patterson Place subcontract.
Stephen addressed Fitz, but his gaze remained on Olivia. "I was wondering if you would permit me to borrow the second most beautiful woman in the room for a dance."
Olivia's eyes widened in shock at his request. Fitz turned to her, silently asking for her permission. She gave him a small nod, leaning over to kiss his cheek before extending her hand to Stephen. "I'll be right back," she said.
"I'll be right here," he replied, letting her know that he hadn't forgotten his promise to stay with her all night.
Olivia followed Stephen to the middle of the dance floor and giggled softly as he awkwardly took her into his embrace. "I'm not sure where to touch you," he offered in explanation.
"You can touch me where you normally would," she responded cautiously, fearing Seth and his father had more in common than Stephen's carefully crafted family man image would suggest. She relaxed a bit when he rested his hand firmly in the middle of her back, taking her hand in his and allowing plenty of space between their bodies as they began to sway to the music. Olivia felt Fitz staring at them and locked eyes briefly with him smiling, letting him know that she was okay. "So," she said, returning her attention to Stephen. "How can I help you?"
Stephen laughed softly. "I respect your directness. I shouldn't have expected anything less from the woman about to marry into the Grant family." It was Olivia's turn to laugh. "I actually stole you away for a few minutes to offer my assistance."
Olivia's interest was piqued, but she maintained her poker face. "I'm not sure I follow."
"I've known Big Gerry for more than thirty years and, on some levels, I'd like to believe we're friends. I've watched how he's treated Fitz, riding him hard as an adolescent; criticizing every decision he made as a young adult; and trapping him in a job he didn't want only to make him work twice as hard as those around him for half the recognition. Nothing Fitz has ever done has pleased Gerry and there is no reason to expect that to change between now and his retirement."
Stephen paused and studied Olivia's face. "Why am I going on and on? I'm sure you know all of this. I imagine he's even found fault in you." Olivia gave him a wry smile, but remained otherwise unresponsive, waiting for him to continue. "As much as he wants Fitz to be the next CEO of Grant Enterprises, he will never be convinced that he deserves, has earned, the job. Fitz is going to need allies in the industry if he hopes to convince the Board that he should be the one to lead the company into the future, especially if he doesn't get Gerry's ringing endorsement. I would like to be one of those allies. I believe he has a bright future ahead of him and I would like for Merkles Industries to be a part of that future."
Olivia carefully considered her next words. "Why are you telling me this instead speaking directly with Fitz?"
"I've already spoken to Fitz and plan to continue doing so. It's part of why I wanted to handle the Patterson Place deal personally. I wanted an opportunity to work with him on an ongoing basis without raising suspicions."
"You don't think it's suspicious for the President and CEO of a multi-billion dollar company to be personally involved in a project of this size?"
Stephen laughed heartily, drawing Fitz's attention. Olivia winked in his direction, reassuring him that there was no reason for concern. "You have a point, but I needed a reason to travel to Miami and for Fitz to travel to New York."
Olivia didn't like where this was going. Stephen was being too direct about somethings and too coy about others. He wanted something from Fitz and he thought she could deliver it, but she had no idea what he was angling for. "With all due respect, I still don't understand why we're having this conversation, in the middle of a dance floor no less."
"I'm talking to you because I believe we have similar interests."
"You hardly know me. How can you claim to know my interests?"
"It's obvious to anyone with eyes that you are perfect for him. I've watched as he's tried to find the balance between closing this deal and being present with you. Frankly, I was impressed, this morning when he came to my office with his preliminary notes and comments on the contract draft. I was surprised when he informed me that he would be unavailable today because he was spending the day with you in Boston. His father would have found weakness in his decision and questioned his priorities, but I saw strength. He was sending a clear message; business is important to him, but not more important than you are. The line for his attention starts behind you. I respect that."
Olivia wondered where Fitz found the time to review the subcontract and make plans for their Boston trip. Did he sleep at all last night? She wasn't usually a sound sleeper. How did she sleep through his activities? "I don't understand what any of this has to do with me. I won't help you do anything that I don't believe is in his best interest."
"I wouldn't expect anything less than that, but I'm hoping I can make you see over the next few months how partnering with me and my company is in his best interest as well his company's interest."
"It's not his company yet," Olivia quickly pointed out.
"I like you Olivia," he said with a small chuckle. "You keep this up and I may just offer you a job."
"You don't know my background."
"It doesn't matter. There's always a place in my company for a smart, loyal, passionate individual."
"I live in Miami. Your company only has offices in the northeast."
"You live in Miami today. In the future, maybe not."
Growing uncomfortable with the direction of the conversation, Olivia looked for Fitz. She grew tense in Stephen's arms as she watched someone approach him. Stephen looked at Olivia with concern. "Are you okay?" he asked, following the direction of her gaze. "Did something happen between them?"
Fitz was smiling contently, watching Olivia dance with Stephen when he noticed someone approaching him in his peripheral vision. "That's close enough," he warned.
"Come on Fitz," Seth replied with a sigh. "How long have we been friends?"
"Long enough that I know I don't have to explain what will happen if you take another step. Say what you came to say and move on before you upset Liv," he snarled.
"I just wanted to apologize for my behavior last night," he said, sheepishly.
"I'm not the person you assaulted. You should be apologizing to Olivia."
"I would, but I assumed you wouldn't let me get anywhere near her -"
"You assumed correctly," Fitz interrupted.
"It's no excuse, but I was drunk, pissed that my father pushed me out of the Patterson Place deal, and jealous of all the attention he was showering on you."
"So you decided to rape my fiancée?" Fitz barked, his voice laced heavily with incredulous anger.
"I didn't know she was your fiancée and I wasn't going to rape her. I was going to pay her," Seth scrambled to explain.
Fitz's posture changed so he was bouncing on the balls of his feet, his fists clenched, ready to attack. "Can you hear yourself right now?" he whispered harshly. "I'm going to set aside the fact that you continue to refer to my fiancée as a whore. She was a woman rejecting your advances. When I got there, it was obvious she was terrified and struggling to get away from you. Is that what gets you off? Do you enjoy hurting women?"
"I wasn't going to hurt her," Seth whined.
"The bruises on her arm and leg suggest otherwise," he said coldly, relaxing out of his aggressive posture. "Did you touch her anywhere else?"
"What? No!" he exclaimed. "If she told you I did that bitch is lying. Is that the story she's telling my dad?"
"I'm not going to warn you again. Insult her one more time and you're going to be picking your fucking teeth up off the floor." Seth looked at him with shock and surprise written all over his face. "I think you've underestimated exactly who I am and what I'm willing to sacrifice for her." Fitz looked him squarely in the eyes and said, "She is everything to me and there are no limits to what I would do protect her and keep her safe from assholes like you."
"Is that what you were doing last night, keeping her safe? That was a sucker punch and you know it."
"I threw it out of respect for our former friendship. I wanted to incapacitate you before you made me hurt you. I won't be as thoughtful next time."
"I'll admit I deserved the beating last night, but we've been friends for more than twenty years. I can't believe you're standing there threatening me over some woman."
"Olivia's not just some woman. She's it for me. I will always choose her above everyone and everything else. And, I'm not threatening you. I'm warning you. Stay away from us or you won't like how this ends for you."
"Is that what she's doing with my father?" he asked, looking in their direction on the dance floor. "Trying to end things for me? After everything we've been through, are you just going to stand there and let this happen?"
"Ahhh…now we get to the real reason you're here," he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "You don't give a damn about me or Olivia. You're worried she is telling your father what you did to her last night and you're over here hoping I would reassure you that she's not. Sorry to disappoint you, but I have no idea what they're talking about."
"The two of you can't really be stupid enough to think he's going to side with her over his own son," he said, his tense, anxious voice revealing his false bravado.
"Olivia is a lot of things, but stupid is not one of them. Your father approached her, not the other way around. Look at them now," he said, looking in the direction of the dancing pair chatting animatedly about something. "He's clearly interested in what she's saying."
"Of course he is. Look at her in that dress. Every man in this room would listen to her read the phone book just to keep her in their arms a little longer."
"I'm going to need you to stop objectifying the woman I plan to marry. She's so much more than the parts you insist on focusing on."
"That's rich coming from a man with your sordid history. I'm not my father nor the rest of the people in this room that you are trying to impress. I know you, which is why I know you're not marrying Olivia. What I don't understand is why you're trying so hard to pretend to be someone you're not. You're using Olivia to get something you want. Right now, I don't give a damn what that is, as long as it doesn't involve my father's company. However, if you or Olivia come for me, I promise you I'll expose the truth about the two of you and make sure you never become CEO of you father's company."
"Now who's issuing threats? Unlike you, I don't have anything to hide. There's no subterfuge or pretext. If Olivia decides to go public with what you did to her, she will have the full support of the Grant family behind her and I will personally ensure you get exactly what's coming to you. After this weekend, I never want to see you again. Stay away from both of us."
Seth opened his mouth to speak, but Fitz cut him off before he could utter a sound. "Your father and Olivia are headed this way," he snarled. "You need to leave before you upset her any more than you already have. If you're smart, you'll stay away from us. You have less influence in this world than you think. If pushed, I can make life very unpleasant for you. Walk away now Seth," he barked.
Seth looked in the direction of Olivia and his father, debating what to do next. The pair looked a little awkward, but he couldn't tell from their body language if Olivia had snitched or not. He turned to Fitz and noticed he now appeared anxious as well. Deciding that his best move was to retreat, he nodded in Fitz's direction and said, "Please let Olivia know that I truly am sorry," and slipped away quietly.
Before Stephen and Olivia reached Fitz, the pair was stopped by a guest and Stephen was pulled away to attend to another matter. Olivia returned to Fitz and slid into his waiting arms. The powerful longings that surfaced every time she was near him. He hugged her close, wanting to protect her from the negative vibes that were lingering around the couple. "What was that about?" she asked.
"I could ask you the same thing."
"I'll tell you mine if you tell me yours."
Fitz exhaled deeply. "He wanted to apologize for his behavior last night."
"To you?" she asked incredulously.
"I mentioned that. He said he didn't think I would let him get near you. He's right. I won't let him or anyone else hurt you. I made it clear that we won't have any future interactions, professional or otherwise."
"Are you sure that's wise? You have a lot riding on this trip. We don't need to provoke him unnecessarily."
"I'm sure," he said pecking her on the lips to end the conversation. "Your turn. What did Stephen want?"
"I'm not sure. The entire conversation was just odd."
"What do you mean?"
"He started by offering to help me help you become CEO and ended with what I think was a job offer."
"What?" he exclaimed.
"I told you it was odd. We can discuss in detail at a more appropriate time, but the bottom line, I think, is that he's invested in you becoming CEO of Grant Enterprises. I don't know what he's planning, but, whatever it is; he wants you in charge to help him do it."
"Or to allow him to do it," he said cynically.
"What do you mean?"
"He could be planning a takeover and thinks a friendly takeover with me in charge is easier than a hostile takeover with someone else in charge."
"Do you really think he would be so bold as to enlist my help to destroy your family's company?"
"At this point I wouldn't put anything past any of the Merkles."
"Whatever they're up to we'll figure it out together."
"Together?"
"I'll always be by your side."
"But Stephen think you're my fiancée. We have to -"
Olivia, using a trick from Fitz's playbook, kissed him to silence him. "Like I said," she offered, smiling mysteriously, "we'll figure it out together."
Fitz's head cocked to the side and he got a goofy grin on his face as the first few chords of the next song began to play. "How apropos for our evening. May I have this dance?" he asked, extending his hand to her.
Olivia accepted his hand and allowed him to lead her to the dance floor. "The song's familiar, but I can't place the instrumental version."
"That's because you're a baby," he teased. He gently pulled her into his arms, taking her right hand in his and resting his free hand on the exposed skin right above the dress' modesty patch, holding her close as they began to dance slowly. "It's Frank Sinatra's The Way You Look Tonight."
"I know the song, but not the lyrics. Will you sing it to me?"
"I can't sing," he protested.
"I don't care," she countered.
"Has any man ever successfully denied you anything?" he asked with a light laugh.
Fitz dipped his head to hers so his lips were close to her ear and began singing softly. Olivia wrapped her arms around his neck and he tightened his grip on her waist, pulling her body closer to his. She closed her eyes and leaned into him, enjoying the rough timbre of his voice as the emotional lyrics of the song communicated a message that neither one of them would dare utter. She lost herself in the perfection of the moment, unwilling to do so much as take a breath for fear that the real world would intrude.
When they reached the instrumental bridge, Fitz pulled away slightly so he could see Olivia's face and was surprised to find a faraway look in her eyes. Her body was there with him, but her mind was somewhere else. "What's on your mind?" he queried.
"Nothing, just enjoying being in your arms," she said in an attempt to deflect his attention away from her thoughts.
"Olivia," he said sternly. "Talk to me. Are you okay? Do you want to leave?" he asked, his eyes darting around the room for Seth or any other agitant.
"What I want is for you to stay right here on the dance floor with me," Olivia said softly, her eyes sparkling in the dim lighting.
"I'll stay, but only if you tell me what you had you so distracted."
"You'd really leave me on the dance floor all alone, in this dress, with Harrison standing over there?" she challenged him.
"No," he said with a soft chuckle, "but it was worth a shot." Olivia exhaled deeply. "What?"
"I was wondering if this is what it feels like to be Mrs. Fitzgerald Grant."
"Is that someone you think you may want to be?" he asked, partially tongue-in-cheek, but mostly serious.
Olivia looked away from him, choosing instead to stare at something over his left shoulder. "That would be complicated," she said softly.
The band transitioned to a new song, but they remained on the dance floor, Fitz holding her tight and swaying to the beat of the music. "Maybe, but not impossible." Olivia's eyes darted to his to gauge his sincerity. Fitz simply stared back at her, a small smile upon his lips, as he waited for her to complete her assessment.
"You've been a bachelor, doing things your way, with whomever you've pleased for most of your adult life. Do you even want to be in a relationship, a real committed relationship?"
"We've had this conversation," he said, smiling at her confidently while she continued to search his face for answers.
Olivia furrowed her brow and scrunched her nose in confusion. "We have?"
"I think you're adorable when you do that," he said, kissing her softly on her nose. "And yes, we talked about this in my office before you agreed to join me this weekend." Olivia's eyes lit up as she recalled the details of their conversation. It was his impromptu and heartfelt speech that convinced her, against her initial instincts, to join him for the weekend. "Eventually, I want to be in a relationship, marriage actually, with three kids and either a golden retriever or a chocolate lab. Only, I know what I'm worth and I'm not willing to settle for just any woman."
Olivia scowled in his direction. "Are you implying that I settled in my relationship?" she asked coolly.
He tightened his grip on her waist, making it clear she couldn't run. "You're the only person that can answer that," he said matter-of-factly. "You asked me what I wanted."
Olivia relaxed once again in his arms. "You're avoiding the question."
"You didn't ask a question," he retorted.
"Is this what it would be like to be Mrs. Fitzgerald Grant?"
"You would have to ask my mother that question," he teased.
"Fitz," she warned, "be serious."
"I am being serious. I've never been married so I don't know what it would be like. If by this you're talking about today, I'd have to say no." Olivia looked at him with a small frown. "Don't misunderstand me. I thoroughly enjoyed every second we spent together today, but we sequestered ourselves away from most of the world. When is the last time you went an entire day without talking, texting, emailing or checking social media? You can't remember, can you? Today was wonderful, but, unless we decided to give up everything and run away to a secluded island, which by the way I wouldn't object to, this wouldn't be our reality."
Olivia sighed dejectedly. "Hey," he called softly, smiling warmly when her eyes met his. "All of that's not to say days like today couldn't be a part of our lives. If you allow me to, I will always prioritize, provide for, and protect you. This weekend, I have learned how much fun it is to surprise and spoil you, so that would be a regular thing. Honoring family and traditions would also be important, but I would have a company to run and we would have a family to raise."
"Would that be my job?" she asked quietly.
"What? Raising our kids? Only if you wanted it to be. I'm equally comfortable as half of the consummate power couple as I am with being the breadwinner and all things in between. If you were my wife, all options would be available to you. It would be up to you to pick your path. My role would be to support whatever decision you made."
Olivia looked away from him. "You make it all sound so easy."
"I can't promise you easy. After all, you would be married to me," he said with a chuckle. "Relationships don't have to be all compromise and sacrifice. There is no reason we can't have the kind of happiness that lived at 350 Vermont Street."
Olivia's eyes snapped to his as she tried to discern if he understood the weight and magnitude of his comment. What did he know about the kind of happiness her parents shared? The kind of happiness that lived in that house? That house was filled with joy, laughter, encouragement, and lots of love. It wasn't something he could buy or something he could pay someone else to do. It had to be cultivated and nurtured. Did he have the desire, attention span, and patience to build a relationship like the one he was describing? Or, would he easily give into temptation, reverting to old habits when things got difficult or didn't go according to his plan? What, if anything, did she know about him that suggested he was capable of being the person, husband, he described?
"Are you ready to love again?"
A pained expression flashed across Fitz's face at the mention of Elizabeth, but he quickly recovered. "I didn't think it was a conscious choice. I thought falling in love was one of those things that just happened to a person."
Olivia paused, considering her reply before offering, "I don't think we decide who we fall in love with, but being open to the possibility of love is a choice. One you have to make or no woman will find her way into your heart."
Fitz struggled to come up with a response. Was Olivia right? Had he become a memorial to his dead fiancée? In that moment, holding her close, her head pressed against his chest, dancing as much to the rhythm of his heartbeat as the beat of the music, talking about their hypothetical future, he felt ready. He slowly tilted her head so that she was looking up at him, "I think I am. Are you?"
Olivia looked at him breathless with the hope of him being available to her and the despair of knowing she couldn't have him even if he was. She blinked a few times to clear her haze, replaying his words. It was only then when she realized that he asked her a question. "Am I what?"
"Are you in love with your husband?"
Olivia bristly slightly at the mention of Jake. "Honestly -"
"Unless you'd rather lie to me," he interrupted cheekily. Olivia rolled her eyes and shook her head before growing quiet. "Liv," he prompted her.
"I'm still with you, I'm just thinking about your question," she answered, before growing quiet again. After almost a full minute of silence, she began to speak. "A week ago I would have emphatically answered yes."
"And now?"
Olivia inhaled and then exhaled deeply, gathering herself before replying. "And now…I'm not sure. However, I do know that a happily married woman who is in love with her husband shouldn't feel the way I feel right now."
Fitz stared down at her in shock and surprise. He didn't know what he expected her to say, but it wasn't what she said. He wanted to say something, do something to let her know that she wasn't alone in her feelings, but he was paralyzed, unable to articulate his feelings.
Taking advantage of his disoriented state, Olivia slipped out of his arms, and fled out of the ballroom. "Liv, wait," Fitz called after her, following her as casually as possibly, trying not to draw attention to himself. She didn't pause, didn't hesitate, moving away from him as quickly as her column dress would allow. He finally caught up to her as she was ascending the curved staircase. She could feel him close behind her, but she didn't turn around. She couldn't. She hurried along, trying to put as much space between them and the rest of the ball guests before he caught her. When they were on the main floor, headed in the direction of the cottage, he reached out and grabbed her by the arm. "Livvie, please," he begged, his voice raspy with emotion.
She turned around to face him, easing backwards, her eyes brimming with unshed tears. How could she let this happen? It wasn't supposed to be this way. She was supposed to spend five days pretending with Fitz and return unfazed to her life with Jake. Her husband had begged her not to join Fitz for this very reason. What had he known about her that she hadn't known about herself?
Fitz hated to see her cry and hated himself for upsetting her. Why did he keep pushing, allowing his selfish need for her to drive his words and actions? How did he expect her to react? Did he think she would enjoy being torn between two men? How did things get so twisted? The look on her face was tearing him apart. He couldn't lose her. Not now. Not when they'd just found each other and were realizing what they could have together. He needed to make her understand.
"Please don't cry. I didn't mean to hurt you. I just…" he trailed off, emotion stealing his voice. "I just wanted you to know. This life could be yours, ours, we could build it together." He paused and swallowed hard, his red nose an indication that he was fighting to keep his own tears at bay. He shifted his weight from foot to foot and slowly palmed his face, trying to gather himself. When he felt he could continue, he looked down at her, his anguish etched deeply in his face. "I know I promised you that I respected you too much to do something like this and I do respect you, I do. But, I've also never lied to you and it would be lying to deny how I'm feeling."
Olivia stared at him, her lip quivering, tears freely streaming now. Her mouth was agape with disbelief, as the weight of his words crushed her, making it difficult for her to breath. Fitz silently cursed himself for making things worse instead of better, but he pressed on. "I needed you to hear it once, just once, from my lips before we walked away and convinced ourselves this never happened. I just wanted to be honest with you so there wouldn't be any doubt."
Olivia struggled to wrestle control of her emotions. Indecision, fear, anxiety, and desire swirled around her, holding her in place. A part of her wanted to flee from Fitz as fast as her legs would carry her and another part wanted to run into his arms. Uncertain what to do, she repeatedly rocked up on her tiptoes, moving neither forward or backwards. Fitz remained silent and still, terrified any movement would send her running away from him. He simply looked at her longingly; willing her to come to him, choose him. It was that look, the one that screamed let me love you, that was her undoing.
She rushed to him, grabbed his face between both of her hands, and kissed him feverishly until he gasped for breath. He matched her efforts, opening his mouth to receive the warm thrust of her tongue. He desperately held onto her with one arm, while his free hand traveled along her neck, down her breast, across her abdomen, and around her buttock. Then, without warning, she pulled her face away from his, breaking their kiss. Fitz looked at her, confusion, hurt, and fear marring his beautiful face. He exhaled in relief when she looked up at him, her eyes shining with desire, a small smile spread across her lips, plump for their kiss.
She wanted him, wanted him in a way she'd never wanted anyone before. It was the all-consuming kind of want, the kind that threatened to destroy her if she didn't give into it. She kissed him roughly, wanting to devour him with her mouth, biting his bottom lip, nearly drawing blood. He growled her name against her lips and she moaned in response, her body a shuddering mess in his arms. He slid his hand between her dress and her breast, carefully prying the tape from her skin. Cupping her freed breast in his palm, he gently rubbed his thumb back and forth across her nipple, slowly torturing the stiffening bud.
Olivia's face was a beautiful display of carnal pleasure, projecting her rapture as he pinched and rolled her tight bud between his thumb and forefinger. The friction from his fingers was maddening and she bit her bottom lip to keep from crying out. "I warned you about that," he whispered in her ear, grinning wickedly before crashing his lips down on hers. Driven by her need, she involuntarily arched against him, forcing her body against his. When she felt his cock twitch against her belly, her desire surged as a tidal wave of emotion threatened to overwhelm her.
She pressed her hips firmly against him and his control snapped. His hands wove into her hair, holding her in place as he kissed her until she was sure she'd black-out. Sensing her weakening knees, his left arm wrapped around her body, holding her tightly against him. He slowly dragged the fingers of his right hand down the graceful arch of her exposed spine. His delicate touch made her back bend, pressing her stomach into his erection, as she released the sexiest sounds he'd ever heard escaping a woman's lips.
His hands quickly moved beneath her modesty patch. He released a husky moan of desire when he discovered her underwear was a scrap of material that covered absolutely nothing. "Why even bother?" he choked out in a broken, raspy voice, running his thumb along the thin strap of her thong. His hands crept lower until he was kneading the bare cheeks of her round bottom. Her fingers wound their way into his curls and she drew him down into a deep kiss, her soft moans vibrating against his lips.
"Upstairs now!" she ordered sexily.
"Yes ma'am," he replied, sweeping her up into his arms bridal style, making her giggle as she wrapped her arms around his neck. He carried her blindly down the hall, their lips never parting, as they traded lazy, lingering kisses. Rushing to get her to the bedroom, Fitz stumbled forward, nearly tripping over the first step.
"Don't drop me," she warned, laughing lightly.
"Don't worry. You're safe with me," he said, quickly ascending the stairs.
"Am I?" she asked in a sultry voice.
He paused outside their bedroom door and gazed at her with an unmistakable look of adoration and desire shining in his eyes. "I would never do anything to hurt you. With me, you will always come first. You are in control. Just say the word and I'll stop. Do you want me to stop?"
She looked up at him with hooded eyes and said, "I want you. I want this," bringing his face to hers for a long, slow kiss of seduction.
Fitz carried her over their room's threshold, kicking the door shut with his foot and turning on the lights. Surprising Olivia, he headed for the couch instead of the bed. He laid her down, careful to keep most of his weight off her, as he continued to assault her with his mouth. He tore his lips from hers, placing a series of wet, open-mouthed kisses along her jaw and down her neck. He sealed his lips on her skin and sucked gently, careful not to leave a mark. He was rewarded with a moan as her hips bucked off the couch, seeking friction.
His fingers slipped beneath the straps of her dress, pulling them down her shoulders. She confidently sat up and removed her arms, allowing her dress to fall to her waist, exposing her breasts. The cool air and intensity of his hungry eyes making her nipples harden to tight peaks. She wantonly welcomed his heated gaze as he feasted the sight of her bare breasts. "You are so fucking beautiful," he murmured, pushing her back on the couch. He placed a series a feather light kisses along her neck, her collarbone, and down to the swell of her breast.
He shifted on the couch, sliding his body along hers, dragging his mouth down her torso as he kissed, licked, and sucked anything in his path. He loved how vocal she was making soft little sighs that made his cock jump in his pants. Cupping the soft flesh of her bosom, he squeezed with his hands as his thumbs circled each nipple over and over as she writhed beneath him. He lowered his head and ran his tongue along the valley between her breasts. Capturing her stuff bud between his teeth, he bit down and sucked gently, pulling it into his mouth. She gasped a higher-pitched moan than before, her back painfully arched and her fingers buried deep in his curls, holding his mouth where she needed him.
Although his movements were hurried, they weren't thoughtless. He memorized every inch of exposed skin; familiarized himself with the curves and hollows of her body; and catalogued each moan, gasp, sigh, and giggle of pleasure that he drew from her for future use. He broke his latch on her breast and took a minute to look at her. She was absolute perfection stretched out beneath him and he wanted to enjoy her with all of his senses - the sight of her glowing eyes and flushed skin, the subtle scent of perfume on her skin, the sound of her soft mewling when he discovered her sweetest spots, the taste of her mouth, and the feel of her body as it melded into his.
Olivia gently pushed him off her and moved from beneath him. For a panicked moment, Fitz worried she would run, but was reassured when she stood in front of him allowing her Versace gown to fall to the floor. She stepped out of her dress, wearing only a tiny, white scrap of fabric and her heels. His eyes traveled slowly from her eyes to her lips, to her breast, to the soaked material at the apex of her thighs. There was no mistaking the lust in his brazen stare.
"You are beautiful," he whispered in his deep baritone voice, sending chills along her spine.
"You keep saying that," she replied coyly, walking backwards slowly until she bumped into the edge of the bed. Without taking her eyes off him, she crawled backward onto the bed, pausing briefly to remove her shoes. A wicked grin crossed Olivia's face as she beckoned him seductively to join her.
"It's true. You are the most beautiful woman I've ever seen," he said, walking towards her. She threw her head back in laughter. Fitz wasted no time pouncing on her and taking advantage of her exposed neck, his mouth attached to her pulse point, kissing, smoothing, and sucking on her smooth skin. He stretched his body over hers and she raked her fingers down his back, the material of his shirt bunching under her touch, urging him to continue.
"Aren't you a little overdressed?" she asked, wrapping her leg around his, flipping him onto his back with a sudden surge of her hips. She sat straddling him, her core hovering above his crotch.
Fitz chuckled, waiting for her next move. "I was so distracted by you that I hadn't even noticed."
Olivia held his gaze as her nimble fingers made quick work of his bowtie and unbuttoned the top two buttons of his tuxedo shirt. She caressed the exposed skin of his neck and kissed his pulse point, feeling his rapid heartbeat flutter beneath her lips. She licked the length of his jawline and then trailed kisses up his jaw, headed for his ear, before sucking his earlobe into her mouth and tugging roughly with her teeth. His breath exploded in a gasp against her ear and his hips jerked, driving him against her core. Olivia giggled lightly. Fitzgerald Grant found pleasure in pain. Her body instinctively ground against him as she used him to create the friction she needed, muttering a series of unintelligible words. He grabbed her hips and stilled her movements. "Not like this," he whispered. "I want to give you your first orgasm. I want to watch your beautiful face twisted in pleasure when you come apart with my tongue between your legs." Olivia's eyes grew wide and her entire body shuddered at the thought.
She nodded and slowly lifted off him, her fingers slowly continued their mission as she alternated between unbuttoning his shirt and pressing kisses to the newly exposed skin. She licked her lips as she pushed his shirt open, unveiling the well-defined planes of his chest visible beneath a light cover of curly brown hair. She used her fingers to explore his bare torso, the breadth of his wide shoulders, the definition of his chest, the six-pack of his abs, and the sexy narrowing of his taut waist. Curious, she leaned forward and captured his nipple between her teeth, applying a little pressure. He slid his hands into her hair and groaned softly. She smiled, pleased by his reaction, and she licked and sucked his nipple. He moaned again pressing her head to his chest. He was as sensitive there as she was.
She pushed her body down his, feeling his erection once again pressing into her stomach. It had to be painful for him at this point, but he wasn't showing any signs of urgency to be inside her. He wanted her, yes that was obvious, but he was in no rush to have her. She dragged her lips and scraped her teeth across and down his torso, watching his face as he gave into his pleasure. She took her time, using her tongue to trace the definition between his ab muscles. She loved how his muscles flexed under her touch as he strained to maintain control. Continuing her journey down his body, her fingers blindly unbuttoned his pants and slowly pulled down his zipper down inch by torturous inch as she tickled his belly button with her tongue. She hummed with satisfaction when she heard him suck in a huge gasp of air when she grazed his covered crotch with her teeth, releasing a breath of warm air.
He released a raw, animalistic growl as he flipped her onto her back, settling between her legs. "Clothes. Off. Now," she barked.
He chuckled, pushing himself off her and off the bed. "Are you always this bossy?" he asked as he toed off his shoes before stripping off his shirts and pants.
"Fuck," she muttered under her breath when she saw the way his erection tented his boxer briefs. Her body trembled with greed as she took in his size. Moaning, she reached out to cup his erection in her hand. "You're still wearing too.." she said, her last replaced with a gasp as he bent over and sucked her nipple into his mouth.
Knowing they would never have another night of firsts, Fitz took his time. He slowly touched and tasted every inch of her body, awakened areas that had never responded to another man's touch. He kept his eyes open, committing to memory every touch that heated her glistening skin, every gasp that parted her plump lips, and every movement that lifted her slim hips. He allowed himself a final moment to look at her body spread out before him, her caramel skin a rich, vibrant contrast to the white sheets. She was breathtaking, so consumed by her desire that she was stripped of any sexual inhibitions. His eyes fell to the engagement ring on her left hand and he was filled with hope. Olivia wasn't his, not yet, but in this moment it felt like a real possibility.
Through half-closed eyes, she watched him watching her. His lip twitched as if he wanted to say something, but he remained silent. Emboldened by the hunger that flared in his eyes, she challenged him. "Say it. Whatever it is you're thinking, say it. I'm in no position to judge," she said, rubbing her leg against his throbbing member.
"I was thinking about how I pictured you just like this when Esmeralda showed us to our room that first night. You're even sexier than I imagined," he said, lightly running his hands up and down her torso and legs.
Olivia shifted on the bed, a needy, tantalizing squirm. "You fantasized about me? Like this?" she asked, her voice so silky, she practically purred.
"Well, almost." She looked at him curiously, asking an unvoiced question. "You were restrained," he confessed, his handsome face flushing a little.
She turned her head to look at the two posts at the corners of the bed near her head before boldly returning her gaze to him. "Do you want to tie me up now?" she asked without a hint of hesitation in her words or shadow of doubt on her face.
Fitz nearly choked with surprise. The sexy little vixen in front of him was full of surprises. "Maybe next time," he said with a wink. "I don't think either of us has the patience for that right now," he said, dragging his finger along the soaked material covering her slit. Olivia released a strangled cry as her legs fell apart, wanting more, offering more.
Unable to wait another second, he fell between her legs, his face disappearing between her thighs. He placed an open-mouth kiss against her core, licking the length of her slit before sucking the moisture from the fabric. The combination of his warm breath and the pressure from his stiff tongue drove her wild, her hips tilting upwards trying to direct his attention. He chuckled at her impatience, sending vibrations through her center.
Olivia was drunk with lust. She needed him now.
"Fitz, please," she whined, "take them off."
"What, these?" he asked innocently, propping himself up on one arm so he could see her face as he ran his fingers along the edge of her thong. He dipped his fingers under the thin material finding her soft folds. He slid a finger along her slit before pressing first one, then two fingers inside her. "So fucking wet," he growled. "You've been thinking about us like this all day, haven't you?"
"All weekend," she panted, arching into his hand, pressing hard against him. Surprised by her words, he nearly came in his pants right there. Gathering himself, he rubbed his thumb along her clit, slowly pumping into her with his fingers. Her eyes rolled back pleasure when he added a third finger. Her channel was hot and wet, oh so wet for him, her walls tightening around and gripping his fingers as he moved in and out of her. If she felt this amazing on his fingers, he couldn't imagine how she'd feel wrapped around his cock.
"You like that?"
"Yes," she hissed, her body moving wildly against his hand, increasing his pace. He watched in fascination as her abdominal muscles clenched, the intensity of her building climax lifting her from the bed. "Please," she begged, clawing at the sheets. Whispering soft encouragements, he increased his speed and pressure taking her right to the edge. Then, suddenly and without warning, he stopped.
"Mother fucker," she screamed out in frustration her eyes snapping open.
"Naughty girl," he said, making a soft clicking noise with his tongue. "Not until I taste you." He lifted her hips from the bed with one arm, ripping her thong from her body with the other.
"You are a beast," she cried out.
"And you're loving every second of it," he replied as his mouth descended on her core.
She gasped his name, a tremor shooting through her body when his tongue finally made contact with her clit. He swept his tongue along her folds and plunged it deep inside her, tasting her as she flooded him. "Delicious," he murmured, lapping up her sweet nectar as it poured from her. In no rush, Fitz took his time pleasuring her, his broad tongue alternating between licking her folds, sucking her clit, and softly swirling over the sensitive nub. Her legs fell open, granting him fuller access to take possession of her. No longer able to think, only able to feel, she began to rock her hips, moving in tandem with his mouth. Fully under his command, a barrage of sensations overtook her, her body convulsing wildly as she felt the familiar heat of her climax building deep within her. "You are so fucking responsive," he moaned against her lips. "Not yet," he instructed before pulling away.
She whimpered softly at the loss of contact. Wanting to prolong her pleasure, he moved south, his tongue working between her folds. He wrapped one hand around her hip, holding her in place as he thrust his tongue into her repeatedly. Spasms wracked her tiny body as he worked her in a way no man ever had. Her legs clamped around his head as she simultaneously tried to pull him closer and push him away. He growled, latching on to her core, sucking at her lips while plunging his tongue into her, maintaining a devastating rhythm despite her erratic movements. She released a series of soft, almost feline, mewls as he flicked his tongue against her clit driving her closer and closer to orgasm.
Olivia's body shuddered and arched under his ministrations. Her fingers raked across his scalp and buried themselves in his hair, roughly tugging at his curls while she bit her lips to stifle her cry. "I want to hear you Livvie," he protested, sucking her clit into his mouth, sliding two fingers into her channel, curling them upward so he could reached the bundle of nerves tucked inside her.
"Oh. My. God," she moaned, loudly. "That feels so fucking good. Don't you even think about stopping," she cried out.
"Open your eyes. I want you looking at me when you come."
Olivia fought to open her eyes, but the pleasure he was giving her was too much. "I can't," she whined, throwing her head back in rapture.
"You can. Focus on me," he growled.
She pushed up from the bed and looked down at him, his head buried between her legs. His normally bright blue eyes were clouded with lust as he held her gaze and she had never felt more desired. She watched him as his tongue and fingers set a tireless pace pushing her closer and closer to completion. Her whole body was spamming uncontrollably, but she never broke eye contact, determined to give him what he wanted. "Come for me Livvie," he commanded, pulling her clit between her teeth. The emotional intensity and the physical sensations were too much and she screamed out his name as her orgasm slammed through her with a force that left her breathless. She collapsed on the bed, her eyes closed and her body boneless, physically overwhelmed as she rode the waves of her orgasm.
He crawled up her body, leaving a trail of open-mouthed kisses in his wake. "You are so beautiful when you come."
She opened her eyes and found him beaming at her smugly. "Someone's satisfied with himself."
"If you're not satisfied, I could do it again," he said, slithering back toward her core.
"No," she cried, scrambling to pull him up to her. He laughed, allowing her to pulling him to her for a kiss, letting her taste herself on his soft lips and tongue. He laid his head beside her on the pillows and watched her as she came down from her high.
As the afterglow of her orgasm began to ebb away, the reality of what she'd done, they'd done, washed over her. She felt exposed, her emotions raw, lying naked in bed beside a man that wasn't her husband. She was a terrible person, a cheater. She had betrayed the vows she'd held dear for more than a decade. Why would any man, including Fitz, want her now? Succumbing to her guilt, her eyes filled with tears and she was powerless to stop the sobs that quickly followed. Fitz reached out to comfort her, to assure her that everything was going to be okay, but she recoiled from his touch.
Moving away from her, he grabbed the blanket from the foot of the bed and covered her nakedness, careful not to touch her. In the back of his mind, he'd known it was possible she would react this way. It was why he didn't bury himself deep inside her the minute she achieved climax. They were moving too fast. She wasn't ready; hadn't thought through the decisions she was making. He thought he'd prepared himself for this outcome, but nothing he'd imagined compared to the sting of her rejection. When she'd surrendered herself to him, allowed him to control her pleasure, he'd experienced ecstasy unlike anything he'd ever known. How could he go back to the person he was now that he'd experienced what it felt like to belong to her?
She rolled away from him and curled into a ball under the blanket, embarrassed by her emotions, but unable to do anything about it. He eased away from her and off the bed. "Where are you going?" she asked weakly, not looking at him.
"I'm going to take a shower. Give you some space," he said. He paused to grab pajamas from the dresser, looking back at her to see if anything had changed. He struggled against his own emotions as he watched her small body become even smaller, slowly folding in on itself. As much as he longed to comfort her, he knew there was nothing he could do in this moment. His presence was the cause of her pain and the only solution was to remove himself. He entered the bathroom dejected, softly closing the door behind him.
When he exited the bathroom, he was surprised to find her standing in the middle of their bedroom. She had removed the extensions and styled her hair in a straight bob. She had scrubbed her face free of makeup and was wearing only his Yale lacrosse t-shirt. He didn't know what to make of her appearance. She looked like his Livvie, but the memory of her rejection was too fresh for him to trust it. He approached her cautiously.
She turned to him with sad eyes and a weak smile. "Hi."
"Hi," he said softly.
"I'm sorry," she said, her eyes not meeting his, nervously fidgeting with the hem of her shirt, "about before -"
"It's okay," he interrupted. "I understand."
"It wasn't you. You were perfect. I just…"
"You don't have to explain."
"But I left you…" she said shyly, her voice trailing off.
"It's okay," he said, resisting the urge to wrap her in his arms. "I took care of it," he said, with a light chuckle. "Are you okay?"
Olivia smiled, her eyes meeting his for the first time. "How many times have you asked me that today?"
"I'm sorry. Do you find it overbearing?"
"No, just the opposite. I feel safe, protected, and cared for."
He stepped forward, needing to connect with her, smoothing an errant strand. "I like your hair like this," he said, lifting her face to his. When she was able to hold his gaze, he said, "You can trust what you're feeling. You can trust me."
"I do trust you. I'm the one that's not trustworthy," she said, walking away from him.
"That's not true. I'm not some random guy. We gave into the very real feelings we have for each other."
"Is that supposed to make it better? An emotional betrayal is worse than a physical betrayal," she said, her vulnerability evident in her tone.
"Livvie," he called after her in a broken voice. When she didn't turn around he sat on the edge of the bed, burying his face in his hands. "What can I do? What do you need?"
She wanted him to hold her, to touch her, to make her forget about everything except for him. At the same time, she hated herself for wanting, needing him. She was disgusted by her weakness and ashamed of what she'd allowed him to do to her. It was easy to rationalize that in the heat of the moment she'd been unable to stop herself, but what was her excuse for craving his affection now that she was clear-headed?
Fitz watched her from across the room and knew he was losing her. Every passing second allowed her to add another brick to her defensive wall. He had to do something to get through to her before he was trapped on the wrong side of that wall forever. Deciding to act, he quickly crossed the room and wrapped her in his strong arms, exhaling a relieved breath when she melted into his embrace. He placed a kiss to the top of her head. "Don't shut me out," he pleaded. "Not tonight. Not after what we just shared." He turned her around in his arms, pulling her close, pressing his forehead to hers, looking deeply in her eyes. "Just give me tonight. Don't make any decisions right now. Give me tonight and, if it's what you want, I'll let you go in morning. We can pretend this, us, never happened."
Olivia held his gaze for what felt like an eternity before fusing her lips to his. The kiss was hungry and needy, her tongue flirting with his mouth, demanding a response. He held her face in his hands and kissed her, pouring all of his hurt, insecurity, longing, and deep affection into that kiss. This kiss was different from the ones they'd shared earlier in the night. This kiss wasn't about desire or consumption, it was about comfort and connection. It was their hearts and bodies communicating what they wouldn't, couldn't with words.
Olivia was the first to break their kiss. "I can't," she whispered against his lips.
"I know," he said, pecking her lips softly.
"Hold me?" she asked, grabbing his hands. He nodded, allowing her to lead him to bed. He snatched back the covers and she crawled in, pulling him in behind her. He buried his face in her hair, inhaling deeply and frowning, disappointed with himself. He'd lied to her for the first time. Despite what he said earlier, he did not intend to let her go. He would give her as much time and space as she needed to realize and accept what he already knew, but walking away from her was not an option. Not now that she was finally within reach. With that thought in mind, he wrapped her in his warm embrace and settled in behind her. There was much they needed to figure out, but nothing would be accomplished by obsessing about it tonight. Tonight, he would simply enjoy these quiet moments with her because he didn't know how long it would be before he could be with her again.
A/N: Well, that happened. The question now is where do they go from here. Do you agree with Olivia that her emotional connection to Fitz is a bigger betrayal than her sharing her body with him? Can she walk away from that connection without leaving him completely? Will Stephen's plans for Fitz alter their plan to "break-up" after this trip? How does Fitz navigate trying to push things forward in the context of Olivia's marriage? They have lots to figure out and only a day and a half (one chapter) before they return to Miami. As always, I'm eager to read your comments about your reaction to the chapter as well as your likes and dislikes.