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Enjoy,
TBOT
Fitz and Olivia continued to walk along the beach until they found an empty bench and took a seat. They sat in silence, watching the waves lapping lazily against the shore. After a few minutes, it was Olivia who broke the silence. Slowly, she started to speak.
"He was my first love. I started saying I was going to marry Garrett when we were in pre-school. The adults thought it was cute. Well, maybe not my parents. We had been in each other's lives before either of us could talk. Our families are close. It was always Liv and Garrett for as long as I can remember. By fifth grade, I knew I wanted to marry him. We became an unofficial couple in junior high school, you know, going to the mall, the movies, skating as a group. But my father wouldn't allow me to date until I was sixteen. And what he meant by dating was me seeing other boys and not Garrett exclusively. But it was too late. I believed I was totally in love with him."
Fitz put his arm around her and drew her closer to him. He smiled when she rested her head on his shoulder. He squeezed her, urging her to continue.
"I wanted to attend Spelman College in Atlanta because Garrett had been accepted to Morehouse. My parents insisted that I look at other schools because they felt it would make me more independent. They saw something I'd refused to see. Garrett and I were becoming inseparable, and my dad felt I was too young to be that serious about one boy. In the end Daddy was right. I went to Princeton and he went to Morehouse. We continued to date long distance. I knew he wasn't faithful, but I was so fixated, and in what I thought was love with him, that I didn't want anybody else. After graduation, we attended different law schools. By that time we, well he, decided that we should take a break."
Fitz was still trying to process everything she was telling him without interrupting her, which was hard because with each word she spoke, he felt his anger building.
"I moved back home to attend Georgetown Law and lived with my parents for three years. I even managed to actually date a few guys to appease them, but my heart was never in it. He was at Bolt doing his thing, but I still couldn't let him go. We were apart for about four years before finding our way back to one another. Again, he wasn't the perfect boyfriend but I was happy. Or so I thought. I should have followed my own instincts, heeded the warnings. But I didn't."
Because I was so susceptible to his charming manipulation, she thought.
"I tolerated a lot. I was too in love with him to notice the snide remarks about my hair, my clothes, my career and the other women. I alienated the few friends I had because of him. It was always about his wants and his needs. I don't like…I don't want…I don't think. Somewhere in the shuffle, I lost myself and I didn't even know it. I willingly surrendered my wants in order to please him and it became my downfall. He proposed at Sunday dinner, when he knew both our families would be together. By this time we were living together and people started to ask when we were going to get married. Everyone seemed so happy for us that day. Everyone but Daddy."
She turned to look at Fitz with a sad expression. "Lately he's been so overwhelmed with guilt. After everything that happened, he came to me to apologize. He knew a long time ago that our relationship wasn't going to last. That Garrett would probably hurt me, deeply. And he did."
"I thought me giving you room to make your own life choices-good or bad-was me giving you the chance to learn and mature, but now I see I should have spoken up. I should have told you to run instead."
Smiling again, she continued. "I'm a daddy's girl. My father and I are tuned in to one another, the way compatible souls are. I've always known when he likes something and when he doesn't. I know what a shift in his chair means or when he holds a smile a little too long. Of course he's always gracious, but many people mistake that for approval. Garrett's one of those people. Daddy tolerated him because of me and his father, Edison. He said that since he was a little boy he rarely did anything that didn't benefit him first and everyone else last. That he'd always been selfish. His best friend's son. When I looked at my father that Sunday, I saw his body shift in his chair. It said what he would never tell me himself, he didn't approve. However, despite all of the signs that a marriage between the two of us was doomed, I was still going to marry him. Even though he was a lousy boyfriend and an even worse fiancé."
Tears began to silently fall from her eyes. As cathartic as is felt to talk about what happened, it also brought to the surface all of the hurt and anger she'd suppressed.
He wanted to tell her that she didn't need to rake through the ashes of her previous relationship for him, but she obviously needed this, so he silently allowed her to continue.
"Your attentiveness and how I was beginning to feel about you scared me. I needed to get away from you and back to D.C. to reclaim my feelings for the ex. I thought I'd surprise him when I went home from the Vineyard early. I was the one surprised. Long story short, he called off the engagement, Raquel's pregnant and they're together. I went through all of the expected emotions, pain, humiliation, anger then took a month off. When I returned to work, the partners and I decided that I would ease back into my work and we'll revisit full partnership again next year."
She was quiet again. "I could get used to this," she said softly, her gaze taking in the waves lapping against the shore. "It's so pretty here."
Fitz nodded but said nothing, his own gaze focused on the woman sitting next to him. He had so many questions, but they could wait.
"They were a constant presence at all of the holiday parties I attended because we share mutual friends, so I decided I needed to get away from D.C…again. Stepping in for my colleague came along at the right time. I threw myself into my work. The team would invite me out, but I always declined. Brett caught me with my guard down, which is why I accepted his invitation to attend the basketball game."
He finally spoke. "If you hadn't accepted the invite, then I never would've known you were in L.A."
Tilting her head, she looked directly at him. "Would that have been so profound?"
He gave her a tender smile. "It would've been very profound." There was no response. She turned back to look at the water and begin to speak again.
"It's taken a while, but now I understand what my father meant when he insisted I date other guys. Committing to and knowing only one man so early stunted my growth emotionally. What I had with my ex wasn't love. He offered what I thought I wanted and needed over the years, things I could've easily gotten from another man. But I was blinded by my insecurities and immaturity. My only regret is that I wasted so many years with someone whose sole purpose was destroying me emotionally. He almost succeeded."
"But you did get out before he completely destroyed you." He kissed the top of her head. "Don't beat yourself up Liv, you're not alone when it comes to making bad choices in the love department."
She looked up at him. "Are you talking about yourself?"
Fitz nodded. "I had what I considered a serious relationship. We split once we realized we were wrong for each other."
She glanced at him before speaking. "Smart."
"And the offer still stands. I will go to D.C. and kick his ass."
She laughed. "You'll have to get behind Daddy, Cecily, Hayes and Harry."
Fitz turned and looked at her. "Do you hate him?
"No. Although there was a time I thought I couldn't live without him. Hate has a way of eating you up inside, and I don't want to walk around angry at the world. I'm now able to say that I'm grateful that this all happened before we got married and had children."
"So it's over?"
The smile on Olivia's face was genuine. "It's beyond over."
"What if I make sure it stays over?"
"Wha..what do you mean? Fitz I'm not ready for another relationship or anything that's too serious." And by serious she meant admissions of love that would lead to marriage.
"I know that Liv. We don't have to get serious. All I'm asking is that you find time in your busy schedule to maybe go to movie or a concert with me. I want us to have fun. A lot of fun."
"But I think you're ready for some fun." Cecily was right, yet again. "Is that a promise?"
Fitz looked down into the face of the woman who didn't realize the power she wielded over him. She was like a magnet pulling him in her direction. He'd met a lot of women, known some intimately, but none had affected him the way Olivia Pope did.
"I know you don't put much stock into any promises from men right now, but on this I can certainly follow through. We're going to have crazy fun together."
Olivia stared at him for a few seconds. She thought about what he'd asked and decided that Fitzgerald Grant was a good candidate to be Mr. Right Now.
"Okay," she said softly, "I'll go out with you."
He'd never had to work so hard to get a woman to go out with him but there was something about Olivia Pope that made it worth it. Removing his arm from around Olivia, Fitz sat up and reached into the breast pocket of jacket and handed Olivia his cell phone. "I'm going to need your cell number so I don't have to go through the hotel operator or wait for you to call."
Olivia took his phone and programmed her number. Smiling, she handed it back to him.
"I want to warn you about one thing, Fitzgerald Grant."
"What's that, Olivia Pope?"
She leaned closer. "I'll let you know when it stops being fun."
"What are you going to if it does?"
"Walk away and not look back."
Fitz stared at her in complete surprise. Olivia had issued a challenge and put the ball back into his court. He knew he needed to play hard or go home. Well going home wasn't an option. Not when he'd gotten Olivia to come out and play.
"Point taken."
Glancing at his watch, Fitz realized they'd been sitting for over an hour. "I think it's time we head back. She nodded, agreeing with him. He stood and reached out his hand to her. She took it and stood. Wrapping his arm around her waist, they strolled back to the restaurant to retrieve his car.
"I don't want to make any more mistakes in my life, Fitz," she said after a few minutes. She reached up and touched his cheek. He turned his face into her palm and kissed her open hand. "You've got to be patient with me."
"I'll be whatever I have to be, Liv. If it's what you want."
She let out a deep sigh. "It's not what I want, it's what I need. But it's a good start." She said, hope, fear and joy filling her chest.
"You won't regret it," he assured her.
"If I do, you'll be sorry I did," she warned him, before bumping her hip against his. She needed this moment of playfulness to regain her balance.
"You're on!" He kissed her cheek loudly to seal the deal.
X
Olivia stood alone at the large windows in the great room of Fitz's temporary residence high in the Hollywood Hills, enjoying the views of the Pacific Ocean and Catalina Island and nursing a glass of wine. They'd spent most of the morning and afternoon together and neither was ready for their time to end. So when Fitz invited her to his home, she happily accepted.
He'd given her a tour of the two level four bedroom home with its state of the art kitchen, formal dining room and great room, with a baby grand piano as its centerpiece, the maid's quarters and home theatre.
She'd walked over to the piano and ran her fingers across the keys.
"You play?"
Olivia nodded. "Yes. Cecily and I took lessons for years. My maternal great-grandmother, Carolyn, was the first person to teach us and after that we took lessons. She was a very talented pianist and singer. She could've easily been a concert pianist if she hadn't loved being a wife and mother."
She'd sat down and played 'Clair de Lune,' very softly commenting that it was one of her Grandma Carolyn's favorite pieces. He noted that she wasn't just a passable player, she was very skilled. When she finished playing he remarked on the fact and she shrugged off his praise.
He walked over, lifted her hand from the keys and touched the fingers to his lips. Helping her up from the bench, he took her hand in his and led her towards the stairs.
Their tour continued in the upstairs master suite, which was a showpiece with its magnificent views, glass walls, wraparound terrace, and dual bathrooms and closets.
Back downstairs, she couldn't stop staring at the 62 foot, heated infinity pool that extended over a cliff. She knew that if she spent any time at Fitz's home away from home, the pool was where she would spend most of it.
Olivia had asked why he'd leased the home instead of staying at a Grant property. He told her that he liked leasing a private residence for the privacy, obviously, and sometimes, depending on the city, he hosted dinner parties or other events and a private home was more conducive. He'd also told her that had he known that she was a guest at 12 Wilshire, he would've made an exception. Olivia had raved about the amenities at 12 Wilshire, and because she'd joined the team midway through the project, she was staying at a different hotel from the rest of her team. This granted her more privacy, away from prying eyes.
She was so lost in thought that she didn't hear Fitz when he walked up behind her. He wrapped his arms around her waist and she rested the back of her head against his shoulder, closing her eyes. It had been so long since she'd felt the peace she felt now that Olivia thought she was dreaming.
"This view is awesome."
He smiled. "That it is." Fitz was not talking about the view of the Hills. "You're welcome to come back and enjoy the view whenever you want."
"Have you taken the time to sit out on the deck and enjoy it?"
"No. But I plan to change that."
Looking at him over her shoulder, Olivia smiled. "How?"
"I want you to come for a sleepover. You can pick either of the upstairs bedrooms. And when you wake up, we'll have breakfast on the deck."
"You have it all figured out, don't you?"
"Wishful thinking."
Turning in his embrace, she set her glass on a nearby table before looking up at him and pressing a kiss to his throat. "You know you're spoiled."
"No, I'm not."
"Yes, you are," she said, her mouth inches from his. "You always get what you want."
"You're wrong, Liv. I don't always get what I want." I want you, he added silently.
Olivia leaned in closer, her breast pressed to his chest, her arms wrapped around his trim waist. "Okay," she said. "Maybe I should rephrase that. You get almost everything you want."
Fitz smiled. He lowered his head and buried his face in her curls. "True." He wrapped his arms loosely around her tiny waist. "You can't push up on me like this."
"I'm just hugging you. Can't I get a hug from my friend?"
Fitz knew if they continued to stand there with Olivia's breast pressed to his chest, if he continued to hold her, then he didn't think he would be able to control the growing in his loins. She was fully clothed, yet he was so fully aroused that he feared she would feel his erection.
"Liv, please, you're going to have to get off me before something happens."
It was too late. Something did happen when Olivia felt the solid bulge against her thigh. Dropping her arms, she took a backward step, her gaze locked with Fitz's. His breathing had quickened. Her body reacted to his arousal; breasts warm, panties wet, the flesh between her legs throbbing.
"What's wrong? I can't hug you?" she teased.
Before she could blink, he stepped closer and pulled her back into his arms. His mouth descended upon hers, taking her next breath, leaving her stunned and struggling to keep her balance.
Olivia's hands rose to his waist to grip his shirt as she tilted her head back and gave in to his kiss. She offered her tongue to him and he sucked the tip gently. Nice and slow. The motion pulled a deep moan from the back of her throat. He echoed her as he offered her his tongue for her to do the same. And she did. Their moans filled the air.
Olivia gasped hoarsely as Fitz kissed a trail from her lips, the corner of her mouth, her cheek and chin and on down her neck as his hands moved down her back where he cupped her backside and grinded his hardness against her. Her legs parted with the movement and he moaned deeply into her mouth.
Suddenly she tore herself from Fitz's embrace. Breathless from the kiss and thoroughly confused from the emotions he'd aroused, she turned away to try and gain her composure. Turning back she found him staring at her, hands at his side. His eyes deepened to the color of the ocean, his chest heaving.
Olivia's inexperience with men had left her totally unprepared for someone like Fitzgerald Grant. She was certain she could hold her own with him intellectually, but, unfortunately, she was still a bit green in matters of the heart. She was playing with fire.
"I"…She didn't know where to begin and apparently, neither did he, because he placed his fingers on her lips and shook his head. How could he not want to talk about what just happened.
Long seconds ticked by without either saying a word. Lowering his head, he kissed the side of her neck and whispered, "Do you want to stay for sleepover tonight?"
Olivia hesitated because she didn't want her time with Fitz to end, yet she knew that staying over would lead to things she wasn't ready for.
"Not tonight."
Resting his forehead against hers, Fitz knew he had to do something to diffuse the sexual tension that had filled the room. He lifted his head before kissing her and glancing at his watch. "Are you ready for an early dinner, darling?"
"You're not upset?"
He frowned. "Of course not. If you're not comfortable sleeping here, then that's something I have to accept. I'm a patient man, Liv," he stated, looking deep into her eyes. His meaning obvious.
She smiled as she raised her hand and stroked his jaw. "I'm grateful for that, Fitz," she said softly. "More than you will ever know."
Fitz covered her small hand with his much larger one, holding it in place against his cheek. "Some things are worth waiting for," he said before kissing the tip of her nose. "And you're more than worth the wait."
"Well," she said, "I hope you still have plenty of money left in your pockets, because I seem to have worked up an appetite."
Fitz let out a hearty laugh and pulled her into a hug before letting her go. He assisted her in putting on her jacket before she picked up her purse and they walked towards the front door. "Your appetite will be the downfall of this relationship, Liv." They both laughed.
X
It's been a beautiful day Olivia thought as she leaned back against the leather headrest, eyes closed, feeling the cool evening wind gently caressing her face. They were back in the Porsche as they made their way back to her hotel. They'd enjoyed an exquisite five course meal at Zola's, where Fitz knew the chef.
"How did you find this place? She whispered to Fitz when a smiling hostess walked towards them.
"A friend owns it." Fitz smiled at the young woman with neatly braided hair. "I have a reservation for two. The name is Fitzgerald Grant."
Picking up two menus, she turned to the very attractive couple. "Please follow me."
They were seated at a table not far from a gleaming black piano. They both smiled as if remembering her mini solo earlier.
"How often do you come here?" Olivia asked, as he seated her before taking the adjacent seat.
"Not often enough," answered a deep voice.
Her head popped up while Fitz came to his feet. She stared at the tall black man with a black bandana covering his head, chef's jacket and black pinstriped pants with Zola's and Deacon LaSalle, Executive Chef stitched on the jacket above his heart. Olivia smiled as Deacon pulled Fitz in for a brotherly hug. He released him and the two men began talking at once.
"I didn't know you were back from your visit with your family. How's everybody? Did you enjoy your visit?" Deacon said in one breath.
"Everybody fine. Yes, it was nice being back in New York," Fitz answered.
"How's Joie?" Fitz asked.
"She's great. We're having a birthday dinner for her next Saturday at our home, consider this your invitation." He winked at Olivia. "Aren't you going to introduce me to your beautiful lady?"
Fitz assisted Olivia to her feet. "Olivia, this is Deacon LaSalle, proprietor, chef and all-around good guy. Deacon, Olivia Pope."
Olivia extended her hand to the handsome man. "It's a pleasure meeting you, Deacon."
Deacon kissed the back of her hand. "No Olivia. It's my pleasure to meet you. And as I told your boyfriend, I expect you at my wife's birthday dinner next Saturday."
He apparently thought they were a couple.
"You guys can order on or off the menu." He pounded Fitz's shoulder. "We have that mac and cheese with truffle oil that you love so much on the menu tonight." Fitz laughed at his friend's comment. "I have to get back to the kitchen because we're down a chef tonight. I have your number, so I'll be in touch."
He turned to Olivia. "It was a pleasure meeting you, Miss Pope."
"You too Deacon, and it's Olivia."
Olivia sat down again. "So how do you know Mr. LaSalle?"
Fitz moved his chair until they were sitting side by side. "Deacon started with GNA around the same time as me, as an architect. We worked together on a several projects and became close friends. He married his college sweetheart and they moved to her hometown, Los Angeles. Deacon said that although he made a lot of money he hated it because his real passion was cooking. One day, he walked away from his six-figure salary, applied to culinary school to become a chef. He bought this place three years ago and now he's living out his dream."
Olivia looked at Fitz. "Are you living out your dream?"
He smiled. "I am." He knew she wasn't ready to hear how much she was a part of that dream, but in time he'd tell her.
Instead he picked up his menu and said, "Let's order."
X
They laughed and talked throughout dinner about everything from childhood memories to the state of world and current events. They discovered that they both loved old movies and had traveled to many of the same places. Olivia shared stories about her work while Fitz regaled her with stories about the buildings he designed and where in the different parts world they stood.
By the time they finished their three hour dinner, Olivia knew that she'd been waiting most of her life for Fitz, and that frightened her.
She'd declined his invitation for a nightcap and they made their way back to 12 Wilshire.
Fitz gently shook Olivia in an attempt to wake her. They were finally at her hotel. She'd fallen asleep when they encountered Saturday night L.A. traffic. He'd alternated between watching the slow-moving traffic with staring at the woman asleep next to him. She was soft and feminine but there was also an edge to her that hadn't been there a few months ago. He certainly understood why.
Olivia woke, disoriented, looking around her. "We're finally here."
"Yes we are."
Stretching and covering her mouth with a hand to smother a yawn, she closed her eyes. "I'm sorry about falling asleep on you." She wasn't about to tell him that he was the reason she didn't get any sleep last night.
Smiling, Fitz stepped out of the car when an attendant opened the door. He walked around to the passenger side and assisted Olivia out. His arm went around her waist as they walked across the lobby.
"Thank you for a wonderful day and an incredible dinner." Rising on her tiptoes, she kissed his cheek.
Fitz stared at her, committing everything about her face to memory. Resting a hand at the small of her back, he guided her toward the elevators, and stopped in front of one with a sign indicating floors 10-PH. "I'll walk you to your place."
"Don't be silly. I'll be okay." Olivia didn't understand Fitz's rationale for escorting her to her apartment. The penthouse floor was the most secure one in the hotel. He knew this. "I think you're being ridiculous."
"Please indulge me."
He took her hand. "I always make certain my date gets back home safely. I'm going to walk you to your door."
Olivia removed the card for elevator access, pressed the button and waited for the doors to open. She walked into the car and Fitz entered behind her and pulled her close to him. She inserted the card into the PH slot. The doors closed and the car rose silently. There were no words exchanged.
The elevator doors opened and Fitz stepped in front of Olivia and allowed her to exit first while he held the door. He waited while she took the card key out and slipped it into the slot. The light glowed green. Reaching over her head again, he held the door open for her.
She turned and leaned casually against the doorframe. Olivia stared at Fitz. There was something in his eyes that made her feel that she could be herself with him. "Thank you again for a wonderful day, Fitz."
"You made it wonderful, Olivia."
She smiled up at him. "Now, that's debatable, Fitz."
Cupping the back of her neck, he pulled her closer and placed his mouth on hers, swallowing her breath when her lips parted. Her arms came up in slow motion, circling his neck, holding him close.
Being in Fitz's embrace, his mouth on hers, felt so good, so right. She heard a moan and realized it had come from her. Olivia moaned again, this time in frustration. She wanted more, and the more was to sleep with him.
The kiss ended. Pulling back, Fitz stared at the brown doe eyes in a flawless honey brown face. He hadn't wanted the day to end, but knowing Olivia had agreed to go out with again placated him…for now.
"Good night, Liv. I'll call you tomorrow."
She smiled. "Good night."
She closed and locked the door; pressing her back against the solid surface, she slid down to the floor, her heart beating fast.
After a few minutes she stood, walked on wobbly legs over to the sofa without bumping into the coffee table and dropped down onto the soft suede sofa. I like him. I really like him! When she'd come to L.A. to complete a merger, never in her wildest dreams did she think she would see Fitzgerald Grant. Had fate brought them together again for a reason?
"When you get to L.A., find someone to take the edge off." Her sister's words came rushing back to her. "Well, Cis," she whispered, "Looks like I'm about to take the edge off."