Author's note: This chapter is set later that evening after Prime and Orianna part ways. Orianna arrives back at her apartment and Lennox is trying to cook a meal for a special occasion. Things don't go according to plan and OC tells Lennox about Optimus meeting her on the beach. Naturally, Lennox does not react well and he grows suspicious of Prime's intentions.

As always, thanks MM for your support. You know I'm going to pull at your heart and throw in my twists and turns... Just have to see where I take you and hopefully it will be worth it for you. 😊

Chapter 87: Surely Not...

Lennox P.O.V

The sound of keys jiggling in the lock gained my attention as I momentarily diverted my focus from the chicken breasts cooking on the stovetop. ''OC? S'that you?'' I yelled out as I flipped the contents of the pan over. The sound of the door closing and keys being unceremoniously dumped on the entrance table was the only reply. I licked my fingers and frowned. ''Babe?''

''Yeah! It's me.'' The disembodied voice sounded flat and tired. ''Sorry if I'm late.''

''I'm in the kitchen,'' I shouted back as I prodded the browning meat and moved to check on the vegetables as they boiled away.

A moment later, I noticed a flicker of movement out of the corner of my eye as the owner of the voice slunk around the corner. I raised my head to look at her, my eyes widening appreciatively at the site that greeted me. OC was leaning against the wall in that low-cut, navy blue one piece, her arms crossed over her chest. Suddenly breasts of a different kind had my full attention.

She arched a brow at me. ''Well,'' her voice took on a teasing tone. ''I don't normally come home to find you in here?'' She tilted her head, her tone dubious. ''What's going on?''

I smiled proudly at her as I waved my hand above the gastronomic delight I was whipping up. ''I'm being all domestic and stuff.'' I leaned against the benchtop, eyeing her carefully as she walked across the room towards me. ''Are you impressed?''

''Suitably, yes.'' She chuckled. ''If I had a gold star, I'd give you one.'' She came to stand before me and wrapped her arms around my neck, stepping on her tip toes to give me a quick kiss.

I sighed as I looked down at her and ran my hands along the curves of her body. ''MMM... I DO like these swimmers.'' I leaned down and nuzzled her neck as I cupped her arse and squeezed it appreciatively. ''I'd like to give you one.''

She burst out laughing as she smacked me playfully on the shoulder and I stepped back slightly, admiring her figure. ''Maybe I should just wear these all the time?''

I leaned forward, my eyes roaming lasciviously over her body. ''Or you could just go naked. Works for me too.'' My arm shot out and I pulled her towards me, silencing her startled gasp with a passionate kiss. I could feel my arousal building as her breasts pressed against me and she moaned into my kiss.

Sliding my hands under her bottom, I lifted her bodily off the ground and deposited her on the kitchen counter. I stepped up between her legs, my hands reaching up to grab fistfuls of her damp, tangled black and red locks. She smelled of the ocean, coconut, and her. I groaned.

OC laughed into my kiss and tried to push me off her. ''Hey!'' She wriggled back as she tapped me on the shoulder and pointed to the stovetop. ''The chicken's burning Casanova.''

''Shit!'' I immediately released her and spun around to try and salvage the dinner I had forgotten about. Removing the pan from the heat, I waved the tea towel above the smoking pan.

OC giggled as she slid down from the bench and ran a hand through her hair, fighting with the tangles. ''Don't worry babe. I hear charcoal's good for you.''

I growled angrily as I slammed the pan on the sink. ''Well! That's bloody ruined.'' I turned to look apologetically at her. ''I'm sorry babe. I was attempting to cook a delicious meal for us tonight, but it might just end up being toasted sandwiches.'' I felt stupid and annoyed with myself.

She shrugged her shoulders as she walked over to me and reached up to kiss me on the cheek and hug me. ''Oh well. Try it again another night, no biggie.'' She mumbled into my chest. ''Main thing is you tried.''

I sighed as I wrapped my arms around her and squeezed her tight. ''Well, another night won't be our six-month anniversary, will it?''

I felt her whole-body tense in my arms.

I raised a brow. ''You forgot, didn't you?'' I tried not to sound disappointed, but I'm not sure I succeeded.

OC stepped back from me, tucking some hair behind her ear, she smiled apologetically up at me from across the kitchen. ''Lennox, I'm sorry.'' She bit her lower lip for a moment as her eyes darted around the room, anywhere but on me. ''I mean, I remembered earlier today but then, I guess I was distracted and forgot.''

''Distracted?'' I asked her as I reached for the drawer with the sandwich press in it. ''By what?''

The awkward silence that hung between us set me on edge.

I placed the press on the bench and shut the drawer. Turning around, I leaned against the bench and folded my arms across my chest expectantly. OC had since busied herself grabbing bread and fixings to make a toasted sandwich. ''OC?'' I lowered my voice. And she froze. ''What exactly distracted you enough to forget our anniversary today?''

I watched as her shoulders rose and fell and she exhaled a breath, slowly turning to face me. Her eyes looked at the floor, sweeping left and right as she swallowed and rocked back and forth on the balls of her feet. ''Well I went to the beach this afternoon for a swim..''

''I know that,'' I stared at her levelly. ''You told me you were going to the beach and you'd be back later.'' I shifted on my feet. ''So, what happened between getting to the beach and coming back here that was apparently so distracting?'' I thought I knew the answer, but I needed to hear her say it.

She nodded her head and slowly lifted her eyes to look at me. She wrapped an arm around her waist as the fingers on her other hand tapped nervously against her thigh. ''Well, you see, while I was sunbaking, Optimus came to say hello..''

I closed my eyes as I exhaled deeply and loudly. /And there it is!/.

''Nothing happened!'' OC burst out as she whirled back around and busied herself with buttering bread. ''This is why I didn't want to say anything because I knew you'd overreact!''

''Yeah, well I kind of feel like I have a reason to sometimes OC. Seems like Prime's always there in the background...'' I fired back.

She threw a stony gaze over her shoulder at me. ''For fuck's sake Lennox! He just came to say hello and have a chat like we used to.''

I snorted derisively at her from across the kitchen. ''What? Like back when you were in love with him?'' I bit back scathingly. This was not going well.

She slammed the knife down and spun around, her face contorted in anger and pain as she glared at me. ''It's got NOTHING to do with that Lennox!'' She drew a sharp breath as her nostrils flared and her eyes began to glisten with tears. ''Anyway, you'll be happy to know. Olivia Winters has taken an interest in Optimus.''

I froze as the words tried to register. ''Hunh? Liv what?''

OC had taken a deep, steadying breath and raised her head towards the ceiling. Her face seemed to lose all emotion as she spoke once more. ''Liv made a pass at Prime and – he accepted.''

I felt my mouth hang open in shock and my eyes must have bulged out of their sockets as I ran a hand through my hair. /Optimus and Liv? WTF?/. I was shocked. Of all the things I thought OC might divulge to me about their private conversation this afternoon, that was the last thing I had expected. I took a small step towards her, my face scrunched up in disbelief. ''Are you serious? Prime? The Optimus Prime is actually interested in dating a human woman?''

OC snorted contemptuously as she closed her eyes tightly and bit her lower lip, nodding. ''Apparently.'' She exhaled loudly and turned back around, continuing to butter the slices of bread as if nothing had happened. ''He is now.'' Though her response was calm, I could hear the bitterness in her voice.

I walked over towards her slowly. I could see the tension in her frame as she stood against the bench. I knew, perhaps better than anyone, just how much Orianna had loved Optimus. How much she had been in love with him, had hoped he returned her love, only to be told most emphatically he did not and could not love a human woman like her. /Though from Orianna's comment just now, apparently it was just her he could not or would not love/.

It slowly dawned on me what that must have felt like for OC to hear Optimus say he was interested in another woman when he had rejected her less than a year ago. Suddenly, it didn't seem to matter why she was distracted and forgot our anniversary. She had reason enough.

I came to stand quietly behind her, resting my hands gently on her shoulders. She flinched, tensing even more until I squeezed them and leaned down to kiss her head. ''OC - I'm sorry.''

She paused momentarily in her movements, her shoulders hunching in as she seemed to be desperately holding in the pain, the anger, and the embarrassment she must be feeling. She shook her head giving a harsh chuckle. ''Why should you be sorry Lennox? You should be fucking ecstatic at the news.''

I forced back the snide remark and squeezed her shoulders more forcibly, urging her to turn around and face me. Which she did – reluctantly. I placed a finger under her chin and she looked away for a moment, the edges of her nostrils flaring and turning red as she took a shallow breath. She was on the brink of crying.

''OC? Look at me. Please.'' I spoke calmly and evenly to her and she blinked her eyes rapidly as she slowly raised her head towards me. Her eyes were glassy and red rimmed, and a terrible pain and guilt lurked within their umber depths. ''I AM sorry you had to hear such news. I know how..'' Her shoulders began to shake and she burst out in a loud sob, bringing her hand up to try and cover her mouth.

''I'm s.. sorry,'' she blubbered as her face crumpled and her walls tumbled down. She dissolved into tears. ''I d..don't k.. know… wh… why…I'm cry… crying.'' She heaved great sobs as she collapsed against my chest.

I pulled her to me and wrapped my arms around her, rocking her. ''Because you loved him.'' She sobbed loudly against my chest, burrowing in even more at my words, shaking her head as if trying to banish the memory. I kissed her head as I rubbed a hand over her back in soothing circles. ''And you feel hurt and angry and embarrassed and – you have every right to be.''

Orianna nodded her head slowly in agreement against my chest, sniffing. I felt her arms begin to squeeze me back as she returned my hug. Her shoulders rose and fell within my embrace as she took deep, calming breaths, her sobs stilling until she was standing quietly in my arms. ''Thanks Lennox.'' She looked up at me, smiling softly at me through watery eyes. ''Thanks for understanding.''

I smiled back at her and leaned down to kiss her forehead. Brushing my thumbs against her cheeks, I chuckled, ''Of course OC. However, I would be lying if I said I wasn't a little relieved to hear Optimus has his focus diverted elsewhere – away from you!'' She raised a brow at me, and I shrugged my shoulders. ''I admit it - I'm the jealous kind.''

OC laughed as she stepped back from my arms and swatted me on the shoulder. She wiped at her eyes and sniffed. ''Really? I would never have noticed!''

I smiled brightly at her taunt and moved back over to turn the sandwich press on. The tension in the room began to fade slightly as we both continued the mundane, necessary task of preparing dinner in silence. My stomach rumbled in grateful acknowledgement of the fact.

Moments later, we sat down at the table. I sent her a crooked smile as I raised a toasted ham, cheese and tomato toastie at her. ''Well, it's not a gourmet meal, but happy anniversary OC.''

She chuckled as she too raised her toastie in salute. ''Happy anniversary babe.'' Biting into her sandwich, she munched away happily. Inspecting her meal as she gave an appreciative groan. ''Besides, nothing wrong with a toastie. It's always tasty, quick, and easy..''

''Like me!'' I winked at her as I took another bite.

She rolled her eyes dramatically as she took another bite. OC smiled softly at me. ''And it's reliable and makes me feel good.''

''Ahh! Yes.'' I took another bite, polishing off the sandwich. I grinned mischievously at her as I wiped at the corner of my mouth. ''Also like me.''

OC reached out a hand across the table and I placed my hand in hers. ''Yes Lennox. Like you.''

I squeezed her hand before releasing it and reaching for another sandwich. We ate in companionable silence for a moment, each quietly mulling over our own thoughts when one of them got the better of me. I swallowed the last of my sandwich and pushed my plate to the side. ''So,'' I reached out and too a big swig of my glass of icy coke. OC eyed me patiently as she finished the last of her sandwich off. ''The thing I don't get about all of this, is how come Prime could pass up on someone like you and then seem happy enough to be with someone like Liv?''

OC shifted on her seat, exhaling around the last mouthful of her meal. I could tell she was agitated and uncomfortable, but she simply shrugged her shoulders as she reached for her Pepsi Max. ''Maybe he prefers blondes Lennox, who the fuck knows.'' She took a long sip of her drink as she moved to collect our plates.

My hand shot out to stop her. ''I got it!'' She smiled up at me gratefully as she settled back in her seat. The plates clanked in my hand as I carried them to the sink. ''I mean don't get me wrong, Olivia is a top chick and all that. Great soldier, good sense of humour, easy on the eye.''

''I hope you have a point other than making me feel pretty shit Lennox,'' OC called out sardonically from her position at the table.

I dropped the dishes in the sink and turned around to face her, leaning against the bench. ''What I mean to say OC, is that as good as she might seem to be, she's not you. I don't understand why Prime can't see that.''

OC looked away, seemingly embarrassed by my words.

''I mean, being totally selfish, I'm damn grateful he didn't,'' I sent her a small smile as I walked back towards her, extending a hand and inviting her to stand up. She took it and rose quietly to her feet before me. ''Call me biased..''

''You're biased,'' she interjected immediately even as she leaned forward to wrap her hands around my neck and hug me.

I scoffed as I kissed her head and pulled her close. ''You're so much better than she is in every way. It just doesn't make sense to me.''

I held her quietly for a moment as we both let the thought wash over us. After a moment, OC mumbled into my chest. ''Maybe he just isn't interested in a brattish, immature woman who has a tendency to over react?''

''Hmmm,'' I kissed the top of her head once more. ''Perhaps you are right. She can be a handful.''

OC's head snapped up. The corners of her mouth curved into disapproving scowl before she noticed the mischievous smile on my lips. Her expression changed and she sighed out loud raising a hand to pat my chest. ''Yeah. Best steer clear of her I say.'' The smallest of self-deprecating smiles played on her lips as she stepped back and began to walk away. ''Well, it doesn't matter anyway. I'm with you now. I have no claim on Prime. She grunted, ''He can do what, or whoever, he wants.''

She padded back past the table grabbing her towel off the floor and headed towards the bathroom, pausing in the hallway. OC shrugged her shoulders as her hand rested on the frame. ''I've moved on and I guess now he has too.''

I eyed her carefully. ''You sure about that?''

''About what?'' OC tilted her head in that very similar manner to Optimus when he was confused about something or sought further clarification.

''That you've both moved on?''

OC looked up at the ceiling, her fingers drumming on the wall. ''After tonight, Lennox, I'd say that's pretty damn obvious.'' Even though she hadn't quite answered the question, I felt myself relax slightly.

She tapped the wall twice before slinging her towel over her shoulder. ''The heart wants what the heart wants and Prime does not want me and I'm with YOU.'' She sent me a quick smile as she pushed off the wall. ''Anyway. I'm gonna take a nice long, hot shower.'' And with that she turned and disappeared down the hallway.

I turned back around to the sink. Picking up the plates and cutlery I began to rinse them before putting them in the small dishwasher. Though OC had put me somewhat at ease just now, a niggling feeling still tugged at me. /Something just doesn't feel right/.

''Why would Prime so openly and knowingly humiliate and hurt OC by telling her he is seeing Liv?'' I questioned the dishcloth as I wiped down the bench. For a moment anger bubbled away inside me and I seriously considered confronting Prime on his poor form. I exhaled loudly as I turned the dishwasher on. /Nah. Best to stay out of it - for now/.

I continued wiping down the bench, my mind ticking over the startling, and somewhat out of character revelation. '' I mean, how could he possibly think OC would not be upset to discover he was open to a romantic relationship with another woman when had denied one with her?''

/Unless that's what he wants../.

I froze, leaning heavily against the bench as I processed the unexpected and highly unlikely thought. As quickly as the idea flashed through my mind, I dismissed it. ''Surely not! Not Optimus. He may be many things, but deliberately manipulative and callous he was not.'' He was the Prime, a pillar of virtue and honour and he had always acted as such. He was above any kind of petty, under handed and deceitful tactics.

Yet, as I heard the shower turn on, I resolved to keep a close eye on Orianna and Prime's interactions over the coming days and weeks. My gut was telling me there was something out of place, something didn't make sense. I thought back all those months ago when I knew something was wrong with the way OC was acting and it turned out she had a crush on Prime. /My gut feelings were never wrong!/.

''Still,'' I wrung out the dishcloth and placed it beside the tap. ''There's a first time for everything.'' Heading towards the bathroom to join OC, I gave a protracted sigh. /I hoped this was just such an occasion/.