Chapter 10:
She lost count of how long they'd been kissing. Her hands had roamed his skin, slipped beneath his shirt and felt over the warmth of his back. She'd felt his touch against her stomach as the pads of his fingers grazed the hem of her pajama bottoms. It was a game they were playing, a dangerous one, seeing who would push the envelope just a little further.
Olivia pulled back, slightly breathless, her eyes heavy and dark with desire. "That was—" she was breathing hard, her heart pounding, trying to come up with the right words. Her mind was on Peter and words seemed to be failing her.
"Yeah, it was," Peter nodded completely understanding what she was feeling. He wanted to lean in again, take another taste of her lips, "I can't do this."
Olivia felt her heart sink, she put on the best poker face she could. "Do what? It was just a kiss." She pushed herself out of bed, suddenly pretending as though it was no big deal, that it meant nothing. Her face was red, a mix of embarrassment and anguish with what was transpiring. Her heart wanted one thing, her mind the same but Peter was now suddenly turning her down? She didn't want to face him or deal with the mix of emotions she was suddenly feeling. With her back to him, she quickly opened the dresser drawer, finding something quickly, anything to change into, to put more clothes on. Suddenly she felt naked wearing only her pajamas in front of him.
"Livia wait a sec," he grabbed her arm, pulling her towards him as he jumped off the bed chasing after her. "I don't want to sleep with you. I mean-I do but not like this." He watched her turn around, one eye arched as she was letting him explain. She didn't say anything but if he wasn't careful he knew he might actually get his ass kicked by a girl.
Olivia shook her head, trying to hide the pain from his earlier words, "like you said, you can't do this. It's—whatever," she gestured aimlessly. "I can forget about some stupid kiss." She wanted to hurt him like he'd inadvertently hurt her.
Peter sighed, "I really hope you don't mean that. I want to take you out. I want to wine and dine you. I want us to have a chance and I want you to be happy, Livia. You deserve a proper date. Not just me in your bed and this." He gestured, hoping that made his intentions clearer.
Olivia frowned¸ suddenly perplexed by his words. "Peter, are you asking me out?" She hadn't actually heard those words but she wanted to be clear. "I thought you told me I should try dating outside of work-meet someone online?" She briefly remembered an email she'd gotten from a potential date and even Peter telling her to go for it. Now she was confused. It wasn't that she didn't want to try with Peter, it was that he was giving her mixed signals. One minute he's telling her to go out with someone else, the next they're kissing.
"I know I said that-I also," he paused wondering how much he should tell her, "I think you should give me a shot." Peter gave her that charming smile as he rested a hand on her arm, his fingers gently grazing her skin, trying to coax her into agreeing with him. "I like you."
"I like you too," she smiled, "you know that."
Peter shook his head, "that's not what I meant, Livia and you know it." He watched her expression change, soften as she leaned slightly closer. As tempted as he was to kiss her again, he held back, wanting to make everything better—perfect if it was ever possible. "So?"
"So?" She shook her head, staring at him, confused.
"Are you going to let me take you out to dinner, on a real date?"
"Do I get to pick the place?" Olivia grinned stepping closer, her hand reaching out, tugging at the bottom of his shirt, her hands wanting to touch him but knowing she had to go slow. She wasn't even thinking as she played with the hem of his shirt, her fingers had a mind of their own. Her body was craving him. Already she missed his lips, the warmth of his touch from the simplest of kisses. "Are you sure you're serious about all this because I am a mess when it comes to relationships?"
Peter laughed his hands moving down her arms trying to calm her down. "You think I'm any better at all this?" He raised an eye, staring at her intensely, "I mean I just shared a bed with the most gorgeous of women and told her I didn't want to kiss her." He laughed, "I'm an idiot!"
Olivia smiled shaking her head, feeling herself relaxing beneath his touch. "You're not-you're just, trying to do the right thing." She guessed, giving him the benefit of the doubt. "Besides, I think its sweet you want to date me." Her lips moved to his ear, her breath a mere whisper sending a shiver down his spine as she spoke. "Of course it's too bad you want to wait because I was ready to give into your every desire." She couldn't stop herself from flirting with him.
Peter felt as though his mouth was dry and his tongue darted out suddenly licking it. "You are trying to kill me, aren't you?" He rasped watching as the smile spread across her face and she pulled further back.
"It's still early. We should put on that pot of coffee before we forget." Olivia smiled, changing the subject. Peter wasn't about to let her get away so easily. His fingers reached out, dancing over her hip and down her lower back, brushing against her skin as she walked by and he moved to follow her to the kitchen. The smile grew further on his face as he heard a slight moan elicited from the back of her throat.
"What's that-sweetheart?" He smirked proudly remembering how he'd called her that many months ago when they'd first met. At the time her eyes had flashed dark with anger. Now they were dark but for a different reason. He listened to her breathing, knowing she was turned on but didn't tease or taunt her for it. He'd let things go slow. He wanted to take her out, show her the town as he wanted her to realize he was in it for the long haul. Never in his life had he felt anything close to the connection he had with Olivia. She was the only one in this world that could make him stay in one place. She meant so much more to him than she realized.
A/N: Thanks for reading and supporting my writing! I've now writing full time and have published a novel Aberrant, a Young Adult Romantic Dystopian Adventure. Be sure to check it out at