Chapter 15

The limo drives through the black iron gates, circling around the cobble stone driveway before coming to a stop. The driver exits the vehicle and opens the door for Olivia. She steps out, her eyes widen at the massive beautiful brick home in front of her. She doesn't notice Fitz as he steps next to her, placing his hand on the small of her back. He takes her hand in his, kissing the back of her palm. Falling in step with his long strides, Olivia follows him to the front door. He enters a code on the keypad, pushing the door open, and steps to the side, allowing Olivia to enter first. He needs to see her expression. If it falters or she doesn't appear happy, he has another house waiting for them. The limo driver drags the suitcases across the white porcelain floors, stopping at the small elevator. The sound disturbs Fitz, causing him to take his attention away from Olivia. Glaring at the driver, he groans, "leave them."

The limo driver nods and scurries outside.

Olivia strolls in and out of each room, her face glowing with excitement. The house is big, probably too big for a weekend stay, but he has one goal in mind. To impress Olivia. A long glass oblong table is set for twelve in the dining room. Gold and white china accentuate the beautiful crystal chandelier hanging from the ceiling. The open concept allows Olivia to walk through each room seamlessly. She trails her hand across the black leather couch, it's the center focal point of the living room. Two gray chairs sit to the side with a small table adorned with a chess set. She wonders if Fitz knows how to play. She glances at him and he appears deep in thought, his blue eyes focusing on her, watching her every move. The television hangs above the white brick fireplace. The rest of the furniture is modern and expensive. Is this his home? Is this where he stays when he visits London. How many women have been here?" Her mind races as she walks to one of the long ceiling to floor windows, staring into the darkness. Thinking about Fitz with another woman makes her want to vomit. She swallows hard, coating her throat, keeping the bile that wants to come up in her stomach. Shaking her head, she tries to rid her mind of the negative thoughts. Moving inside the kitchen, it's pristine, white, except for the gold hardware.

He trails behind her like a lost puppy, his hands firmly tucked inside his pockets for fear of touching Olivia, distracting her. He should be sated from the two times they indulged in each other on the plane. His desire for Olivia is strong. Insurmountable. Unlike any other feeling he's had for a woman. Needing to be near her, he wraps his arms around her waist, bringing her flush against his hard body. His kiss on her neck is soft, gentle, "do you like it?"

Olivia turns in his arms, smiling, "I love it. I want to see the rest of it."

He lets out the breath he's been holding since walking through the front door, nodding he links his fingers with hers. He pushes open a pair of white French doors. Olivia halts her steps, staring at the crystal blue water bouncing off the rays from the sun. A memory of her winning the national swim championship jolts her mind, paralyzing her steps. Thoughts of Callie cheering her on, rush to take control and her legs feel like cement. She can't fall apart now, showing this side of herself will definitely make Fitz run. The perfect persona she's been showcasing will fade and he'll know her secret…she's broken. Controlling each breath, she looks back at him with a smile. He steps to her in an instant, brushing a loose curl behind her ear, "I was the captain of the swim team." She whispers, fighting back the tears.

A soft chuckle escapes him, "no way…really." Her demeanor is different, solemn, sad. He slides his hand down her cheek and notices her eyes have a glimmer of moisture. Olivia blinks and a tear drifts down her cheek. "Callie was my biggest cheerleader."

"I'm sorry, Liv."

"It's a beautiful pool. I would love to go for a swim."

"We don't have to." He pulls her in for a hug. "I can have the staff cover the doors."

She wraps her arms around his waist, melting into his touch. It's warm and inviting. Comforting. His cologne calms her. She relishes in the scent. Memories of Callie flood her mind, making her doubt her move to New York and miss home. The thought of leaving Fitz is too much to bear and tears begin to trickle down her cheeks. As if he knows her thoughts, he hugs her tighter, making circles on her back. He lets out a ragged breath, listening to her soft sobs. Fuck! He hates hearing a woman cry. He's immediately thrusted back into time, his mother wailing over his father's casket. He closes his eyes hard, willing the memory to leave. Olivia sniffles. "Liv." He pulls from the embrace, kissing her wet cheeks. "Tell me what to do."

"Make me forget." She looks up at him, her eyes soft, low, filled with pain.

He tilts her chin with his finger, "are you sure?"

"Yes…please." She begs, cupping his cheeks, sliding her hand to the base of his neck, crashing her lips on his. The kiss is rough. Demanding. He lets her take control, something he rarely gives up. Their tongues duel, circling each other with need. A moan escapes her lips as she fumbles with the buttons on his shirt. He gathers her in his arms, kicking the door with his foot, steadily moving them to the bedroom.

He places her feet on the ground before giving his first demand. "Take off your clothes." His voice is deep and raspy. "Get on the bed and spread your legs, I want to see all of you."

Olivia nods, removing each article of clothing, dropping it to the floor. He rolls up his sleeves. His white shirt is crisp, not a wrinkle in sight. Chills creep up her spine causing a shiver up her spine. Her brain is mush, the negative memories dissipating. Easing on the bed, she waits anxiously for him. He leans against the dresser, crossing his foot at his ankles. "Touch yourself."

Olivia blinks rapidly, unsure of her next move. She's no stranger to masturbating, but doing it in front of someone, especially Fitz, makes her nervous. Her eyes lock on his and he repeats his demand. Cupping her left breast, she slides her finger in between her legs, dipping it inside her core. She's not surprised by the slick feel of her pussy, it's dripping wet. Circling her clit, she dips her fingers in and out. Her pussy greedily sucking the digits.

"Fuck." Fitz curses, removing his shirt with force, then yanking off his pants. "Keep going, sweetheart." He drags his hand over his erection, sucking in a breath. The tip of his dick peeks above the waistband of his boxers, aching, leaking pre-cum. Her legs widen, dropping to the mattress as her fingers move rapidly around her clit. His dick twitches, begging to be inside her. He wants her to finish. Her back arches off the bed as soft moans release into the atmosphere. Two long strides and he's in front of her, pushing her hands away, pressing his mouth to her center, licking, sucking, holding him against her core. "Fuck…Fuck…Fuck!" Olivia cries out, riding out another powerful "Don't stop…please." She whispers, begging him to keep going. He sends her body into a cascade of orgasms. Closing her legs from the onslaught of his tongue, her body is weak, sated. His cerulean blue eyes are now a dark gray, filled with desire. He unzips his suitcase with vigor, tossing around the clothes, looking for the box of condoms. In no time, he's covered with the barrier, moving toward Olivia like a hungry lion. "Turn around." He sucks in her nipple with a deep growl. Olivia quickly turns around, propping her ass in the air, resting her cheek against the mattress. He rubs his dick up and down her center, teasing her with light presses and retreats. Olivia pants, pushing back against him. Unable to resist any longer, he slides home, moving rhythmically as her walls adjust to his size.

"Yessssss." Olivia purrs.

Every cell in her body awakens and her orgasm takes her by surprise. The sound of flesh upon flesh echoes throughout the room. Their sex is raw. Mind-blowing. Everything she needs right now. Fitz slows his movements, pressing kisses down her spine. His dick jerks and he stops, dropping his eyes to his dick as it twitches, emptying his seed inside the condom. "Fuck." He curses, as his dick continues to convulse. It seems to go on forever. Her core throbs with each jerk and she feels another orgasm peaking. He lifts her to him, still embedded deeply inside her. She leans back kissing him. "I want to forget too." He mumbles through the kiss.

X

The sun shines brightly on her cocoa brown skin, making it glow. Smiling, she watches as his arms rise in and out of the pool. His form is perfect for an amateur swimmer. Submerging in the water, she sinks to the bottom of the pool, holding her breath. When her lungs begin to hurt, she swims up to the surface, moving gracefully across the water. Fitz motions for her to join him by the steps. He hands her a glass filled with lemonade. The cool drink slides down her throat, "this is good."

"Lavender lemonade." He smiles, dropping his aviator sunglasses over his eyes. Olivia looked away, blushing. His sex appeal is undeniable. She understands the infatuation women have for him. She glances back at him, placing her glass on the small silver tray. "Is this your home?"

"It could be ours." He responds, sitting on the step next to her. "I rented it for our visit."

"Do you stay here when you visit?" She sprinkles droplets of water over her body.

He swallows hard, unsure how to answer the question. He could tell her the truth or lie. Either way, it will damage her thoughts of him. His home in London is sordid with the sexual proclivities of him and Victoria. He sighs, grateful for the shield of his sunglasses so she can't see the disgust in his eyes, "I have a home in London."

"Why didn't we stay there?"

"This was a better choice for us." He answers matter of fact.

"Is something wrong with your house?" She's pushing him for an answer because he's stalling and not telling her the truth.

His frustration builds. He runs his hands through his curls, "Olivia I'd rather not have this discussion right now." She crosses her hands in front of her chest, refusing to look at him. He changes the subject. "I've invited my friends over this evening for dinner."

Silence. Olivia turns her head, facing him, "I'm not sure if I'm up for guests."

"Olivia." He exhales.

She stands, stepping out the pool.

"It's where I fucked Victoria." He snaps, harshly. Hating the words, the minute they leave his mouth. If she didn't push him for an answer, he would have had time to word it differently.

Olivia lowers her sunglasses, locking her eyes with his. "Sell it or burn it down."

His mouth is agape as he watches her walk inside the house.

X

"Press the bell again." Natasha chimes, shifting from one foot to the other. "I have to pee."

Chase raps his knuckles on the door. "I already pressed it three times, Tash. More than that is borderline crazy."

Drew pushes Chase to the side, banging on the door. "Fitzgerald is fucking what's her name. He isn't going to hear the door. Where are the staff?" He glances at Mellie who is vigorously texting on her phone. "Mels isn't this your department?"

Mellie rolls her eyes, "I don't control every waking moment of Fitzgerald's life."

Natasha leans against the door, placing her purse under her arm. "This is a Christian Dior dress. I'm fucked if I pee on myself."

Mellie laughs loudly, dialing on her phone. It rings several times. She presses the speaker button when Fitz answers. His voice is husky, deep, "One…five…two…four." Chase enters the number and he pushes the door open. They file inside. Natasha scurries through the home searching for the bathroom.

Food is warming in several chafing dishes on the white marble counter. Drew takes a carrot and dips it in a small white bowl, covering it in ranch dressing, popping it in his mouth. Natasha returns plopping on the couch next to Chase. "Where is Fitz?"

"Right here?" Fitz chimes, strolling to Chase, slapping his hand before bringing him in for a hug. "Ready for the big day?"

"Ready as ever. Hopefully I'll survive the bachelor party tomorrow." Chase responds, glancing at Drew.

Drew laughs before extending his hand bringing Fitz in for a hug. "It'll be subtle, maybe PG rating."

Natasha lightly punches Drew in the arm. "Bullshit, Drew. You can't be trusted. I don't know why Chase didn't ask Fitz to plan it."

"Chase knew it would be a snooze fest."

Fitz glances down the hallway when he hears the click of heels on the porcelain floor. His eyes roam up and down Olivia's body. Meeting her halfway down the hall, he gathers her in his arms, "you look amazing." She's wearing a short, sultry, black dress with a plunging neckline. He steps back as she twirls, smiling bright, "thank you." In two quick strides he has her pinned up against the wall. "We should go back upstairs."

"We have guests." Olivia grins.

He nuzzles his head at the side of her neck, sucking on her flesh. "You make me want to never leave the bedroom."

Olivia chuckles. "There is such a thing as too much sex, Fitz." She steps out of his embrace, walking down the hallway. He watches her hips sway with every step. Moments ago, those same hips made him come so hard, he nearly blacked out. His dick swells, aching, at the thought. Never has a woman captivated his thoughts or his life. The wall around his heart is slowly falling down. He shakes his head strolling inside the living room. He's at her side, placing his arm around the small of her back, "meet my friends, Chase, Drew and Natasha. You know Mellie."

"Hi everyone." Olivia smiles.

Drew steps forward, taking her hand in his, kissing the back of her palm. "Drew, jack of all trades, master of none." He chuckles releasing her hand. "Beauty personified." He pats Fitz on the back. "You did good."

"Chase. Wonderful to finally meet you. This is my fiancé, Natasha." Chase shakes Olivia's hand.

Natasha opens her arms hugging Olivia. "I'm a hugger."

"Oh…ok." Olivia steps out of the embrace.

"Where's the staff?" Mellie asks, walking inside the kitchen. "I'm sure Rebekah hired them when she rented the house."

Olivia glanced at Fitz, unaware Rebekah had chosen the house.

"I picked the house, Mellie. I'm capable." He pours scotch inside three glasses. Handing a glass to Chase and Drew. "The staff was sent home."

"Why?" Drew smirks, clinking his glass with Fitz.

Olivia blushes, looking at Fitz. "We were busy."

"Fucking around the whole damn house." Drew picks up a plate, opening one of the chafing dishes. "Meatballs…my favorite."

Mellie chimes, rolling her eyes. "Drew have some decency." She grabs a plate, scooping the fettucine alfredo on her plate. "Olivia ignore him."

"Why do you give me such a hard time Mellie?" Drew sucks in the meatball on his fork, swirling it around his mouth, seductively.

Mellie smirks, "you know why Drew."

Drew walks to Mellie and whispers in her ear. She steps away with a huff.

"Ya'll should just fuck already." Chase bellows, looking at Drew.

"She can't handle me." Drew chuckles.

Fitz shakes his head, picking up a carrot from his plate, biting into it. "Sweetheart do you need anything?"

"No, I'm fine." Olivia answers.

"We're going outside to play poker."

Olivia nods.

X

Fitz slaps a card on the table, chuckling. "Looks like I'm about to be five thousand dollars richer."

"Not on my watch." Drew tosses a card in the center pile.

"Fuck, I'm out." Chase turns over his cards on the table, lighting the end of his cigar.

Fitz takes a drag from his cigar, blowing smoke in the air. "Drew I need you to keep an eye on Victoria when Chase is on his honeymoon."

"I'm not your babysitter." Drew states, tossing several blue chips in the center of the table. "Raise." He glares at Fitz, sitting back in his chair.

"I have to do something drastic in the next few days and Victoria is going to explode."

"What do you have to do?" Chase asks, blowing smoke in the air.

"Sell the townhouse." Fitz answers.

Drew chuckles. "You're fucked."

"Prepare for a tsunami." Chase laughed, coughing as he takes another drag from his cigar. "What about the dog?"

"She can keep the fucking dog. It was a gift." Lighting his cigar, Fitz brings it to his lips taking a slow drag, blowing the smoke in the air. He tosses five blue chips representing one hundred dollars each in the center of the table. "Raise."

Drew shakes his head. "You're fucking whipped, dude." Drew lays his cards on the table. "Four of a kind."

Fitz drops his cards on the table with a smirk, "royal flush." Give me my fucking money."

Reaching in his pocket, Drew tosses several hundred-dollar bills on the table. "I'll keep an eye on Victoria only because I'm bored and I need a new challenge. I think you're making a huge mistake giving up your lifestyle for one woman."

"Thank you." Fitz nods. "She's off limits, Drew."

Drew chuckles. "Why? You're with Olivia. You shouldn't care if I fuck her."

Fitz stands with force, rocking the table back and forth. Chase stands, moving close to Fitz, pushing him back. "Drew, you know the bro code. We don't fuck each other's women no matter the circumstances."

Drew guzzles the remainder of the brown liquid inside his glass, standing, his eyes piercing through Fitz. "If you were over Victoria, you wouldn't give a shit what I do. I just proved my point." He turns walking toward the door. "I need to take a piss."

"Fuck you, Drew." Fitz murmurs.

Drew throws up his hands, glancing back at Fitz with a smirk. "I won't touch her."

X

"From the looks of it, things must be going well between you and Fitzgerald." Mellie takes a sip from her champagne flute.

Natasha digs her fork inside the salad on her plate, crunching the lettuce between her teeth. "We want the gossip."

Mellie is intimidating and Olivia doesn't know if she's asking a question or making a statement. She stays quiet.

Mellie rolls her eyes at Natasha. "I don't need gossip, Tash. I want facts. Fitz being in a relationship is a good thing for his image and the company. The board is tired of his philandering ways. I know I am."

Natasha sucks her teeth. "Does everything have to be about Grant Industries, Mellie…Damn!" Natasha sets her plate on the glass table in front of her. "Is Fitzgerald romantic? Does he treat you nice? Out of the three of them, Fitz seems like the guy you get at the end of one of those romantic movies."

Olivia chuckles. "He's romantic but can be intense too."

"I bet you he brings some of that intensity into the bedroom." Natasha smiles at Olivia.

"For fucks sake Natasha, I don't want to know what Fitzgerald does in his private life." Mellie faces Olivia. "Has he talked to you about introducing you as his girlfriend?"

"We've talked about it but, he wants to wait." Olivia answers nervously. She picks up her glass of champagne and takes a few sips.

Mellie drains her glass of champagne and pours more from the bottle. "Do you know how long he plans on waiting?"

"No." Olivia answers.

Mellie eases back on the couch. "I can control the narrative if he makes a statement."

Natasha chuckles. "You can control the narrative but not the women he fucked. They will be eager to throw him under the bus."

"Fitz has been smart in his endeavors. They've all signed NDA's. If they breech their contract there will be hell to pay. And they know it."

"I didn't sign one." Olivia admits.

"Did you sleep with him?" Mellie asks.

Olivia is silent, blushing.

"This conversation just got interesting." Natasha crosses one leg over the other.

"How so?" Olivia asks.

Mellie smiles. "It means he never considered you a one-night stand or a quick piece of ass."

Olivia drains her glass.

The door slams open and Drew mumbles while walking to the bathroom.

"Drew." Natasha whispers, holding her finger to her lips, silencing Mellie.

Olivia's phone vibrates on the glass table. The name MOM flashes across the screen. She hasn't talked to her mother since leaving for London. "I need to take this." Olivia lifts her phone from the table and walks inside the kitchen. "Hi mom, everything ok?"

"Livvie, I haven't heard from you." Maya states firmly.

"Remember, I'm on a business trip."

"I remember but I'm sure you have some free time. Why haven't you called me?"

"The time difference. I'm in London." Olivia removes the phone from her ear and huffs. "I'm fine, mom. How's dad?"

"Good. Business is picking up with the bed and breakfast."

"That's amazing."

"Edison called. He invited me and your father to his concert."

"In New York?" Olivia grips the edge of the counter, taking in a deep breath.

"Yes. He's rented one of those luxurious buses. Most of the people from the town are going."

"Mom, I thought you hated the big city."

"Pat and her husband are going. I figured it would be a nice trip."

Her throat tightens and she feels like her oxygen is being cut off. Olivia grips the counter tighter. "Momma…I don't…think…" Her breathing is ragged, shallow. She can't take in enough breaths even if she tried. Her mother's voice is faint. Her heart pounds in her chest. The loud thump echoing in her ears. As much as she tries to fight it, she knows what's happening. A panic attack. It's the same feeling she had when she found out her sister was killed in a car accident. She hears loud footsteps and she can't make out who they belong to.

"Olivia you don't look good. Are you ok?" Drew rounds the corner, moving toward her.

She wants to cry out for help but can't.

"Oh shit…FITZGERALD!" Drew yells, catching Olivia in his arms.

Everything around Olivia goes black.