Chapter 4
Olivia sauntered through the door, waving at Abby. Pausing at her desk, her eyes widened at the huge glass vase filled with colorful tulips.
"They came this morning." Abby met her at her desk, leaning over the vase, smelling one of the pink tulips.
Olivia placed her purse in the drawer. "Did they come with a card?"
"Let's see." Abby turned the vase around and lifted the card from the clear pick inside the vase.
Olivia quickly snatched the card from Abby's hand before she could read it. Abby smirked and walked toward her desk, answering the phone. Olivia took a deep breath and eased in her chair, flipping over the card.
Thinking of you.
F.
Her mouth formed a broad smile and her heart fluttered. Olivia pushed the vase toward the back of her desk, admiring the colorful arrangement. He did good. Tulips was one of her favorite flowers. She ran her thumb over the card. It was handwritten. Did he go to the flower shop and pick them out? Olivia shook her head. He probably had people for that. She turned on her computer and started working. The phone on her desk rung, knocking her out of her trance. "Hello, Destiny Advertising agency, Olivia Pope speaking."
"Do you like the flowers?" His deep voice echoed over the phone.
"Mr. Grant." Olivia eased her chair closer to the desk, whispering.
"My lawyer calls me Mr. Grant. Fitz is fine."
"The flowers are lovely. Thank you." Olivia responded.
"I'm glad you like them."
Silence.
Olivia twirled the end of the phone cord, nervously speaking. "Did you sign the card or do you have people for that?" She had to know if the flowers were an intimate gesture or something he normally does for women.
"I went to the florist this morning. It's my signature." He chuckled.
"Oh." Olivia took a deep breath. He was wearing her down. "Is there anything else you need?" She asked, gripping the phone tighter.
"No. I wanted to hear your voice. I'll let you get back to work." He clicked the phone without another word.
She let out a breath and tossed the small card inside her purse.
"Morning." Josh walked past Olivia's cubicle in a rush, stopping when he spotted the colorful flowers. "Someone got lucky last night. Those are not your typical congrats on your new job flowers."
Olivia giggled. "Whatever, Josh. They're just flowers"
"I want details Pope. Don't hold out on me either." He plopped in his chair and rolled to her cubicle.
Olivia sighed. "There are no details, Josh."
"Morning sunshine. It's a great day to be alive." Mona cheerfully twirled in her hot pink skirt and black blouse. She took a few sips from her glittered coffee mug.
Olivia chuckled. "Morning Mona."
"I love a good tulip. These are gorgeous." Mona sniffed the purple tulip before walking to her desk.
Needing a break from her work, Olivia went to fill her mug up with hot water for her afternoon tea. Josh joined her in the conference room in search of coffee. Olivia discovered Josh was funny and indeed a serial dater. He boasted about the number of women he'd slept with in a week. He didn't believe in monogamy. Olivia rounded the corner, laughing at something Josh had told her. Her heart pounded in her chest when she spotted Fitz standing at Abby's desk. Her feet were firmly planted and she found it hard to move.
"Holy shit, Pope, Grant is down here. Is he here for you or Brian?" Josh stopped in front of his cubicle. "He never comes down here."
Olivia shrugged. "I don't know."
"Did you fuck up on the ad?" Josh inquired, hovering at her desk. "You're fired if you did." He chuckled.
"No. I thought everything was fine." Olivia knew Fitz was there to see her. He'd asked her to lunch and she never answered his request.
His stride was sexy, poised. He was picture perfect in a gray suit. His movements were slow. Sexy. Fierce. He leaned against the side of her cubicle, smiling. "Hi."
Olivia placed her mug on the desk. "Mr. Grant…Um, I mean Fitz. What are you doing here?"
"Lunch?" It wasn't a question, more of a statement.
Olivia looked around, hoping Brian wouldn't come out of his office. "I never confirmed that I would go."
Brian turned the corner, stopping at Olivia's desk. "Mr. Grant. How are you?" He extended his hand. "Did you need to speak to me?"
"No, I'm here for Olivia. We have a lunch meeting."
Olivia looked at Brian, then at Fitz. She cursed under her breath.
"Hmmm…I didn't see a meeting on the office calendar." Brian stated, looking sternly at Olivia.
"It just came up. I'm sure you don't mind, Brian." Fitz stated.
Olivia felt like she was in the lion's den. Two alpha males fighting over their prey. "Olivia, in the future, please make sure all meetings are on the calendar." Brian nodded, walking away from her desk.
"Ready?" Fitz smiled, offering her his hand.
She snickered and swung her purse over her shoulder.
"Have fun, Liv." Josh chuckled.
Once the elevator doors closed, Fitz inserted a small key allowing the elevator to skip floors and stop only on his floor. Olivia stood silent the entire ride. His assistant waited at the entrance of with a small stack of papers. Fitz put up a finger, signaling he needed a minute before discussing work. He placed his hand on the lower part of Olivia's back, ushering her toward his office.
Fitz let out a breath and walked over to the small round table draped in a white linen table cloth. He called in a favor to his private chef. He knew how to impress a woman. He lifted the silver domes off the two plates. "I kept it simple. Do you like burgers and fries?"
Olivia crossed her arms in front of her chest, standing next to the door. "Are you always this forceful when you want something?"
He placed the silver domes back on the trays and sighed. "I always go after what I want. No matter how difficult it is."
Olivia snickered. "Downstairs was uncalled for. I could lose my job."
"The vodka account is yours. I came to tell you. Brian will receive an email from me later today." Fitz stated.
"If you're giving me the ad because you want something from me, I can't accept your offer."
"I'm not that type of man, Olivia. Brian has presented to my company in the past. He's never given me anything of substance…until now. You blew me away with your presentation. Your passionate about your work. Brian's ideas were old and outdated. For the record, I would never give a woman a job because I wanted to sleep with her."
Olivia lowered her eyes and stared at her feet. "What else do you want from me?"
"You." He answered, firmly.
Olivia chuckled. "You barely know me. I'm sure you just want another notch in your belt."
"What are you implying?" He stuffed his hands in his pockets, crossing his legs at his ankles.
Olivia walked closer to him. She could smell him and he smelled good. She'd never been this aroused in her life. "You want to fuck me, Mr. Grant." He took a few steps back and ran his fingers through his thick sandy curls. His dick twitched and he cleared his throat. "You're worth more than a quick fuck, Olivia." He stated, huskily.
Stunned by his words, she walked over to the table. Her hands shook as she lifted the silver dome from the plate. "If I say no, what happens? Do I lose the ad?"
"You won't say no because you feel the same way I do. The ad is yours regardless."
He was right. There was something electric between them. "I don't have a long lunch break. Isn't that why I'm here?" Olivia stated.
He lifted the silver dome from his plate and started to eat. Needing a distraction.
Olivia wiped the side of her mouth with the white dinner napkin. "I have to actually like the person before I can get naked and sweaty."
He smiled. "I don't have time to date."
"Let me guess you don't have to try very hard to get a woman in bed, do you?"
Fitz pushed his tray aside. "Are you attracted to me?"
Olivia leaned forward. "I'm sure most women are."
"I don't give a shit about most women. I want to know what you think."
Olivia reached across the table and wiped ketchup from the corner of his mouth. She tossed the napkin on his plate. "Yes, I'm attracted to you, but I'm not interested in dating or having a friend with benefits. Thank you for lunch."
He followed her to the door and stood behind her. Keeping a small distance between them, he resisted the urge to pull her against his hard body. "There is something more than attraction between us, Olivia. I have this strong…desire to be next to you. When I look at you, when I touch you, something happens to me. I get all twisted up on the inside and it suddenly becomes imperative that I be near you. I need to know if you feel it to?"
Olivia could hardly breathe or think. His closeness warped her senses. "Yes…Yes…I feel it."
His lips brushed against hers. "What are your terms, Olivia? What will it take to get you beneath me?"
"Mr. Grant." Olivia whimpered into his mouth.
"Please call me Fitz."
"Fitz. I'm not a business transaction. If you want me, earn me."
"With pleasure, sweetheart. I always get what I want."
"We'll discuss. I have to get back to work." She turned the knob and left, briskly walking through the office. She glanced back before turning the corner to exit. He was still standing in the doorway of his office, watching her. He returned to his desk, placing his hands behind his head, licking his lips. Let the games begin. A text message popped up on his phone.
Casey: Dinner tonight? I miss you.
Fitz: I'm out of town.
Fitz dialed Huck's phone number. He answered on the first ring. "Boss."
"I need a new phone." His focus was on Olivia. All other distractions needed to cease. He adored women and had plenty to choose from to meet his needs. Olivia was a drug running through his veins that he couldn't resist. He wanted her. Needed her.
"Is there a problem with your phone?" Huck asked.
"I need some numbers deleted immediately. I'll send over the list."
"Will do."
X
It was Friday. Olivia twirled in front of the full-length mirror admiring the black dress she'd chosen to wear to the club. It hugged her curves and her cleavage was on full display. She splashed perfume on her neck and grabbed her black purse from the bed. She walked through the lobby and smiled at the doorman before exiting the building. Turner opened the door of the black stretch limo. Olivia nodded and stepped inside. She sighed looking at her phone. Josh just sent her a picture of him and Abby doing shots at his apartment before they left for the club. She'd declined his invitation because she didn't want to have to explain her family situation. Turner. Or the fact that she was riding in a limo.
The limo stopped in front of the club and Olivia pushed the door open. Turner rushed to the door. "Wait for me to open the door next time." Another man appeared from the side and slid inside the limo and drove off. It was seamless. Turner held up his wrist and spoke into the black watch on his wrist. He followed Olivia inside and moved to the side as she walked to her coworkers. Disappearing from sight, but watching her every move.
Colorful lights flickered while the music blared through the speakers. Olivia was in another world. The women wore expensive dresses, heals, jewelry draped from head to toe. The men were polished and rich looking. Some alone, using the club as a ground for pickup and an easy lay. She sucked in a breath and tapped Abby on the shoulder.
Abby turned and hugged Olivia. "You made it. I thought you were going to stand us up."
"I couldn't figure out what to wear." Olivia smiled, twirling in her black dress.
"Looks like you nailed it." Josh groaned.
"Eyes off her tits." Abby stated, pushing Josh on the cheek, turning his head. "We were about to get our second round of drinks. What do you want?"
"Red wine." Olivia answered.
Mona laughed. "Olivia this is a club not a lounge. Get something spicy."
"Josh get her a sex on the beach." Abby pushed Josh toward the bar.
"This is a nice club, Abby. Do you come here often?" Olivia asked, looking around the club. The dance floor was like a stadium with the bar in the center and the dance floor surrounding it on all sides. Beyond the dance floor was the VIP section.
"Not really. A bunch of rich snobs come here. Josh got us in tonight. He's here to see some chick he's banging."
"Oh."
Josh returned with their drinks. Olivia sipped hers and grimaced. It was more alcohol than ice.
"How is it?" Abby asked, sipping on the tiny red straw.
"Strong as hell." Olivia answered.
Mona laughed. "Welcome to New York."
The pace of the music picked up. Olivia swayed her hips to the beat of the music, captivating the attention of several male onlookers. A gentleman approached her from behind and asked her to dance. He took her hand in his and twirled her around until she was flushed against him. They effortlessly moved to the beat of the music. "What's your name?" He asked, whispering in her ear.
"It's…" The man was suddenly jerked from Olivia and pushed to the side of the dance floor by a tall, muscular man. Josh grabbed Olivia, keeping her from tumbling to the floor. "Dude, what the fuck?"
"Come with me?" The man growled, pointing to the VIP area.
The VIP area was sectioned off with a red velvet rope and two muscular bouncers. It was secluded from the crowd but overlooked the dance floor. Fancy was an understatement. Black couches and chairs centered the space with tables. Bottles of champagne were settled inside silver ice buckets.
"Enjoy." The man stated, disappearing on the dance floor.
"Not sure how we scored access to VIP, but I'm going to enjoy this Moet." Josh popped the cork on the champagne and filled their glasses. He handed the first glass to Olivia and then a glass to Abby and Mona. Josh held up his glass. "Welcome to the New York club scene, Olivia."
"Thank you, Josh."
They clanked their glasses together.
Josh slipped back on the dance floor.
"He's a total man whore." Abby stated, plopping on the couch.
Olivia took a sip of her champagne. "How long have you worked together?"
"Mona and Josh have been with the company for five years. I've been there for eight." Abby answered, guzzling the remainder of her champagne. She filled her glass with more champagne. "So, what's your story, Olivia?"
"What do you mean?"
"Why did you leave Georgia?"
"My sister died."
"Well, shit, there goes my buzz. I'm sorry."
"It's fine. I needed a fresh start."
"Well there are a lot of sexy men in here. You could take one of them home." Abby giggled. "That would be a nice fresh start."
"I'm focused on work." Olivia answered.
"All work and no play issssss boring." Abby slurred.
Olivia placed her empty glass on the table. "What's your story?"
"Not much to it. Been on my own since eighteen. My mother is an alcoholic. My father is a druggie. I got tired of their bullshit and left."
Olivia crossed her legs. "Damn."
"Don't worry about me, my life is good. I have a decent job and I have sex on the regular."
"You have a boyfriend?"
"I have someone. He's not my boyfriend." Abby answered.
"We've never met him. He's a mysssssterrryyyyy." Mona slurred, leaning on Abby, giggling. Abby pushed her to the other side of the couch. "I hate a sloppy drunk."
A waitress appeared and placed a glass of red wine on the table. She whispered in Olivia's ear. "Under the glass is a napkin. Turn it over."
Olivia nodded and slowly lifted the glass from the table, carefully removing the napkin.
Turn around.
F.
She didn't hesitate. She turned and glared at him, keeping her stare locked with his eyes. He was dressed in all black. A black shirt and dress pants. Her heart raced. He smiled and sucked in his bottom lip. Olivia blushed and turned back around, crossing her legs. She glanced back at him and he motioned for her to come to him. She nodded. She sent Turner a quick text to let him know she was going to the bathroom. She didn't need him following her.
"Ladies, I have to run to the bathroom. I'll be right back." Olivia said.
"You want one of us to come with you?" Mona asked.
"No, it's right there." Olivia pointed to the sign. She took a deep breath and walked toward Fitz, hoping the low light would hide their interaction.
"Olivia." He said in a low deep voice.
"Fitz." She whispered.
He placed his hand on the knob of the door behind him and pulled her inside a dark room. He flicked on the light and stared at her. Olivia stared at him in bewilderment, wondering what was about to happen.
He ran his hands through his thick curls. "That fucking dress, Olivia! You can't come here dressed like that and expect me to behave."
Olivia grinned. "What are you doing here? Are you following me?"
"No. I had a business meeting."
"In a club?"
He pressed his hand against the two-sided glass and stared out into the club. People couldn't see inside the private space, but he could look out. It's how he saw her, dancing with her friends. He tried not to interrupt her evening but when he saw another man approach her, he snapped. He glanced at her and looked away. If he kept looking at her, he was going to lose any amount of resolve he had.
She greedily drank in the sight of him, before moving next to him. "Are you the reason we're in VIP?"
"I own this club." He said, bluntly. "You're in VIP because I didn't want to shut the place down because another man desired you."
Olivia swallowed hard, running her hands down his shirt feeling his chiseled, hard chest. Her hands felt on fire and she brought them to her sides.
"Did you get a chance to think about your terms?" He asked, pulling the sleeve of his black shirt over his platinum Rolex watch.
She stepped back, the warm buzz of being next to him kept her from concentrating. "Let's start off platonic…friends."
"I don't fuck my friends, Olivia." His gaze narrowed and his lips thinned.
Olivia gasped and covered her mouth. "I don't know you and you don't know me. I could be a serial killer."
He laughed heartily, dropping his head back. "Sweetheart, I doubt you'd murder anyone."
Olivia shrugged. "Those are my terms. Take it or leave it." Olivia could tell Fitz liked the chase. If she gave in and slept with him too quickly, he'd lose interest. Resisting him was getting harder.
"I already know you Olivia, but I'll agree to your terms…for now." He took her phone from her hand and typed in his number. He slipped the phone in her purse and placed it on the couch. He twined his fingers with hers and gave her hand a slight tug, pulling her against him. Olivia molded into him like putty. He wrapped his arms around her waist, resting his fingers on her lower back. She could feel him. Hard and aroused. "This is what you do to me. Do you want me as bad as I want you?" His lips brushed against hers. He waited hoping she would open her mouth giving him the signal to kiss her.
"Y-yes." She croaked.