Chapter 9
Fitz opened his email again, staring at the words on the screen. Sighing, he looked at the duffel bag he'd brought to work. He dropped his elbows to his desk and let out a breath, looking at the email again.
Olivia Pope
Requests the company of Fitzgerald Grant
Occasion: Conversation and Camping
Date: Thursday
Time: 5PM
Place: Meet me in front of the office building.
Camping. He hated being in nature. Bugs. Trees. Animals he knew nothing about. He loved the finer things in life. A luxury hotel. Room service. Turn down service. A plush bed to sleep on. He unzipped his bag and ruffled through the items for the hundredth time, noting what he'd packed. Sweats, t-shirts, a sweatshirt, boxer briefs, toothbrush, toothpaste, bug spray, and condoms. He shook his head and laughed, tossing the box in the bottom drawer of his desk. There was no way he'd attempt having sex in the woods. He probably couldn't even get an erection with all of the chirping and mysterious sounds. He was on the verge of cancelling but didn't want to disappoint Olivia. She seemed excited about the trip.
He heard a light knock at his door and looked up to find Rebekah standing in the doorway. He closed his duffel bag and stood, "Come in."
Rebekah strolled toward his desk, placing a stack of papers on it. "I have the notes from our meeting yesterday. Things are moving along with Rainbow Records."
His mind wasn't focused on work. "Rebekah, have you ever been camping?"
She laughed. "Oh God, no. I am a city girl thru and thru. Why?"
"I'm going camping with Olivia." He answered.
"Seems about right. Olivia is a country girl." Rebekah sat on the couch and crossed her legs. "Is there something going on between the two of you? She's been up here quite often and you seem less stressed."
He placed his hands inside his jeans, being cautious about his words. "Yes, I'm pursuing her." He trusted Rebekah like he did Chase and Drew. She'd known him a long time and had proven her loyalty.
"Interesting. Just her?" Rebekah asked, picking at her nails.
"Yes."
Rebekah smiled. "The most eligible bachelor in New York falls for the beautiful country girl." She patted his knee. "She seems nice. Your father would have liked her."
Fitz ran his fingers through his hair. "Thanks, Rebekah. When I'm ready to introduce her to the world, I'll let you write the article."
Rebekah covered her mouth and sat back on the couch. "Oh shit, Victoria. When did you start seeing Olivia?"
"I'm no longer seeing Victoria."
Rebekah stood. "Mr. Grant, I'm really sorry for telling her you'd be in London."
"It's not your fault. I should have told you about Olivia. Going further, please do not share my visits to London with anyone."
"Understood."
Rebekah heard her the office phone ringing. "Try not to get eaten by a bear." She patted his back, before walking out the office.
Fitz flung his duffle bag over his shoulder. "Don't say that, Rebekah…shit. I'm already nervous."
Rebekah giggled. "I'm joking with you…or not. Have a good time."
X
He paced back and forth on the curb, looking at his watch. Huck stood stoic. He blocked the cameras earlier and gave Olivia clear instructions where to meet them. Fitz paused his pacing when a black pickup truck turned the corner. Olivia beeped the horn relentlessly, giggling. She rolled down the window, "hey handsome, going my way?"
His face dropped and he nervously glanced at Huck. Huck covered his mouth with a chuckle. "Sir, I think this is your ride."
Fitz groaned, lifting his aviator sunglasses from his face. "The fuck it is, Huck."
Olivia jumped from the driver's side and walked around the truck, strolling seductively to Fitz, "Mr. Grant."
He immediately dropped the black duffle bag on the ground and pulled her into his arms, devouring her lips. Kissing her slow, erotic. Huck looked away. Her back hit the truck. Olivia moaned, whimpering at the slight nip on her bottom lip. His kiss was like a drug and Olivia wanted more. He broke the kiss, dusting his thumb over her lips. "I missed you." His eyes were wild. He jerked her hips to his center, rotating his hips. "How about I gas up my jet and you pick an island we can explore. Fuck camping." He whispered against her ear, nibbling on the soft flesh.
Olivia pulled from his embrace. "No, Fitz. We're going camping."
He sulked with a grin. "Is this your truck?"
"No, it's Josh's." Olivia responded with a smile. Fitz stepped back scrunching up his face. He didn't like hearing another man's name.
"Josh is my coworker. Do I sense a little jealousy?" She asked opening the door on the passenger side. "Get in."
Fitz pressed his lips against hers. "You're mine, so yes I'm jealous of another man in your presence." He rubbed his hand over the rust stain above the tire. "I'm not getting in this piece of shit. Is it safe?"
"I'm giving you the full camping experience. It's safe. Stop being a wuss."
"Wuss, my ass, Olivia. I feel like I'm being punked." He huffed, picking up his duffel bag, tossing it in the truck.
Olivia grinned and turned toward Huck. He was chuckling.
"You're being dramatic." Olivia sighed, pushing him inside the truck. "Get in or I'm taking your bodyguard with me."
"Fuck me." Fitz groaned, stepping inside the truck. "Maybe I should drive."
Olivia tossed him the keys. "Be my guest."
Fitz eased inside the driver's seat and yelled out the window. "Huck if I don't make it back, tell my mother I love her."
Huck laughed.
Olivia shook her head and closed the door. She waved to Huck, giggling. She looked over at Fitz as he put the truck in gear. She inched closer to him, grateful for the absence of the armrest. She rested her hand on his knee, relaxing him. "It'll be fun, I promise."
Huck glanced down the street and noticed Turner. He nodded and disappeared.
X
Two hours later, they turned onto Lake Raytown in Pennsylvania.
Fitz strained his eyes, driving down the dirt path, "where's the cabin?"
Olivia chuckled, covering her mouth. "We have a tent."
"Fuck this, I'm out." Fitz murmured. The truck came to a halt and Olivia jolted forward.
Olivia sighed. "Keep going, Fitzgerald. Our spot is a little further down." Olivia moved her finger along the map. "Right here, stop."
"You're fucking with me, right? All I see is dirt." He put the truck in park and opened the door.
Olivia slipped out of the truck and walked over to where he was standing. "I like it out here. It's quiet. I wanted you to get to know me better."
He swatted at a bug, whining. "I wouldn't do this for anyone else, Olivia."
Olivia smiled. "Thank you for trying it out. Can you help me get everything out of the truck?"
He unloaded the truck and laid everything across the dirt path. He scratched his head, shaking it. He was clueless. Olivia handed Fitz a paper and pointed to the tent. "Can you put up the tent?"
Fitz glanced at the directions, smirking. "This looks like a fucking science project."
Olivia laughed. She placed her hands on her hips. "You mean to tell me the big time CEO and billionaire can't put up a tent?"
He dropped his lips to hers, pecking them. "What do I get if I put it up?"
Olivia pressed on his broad chest, tugging on his belt buckle. "Me."
"We're not fucking in the woods, Olivia." He laughed, pulling out the tent from the box. "Shit! I'm fucked!" He murmured, looking at the pieces.
Olivia laughed, looking at the confusion on his face. "You're right, we're not fucking in the woods."
An hour passed and Fitz still hadn't put the tent up. Olivia had cleared a path for the tent, laid a table cloth on the wooden table, set up the food, and created a fire on the grill. She'd placed two chairs facing the dimming sun. It was the perfect spot to watch the sunset
"This is bullshit." Fitz dropped his head inside his hands. "What the actual fuck?" He tossed the directions on the ground.
Olivia grabbed one of the poles and dug it in the ground. "Need some help?"
"Yes, please." He sighed.
Olivia grabbed the poles, hoisting them up like a pro. "I used to go camping with my father and sister. My mother never went." He took a pole and followed her directions. "Smart woman." Fitz laughed.
"When I went camping with my dad we would sit and talk for hours. I learned so much about him. Expensive dinners are nice. You're used to them. I wanted to give you something you've never experienced before."
"I'm sorry, I'm being such an ass." Fitz murmured, kissing her forehead. "Forgive me."
Two hours later the tent was up, they had eaten and the bed was blown up. Fitz had calmed. It was quiet except for the chirping from the crickets. The red and orange colors across the sky painted a beautiful sunset. Olivia opened her bag and pulled out two glasses, handing one to Fitz. "I brought your scotch."
He smiled. "Thanks." He wasn't fond of quiet. His mind raced when it was too quiet. A feeling he hated. He needed noise or distractions. It was one of the reasons he loved being in the city. He poured a hefty amount of scotch in his glass and sipped it.
The sun had settled behind the clouds and the stars sparkled, lighting up the sky.
"Moment of truth." Olivia broke the silence. "Before I left Georgia, I was in a relationship." She took a deep breath and looked away. "I was in a relationship the day we kissed" She gripped the stem of her wine glass tighter. "I'd promised him that I would come to New York for a short time, work on my grief and return home. But then I met you and decided I didn't want to leave New York." She sipped the wine from her glass, allowing it to slither down her throat.
Fitz nodded and offered a small smile. Their eyes connected and the air cackled between them. He linked his fingers with hers, circling his thumb on the back of her hand. "How did he take the break up?"
Olivia shrugged. "Fine, I guess. He's focusing on his singing career. I'm sure once the groupies start, he'll forget all about me."
"I doubt it, Olivia. It would be hard to forget you." Fitz sighed, placing his glass on the ground. "Thanks for telling me." He cleared his throat and squeezed her hand. "Moment of truth."
Olivia kept her eyes locked on his. His knee shook and his grip on her hand tightened. Her heart sunk. Fitz swallowed. Hard. "I was in a sexual situation for five years with a woman in London."
Olivia shook her head, whispering. "Five years. Wow."
"It was strictly sex. No commitment. She was aware I slept around."
Olivia pulled her hand from his. "It's never just sex for a woman, Fitzgerald."
"I was upfront with her from the beginning. She knew we didn't have a future." He stammered.
Olivia rubbed her hands down her leggings. "I'm sure she developed feelings for you. Do you have feelings for her?"
"No. We met after my father died. I needed to feel something. I'd lost the one person who'd taught me everything. My father meant the world to me. His death shook me to my core. It wasn't expected. I fucked a lot of women searching for the relationship I'd lost."
Olivia placed her hand on top of his. "I'm sorry about your father."
Fitz looked away. He wouldn't dare let her see the tears in his eyes. "The day I saw you in the elevator made me question everything. And I didn't like what I discovered as a result."
"What did I make you question, Fitz?"
"My bachelor status." He answered, picking up the bottle of scotch.
Olivia took the bottle from him and placed it back on the ground. "Did you sleep with her while you were in London?" Her eyes bore into him.
"No."
"Did you want to?" Olivia asked.
Fitz blew out a deep breath. "No."
Olivia smirked. "Don't lie to me, Fitz."
He dropped his head, burying his face in his hands. "Yes."
"Fitz." Olivia whispered, walking away from him. She guzzled the rest of her red wine, shaking her head.
He jumped from the chair, moving behind her. "I don't know how to do this, being with just one woman. I refused her advances, Olivia." He stuffed his hands in his pockets afraid of getting rejected by her. "This is me earning you. I'm done fucking around. I only want you."
Olivia turned and faced him. "Will she be a problem for us?"
"I don't know, but I'll protect you. You have my word." He cupped her cheeks, kissing her forehead. "I can't explain it. This thing between us. I need you. It's never been like this with another woman. It's something I want. It's something I desire. If I don't have it, I'm going to lose my fucking mind."
Drip.
She was speechless. Olivia looked up at the sky as big drops of water fell.
Drop.
She sat her wine glass on the ground. "Have you ever been kissed in the rain?"
Drip.
"No." Fitz answered.
She smiled. "Me either."
He closed the gap between them, padding his thumb across her cheeks, wiping away the drops of rain. His hands wrap around her waist, bringing her flush against him. The rain plummeted faster from the sky. Olivia tilts her head back, allowing the drops to fall on her face. Her eyes connect with his. They are dark and filled with lust. "Kiss me, Fitz." His lips take hers, owning them. Devouring them. The kiss deepens and he takes her face in his hands. They kiss again and again as the rain falls rapidly. They're clothes are soaked and they run inside the tent. Fitz tosses off his wet shirt, bringing Olivia against his hard, wet body. He lifts her shirt and lets out a breath at her red lacy bra. "Fuck, I want you." He cups her breast in his hand and nibbles on her nipple through the fabric. Olivia whimpers as her knees buckle. She rubs her hands up and down his hard chest, licking the small beads of water dripping from his hair to his chest. Her arousal is at fever pitch. His eyes blaze with desire. "I need to taste you." He links his fingers inside her leggings and pushes them down. He kisses down her stomach and flicks her belly button ring with his tongue. He makes his way down to her core, kneeling in front of her.
Boom!
He jumps up and looks around, hearing the drops of rain increase. "The fuck was that?"
Olivia kisses his lips. "A little thunder. Please, Fitz." She begs. Her clit aching for his touch.
He kneels again, trying to concentrate on the lovely aroma telling him she wants him.
Boom!
"Just a storm." Olivia kisses the top of his forehead.
"We should get dressed. Just in case." He sighs, glancing up at her.
"We'll be fine. Kiss me."
BOOM!
The back of the tent wavered and ripped down the side. The poles fall to the ground causing the tent to come apart. Water rushes inside.
"Fuck." Fitz shouted, picking up a half-naked Olivia, running to the truck. He opened the doors and slammed them shut when they were safely inside.
"What about our stuff?" Olivia asked, turning to look at their destroyed campsite.
"Fuck it. I'll replace it."
Olivia laughed.
Fitz looked at her and laughed. "Promise me this is our last camping trip."
Olivia nodded. "Promise."