Chapter 10
Olivia turned in the full-length mirror, admiring her long backless silver sequin dress with a deep V-neckline. Thank God for the invention of push up bras, allowing her breast to fill the dress. She felt like a sexy beast and loved the confidence the dress gave her. Her tall heels gave her enough height to carry off the long dress. It would definitely capture the eye of her intended target. Fitzgerald Grant. Olivia met Rebekah at the entrance of The Grant Hotel.
"Hey." Rebekah greeted Olivia with a smile. "Well, damn, if I wasn't in a committed relationship, I would definitely try and hit on you tonight. You look gorgeous." Her sleek black bob bounced as she walked. Olivia following behind her, "thanks."
Rebekah pushed open the ballroom double doors, glancing at the setup. "Perfect." She chimed, looking down at her clipboard. She looked up at Olivia, "make sure you check the ice sculpture. It should look exactly like your design." Olivia nodded and walked over to the massive ice sculpture.
White linen tablecloths draped the round tables, covered with silver china. A blue dinner napkin imprinted with the letter 'G' was placed on each plate. Blue and white lights lit up the room. Tall vases filled with white roses and blue hydrangeas gave the room a dramatic feel. The dance floor was centered around the custom bar. The bartender quickly mixed the Grant vodka, blue curacao, lemon juice, and champagne together, pouring it into a glass. The drink instantly turned blue, mimicking the color of Fitz's eyes. The bartender placed two glasses at the edge of the bar, "let me know what you think?"
"Good." Olivia tasted the blue drink, smiling as the liquid flowed down her throat. She sat the empty glass on the bar. "Call it midnight kiss." She blinked at the bartender and walked away. The name was an ode to her first kiss with Fitz.
Rebekah tapped her pen on the clipboard. "We have a few minutes before the event starts, take a pee and settle your nerves."
"Ok." Olivia chuckled and strolled to the bathroom.
X
The room buzzed with dignitaries, political figures, and celebrities. She'd never been in a room with so many famous people. She'd recognized some of the celebrities from television. As much as she wanted to run over to them and ask for an autograph, she remained cool and remembered she was working. Rebekah worked the room, smiling and laughing as the room filled with more guests. Olivia let out a breath when Abby, Josh and Mona walked through the door. She rushed to them, greeting them separately.
"Damn, Pope. That dress is fire." Josh hugged her.
"Thank you." Olivia beamed.
He smiled. "I'm assuming you wore it for Fitz."
Olivia nodded, walking her coworkers to their table. She glanced at the door again. Fitz still hadn't arrived. She'd already downed two of the signature drinks, her nerves getting the best of her.
"Sit. Stop being so obvious." Abby lifted the glass filled with champagne from the table, guzzling it down. "Is Brian here?" She turned in her seat, looking around.
Olivia glanced at Abby. "I haven't seen him."
"Speak of the devil." Josh groaned. "Fuck." He cursed under his breath looking at the door, then at Abby.
Abby smirked and crossed her arms in front of her chest. "He brought his fucking wife?"
Olivia snapped her head to the door, then back at Abby. "Why wouldn't he bring his wife? Is there a problem with her?"
"A fucking…very…big…problem." Abby snapped, slamming her elbows on the table causing the glasses to rattle.
Olivia sat back in her chair. "Should I warn Rebekah?"
Josh glanced at Abby, whispering. "This is not the time or the place, Abby. Control yourself."
Olivia looked at Josh then back at Abby. Josh patted her shoulder. "Go talk to Brian. Keep him busy for a minute while I calm Abby down."
Abby turned to Josh and huffed. "Control myself, Josh, fuck you! I'm about to explode on him."
"And embarrass yourself in front of all of these people. Remember you're the mistress." Josh seethed out. "I told you to stop fucking him a long time ago."
Abby raged. "I didn't. As a matter of fact, I fucked him last night."
"Lower your voice, Abby." Josh said sharply, placing his hand on her shaking knee. "He lied to you." Josh whispered, watching Mona return to the table from the bar.
X
"Hi Olivia." Brian smiled, grabbing the glass from the silver tray, as one of the servers whizzed by with a tray.
Olivia smiled. "Hi Brian."
"Everything looks nice. Has Grant arrived?" Brian sipped the champagne from his glass.
"Thank you, Brian. No, he's fashionably late I guess."
Brian chuckled. "He tends to arrive to his events a bit late. He likes to make an entrance." He gulped down the remainder of champagne and placed his hand on his wife's protruding belly. "This is my wife Raven."
"Lovely to meet you." Olivia extended her hand to Raven.
Raven shook it with a smile. "Hi, Olivia. I didn't think I was going to make it. This little baby has been so active lately." She rested her hand on top of Brian's hand on her stomach.
"Congratulations." Olivia nodded. "I'm new to the company."
"Thank you, Olivia." Brian patted Olivia on the shoulder. He kissed Raven on the cheek, "let's go find our table. Olivia, you're going to do well in the advertising business. Keep up the good work."
"Thank you." Olivia watched as Brian walked away with his wife. Raven linked her fingers with Brian's. Her reddish-brown hair bounced as they walked hand in hand.
X
Brian arrived at the table and pulled out the chair for Raven. He cleared his throat, exhaling. Abby sucked in a breath. Her eyes bore into Brian, filling with tears.
Raven waved. "Raven, Brian's wife."
"Abby." She responded, softly.
"His administrative assistant…right?" Raven asked Abby.
"Yeah." Abby rested her back against the chair.
"I'm Mona." Mona introduced herself.
"Hi, I'm Josh."
Raven lifted her glass of water and took a sip. "It's so nice to meet everyone." She took Brian's hand and placed it on her swollen belly, "she's kicking."
Abby rolled her eyes, fixing her eyes on Raven, "how far along are you?"
"Eight months. Finally, a girl." Raven chimed, rubbing her stomach.
Abby smirked. "Three kids. How do you manage it all? Brian works really late hours."
Brian kissed the back of Raven's hand. "We have a nanny." He stretched his arm around the back of Raven's chair, mouthing to Abby. "Stop it."
Abby smirked and crossed her arms at her chest. "We worked really late last night. What time did he get in?"
"Oh, gosh. I'm normally asleep by the time he comes in." Raven smiled.
Abby chuckled, placing her elbows on the table. "Your husband is a very hard worker."
Brian groaned, gripping the edge of the table, staring at Abby.
"That he is." Raven smiled lovingly at Brian.
"Raven, let me introduce you to a few people." Brian lifted her hand, helping her from the chair.
Abby stood once they left the table. "I am such a fool. Tears dripped on the white linen table cloth. She furiously wiped at her eyes, taking one last look at Brian. "I can't stay. I need to leave."
"Abs, I'm sorry." Josh stood next to her, squeezing her hand. "Let me walk you out."
Abby nodded, tears streaming down her cheeks.
X
Olivia leaned against the bar, sighing. Fitz still hadn't arrived and constantly checking her phone for a message from him was getting ridiculous at this point. The vodka launch party had been going on for hours. Abby never returned to the table. Josh was in a corner, nuzzled up with a blonde woman, blushing incessantly. It was apparent, he wasn't going home alone. Mona appeared to be keeping Raven company while Brian schmoozed the room. Rebekah whizzed past Olivia, pulling on her arm, "he's here."
"Finally." Olivia said, walking toward the door. Her steps halted when she saw Mellie linked on his arm. She blinked several times, wondering if she was in a dream. Her heart sunk and she stood still in the middle of the ballroom. Taking a deep breath, she reminded herself of the job she had to do. This was her night to shine. She swallowed hard and approached Fitz, offering a fake smile. "Mr. Grant. It's so good to see you this evening. I hope everything is to your liking."
"I'm sure you and Rebekah made sure the event is up to my standards." He smiled, crookedly.
Mellie nudged his arm. "Fitzgerald, the mayor is here. We need to speak. Excuse us."
Fitz nodded at Mellie, slowly walking away. An electric shock went through Olivia as his fingers dusted across her lower back. She sucked in a breath and watched him walk toward the mayor. All eyes were on him as he circled the tables, schmoozing with the guests. His tux fit him perfectly, making him the eye candy of every female in the ballroom. Women flocked to him the moment Mellie left his arm. Olivia turned away, rolling her eyes. She plopped in the seat next to Josh, guzzling the rest of her drink.
"This is one hell of an event, newbie." Josh stated picking up his glass, tipping it toward Olivia.
"Thanks, Josh." Olivia said. "What happened to Abby?"
"She wasn't feeling well and decided to leave." Josh answered, staring at Brian.
"She'll be fine." Brian smirked at Josh. He was aware Josh knew about the affair with Abby. He'd walked in on them one evening. Josh never mentioned it or held it over his head. Brian loved two women. Raven was his wife and the mother of his children who loved him dearly. She gave up her career as a nurse to stay home. Abby was fun and spunky, the part of Raven he missed the most. Before having kids, his relationship with Raven was stellar. They vacationed, dabbled at expensive restaurants, spent morning, noon and night having sex. After their first son, Brian felt forgotten in the relationship. She was consumed with their son. When Abby started at the company their constant flirting turned into more. He couldn't deny Raven when she wanted more children, so their second son was born. He'd taken the necessary precautions with Abby, making sure she was on birth control and taking STD checkups. He'd used protection most of the time, a few slip-ups had him on edge. Lying to Abby about divorcing Raven, kept her under his control. Raven had started getting suspicious about his late nights at work. He needed a surefire way to end the relationship with Abby and he knew parading his pregnant wife at the event would do it. He was a real asshole and he knew it. He'd probably burn in hell for the way he treated Abby but he wasn't willing to risk losing his kids.
X
Olivia pushed open the bathroom stall. It swung hard, hitting the back of the wall. Fitz had ignored her the entire night. He'd laughed with Mellie and waltzed around the ballroom with her as if they were a couple. He still hadn't explained to Olivia about his relationship with Mellie. Olivia needed to get away from him and collect her thoughts. Olivia lifted her legs, hugging them to herself when she heard loud footsteps.
"Did you see Fitzgerald?" A blonde woman asked.
Another woman giggled. "Yes. He's walking sex."
"I swore he was checking me out when we talked at the bar." The blonde woman stated.
"With that dress. He most definitely was checking you out."
"I'm going to make my move tonight, Bridgette. I've been to enough of his lame ass functions trying to get his attention."
"Be subtle in your approach, Sasha." Bridgette responded. "My source says he doesn't like a woman who is too forceful."
Sasha slid red lipstick across her lips. "I have Mellie on my side. I helped her with her last fundraiser."
Mellie huffed as she turned the corner, entering the bathroom, seeing the two women standing at the mirror. "Ladies." Mellie opened her black clutch, removing her lipstick.
"Hi Mellie." Sasha greeted her with a smile.
Mellie ran her fingers through her long curls, "Sasha, so good to see you again."
Sasha leaned her palms on the bathroom sink, turning to Mellie. "This is my friend Bridgette."
"Nice to meet you." Mellie nodded.
"Same." Bridgette responded, nervously.
Sasha pulled out a piece of paper with her number on it. She kissed it, marking it with her red lips. "Can you give this to Fitzgerald for me?"
Mellie rolled her eyes at Sasha and chuckled. "I should have known."
"Known what?" Sasha asked, refreshing her lips with a coat of clear lip gloss.
Mellie huffed. "You volunteered at my fundraiser with the purpose of getting close to Fitzgerald."
Sasha smirked. "Did you think I wanted to be there because of you?"
"I thought you were there to help raise money for children in foster care." Mellie groaned.
"Please, Mellie. I would rather be spending my father's money at the mall on a Saturday than playing with a bunch of snot nosed kids." Sasha dropped her lip gloss inside her purse, pushing the piece of paper toward Mellie.
Mellie moved closer to Sasha, standing face to face with her. "Give it to him, yourself."
Sasha slid the piece of paper in Mellie's opened purse. "It would look better coming from you. I know how you like to play cockblocker sometimes."
"Bridgette you have two seconds to get your friend before I drag her across the bathroom floor."
"Fuck, Sasha." Bridgette huffed, pulling Sasha away from Mellie.
Sasha walked past Mellie, halting her steps. "I expect a call from him tonight, Mellie. You wouldn't want my father to pull his donation."
Mellie yanked her ponytail. "Don't fucking bribe me. You're not his type, anyway."
Sasha pulled from Mellie's grip. "I'm every man's type, Mellie."
"You're pathetic." Mellie groaned.
"Let's go, Sasha." Bridgette pulled on her friend's arm, ushering her out of the bathroom.
"What a fucking bitch!" Mellie huffed, pressing her palms on the sink counter.
Olivia placed her feet on the floor and slowly opened the bathroom stall door. She offered a small smile and walked to the sink, turning on the water.
"Ignore them." Mellie said, tossing the piece of paper on the sink counter.
Olivia couldn't resist looking down at it. The name Sasha was written on it with her phone number and the bright red lipstick mark.
"Olivia, right." Mellie turned to Olivia.
"Yeah."
"Don't let these bimbos get in the way of you and Fitzgerald." Mellie closed her purse, snatching the piece of paper from the counter, tossing it in the garbage. "I saw the way he looked at you when I was at his office. You mean something to him." Mellie turned to walk away.
"What's your relationship with Fitzgerald?" Olivia blurted out.
Mellie hung her head and turned back to Olivia. "Friends, Olivia. I'll never come between you and him if that's what you're worried about. I need to get back to the event."
X
Josh leaned over to Olivia, "dance with me. You've watched him long enough."
"I'm not in the mood, Josh." Olivia responded. She was counting down the minutes until the event was over. She needed a hot bath and a glass of red wine. She was mentally exhausted.
"You want his attention. Dance with me." Josh stood and offered her his hand. Olivia took one last glance at Fitz and stood with Josh. "Lead the way."
Josh snaked his arm around her waist, bringing her flush against him, "do exactly what I tell you. I'll be the bait."
Olivia nodded.
Josh stroked her cheek, moving to the slow rhythm of the music, "he's watching you. I'm going to whisper something in your ear. Smile and suck in your bottom lip at the same time. Then, lay your head against my chest, and look at me like I'm the only person in the room. Ready?"
"Mmhmm." Olivia took a deep breath, knowing she was about to ignite a fire, but if this was how she was going to get Fitz to notice her then so be it.
He rested his lips against Olivia's forehead. "He's coming to get you."
Olivia blinked rapidly as she watched Fitz stride across the ballroom floor. His hands were stuffed in his pockets, anger suffusing his face. His deep voice rattled her nerves. "What are you doing, Olivia?"
"Dancing."
He stepped in front of Olivia and turned to Josh. "Who the fuck are you?"
"Fitz." Olivia linked her fingers with his, squeezing his hand.
"Josh. Nice to meet you, Mr. Grant." He extended his hand.
Fitz groaned. "The piece of shit truck, Josh."
"What?" Josh questioned.
"Nevermind. I need to speak to Olivia…alone." Fitz muttered.
Josh turned to Olivia and smirked. "Thank me later."
Fitz released his fingers from Olivia's hand and circled his arm around her waist, turning her into him. He blew out a breath before connecting his eyes with hers and moving to the slow beat of the music. "There is a room behind the stage, meet me there in fifteen minutes."
"You've ignored me all night. No."
"It's not up for discussion, Olivia. Fifteen minutes." He released her waist and left, leaving her alone on the dance floor.
Olivia watched Fitz leave his table, exactly at the fifteen-minute mark. She wanted him to sweat so she waited a little after fifteen minutes before leaving the table.
His back was to her when she opened the door and walked inside the room. He turned and quickly strode across the carpet, cupping her cheeks, kissing her. Hard. She pushed from his embrace, wiping at her lips.
"You want to know why I ignored you all night? This is the reason." He threw up his hands in a huff. "I can't control myself when I'm around you." Fitz sighed, running his hands through his hair. "All night I wanted to kiss you, hold you. Be next to you and not pretending I was with Mellie."
"Why did you bring her tonight?" Olivia bit out, looked away. "Why didn't you tell me you were bringing her? I was blindsided."
He sat on the edge of the long oak table, dropping his head in his hands. "Mellie attends all of my events. The paparazzi don't bother me when she's on my arm. They're familiar with her. They can't conjure up some story about the woman I'm with."
"You still could have told me."
"I'm sorry, sweetheart." His expression warm and filled with regret. He held out his hand. "Come here." His deep baritone voice summoning her.
As much as she wanted to refuse him, she couldn't. Her heart fluttered and every cell in her body ignited for him. Two quick steps and she was in his arms. "How will I fit into your life if Mellie is always around?"
He wrapped his arms around her waist pulling her close. "It's just you and me. Mellie isn't a factor."
"Mellie needs to know her place in your life, whatever it is. I need more details about your friendship with her."
He kissed the side of her neck, slowly inching his lips down the middle of her cleavage. Olivia let out a breath. "Tomorrow over breakfast, we'll discuss Mellie. I'll tell you everything you want to know. You're in my arms and the only person who matters right now." He trailed his tongue up and down her cleavage, nipping at the soft flesh of her breasts. His hand slowly eased up her inner thigh, teasing her core. His thumb softly brushed across the fabric of her thong, stilling at her clit, pressing against the hard bud. "Fitz." Olivia moaned in his ear. "I'm not letting you off the hook that easy. You ignored me all night."
"I know, baby. Let me make it up to you." He slid her thong to the side, toying with her clit.
"Fitzzzzz." Olivia purred.
He licked two of his long thick digits, inserting them slowly inside her core. "Fuck, you're wet."
Olivia gasped and moaned, falling against his chest. His cologne tickled her nose, bringing her arousal to an extreme high. Her hands flew to his hair, gripping the small curls at the base of his neck. It was impossible to remain still. His fingers slid in and out in a rhythmic motion. His thumb applied more pressure to her clit, moving in a circular motion. Olivia moaned again, her orgasm building.
"Come for me, Olivia." Fitz said. "I want to feel you come in my hand."
His finger slid deeper and deeper. She closed her eyes and cried out his name as the first wave swept over her. She rotated her hips, frantically, sucking in deep, steadying breaths. Wrecked by her orgasm. Slowly he withdrew his hand, sucking his two fingers, tasting her essence. He brushed his lips across hers, waiting for her to allow him in. "Taste yourself." He groaned. His voice deep, guttural and sexy. Olivia pecked his lips, opening her mouth, accepting his kiss. Her core throbbed and ached. She wanted more. She wanted him. She broke the kiss, trailing her fingers over the large bulge between his legs, straining at the black dress pants. She sucked in her bottom lip and connected her eyes with his. "Take me home."