Chapter 4

Olivia had gotten up at five-thirty this morning to get an early workout. Also, this would give her an opportunity to speak to her parents. Her mother would serve her father breakfast promptly at seven. He would leave for the hospital at seven-forty-five. She was shaking her head thinking of her parents. All of the wonderful things her mother did for her husband and still he disrespected her in such a profane way. The fact that her father was a cheater was hitting her particularly hard right now. She was about to throw all of her ducks into a row with a man she barely knew. Was she anxious about it? Of course. This was tricky. Uncle Jim was right she could be hurt! Nonetheless she was doing it and strictly for her own selfish reasons. Wasn't her father choosing to be the man he is selfish? Yes it was! She was a grown woman. She had a right to be selfish too! Dammit, why did she always have this particular flashback when she was angry at her father?

She had found her father and one of his nurses in a compromising position up against a wall in her parent's bedroom on a holiday from University. Her mother was visiting relatives overnight on a neighboring island. Olivia was out celebrating with friends for the evening. She had called her father, saying don't wait up. She was going to make it a long night and she was going to spend the night with Darcie. Unfortunately, she had gotten a sour stomach from some bad fish. She ended her night early. Darcie dropped her off at home.

At the time she was still sleeping upstairs on the third floor. As she headed up the stairs, she decided she would walk to the other end of the floor and speak with her father. The huge master suite was at the far rear of the upstairs living area. She knew her father was still up she could see that lights were on. She suspected she had a light case of food poisoning and her father was a doctor. As she got closer to the suite of rooms she heard the unmistakable sounds of a sexual encounter. The exchange of sexual banter was explicit. The sounds were like nothing she had heard before. The door was ajar and her curiosity got the better of her.

Had her mother actually returned from the island and was back at home? She was thinking that was possible, she had spoken to her mother and her Aunt Sophie hours ago. Olivia had walked in on her parents having sex years before. Like last time, she decided to peek. She shouldn't have! Her father was banging one his nurses from the hospital from behind. As she had been the day she saw her parents having sex in the missionary position, she was mesmerized. However, the woman her father had pinned to the wall wasn't her mother. The sex was raw and guttural. If she had actually walked in, she doubted they would have noticed. They were concentrating on one thing! She had walked away from that scene devastated.

She never mentioned what she saw to her father. She told Darcie who didn't seem surprised. Apparently, all of their circle knew her father was a womanizer except Olivia. That was also when Darcie told her he was screwing their friend Marcel too. Marcel was the same age as Olivia! Her father was a good-looking man with charisma and money. At the time he wasn't yet fifty and apparently his status and sexual prowess appealed to many. Marcel had told Olivia herself she only screwed men that showered her with gifts and that could give her multiple orgasms. Still, with her father?

She also found it hard to believe her father would cheat on his wife in their own home and bed, but she had seen it with her own eyes! He was cheater and had been for years. Darcie said just about everyone in their circle knew including her mother. She couldn't believe it! When her mother came home the next day, she confronted her with what she knew to gage her reaction. She didn't tell her what she had seen in her own bedroom last night. It was obvious though, her mother did know about her husband's cheating ways!

"Olivia your father is a very virile man with a voracious appetite for sex. I can't always keep up with him and he looks elsewhere. It's the way thing are done Olivia. Your father is a good man that takes care of his family. I love him and he loves me. He just needs a lot of sexual variety. He wants things that I cannot or won't do. Things that no decent wife would do. Things that mistresses do. His flings mean nothing. He told me so himself. I am his wife and he does love me in spite of his actions!" Her mother had said all this with her eyes brimming with tears. Her respect for her father and her mother started to erode on that day. She left it alone. She never spoke to her father about it, not one word but he was severely diminished in her eyes.

Even this morning her mother was fawning all over her father like he was a king. Buttering his toast, bringing him his coffee, stirring in the honey herself, placing the morning news on the table; it angered her so much. These were things her mother had been doing all her life for her father and he didn't deserve it. When would her mother say enough, when he had sexed up every willing woman on the island? She would never let a man treat her this way.

Her mother had smiled her way through the entire mess then and she was still smiling now. It was their marriage and if they were content in it, so be it. She needed to speak to them and get on with her day. She had decided how she would start her day with Fitzgerald Grant and she needed to do some things. She sat down at the table and started to talk.

"I intend to spent some time with a man I met on the island yesterday. He is an American. He's an attorney from New York City. It appears that he is also a very rich man. He has been married once and is now divorced. He hasn't any children. His family owns Grant International, the billion-dollar global conglomerate. He's here on holiday. We met yesterday at the pool while I was working. We met up after work and he wants to get together again. So, I like him and I'm interested. If we prove to be compatible, we could be spending quite a bit of time together over the next week or so. He's a Caucasian with blue eyes. I imagine Uncle Jim filled you in already but if there are other questions have at it. I want to do some shopping this morning."

"Olivia, I thought you were practically betrothed to that nice boy Peter Hansen. Haven't you been dating him for several years now? Peter adores you, Olivia. He told me himself he hopes to marry you."

"Mother, Peter and I are friends. We have dated on and off for several years but I realize that it's going nowhere with Peter. I had thought a relationship was possible, that we were compatible. We aren't. In fact, I intend to sever my ties with Peter today."

"Olivia compatibility comes with longevity and understanding. You are both young and once you are married things will be different. A shared intimacy between you will change things."

"Mother, let me be clear, Peter and I will never marry. We will never get to this shared intimacy you speak of. I'm a single woman from this day forward that is available to date anyone I choose."

"Have you had a fight with Peter my dear? Is he pressuring you for marital intimacy before the vows? Men do that Olivia but they expect you to remain chaste. Hold close to your principles. He will wait for you and marriage."

Olivia shook her head. A woman with a husband that is screwing anything that moves on this island is giving out premarital advice. This was too much!

"Tessa please, you are out of line. Olivia is a woman grown with her own life to lead. If things are over with Peter Hansen, it's probably for the best. Our daughter is too good for that son-of-a-bitch anyway. There are plenty of other eligible bachelors in the Caymans. She will choose one when she is ready. She's home on holiday and looking for new interests. Young women often seek adventure with men of a different culture. It doesn't necessarily mean anything if the young woman conducts herself appropriately. We have taught Olivia right from wrong. If she wants to have an association with a foreigner for a week or so it's her right as long as she stays whole. We as parents can only guide her as best we can. We worry about you Olivia with all that goes on in this world. We don't want you hurt or used Olivia."

Conducts herself appropriately? Foreigner? Stays whole? Olivia couldn't believe what she was hearing! She really didn't want to have this conversation but she knew she had to. Thomas Pope thought to run her life exactly as he had tried to run her brother's life. It wasn't going to happen!

"And I appreciate the concern. You two have been great parents. Nonetheless I'm over the age of consent. I'm also a third-year med student aware of the ways of the world. I can navigate my own life. Neither of you should worry. I simply want to interact with a man I find interesting."

"This man Fitzgerald Grant is an international playboy. He chews up island girls like yourself and spits them out. He's down here for one reason, to partake of women. Whether it's the silly American women down here looking for a sexual holiday or some innocent island girl like yourself. He's a beast on the prowl. You are a beautiful woman Olivia and without a doubt he noticed you and will make a play for you. Don't be a fool, Olivia. Men like Fitzgerald Grant only wants one thing from you, to ease between your legs. You are an intelligent woman we shouldn't have to tell you this."

"No, you shouldn't. Again, I appreciate the concern. However, who I decide to associate with in reference to the male species is my decision. Let's not turn this into an ongoing argument, shall we? I chose to discuss this with you at all because you asked Dad but it is really is none of your business. I'm hoping we have come to an understanding. I am a grown woman and I will do what I want to do when I want to do it!"

"Olivia Carolyn Pope, please don't be disrespectful to your father. He loves you and is only speaking out in your best interest. Apologize to your father this instant!" Olivia looked at her mother mad as hell. An apology wasn't going to happen!

"Tessa please, there isn't a need for an apology. I understand what Olivia is saying and doing. She wants us to know she is an independent woman. If she no longer feels that the guidance of a mother and father is important, so be it. I wash my hands of it. Let her ruin herself with this American."

"How will I ruin myself Dad? By spending a few days with a man that I like, I'm doomed to ruination? I'm a native of this island. I have agreed to share what I know about the island with the man. I'm twenty-three years old. I admit I'm attracted to the man and I want to know him better. What's wrong with that? How do I become ruined from that?"

"Olivia flaunting yourself around the island with this man may well damage your reputation. You are destined to become a respected physician here. Reputation is important."

At this point she was tempted to flay Thomas Pope wide open. He was an adulterer. He was screwing girls her age. He cheated constantly on his wife and most of the island knew it. Did he not have a reputation to hold? And this thing about her becoming damaged goods for squiring a "foreigner" around the island was bullshit. It was outrageous bullshit and she wasn't going to entertain it a minute longer. This conversation was over!

"I'm sorry to end this so abruptly but I have plans to make for the day. Was there anything else reasonable that you wanted to discuss?" Olivia rarely lost her temper but she was fuming and both parents knew it.

Neither one of the Popes said anything. Her father was fuming as well and her mother was being her mother. Her father had silenced her minutes ago by saying "Tessa Please." He had effectively told her to sit down and shut up. She wouldn't speak again until her father implied that she could. She had been a witness to this "silence the little woman" methodology all her life. As she had said, no one was abused in the Pope household but the words and the looks Thomas Pope gave you was the law. He dictated what happened within these walls. Not today though. Olivia left the breakfast table and returned to her apartment.

It was only seven-thirty. Of course, it was too early to call anyone unless there were business ventures at hand. This wasn't a business venture he was hoping for. It was entirely something else. He wanted to hear from Olivia Pope. He had received the dossier on her an hour ago. Yes, he had called Edward and asked for a full report on Olivia Pope. He knew he shouldn't have but he wanted to know everything about her. He wanted to have the advantage in this thing. He expected her to tell him things but she would leave out some things, he was sure. He wanted an edge up because he wanted her. And he wanted her badly. He was afraid he wanted her more than he had ever wanted anything in his life! He began reading the report.

Olivia Carolyn Pope was the best at everything she did. Valedictorian of her high school, captain of the swim team, and Summa cum laude at Spelman. Right now, she had a ranking of number four in her class at Harvard Med. That was impressive. He hadn't needed the dossier to tell him she was extremely intelligent; he had known that after talking to her for ten minutes.

This Peter person seemed to be her first serious boyfriend. It had appeared to be casual dating up until last year. They had spent hours at his place and hers which meant he was fucking her. A pang of intense jealousy rifled through his body. It bothered him that the man had been intimate with her. It shouldn't have. He had always believed that women should have the same sexual freedom as men and not be penalized for it. Once she was his, he would make her forget that Peter whatever his name was even existed.

He now had her address and cell phone number. If she hadn't called by nine o'clock, he was calling her and that was that. He sat down to read more of the report. It was thorough. With the exception of a bout of asthma as a child she was very healthy. She took no regular meds not even birth control. That surprised him. For all intent and purpose, she was already a doctor. Women, especially career women, involved in intimacy usually chose to protect themselves from pregnancy. Perhaps he was dealing with a different culture down here. Maybe condoms were the main mode to protect one from disease and pregnancy here.

Not that it mattered, he was prepared for the eventuality that he knew was going to happen between them. They were going to meet on a sexual plane and hopefully soon. That dream last night, he smiled to himself. It was the best sex he NEVER had! That "nocturnal emission" had been some explosion. He had literally soaked the sheets. Dammit! He was hardening thinking about it and the woman herself.

He got up from the desk and looked for the room service menu. He was hungry. Food would take her off of his mind for now. He was a big eater but he only had one big meal a day. Would they have dinner together tonight? Or a big lunch? He decided to eat light. He decided on a spinach and mushroom omelet, some hot coffee, and some mixed fruit from the island. His food arrived and he had taken a bite of the omelet. It was delicious. He was digging in. The fresh fruit drizzled with honey and grated ginger was extraordinary. He loved to eat good food. The phone rang as he sipped the delicious java. He just about strangled on the Colombian coffee. He put his cup down and ran to the desk. He took a deep breath and answered the phone. His family didn't know where he was because he hadn't told them yet. It had to be her!

"Good morning Fitz. It's Olivia."

A smile that could have lit up the entire room came across his face. She had contacted him bright and early. She had wanted to extend and explore their friendship. He was ecstatic!

"Good morning Olivia. I'm so glad you called. I was hoping you would with my entire heart. How are you on this lovely day?"

Olivia was beaming brightly. He had wanted her to contact him. He was hoping so with his entire heart. Oh my! Her heart was beating so fast. She put her hand over it hoping to calm it down. It felt so good to hear his voice. When he spoke, it sent tingles down her spine.

"I'm refreshed and renewed. In fact, I slept very well. It was the best night of rest I've have in a while. And you, how did you sleep last night?"

"To be honest I slept very well too. You were in my dreams last night Olivia. One of my dreams, it was the most intoxicating dream I've ever had in my entire life. It's one I hope to replicate in real life." He wasn't going to tell her the full extent of the dream yet, but he felt compelled to mention it.

Olivia gasped and she was sure it was out loud. She had dreamt of him last night as well and it was in a total sexual content. She had crossed her legs several times just this morning when she thought of the orgasm she had experienced by bringing up images of her and the man on the phone. Had their dreams been similar? She started to blush. Thankfully the man couldn't see her face. He had heard the gasp though.

"Olivia are you alright?"

"I'm fine Fitz. I'm outside and a large iguana just scooted by." She wasn't lying, not really. She was outside and iguanas were all over the place but their presence had nothing to do with that gasp. She had felt a blast of heat, heat so hot she felt singed by fire. She closed her eyes and there they were. Their bodies were entwined. He was praising her for some reason. It was like she could feel him moving inside her. Her heart was beating so fast. Damn this was some totally out of this world stuff she was feeling. Banish it from your mind Olivia. You just met the man yesterday. Nothing is going to happen that fast. That image though, it had been so real. She crossed her legs yet again, took a deep breath away from the phone, placed it back to her ear and started to speak.

"I'm calling to see what you wanted to do today? I imagine you have had breakfast already. Would you be interested in sharing a picnic lunch with me and perhaps explore some of my favorite areas of the island?"

"Whatever you want to do Olivia. I'm prepared to share any and everything with you." He was serious and he had only ten days to let her know how serious. He wanted to be with her and it was more than just a sexual thing. He was interested in her life and after every hour that passed he was more and more sure he wanted to be in it! He closed his eyes and there they were, their bodies entwined and he was moving inside her! Damn, his perpetual hard-on was back!

The man was suave. She would give him that. Everything he said had several implications and innuendo. Which really didn't matter because she was there for every bit of it. Yes, she wanted to get to know him better without a doubt. In her heart of hearts though she knew she wanted to share more than several days with him. She knew he was the one she wanted to share mutual intimacy with regardless of where their relationship went. He was the one! Where he had taken her in that dream last night proved it!

"Well then, I will pick you up in front of the resort at eleven-thirty. Is that a good time?"

"It's an excellent time Olivia. I look forward to seeing you."

"Great, I'll see you then." She hung up the phone and held it close to her heart. This was going to be an extraordinary day and she knew it. Now to call Peter and put an end to their mess. He answered on the first ring.

"Olivia, to what do I owe the honor. You have never called me this early. I know we have a date tonight. Please tell me you aren't calling to cancel. I really want to see you. It's been days and I have missed you."

It had been "days" since she had allowed sexual contact. She had rebuffed him three dates in a row. They routinely had dinner, went to the club, or to a movie, and returned to his place. They would end the night with small talk and perhaps watch the news. Next he felt her up and worked himself in a sexual frenzy. Then he would beg her to assist him with masturbation and watch him ejaculate onto a towel. It had been lunacy and she had known it since the first time she did it. At one time she had enjoyed their friendship until it had turned sexual, for him. She was going out with him and everyone considered them a couple. Couples experienced intimacies and Peter was persistent. Against her better judgment she had allowed him liberties because he was her "boyfriend." Well, she had never liked their ritual and she never planned to do it again. News traveled fast on the island and she was well known, as was Peter. He owned several tour boats and he was making a lot of money in the tourism industry. He was considered quite a catch. After today he would be back on the market!

"Peter, we have been friends for a long time. We grew up together and we became more than friends over this last year. I guess you could say we were in a relationship if you wanted to. To be honest I'm not sure what to call it. At any rate I no longer wish to be a part of it. I'm canceling our date for tonight and any future ones we may have had. I don't want to marry you, Peter. And I didn't recently come to that conclusion. So, I see no point of us going any farther with this. I'm sure you want someone for your wife that loves you and wants to have real sex with you. I don't."

"Olivia what are you saying? Come on. If I pressed you too hard, I'm sorry. I'm a man Olivia and you are a beautiful sexy woman. It was only natural for me to want you. The things we did are normal things that happen between couples. I'm so pleased that you are a virgin Olivia. You are a treasure. I love you! As I told you I will wait for a true sexual relationship until after marriage. But I need sexual release from time to time is all. You said you enjoyed our times together."

"I'm sorry Peter. I didn't enjoy it and I should have explicitly said so. What was going on between us was unnatural and you know it. We live on an island Peter! Everyone knows you aren't a virgin and exactly who you are really having sex with including me. Call her. Maybe she is available to give you sexual release tonight. At any rate, I'm not. I'm hoping we can continue being the old friends we used to be. If not, I'll have to live with that and so will you."

Silence pursued on the other end of the line. Olivia had been blunt! The gig was up and apparently the man was speechless. She had things to do. Let him figure out his own dilemmas.

"Goodbye Peter." Olivia hung up the phone and went back to her desk. She was in the process of ordering the food for their picnic. She was also deciding where to take Fitz today. Her phone rang after about five minutes. It was Peter. She had said all she intended to say to him. She continued on her quest.

As eleven-thirty approached Olivia became somewhat nervous. She was embarking on a new phase of her life. She was taking something for herself and she was really happy about it. Yes, she did really want to be a doctor but her father had drummed it into her head that she had to become one. She was supposed to be the beauty that captivated and landed the most eligible bachelor on the island. She had been the smartest child in her group. She never broke a rule. She had to be perfect!

Well today she was just plain old Olivia. She was having a date, an all-day date with a man of her own choosing. She had planned a delightful day. She had planned a full day. She was hoping that they could even have dinner together later. She would leave the evening up to him. He had said he wanted to know her better and spend his last days on the island doing just that. She had more or less decided she would plan their days and leave the nights to him. After all he was the international playboy. This relationship of theirs wasn't only in her hands!

What to wear was her next dilemma. She wanted to look great and sexy. She wanted to take away the images of all those women before her and replace them with her image. She had been told she was beautiful all of her life, but did Fitzgerald Grant think so was the question?

She walked into her closet. She really didn't have anything in her closet that was provocative. Her wardrobe was very conservative. She was an islander so she had a closet full of island clothes. She had assimilated well into the culture of America. She had learned to dress like every other college girl. So she had suits, dresses, jeans, and everything else. Sexy simply wasn't in her wardrobe. She had some reasonable sexy winter garb but it was all in Cambridge. She had survived her first winter in the US and thinking of it made her shiver. That first winter in Georgia had been brutal. It was her first bout with cold weather. Georgia wasn't even a cold weather state. It was an eyeopener. And now as for Massachusetts, she had no words. It was scrubs and pile on the coats, layer after layer, and double pairs of socks.

Olivia had to face the fact that the only thing in her closet here was island clothes. She was going to have to wing it. She would mix and match and make herself enticing! They were only picnicking today and touring some hot tourist spots. For the nightlife if she had to, she would borrow something from Darcie. She had a wardrobe full of sexy clothes. In the meantime, she chose some shorts and a blouse she had bought two years ago and had never worn. It was a tee really, a crop top that had see-through fringe hanging from the bodice. Today she was showing her well-toned arms and legs and her belly button. She also had an itsy bitsy teeny bikini in her bag. This is how she would start.

This was their first date and he was anxious. He wanted to impress her but not be obnoxious. He was rich. Should he offer to pay for everything on all of their dates? He wasn't the one usually trying to impress when he went out on dates. His dates were trying to impress him in hopes of him asking them out again. He wanted Olivia comfortable with him. He wanted a second date and third, and a fourth. He wanted the woman pure and simple. He was willing to do anything to make that happen. Would impressing her with his fortune help?

His relationships after marriage were not real relationships. He mostly engaged in a series of sexual encounters until he tired of the activity. He dated one woman for more than a few months and the tabloids went crazy and so did the woman. She said she loved him and she thought he loved her. She wanted him to have unprotected sex with her to prove he loved her. NO, she wanted him to have unprotected sex with her to trap him with a baby and marriage. He had dropped her so fast; it was possible she was still spinning somewhere! Marriage had proven to not be for him.

Margot Lily. What a dark time in his life, the Margot years. Margot had been thrown into his arms and he was told to marry her by his grandfather. Supposedly she was "all he had ever dreamed" for in a woman. She wasn't. Margot had apparently known what the plan was before he did. His Grandfather wanted new blood into the family and Margot's family was old money. Her family was in pharmaceuticals. He had been told by his grandfather to woo her and marry her.

Margot was part of the plan but wanted things done her way. She decided to play hard to get after being thrown in his path. He, being the prodigal son had chased her right on cue. When she finally "succumbed" to his charms it had been a bust. They had little in common and they didn't like each other. Had love ever been mentioned between them?

Every now and then he would go over the Margot years to remind him of what he didn't want in a woman. She was an extraordinary woman but she wasn't for him. Having come from money her family had used their money to get her foot into the film industry. She was beautiful on the outside and she could act. So, she entered the door and Hollywood took her in. As of yet she had never won any award for her performances but she was considered A-list. She was however an outstanding actress. He knew that from her performances in the bedroom. The fake orgasms and over-exaggerated sexual performances for his benefit left him cold. You either enjoyed sex or you didn't. Why lie about it? After two years he'd had enough. They had that one last argument and they both knew they had gone a bridge too far. He stayed on for two more years in their marriage in name only before making her an offer she couldn't refuse.

For the first time in a long time, he was hopeful that he had found someone to share his life with. He was infused with optimism. He had a date with a woman he really wanted to go out with. She was picking him up in fifteen minutes. He had decided to call his mother and let her know where he was in case she should worry. He was simply taking off some days from the family until the Rutherfords left the mansion. His mother was always on his side. She would smooth things over for him. He told her he had met some friends and he was hanging out for now. She would pass it on.

It was time. His first real date with Olivia. He was dressed as he always was. He looked like he could have stepped off of GQ magazine. A brown and white shirt and khaki pants had been his choice. It would be a winner in this heat. He had on his sun screen and shades. He left the penthouse to meet his date.

As soon as Fitzgerald Grant set foot from the penthouse, Jim Lockheed stepped from his office. He wanted to speak to the man and give him a warning. He had better not toy with Olivia. She was the daughter he never had. He loved the head-strong girl. Thomas had called him this morning and said Olivia was determined to become involved with the man and had refused to listen to his advice. He also said his daughter had been impertinent and disrespectful. Thomas had asked him to speak directly to the man and more or less tell him to leave Olivia alone. Jim didn't plan to be rude but he wanted the man to know up front that he had better not hurt Olivia!

Fitz stepped into the lobby and really admired the place. It was spectacular. He would have to send Audrey some flowers for making the reservation. The place was fabulous and he had met the most captivating woman and was about to embark on an adventure with her. He was headed toward the entrance when he heard his named called. He turned around. It was Uncle Jim. Why wasn't he surprised? He stayed where he was. Let the man come to him. Plus, he had all of five minutes to hear what the man had to say.

"Mr. Grant good morning. I trust you find the amenities at my resort to your liking. We do try to please, and corporate insists that we offer only the best here."

"Your establishment is beyond reproach. The food is exquisite and the accommodations are to die for. I would recommend the place and come back here in a minute but this little friendly chat isn't about your establishment, is it? I rarely play games Uncle Jim. You wanted to speak to me concerning Olivia?"

"Fitz there you are. Uncle Jim what are you doing down here this time of day. You are usually in meetings well until after noon. I'm here to pick up Fitz. I'm kidnapping him today for a grand adventure on the island. We are picnicking off of Seven Mile and then we are off to explore. We are on a tight schedule Uncle, so if you will excuse us." She grabbed the hand of Fitzgerald Grant and looked up at him and smiled.

Fitzgerald Grant smiled back. Suddenly all was again right with the world. "Olivia it is so good to see you. I can't wait to begin our grand adventure!