Chapter 37
Olivia's hand reaches across the table, delicately plucking a nacho chip from Josh's plate and scooping it into a dollop of chicken and sour cream. She brings it to her lips, savoring the salty crunch of the chip before swallowing.
"Why do you always take my food when your own plate is still full?" Josh asks, taking a sip of his soda.
Olivia chuckles, her eyes twinkling mischievously. "Your food always looks so much better than mine."
Josh smiles, leaning back in his chair. "You know you can order whatever you want here. This is your husband's restaurant after all."
"I don't like taking advantage like that, Josh," Olivia replies with a shake of her head. "I prefer to pay for my own food and leave generous tips."
Abby drops her elbows onto the table with a heavy sigh, causing her phone to clatter against the surface. She slams it down with frustration evident on her face. "I've sent my resume to over a hundred companies and heard back from none of them. I can't help but feel like Brian had something to do with it."
"How?" Mona asks as she twirls her fork around her linguine.
"I used him as a reference," Abby admits with a defeated tone.
"That was dumb as fuck," Josh groans, taking another drink of his soda.
"I had no choice," Abby defends herself. "I needed a reference from my current job and I stupidly thought Brian would put in a good word for me despite our issues."
Josh lets out a loud laugh. "And you believed him? What did he ask for in return?"
Abby rolls her eyes, feeling foolish. "Nothing."
"Bullshit, Abs. I'm sure he wanted something," Josh retorts, pushing his plate of nachos toward Olivia.
Abby slouches down in her seat. "He wants to see me and Autumn."
"Don't," Olivia interjects, crossing one leg over the other. "Fitz is going to buy Destiny."
"For real?!" Mona squeals with excitement.
"Yes, but keep it to yourselves. Abby, you'll have your job back. I promised I would help you out. Don't fall into Brian's trap."
Abby takes a deep breath, feeling relieved and grateful. "Thank you, Olivia."
The waitress approaches their table and hands Olivia a brown bag. "This is for Mr. Grant."
Olivia smiles and takes the bag from her. "Thank you. Lunch is on me today." She turns back to her friends with a grin. "Tell Brian I'll be back in a little while."
"He's not even in the office right now," Josh chimes in. "We're like a bunch of orphans at this point. Byeeee," he says with a wave and a smile as Olivia walks away. He then turns to Abby with a serious expression. "If Fitz buys Destiny, Olivia will find out about what I've been up to. She'll know that Fitz and I have been working together to keep Edison away from her."
"She might forgive Fitz, but I'm not so sure she'll do the same for you," Abby replies honestly.
X
Olivia entered her husband's office without knocking, a privilege granted to her as his wife. His assistant Rebekah paid no mind, accustomed to Olivia's presence unless he was in a meeting with the Grant Industries board. Olivia closed the door behind her and slipped off her shoes, the sound of the latch clicking into place echoing in the room. Fitz immediately looked up from his work, his deep blue eyes meeting hers with fiery passion. It had only been a week since their honeymoon, but they were still consumed by their desire for each other.
"Hello Mr. Grant," Olivia said with a smile.
"I am starved," Fitz stood up from his desk.
"I bought food," Olivia replied, holding up a brown bag from the restaurant at Grant Industries.
"I don't want food," Fitz responded, walking towards her.
Olivia chuckled as he approached, easing onto the hard wood of his desk. Fitz stood between her legs, softly kissing the side of her neck. "I want you."
"Mr. Grant," Olivia teased, "you had me twice this morning. It's barely one o'clock."
"I could never have enough of you, Mrs. Grant," Fitz replied, his fingers deftly unbuttoning her blouse until her blue lacy bra was exposed. He cupped both breasts in his hands, kissing the smooth cocoa skin peeking out from under the fabric. With one quick snap, her bra was undone and her breasts were free for him to explore. Fitz licked his lips before sucking on one erect nipple, his tongue circling around it in slow circles. A soft moan escaped Olivia and Fitz couldn't help but feel a surge of pleasure at the sound.
Olivia rested her hand on his zipper, undoing it slowly as she reached inside his slacks to find him already hard as a rock. She gently rubbed up and down his shaft, dipping her fingers inside his boxer briefs. Her thumb circled the sticky fluid flowing from his tip, using it to coat her hand as she tried to wrap her hand around him. Fitz was big and her hand could barely close around him. He let out a low groan as her fingers moved up and down, sending waves of pleasure through his body.
At the same time, Fitz's fingers disappeared under Olivia's skirt, sinking deep into her wet core. Their breathing was in sync with the pleasure they were feeling, their bodies moving in perfect harmony. Olivia dropped her head back as her pussy clenched around his fingers, drenching them with her essence.
With a primal growl, Fitz curses as he steps back, his fingers slick from being inside her. He helps Olivia off his desk, her gaze immediately drawn to the bulge in his pants. The sight alone has her wet and ready for him.
Fitz runs his hand down her cheek, whispering in her ear, "be a good girl and make me cum." He knows his demand will intensify her arousal. Dropping to her knees, Olivia keeps her eyes locked on Fitz's as she slowly licks and kisses her way up and down his throbbing shaft.
"Good girl." His praise sends shivers down her spine, and she takes him deep allowing the tip of his dick to hit the back of her throat.
Fitz can barely contain himself, gripping the hard wood of his desk as she works him towards the edge of ecstasy. Releasing him with a pop, Olivia savors the flow of precum dripping from his tip. "Open." Fitz taps his dick against her lips. Olivia obliges, sucking him whole.
"I want you to wear me for the rest of the day." He groans, pumping his hips, fucking her mouth with precision. Olivia sucks in her cheeks, moaning, saliva forming on the sides of her mouth. "Shit, sweetheart." Fitz lets out a guttural moan, pulling out his dick, pumping it once, thick ribbons of hot semen spurt out on Olivia's breasts, marking her with his seed.
"Shit, you look beautiful." Fitz circles the sticky substance around each nipple. Olivia sucks in a breath from his gentle touch. He helps her stand, clasping her bra. "I'll wash you tonight."
Olivia buttons her blouse, looking up at him. "You are such a freak, Mr. Grant."
Fitz chuckles. "You have no idea, Mrs. Grant. We are just getting started. I've been very modest with my sexual desires."
"Modest?" Olivia's tongue darts out to wet her lips as she watches Fitz slide his impressive dick back into his pants. Even in its semi-erect state, his member stands proudly and demands her touch. "I want everything you have to offer, Mr. Grant. Don't hold anything back."
He kisses her lips gently, whispering, "be careful what you wish for."
X
"Run that back," Josh says, his eyes intently focused on Edison inside the recording studio.
"I'm not running it back," Edison responds nonchalantly, lifting the headphones off of his ears and dropping them onto the microphone. "I've got shit to do."
Josh lets out an exasperated sigh, crossing his arms over his chest as he sits on the edge of the console. Benjamin storms out, clearly upset.
"Edison, you leave for tour in a month. The single needs to be released soon," Josh reminds him.
"It's ready. You're the one who keeps saying it's missing something," Edison smirks, walking towards a woman lounging on the couch. He pulls her onto his lap and reaches into his pocket for a joint. After lighting it, he takes a long drag before blowing out a cloud of smoke.
"We're paying for studio time, Edison," Josh scolds, growing more annoyed by the minute.
"When was the last time you got laid?" Edison teases, passing the joint to the woman on his lap. She takes a puff and shoots a flirtatious smile at Josh before exhaling a stream of smoke into the air.
"That's none of your business," Josh retorts, standing up from the mixing console. "If you're not going back in the booth, I'm leaving."
Edison laughs. "Relax, Josh. I was just asking because Kara here likes to have a good time. She's into threesomes and whatnot."
"I'm not interested," Josh replies firmly.
"Oh, so you don't swing that way?" Edison chuckles.
"What did Olivia see in you?" Josh mutters under his breath, grabbing his keys off of the table.
"What did you say?"
"Shit," Josh curses quietly to himself. "We do thorough background checks when artists join our label. We know you dated Olivia Grant." He lies.
"Hmm," Edison smirks. "Well, Olivia doesn't mean shit to me anymore. I made a fool of myself trying to marry her and give her a better life, but she turned me down and married that rich motherfucker. I'll never forgive her for that." He takes another drag from the joint and leans back in his chair. "But hey, I won anyway."
"How so?" Josh asks cautiously.
"Wouldn't you like to know," Edison chuckles darkly. "My father is the police chief in our town. He knows how to make things disappear." He keeps his eyes locked on Josh as he stubs the joint out in the ashtray. "Is Olivia still crying over her dead sister?"
"Did you have something to do with it?" Josh's voice raises in anger.
"I thought you said you didn't know Olivia?" Edison taunts. "I do my research too, pretty boy. I know Rainbow Records has ties to her husband. What's that saying again?" He snaps his fingers a few times. "Keep your friends close and your enemies even closer." Edison laughs loudly. "I'll take Fitzgerald Grant's money and smoke it all up."
"Don't be foolish. Fitzgerald will have you killed," Josh warns.
The door swings open and Benjamin storms back in, his face red with anger. "Get back in the booth!" he shouts at Edison.
Edison runs his hand up Kara's shirt, gripping her breast before standing up and walking into the recording booth. "Tell Olivia I said hello," he smirks at Josh before closing the door behind him.
X
Josh's sleek, black Mercedes zooms down the dimly lit street, its tires screeching violently as he takes a sharp turn. The city lights cast fleeting shadows on the car's glossy surface, reflecting his determination to catch Fitz still at the office despite the late hour. As he pulls up in front of the towering, sleek glass facade of Grant Industries, the building glimmers under the streetlights. Josh tosses his keys to the valet with a hurried instruction to return later, not waiting for a response. He anxiously presses the elevator button, his impatience palpable, until the doors finally slide open with a soft ding.
Stepping inside, he's momentarily taken aback at the sight of Fitz and Olivia, arm in arm, exiting the elevator together, their steps in sync.
"Hey," Olivia greets him with a warm, inviting smile, her eyes sparkling under the artificial lights.
"It's late," Fitz remarks, his voice calm, as his hand rests gently on the small of Olivia's back, guiding her toward the entrance. Josh follows closely behind them, his mind racing. "Mr. Grant, a word."
"Sweetheart, I'll be right there," Fitz assures Olivia, his voice tender, before turning his attention to Josh.
"Everything okay? You look like you've seen a ghost," Olivia observes, her brow furrowing slightly with concern.
"No... just need a word with your husband," Josh replies, his voice tinged with nervousness.
"Don't be too long, baby. I'm hungry," Olivia says with a playful smile, planting a soft kiss on Fitz's cheek before walking away, her footsteps echoing down the corridor.
Fitz turns back to Josh, his expression shifting to one of focus. "What's up?"
"I messed up. Edison is aware that I know Olivia and that Rainbow Records belongs to you," Josh confesses, his anxiety evident in his voice.
Fitz chuckles, a confident smile playing on his lips. "Am I supposed to care? I'm not afraid of Edison."
"I'm jeopardizing my friendship with Olivia," Josh sighs, the weight of his worries heavy on his shoulders. "And there's something else... I think Edison had something to do with Callie's death."
"Olivia's sister?" Fitz asks, his features tightening with concern.
"Yes," Josh confirms, his voice somber.
"I'll take the heat if Olivia finds out. Keep an eye on Edison and find another artist you want to work with. My security team will also look into Callie's death and any involvement from Edison," Fitz assures him, his tone resolute.
Josh lets out a deep breath, feeling a wave of relief wash over him at Fitz's support. "Are you going to tell Olivia?"
"My wife's happiness is all that matters to me. If I think she's getting close to finding out anything about Edison and Rainbow Records, I'll plead my case as to why I did it," Fitz responds with unwavering confidence. "I'll do it again."
"I don't want this to blow up in your face and destroy your marriage," Josh says earnestly, his concern genuine.
"It won't," Fitz assures him with a reassuring smile. As he walks toward the exit, his hands comfortably tucked in his pockets, his stride is confident, as if carrying the weight of the world without a care.
X
Gregory slams his empty glass on the polished wooden bar, the sharp sound reverberating through the dimly lit room, casting flickering shadows across the walls. His phone is clutched tightly in one hand, fingers white with tension, as he furiously scrolls through photos of Olivia and Eli from her wedding, each image stoking his anger to a simmering boil. The hour is late, the kind of late where time seems to stretch endlessly, and he knows Monica is likely at home, seething and throwing accusations about his whereabouts, suspecting he's with another woman. It's the same exhausting argument they've had ever since Olivia's wedding pictures surfaced. The knowledge that Olivia has forgiven Eli but not him sears like acid in his chest, an unrelenting burn.
Out of nowhere, Hollis slides onto the stool beside him, his grin mocking and eyes gleaming with mischief. "Well, well, well, what's got you so wound up, Gregory? I haven't bothered you since our last little meeting," he chimes, his voice dripping with false innocence.
"I'm not in the mood for your shit, Hollis. Fuck off," Gregory growls through gritted teeth, his voice a low, dangerous rumble.
Hollis raises a hand, signaling the bartender with a casual wave. "Vodka and tonic," he orders smoothly, then turns back to Gregory with a sly, knowing smile. "So, have you managed to pry any information out of your dear niece?"
Gregory takes a long, deliberate swig of scotch, the liquid burning its way down his throat, before slamming the glass back onto the bar with a resounding thud. His glare is icy as he repeats, "Fuck off, Hollis."
"You might want to watch your tone with me, Gregory. I know where you live. And your pretty little wife..." Hollis lets the threat hang in the air, his eyes darkening with menace.
In a flash, Gregory is on his feet, fists clenched tightly at his sides, his stance brimming with barely contained fury. "Don't you dare threaten my wife or my daughter!" he shouts, his voice echoing with protective rage.
"Who's your daughter?" Hollis taunts, leaning back with a smug look.
But Gregory remains silent, his jaw set, refusing to give in to Hollis's bait.
"It's Olivia," Hollis grins triumphantly, bringing his drink to his lips with a victorious smirk.
Gregory's jaw tightens further, his face a mask of controlled anger. "I can't help you, Hollis. Olivia doesn't talk to me, and I have no access to her. She has shut me out."
"I saw that circus of a wedding. I need answers, Gregory," Hollis demands, his voice insistent and sharp.
"Go find them yourself," Gregory retorts, rising from the bar with a weary determination, tossing money onto the counter. "Drinks are on me."
"This isn't over, Gregory!" Hollis calls after him, his voice echoing in the dim room.
"Yes, it is. Just like my life," Gregory mutters under his breath, stumbling out into the night. He hails a cab, the city lights blurring past the window as he directs the driver not home, but to the nearest hotel. The weight of everything crashes down on him like a tidal wave as he enters his room, the world spinning around him, and collapses onto the bed, utterly drained and defeated.