by Haley Weir
They walked upstairs to the deck with the Jacuzzi, and he held her hand for stability as she stepped down into the hot tub before he followed after her. Comfortable silence stretched between the two of them for a moment before Olivia spoke up.
“Were you as surprised as I was to find out we were matched?” she asked, smiling over at him.
He chuckled. “I was pleasantly surprised. I kicked myself for not getting your number in the waiting room, but I guess that would make the whole dating agency experience a bust if I had.”
Her smile turned into a full-on grin. “I suppose you’re right. We still would have met at the dating agency, right? But I know what you mean. Not going through the process would’ve been hard to explain to my friends.” She scooted a little closer to him.
Liam stretched his arm across the back of the hot tub behind her. He wanted to put his arm around her, but worried it would be too much too soon. He wanted her to lead the way and show him how much she was comfortable with.
Olivia leaned her head back against his arm, and she looked up into his eyes. “I’m glad we were matched. You seem like a great guy. This is a really nice evening.” She tilted her head to the side, exposing her neck a little.
“I’m happy we were too. I’m glad you’re having a good time,” he agreed.
The bear within him saw that head tilt as a sign of submission, and wanted to claim her as their mate right then and there. All thoughts of holding back and trying to be the good guy faded slightly. His instincts clawed at his gut, and he moved away from his seat to crouch in the middle, pulling Olivia along with him.
She yelped in surprise and wrapped her arms around his neck when he settled there. The smile on her lips never slipped away, and it gave him the courage to keep going. He nuzzled his face into her neck, pressing a kiss over her pulse. He could feel it beating rapidly against his lips. A moan sprang from her throat as he continued kissing his way toward her shoulder, playfully nipping her here and there. His hands remained on her waist, even if he wanted to caress her body and memorize her curvy figure.
Her hands slid down his back, and he savored the feeling of her petite hands on him. He wasn’t sure if he ever felt this good. He lifted his head to kiss her on the lips, claiming her mouth with more intensity than before. His tongue slid over the seam of her closed mouth, asking for entrance, which she quickly gave.
She squirmed in his arms, moving forward so that their bodies pressed more snugly against one another’s. His erection nestled against her stomach, but she didn’t pull away. She leaned into him and continued exploring the muscles in his back and shoulders.
He pulled back just long enough to ask, “are you sure about this?”
* * *
Olivia bit her lower lip. Part of her felt a deeper connection with Liam than anyone she had ever been with. She wanted him, and she doubted this would be a one-time affair. But she’d never been the type of girl to go for sex on the first date. The last time she did that, it ended with the guy deciding he had his fun, and he never called or texted her again.
She looked into Liam’s eyes and didn’t want that to happen between the two of them. Maybe if she decided to wait, he would respect her for it and come back for more.
“I’m sure about this, but I think we shouldn’t do more than this yet.” How was she supposed to explain why? “I don’t think I’m ready for sex just yet. It’s better if we get to know eachother better first.” That was truthful enough.
Liam raised an eyebrow at her as if he didn’t quite believe her, but he nodded his head. “I understand,” he said. “I want you to be comfortable. I’m not going to pressure you into anything that you’re not ready for.” He waded back toward the bench, sitting on the edge so she could still be in his lap.
“Thanks.” She stared at his rock solid abdomen and pecs. Her mouth went dry just looking at his body. She wanted to run her hands over his muscles, but it might feel strange if she said she wasn’t ready for sex and then continued to tease him.
“Like what you see?” he asked, sensual humor warmed his voice, pulling at things low in her stomach.
Her desire to say yes to him was getting stronger by the moment. “Of course, I do. You’re in amazing shape. I bet you work out a lot,” she said, shocked by her own brazen attitude.
“Thanks. I enjoy going to the gym. I also like being out in nature and running.” His lips curled in a smile. “What do you like to do?”
“All sorts of things. Nature, going to the beach, surfing, shopping, movies. Enjoying what the city has to offer.” Being with him. That was something else she enjoyed.
“Sounds like we have a lot in common.” He looked over her, his gaze dropping to her lips. “Do you want to get out of the hot tub, or would you like to stay in here longer?” He held up his hands to reveal their prune-ish look. “I’m happy either way.”
She looked up at the dark sky. It was getting later, and she had to get up for work tomorrow. “As much as I hate to say it, I should probably get going.” She leaned toward him, kissing him on the lips again. “Let’s exchange numbers. I’ll text you when I get home.”
His hands slid back to her waist, and his hands moving over her sent warmth gathering between her legs. “You’re probably right,” he admitted. “I should get home too. Tomorrow will be another busy day at the office. Maybe we can get together after work? I can’t wait to see you again.”
“Of course, I’d love to get together then. Do you want to pick me up?” What did she just do? She asked him to come over? No, he didn’t have to come inside her place. It wasn’t as if she would be offering herself up for sex. Although, sitting on his lap like this…
“That sounds great. Maybe we’ll go to the pier, grab something to eat, and see the sunset?” he suggested.
She scooted back, sad to be free from his hands on her, and headed up the Jacuzzi stairs. “I couldn’t have thought up a better plan myself.” She glanced over her shoulder at him, seeing the desire in his eyes as he looked her over. He made her feel sexy and worthwhile. This night had surpassed her wildest expectations. She couldn’t wait to see Liam again.
Chapter Nine
Olivia couldn’t stop thinking about her magical night with Liam. The date went so much better than she anticipated. He was everything she hoped to find in a man, and then some. The fact his family had a yacht didn’t entirely play into it. Jared had been well off, too, but how Liam treated her was so special. The way he kissed her, and the time they spent in the Jacuzzi. His hands trailing over her body. The fantastic dinner they’ ate. Everything was incredible.
She pulled up outside of her complex and leaned back in the seat. When was the last time she’d felt so alive?
Her phone buzzed, and she remembered Sophie’s funny question about asking if Liam had a single brother. She thought about asking Liam, if it was him, to keep their conversation going. If it was Sophie, she’d have to confess she forgot to ask about the brother situation. When she peeked at her phone, she felt her heart plummet into her stomach. Why was Jared texting her? What gave him that right?
The last thing she needed was to think about him. She was moving forward, not backward. She tucked her cell phone away and headed inside her loft-style apartment. She put down her purse on the sofa before going to her bathroom to hang up the damp bikini.
She looked up at it and was reminded of how Liam reacted to seeing her in it. He struggled to control his wandering eyes. It made her feel so sexy and gave her the courage to kiss him.
She brushed her fingertip over her lower lip as she thought about their kiss again. He was a great kisser, and their chemistry set her body on fire. She took her phone from her purse, then walked up to the stairs to her bedroom. She opened her phone to see five new text messages from Jared. If she was a stronger woman, she would just block him and stop his little outburst in its tracks, but she didn’t want to deal with it at all.
She texted Liam instead: hope you made it home safely. Good night, hott
ie.
Within a few moments, he replied. I did, sexy. Had a very nice night. Sleep well.
Olivia couldn’t help herself. She could not wait to see him again. Once wasn’t enough when it came to Liam Sinclair. I had a fantastic time with you. Can’t wait for our next date. ;-)
He phone buzzed again. I’m looking forward to our next date too. ;-) The pier is going to be amazing with you.
There were so many things she’d like to do with him, and say to him. But she decided to leave him wanting more. She would respond tomorrow when hear brain wasn’t fuzzy with champagne and sleepy bliss. She pulled off her high heels, hearing the phone buzz again. When she saw it was Jared, she reached for it, tempted to turn it off and say to hell with him. But she used it for an alarm...and if he was sending this many texts, maybe it was important.
When she saw what he was saying, she flopped back onto the bed, feeling frustrated. Part of her hoped for these kinds of messages the night everything went into the toilet with them. He was saying that he wanted her back, and he was going to leave his wife for her. She meant a lot to him, more than his wife ever had, he’d never do anything to hurt her again, etc.
She tossed her phone aside on the bed and placed her hands over her face. Something was seriously wrong with him. How could he have been so cruel to her at Oscar’s and think she would happily take him back because he promised to leave his wife for her? What?
It didn’t matter. She did not need to be part of his craziness. He could stay in his bizarre relationship with his wife. Why his wife didn’t leave him if he acted this way? She would probably never know the answer to that question, because she hoped never to see either of them again.
Olivia pushed up from the bed and headed off to get a shower. There were more text messages from Jared when she came back from the bathroom, but she didn’t bother checking them. Instead, she set her alarm clock.
Maybe in the morning she would cut off all communication with Jared and block him. Or maybe it was time to change her phone number? That felt too dramatic and complicated. Besides, he came to her place before. She didn’t want him to come here when he found out her phone was disconnected.
With that thought in mind, she crawled under the blankets and turned off the lights. The sensual images of spending time with Liam in the Jacuzzi floated through her mind before sleep claimed her.
* * *
The sound of knocking on Olivia’s front door jolted her upright in bed. Her alarm clock had not gone off. Was she late for work? When she glanced over at her cell phone beside her on the nightstand, it showed the time as four o’clock in the morning. Who would be here this early?
The knocking was incessant. When she tried laying back down to ignore it, the knocking grew louder. She finally climbed out of bed and pulled her robe on to cover up her silky nightgown. She checked the peephole to see Jared standing there. He looked like he’d barely slept all night, and she was flooded with concern and worry about him. But she pushed those thoughts aside. It was on him if he was reeling from his own selfish and self-destructive actions. Still, she didn’t want her neighbors to complain about the noise so early in the morning.
After a few moments of indecision, Olivia opened the door. “What are you doing here, Jared?” She kept her body positioned in the doorway so he couldn’t push his way inside, and she crossed her arms over her chest showing him that she was not pleased with the interruption to her sleep.
“Were you sleeping?” he asked, looking her over. “Oh, I’m sorry. Can I come in? We need to talk, Olivia.”
She had the sudden need to roll her eyes, but she restrained herself. “Yes, I was asleep. I don’t need to be awake for another few hours.” She rubbed her sleepy eyes. “We’ve been over this when we were dating. But we’re not dating now, okay? You and your wife made it abundantly clear where we stood, so no, Jared. You can’t come in. I don’t really have anything to say to you.” She stepped back to push the door closed behind her, but he put his hand in the way. He held it open as he slammed into her and forced his way into her apartment.
“I said we need to talk. You’re going to give me a chance to talk, Olivia.” Olivia wished she’d brought her cell phone with her downstairs now. She wanted to call the police. Jared was really starting to scare her. Why was he being this way?
“We can talk later, okay? I need more sleep so I can be ready for work in a couple of hours,” she said, trying to reason with him.
He’d never been violent like this before. She hoped after a few minutes that he would just leave, and she could go back to dreaming of Liam. Somehow, that didn’t seem like a possibility, especially with the darkness gleaming in his eyes.
“You want to talk later? No. We’re going to talk right now. You’re going to explain a few things to me.” He pulled a rolled up manila envelope from his inside jacket pocket and smacked it on his hand. “You think you can just move on from me? No, I want you back in my life. You’re going to be mine and only mine. I’ve told Missy I’m leaving her for you. And this...” he opened the envelope and dumped photos on the floor between them.
Her breath caught in her throat when she saw pictures of herself in the tight dress she’d worn on the date last night, photographs of Liam, and some of the two of them making out in the Jacuzzi. How was this possible? A shiver trailed down her spine, coldness chilled her to the core.
“Where did you get those, Jared? Were you following me?” she said, sounding weak and helpless even to her own ears. “I don’t want anything to do with you.” She cleared her throat, trying to sound more confident. “You can’t just barge back into my life after what you did and said. You’re married.”
Jared rushed her, pushing her back against the closed front door. “I hired a private investigator. He knows all about what you’ve been up to. Going to a dating agency. There is no way that pretty boy could make you happy. I’m the only one who can do that. And I will be the only one.” He pulled a gun from the inside of his jacket and pushed it against her chest. “If you don’t think I’m serious about having you in my life, then you’re mistaken. I will not let anyone else have you if I can’t have you. If that’s not incentive enough, the private investigator found out where your new boy toy lives for me. He has a nice happy family. They would be very sad without one of their middle children,” he snapped as he pulled out another photo of an older couple that resembled Liam.
Tears poured down her cheeks. Olivia couldn’t believe this was happening. She did not want to put Liam or his family at risk, and she was scared that Jared was going to get tired of her and kill her. She opened and closed her mouth, trying to find the words to say to this evil man.
“Looks like you’re trying to say something. Let me help you out. Are you going to come back to me? Or do you want this man and his family to die?” he shoved the gun against her chest even harder.
She cried out in pain and fear as she closed her eyes. “I’ll be with you. Just please: don’t hurt him. Okay? Please.”
To her surprise, Jared lowered the gun and put his hand around the back of her neck, pulling her into his arms. “Shhh, there you go. It’s going to be okay now.” He tilted her chin up and kissed her, making her taste the revolting mix of alcohol and vomit. Everything in her wanted to struggle and pull back away from him, but she didn’t know how he’d react, so she stayed still and endured it until he finally pulled away. “You always did kiss like a dead fish,” he commented. He clapped her on the head and pushed her toward the stairs. “Call your office and tell them you’re taking a sick day.” He walked behind her. “Don’t let them know you’re with me, and don’t act all whiny or scared, or I’ll make you regret it.”
Olivia placed her hand on her head where he hit her, and she kept her eyes down. She thought about trying to call 9-1-1 when he wasn’t looking, but if he found out what she was doing...she didn’t want Liam or his family to be hurt because of her. She cared about him too much to let that to happen.
“Okay, I’ll call
in. Just give me a moment to compose myself.” She headed to the bathroom, not bothering to close the door. She figured he would just break it open anyways. After splashing cool water on her face, she dried off with a hand towel. It didn’t help much, but gave her some time to calm down and be away from him.
He laid on her bed when she came back and the gun was beside him within arms reach. His gaze drifted up to her as he looked over her phone. “Cute text messages. Give your office a call now.” He held it out for her, and she could see that he’d been looking at her conversation with Liam. Olivia cleared her throat and took a deep breath before dialing her boss’s number. He wouldn’t be in the office right now, but she could leave a message for him. She kept her gaze on Jared as she put on her best sick, nasally voice and coughed a few times while telling the answering machine that she would not be in today. The moment she ended the call, Jared snatched the phone away from her. “Go on then. Get some sleep. We’ll have plenty of time to spend together when you wake up.”
Her stomach soured, but she did as he said. The thought of him being close to her disgusted her, so she was relieved when he clomped downstairs after she crawled into bed. Her gaze drifted up to the ceiling. After a few moments of staring, her eyes widened as she remembered the plans she made with Liam. He would be coming over here. This couldn’t be happening to her.
Chapter Ten
Olivia jumped when she felt the bed dip under someone else’s body weight. For one blissful moment, she thought about Liam, but the memory of her rude awakening this morning ripped that away. She went completely still as she opened her eyes.
Jared sat with his back facing her. “You know, you shouldn’t have told your friends we broke up,” he mused. “Think of how confused they’ll be when they find out we’re together again.” He slapped her cell phone with force on the nightstand without looking at her.
