“Olivia, I’m so sorry. I’m going to come soon.”
His words, coupled with him panting on top of me, was my undoing. I dug my nails into his back and screamed his name. Kit just roared and went faster. Before I knew it, he was collapsed on top of me and we were trying to catch our breath.
“That was... That was…” I had no words. I seemed to have lost the power of speech.
Kit looked up at me with a smile. “I know.” He roamed his eyes over my face for a moment. “You’re an amazing lady, Olivia Brown.”
I gasped when he said my full name. Well, a part of it anyway. “You know my full name?”
Kit smiled. “I saw it on a piece of mail that came through the door once.”
I nodded. “Probably a bill. They usually are.” I laughed. “So, you’ve been spying on me, Kit Chain?”
Kit frowned. “Not spying. I just wanted to know more about you. I want to know why you look so scared at times. I want to know why you have nightmares about your father. I want to know what made you feel so much pain that you felt you had to hurt yourself. I don’t like seeing you hurt. When you hurt, I hurt.”
I smiled and felt the tears well in my eyes. “I will tell you, Kit. I promise. Just not now. Can we please just enjoy us? The here and now? That’s all that matters to me. Not what went on in my past. This, right here, is what makes me happy.”
Kit looked into my eyes for a moment and nodded. “I want to make you happy.”
I laughed at the absurdity. “You do. For the first time in my life, I feel like I can be happy. The selfish side of me needs this and, if you’re being honest with yourself, I think you need it, too.” I stroked his face and ran my thumb against his bottom lip.
Kit smiled. “I do.”
I ran my eyes over his face and touched his beard. “What man lies underneath this mask, Kit? What stories could he tell?”
Kit sighed. “Not ones I’m proud of. I wish I could tell you, but I don’t want to lose you.”
I shook my head. “Nothing you tell me could make me push you away. Please remember that, Kit.” I implored with my eyes. “We all have dark pasts at some point. I could never judge you after everything you already know about me.”
He shook his head and looked pained. “You don’t know what I did before.”
I sighed. “No, but I can guess. And yet, here I am with you lying on top of me. Which, by the way, feels awesome.”
Kit smiled and moved a little inside me. “Awesome, ha?”
I felt him growing inside me and I gasped. Kit raised his eyebrow. “Are you…?” He nodded. “So quickly?”
Kit nodded again. “Olivia, it’s been so long. I have a lot of catching up to do. I hope you don’t mind.”
I smiled up at the mischievous glint in his eye. “I don’t mind.” He moved inside of me, making me gasp.
No, I didn’t mind. I didn’t mind at all.
Chapter 15
“Livy, do you have to keep on embarrassing your parents like this?”
I cringed. I hated mother using the little nickname Uncle had for me. She started using it when she heard him using it. She always smiled and treated me nicely whenever Uncle was around. I sometimes thought she liked him. It made me happy every time he didn’t acknowledge her, though. Instead, he would stare at me. My mother didn’t seem to like that, so it made me want it more.
“Stand up straight. Your posture is disgraceful. We didn’t teach you to be a slouch. You’re supposed to be a lady. One day, a nice fine man will have designs on you and he won’t want you looking like that.”
I sighed my displeasure. At times, my mother was just as bad as my father. All they ever cared about was how good or bad we looked in public. Like right now. We were at yet another charity function with yet more bodyguards than was necessary surrounding us. I really didn’t know what all the fuss was about. I was fourteen and not completely unaware of the fact that there was an element of danger because of who we were, but this? This was going overboard. I had a feeling both my parents loved it because it brought them more attention and made them look more important. Right now, my father was talking to some very important men, three bodyguards surrounding them. His paranoia was getting out of hand now. I, for one, didn’t care for it all. Sometimes, I wished I could just run away and never look back.
“Livy, if you don’t stand up straight, I’ll tell your father about how insubordinate you’ve been. You got that?” She grit her teeth as she said it, but she knew her threat would work.
I did as I was asked, standing tall, wearing this stupid Alice in Wonderland-type dress. I hated it, but I had no choice when it came to my wardrobe. I either wore it, or I would be punished.
“Smile,” she growled as the vice-president came toward us.
So I put on a stupid smile, one that was faked. I didn’t care to be here. She just wanted the attention. I, quite frankly didn’t give a shit.
“Vice President Thorpe, how nice to see you again.”
Thorpe smiled widely and came in to kiss her on the cheek. “And how lovely to see you, too.” He looked over to me. “And this is Olivia. How big she is now. You’re practically a woman.”
I blushed like I should, smiling sweetly when he gave me a kiss on the cheek. I just wanted to vomit. I hated all this narcissistic crap.
By the time Lord Manderville came along, I was tired and just needed a rest. I could see Uncle on the other side of the room and, every now and then, he would look over at me and smile.
“Olivia, how lovely to see you again. You’re looking simply beautiful.” Manderville leered at me a little more than he should. I felt instantly uncomfortable.
My mother’s laughter filled the air. “Lord Manderville, don’t give her a big head.”
He smiled in my mother’s direction. “She comes from you, Beatrice, so it’s only natural she would be beautiful. She has your lovely bouncy blonde hair and blue eyes. Simply breathtaking.” His eyes wandered over the length of my body, making me cringe.
I was shocked, wondering why my mother seemed okay with Manderville talking and looking at me like that. He made my skin crawl. She saw my horrified face, but instead of telling him where to go, she glared at me.
“You’re such a charmer.” She patted Manderville on the shoulder, and he kissed the back of her hand. When he got to me, I cringed, but did my daughterly duties.
He held my hand to his lips a little longer than he should. When he looked up, his eyes told me everything I needed to know.
My whole body tensed at his leering stare. I wanted to be out of there. The room was suddenly caving in on me and it was making me sweat.
Eventually, he let my hand go, but when he passed me, he patted my bottom. I jumped and my eyes went wide.
He didn’t really just...?
I barely had time to register this when I saw Uncle storming across the room like a man possessed. He walked up to Manderville, whispered in his ear, and led him out of the room. He was gone for about ten minutes, but when he came back in, he smiled and winked at me.
He walked up to us and my mother cooed in his direction. “Oh, look who it is, Olivia. It’s Uncle. So nice to see you.”
Uncle smiled, briefly looking at her before his eyes met mine. “Is everything okay?” He was asking both of us, but I knew he was really asking me.
“We’re fine,” my mother answered. “Aren’t we, Livy.”
I cringed again and Uncle immediately noticed my reaction. He seemed to always notice everything about me. “I’m fine. Thank you, Uncle.” I smiled at him sweetly. This time, my smile was genuine.
The next morning, I left Kit sleeping as I got ready. I really wanted to stay with him and feel his loving arms around me, but duty called. I was tender and ached in places I had never ached before. It was a good feeling and one which made me smile. We stayed in bed for sixteen hours, only getting up to get something to eat. Kit had been insatiable. We had made love about five times and, with each time, Kit’s confidence grew.
It just got better and better.
I stared at his sleeping form and marvelled at how much beauty surrounded him. I knew he said he had been a bad man, but I couldn’t see an ounce of badness in him. His breathing was slow and his face angelic. Even with all that hair, I could see the beauty beneath it. I could have stared at him for hours.
Ignoring the ache between my legs and the pull to get back under the covers with him, I made my way down the stairs. I grabbed all my things and walked outside, noticing how much the weather was changing. It was a lot warmer today. Once I got to the coffeehouse, I was actually regretting bringing my coat with me. In the ten minute brisk walk, I had worked up a bit of a sweat.
I was about to walk in when I heard my phone chime. I fetched it out of my bag.
Livy, call me. This is not a request.
I had ignored his text yesterday and now he was pissed. I knew I would have to answer him at some point, but I wanted to get on with my day.
Tim smiled once I walked in. “Olivia, I always look forward to when you come in.” I smiled brightly. “Your usual?” My smile faded and he frowned as he walked over to the side of the counter. “What’s wrong?”
I told him all about what happened yesterday…finding Rachel dead and Wayne in custody.
“Olivia, I’m so sorry to hear that.” I nodded, not wanting to say anything else just in case I started crying again. Tim noticed my anguish and set about making three hot drinks, instead of the normal five.
Once all was ready, Tim set them down and I started to hand him some money, but he held his hand up. “Don’t worry about these. They’re on me. I think you, Thomas, and Marcus are going to need them.”
I looked up at Tim and smiled, tears in my eyes. I croaked out a thank you, then hastily made my way out of the shop.
Because I didn’t want to get myself too hot, I took my time walking down the street. Once I saw the steps of the soup kitchen, I spied Thomas and Marcus sitting in their usual spots. An instant sense of relief came over me the minute I saw their smiling faces. I didn’t think I could have coped if they hadn’t been there.
With a silly smile plastered on my face, I walked up to both of them and handed out their drinks. They both said thanks, but Thomas stared at me for a moment.
“Oh yeah... She definitely got some last night.” I flushed bright red, giving myself away. “You did, didn’t you? Who was it? I bet he was hot. Knowing you, he was hot.”
I gasped. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
Marcus interrupted. “I think what he means to say is because you’re so beautiful yourself, it would only be natural that you would snap up someone just as hot as you. It would only be what you deserved.”
I frowned. “It’s not all about the beauty on the outside, Marcus.”
Thomas huffed. “You keep telling yourself that, babes.” He winked at me, showing me he was just pulling my leg.
I smiled in his direction. “You’re just too much, Thomas.”
“Never a dull moment with me, sweets. So, are you going to tell us all about him?”
I shook my head. “No. There’s nothing to tell.”
Both Thomas’ and Marcus’ postures picked up. “Oh no, no, no, Olivia. You’re not getting away with that. We both know you bumped uglies last night.” Thomas smiled over at Marcus.
“Bumped uglies? Thomas, where on earth–”
I felt Marcus put a hand on my arm. “Never mind what he says. Just answer one thing. Does he make you happy?”
I smiled. I couldn’t help myself. “Oh, yes. He makes me happy.” I tried biting my lip to hide the wide smile on my face, but it was no use.
“Well then,” Marcus smiled. “That’s all that matters.”
I quickly thought about Rachel and everything that happened yesterday. “How have you been since yesterday?”
Thomas shook his head, leaning back on the stairs. “Not great. We heard the guy Wayne attacked died last night.”
I gasped. “No.”
Thomas nodded. “I’m afraid so, Olivia. Wayne’s in a whole lot of shit now, but that’s what happens when you think you’re above the law.”
I cringed a little. “Yeah, I guess so.”
Thomas sighed. “Well, at least I feel better knowing you’re here. You always brighten my mornings.” He lifted his coffee cup in salute.
I laughed. “Well, it’s nice to know I can brighten someone’s morning.”
Thomas leaned forward. “Oh, I’m sure you brightened the lucky bastard’s morning who’s probably basking in the smell of you right now.”
I gasped again. “Thomas!” He laughed, hunching over and grabbing his belly.
“Don’t listen to him, Olivia. He’s just got such a boring life, he has to find amusement in others.”
Thomas nodded and sipped his drink. “Now that’s true.”
I pointed upstairs. “I’m going to up now. I’ll see you inside?”
They both smiled. “We wouldn’t miss it for the world,” Marcus chimed in.
I smiled and couldn’t help but notice the little spring in my step as I went up the stairs. Despite what happened yesterday, it didn’t end too badly. Kit was healing me with every little touch.
And, boy, was it addictive.
I walked in and made my way to the office. Tony was there and he gave me a big smile and a nice hello. Tammy quickly surfaced, not looking too happy.
“Are you okay?”
She shook her head. “Not really. I think someone is stealing money from the office.”
I gasped. “No! What makes you think that?”
She moved closer to me. “Well, every now and then, twenties keep going missing. Sometimes it just happens for whatever reason, like needing new supplies, but there aren’t any receipts or anything. You haven’t taken money for something recently and just forgot to write it down, have you?”
I shook my head. “No. I haven’t touched the petty cash.” And I never do. I don’t like going anywhere near it for this reason alone. If they took fingerprints, mine would definitely not be on it. I made sure of that.
Tammy sighed. “Okay, but if you see anything, please come and tell me. In the meantime, I don’t think it’s wise to bring anyone into this office.”
I nodded. “Okay. That’s fine.”
She walked away, and I sighed. I wasn’t sure how much Tammy trusted me, but situations like this could escalate rapidly.
I walked into the kitchen and grabbed an apron. Tony regarded me for a moment. “You look different. Did you get your hair done or something?” I shook my head and he frowned. “Hmmm... Definitely something different.” He walked off, that frown still on his face, and I was left feeling a little flustered. Was I that transparent? I guess I was.
I didn’t have time to stew over this because it was time to get to work. I was busy for a good hour, making sure everyone got their fill. Once all was done, I stood there for a moment, daydreaming about Kit. It wasn’t until I heard a violent scraping of chairs that I snapped out of my trance.
All of a sudden, shouts erupted on the far side of the room. I looked over and saw someone punch Thomas. I gasped, then saw Thomas lunge for the other guy. Marcus grabbed both his arms, whilst another guy did the same with the other man.
On instinct, I ran towards them. “What in the hell’s going on?”
Thomas glared at the other guy who was breathing harshly. “He’s a fucking arsehole.”
They both made a move to go at each other, but were held back. I noticed that Thomas was bleeding underneath his eye.
I pointed to the guy throwing daggers at Thomas. “You! I don’t know what the hell’s going on here, but you better calm down. Sit down, eat your breakfast, and I don’t want to hear another peep from you again. If you even breathe in the wrong direction, you’re out of here and won’t be welcome back. You got it?” He grunted, but nodded.
I looked back at Thomas and pointed at him. “You, bring your plate and come with me. Marcus, you can come, too, if y
ou want.”
They both just nodded and did as they were told. I marched towards the office, not caring about Tammy’s little request earlier. It wasn’t my fault the first aid kit was in there.
Once I got to the door, I opened it and sighed my relief when I saw Tammy wasn’t there. I walked towards the desk and opened the drawer to grab the first aid kit.
“Marcus, you sit in that chair. Thomas, come over here and let me take a look at you.”
Marcus smiled and gave Thomas an amused look. “Yes, ma’am.”
Thomas walked over and sat on the edge of the desk. Upon inspection, I saw he had quite a nasty cut.
Thomas smiled. “Boy, that was sexy as hell, Olivia. You’re quite the little tiger once you get going.”
I glared at him. “This is no time for jokes, Thomas. Care to tell me what happened out there?” I took out an antiseptic wipe and swiped it across his cut. He winced a little, but smiled back at me.
“I’m sorry about that, Olivia. It’s just… That fucker said something about Rachel, but he was the one who punched me first. You saw it. I just wished I had the chance to punch back. Stupid fucker.” I sighed and stared at him. “Sorry. People like that make me so mad. They don’t know shit about the circumstances. They just automatically run their mouths. It just makes me so angry.”
I dabbed a little more antiseptic around his eye. “I know it’s hard, but you have to ignore people like that. It’s not worth getting into trouble over. You’re the better person, Thomas. Just remember that.”
I cleaned his cut a little more. When I thought it was the best I could do, I looked at him with a smile. “There. I think you’re all set.”
Thomas grabbed my hand. “Thank you, babes. You’re the best, you know that? You’ll make a fine wife for someone one day. I hope the guy who put a smile on your face this morning realises that. It’s good to see you smile. You always look so sad all the time.”
My eyes widened. “I do?”
He nodded. “You may have all the smiles in the world for us, Olivia, but a smile doesn’t necessarily mean you’re happy. You deserve to have a smile on your face every morning. I just hope this guy does that for you.” He sighed a little. “If he doesn’t, I can always save my punches for him.”
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