A Beautiful Mess

by T. K. Leigh

  “Hey,” Olivia said sleepily.

  “Hey,” Alexander said, sitting down on the bed next to her and brushing her hair away with his hand. “I need to get to the office. Stay as long as you need to. Runner has already been out this morning. I’ll miss you, Love.” He leaned down and planted a kiss on Olivia’s mouth.

  “Come to my place tonight? Stay over?” Olivia lifted her eyebrows, giving him a sweet smile.

  “I have a meeting, and then I promised my brother I’d go for a drink.”

  “After that?”

  Alexander looked down at Olivia. “Okay. I can’t say no to you.” He kissed her one more time before he turned to leave the bedroom. When he reached the doorway, he turned back around. “Oh, and Olivia?”

  She glanced up to see a devilish grin on his face.

  “Don’t you dare touch yourself today. I want your orgasm and I plan on getting it later.” He spun around, leaving her completely speechless.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

  PARANOIA

  OLIVIA returned to her house after her morning appointment with Dr. Greenstein and sat to eat a light lunch before heading to the gym for her work out. She made a salad and sat in the little reading nook by her big bay windows as she ate. Her eyes focused on a black sedan parked across the street, a block away from her house, the occupant clearly watching her. She thought it was strange but shrugged it off, not wanting her paranoia to get the best of her.

  She quickly finished her lunch, grabbed her gym bag, and headed out the door. It was a sunny autumn day in Boston so she decided to walk and enjoy the brisk fall weather, the smell of burning leaves permeating the air. On her way to the gym, she just couldn’t shake the feeling that someone was following her. But every time she turned around, all she saw were hoards of locals and tourists, shopping and going about their errands on the streets of Boston.

  Within twenty minutes, she arrived at her building, thankful to get off the street. She wondered why, all of a sudden, she felt like she was being followed. After she swiped her key card and walked through the turnstiles, she turned around and looked through the floor-to-ceiling windows out onto State Street. She noticed a short man stop on the street and peer inside, searching for something, until his expression settled on Olivia. His eyes locked on her, a snide smile creeping across his face. She was unable to break her own gaze from his, even though her brain told her to turn and run.

  “Libby? Dear? Are you okay?” Olivia heard a voice say. She spun around and saw Jerry sitting at the security desk, a look of concern on his face.

  “Oh, yeah. Sorry,” she replied quietly. “I just spaced out for a second.” She started to walk toward the bank of elevators, turning her head every few seconds to see if the man was still there.

  The elevator car dinged, announcing its arrival. “Saved by the bell,” Olivia muttered under her breath. She entered and pressed the button for her floor with shaky hands, ascending the twenty stories to the wellness center.

  Jerry turned around as soon as the doors to the elevator closed and picked up the phone.

  “Mr. Burnham, it’s Jerry at the front desk. I’m sorry to bother you, but you should probably know… It’s about Olivia… Yes, sir… She just went to her floor… There was a strange man outside on the street just staring at her… I’ll have the video sent to you, sir… Yes, sir… You’re welcome, sir…” Jerry hung up the phone, hating that he didn’t wait for Olivia to mention anything to Mr. Burnham, but he’d rather be safe than sorry. He had been instructed over a month ago to report any suspicious activities surrounding her and he was pretty sure that had qualified as suspicious.

  Up in the penthouse suite, Alexander's heart started racing. “Martin, I need you,” he barked into his office intercom. Within a few seconds, Martin appeared in his office.

  “What is it, sir?”

  “Jerry from the security desk is sending up a video file. Get it to my sister and have her run facial recognition on it.” Alexander stood up to leave.

  “Yes, sir. Anything we should be worried about?”

  “I’m not sure yet, but we may need to add some security for Miss Adler’s safety. I have a bad feeling, especially after talking to my sister earlier today.” Alexander dismissed Martin and strode out of his office, making a beeline for the elevators.

  He had made Olivia promise that she would let him know immediately if she noticed any suspicious activity. She failed to do so. He was fuming. An elevator car arrived and he punched the button for the twentieth floor repeatedly, willing the doors to close quickly.

  “Mr. Burnham,” Melanie said, jumping up from the reception desk of the wellness center as Alexander walked through the front doors. “Libby is here. She just arrived a few minutes ago. I think she’s still in her office.”

  “Thank you, Melanie.” He continued to walk down the hallway he had grown so accustomed to in the last few months. He usually only visited her on the days she worked, stopping by to surprise her with lunch or just to see her smiling face. But that day, he was on another mission altogether.

  Olivia sat at her desk, checking her messages from Melanie, when she saw an intimidating figure appear in her doorway.

  “Olivia,” Alexander said firmly.

  “Alexander,” Olivia responded, smirking at him.

  “What did I tell you weeks ago?” He took a few steps into her office and closed the door.

  “I have no idea what you’re talking about, Alexander,” Olivia replied, returning her eyes to her missed messages, not really reading anything as she was too nervous with Alexander towering over her.

  She knew exactly what he was so upset over. Weeks ago, Alexander had made a point of telling Olivia, rather firmly, that, if anything out of the ordinary had occurred, she was to contact him immediately. He didn’t care what time of day. He ran a security company and the least he could do was make sure some of his assets were at her disposal so she was safe, particularly after Simon’s attack and other information that had come to light Alexander was aware of.

  He had been on high alert all day after receiving a phone call from his sister about Simon taking a plea deal. He didn’t know if Olivia was aware of it yet, but he was certain the D.A. had been trying to reach her to let her know the details.

  “Oh, Miss Adler, I think you do.” He moved toward Olivia’s desk and stood next to her, her eyes still avoiding his. He grabbed her chair and spun it around, forcing her to face him. His eyes bore down into her, wide with fury. She looked up and shot daggers at Alexander, willing him to back down.

  I’m going to kill Jerry, Olivia thought.

  “So what?” Olivia finally spat out, standing up and pushing Alexander out of the way before walking over to the windows. He quickly followed, grabbing her and making her face him again. “Some guy stared at me when I entered the building earlier. No big deal.” She paused for a moment as those green eyes stared down at her. “He was probably just checking out my ass or something,” Olivia joked, hoping to lighten the mood.

  “I don’t think you’re telling me the whole story, Love.”

  After a brief moment, Olivia spoke again. “There’s not much to tell, and don’t go all Navy SEAL on me, Alex,” she said with a hint of sarcasm.

  His gaze softened. “Darling, I just want to make sure you’re safe. And if I’m slightly overprotective, I’m sorry. But I can’t even fathom losing you.” He pulled her in close, needing to feel her body against his. He placed a gentle, affectionate kiss on Olivia’s forehead. “Now, tell me what really happened.”

  “You’re damn good at what you do, you know that?” Olivia whimpered into Alexander’s chest, his warmth surrounding her and making her feel safe.

  “I know.”

  She pulled away and walked over to her love seat, Alexander close on her heels. She told him about her morning as he sat next to her, his hand on her leg. She relished the flesh to flesh contact.

  “Well, all day I felt as if someone was following me. I just thought your
paranoia was contagious or something.”

  Alexander raised his eyebrows at Olivia. “You think I’m paranoid?”

  “Yes. No. I don’t know,” Olivia said, irritated. “Maybe a little.”

  “Well, Love, it’s my job to be paranoid where your safety is concerned. Now, tell me what else happened.”

  Taking a deep breath, she continued. “So I felt like someone was following me all morning. After I got back to my house from my appointment, I made some lunch and sat at my reading nook by the bay window in the living room as I ate it. I noticed a black sedan on the other side of the street, a block or so down, and thought that was odd. The driver’s window was open and the guy was just staring at my house. A few minutes later, I got my stuff together and headed over here, and since it’s such a beautiful day, I decided it would be nice to walk.”

  Alexander stood up quickly. “You WHAT?” he shouted. “You walked here? Are you out of your fucking mind? Do you have any idea what could have happened to you?” He strode over to the windows and peered down at the street, trying to control his temper and taking several deep breaths as he ran his hands through his hair.

  “What’s the big deal, Alex?” she shouted, walking over to the windows and glaring at him. “So what? I walked! It’s not like it’s the first time I’ve done that.”

  He realized how irrational he sounded. “I know, Love. I know.” He smiled and grabbed her hands in his. “I’m being absurd. I’m sorry. Please, go on.”

  She eyed him suspiciously, wondering why he was overreacting, before she continued her story. “Well, on the walk over here, I felt that feeling again. Like someone was following me. So I got here and went through the security gate and decided to turn around to see if I was just being paranoid. Outside on the street, there was a short man standing next to the building, scanning the lobby. His eyes met mine and he just smiled. It was this creepy kind of smile and he just kept staring at me. I didn’t know what to do. It was like he was looking for me. But why would he be looking for me? It didn’t make any sense.”

  Alexander looked down, caressing her small hand in his. “I know. It doesn’t. Have you heard from the D.A. about Simon’s case?”

  “I have a message from her. She wanted to talk to me about a plea bargain I guess Simon struck.” Olivia looked up at Alexander. “Why? What do you know?”

  “Just what my sister told me. That he pled down to a lesser assault charge and would be released in a year, maybe sooner. He did get some jail time, so that’s good. I guess he got such a good deal because he had absolutely no criminal record.”

  “Yeah. The D.A. warned me that would probably happen,” Olivia said. Alexander looked like he was deep in thought. “What? What is it? Do you know something?”

  “What? Oh, no. It’s nothing. Don’t worry, Love. But humor me. Let me assign a protection detail. Please.”

  Olivia sighed. “I don’t know, Alex. I think that’s a bit of an overkill, don’t you?”

  “There’s no such thing when it comes to you. At least have someone with you when I’m not around. That’s all. Maybe this will be motivation for you to spend some more time with me.”

  “Can I think about it at least?” She looked at him, pleading with her eyes.

  “Well, it’s better than you flat out refusing,” Alexander sighed.

  “Okay. Good. I’ll think about it.”

  “Fine. But under no circumstances are you to walk home. Come up to my office when you are done working out and I’ll have Carter escort you home. Do you understand?”

  Olivia glared at him for several long seconds before softening her gaze. It wasn’t worth fighting over. “Yes. I understand.”

  “Good.” Alexander embraced Olivia and looked down into her deep brown eyes. He pressed his mouth to hers. “I’ll see you soon, Love.” He walked out of her office, feeling better.

  ~~~~~~~~~~

  Olivia went through her regular workout, taking it somewhat easy. She had a race that weekend and hoped to qualify for the Boston Marathon. As she was on the stationary bike, she decided Alexander was overreacting. She had called the D.A. immediately after he left and was told the same thing Alexander told her. So Simon was now in prison. There was no danger to her. She hated the idea that Alexander thought she needed him to protect her. She could protect herself.

  Olivia finished her workout after an hour and a half and took a quick shower before grabbing her bag to head up to the twenty-ninth floor of the building, swiping her key card for access.

  “Miss Adler,” the cheery red-headed receptionist said when Olivia stepped out of the elevator. “Mr. Burnham is expecting you. Please go on in.” She punched a security code into the door leading down to Alexander’s office.

  She walked down the long hallway, pausing when she heard a voice from within his office that didn’t belong to Alexander. A female voice. The door was opened just a crack and Olivia could make out the conversation.

  “Oh Alex, dear. I know you have no interest in going to Newport this weekend with that girl. Mummy and Daddy are throwing a charity auction. I know you’d much rather spend time with me than Olivia. You know she’s not your Olivia, so stop wasting your time. I’ll make it worth your while.”

  Olivia held her breath, desperate to hear Alexander’s response.

  “Adele. I have plans. So no. I can’t go with you this weekend. Maybe some other time.”

  Olivia’s heart dropped. Why didn’t he just tell her off? Why was he being so nice to her?

  She pushed open the door, anxious for Alexander to see that she had overheard. Tears formed in Olivia’s eyes when she saw Adele in Alexander’s embrace, planting a kiss on his neck.

  Alexander pushed Adele away. His eyes grew wide in terror when he noticed Olivia standing in the doorway, his heart breaking from the look on her face. Fuck. Not again, he thought to himself.

  Adele turned toward Olivia. “Hello, dear. You must be Alexander’s friend, Olivia. Just so you know, I’m perfectly okay with him slumming it around with you for the time being. I don’t mind sharing my man with anyone. I know eventually he’ll get it all out of his system and then come crawling back to me.” Adele pushed by Olivia and walked out of Alexander’s office.

  Alexander rushed to Olivia. “Darling, please. Don’t listen to a word she says. She’s crazy. I don’t know what to do about her.” Olivia put her hand up, willing Alexander to stop speaking. She knew what her eyes saw. The image of his arms around another woman were burned there.

  “I’m going to leave now, Alex. And I don’t want you to follow me.” She turned and made her way down the hallway.

  “Good-bye, Miss Adler,” the receptionist called out as Olivia ran through the security door into a waiting elevator car.

  She exhaled loudly when the doors closed just as Alexander appeared in the reception area.

  “I guess he’s upset about something,” Olivia heard, realizing she wasn’t alone in the elevator. She turned to face Adele.

  “What do you want, Adele? You seem to be hell bent on breaking us up. Well, congratulations. You did it again.” A lump formed in Olivia’s throat as she struggled not to cry in front of her. She refused to let Adele see any weakness.

  The elevator descended to the lobby in relative silence. When the doors opened onto the first floor, Olivia scrambled out, desperately wanting to get away from Adele.

  “Well, just so you know. I’m not really sleeping with him or anything,” Adele shouted, causing Olivia to turn back to the bank of elevators. “I just want you to think I am.”

  “Why the fuck would you want that?” Olivia spat out, glaring at the fake blonde.

  “Well, if you think I’m fucking him, then you’ll leave him. I mean, he is a good fuck, so I could understand why you’d stay just for that, but I have more long term plans with him.”

  “What are your plans? Take over his bank account?”

  “I’m sure that’s yours, dear. It’s like the pot calling the kettle black.”

/>   “I’m not discussing this with you, Adele. But, just so you know, I’m not interested in Alexander’s money. I’m interested in him as a person. A loving, caring person who worships the ground I walk on.” Olivia took a step closer to Adele. “He’s affectionate and kind, something you only wish you could be. And he deserves someone who treasures who he is. Not just the figures in his bank account.”

  “Oh, honey. He only worships the ground you walk on because your name is Olivia. He wishes you were his friend from all those years ago. That’s all this is. It’s just his childhood obsession with Olivia continuing into his adulthood. Soon, he’ll realize that you’re not his Olivia and leave you.”

  Olivia couldn’t stand it anymore. Before she knew it, her clenched fist met with Adele’s face. Adele fell to the ground, screaming, as Olivia stood over her, unable to control her laughter.

  “Holy crap!” Alexander said, running out of the elevator car into the lobby. He rushed to Olivia and looked into her eyes. “Olivia, Love. Are you okay?”

  “What about me?” Adele whined on the floor, clutching her cheek.

  “Adele, I don’t give a fuck about you. You should know that by now.” Alexander turned to Jerry, sitting at the security desk, an amused look on his face. “Jerry, Adele Peters is no longer allowed anywhere in this building. Alert my security team that, should she try to make contact with Miss Adler in any way, she should be dealt with as they deem necessary.”

  “Yes, sir,” Jerry smiled. “About time, sir, with all due respect.”

  Alexander nodded. “I agree.” He looked down at Olivia who still looked rather shaken up. “That was incredible. I’ve been wanting someone to punch that little bitch for years now. I’m so glad it was you.” Alexander laughed as he walked Olivia out of the building.

  Once outside, he turned to face her, a worried look on his face. “Are we okay?”