Complications (7 page)

She huffed, pushing him back so she could sit up. “You seem to enjoy making fun of that ancient phone, but it’s reliable and I happen to love it very much.”

She couldn’t help the desire burning into her lower belly when she suddenly realized he was gazing at her chest. The sheets had slipped when she sat up and her naked, heavy breasts were completely exposed to him. His eyes burned hot at the sight. Her nipples puckered and hardened as he continued to stare and he leaned in quickly before she could protest. Not that she would.

He caught one nipple between his lips, laving it with his tongue. She couldn’t help the shocked yet pleasurable gasp that escaped her lips at his unexpected action. She could feel a rush of warmth flood her entire body. But before she could wrap her arms around him, he pulled away, her nipple still gleaming from his attentions. “Don’t distract me, darling.” His voice had gone husky again. “Because it seriously makes me want to fuck you right now and I really have to go.”

She felt herself slicken at his words and she clenched her thighs in an effort to keep from moaning out loud. She nodded, dazed, and he leaned down to kiss her one last time before he pushed himself reluctantly out of bed and away from her.

She took a calming, deep breath as she watched him dress, trying to dispel the sensual haze that had settled around her. It was difficult, especially since she had the opportunity to ogle this buff, sexy, naked man, but by the time he buttoned up his shirt she felt slightly more in control of her body.

She wanted to walk him to the door, but her dresser was too far away. Despite last night, she still felt a little hesitant of prancing around buck naked in front of him. Instead, she pulled the sheet up and away from her mattress, standing up to tuck it around her.

She faced him and couldn’t help but smile when she saw the uncomfortable look on his face as he adjusted his hardened length in his slacks. “Need a hand with that?” she asked teasingly, even as her body flushed at her bold words.

He cut her a quick look and smirked, “Not now, but when I’m alone tonight in bed and I get hard thinking about you, I’ll pretend it’s your hand doing the stroking and not mine.”

Oh
.

Her chest heaved again as arousal flooded. She bit her lip, already picturing the scene in her mind.

“I’m leaving now,” Alex murmured, though it was almost to himself. As though he had to order himself to leave in order to prevent jumping her bones. The idea made her feel powerful and desired, the way a woman should feel.

But he seemed as though he really did have work to do, so she relented. “Let me walk you to the door.”

He was quiet as she led him through her bedroom door and through the living area. When they reached the front door of her apartment, he picked up the tie he had dropped there the night before and grinned as he tucked it into his pocket. She blushed once again at his knowing look but turned her face up to him for a goodbye kiss when he leaned down.

“Bye, darling. See you Friday,” he mumbled against her lips. He pulled back quickly. “I’ll call you tomorrow.”

“Bye,” she said, sure she had the silliest grin on her face yet she couldn’t bring herself to care. She watched as he unbolted her front door and with one last smile he disappeared through it and down the hallway.

She bit her lip as she closed the door behind him. The butterflies in her stomach would not go away and she knew right then and there that Alex was probably a bad decision on her part. The last thing she wanted at the moment was to start something new with someone, at least emotionally. And with Alex, she was definitely getting attached even though she hadn’t wanted to.

He can break your heart
, she thought.

But then she remembered his words a couple nights ago at dinner. That complications were bound to happen. And that it was okay if they did.

Olivia decided then that she wouldn’t over think her relationship—or whatever they had—with Alex. She would go with the flow for a change and see where she ended up. Of course, she was still hurt and angry over her breakup with Miles…although she was ashamed to admit that she was hurt more by his cheating than by the actual breakup itself. It had been a blow to her self-esteem, for sure.

But Olivia would be lying to herself if she thought their relationship would last. In the early stages of their relationship, she thought that she would undoubtedly marry Miles. He had seemed perfect for her in every way. He was easy to talk to, her parents loved him, and he loved being around her. But somewhere along the way, that all changed.

Olivia had sensed that change in the last couple years of their relationship. Miles had grown more distanced. There were times when she wouldn’t even hear from him for four or five days on end, even though she called. But the old Olivia hadn’t had the guts to confront him about it. Deep down, she hadn’t wanted to know the truth.

And a few weeks ago, when Olivia had finally become fed up with his lack of communication and his obvious lies, she had demanded answers, finally proud of herself for confronting him.

The breakup came as no surprise. But the cheating had.

Olivia sighed, pushing the memories from her mind as though sweeping them out the door. She had gone over every detail of their relationship over the past couple weeks. Any signs she might have missed. Old conversations they had. Warnings from Christie she should have listened to.

Olivia didn’t want Miles to have anymore of her time. She refused to let him.

So, Olivia walked back to her bedroom, a little smile curling over her lips as she breathed in Alex’s smell, still lingering and mixing with her own. It was just one more bit of proof she possessed that made last night come to life in her mind’s eye.

Figuring there was no way she would be able to go back to sleep now, Olivia decided to shower and get an early start on her day. She had some bookkeeping remaining that she should have finished the night before.

Not that she minded how last night had turned out. At all.

Friday couldn’t come fast enough.

Chapter Seven

“Where were you last night, man?” Lucas Branford asked as Alex balanced his work phone between his ear and shoulder. He was riffling through some paperwork on his desk, trying to locate a spreadsheet he knew he printed out yesterday. His presentation earlier that morning had gone well, but he still had a lot to catch up on this afternoon. “I tried calling your cell but it kept going to voicemail. We all went out for some beers.”

“Sorry, Luke,” Alex replied automatically into the receiver. “I was busy and I didn’t hear the phone ring.”

There was a short pause on the end of the line then laughter. “Alex, you sly little shit. Who is she? I know for a fact that you wouldn’t turn off your phone unless you were with a chick.”

Alex swallowed, his hand pausing over a packet of sales numbers that had landed on his desk earlier that morning. An abundance of conflicting emotions pounded at him as he listened to Luke’s words on the other end. Jealousy. Anger. Distrust. Understanding.

Old bitter memories asked to be given reign in his mind, but he denied them.

Luke hadn’t known. Alex had forgiven him last year, but even after all this time, their friendship could still be rocky. To think it was almost completely destroyed over one woman was upsetting enough. Alex hadn’t wanted to give Julia any satisfaction whatsoever, so he forgave his oldest friend.

Even still, ever cautious with Luke, Alex answered with, “I had some work that needed to be done.” Not exactly the truth, but not a lie either. Alex
had
been doing work before Olivia called.

If Luke noticed Alex’s hesitance, he didn’t comment on it. “Are you free tomorrow night then? It’s Caleb’s birthday.”

“Oh shit,” Alex said, turning his attention fully to Luke. “I forgot.” Lucky thing Olivia hadn’t been able to do dinner tomorrow night after all.

“I thought we could take him out to that new bar downtown. Maybe throw in a stripper or two…”

Alex shook his head, even though Luke couldn’t see him. His friend was crazy. “You and strippers, man. I’ll never understand.”

“That’s because you’re into commitment and all that shit,” Luke replied, sounding as if relationships were a plague he planned to thoroughly avoid every second of his life. Alex ignored the comment. If only Luke knew what situation he was in with Olivia at the moment. Fuck-buddy? Lover? Rebound? Alex knew they all applied.

Alex gave up his search for the missing spreadsheet and leaned back in his chair. “Do you think strippers for Caleb would even be a good idea? He’d strain his eyes glaring at them the entire night,” Alex replied, cradling the phone while bringing a hand to pinch the bridge of his nose. He needed a vacation soon. The stress was starting to catch up with him. Even though last night had definitely taken most of the edge off.

Luke pretended to think about it. “No, Adam would freak out, being a fucking virgin and everything. But Caleb still has needs, you know, even if he doesn’t trust women.”

“I don’t want to think about Caleb’s needs at all,” Alex grumbled. He sighed, “I’m calling it, Luke. No strippers tomorrow night, okay? Between a virgin and a self-proclaimed woman-hater, I think it’d be a bad idea.”

“Yeah, but what about for us two?”

Alex laughed, not surprised by his friend’s suggestion. “No, I think I’ll pass.”

Luke sighed loudly, “Fine. I’ll call Adam and Caleb. See you at nine tomorrow night?”

“Yeah, sounds good,” Alex replied, making a mental note of the event. “See you tomorrow.”

Alex leaned back in his chair once he returned the phone to its cradle, rubbing his hand over tired eyes. He couldn’t wait to catch up on some sleep tonight. Last night, he didn’t think he netted even five hours. Not that he was complaining.

Flashes from last night kept haunting Alex, making it hard to focus on work. Olivia’s face as her orgasm overtook her. Their bodies finally joined together. Olivia’s heated gaze as she ran her eyes over his body.

Alex pushed a hand to his groin, trying to lessen the unease of his suddenly tight pants.

Even after three rounds of sex, he still wanted her. Even more than he did before, as unbelievable as that sounded to him. It didn’t make sense. But his attraction to Olivia was undeniable. Friday suddenly seemed like a century away.

A knock sounded on his office door and Alex straightened before calling out, “Come in.”

His assistant popped his head in. “Mr. Kerry is here. I sent him to the conference room.”

Alex wanted to sigh, but instead nodded curtly. “I’ll be right there.”

* * * * *

Alex called Olivia the following night, right before he was heading out to meet up with his three closest friends. He had somehow refrained from dialing her number the previous night, but only when he figured it seemed too eager on his part. But who could blame him? He hadn’t been able to stop thinking about her.

Olivia picked up on the third ring, “Hey.”

He smiled immediately. “Hi, darling.” He heard background noise. “I’m not interrupting your dinner, am I?”

“No, I’m waiting for my friend at the restaurant. She’s running a bit late,” she explained. “What are you up to tonight?”

“Celebrating a friend’s birthday. I’m heading out soon actually.”

She laughed, “Good thing we didn’t do dinner tonight then.”

Alex grinned, but it was almost bashful. “I’m one of those people who can never remember birthdays. It’s terrible, I know.” He cleared his throat, leaning against the granite counter in his kitchen. “Are we still set for dinner tomorrow night?” he asked. He was oddly nervous, not a feeling he experienced too often, even being in sales.

“Yes, of course. Still sure you don’t want me to bring anything?” she asked.

“I have everything covered.” Then he smirked as a thought crossed his mind. “Just get a lot of sleep tonight because I have plans for you, all of which involve you being naked.”

He could almost imagine her blushing. “Alex!” It was both an admonishment and a plea.

Alex chuckled. “I couldn’t resist, darling. It’s too easy.” But he sobered a little when another thought crossed his mind. “Now that you’ve had two days to digest everything, are you still okay with what we’re doing? Any regrets?” It had never occurred to him that she might be harboring some second thoughts. But now he was kicking himself for not asking her that very next morning.

But instant relief coursed through him when he heard her softened voice, “No, Alex. Of course not. No regrets whatsoever.”

The utter honesty in her tone pacified him and he relaxed. She was a marvel. Alex was used to women who manipulated and lied to get what they wanted. Julia. Any of his past lovers or girlfriends. They had all been the same.

But Olivia was different. Even though he had known her for less than a week, he didn’t think her capable of being cold. Everything she felt, all her emotions were front and center. Not locked away or hidden behind sultry smiles and carefully applied make-up. It was a beautiful thing to see. And to experience.

“I can’t wait to see you tomorrow,” Alex admitted quietly even though he felt slightly uncomfortable with the revelation. He wasn’t someone to voice what he was feeling liberally. He had learned that early in life.

He could hear the smile in Olivia’s voice when she shyly replied, “Right back at you.”

Alex looked down at his feet, feeling his heart beat faster.
Christ
. He was in trouble when it came to her. Big trouble. “What time will you be done cleaning up tomorrow?”

“Um, probably sometime around eight,” came her response. He could imagine her biting her full bottom lip, brow furrowed in concentration.

“Do you want me to come pick you up? I can stop by after work,” he suggested, wondering if she had transportation since her shop was so close to her apartment.

“I’ll probably swing by my apartment to change first. I have a car, so I can just meet at your place. Do I need a permit at all for guest parking?” she asked.

Amusement blossomed in his chest at her thoroughness. “No. I have a house, so you can just park in the driveway.”