“Sounds amazing. Will you do the same design at the club in New York as you have now?”
“Something close.”
“Oh,” she held up her finger and ran to grab her phone before perching at the edge of the seat next to me. “I was going through Pinterest and saw these club chairs that totally reminded me of the whole gentleman’s club you’ve got going on, already.”
She held the phone out for me to look, her face alight with pride at her discovery, and she was stunning. She was so beautiful and smart, and she had no idea what to do with all the genius ideas running through her head. I looked down at the picture of the high-back, dark leather chairs. They were both classically sophisticated, but modern too.
“They’re a new, local shop that refurbishes furniture they find at auctions and other places. Kind of like that one show on American History. It’s super cool.”
“You know,” I started, sitting back in my seat. “Carina is starting a new marketing venture with a whole design team. It might be something you’d enjoy.”
“Trying to get rid of me, Kent.”
“Hardly. I’m a selfish man, and I want to keep you all to myself. But your class will be over soon, and as you progress through your classes, you may need another internship. It will look good on your resume.”
“You’re probably right.”
I rested my hand over hers. “You’re so talented, Olivia, and I think you haven’t even begun to tap into your potential.”
She bit her lip and dropped her gaze to her lap, but not before I saw yet another blush and smile.
“Thank you.”
“It’s true. Anyone would be lucky to have you on their side. You have brilliant ideas.”
She lifted hopeful eyes to mine. “Maybe I can go to New York with you and help her if she’s interested.”
I perked up at her suggesting plans outside of this hotel suite. “I would love that.”
“Does Daniel go with you?”
“Sometimes.”
“Oh.” The excitement of the moment dimmed, and I hated having this thing lingering between us. We stretched in limbo, unsure of where we would fall next.
“Have you talked to him?”
“Not recently,” she answered lightly. Completely opposite of the heavy pressure weighing on my chest. “I was supposed to see him for lunch the other day, but I had to cancel because of homework.”
I wanted to believe she wasn’t avoiding him, but the way she refused to look up from her plate had doubt seeping in.
I brushed it off, sure it was nothing. Olivia wasn’t someone to hide from honesty. She was straightforward, one of the many things I loved about her. “How about dessert?” I asked, eager to leave this topic behind, and enjoy the rest of our date.
Her shoulders dropped, the tension leaving her body, and she finally looked up and smiled. “Sure.”
“Wait here,” I ordered, standing and grabbing the bowls of whipped cream and strawberries. With everything I needed in hand, I ordered, “Follow me.”
“What?” she asked when I walked past her toward the bedroom.
“Come. Here.”
We stood by the closed doors, and I nodded toward the handle, silently requesting she open for me. When she did, her hand flew to her mouth, and she sucked in a breath.
Candles and rose petals touched almost every corner of the room, creating a romantic oasis I couldn’t wait to worship Olivia’s body under.
“Kent.” She turned to me, her eyes damp and sparkling in the flickering candlelight. “It’s so beautiful. I don’t know what to say.”
“Don’t say anything. Just take that dress off and lay back on the bed. I’m ready for my dessert.”
21 Olivia
“Let’s go skydiving.”
Tipping my head back from its perch on the arm of the couch, I took in Kent dressed in a suit. Even upside down, he looked delicious. He’d stepped out of the hotel room to take a phone call and apparently came back in a madman.
“What?”
“Skydiving.”
Like I didn’t know what the words meant. “Ummm…no, thanks.” I laughed and leaned back up to flip through my magazine. “I’m all for being adventurous, but I prefer to do it with both feet on the ground. Besides, don’t you need practice for something like that?”
“Not really,” he answered, perching himself on the edge of the couch by my legs. “Not if you’re strapped to someone.”
“Still a hard pass.”
“Okay, then. Let’s try something else.”
“What is it?”
“A surprise.” His eyes promised more than an adventure.
“Tell me.”
He pushed my magazine away and leaned over, caging me in with an arm on each side of my head. “Don’t you trust me?” His voice was like a rough siren calling me out to play.
“Not if you’re going to push me out of a plane.”
“Scaredy. Pants.” His lips moved slowly, forming each word to enunciate the insult. Each word dropped with its own challenge. He knew how much I couldn’t turn down a challenge. He issued them all the time.