CHAPTERFIVE
OLIVIA
While Olivia got ready for the date, she refused to let her excitement take her over. As she looked through her wardrobe, she forced down the bubble of nerves that sent her mind winding around her closet, thinking of sultry outfits.
Almost in spite of this feeling, Olivia stuck to her original outfit. It shouldn’t make a difference whether she was going to the event with Henry or not. She wanted to be comfortable, and there was nothing wrong with the outfit she had chosen.
Olivia hummed gently to herself while she pulled on leggings and put on a flowy, yellow blouse. It was one of her favorites, with a gathered waist, low neckline, and long sides that draped her hips.
When she did a little twirl in front of the mirror, the folds of yellow lifted and spun around her. Olivia smiled as she slipped on her soft, comfortable shoes. Now she was ready to hit the street and walk all day.
She headed over to her dresser and picked up her brush and an elastic band. Olivia caught her own eyes in the mirror for a second, and instead of pulling her hair into its usual ponytail, she sat and began to curl the edges with her brush.
When she was satisfied with her long red tresses, she got out her makeup kit, carefully lining her blue eyes and painting her naturally red lips a slightly deeper shade. She grinned at herself, feeling silly.
I went to all that trouble to stick to my casual outfit, then I went and overdid it on the hair and makeup.
Olivia didn’t feel overdone, though. She really liked her hair in flowing waves. It flickered around her shoulders, rising and falling like fire. The light touches of makeup went beautifully with her outfit, and the colors accentuated her pale skin and bright eyes.
Before she could overthink this any further, the doorbell rang. Olivia didn’t give herself time to think. She just headed for the door. Her nervousness was growing, and no matter how she tried to tell herself this was just a casual date, her heart wasn’t buying it.
Olivia paused with her hand on the doorknob. She couldn’t wait to see Henry again, but at the same time, she was so excited she thought she might pass out at the sight of his dark green eyes.
She couldn’t get over the way he looked at her. He seemed full of awe, and yet there was a primal, wild edge to it.
As if he wants to eat me alive.
Olivia squirmed a little, feeling heat rising inside her. Henry turned her on, that was for sure.
When she opened the door, he was standing a few steps away, looking at a painting on the wall. It was a mass-produced, generic print, but she knew if Henry was any kind of art buff, he’d have to check it out. She always looked hard at any artwork she happened by. It made her grin that they were so alike.
“Hey, Henry,” she said, smiling. “Did you find the place okay?”
He took a step toward her, his big green eyes wide and glittering. His face went slack as his eyes moved slowly up and down her body. Olivia had plenty of guys check her out in her time, and a look this long would usually make her feel flushed and embarrassed.
Not this time.
"Wow," he whispered, and it only made her blush more. "You look amazing, Olivia."
As Henry’s eyes traveled from her feet to her face, she felt a rush of confidence. Henry clearly liked what he saw, and Olivia glowed with happiness.
He likes the outfit.
She was even happier that she’d spent a little extra time on her hair and makeup. Henry certainly seemed to appreciate it.
In the moment of silence that fell between them in an expectant hush, Olivia checked Henry out, as well. His tan jeans were casual but hugged him just enough to show off his toned thighs. The white shirt was crisp and ironed perfectly. Henry’s brown jacket was tailored but definitely casual and not overdone.
When Olivia’s eyes reached his slightly wild black hair, she grinned. She wanted to run her hands through it, mess it up, and leave it in shaggy curls framing his face.
I’d love to see him lose control. All his shields down. Just pure Henry, what he is at his core.
The world seemed to fall away when she finally let her gaze slip to his magnetic green eyes. The silence between them deepened. It had only been a few seconds, but it felt like they had been standing and staring at each other for eternity. The trouble was it still wasn’t long enough to appreciate every inch of him.
“I didn’t have any trouble,” he said softly. Olivia was confused for a second until she remembered she’d asked him a question.
“I’ll just get my bag,” she said, stepping back. “Come on in. I’ll only be a sec.”
Leaving him standing in the doorway, she ran to her room to grab her favorite handbag. It was small enough to be practical but big enough to hold all her essentials. Before bolting from the room, Olivia gave herself another quick check in the mirror and then ran back to Henry.