by Cole, Fiona
Oddly enough, when the crying slowed, and my lungs could fully inhale again, I felt lighter and more full at once. It wasn’t much, but for the first time, maybe it would be okay.
The front door opened, and Callum walked through, holding his briefcase. His large body looked comical frozen in the entryway, taking in the two of us hugging on the couch. His eyes widened, and his mouth opened like a fish out of water.
“Umm…I’m interrupting. I’m sorry.”
He moved at lightning speed to shed his coat and place everything in the closet.
“It’s okay, Dr. Pierce. I was just being dramatic all over Oaklyn. I’m done now.”
His blue eyes flicked between us as I wiped the remnants of my breakdown from my face. “Okay,” he said slowly, back to being frozen like a deer in headlights.
He could be so serious sometimes, and I had to admit, the thought of messing with him put back a piece I’d lost in the last two weeks. “Actually,” I feigned more tears, “I could really use some more support. Do you think you could come hold me too?”
His eyes managed to widen even more. “Uhh, wh—” he cleared his throat when his voice cracked. “What?”
I pinched my lips together to hold back my laugh.
While I may have been able to hold it in, Oaklyn couldn’t.
“Cal, I wish I could take a picture of your face. Olivia is just screwing with you.”
He looked back at me and relaxed for the first time since stepping in when he found me shaking with laughter.
“Don’t worry, you can go. We’re almost done with our girl talk.”
“Good to know.”
And then he was gone so fast I was surprised he hadn’t left skid marks in his wake. But just as quick, his head popped around the corner. “You staying for dinner?”
“Sure. That’d be great.”
Dinner ended up being pasta delivered from a local restaurant. The food had been delicious, and Oaklyn had managed to make me laugh a time or two. By the end of the meal, I felt both better and the same. My body still ached, missing Kent with every move, but I also felt stronger like it was a load I could bear.
But when it came down to it, I didn’t want to bear it. I wanted what Oaklyn and Callum had. They were the perfect picture of domesticated bliss—of what could become of a forbidden relationship. He’d been her professor and older than her, and yet they made it work.
“Do you have any plans for break, Olivia?” Callum asked, pulling me out of my downward spiral.
I shrugged, clearing my throat from the ball of tears trying to break free. “Some internships I want to apply for. Working at the hotel made me realize a direction to go in.”
“Finally,” Oaklyn muttered.
I rolled my eyes, and she maturely stuck her tongue out at me. Callum shook his head at our antics, snatching the roll from Oaklyn’s raised hand and placing it on his plate before she could lob it at me.
“Let me know if I can help. I may have some contacts you might enjoy working with.”
“Thanks, I appreciate it.” I still had to turn in my application to Carina. I passed by it sitting on the counter every morning, and I ignored it. Not ready to face anything new. I’d been in full wallowing mode. Maybe I’d head home and fill it out tonight. I needed to take steps forward and stop standing still.
All conversation came to a halt when my phone dinged with an incoming message. It clearly said Kent, and Oaklyn’s eyes snapped to mine.
My phone dinged two more times, each one sending a flood of adrenaline through my veins. My heart pounded like a racehorse.
Kent: I’m flying in tonight.
Kent: Please let me see you.
Kent: Room 1469. 7pm.
“You shouldn’t go, Olivia. Nothing has changed, and you’re just hurting you both more,” Oaklyn said.
I knew that, but a week away had me forgetting it all, desperate for one more look, and I hated her for pointing out the truth.
Callum’s chair scooted back, screaming through the silent room flooding with tension. “I’ll take these to the sink.” He gathered a handful of plates and bolted, leaving Oaklyn, me, and this decision alone in a standoff.
“Olivia.” She tried to get my attention, but I couldn’t pull my eyes away from his messages.
Kent. Kent. Kent.
My heart beat in unison with his name, begging me to get up and run to him.
Tears stung my eyes because I knew I’d be letting her down. “I know I shouldn’t, but I can’t not go. I love him.”
“Olivia,” she said again, harder, pulling my eyes to hers. “Don’t do this to yourselves.”
I knew I shouldn’t. I knew it. But it didn’t stop me from standing up and giving in.
“I’m sorry. Tell Cal, thanks for dinner.”
Her eyes slid closed but not before I saw the disappointment there.
They were the same feelings I had rushing over me too, but I shoved them down because I needed to see him.
Even if it was the last time, and we only said goodbye.
28 Kent
She had to come. She had to.
The minutes ticked by, and my belief that she’d show dwindled.
Maybe I was a fool to ask her to come—a fool setting myself up for more hurt. But I could hurt in her arms for a little while, at least. I could wrap her up and keep her mouth busy to fight off the truth. We could pretend, I just needed her to come.
Thirty-two minutes past the time I told her I’d be here, and still nothing. No messages. No beautiful, vibrant Olivia running through the door. Nothing but silence and the hard thump of my heart.
Then, the click of the door.
As if I held an electrical wire, my whole body zinged back to life. Watching her walk through the door, her mass of golden hair piled on top of her head, her eyes tired but smiling, flooded me with euphoria. I was lighter than I’d been since we’d last seen each other. I had to grip the back of the chair to make sure I didn’t float away.
We stared at each other across the small expanse of the room like we hadn’t seen each other in years.
Five seconds.
Ten seconds.
Twenty seconds.
I held my breath and counted, needing her to come to me.
Thirty seconds.
Then she was in my arms. A blur of motion colliding with me, locking in the other half to me I’d been searching years for. Burying my nose in her neck, I smelled her warm vanilla scent that mixed with the spice that was all her.
“I missed you,” she said against my skin.
“I missed you too.”
Missed didn’t begin to cover what I’d felt since we’d been apart. Craved, desired, yearned, needed. Nothing began to touch the heavy feeling that’d weighed me down.
But I hadn’t known what to do. Nothing had changed between us. She was still afraid of losing Daniel—and I was still unable to keep lying to my best friend, missing her more and more each day.
I hadn’t even known I was missing someone so vital in my life until she came and went. Now being without her, I was a half-empty shell.
I’d given her space, hoping she’d come to me. I was unaccustomed to chasing women and hadn’t really known where to start, so I did nothing.
In that time, I’d glued myself to Daniel when I could. Hoping he would fill the void—hoping the time I spent with him reminded me why I decided almost twenty years ago to never lie to him again—to never lie about who I was and what I wanted.
“What am I doing here, Kent?” she asked my chest. She’d yet to unwrap her arms from around me, and frankly, she could stay there forever for all I cared.
“I wanted to take you on a date.”
Her head tipped back, and damp blue eyes lifted to mine. A slow smile stretched her full lips, making me want to nibble at the lush bottom curve.
I returned her smile and gestured to the candle-lit table with roses and silver domes sitting in the corner. “It’s our spot.”
And j
ust like that, the smile turned sad, our reality crashing in around us. The reality that we were nothing outside of this room. She swallowed a few times and dashed away the stray tear that broke free before pulling her shoulders back and lifting her regal chin.
No matter how much of a brave face she put on, nothing hid the crack in her soft proclamation. “I can’t do this to you. I love you, Kent.” Another tear fell, and she didn’t bother to wipe it away. “I want you. You know I do, but I can’t tell him. He’s all I’ve had for so long, and I don’t know who I am without him believing in me.”
“He will still believe in you, Olivia. You’re not the sum of your body. You are so much more, and just because you’re with me, doesn’t change that. Why can’t you believe that and just tell him?”
“I—I just need more time.” The words were hollow, said too many times without any results.
“No, you don’t.”
We both knew the truth. If she couldn’t tell him by now, she never would. Olivia needed to believe in herself. I had to accept that I couldn’t do that for her. Maybe some day in the future, she’d reach that point and come back to me. God knows I’d probably still be there waiting.
The pain flooded me to the point of drowning. I couldn’t breathe and didn’t know what to do. So, I did the only thing I knew how—the thing we were so good at. My words weren’t enough, but I’d always been better about expressing my emotions with my body. Even if it was goodbye.
Pulling her into my arms, I wasted no time pressing my mouth to hers. She lifted on her toes and met me halfway. We collided like a supernova. Our feelings coming together in a final explosion before dying out.
“Make love to me, Kent. One more time. Please.”
Everything turned frantic, and as much as I wanted to slow down and savor each final touch, I just needed to be inside her.
Without any finesse, I fumbled under her skirt, finding the flimsy lace panties she loved so much and tore them. Her fingers dug into my hair, holding me in place so she could fuse her mouth to mine.
My hands roamed her body, not knowing where to go first. I squeezed her bare ass, hoisting her up enough to move us both to the couch. She leaned back against the arm, her chest thrust out, and I tore down the thin strap of her bra and dress, kissing, licking, and biting my way to her hard nipple.
Taking time to make sure she was ready, I swirled my fingers around her clit, spreading her wetness. I knew when I freed my cock, I’d be a savage—ruthless in getting inside her body.
Playing with her pussy, I kissed up her neck to her ear. “I love you, Olivia.”
Her breath hitched, and a restrained whimper broke free, lashing at my heart. “I love you too, Kent.” She tugged my hair to press our foreheads together, panting when I pushed my fingers inside.
A pained groan worked its way up my chest, and I flipped her around, needing an outlet for everything inside me. I ripped my pants open and bent my knees, shoving inside. We both cried out from pleasure and pain. I took only a moment to bury my head against the back of her neck and memorize the feel of her wet cunt around me. When she wriggled her hips, trying to move me, I obliged—rutting against her like a wild animal.
One hand latched on to her breast, pinching her nipple. The other was being guided to her throat. Olivia held it there where I could feel every cry of pleasure vibrating her soft neck. Where I could feel the thin chain of my possession still clasped tight. I squeezed softly, wanting to imprint the necklace on her skin, so even if she took it off, it’d always be there.
“Please, Kent,” Olivia cried.
Tears splashed against my arm, and fire burned behind my eyes. I couldn’t tell you the last time I cried, but having strong, brave, bold Olivia break in my arms, gutted me.
“Please, don’t end this.”
“I’m sorry, baby. I’m so sorry.”
Through it all, I never stopped thrusting. If anything, I fucked her harder, our skin slapping together, mixing with our pain to make the most sorrowful song that would haunt me long after she left.
“Please, don’t.”
She kept muttering it over and over. Please, don’t stop. Please, don’t leave me. Please, don’t do this. Please, don’t.
Each one hitting me harder than the last.
I squeezed her throat harder, wanting to give her the biggest high, the strongest orgasm, so it would be impossible to forget.
We were both so consumed by the storm engulfing us, neither of us heard the click of the door opening.
“Vivian said you’d be—”
As if in slow motion, I turned to watch a wide-eyed Daniel, his face morphing from shock to pure, unfiltered rage. The seconds stretched, and I took in the scene from his perspective. My hand around his niece’s throat. Her crying. Me buried so deep inside her, I didn’t know where I stopped, and she began.
The seconds lasted forever, letting me take in every emotion rolling across his face and feeling the guilt of my actions, seeing the ramifications before they even happened.
“What the fuck?” Daniel roared.
For every second that lasted forever, they moved at warp speed now.
Olivia’s muttered, “Oh, my god.” Me turning away to cover her. Daniel dropping his cup right before he built speed like a battering ram. I’d barely tucked my cock back in my pants and moved Olivia to the side before he collided, taking us both to the ground.
I vaguely heard a scream, but it was blurred with the way my head smacked the ground, and Daniel climbed on top of me. This—This was why I never wanted him to find out outside of my control.
I did the best I could to protect any vital organs, but not fighting back.
“How could you?” Daniel roared inches from my face. “How could you rape her—my fucking niece.”
As if I was expecting a bucket of hot water and was instead doused with ice, my body jerked in surprise. “What? No.”
The words didn’t even register to Daniel before his fist landed hard on my cheek. Fuck, that hurt.
He gripped my shirt and lifted me up before slamming me back down. Then another slam. “I fucking trusted you.”
“I didn’t.” I tried to say the words, but things were getting fuzzy after so many blows. “Daniel, I didn’t.”
“Shut up! I saw you. I called you my brother, and I fucking saw you.”
“I didn’t—”
Another hit and then one more. I was sure I was about to blackout when Olivia’s screams finally registered.
“Stop! Just stop. Please, Uncle Daniel. I love him.”
The room fell to a hushed silence, and Daniel looked over his shoulder, his fist still raised, and the other clenched tight to my shirt.
“What?”
“I love him. I love him,” Olivia said again and again through her tears. Her mascara smeared down her cheeks, and she clutched her dress to her chest, holding up where I tore the strap.
“What he’s done to you, Olivia…” He stopped as if he couldn’t get the words out. “I don’t know what he said to y—”
“He didn’t say anything. He didn’t make me do anything I didn’t want to.”
Daniel’s fist dropped, but he still rested all his weight on my stomach, making it hard to breathe. “But you were crying? He-he—”
“I was crying because we aren’t together anymore. I’m losing him, and I love him.”
My chest ached with each sob that broke free from the beautiful woman who deserved better than this. I went to push up on my elbows to try and go to her when Daniel used both hands to jerk me up close to his face.
“What did you do to her?”
“Daniel, I—” I tried to defend myself.
“You don’t even believe in love, and you let it get this far? What the fuck is wrong with you? She’s twenty-one-years-old, of course, she’d think she’s in love with you. How could you take advantage of her?”
“He didn’t do anything. I did. I did it all. I chased him even when he didn’t. It was all me.”<
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Daniel slowly lowered me to the floor, the look on his face morphing to confusion and disbelief like he couldn’t mesh the Olivia he’d placed on a pedestal and the one admitting she’d chased an older man.
The way she was laying it all out there like she forced herself on me.
I watched his face shift, and I wanted to yank him back to stare at me because as soon as he looked at her, I knew what she’d think. She’d see that look, and every fear would lock into place in her mind.
Regret slammed into me that it got to this point. I knew it was her biggest fear, and I knew, for her, it was about to come true. I needed to get his attention, hit him, and bring it back to me.
But Daniel used my body to adjust himself to face her, and it was too late. Her shoulders dropped, and her arms curled around herself. It was like watching a blossoming flower wilt within seconds.
“Olivia…why?” he breathed.
“Because I’m stupid.”
“You’re not—” I tried to interrupt.
“Because I wanted him, and I didn’t want to be denied. Because he made me happy and excited, and I love him.”
Daniel’s jaw dropped as he fell to the side, thankfully, off my chest giving me room to breathe.
“Because I’m just some stupid girl.”
And with that, she ran. I tried to get up, but my ribs screamed in protest. By the time I was sitting, Daniel was still leaning against the couch, wide-eyed and dumbfounded.
“What the fuck, man?” Slowly, his head turned to me. “You’re fucking my niece?”
I winced. When he put it like that, it sounded bad.
“I love her, Daniel.”
“So, you—you weren’t…”
“God, no. I can’t believe you’d think that.” I said with a little anger of my own.
He dragged his hands through his hair, tugging on the ends. “Fuck.”
“Listen, man, you need to go to her. The reason we were breaking up was because I wanted to tell you, and she was too scared you’d hate her. She needs you more than me. I need you to go to her.”