Simply Complicated, page 16
“No. It’s time you come over. Besides, I have something special planned for you.”
“Care to tell me what it is?”
“Not a chance.” She ushered me toward the front door. I guess I’m leaving now. Before she kicked me out, I leaned in until my mouth hovered over hers. “Remember to keep the date PG.”
“You don’t have to remind me. I know the rules. No sex.”
“Good.” I pulled back without kissing her and she pouted. That’ll teach her for toying with me.
28
Olivia
Rooting through my closet to see what options I had for my date with Derek, I found a periwinkle-colored dress I’d bought two years ago on a whim but never wore. It was strapless with a fitted bodice. But the skirt flared out and away from my body. The dress even had pockets, which I thought was a sensible feature. Tossing it on the bed, I reentered my closet and found the perfect pair of nude heels to go with it.
“Are you sure you want to do this?” Brooke asked, leaning against my headboard, mindlessly scrolling through Instagram.
“Why wouldn’t I?”
“Because you’re already involved with Luke.”
“But we’re not dating.” Cinching my robe tighter, I opened and closed my dresser drawers, pulling out a few options for underwear before deciding on a white satin thong.
“Did you tell Derek about Luke?”
“That we’re having sex to see if he can help me come during the act?” I laughed because her question was ridiculous. “Of course, I didn’t tell him. Why would I? I’m only going out on one date with the guy.”
“What if you decide you like him and go out on another date?”
“So what?” I wasn’t sure where this conversation was headed, but my gut told me Brooke would keep at it unless I shut her down. “Look. It’s only dinner. I’m not going to sleep with him. Luke knows. I told him yesterday.”
“What did he say?”
“What could he say? He can’t tell me I can’t go.”
“He’s a better man than me.”
“Did you just refer to yourself as a man?”
She tossed a pillow at me. “You know what I mean.” I threw the pillow back at her. “How would you feel if Luke told you he had a date.”
“I’d be fine with it as long as he promised not to sleep with her.” Was I lying? I didn’t want to think so, but the flip of my stomach indicated I might be fooling myself.
“You keep telling yourself that.”
“Do you think I can get away with wearing no bra?” I asked, pointing toward the dress. I needed a subject change. The last thing I wanted to think about was Luke, and the question she posed about if the roles were reversed.
Brooke leaned forward and inspected the garment. “You should be good. It looks like there’s built-in pads.” I walked into the bathroom, but apparently she wasn’t done grilling me. “What else did Luke say about tonight?”
“He wants me to come by his place afterward. I told him I would.” I didn’t tell her that he also said he had a surprise for me. Talk of the man needed to end and now.
“Be careful, Liv. I’d hate for you to ruin something before it even had a chance to develop.” I didn’t need to ask who she referred to because she was team Luke all the way.
After I finished my hair and makeup, I pulled the dress over my head and smoothed down the skirt. I turned around and inched closer to her, moving my hair to one side so she could zip me up. The final step was to slide my feet into the heels. It took me a moment to get used to the feel of them because I hadn’t worn anything other than sneakers and ballet flats in what felt like forever.
“How do I look?” I did a little twirl for Brooke, hoping for an extra boost of confidence because I was suddenly in short supply.
“Fantastic.”
Checking the time, I deemed I was going to be late if I didn’t get a move on. I’d agreed to meet Derek at Luciano’s, an upscale Italian restaurant located just off the strip. Without any traffic issues, it would take me twenty minutes to get there, which was only five more than I had right now.
“I have to go.”
Brooke didn’t say a word as she followed me outside, standing behind me while I locked the front door. When I turned to face her, she looked something akin to disappointed, but perhaps I misread her expression. She wasn’t on board with me going out on a date with someone who wasn’t Luke, but I wasn’t going to allow her hesitations to become mine. I’d dealt with enough emotional ups and downs over the past few days to last me for quite some time to come.
After promising I’d call her tomorrow, I folded myself behind the wheel of my Jeep and left for my date. Luckily, I arrived with two minutes to spare. Derek stood near the entrance, and the nervousness I’d attempted to push way deep down resurfaced. His dark blue suit accentuated his broad shoulders, the first button of his crisp white shirt undone, making me a touch more comfortable. For some reason, the lack of a tie put me at ease, even though both of us were dressed up. His wavy hair was perfectly styled, the richness of the dark-colored tresses a perfect contrast to his green eyes. There was no doubt this man turned many a head, and although he didn’t cause a flutter in my belly like a certain soccer player, I was looking forward to getting to know him better.
“Wow. You look amazing.” He reached for my hand and pulled me closer, placing a kiss on my cheek.
“Thank you. So do you.”
“It’s been a minute since I’ve worn a suit. I’m happy it still fits.” When he ushered me inside and toward the hostess, I released any guilt and apprehension I’d felt on the ride here.
I never admitted this to Brooke, but in a small way I felt like I was cheating on Luke, even though he knew about my date. Of course, I wasn’t going to sleep with the guy, but there was a possibility he was going to kiss me afterward. Would I let him? Luke and I said no sex with anyone else, but we never said anything about a kiss. The bout of apprehension I’d just released came back full force with the bombardment of thoughts. Luckily, Derek wasn’t any the wiser to my internal dilemma.
Once we were seated and had placed our drink orders, I opened the menu. There were eight pages of options, and as I lost myself to scouring the choices, he cleared his throat.
When I looked over at him, the dimple in his right cheek made an appearance.
“If you’re not sure what to order, I can make a recommendation. I’ve been here before.”
“Sure. I’m not a picky eater.”
“Are you allergic to seafood?”
“No.”
He closed his menu, and gently removed mine from my hands, placing both toward the edge of the table. A quick jerk of his chin toward the waiter and our server was next to us.
“We’re both going to have the risotto with shrimp.” As soon as Derek uttered the word risotto, Luke’s face popped into my head. The dish, minus the shrimp, was one of his favorites. As if he sensed he’d entered my mind, a text came through. I didn’t have to check to see it was him. Every fiber in my being told me it was. A second alert sounded, followed by a third. “You can check that if you want. I won’t think you’re being rude. Trust me, I’m sure my pager will go off at some point.”
“I didn’t know they still used pagers.”
“Hospitals are notorious for being dead zones for cell service, but that’s on purpose. Many of the walls were built to keep X-rays from going through, which makes it nearly impossible for cell phone signals to penetrate as well. But there’s something about the signal the pagers use that doesn’t have any issues. It’s why we still use them.”
“I didn’t know all that.”
“Neither did I up until a couple years ago when I thought to ask.” The curve of his mouth should have tempted me to have thoughts about pressing my lips to his, but the only person I could think about kissing was the man who sent me yet another text message.
“Sorry. Let me turn my phone off.”
“Seems like someone wants to get a hold of you,” he said, his left brow arching slightly.
“Probably my mom,” I lied. “But I’ll call her back later.” I did happen to glance at the screen as I powered down the device, and as I suspected, Luke’s name appeared as the sender of the texts.
“Tell me, Olivia. How is it you’re single?”
“I could ask you the same thing. You’re more of a catch.”
“How so?”
“Being a doctor for one. Plus, you’re young and handsome. And minus the misunderstanding when I first met you, you seem to be a nice guy.”
“I may say stupid stuff sometimes, but I do think I’m a nice guy. I’ll agree with you.” His dimple showed up again. “Being a doctor has its drawbacks, though, mainly the long hours. But I have to pay my dues.” He took a sip of his wine. “And you’re wrong.”
“About what?”
“You’re the better catch. Not only are you gorgeous, but any woman who works on cars is a bonus in my book. Like I said before, I can barely change my oil. In fact, I only attempted it once and it didn’t go well.”
Over the course of the next hour and a half, we talked about various subjects, from our jobs to which movies we’d seen recently to what we liked to do in our spare time. He liked to be outdoors whenever he encountered the opportunity, hiking and fishing being the main two activities he enjoyed. I told him I wasn’t much of an outdoor person, but I wasn’t opposed to trying new things, which after I thought about it, sounded more like an invitation for him to invite me to do something. On paper, this guy was a dream. And while I thought he was attractive, smart, and charming, he didn’t hold a candle to Luke. I didn’t regret coming here tonight, but I wouldn’t be agreeing to another date if he asked. It wouldn’t be fair to lead him on knowing my heart belonged to someone else.
I wanted to be shocked at my thought, but it was pointless to pretend I wasn’t head over heels for Luke. That didn’t mean I would make my feelings known to him. I couldn’t allow him to have the upper hand again. My heart couldn’t take another devastation.
“I had a great time.” Derek’s hand rested on the small of my back as he walked me to my Jeep. “I’d love to do this again sometime.”
I should tell him the truth, or part of the truth, at least. That I had a good time, as well, but this would be as far as it went. But I chickened out.
“Me too” was my response, pulling my keys from my purse.
When I’d unlocked my door, he reached for the handle and opened it for me. I parted my lips to thank him, but he leaned in close before I could say anything. With a soft press of his mouth to mine, he kissed me, lingering for a few seconds before pulling back. If my head hadn’t been so wrapped around another man, I would’ve appreciated the feel of his mouth on mine, but somehow the action felt more like a betrayal on my part.
“Have a good night, Olivia.”
He stepped back and allowed me to situate myself in the driver seat. Afterward, he closed the door, smiling at me as I turned over the engine.
As I pulled away, I mindlessly touched my lips. The action wasn’t because Derek had kissed me. It was because I feared Luke would ask if he did.
29
Luke
All my texts had gone unanswered, but did I really expect her to respond while she was on a date?
I must’ve looked at my watch a thousand times, becoming more irritated the longer I didn’t hear from her. Was she going to change her mind and not come over? Was her date going so well they decided to do something else afterward? The thought alone infuriated me, and I realized, as if I didn’t know it already, that Olivia wasn’t leaving my house until she agreed to be with me.
No more just friends who were sleeping together to accomplish a goal.
No more of her being set up and going on dates with random guys.
After she stopped talking to me for two days because of what happened with Ben, I was lucky she wanted to continue our arrangement, and I was willing to let it be just that. But when she told me about this date, possessiveness speared through me, and I wanted to forbid her from going. Exerting any kind of control over her life, however, wouldn’t end well for me, so I kept my mouth shut.
Pacing near the front door did nothing but keep me amped up, but when headlights approached, I released one breath after another with the hope I’d be able to calm myself enough that she didn’t know how worked up I was. Stewing in uncertainty and jealousy wasn’t a good combination, the increased thrum of my heart a perfect indicator.
I flung open the door as Olivia walked up the front steps, her eyes widening at the sudden surprise of me standing before her.
“I think this place is too small for you.” Her teasing tone worked to ease a quarter of the anxiety still rushing through me.
“I thought so too, but it’ll have to do.” I grabbed her hand and pulled her inside, and for once she didn’t try to sever the contact.
“I need a tour. Like right now.”
“No way. I’ll give you one later. I’ve waited all day for this.”
She started to speak but abruptly stopped when I dragged her toward the stairs. Once we were in my bedroom, I backed her against the wall, towering over her. I hooked a finger under her chin and raised her head until her eyes met mine.
“Did you wear that dress for him or for me?”
My intention was to ask the question in a calm tone, but I couldn’t hide the growl in my voice. As my eyes scoured the length of her, jealousy dominated all other emotions. Not only was her dress strapless, but it barely hit her midthigh. Her hair fell down her back, and the image of twisting the strands between my fingers and pulling while I took her from behind barreled into my brain. She looked amazing, and I hated another man had her attention for the past couple hours. Staring at her and probably imagining taking her in various positions, filling each one of her holes more than once. The mental torture I put myself through was enough to drive me insane, but because Olivia had no idea what thoughts ran through my head, she stood there innocently staring at me. And perhaps she was innocent, but that didn’t stop the fire from burning inside me, tempting me to combust where I stood.
“I wanted to look presentable.”
“Are you going to see him again?” My thumb caressed along her jaw, my fingers gripping the back of her head so she couldn’t move.
“No.” Her quick answer was exactly the one I hoped for.
“Did you kiss him?”
Even though my hold prevented her from moving, she cast her eyes downward, the simple gesture telling me what I didn’t want to know. I should’ve never asked, but I did, and now I had to deal with the consequences.
I stewed in the silence that followed, and when I thought she was going to make me repeat my question, she sputtered out a breath, the word falling from her lips in a nervous whisper.
“Yes.”
“Show me.”
“What?” The frown marring her face matched the confusion churning inside me at having spoken those two syllables.
“Show me how you kissed him.”
“He kissed me,” she clarified. I didn’t want to get into semantics with her, but regardless of who kissed who, her lips were on another man. Did it make me feel any better that she hadn’t initiated the action? I wasn’t sure yet because all I kept picturing was her swept up in a moment that should’ve never happened.
“Show me.”
“No.”
“Do it.”
Although I tried to prevent it, anger colored my voice. She attempted to take a step back, but I clutched her waist and barred the movement.
When she realized there was no getting out of this, she leaned up on her tiptoes, parted her lips slightly and covered my mouth with hers, holding for a count of three seconds, which was two and a half seconds too long.
“Did he use his tongue? And don’t lie to me.”
“No, he didn’t.”
“Did you want him to?” Why am I torturing myself?
“No. I didn’t even know he was going to kiss me until he did. I suspected he might, but…”
“But what?”
“I wasn’t prepared. Not completely.”
“Did you like kissing another man while I’m sitting here waiting for you?” Seriously… stop.
“Of course, I didn’t,” she said. “I don’t want to admit this, to you or myself, but I felt like I was betraying you, even though I didn’t do anything wrong.”
With her admission, I squashed some of my jealousy. She could pretend all day she didn’t feel something for me, other than sexual attraction, but her façade had just been obliterated.
Pushing her dress up, my fingers skimmed over the edge of her panties. “Your mouth is mine. You’re not allowed to kiss anyone else but me.”
I bunched the soft material in my hand and pulled, shredding the fabric in one motion. Her lips parted on a gasp, and I couldn’t restrain myself any longer. Tossing the torn panties to the side, I spun her around, unzipped her dress and yanked it down until the garment pooled at her feet. She was completely naked, and it took everything in me not to kick her legs apart, bend her over, and fuck her senseless.
I hadn’t lied when I told her I had a surprise for her tonight, but if I surrendered to the need to lose myself inside her, I would be no closer to making her come than I had been any other time we’d had sex.
Moving her hair to rest over her shoulder, I leaned in, my mouth close to her ear. “I have another deal for you,” I said, circling my arm around her waist and pulling her into me, her ass pressing against my excitement. “If I make you come tonight, you’ll agree to be mine. No more of us just having sex. I want you. All of you.”
“Are you sure that’s a deal you want to make?” A blend of curiosity and hope filled her voice, and because she hadn’t immediately shut me down, I harnessed the encouragement I needed to keep going.
But I needed to look into her eyes when I spoke this next part. Spinning her around, I seized both of her wrists and raised her arms above her head, holding them in place with one of mine. Licking at the seam of her lips, she didn’t wait long until she opened her mouth for me.
