Olívia

Guillermo
Olívia is standing with her back to me, in the shower—my shower—and the scene feels damn perfect. Water cascades over her as if she needs to wash off everything that happened today. I strip off my shirt, pants, and boxer briefs, and I think she hears me, yet she doesn’t turn around. When I join her, the hot stream surrounds us, locking us in our own world.

"Let me do this." I take the soap from her hands and rub her back, the delicious curve of her lifted ass, and her soft thighs. Unable to resist, I bend down and bite one of her cheeks.

When I turn her to face me, what I see on her face steals the air from my lungs.

Trust. Surrender.

She is giving me everything.

Olívia has never been more mine than in this moment.

Still kneeling, I reach a hand around her body and turn off the shower. She remains silent, as if sensing my need for her.

I kiss her thigh and she parts her legs. Without touching her with my hands, I lean in and inhale her scent. The perfume dominates my senses, seeping under my skin. I lift one of her legs, resting it on my shoulder, and part her lips. Her hands move to my hair as she leans back against the wall.

At the first touch of my mouth, she falters and moans, begging for more.

I invade her body with tongue and fingers, taking what I need and giving what I have. I’m not in a rush. I could savor my woman forever.

When she melts in my arms, I lift her, both still wet, and carry her to the bedroom.

I lie back on the bed, pulling her over me. I’m dying to take her, but in this moment, I need her to know how cherished she is.

"How are you feeling?"

"Confused. Do you really think it was Kathleen?"

"I do."

"Out of jealousy for you?"

"I think so. You asked why I transferred her. She had been behaving inappropriately."

She lifts her head and smiles, though her eyes are still swollen from crying earlier.

"I’m your secretary and I have plenty of inappropriate behaviors with my boss too. And you don’t even know my thoughts."

I steal a kiss.

"It’s different. I was attracted to you from that first day at the café."

"Was that why you hired me?"

"No. I wanted to take care of you."

"I don’t need to be taken care of."

"I know, but I want to anyway."

"I don’t want to be another responsibility for you, Guillermo, or added to a list of tasks like you do with your brothers. I can take care of myself. If you want a relationship, even with the risk of me getting hurt, I’ll go for it—but I won’t accept being treated like a trinket."

"I don’t doubt your ability to take care of yourself, Olívia. That’s not why I stepped in today."

"I know. I was kind of catatonic earlier, but I recover quickly."

I’m no longer sad, but furious.

I laugh because she really does seem a little crazy right now.

"Angry, huh?"

"Yes. I’m not an aggressive person, but I want to slap that stuck-up blonde. Who does she think she is, playing with my life like that?"

"God, you’re hot when you’re angry. Makes me want to tease you just to see that fury come out."

"You’re crazy," she says, smiling. "Are you really going to talk to the press tomorrow? Why?"

"We will talk. Joaquín has probably already released the footage of Charlotte putting the wallet in your bag. That, combined with the fact that news channels must know by now that we’re together, will make the videos of your detention at the hotel quickly forgotten."

"But it will make you a target for the tabloids. When your wife died, I don’t remember reading anything about your family name, which tells me you stay away from gossip."

"You didn’t read about my name after Layla’s death because my lawyers worked hard to keep us out of the scandal, but now it’s different."

"Different how?"

"If what I need to do to prove your innocence is shout to the world that you’re mine, I will."

"You sounded like a Neanderthal just now," she laughs. "I own you, Olívia." She imitates my voice.

"I’m trying to get into the role of the hot CEO from your novels. I don’t want to disappoint you, baby."

"You don’t need much. You’re delicious and a CEO. Just a few lines like that earlier and you’re one hundred percent in expectations."

"Girl, you’re so cheeky." I kiss her mouth and then her entire face. "That day I went to your house, the man at the building door called you a ray of sunshine. No nickname could ever fit better, Olívia. You are my ray of sunshine. I can’t imagine anyone else going through this sordid setup and still being able to smile."

"I’ve dealt with worse, Guillermo. I watched my mother die without being able to do anything but stay by her side. It won’t be some jealous sicko who defeats me."



The next day
Caldwell-Oviedo Tower Hotel

I can feel her nervousness radiating in waves.
We’re standing in the hotel’s conference room, after both being briefed by the lawyers on what we could say and which questions we should ignore.

There’s a counter separating us from where the reporters from the main celebrity magazines are seated, and I squeeze her hand, cold and damp, trying to help her relax. Immediately, Olívia looks at me, leaning her body slightly toward mine, even if unconsciously.

Her vulnerability hits me hard, and forgetting where we are, I cup her face and kiss her lips.

"It’s going to be okay, little rocket."

Only when I notice a stir in my peripheral vision do I remember the microphone is already on. When I look at the reporters, I can almost swear the women’s section is sighing. Then, it’s as if the gates of hell have been thrown open, a whirlwind of voices interjecting, making my family lunches seem like a poetry recital in comparison.

"Little rocket? Is that her nickname? Can you tell us a bit more about that, Guillermo?"

Jesus Christ!

I hear a soft laugh and realize it’s coming from Olívia. At least my blunder served some purpose. Before I can think of a response, she takes the lead.

"Guillermo thinks I’m restless." She’s smiling, and that’s what matters to me.

"She’s perfect."

An “ohhhhhh” echoes through the room, as if that were the correct response. I didn’t plan it, but it’s the truth. Olívia is perfect for me.



The conference has been going on for about twenty minutes, and I’m ready to wrap it up when a reporter asks,

"So, Guillermo, can we start thinking about gala outfits for the big day? Is there a chance of an altar soon?"

Olívia steps in again.

"We have to go. Your schedule is full today."

She’s giving me a way out, and given the size of the secret I’m keeping between us, I accept, because right now, any answer I give would be the wrong one.

"Thank you all, ladies and gentlemen. Our meeting is adjourned." My publicist interjects.



"I think I’ll spend tonight at the hotel."

"No, I’m taking you out to dinner and then we’ll go back home."

"I don’t think I should. I need to think."

"Don’t run from us."

"I’m not running, but my quiet life suddenly turned into a reality show. I went from being your employee or secret fling—or whatever we were—to your girlfriend overnight. I can’t process all these changes."

"You don’t have to process everything at once. Why can’t we just enjoy it as a couple?"

"Look, don’t get me wrong, but we went from a secret relationship to a public one, and now we’re practically headed for the altar, according to the reporters’ speculation. It’s too much for me."

"Don’t overthink it."

She sighs.

"Any news about Kathleen?" She changes the subject.

"She didn’t come to work. She sent HR a note saying she has a cold. Either way, we would have put her on paid leave."

"How convenient."

"Have I told you that you get really hot when you’re angry?"

She looks at me, torn between kissing me or hitting me, and I decide for her, pulling her by the nape of her neck.

When we pull away, she’s completely disarmed.

"I’m scared. Everything that’s happening is a lot, you know?"

"I know, and that’s why we’re leaving the city."

"Leaving?"

"Yes. You, me, and Nina. What do you think?"

She’s so transparent. Her beautiful eyes immediately sparkle like two sapphires.

"Traveling?"

"Yes. Spending a weekend away from the world. Just the three of us. I have a chalet in Westminster. Pack a bag. Let’s live a little."

"Aren’t you afraid of losing your reputation?"

"I have a reputation?"

"You do. Relentless sir, who never smiles and works more hours than exist in a day."

I slap her ass.

"I’ll take the risk."