I stiffened, my eyes still locked on Olivia's.The moment had been shattered, leaving me with a mix of relief and frustration.
“Shots?”I raised an eyebrow at Marco.“It's barely nine.”
“It's a party, Carter.Live a little!”
I glanced at Olivia, who shrugged with a resigned smile.“When in Rome, right?”
We followed Marco back to the bar, where a line of shot glasses awaited us.The bass pulsed through the floor, matching the quickening of my pulse as Olivia's arm brushed against mine.
Marco raised his glass.“To new beginnings!”
New beginnings, indeed.
The tequila burned my throat, but I welcomed the distraction.Olivia winced as she set her glass down, and I fought the urge to reach out and touch her.
“Another round?”Marco asked, already signaling the bartender.
I waved a hand.“I'm good.Work tomorrow.”
Olivia laughed.“Always so responsible, huh?”
Screwing up my courage, I leaned in close, my lips nearly grazing her ear.“Not always.”
Olivia's eyes widened, her lips parting slightly.
“Carter,” she breathed, her voice barely audible over the pulsing music.
I stared at those voluptuous, kissable lips, fighting the urge to close the distance between us.“We should continue that talk,” I murmured, tracking the movement of her throat as she swallowed.“Somewhere private.”
Olivia nodded, color staining her cheeks.She glanced around then took my hand again, leading me away from the crowded bar.We weaved through the throng of dancers, the heat of her palm against mine sending goosebumps up my arm.
Eventually, we found a secluded corner near the back of the club, partially hidden by a velvet curtain.Olivia turned to face me.
“About the other day,” she started.“I wanted to thank you for...helping me.But I also think we need to address what happened.”
I rubbed at the back of my head, suddenly at a loss for words.It was impossible to explain the storm of emotions she stirred in me.I shook myself and tried to remember how to form coherent sentences.The pulsing music and dim lighting of the club faded away, leaving only Olivia and the humming electric current between us.
“What happened, it wasn't professional.But I can't deny that I wanted it.That I still want it.”
“Carter, I?—”
“Let me finish,” I interrupted, stepping closer.“You're my employee, and that complicates things.But you're also the first person in a long time who's made me feel alive.”I brushed a strand of hair from her face.She leaned into my touch, her eyes never leaving mine.“I don't know where this leads, but I know I can't ignore it anymore.You've gotten under my skin, Olivia.And I'm tired of fighting it.”
She inhaled sharply, and her tongue darted out to moisten her lips.We were standing so close I could feel her body quivering.I tilted my head, my heart galloping?—
A nearby burst of laughter shattered the moment, and we jumped apart.There was only one thing to do.
“Did you drive here?”I asked.
“No.I took an Uber.”
“Good.Let's go.”
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
OLIVIA
Carter grabbed my hand,and we fought our way through the heaving crowd.I couldn't believe he was here, couldn't believe this was happening.
