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15

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Olivia

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For the rest of the festival Rourke’s hours are less chaotic, with him getting as much as six hours of sleep. Sometimes he even makes it home for dinner, where we eat with a glowing Cheryl. I get my daily call to check on me, and all feels right until the day before the festival ends, when I’m left wondering what is going to happen next. However, I’m too much of a wimp to ask.

He wakes me up in the best way by slipping inside me from behind, taking me slowly, drawing out our pleasure. His mouth is on my neck, then licking his way to my mouth, fucking it with wicked movements until I’m a mewling mass of need. A large hand moves down to tease my clit as he moves faster and faster inside me until I break apart in his arms. Until he comes deep inside me, putting me back together, making me whole again.

We lie together for a while. He knows not to pull out of me, how I love the feel of him inside me. He moves until he’s gazing down at me, his hand stroking my cheek. “Tonight is an end of the festival party. I want you there beside me.”

I flinch. He’s not asking. “Rourke, I’m not...I wouldn’t fit in.”

“You’ll be with me, that guarantees you fit in. I don’t want to hear any bullshit about you not thinking you’re gorgeous enough to be there. I’m done with you not believing you are a beautiful woman. It will be me who is seen as the lucky one to have you on my arm. You are the total package. Nice, kind, with a smile that makes everyone want to smile in return. I’ll never stop adoring these curves that make my cock ache just thinking of them. These breasts, high, proud, full, with cotton candy nipples to match your pretty pink pussy; women pay for breasts as gorgeous as yours and they don’t look this perfect.”

His fingers have been trailing over every part of me he talked about. I love the way his eyes catch mine and hold. “Then there’s the cherry on top, this delectable, plump sweet ass of yours.” He grabs a quivering cheek, molding it in his large hand. 

“I want you with me. I’m sending someone over with a selection of dresses. You’ll pick out one, then I’ll have someone bring you to me. It’s a dinner and party, eat before you come though, or you’ll starve from what’s on offer. Seven o’clock. Be ready.” I swallow my protests as he presses a kiss to my throat, where my heartbeat is pounding. Then he rolls off the bed and puts on his robe before he walks out of the room for his morning shower.

Ugh...how is he both such an arrogant asshole and the single most amazing man I’ve ever met? Resistance is futile. I sigh as somehow, despite my terror at what he’s asking, I slip back into sleep before he’s back.

The next time I wake up it’s almost nine o’clock. As I stumble into the shower his demand from this morning rushes back, along with his insanely lovely words. Okay, fine. I’ll go but I won’t like it. Out of the shower I stare at myself in the mirror naked, something I haven’t done in a long time. I have gone down a size, and I’m only inches away from a twelve.

As happy as I am about the loss, I’m still two of what the other women there will be. At least my skin is glowing from my time by the pool, even with sunscreen. My hair could use a cut though. I call my usual lady, Diane, and thank fuck she can fit me in. I tell her what it’s for, and she urges me to have my makeup professionally done by a woman at the salon. Since I have zero skills when it comes to makeup, I tell her to schedule it for me and I’ll see her at four.

Going back to my room, I pull on loose lounge pants and a stretchy T-shirt, then go into the kitchen. I see Cheryl is out by the pool enjoying her coffee, feeding a squirrel who is all kinds of brave when food is at stake. I’m cranky so I eat my eggs, toast, and drink my coffee alone while I stew in my resentment. Only I don’t have long to stew before the doorbell rings.

Checking the door, I see a tiny Asian woman with a handful of dresses over her arm. Damn it, he really doesn’t waste time. I open the door, I’m able to get out hello but nothing else as she starts talking. “I’m Jaqueline, your stylist. Per Mr. Vega’s orders we’re going to show off your assets without being too sexy. The man doesn’t know how hard that is. Okay, I get it now. You’re all the curves the men want. I might need more dresses, we’ll see. How high of a heel can you wear? Can you go five inches?”

I’m going to kill him.

***

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Olivia

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Despite how it started, the next hour and a half isn’t nearly as bad as I feared it will be. Cheryl comes in from the patio to add her two cents, her happiness so clear I lose my pout quickly. The dresses are stunning. I’m a little scared to try them on, worried I’ll get them dirty or stretch them out or something as embarrassing. We settle on a Monique Lhuillier I’m in love with.

Once Jaqueline is gone, both Cheryl and I are sighing over the dress as I hang it up in the closet. “You do know he’s never had a woman go with him to a single event at the festival in all these years. He tried to get me to go, I’ve gone to a few screenings, but even when he was seeing an actress here for the festival he never took her on a date.”

I freeze. “Are you serious?”

“Very. It’s why I’m so happy, and you should be as well. Just because he hasn’t realized it himself doesn’t mean he hasn’t fallen for you completely.”

“I wish I could say it really meant something, but he still doesn’t talk about anything further than the next day. He just sprung this on me today—did he know he wanted me to go last night? I’m happy, yes, but I’m also not completely convinced.”

Her words do keep hope floating inside me as I go to the salon to get my hair cut. I brought a picture of the dress, and she fixes my hair into an updo with wisps of hair framing my face. The lady who does my makeup promises to keep it light, as she says it will match the dress and I’m pretty enough I don’t need much. Her comment startles me, especially as she meant it as she assessed me. I cling to it as I lie there in the chair while she does my makeup. Hmm...for keeping it light, it takes forever. Then she tells me to open my eyes.

I look into the mirror and my jaw drops. That’s me? She laughs; I had no idea I said it out loud. “That’s you. Go get it, girl.”

Happily stunned, I make it out to my car and home. When I walk through the door, Cheryl lets out a happy sigh. “Olivia, your beauty is on full show.”

I wave a hand. “Stop, don’t make me cry. I’m not sure this makeup is tear proof. I only have a few minutes to get ready, I had no idea the appointment would run so late.”

Carefully, I step into the black tulle dress with bright gold circles over the bodice and the sheer fabric that covers me from my neck to my elbows. The full skirt hides my worst parts, while the sheer top highlights my full breasts without putting them out for everyone to see. “Cheryl, can you zip me up please?”

Cheryl comes into the room holding a black box she sets down as she zips up the dress for me. “Okay, my son doesn’t always think of everything. I have some earrings I want you to wear. You can’t go bare.”

I’m shaking my head. “I can’t.”

“Yes, you can I’m not offering. I’m telling you that you need to wear these.”

Closing my eyes, I shake my head, trying to make her understand until I open them to see glittering diamonds and gold. A rose is tightly furled around a bright diamond, then they drop in a vine-style. “Please tell me this is plated and fashion jewelry, not the real thing.”

She smiles. “It’s plated, not the real thing.”

Ugh, she’s such a liar. I sigh. “Thank you. I promise to take care of them and return them tomorrow first thing.”

“I trust you, dear.” The doorbell goes off. “Hurry putting them on. I’ll get the door.”

It’s the same guy, Kenny. Only this time the car is a Lincoln Town Car. He opens the back door. I slide in, hoping this night doesn’t make Rourke regret anything.

***

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Rourke

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I’m antsy, checking my watch for the fourth time in five minutes. My shock matched Olivia’s when I told her I wanted her here with me tonight. I didn’t know I was going to say the words before they came out of my mouth, only once I said it, the words had never felt so right. Even though I’ve never had a woman with me at the festival, never wanted anyone to know who I was with, I wanted everyone to know I was lucky enough to have Olivia Casey.

I spot them coming through the doors of the large ballroom. There will be a dinner, honors, a way of summing up the different pieces of the festival. It will last for hours, and if I leave early the offense will be huge considering the way I’ve been skipping events or making quick appearances in order to get home to Olivia. I haven’t regretted a single one. Tonight is a little different though, unless I’m ready to pass on maintaining a hand in the festival. I’m not sure I’m ready to do that yet, so I’m here.

Olivia’s hand is on Kenny’s arm as he guides her through the ballroom toward me. I stamp down the growling at the sight of her hand on his arm because her eyes are on me the moment she spots me. Fuck. She is so beautiful.

“You’re so beautiful, sweetheart, thank you,” I whisper as I pull her close.

The way she shivers pleases me. “For what?”

“For coming, for being so beautiful, for being mine.”

“Oh, all of that. I thought I didn’t have a choice. You’re welcome though.” Her arm slides around my waist as mine goes around hers to keep her close.

The sight of my mother’s earrings stops me. They were the last anniversary gift from my father, bought before he died and found a few weeks later as Mom was going through his things two days before their anniversary. The note said they were in the hope their love would continue to bloom and grow with every passing year.

She smiles up at me. “So are we going to mix and mingle, or can we skip to the best part and leave already?”

I laugh at her hopeful eyes. “We need to mix a little. Come on, I’ll introduce you.”

Over the next three hours Olivia impresses everyone she meets, making me even prouder to have her at my side. She whispered she read all about the events and people while she was getting her hair done. There are a few catty women who look down their noses at her. Olivia handles it with ease, her smile in place as she returns their backhanded compliments. I notice she’s rubbed her temple for the second time. Poor thing, she’s doing a good job of keeping her smile in place, yet I can tell the crush of people is hard for her to deal with. We’ve stayed long enough.

“All right, sweetheart, let’s get out of here.”

“Sounds good. I can’t wait to get out of these shoes.”

As we leave we have several people to get through before we make it into the muggy air. It takes almost twenty minutes until we get out of the ballroom, then to the outer door of the hotel. In a replay of last time, Jenny Masters stops me with her hand on my arm.

“Leaving so soon, Rourke? I’m having a party in my room, an intimate party.”

My jaw clenches as my arm tightens around Olivia, only sweet Olivia beats me to it. “Rourke already has other plans, he’s not into sloppy seconds.”

I laugh as I shake off Jenny’s hand and keep walking. Once we’re outside, I pull Olivia close. “I’m sorry you had to deal with the catty comments tonight. You handled it all so well, sweetheart. I’m proud of you.”

She blushes prettily as she bats her eyes. “I aim to please, Mr. Vega. Now let’s go home so you can show me just how appreciative you are.”

“Yes, ma’am.” A valet pulls up with the Veyron. I open her door, watching as she flashes me her legs as she gets in. Oh yes, it’s going to be a long night.

When we’re stopped at a light, Olivia giggles. My eyes slide over her; she’s looking at me. “What is so funny?”

She laughs. “I was going to ask you if I could drive us home—”

I pull into a parking lot we’re right in front of, put the car in park, get out and go around to open her door. “All you had to do is ask. You want to drive? You can drive, just take off your heels first.”

Her eyes wide, she takes my hand then steps out of the car. With a squeal of happiness she hugs me tight, then kisses me loudly with smacks of her lips along my cheek. “Thank you, thank you, thank you. This is beyond awesome.”

Walking her around the car, I help her in then remove her shoes myself. Hell, if I had known she would light up like a Christmas tree over something so simple, I would have offered weeks ago. She laughs as she moves the seat up so she can reach the pedals. “Okay, this is an automatic, although you do have the power to downshift. Please don’t shift though, let the transmission do its thing.”

“Yes, whatever you say.”

“Seat belt, sweetheart.”

“Oh yeah, of course.” Nodding as she blushes then puts on her seat belt. I take a moment to fasten my seat belt and sit back and watch her. Once she sees I’m settled, with a wide smile she carefully edges forward, then makes sure no one is coming before going back out onto Lamar, giving it the slightest bit of gas. She giggles as we shoot forward.

I laugh as she takes her foot completely off the gas to overcompensate. I’m not worried in the slightest. It takes a few minutes for her to find her comfort zone with the gas pedal. Before we both know it, we’re home. She puts the car into gear then pulls up the brake.

Turning to me, she throws her arms around me. “That was amazing. Thank you. I’m going to spend all night with your cock in my mouth.”

Shaking my head, I press a kiss to her cheek. “Not even close, I’m going to spend the night with my tongue in your sweet pussy.”

“Isn’t there a way we can do both?” she whispers against my lips.

“No, you deserve every bit of my attention. Every time. Now let’s go while I can still control myself and not tear that beautiful dress from your body.”