Sam

The Bow is your typical Irish pub with dark furniture and lighting, booths, TV screens, and great beer on tap. We’re ushered through the busy dining room to a booth in the back where Sin and Drew are already seated, their eyes tracking the movement of our small group as we near their table. Olivia’s leading the pack and I’m at the rear, behind Millie.

I’m not sure how I’m going to work it, but I must sit beside Olivia. While our workout was good and I enjoyed getting to know Jonah, I’ve hardly spent any time alone with her. I’d hoped we would drive together, alone, to the restaurant, but unfortunately that was not meant to be.

Millie guided me into the back seat and monopolized my time. She’s a nice woman and I was more than happy to talk shop with her. Still, Olivia is the reason I’m here. She’s the one I want to spend time with. Now we’re going to be seated with her friends and son. I don’t see much alone time in our near future.

“Hey darlin’,” Jonah greets Sin, along with a kiss and hug.

Sin laughs mischievously and hugs me as she says, “Sam, it’s so good to see you.”

She looks from Olivia to me and waggles her eyebrows, Jonah joining in on the fun. The both of them clearly want to bug Olivia about my presence. Olivia rolls her eyes and huffs in what I think is mock frustration.

Jonah pats me on the back, then fist-bumps Drew before slipping in beside Sin. Patting the empty spot beside him, he motions for Millie to join him. Good man. I knew I liked him. Olivia slides in beside Drew with me sitting on the end of the banquette, beside her.

After our drinks and food are ordered, I sit silently and observe Olivia with her friends. Joining in occasionally, I’m content to mostly listen and learn. I like seeing Olivia in her element. I want to learn as much as I can about this complex, interesting woman and something tells me she’ll try to hide from me.

“Drew, how’s school?” Jonah asks. “Still headed for law school?”

“Good, just glad exams are over, and yup, that’s the plan.”

“Honey, the plan can change if you want, you know that right?” Olivia adds.

“Yeah, I know that Mom. This is what I want.”

“What does Erin say?” Sin asks. “I think she said she wishes she’d taken a year before going to law school.”

“Yeah, we talked. I’m going to do what I want to do,” he responds defensively. Unable to see Drew since I’m on the same side of the table, with Olivia in between us, I sense from his tone a strong distaste for the topic, or perhaps it’s the mention of Erin that has him annoyed?

“Honey.” A tall, dark-haired man saunters toward our booth with his hand wrapped around the bicep of a pretty, blonde teenager. She’s chewing her lip as she scans our table and stalls when her gaze lands on Sin.

“Pippa, what are you doing here?” Sin shrieks, nearly pushing both Jonah and Millie out of the booth.

“I found her in the kitchen talking to Lou,” the man states with a grim expression. “Hey,” he says to the table.

“Hi Colin,” Olivia says, and both Jonah and Drew chime in with greetings of their own. Olivia quickly introduces us; Colin is Sin’s husband.

“What on earth are you doing here?” Sin’s distress is evident in her voice, and I’m guessing the girl is her daughter. “And who is taking care of Tom and Claire?”

“Mom, Claire is taking care of Tommy. I just came to ask Uncle Lou if he’d take me out driving this weekend,” states the blonde girl—Pippa, apparently.

“Have you ever heard of a phone?” Sin retorts, anger now strong in her tone. “You should have called Uncle Lou. Young lady, you’re supposed to be watching your brother and sister. Claire cannot be alone with Tom. Seriously, Pippa, what am I going to do with you?” Without waiting a beat for her daughter to respond, Sin continues, “And you can forget about driving with Lou this weekend. You’re grounded for pulling this move, and we’re no longer paying you for babysitting your brother and sister since you’ve no clue what that means.”

“Mom, seriously,” Pippa wails with an eye roll. “Claire is twelve, she’s legally old enough to babysit. Besides, I was only going to be gone for thirty minutes, tops. I’m heading home now.”

Colin turns her to face him. “Pippa, you know better. Claire may be legally of age, but there’s a reason we asked you to babysit Tommy and not her. One of us will take you home.”

“I don’t need either of you to take me home. I’m seventeen and fully capable of getting home by myself,” Pippa gripes.

“Excuse me.” Sin motions for Jonah and Millie to move so she can exit the booth. “Well, you could’ve fooled us with this stunt. It’s late and dark out there, you’re not walking back by yourself.”

Pippa huffs, crossing her arms over her chest and glares at her parents. They share an exasperated look and Colin shakes his head, leading the way.

“Hey, Aunt Sin, Uncle Colin, I can take her home,” Drew calls out.

Turning, Pippa’s features soften once her eyes land on Drew. Her cheeks heat a dark pink and she immediately shifts from spunky to demure with her head slightly down. “Drew, hi. I didn’t see you there.”

“Hey, Pip. Uncle Colin, you’re working, and Aunt Sin, stay and enjoy your night out. I was going home soon anyway. I’ll take Pippa home.”

“Yeah, that’s a great idea,” Olivia adds. “Thanks honey.” She nudges my thigh and we scoot out for Drew.

Gone is her sassy teenager attitude; Pippa is now all smiles and compliant, eagerly nodding as her parents thank Drew and agree to his offer.

As Sin and Colin escort Drew and Pippa out, Jonah chuckles, “In case you missed it, Pippa is gaga for our man, Drew.”

Olivia smiles, nodding. “Yes. It’s been that way for a couple years now. It’s just an innocent crush. They’ve known each other since they were babies, and I can’t blame Pip for crushing on my boy,” she says like the proud mama bear she is.

“I’d watch that if I were you. Miss Pip is no wallflower—she’s the type to go after what she wants, and Drew seems to be in her sights,” Jonah adds.

“Nah, leave her alone. You make her sound like a man-eater. She’s just a girl,” Olivia says dismissively.

Shortly after our meal, Jonah announces they’re leaving. Millie appears flustered and excited all at the same time, adoration plastered on her face as she watches Jonah. “You came with us, how are you getting home?” Olivia asks.

“I’ve got an Uber on its way.” I smile appreciatively at the guy.

Jonah may not know it, but that means I’m finally getting my alone time—that is, unless Sin returns, which is a distinct possibility as she’s been gone a while now and hasn’t eaten. Olivia says Sin’s with her husband doing who knows what in the manager’s office. Good for her.

Once they leave, I take Olivia’s hand, turning to her. “Alone at last. I finally have you all to myself.”

Leaning into her, oblivious of our surroundings, my lips are on hers, kissing, licking, and drinking her in. Her taste is as I remember, as I fantasized. Addictive. Sweet, fresh, and something indescribable yet tantalizing. Something entirely Olivia.

She fists my shirt, pulling my solid chest against her soft, inviting curves. Closer. Her breasts press into me, and she shudders at the contact. Our shallow breaths mirrored. Wanting. My hand sinks into her thick waves, gripping the nape of her neck. My other hand latches onto her trim hip, steadying, holding her in place.

Feasting on her mouth like a starving man, I’ve never felt more full of life, brimming and vibrating. Her eyelids close and long dark lashes fan her cheeks as I swallow her whispery moans. Her slender hands roam my body, exploring.

With each sweep of my tongue, each touch of my hand, my already thundering heart rate accelerates. I’m crazy with need, wanting nothing more than to have her, take her, here and now. She breaks our kiss and her retreat elicits a deep, feral growl from me. The loss is so frustrating.

“Sam, stop,” Olivia admonishes.

Pulling back, she wipes at her mouth, eradicating our passion like it never happened. Straightening her clothes and hair, she misses the downcast of my eyes, echoing the pang of offense within my chest.

When she finally looks my way, her lips are puffy, red, and damp. Despite her rebuff, she’s like a neon sign advertising our hot-blooded necking, her desire alive in her shimmering eyes, tousled hair, and rouge cheeks.

I gently squeeze her hand, which she quickly removes, picking up her glass and taking a sip. It’s not lost on me that her move is a mediocre attempt at occupying her hand. Like that’s going to stop me.

Choosing to not push it right now, I change the subject. “Speaking of crushes, does Jonah realize Millie has googly eyes for him?”

“Googly eyes?” She laughs and I nod, smiling. “I’ve noticed and have mentioned it to him, but he’s in denial.”

“Is he? Are you sure that’s what it is? Or perhaps he doesn’t care because he’s got eyes for someone else.”

Her eyebrows draw together. “Who?”

“You.”
“What?”

“In case you missed it, Jonah is in love with you. Even a blind man can see that he adores you. Has he ever made a move?” I bravely ask, doubt clouding my mind before the final word leaves my mouth.

What if he has and she’s welcomed it? What if she has no clue but would want something with him, and now I’ve stupidly enlightened her to the potential of it?

My hesitation is so unlike me, yet it’s not surprising as Olivia has me experiencing many firsts. My first dogged pursuit of a woman. My first blush. My first case of indecision about my moves.

“What? You’re off your rocker. Jonah and I are friends. He’s like a brother to me.”

“Are you sure?”

It’s not jealousy prompting me to ask the question. Rather, I want to be aware of my competition. I’m not wild about the long distance between us; it’s one of many things Olivia uses to put obstacles in our way. I need to understand the playing field, know where other barriers lie so I can prepare to annihilate them. Make no mistake, I intend to obliterate all her excuses, one by one.

“Yes, I’m sure. Besides, he’s tried to set me up on a date with one of his friends, so stop. That’s just…eww. He’s twelve years younger than me.”

“Not that again. Like that would stop him, or any other guy, for that matter. When are you going to get that out of your head? Olivia, you’re a beautiful woman and men don’t care about your age.” Shaking her head at me, she finishes her drink. “What are you doing tomorrow?”

“Working. I’ve got an appointment first thing in the morning with a supplier, then I’m in my office for the day. Why?”

“I’m thinking about opening another restaurant and have a few potential locations to view tomorrow. I’d love for you to come with me. They’re all in the afternoon. We could grab some lunch, then meet my agent. What d’ya say?” The hope in my tone is undeniably clear.

“I…I suppose, sure,” she replies, though not with as much conviction as I’d hoped for.

Grabbing her slender hand again, I lightly kiss the top of it and squeeze. She smiles, her cheeks lightly tinged. The joy of her agreeing to join me outweighs the trepidation coming off her in waves as her eyes dart around the room at anything and everything but me. I wonder if I’m reading her correctly—it feels like she’s gearing up to let me down rather than getting ready to build on this, on us.