Chapter 19
Brad
That weekend, Olivia and I went to the farmer’s market first thing in the morning. The place wasn’t open yet, and very few people were around. Olivia’s hands were shaking as she set up her booth, laying out her paintings with precision. I could tell she was nervous, but as I looked at her work, I knew she didn’t need to be. Her paintings were amazing. They were incredible, and I knew everyone would see that. She wouldn’t have any trouble making enough money for an apartment.
As the morning progressed, people began to filter into the market. Other booths had opened up all around us, but Olivia’s was by far the favorite. People came by, stopping to stare and often ask questions about different pieces. Olivia looked nervous the entire time but when she talked about her art, a calm spread over her face that made her look even more beautiful. She was in her element, doing exactly what she loved to do. Watching her was an incredible experience for me. Her eyes lit up, and her smile was radiant. When she got her first sale, she squealed with delight and wrapped her arms around my neck.
The happiness that radiated off her was contagious, and soon I found myself laughing and talking with all the patrons as well. I bragged around different paintings, pointing out my favorites and pushing people to buy more. I didn’t know anything about art but I knew what I liked, and Olivia’s paintings were it. Each new one I saw, impressed me. I couldn’t tear my eyes away from them, and when the day finally ended, very few were left on the table.
Turning to face Olivia, I saw that she was still smiling. She packed up her remaining paintings and tucked all her money in her purse. She hadn’t yet counted it, and I knew she would want to get back to the hotel before she did. Her nerves were still fried after everything with her dad. I didn’t blame her. Just thinking about that man sent a white-hot rage flooding through my veins that I couldn’t control. I hated him more than I’d ever hated anyone in my life, including my own father. I knew if I ever saw him again, I wouldn’t be able to control myself.
Once everything was packed away, Olivia and I jumped in my truck and headed back to the hotel. She was silent on the ride, pulling out her money and counting it quickly. Her eyes lit up the more she counted, and soon she was laughing softly to herself. When she finished, she rolled up the cash and tucked it safely in her purse. She glanced out the window with a strange look on her face.
“What’s up?” I asked.
“I just can’t believe this is real,” she said softly. “That I did it. I actually sold my paintings.”
“You kicked serious ass today,” I said.
“I did, didn’t I?” She laughed. “I made more than enough to get settled. I can definitely afford first and last on that apartment we saw yesterday.”
“Yeah.” I nodded, but my mind was spinning. I knew Olivia wanted to get her own place. She needed somewhere to stay, and it only made sense for her to move in somewhere near Carla’s gallery. Still, the idea of her leaving the hotel for a random apartment made my stomach tighten.
An idea popped into my head that surprised me, but once it took root, I couldn’t shake it. I thought about it all the way back to Olivia’s hotel room. As I helped her unload her paintings, I realized I didn’t want to unload them. Instead, I wanted to grab the rest of her things and throw them in my truck. I wanted to drive her back to my apartment and get her settled there, with me.
“Listen,” I said as we climbed the stairs. “I know you liked that apartment we saw yesterday, but I’ve been thinking… I have an extra room at my place.”
Olivia stopped walking and turned to face me. Her eyes were wide, and I laughed at her shock because, just minutes before, I’d shocked myself just as much.
“I know it sounds crazy, but I just… I like the idea of having you around more often. I’d love it if you moved in with me. My bed is big enough for two, but if you aren’t comfortable with that, I do have a spare bedroom,” I said.
“Are you sure about this?” Olivia asked.
“I am,” I said without hesitation. “I really am.”
“Then my answer is yes,” Olivia said with excitement. “Of course, yes.”
I grinned and picked her up, hugging her tightly and spinning her in a quick circle. We were both laughing as we hurried up the stairs to her room. Together, we packed up her things and loaded them into my truck. After Olivia checked out of the hotel, we drove through town toward my apartment. It wasn’t far, just five minutes from the shop and even closer to Carla’s gallery. I knew it was the perfect place for Olivia to be.
Once we got there, we unloaded Olivia’s things, and she took a look around. I forgot she hadn’t been to my place yet. I worried she might not like it, but the smile on her face eased my concerns.
“So where should I put these? My room or the spare room?” I asked.
I held up her bags. She looked at me and then at them, a coy smile playing at the corners of her mouth. She didn’t answer. Instead, she walked slowly over to me and pulled the bags from my hands, letting them fall to the floor with a soft thud. Before I knew it, her lips were on mine, and I couldn’t think. My hands grasped at her body, holding her to with desperation.
Everything about that night was a blur of naked passion. I led Olivia to my bedroom, tearing her clothes off as we moved. Her hands tore at my body, ripping away my own clothes and throwing them to the floor. We fell on to my bed and ravished each other’s bodies without pause. I kissed every inch of her I could reach while she bit and clawed at my skin. We were animals at that moment, not caring about anything but our frantic need for one another.
Olivia writhed and moaned while I kissed my way down her body, licking her nipples and sliding my fingers between her soft, wet folds. I brought her to orgasm with my fingers, watching her gorgeous face contort with pleasure. When a rush of pleasure pooled between her legs, I slid my cock inside of her, eager to fill her up.
She moaned and cried out, clinging to me and kissed my lips with abandon. She rolled us over, pinning me to the bed and riding me hard and fast. I watched her perfect tits bounce, and the sight was more than I could take. I came so hard that I flipped Olivia over, crawling on top of her and thrusting a few more times before my pleasure overtook me.
We weren’t done. The rest of the night was spent worshipping each other’s bodies. We took short breaks, kissing and holding each other before our bodies reignited and we slammed into each other with passion and lust. I’d never felt more connected to another person, and I thought I never would be.
That night seemed to go on forever, and yet I never wanted it to end. We made love and held each other, made love again and then held each other again. I kissed and licked every inch of her sweet skin, lapping my tongue between her legs. She caressed my body and nibbled my skin, sucking my cock in her mouth and lightly trailing her tongue over my balls.
By the time the night ended, we were like one body, permanently fused together by our shared desire and emotions. I held her close that night, playing with her hair and placing gentle kisses on her head. Exhaustion overwhelmed us both, but we didn’t sleep. It was as if our energy was endless that night. While I held her, I felt a surge of emotions I’d never felt before.
“I’m glad you decided to move in here,” I said softly. “I can’t imagine not seeing you every day.”
“Me neither,” she said. “It’s strange. We just met but already I—”
“I know,” I said. “I feel the same way.”
She smiled and nestled into my chest, kissing me softly and sighing. We held on to each other into the early hours of the morning, not moving or speaking. We didn’t need to. That night, our feelings were written in on our skin, and we poured them into each other again and again. I’d fallen in love with Olivia without realizing it, and that night I knew I could never lose her.