Olivia’s POV
I woke up exhausted, my entire body aching in that deep, satisfying way that ca from hours of intense sex.
How many rounds did we go?
I couldn’t even rember. Three? Four? More? At so point, they’d all blurred together into one continuous wave of pleasure so intense I’d forgotten where I was.
My stranger had ant business last night. Every touch, every kiss, every thrust had been like he was trying to imprint himself inside , brand so thoroughly that I’d never forget who I belonged to.
Possessive bastard.
But God, it had worked.
I yawned and stretched, wincing slightly at the protest from my sore muscles. When I turned to look at the other side of the bed, I already knew what I’d find.
Empty.
Of course he was gone.
I dragged myself out of bed and walked toward the bathroom, my legs slightly unsteady. In the mirror, I looked thoroughly ravished - my hair a ss, my lips swollen, faint marks along my neck and shoulders that I’d have to cover with makeup.
Worth it.
I turned on the shower and while the water heated up, I opened the dicine cabinet where I’d stashed the ergency contraception Kira had brought.
Last pill. This was absolutely, definitely the last ti I was having unprotected sex with anyone.
You keep saying that, Olivia.
I swallowed the pill with water from the tap and made a ntal note to get on proper birth control. This was getting ridiculous.
As I stepped into the hot shower, letting the water soothe my aching muscles, my mind drifted back to last night. The way my stranger had made love to . The way he had made co apart in his arms over and over again, while holding back his own release.
The way he’d whispered against my skin in that distorted voice, telling I was beautiful, perfect, his.
The way he’d known exactly where to touch, exactly how much pressure, exactly what I needed before I even knew I needed it.
Just like Maxwell knew.
The thought stopped cold, my hands freezing mid-way through washing my hair.
I’d never thought about it before. Had deliberately not compared the two experiences - the night with Maxwell and other nights with my stranger. It had felt wrong sohow, comparing both of them.
But now, standing here with my body still humming from my stranger’s touch, I couldn’t help but notice the similarities.
The way they both touched was the sa.
The way they both seed to know my body better than I knew it myself.
The way they both made feel the sa intensity of pleasure, the sa overwhelming sense of being completely claid.
Could it be possible? Could two different n really make love the exact sa way?
The thought had crossed my mind before...briefly, in passing, dismissed almost imdiately as ridiculous. There was no way Maxwell could be my stranger. Their personalities were completely different. Maxwell was cold, calculating, controlled. My stranger was passionate, mysterious, vulnerable in a way Maxwell never showed.
They couldn’t be the sa person.
Could they?
But what if they are?
My stranger had said he’d been watching . That he knew everything about . That he’d known before.
Just like Maxwell.
And the stranger had known about Gabriel - had suspected our relationship was fake, had known details he shouldn’t have been able to know unless he was close to the situation.
The stranger is one of them. Gabriel, Alex, Damien, or Maxwell.
I’d been so sure it couldn’t be Maxwell. So convinced that the cold, arrogant billionaire couldn’t possibly be the tender, passionate stranger who sent gifts and spoke lovely words.
But what if I was wrong?
What if Maxwell was exactly the kind of man who would create an entire alternate identity just to be close to ? Who would beco soone else because he was too scared or too proud to show his real feelings?
I have to know. I have to find out for sure.
I finished my shower and got dressed in Oliver’s clothes, my mind already working on a plan. I’d watch Maxwell today. Look for clues, inconsistencies, anything that might confirm or deny my growing suspicion.
When I entered the dining room, it was empty except for the staff setting the table. I took a seat, trying to calm my racing heart.
Just act normal. Don’t let him see that you’re analyzing his every move, or you’re sore from intense love making.
Minutes later, He walked in, and I had to force myself not to stare too obviously.
He looked... good. Devastatingly good, actually. His hair was still slightly damp from his shower, and he was wearing a perfectly tailored suit that emphasized his broad shoulders and athletic fra.
Focus, Olivia. You’re supposed to be Oliver right now.
He sat down across from without a word, and we were served breakfast in silence. The tension was very thick, both of us eating silently while avoiding each other’s eyes.
Finally, Maxwell cleared his throat.
"Oliver."
I looked up. "Yes, sir?"
"Did you have soone over in your room last night?"
The question hit like a tornado, but I forced my expression to remain neutral even as my heart started racing.
"No, sir. I was alone."
Maxwell’s eyes narrowed slightly. "Are you certain? Because I could have sworn I heard noises. Coming from your room."
Shit. I knew he would hear us.
I cleared my throat, preparing a believable lie. "What kind of noises?"
"The kind that indicate soone is having sex." The look in his eyes made my skin prickle with awareness.
Does he know? Can he tell?
"I was watching porn," I said, praying my voice sounded appropriately embarrassed. "I’ve been without a girl’s touch for a while now, and I needed... release."
Maxwell’s eyebrow rose. "Really. But didn’t Kira just visit you?"
"We’re having a minor disagreent," I said quickly. "Nothing major, but I didn’t want to push for intimacy while things are still tense between us. So I took matters into my own hands. Literally."
The corner of Maxwell’s mouth twitched. "I see."
"It won’t happen again," I added, trying to sound mortified. "I should have been more discreet. I apologize if I disturbed you."
"It’s fine." Maxwell dabbed his mouth with his napkin and stood. "I understand the need for... relief. Actually, I make use of female companionship from ti to ti myself when I’m stressed."
Female companionship. Right.
"In fact," Maxwell continued, and I didn’t like the gleam in his eye, "I’ll arrange for soone to visit you tonight. Help with your boredom. A lovely woman who’s very skilled at providing exactly the kind of... release you need."
WHAT.
"No!" I voiced out in panic. I modulated my tone. "I an, that’s very generous, but I don’t need... I wouldn’t want to cheat on Kira."
"You wouldn’t be cheating if she never finds out." Maxwell was pulling on his suit jacket now, preparing to leave. "And frankly, Oliver, what kind of girlfriend leaves her boyfriend frustrated enough that he’s masturbating to porn in his employer’s house? Clearly, she’s not eting your needs."
I hate you. I hate you so much right now.
"I appreciate the offer, but I’ll have to decline."
Maxwell studied for a long mont, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that he was testing sohow. Looking for sothing in my reaction.
He turned and headed toward the door, then paused. "By the way, Oliver... make sure you find Mitchell today. I need you back in the office. Things are piling up in your absence."
And with that, he was gone, leaving alone with the sinking realization that I’d just made my situation more complicated.
I needed to talk to Kira. Needed to figure out what the hell I was going to do if Maxwell actually sent so woman to my room tonight.
God, my life is a disaster.
******
Kira’s POV
I sat across from Kennedy at a charming little restaurant, and for the first ti in what felt like forever, I let myself just be happy.
This was real. Kennedy and I were really doing this - having lunch dates, texting throughout the day. No more pining from afar. No more wondering what if.
He was mine. Actually mine.
"You’re smiling," Kennedy observed, his own lips curving. "What are you thinking about?"
"Just... this. Us." I played with my fork, suddenly feeling shy. "I still can’t quite believe it’s real."
"It’s real." His foot found mine under the table, and the contact sent electricity up my leg. "Very, very real."
I did need to break things off with Eddy properly, though. My mysterious stranger who’d been such a huge part of my life for weeks. What we’d had was good while it lasted - the anonymous ssages, the excitent of not knowing, the fantasy of it all.
But Kennedy was real. Solid. Here. And I’d choose him over an anonymous lover any day.
Kennedy was giving that look now - the one that made my stomach flip and my thighs clench. The one that said this restaurant was the last place he wanted to be. That he’d much rather take sowhere private and show exactly what he was thinking about.
"How are you?" he asked, his voice dropping lower. "Really?"
"I’m good," I managed, even though my mouth had gone dry. "Really good."
We fell into silence again. It was charged. Electric. The air between us crackling with tension so thick I could barely breathe.
Kennedy’s eyes never left mine, and I watched his tongue dart out to wet his bottom lip - a gesture that absolutely should not have been as sexy as it was.
God, I want him.
The thought was so intense it made shift in my seat, and the movent sent a jolt of awareness through my body that made realize sothing.
I was wet.
"I need to use the restroom," I blurted out, standing abruptly. "Excuse ."
Kennedy’s smile suggested he could see right through , but he just nodded. "Take your ti."
I walked to the back of the restaurant where the restrooms were located, my heart pounding. I really did need to pee, but mostly I just needed a mont to cool down. To get control of myself before I did sothing crazy like climb across the table and lick...
Stop. Get it together.
The won’s restroom was empty, thank God. I used the toilet quickly, then left the stall to go wash my hands at the sink.
That’s when I saw him in the mirror.
Kennedy, standing in the doorway of the won’s restroom, his eyes locked on mine through our reflections.
"Kennedy?" My voice ca out breathless. "What are you... this is the won’s..."
He stepped inside and locked the door behind him.
"I know," he said, moving toward with quick steps. "And I don’t care."
Then he spun around, capturing my mouth in a hot kiss, his hands pulling at my clothes.
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