Liar

“Oh, Olivia, make sure to soak up all that knowledge. You’re going to ace this project,” Julia said excitedly. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to go bid on all these wonderful goodies.”

“I’ll get my checkbook ready,” David grumbled with a smile, following behind his wife.

“Alright, Mr. Kent,” Olivia said, pulling her shoulders back, drawing my eye to that alluring triangle of flesh. “Take me around and show me the ropes.”

I forced my gaze back to hers and ignored the glint lingering there. She looped her hand through my arm, and we made our exit from Carina’s too knowing stare.

I snagged a glass of champagne and explained the various businessmen and women around the room. She soaked up every word and asked questions as we circled. Every once in a while, we’d stop and get caught in a conversation. I was worried at first, despite her assurances, she knew how to mingle, that I’d have to help her through the conversations. But I was wrong. At times, Olivia dominated the conversations, winning over men and women with her laughter and easy questions. She took the information I’d given her and asked after their families and businesses like she’d been working with them for years.

Everyone’s eye was drawn to her beauty and the confidence she radiated, and I found myself standing back, letting her shine. At least, until one man kept getting closer and closer, his eyes glued to her exposed curves.

“Olivia,” I interrupted the man, not caring how rude I was coming off. “Let’s go bid on that spa day you were looking at.” I directed her away with my hand on her upper back, ignoring the desire to stroke the soft skin. She stared wide-eyed as I made our excuses. “Sorry, Charles. We don’t want to miss out. Nice talking to you again.”

“That was rude,” she reprimanded.

“What was rude was how he couldn’t stop staring at your tits.”

She laughed under her breath, shaking her head. “That’s rich coming from you.”

We stopped by one of the auction items, and she grabbed a glass of champagne from a waiter walking by. “Drinking?”

“Yes.” She cocked a brow and dared me to stop her as she sipped from the glass. “No one really cares as long as you spend your money and don’t make a scene. Besides, my birthday is next week. Call it an early celebration. It’s not like I don’t look old enough to drink.”

“Can’t argue with that,” I mumbled.

She smiled before taking another sip, thankfully, not pushing me on my comment. We walked in silence, perusing all the items up for auction. She’d stop every once in a while, and scribble her bid on a paper, slipping it in the box before moving on to another item.

“So, you’re leaving.”

“I am.”

“Can I message you with questions?” she asked, looking down at a pair of diamond earrings.

The question was light and filled with an innocence I didn’t believe for a second. “You can ask Vivian.”

She looked up with nothing but sin sparking behind her eyes. “But what if I need you?”

I cleared my throat and stretched my neck side to side, my skin feeling tighter and tighter the more she looked at me with that burning fire. Her playful gaze called for me to smile back and play along, to give in to my nature of taking what I wanted.

But at the end of the line was her mom and dad, bidding on their own items. Looking around the room to avoid looking at her, I saw Daniel the next group over. There were reminders everywhere that this wasn’t just some one night stand I wanted. This was a young woman that came with consequences.

It was time to be mature—time to keep my playful side under lock and key.

“I’m sure Vivian will be able to provide you with whatever you need.”

Olivia’s eyes tracked up and down my body. “I assure you, she can’t.”

Heat flooded my veins, and I clenched my jaw so tight I feared my molars would crack.

“Alexander?” a familiar, soft voice called behind me.

My breath rushed out in relief before I turned and greeted the petite brunette with a smile. “Paige, how are you?”

“Good. Great now that I’ve found you.” She stepped into my space and pressed up on her toes to give a lingering kiss to my cheek.

“Hi, I’m Olivia.” Olivia thrust her hand into the small space between Paige and me, forcing her to take a step back and shake Olivia’s hand.

“Olivia is interning for a college course as I set up the hotel. She’s Daniel’s niece.”

“Oh, how sweet. That’s so nice of you to help Daniel’s little niece.”

Olivia’s body stiffened beside me, and I rushed to move the conversation on, preventing whatever snark rested on the tip of Olivia’s tongue.

“Olivia, this is Paige. Her father owns the real estate in New York we’re looking at.”