The elevator descended to the lobby in relative silence. When the doors opened onto the first floor, Olivia scrambled out, desperately wanting to get away from Adele.

“Well, just so you know. I’m not really sleeping with him or anything,” Adele shouted, causing Olivia to turn back to the bank of elevators. “I just want you to think I am.”

“Why the fuck would you want that?” Olivia spat out, glaring at the fake blonde.

“Well, if you think I’m fucking him, then you’ll leave him. I mean, he is a good fuck, so I could understand why you’d stay just for that, but I have more long term plans with him.”

“What are your plans? Take over his bank account?”

“I’m sure that’s yours, dear. It’s like the pot calling the kettle black.”

“I’m not discussing this with you, Adele. But, just so you know, I’m not interested in Alexander’s money. I’m interested in him as a person. A loving, caring person who worships the ground I walk on.” Olivia took a step closer to Adele. “He’s affectionate and kind, something you only wish you could be. And he deserves someone who treasures who he is. Not just the figures in his bank account.”

“Oh, honey. He only worships the ground you walk on because your name is Olivia. He wishes you were his friend from all those years ago. That’s all this is. It’s just his childhood obsession with Olivia continuing into his adulthood. Soon, he’ll realize that you’re not his Olivia and leave you.”

Olivia couldn’t stand it anymore. Before she knew it, her clenched fist met with Adele’s face. Adele fell to the ground, screaming, as Olivia stood over her, unable to control her laughter.

“Holy crap!” Alexander said, running out of the elevator car into the lobby. He rushed to Olivia and looked into her eyes. “Olivia, Love. Are you okay?”

“What about me?” Adele whined on the floor, clutching her cheek.

“Adele, I don’t give a fuck about you. You should know that by now.” Alexander turned to Jerry, sitting at the security desk, an amused look on his face. “Jerry, Adele Peters is no longer allowed anywhere in this building. Alert my security team that, should she try to make contact with Miss Adler in any way, she should be dealt with as they deem necessary.”

“Yes, sir,” Jerry smiled. “About time, sir, with all due respect.”

Alexander nodded. “I agree.” He looked down at Olivia who still looked rather shaken up. “That was incredible. I’ve been wanting someone to punch that little bitch for years now. I’m so glad it was you.” Alexander laughed as he walked Olivia out of the building.

Once outside, he turned to face her, a worried look on his face. “Are we okay?”

Olivia sighed, running her fingers through his hair. “Of course we are.”

A smile spread across his face. “Good.”

A black SUV pulled up instantly with Carter at the wheel. Alexander opened the back passenger side door and helped Olivia into the car.

“I wish I could come with you, Love, but I have some work to do. Carter will see you home safe. If you need anything, let me know.”

“I will.”

“I’ll see you later, beautiful.” Alexander kissed Olivia briefly before closing the door to the car. He watched Carter drive off before returning to his office, the image of Olivia standing over Adele with her fist clenched making his heart flutter.

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

OLIBIA

OLIVIA had a relatively uneventful remainder of her day. Carter dropped her off and did a quick sweep of the house to make sure it was safe. She made a delicious salmon dinner and settled onto her couch to snuggle with Nepenthe for a little bit. Her phone beeped at around eight. She looked at the text from Alexander letting her know that he probably wouldn’t get to her until after midnight. She replied, giving him the code to the door as well as the alarm. She received a response immediately.

Alexander: You really shouldn’t be giving that to anyone. That defeats the purpose.

Olivia: You’re not just anyone. You’re my BOYFRIEND. :-)

Alexander: Say it again, Love.

Olivia: Later. XOXO

Olivia fell asleep quickly that night. After midnight, she felt Alexander crawl in next to her. She could smell the alcohol on his breath.

“Livia, you smell great,” he slurred. He was definitely drunk.

He snuggled into the girl sleeping next to him, his front to her back, wrapping his legs around hers. She felt his bare chest on her back, savoring the warmth of his body. His breathing became even, a perfect lullaby to fall back asleep to. When Olivia was in that place between being asleep and being awake, she heard him whisper, “I’m going to protect you always, Olibia.”

Her eyes flung open. She must have been dreaming about the crash again. The only person that had ever called her Olibia was the boy with the green eyes. The boy who haunted her dreams. She brushed it off and closed her eyes, dreaming of beautiful green eyes and the man sleeping next to her.

~~~~~~~~~~

Olivia’s alarm went off bright and early the following morning at five. She turned it off, hitting the snooze button. Alexander pulled her back to him. “Don’t go, angel,” he begged, his voice raspy from sleep.

“I don’t want to, but I have to teach a six a.m. class today.” Olivia nuzzled up to him, placing several kisses on his chest. He flipped her on her back and held her arms above her head with one hand, caressing the side of her body with his other.

“Well, I just need to give you something to think about the rest of the day, Love.” He grinned, planting a deep kiss on her lips and lifting her tank top over her head.

“Olivia,” he growled, gawking at her bare chest. It didn’t matter how many times he had seen her with her shirt off. Each time still excited him as if it were the first. “It’s almost like you were plucked from heaven just for me.” He truly believed she was. He loved her since the day she was born. Even as a child, he loved making her happy. Because when she was happy, she would smile. And when she smiled, his heart would melt.

Alexander kissed her neck, savoring the taste of her soft skin as he moved his way down her chest. His breath was warm on her breast, making her nipple become alert. He teased it, tugging and licking. Olivia was about to become unhinged as his tongue circled her chest. She wanted that tongue on other parts of her body. She was on edge after not having an orgasm the day before and felt like she was ready to fall apart in a matter of seconds.