When I finally pull back to look at her, she’s smiling, cheeks flushed, eyes bright with tears and something that looks a lot like happiness.
Rolling to the side, I pull her with me so she’s draped across my chest. Her fingers trace lazy patterns on my skin, and I thread mine through her hair.
“No regrets?” I ask quietly.
“None.” She tilts her head up to look at me. “You?”
“Not a single one.” I press a kiss to her forehead. “I love you, Olivia.”
“I love you too.”
And when we come together again, skin to skin, it’s not just physical. It’s a choice to face whatever comes next together.
Later, we lie tangled in my sheets, her head on my chest, my fingers tracing lazy patterns on her bare shoulder.
“What do you think Mark’s going to say?” she asks quietly.
“Honestly? I think he’s going to yell. A lot.”
She laughs softly. “That’s comforting.”
“But then he’ll calm down and realize this is actually good for the team.” I press a kiss to the top of her head. “Think about it. The star quarterback falls for the smart, beautiful PR specialist. It’s a great story.”
“Or a PR nightmare.”
“Only if we let it be.” I tilt her chin up so I can see her face. “We control the narrative, Olivia. We tell our story. On our terms.”
She studies me for a moment, then nods. “Okay.”
“Yeah?”
“Yeah.” She shifts, propping herself up on one elbow. “We do this together. No more running. No more hiding.”
“No more running,” I agree. “Starting tomorrow.”
“Starting tomorrow,” she echoes. Then she kisses me, slow and sweet. “But tonight?”
“Tonight, we’re just us.”
“Good.” She settles back against my chest, her breath warm on my skin. “Because I’m not ready to share you with the world yet.”
I tighten my arms around her, holding her close. “Neither am I.”
Outside, the city lights glow through the window. Inside, it’s just us.
And whatever tomorrow brings, we’ll face it the same way.
Side by side.
Because that’s what love is. Taking the risk. Making the choice. Fighting for the person who makes you feel alive.
And Olivia Rivers makes me feel more alive than I have in years.
So, bring on the media storm. Bring on Mark’s fury and whatever the world wants to throw at us, we are ready.
Chapter Fifteen
Olivia
