She rolls her lips between her teeth and lets out a shaky breath. “I was afraid,” she admits.
“But that’s the purpose of the journal. To work through any emotions you feel and any doubts you have,” I remind her.
She tries to look away, but when I tighten my hand on her throat, she looks at me. “What if you read it, then told me what I wanted isn’t what you wanted?” Her voice cracks. “I couldn’t handle that. So, I was holding onto what you were giving me.”
My heart cracks in my chest at her confession. “Olivia.” I place my forehead against hers for a moment before leaning back up and gazing into her eyes. “You brought me back to life. I forgot what it felt like to love and be loved.” I huff. “What Josie and I had wasn’t love, but what I have with you.” Staring into her eyes, I want her to see how much I love her. When her eyes become glossy with tears, I know she does. “I love you. And that is putting it lightly. The way I feel for you…” I shrug because I’m at a loss for words, not knowing how to explain it.
“It’s like movie love.” Her voice is hoarse as a tear slips down her cheek.
“Yes.”
She smiles at me even though more tears fall down her cheek. “I love you. I always thought with everything I’ve been through I’d wind up alone. I never imagined getting to a point where I could trust someone to touch me or do any of the things I dowith you.” She sniffs. “You’ve helped me become more confident and overcome so much trauma. So, just saying I love you doesn't seem like enough.”
I wrap my other hand around her wrist and lift it, kissing her wrist right over the bracelet I got her. “Love you big,” I whisper.
With a smile, she wraps her hand around the wrist of the hand holding her throat. Her thumb runs over the bracelet she gave me. “Love you big,” she replies.
Releasing her throat, I grab her thighs and lift her. My mouth lands on hers as I kiss her with every emotion running through my veins. I will fight every demon in hell for her and I will win.
Chapter sixty-seven
Olivia
Icling to Victor as he presses me into the car. Briefly, I wonder if he’ll fuck me on it, but he distracts me when he dives in to capture my lips again. His lips are hot against mine as we meld together. One arm holds me around my waist and his other hand combs through my hair.
“You’re mine,” he growls.
The vibration of his chest causes me to grow wet with need. I’m soaked and everything in me wants him to feel it. I rock my hips against him, needing friction. Instead of that motion prompting him to take this further, he stops to my utter disappointment.
He pulls back and takes a deep breath, like he’s trying to bring himself under control. I don’t want him to. “Let’s go inside. We need to talk about some things,” he says. If he hadn’t just assured me where we stand I’d be nervous. He releases meslowly, making sure I’m steady on my feet before interlacing our fingers and leading the way into the house.
He leads us to the kitchen and motions for me to sit at the island. I don’t see Betsy, which is unusual. It’s close to dinnertime. Victor grabs a dish out of the fridge, walks to the oven and turns it on to begin warming up.
“Where’s Betsy?”
“I had a feeling we’d need some time alone after leaving Connor’s house, so I called her on the way to pick you up asking if she could make a casserole and I’d warm it up when we returned,” he replies.
I nod. “You think of everything. Is there anything I can do?” I ask as he takes the lid off the casserole dish.
“Yes. Get the plates and silverware, then choose a wine you’d like out of the wine fridge.” Sliding off the stool, I grab the plates, silverware, and two wineglasses, then put them on the island, but pause.
“We’re eating in here, right?”
“Yes. Whatever is left, I’ll let Leo know so he can come grab him some.” I finish putting everything where it should be, then walk over to the wine fridge. I squat down and look at my different options. There’s a wine cellar as well, but he obviously wants something chilled, so I look at each option. Choosing a rosé, I stand and grab the electronic wine opener.
“Leo told me Lane has been reassigned,” I say. Victor places the casserole in the oven when it beeps, then looks at me. He takes the wine from me and walks over to pour us each a glass as I place the cork in the glass vase on the counter.
“Yes, he’s a bouncer at one of my nightclubs now,” Victor replies.
“Oh, I forgot you had nightclubs too.” Victor doesn’t talk business with me. He has his hands in so many things, I canimagine when he gets done with his day, he probably doesn’t feel like talking about it.
“I’m a silent partner. Arden owns the nightclub, but I help where needed.” Victor hands me my glass and I take a sip of the wine.
“Arden owns a nightclub? And he does security for you. Wow.” I lean against the island. “How does he do security for you at night if he owns a nightclub?”
“He owns several nightclubs from here to Savannah and a couple in South Carolina. It’s a well-oiled machine now. When he needs to make trips to check on business, he lets me know. Since all of this has started with Donovan, though, his stepsister has helped if she’s needed to.”
“Huh.” I take another sip of my wine. Arden has always been the mysterious one. So, I haven’t learned much about him.
