Part 19 (1/2)
Parker c.o.c.ked a brow at him. ”You do realize she's my daughter.”
”I realize it. I just don't think you do.” Michael got up and strode out. He took a deep breath when he was outside. The crisp fresh air was cleansing. It almost got the bitter taste out of his mouth.
He needed to talk to Olivia. He needed to tell her what her father was up to and break it off with her.
He reached into his pocket and rubbed her locket.
He knew she'd hate to be a p.a.w.n, and frankly he couldn't jeopardize his future. He'd fallen into Parker's trap. He was so caught up with this thing with Olivia that he couldn't focus on anything else, much less the movie.
He had to get free of Everett Parker. He knew she'd understand that and why they couldn't see each other.
He crossed the street and opened the door to Romantic Notions. He paused in the doorway, waiting for the delicate fragrance of the store to hit him. Lavender? It seemed more than that, simple and sweet but complex at the same time.
Like Olivia.
”This is a surprise.”
Michael looked up to see Olivia gliding toward him. She wore a tiny red leather skirt, her long luscious legs were encased in sheer black stockings, and her black s.h.i.+rt had the top few b.u.t.tons undone. She stopped close enough to him that he caught glimpses of the black lace underneath.
Closing his eyes, he prayed for strength.
He felt her hand on his arm. ”Michael, are you okay?”
Okay? He wanted to push her against the door, and slide his hardening c.o.c.k all the way into her. He wanted to hear her gasp and laugh. He wanted to have the right to hold her hand and kiss her whenever he wanted.
He opened his eyes and saw concern in her warm eyes. He'd never noticed how rich and chocolaty they were. He should have known that.
How was he going to tell her they had to call it quits?
”Michael?” Her lips were the same red as her skirt-deep, f.u.c.k me red.
”Aw h.e.l.l,” he muttered and gave in. He brought her flush against him and lightly bit her lower lip before angling his mouth to hers. She gasped into his mouth and melted against him, her hand working its way under his jacket.
He released her just as abruptly. Her lipstick was smeared and she gazed at him through lowered eyelids.
She cupped his jaw and rubbed around his mouth with her thumb. ”This shade of red just isn't you.”
The huskiness of her voice made his gut clench. ”I don't know. I think it suits me.”
She gave him a look he couldn't decipher and stepped back. ”I didn't think I was going to see you this morning. To what do I owe the pleasure?”
He didn't know what caused her to draw away from him, physically as well as emotionally, but he didn't like it. He pulled her closer because he needed her there. ”I missed you,” he said, surprised to realize it was true.
She thawed noticeably. ”Don't you have to be on the set?”
”I had a meeting between scenes.”
Her brow furrowed. ”Out here? Who was the meeting with? Parker?”
This was the perfect opportunity to tell her. It was practically an invitation to dump it out. All he had to do was open his mouth and tell her they couldn't see each other anymore because her father was manipulating them to ensnare him for the rest of his creative life.
He opened his mouth and said, ”Just a small issue. It's not important.”
Olivia smoothed the tension in his temples with her fingers. ”Well, if you want to talk about it, I'm here.”
”Thanks.” He smiled, hating himself for not being honest with her.
”I have to get back.” She waved toward a customer in the back, who was covertly gawking at them.
”Right. I have to get back to work too.” He dropped a kiss on her lips, lingering longer than he intended. ”Have dinner with me tonight,” he whispered against her.
He loved the way her mouth curved under his. ”Okay.”
”I don't know when I'll be done.”
”Okay.”
”And it's not like any restaurants in Marin will be open that late.”
She laughed softly. ”I'll take care of dinner. Just call me when you know what time you can come over.”
”Wear this outfit.” He brushed her cheek. ”Later, baby.”
He exhaled deeply after he closed the door behind him. That didn't go exactly as he'd envisioned. He looked back at Romantic Notions. Parker knew his quarry. Michael was royally screwed.
Chapter Twenty-four.
Hands on her hips, Olivia glared at the clock. Where was he? She paced her room, careful not to tread on top of the picnic she'd laid out on the floor.
Pathetic. She dropped onto her bed. Here she was, still wearing her work clothes, waiting for some guy she didn't trust to show up.
Okay, he wasn't just some guy. He was the love of her life.
”Former love of my life,” she corrected herself. This fling was going to cure her of their past.
And-d.a.m.n it-she wasn't waiting any longer. Bending, she plucked a grape from the picnic and began to unb.u.t.ton her blouse.
The window slid open and Michael's head popped in. ”You're late,” she said curtly.
”I know. And you're angry, but I'll make it up to you.” He swung his leg over the frame and closed it when he was all the way in. ”Nice outfit.”
She crossed her arms across her chest.
He strode to her, took her in his arms, and dropped a kiss on her forehead. ”I'm sorry I'm late. I had a good reason.”
”What?”