Chapter 16 - Galloping Horse (1/2)

Ding!

The elevator doors opened and Maxen hovered his hand at the small of Olivia's back. Their bodies were inches away from each other yet both of them could feel the prickling force of attraction from their proximity.

”After you,” Maxen said in a suave voice; deep and smooth. However, he was trying so hard to keep his cool and Olivia could hear the subtle tremble in his voice too, so she gave him a sweet smile before stepping inside.

The beeping from Olivia's keycard made Maxen shift his sight to the camera on the top corner which had a blinking green light. On cue, the light stopped from blinking, a signal that the camera was turned off.

Inside the security office, Jack wiped the beading sweat on his forehead when he saw Maxen glare at the camera. He received explicit instructions earlier to turn the elevator cameras off yet Jack could not do so, afraid for his boss's security. What if it was not a refined lady but an assassin in disguise? How could he dare break royal safety protocols now? If the head Butler would get a whiff of what he just did, his career would be over. Over. Jack shook his head as he rubbed the creases on his forehead away. He felt like he aged a couple of years in just a night all because of a strange lady.

Back in the elevator, Maxen nodded his head when he saw the floor number flash in the digital board on top of the elevator doors. Fifty-Sixth Floor. Just a floor below the penthouse. Great. They could use the fire exit to come and go in between their apartments in the future. Maxen's visual mapping of the future was cut short when he heard Olivia's voice. He didn't realize he was grinning like a fool for a few seconds now.

”Is there something funny on my face?”

”No… Nothing. You're perfect.” His words earned him a blush from Olivia which made Maxen's confidence skyrocket. He was trying to shake off his insecurity all night because for some reason he could not explain, he really wanted to impress her. He knew that neither his looks, his money nor his title would be enough to impress Olivia. He knew he needed to bring something more to the table and that's what he's dying to find out.

”Aren't you scared that I might be an assassin?” Olivia asked, her eyes locked on Maxen, hypnotizing him to come closer but he didn't. He fought hard against his aching need, afraid he'd lose something greater in the process.

Maxen dipped his head so he could get a good look of Olivia only to meet her eyes as she straightened her back. The hairs on Olivia's nape rose as their gazes locked. She quickly looked away, berating herself in her thoughts for digging another hole only for herself to fall into again.

”Don't be fooled by that handsome face and crystal blue eyes, Olivia. Remember, you have a mission to accomplish,” Olivia's brain said.

”Hey, brain! Let me take charge tonight, okay? Our baby girl need some R&R: Royal Highness and Rendezvous,” Olivia's heart retorted.

”Tsk tsk tsk. There you go again, heart. Getting ruled by your emotions. Olivia, listen to me. Eyes on the prize. Do you understand?”

Olivia nodded.

'Eyes on the prize', Olivia chanted in her brain. Unknowingly, her heart chanted the same.

”So what brought you here, Olivia?”

Olivia's internal struggle came to a halt.

”Family.”

Less talk, less mistakes, he reminded himself before shifting his gaze to the moving digital upward arrow as the elevator ascended to their stop. The awkward silence made Maxen take a deep breath, only to get his nose tickled with notes of rose and jasmine; Olivia's perfume.

Damn it!