CHAPTER SIXTY

DALLAS

I slowly opened my eyes and let out a small yawn. I tried to stand up and realized a strong arm was wrapped around me.

I was in Oliver’s room, in his bed, after a night of intense pleasure. I was in one of his shirts while he was only in his boxer briefs. He insisted I wore his shirt last night.

“I like how it looks to you,” he said.

I bit my lips to refrain a smile.

Memories of last night’s activities flashed across my mind and a blush crept on my cheeks. We finally had sex the right way. He let me touch him. He buried himself deep inside me and I’ve never felt so full. He let me in fully.

I wish I could relax and enjoy this without worrying so much, but I couldn’t. I can’t help but worry what this meant for us. I hoped the attraction I felt towards him would disappear after we had sex, but just staring at his attractive resting face, I realized how wrong I was.

I didn’t crave him any less, in fact I craved him more. I wanted him so much that it terrifies me.

I pushed the thoughts to the back of my head. I just need to hang around him until my case is solved. Anything I feel towards him won’t matter when I leave.

I craned my neck to get a better view of his face. I was so close that I could see the tiny freckles beneath his eyes.

I brought my hand to his face and trailed my fingers down his chiseled jawline, reveling in how perfectly shaped they were.

I couldn’t resist placing a kiss on his forehead. He groaned, his brows slightly furrowed. I moved away, thinking he didn’t like it, but he pulled me back.

“Do that again.” he ordered, his eyes were still closed.
Did I say how absolutely sexy his sleepy voice is? I wished I could record it so I could listen to it on repeat.

“I thought you were asleep.” I said in a whisper.

His eyes flung open, and I was immediately captured in the abyss of blue.His usual icy gaze seem to have melted into a soft blue. A vast ocean that could easily drown my lost soul and I would enjoy the drowning.

“I could get used to waking up like this.” he said and chuckled.

And just like that, I was pulled out of my temporary bliss and back into the harsh reality. I finally allowed the nagging thought at the back of my mind a space. There was no use denying it anymore. I wanted this to become something. I wanted to wake up like this every morning.

Oliver leaned in to kiss me but I turned my head and the kiss landed on my cheek.
His brows furrowed as he stared at me. I wiggled out of his embrace and sat up.

“Is something wrong?” he asked.

“Nothing. I…” I chewed on my lower lip, not knowing how to approach the subject. I just can’t seem to find the words.

That seem to worry Oliver as he immediately sat up, now fully awake.

“Talk to me, Dallas.”

“It’s not important,” I said after a long thought.

“Whatever got you, this worry is important to me. So talk to me. Please.” He cupped my cheeks and stared into my eyes, his expression softened more than they were.

I took a deep breath. It doesn’t matter whether I ruin this ‘understanding’ we have or not. It’s either now or never.

“I don’t know what this thing between us is. There have been a lot of sexual releases, but we haven’t really talked about it. And we have a contract between us, so is this just going to last till my mum’s case is finalized or…” I trailed off, my eyes completing the sentence.

“I don’t want to lose you. Ever.” he said as a matter-of-fact.

“But you’re engaged.”

Tabitha wouldn’t stop grumbling about it the day Oliver bought a ring for his ‘female replica’. Jennifer, I think. I didn’t know her name, only that she is a successful supermodel. I had a good laugh about it when I found out he sent her the engagement ring via mail. I mean who the fuck does that.

‘Did you just realize he was engaged?’ a voice said inside me, but I quickly shut it out.

“Only on paper.” he paused “I have to get married to her to atone for my sins.”

I frowned, trying to make sense of his words.

“My father would have wanted the marriage. Jenna is his close friend’s daughter.”

Everything suddenly made sense after he said that. Regina’s abrupt end to her ‘bride hunting’, Oliver’s reluctant acceptance.

“You’re the only woman I’ve ever wanted this much. Hell, you’re literally the only person in the entire universe I’ve touched without feeling disgusted. I’ve never craved something so much as I crave you.”

His words were supposed to make me feel better, but they didn’t. They made me even more confused.

“I understand you have to marry Jenna, but where does that put us.”

He seemed to be in deep thoughts before he suddenly said,

“You want to be exclusive?”

Hold the fuck up! What did he just say?! My mouth fell open and it took me a while to regain myself.

“As much as I want you, I have no desire to be the other woman in your relationship.”

“You won’t. Jenna and I have an agreement. We’ll only be married on paper, we can go out with other people. I will never touch her.”

Okay. Wow. I’ve never heard something like that before.

“So do you want us to be exclusive?”
.
I didn’t know how to answer that. Thankfully, his phone rang, saving me from having to give him a reply. His phone always has the perfect timing. It’s amazing how it saves me from answering every time.

But unlike the last time, he didn’t avert his gaze from me.

“Answer the call.”

“Not until you give me a response first.”

I smiled widely.

“Yes.” I said with so much certainty. I’ve never been so certain in my entire life.

He pulled me in for a deep kiss before he finally got out of bed on my insistence. His phone won’t stop ringing and I’m sure he was ignoring an emergency. He walked towards the bathroom and emerged a few minutes after, fully clothed.

“It was a work call. I have to go now.” he said, it was evident in his face that he didn’t want to leave.

“Okay,” I smiled.

“Are you sure it’s okay? I can stay if you want, just say the word.”

I wanted to tell him to stay, but it really did seem like an emergency. I know he prefers working from home.

“It’s okay, really.” I said.

He leaned in and kissed me deeply on the lips.

“I’ll be back as soon as I finish up.” he said.

I had to pull away from him before he could let me go. He finally left grudgingly.

I felt a sense of fulfillment as I watched his retreating figure. I walked out of his room towards mine when I saw Heather walking towards my room.

“Hey babe!” I grinned widely.

She was about to reply me when her mouth suddenly fell open. Her gaze traveled down my body. I followed her line of sight and realized I was still in Oliver’s shirt.

As if the universe is literally against me, Tabitha walked up the stairs at the same time. She froze when she saw me.

Well, shit. This isn’t awkward at all.