Ambushed by M.E. McAndrews
Chapter 25
Austin
earlier events as I gaze up into the crystal clear blue sky and sip on my ice cold beer. Damn, it’s refreshingly good after an afternoon roll. I never expected her to break into my house—into my room, - and rifle through my drawers, like a common thief. It was a bold move, even for someone as determined as Olivia. I can't help but admire her tenacity, even as it makes my blood boil. She is so convinced that I’m hiding something, and she seems blindly determined to find out what it is. I can only imagine what she’s planning to do. Probably hoping to find some secret to blackmail me with.
All those files are nothing more than basic intel that a private investigator provides for me. I’ve got a long list of enemies who want to take me out. I should probably include Olivia on that list, even though the info I had collected on her and Seth was for different reasons.
I lean my elbow against the golf cart, watching as Henry lines up his shot. We're a few holes behind the other group, the ones who are trying to win me over and get me to partner into their new software platform.
“Are you going to invite them to the masquerade charity gala?” Henry asks after his near-perfect shot. The white golf ball flies, bouncing off the grass in front of the green and coming to rest within only a couple feet of the flag.
I take another sip of my beer.
The damn Blackwater Charity Ball is days away, and I could give two shits about it. “They can come if they want.”
“It would be good to include them if we plan to invest in their software.”
I sigh, rocking on my heels. “One round of golf is not a promise to buy what they're selling.”
Henry watches me for a moment as I set my ball down and warm up my swing.
“If we don't get the Williams's property, we're going to need to pursue other ventures,” he replies.
My back tightens. “I'm not interested in other ventures or relationships. I'm going to stay focused on one thing.”
“And that is?”
I tilt my head back and laugh. “You know what it is.”
“Jesus Christ. Here we go.”
“It's business, Henry.”
“You and I know it's a lot more than that.”
I set the golf club at my side and turn to face him, my arms folded across my chest. “Are you trying to say something?”
“You're missing out on a lot of opportunities.”
“I don't care.”
He pauses, contemplating my words. He’s considering something, weighing the words in his mind. “You care more than you're willing to admit,” he says.
“Right now, my sole aim is to get the next phase of Springer Mountain underway. That's it. We will not be investing in new technologies, or worrying about expanding our portfolio.”
“But, Austin, we need to diversify.”
“And we will. After we finish building out Springer.”
Henry shakes his head, traipsing toward the cart. He pops the cap off a new beer. “Alright, Austin. Stop beating around the bush. What the hell's going on with you and the Williams widow.”
“Nothing.” I lie.
“Sure.” His tone rife with sarcasm.
“What?”
He shrugs, taking another sip. He glances behind him, where a new group of golfers approaches. “You're running out of time, Austin.”
“I've got her exactly where I want her.” Which is beneath me, my cock buried between her legs. I grit my teeth. The money doesn’t matter. I want to leave it at that, but I can't. I don't know why I can't stop thinking about her, but just thinking about her makes me hard. I can't stop thinking about the way she felt. Her body is so warm, her skin so soft against mine. Her full perky breasts, her long legs, her slim hips. I've never felt like this before. Not once in my life. No matter how many women I've been with, no one has ever captured my attention like this.
“Well, that's a relief,” Henry says.
“You don't believe me?”
“No. I don't.”
“Well, she's running out of money real fast,” I say. “So now it's a waiting game—a matter of choking her out until she runs out of funds.”
“And you think you can do that?” His eyes narrow. “I know how you are when it comes to women you entangle yourself with.” He raises his eyebrows, watching me steadily.
I set my jaw, not wanting to think about this. I'm smart enough to know that it won’t work, and I'm losing sight of the goal. It's not only not helping me right now, but it's going to cost me in the long run.
“This has nothing to do with women, Henry. I just want to win, and I’ll win against Olivia Williams.”
“You don't know that,” Henry sighs. He’s lost his faith in me, and I should be offended, but I’m not.
“I do. I can handle it.”
“If you say so,” he says, taking another sip. He sets his beer down into the cup holder and gets into the driver’s seat of the cart. “Invite her to the charity ball.” He turns the key to the golf cart.
“Why?”
He shrugs. “Show that we aren't monsters in business suits. I'm not sure what exactly your plan is with her, but I've got an inkling.” He sighs. “It's been years since you've been with a woman. I assumed you wanted to screw her then get rid of her, but you've got a look in your eye. One that I've seen before; and it has never ended well in the past.”
“What are you trying to say?” I interrogate.
He smirks. “It's obvious that you care about her. You're in too deep, and I'm not sure what you're playing at. The Austin I know would've ruined that woman by now to get her out of that house already.”
I pause. “So, you're saying I should bring her to the gala?”
“Sure. If you're going to play nice, do it right.”
I get into the golf cart, settling in for the ride to the next tee.
“Don't fuck this up,” Henry says.
“I won't.” But inside, I'm screaming, ‘lies’. How the hell does this end well?
We finish the round, and after dropping Henry off at his car in the parking lot, I drive my cart back to the house, my heart pounding in my chest the entire way.
I park the cart and get out and cross the street, trudging through the overgrown weeds at the side of her house where I know she'll be.
Henry's right, I need to prove to Olivia that I’m not a monster. That I didn't just want her for her property. Oh, and for sex. I saw the guilt in her eyes when I caught her in my house. Lord knows what she was doing in there exactly. Perhaps I took the game too far and pushed her to do the same.
I had no idea what I was getting myself into when I decided to find Olivia. But now, here I am, standing in her backyard in the late evening, watching her as she sits beneath a large tree with a book in her hands. There’s an intense concentration on her face. She seems so peaceful, so content here in this moment that it almost takes my breath away.
The early moonlight casts a gentle glow over the garden, and other than the chirping crickets, the night air is quiet and still. Without thinking, I amble closer to her and stop behind her chair. Her hair smells like jasmine and honey, and my heart races with anticipation as she pivots to meet my gaze.
She gives me an inquiring glance, but says nothing. That's when I find the courage to speak. “How's it going?”
Her brows raise and she sets her book down, watching me. “It's going.”
“Good.”
We stare at each other for a moment.
“I was thinking,” I start, taking a deep breath before continuing. “My company is holding a charity gala this weekend.”
“Oh really?” She queries. “What does that have to do with me?”
“I thought that… maybe you'd like to come with me. It's for a noble cause, and I'm sure you'd have a good time.”
Olivia's eyes sparkle as she gazes up at me, and for a moment I'm sure she's going to say no. But then she beams and stands up from her chair. I'd like to see that smile more often.
“What sort of event is it?”
“Well, it's a masquerade. For cancer research. A formal event with dinner and dancing. It could feel a little intimidating, if you haven't been, but it can be fun.”
She nods. “A masquerade sounds fun. And I never do the formal sort of thing.”
“You deserve it.”
She's silent for a moment, looking away. “Alright,” she says. “I'll go to this charity thing of yours.”
“Good,” I say. “Great.”
“What do I need to wear? A dress?”
I nod. “I'll send one over for you.”
“You don't need to do that.”
“No. I insist. You'll be my honored guest.”