Olivia

I stare at the phone for a long time, unable to believe what just happened. I was sure that my encounter with Felix in the park was catastrophic, that it ruined everything. I mean, I was a mess, a sniveling loser dressed in dusty clothes.

Instead, he calls me mere hours later — hours, not days — and tells me he's hard for me.

Why?

It's amazing he is, but does he get off on mud? Humiliation? Dogs? Just what was different this time that he thought he should tell me that he wants me and ask me out when last time we were seconds away from getting freaky in the doorway?

I can't complain and shouldn't, because he just played into my obsession, but I still think about it through my afternoon yoga session. As I comb stray locks from my sweaty face and take off my sports bra, I can't help but wonder if he'd find me attractive like this. Grimy, sweaty, all natural.

In the shower, his words haunt me. His harsh, oversexual words. I don't think I've ever had a man speak to me like that before. I've had thoughts like these, but I haven't actually said them out loud or heard them said to me. It's like he dug them into me, drilled himself into every inch of my skin.

The memory of Felix's voice sends a shiver down my spine. I can't wait to see him, and yet... It's a conflicting feeling, just like my image of Felix himself. My best friend from school versus this confident and sexy man who wants me. How could both these people be one? And which one am I really looking forward to seeing?

I stare at my closet, wondering what dress to pick out. Half of them still have tags on them, so I decide to wear one of those. A red lacy piece with no cleavage but a bare back. It's tight and fairly short, so he can enjoy looking at my legs. To be fair, I just want him to be able to touch me if he wants to.

I'm barely in the dress and applying lipstick when my phone buzzes on the bed. I rush to it immediately and see a text from Felix. He's downstairs, waiting for me. Shit. I'm not done putting on makeup. As if guessing this, another text from him appears on the screen.

Felix: I don't care if you're not ready. You're gorgeous anyway.

I grin and type, What if I'm not dressed?

Felix: Too bad then. Everyone will see your sexy underwear.

I grab the phone to answer but decide that I'd rather hear him say these words in that smooth, sexy voice of his than continue typing. So I grab my purse and head down the stairs. The Lamborghini awaits idling before my front entrance.

A catty old lady who lives on the second floor gives me the stink eye as I sail past her and get inside the car. Jealous old wench. I know for a fact all she does is spew venom at young women just because she couldn't get herself a decent husband. Let her see me get into the Lamborghini and choke on her own malice.

"I'm disappointed you're wearing a dress," Felix says by way of greeting.

His presence managed to force anything else out of my mind. He's wearing black jeans and a black button-down, the sleeves of the shirt rolled back to reveal his strong forearms. His expensive cologne fills the space between us and I take it in. I love this car and this Felix draped in expensive, designer clothes.

"Well, I couldn't let my neighbors be too jealous. Your car is enough."

His smile doesn't weaver, though there seems to be a shift in his gaze. I'm not sure what it means, but I can't be bothered with it once he leans over and plants a kiss behind my ear.

"All in due time, love."

I'm too distracted by the heat of his body to ask what will come in due time. Why does he do this to me, these little drops of affection? Now all I want is to kiss him. Hard. He seems to notice this because his eyes linger on my lips before he pulls away completely. When he drives off, the tremor of the car under me does nothing for my self-control.

"Where are we going?" I ask to fill the loaded silence between us.

"Gino's Garden."

That's the most expensive restaurant in town! I've been trying to get a reservation ever since it opened, but they are always fully booked. I let out a low whistle before I can help myself. It brings a smirk to Felix's lips and it makes him look hotter if possible.

He knows he's rich and powerful and he doesn't mind showing it. It only sends butterflies in my stomach and I cross my legs to get a hold of myself.

Once we reach the restaurant, there's a giant line at the front. Felix doesn't care. He leaves his key with the valet and offers me his arm so we can both walk inside. Skipping the line makes me feel like a celebrity and I don't see any reason to keep the smile off my face. If he wants to bed me, he's doing all the right things.

The place is lavishly decorated in a Mediterranean style, and it's obviously a black tie place. Felix is a bit underdressed since he's wearing jeans, but I fit right in with my gorgeous dress. Red really is my color.

The Metr'd immediately rushes us to our table and it's obvious that Felix is well-known here. I wonder how often he's dined here or if he ever brought another woman with him. The thought comes with unease as I realize I don't know much about this new him. I assumed he was in town for the reunion, but I have no idea, really, what's going on and what he does and where.

"Like it so far?" he asks, picking up the menu.

"Yes, it's amazing." It really is. No wonder it's so hard to get in. The food on the menu also sounds delicious and knowing I can order anything I like makes it even more exciting.

"It's not half bad, I'll admit," Felix says lazily, as if he usually spends his time in much better places. He probably does, but this is the best our small town has to offer, the place where movie stars come in search of anonymity.

I sort of like this about him, his otherworldliness. The mystery is both enticing and infuriating. But he's a man, after all, it shouldn't be too hard to get him to talk about himself. He doesn't seem open to it now, though, as he studies the menu.

"You should decide what you want, too," he notes, even if his eyes are still on the menu. "They have fast service here."

He's not wrong. I barely get to look at the appetizers before a waiter appears next to our table. Felix orders something that sounds healthy, and even if I have no idea what it is, I order it, too, together with a cosmopolitan because I have a feeling I'll need alcohol tonight.

"You didn't even read the menu, did you?" he asks with a grin, the moment the boring old waiter leaves.

"What I eat is not that important," I say with a wave of my hand. Lies. I wish I had more time to see what the options are, but I don't want to seem needy or a slow reader.

"You got yourself a superfood salad, just so you know."

"I know exactly what I got," I say, even if I don't. "But forget about the food. Tell me about yourself. It's the third time we're seeing each other and we haven't had time to talk."

He smirks again. "I didn't take you out so that we could talk."

A shiver runs down my spine and heat pools into my lower belly. "Then why?" I ask, keeping my voice low and sensual.

"It's merely foreplay, love."

A salad is foreplay? I was right. I'm going to need more drinks. I try to smile, and fortunately, my drink comes to distract me. It's easy since the hand offering it to me has a snake tattoo coiled around its wrist. I glance up at the rest of the tattoo which slides up a toned forearm. The old waiter was replaced with a guy with tattoos and a good bit of stubble. He is charming with his brown locks and toothy smile.

"One classy drink, for one classy lady," he says, putting the drink on the table in front of me.

I give him an indulgent smile and pick it up. "Thank you." I take a small sip and am pleasantly surprised by how rich the aroma is. I lick my lower lip and raise my eyes to him. "A very delicious cocktail."

He winks at me. "Let me know if you need anything else."

"We're good, thanks," Felix says, his tone cold and deadly.

The waiter doesn't care and just struts away towards the bar, swaying his hips. He doesn't look half bad, his shoulders broad and his waist narrow. I catch him looking back at me, and he gives me another wink.

"So, Olivia," Felix says. "Tell me more about what you've been up to."

Ugh, why? I turn away from the tattooed waiter and try to focus and answer Felix's intrusive question. I don't think I manage to keep the distaste off my face. "Why do you want to talk about work? Didn't you say this was a form of foreplay?"

"Well, foreplay slithered to the other end of the room."

Wait. Slithered. Is he... "Are you jealous?" The thought thrills me.

He huffs and leans back in his seat. "I think that would be a waste of feelings."

"Hmph. Feelings are good and should be honest." I down my drink for emphasis.

"I would agree, except I'm noticing your tendency to shift between them." And he toasts his drink to me. I'm not even sure what it is because I wasn't paying attention.

"I have no idea what you're talking about."

"I bet you don't." And he finishes whatever it is in one gulp. His shoulders are so tense, I expect him to chuck the glass across the room.

Yeah, this is not going well. We definitely need more drinks. Felix seems pissed and I'm pretty sure it's because of the waiter, but I can't tell why. It's not like I can't talk to other men. But it's confirmed that he's the issue once he materializes next to our table with a second round of drinks. He grins at me again and I can't help but smile back. It's nice to get attention.

Felix on the other hand looks ready to blow fire out his nostrils. Well, it's his business if he wants to ruin everything by sulking. I don't have to entertain him or let his bad mood affect me, so I just sip my drink and keep quiet.

"Wow," he says. "Just, wow."

I would be flattered if I thought his affirmation referred to how beautiful I look tonight, but I hear the disdain in his voice. "What?"

"Even if I've known you for so long, you still manage to throw me out of the loop." He shakes his head as if sharing a private joke with himself.

I don't like that, so when the waiter comes over with our food, I make sure to be extra nice to him. It works because I end up with his number on a napkin. Wow, I still got it, which is refreshing to see. I don't show Felix the napkin, but he knows. I can see it in the darkness in his eyes. But it's not joined by longing and desire and that manages to kill my mood.

"What?" I ask. "If you have a problem, just say it."

"Why are we here?"

I grit my teeth. He's got some nerve. "I don't know. You asked me out."

"Of course I did." He sounds disgusted now, and all the joy of the evening runs for the exit.

"What is your problem?"

"My problem? Can't you tell?"

Not exactly, unless it's really jealousy. I mean the waiter is cute and all, and he did give me his number, but it's not like I'm going to call him and go out with him when I'm here with Felix. He probably still has hours left on his shift. Where is he anyway? He seems to have vanished.

"I have no idea why things like this keep surprising me." Felix stands and throws down some money. "Here, I left a little extra in case you'll take him out for drinks."

"So you are jealous!"

I don't get an answer because he's already halfway out. As hard as I try to contain them, tears fill my eyes, and before they slide down my cheeks, he's already gone.