Page 12 of Big Built Boss

“Olivia,” he greets, leaning casually against the doorframe, his eyes scanning the room before locking onto mine. His voice is warm, and I can’t help but feel a small shiver run through me at the sound of my name. He smiles, and I catch myself smiling back.

“Hey, Alex,” I reply, trying to focus on the screen in front of me, but it’s useless. I can feel his gaze on me, and it’s like a spotlight, making everything else fade into the background.

“I was wondering,” he begins, his voice a little softer now, “if you’d be interested in grabbing dinner tonight. I know a great place—Vito’s. It’s the local Italian restaurant. The food there is amazing.” He pauses, a hint of something mischievous flickering in his eyes.

“Really?”

“Yup, even Marlon Henderson went when he was here. He actually met the waitress he ran off with there.”

He walks into the room and takes a seat on the edge of my desk, just a little too close. The proximity makes my pulse quicken, but I try to keep it steady, trying to act normal, like his presence doesn’t affect me at all. But I can feel the heat radiating off of him, and I know he’s aware of it.

I raise an eyebrow, leaning back in my chair. “This town has the best lore. I met this girl the other day. She’s married to a firefighter, and get this—her best friend’s dad. It’s crazy.”

Alex laughs, shaking his head in amusement. “That’s a good one, but you’re just scratching the surface, Olivia. Cherrywood Village is full of stories like that. Everyone knows everyone’s business, and no one minds sharing their gossip.” He leans in a little closer, his voice dropping to a more conspiratorial tone. “There’s talk of mafia presence around here, you know? And the girls? They’re always running off with the men here.”

I can’t help but smile at the way he says that, his tone playful but carrying a trace of something deeper, something I can’t quite place. He’s teasing me, but there’s a challenge in his eyes, and I know he’s not just talking about other girls. His words linger, and for some reason, they feel like they’re meant for me.

He winks at me, that charming, confident smile of his spreading across his face. “I think you know exactly the kind of pull a Cherrywood Village man has.”

I laugh, trying to play it cool, but the heat that rises to my cheeks betrays me. “Oh, I’m sure.”

I try to sound lighthearted, but inside, I can’t help but feel a little electric at the thought of what he’s insinuating. We both know there’s a lot more between us than just friendly banter. After what happened in the gym the other night, there’s no denying it.

I swallow hard, suddenly aware of the space between us. The air feels thick, charged. My heart skips a beat, but I don’t know what to say. Instead, I just give him a smile, the best I can muster, despite the rush of emotions that flood my chest. He’s right. There’s no pretending anymore.

“Text me your address,” he says suddenly, pulling me from my thoughts. He pulls out a small notepad from his pocket and grabs the pen from my desk. “I’ll pick you up at seven. Don’t worry about anything else. Just send me your address.”

I glance at him for a moment, still processing everything he’s said. “Okay.”

He scribbles something down on the pad and hands it to me, his hand brushing mine briefly, sending another shockwave through me.

I take the notepad, glancing at his number written on it before looking up at him. His eyes hold mine for a moment, and there’s an intensity there that makes my breath hitch.

“I’ll see you tonight,” he says, standing up to leave. He gives me one last look, that same confident smile still playing on his lips, before turning and heading for the door.

I stare at the door for a long moment after he leaves. My heart is pounding in my chest, and my thoughts are a chaotic mess. I’m not sure what I just agreed to, but it feels like everything is changing, like I’m stepping into something I can’t undo.

The rest of the day drags on, the hours feeling like minutes, but I can’t focus on anything. My mind keeps wandering back to Alex. I try to tell myself this is just a dinner. Just a chance to get to know each other better, but I know better. It’s not just that. Not with him. The way he looks at me, the way he touches me. He’s made it clear that he wants more. And I want more, too. I know it, deep down.

By the time I get home, I’m a bundle of nerves. I want to look good for him, but I don’t want to look like I’m trying too hard. I want to be relaxed, confident—like I’ve got this. But I’m anything but relaxed and so far from confident. My heart is racing, and every little thing I do feels like I’m overthinking it.

I take a long shower, letting the hot water pour over me, trying to calm the butterflies in my stomach. I know I’m walking a fine line here, crossing boundaries I’ve never even considered before, but after what happened in the gym, after what Alex and I shared, there’s no going back. The lines have already been blurred.

I decide on a simple black dress, something that hugs my body in all the right places but isn’t too revealing. I want him to see me, but I don’t want to give him everything too easily. I want him to work for it a little.

When I finish getting ready, I pull out my phone and send him a text with my address. My fingers hover over the keyboard for a moment, unsure of what to say. But in the end, I keep it simple.

It’s Olivia. Here’s my address.

I hit send before I can second-guess myself, then sit back, trying to control my breathing. This is it. There’s no turning back now.

Chapter Seven

Alex

I’m running late.

I glance at the clock again as I pull up to Olivia’s place. Five minutes late. Fuck. It’s not that I’m usually the kind of guy who can’t make a good first impression. Hell, I own a gym—being punctual is part of the job. But tonight feels different. There’s something about the anticipation hanging in the air that’s got my stomach tied up in knots. I tell myself it’s just dinner, just a chance to talk. But the truth is, it’s been a long time since I’ve been this excited for something as simple as a meal.

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