CHAPTER 8
ADRIAN
OliviaMillerismyneighbor. That is a strangely humorous thought and a big fuck you from the universe. I believe in coincidences but to imagine that I found the perfect home, in a safe neighborhood, right next to Olivia Miller’s after I not only started daydreaming about her but also hired her is the kind of coincidence I want to put in the ‘destiny’ box. I can’t believe I never bumped into her since I shifted into the house here from our previous rental a couple of days ago, but given my working hours, it makes sense.
Being so close to her and seeing her almost every day is a cruel reminder of the passions that burned inside us when we first met. I can still feel her warmth, the way she rolled in my arms during that passionate night filled with moans and cries of pleasure. It's hard for me to stay away from Olivia, even if I want to, given how often our paths cross. Whenever I see her, at work or in the neighborhood, or sometimes getting in and out of her car, all I can think of is getting closer to her and experiencing that passion we used to have - but I know it won't be possible now given our current circumstances.
I try to stay away from Olivia as much as possible because it's difficult to keep control of myself in her presence. Even when she's not around, my mind wanders off thinking about what could have been between us - but she's made herself perfectly clear. Professional only.
It's been three weeks since our dinner at the diner, and I so much as haven't looked in her direction unless to pass a command or take instruction and advice. She wanted professional. I gave her professional. But each minute in the same room with her requires me to exercise agonizing self-control.
Also, has she started dressing sexier?
She's standing in front of me, and I can't take my eyes off her. Her slender figure clad in tight trousers enhanced by ankle boots with a four-inch wedge heel. The plunging neckline of her blouse adds a lushness to her curves, and I can't help but admire her hourglass silhouette as she playfully runs her fingers through her long hair. She's created an alluring look that makes me want to reach out and wrap my arms around her waist, drawing her close and running my hands over every inch of her body. And that red lipstick!
Leather? Really? This woman loves to torment me.
It takes everything I have in me not to flirt and instead get to the point.
"So, have you had a chance to look into the legal requirements of purchasing this land?" I ask her in my most professional tone, forcing myself to focus on the task at hand.
“Yes, neighbor,” she smiles at me.
“So, we’re in non-professional territory now?” I ask her.
“Who said colleagues can’t make small talk?”
“True that.”
“So, of all the places out here, why did you choose to reside beside my humble home?” she asks.
“Fishing for information, are we?” I grin.
“Just some neighborly gossip. Wait till I tell the others in our lane we have a billionaire in our midst,” she teases.
“No, God please. No! I chose this neighborhood to hide out from my world. Don’t ruin this for us.”
“I’ll take your secret to the grave,” she whispered, conspiringly.
“Thank you,” I whisper back, nodding my head vigorously.
She laughs and walks over to my desk, shuffling papers and picking up some documents before responding.
"Well, getting back to work now. There are a few things that need to be done before the purchase can be completed. First, we need to get approval from the local planning authorities for any development of the land which will require submitting an application with specific details about what you plan on doing with the property." She pauses for a second glancing through her paperwork and continues, “Then, there’s the issue of zoning classification which needs to be approved by the city hall as well as figuring out any restrictions or exclusive rights that may be associated with it."
She's standing right over me, bent over my desk. Her shirt is just tight enough to show off her curves, and I can't help but get distracted. I’m finding myself drawn farther and farther into her eyes as she talks. Then my glance drifts down, and I’m mesmerized by the swell of her breasts pushing against her blouse.
My heart skips a beat as my gaze lingers over the top of them slightly visible from the gap in between the buttons of her shirt. The sight of them is enough to make me go weak in the knees, my mouth suddenly feeling dry as fire ignites in my stomach.
I find myself imagining what it would be like to kiss her neck and caress those gentle curves with my hands. I start to wonder how it'd feel if she were pressed up against me, letting me explore every inch of that tantalizing body...
The thought fills me with desire, and how quickly I can banish it all from my mind. This can't continue.
"Okay thanks," I say abruptly, pulling my chair away from her, pretending to stretch my arms as I swivel in it because if I don't distract my hands right now… "You can get started on compliances by Monday, and, Olivia, go home. I'm heading back too, and HR is informing everyone else at work to close up. Apparently, there's a weather alert. Could be a hurricane."
"Seriously?" she asked, looking visibly stressed. I want to tell her to relax and not worry. I'll be there, won't I? But I can't. Our professional arrangement won't let me.
"Yes, I'm heading out now," I say, picking up my briefcase. "Suggest you do the same. No, actually. I command it. Should I drop you off at home?"