Master of Lust

Chapter - 127

Olivia continued to sleep the entire way home, not making a sound. The soft hum of the engine and the gentle sway of the car probably comforted her. Rick stole glances at her as he drove, under the moonlight, she seemed so soft. So innocent. Her features, usually etched with worry, now seemed peaceful in the quiet of the night.

As they reached Olivia's house, Rick parked the car and turned off the engine. He didn't immediately wake Olivia. She barely got any rest as it was; she needed to sleep, and they had enough time on their hands. He took a moment to watch her. Her lashes fluttered against her cheekbones as she mumbled something in her sleep.

After a while, Rick shifted his attention to his phone. He had still not told Amanda that he was back. So he quickly pulled out Amanda's contact and typed a quick message letting her know that he was in the city.

[Hey]

[How have you been lady? Miss me?]

[Just letting you know I am back in the city. But there has been a family emergency so won't be able to meet today.]

[Call you tomorrow.]

And just like that, Rick quickly sent a few messages to Amanda. Just as Rick pressed send, he sensed movement beside him. Olivia stirred, her eyes fluttering open. Rick quickly pocketed his phone and turned toward her with a warm smile.

"Hello there, Mrs. Clarke," he said, the corners of his lips lifting. "Sleep well?"

Olivia blinked, momentarily disoriented. She looked around, realizing they were parked in front of her house, and then panicked. "Oh, God! Did I sleep the entire way?"

Rick nodded, his gaze holding a mixture of concern and care. "Yeah, I didn't want to disturb you."

Rick didn't know what to expect, but he sure did not expect to see pure panic in Olivia's eyes.

She ducked her head, tucking her chin in, as her cheeks turned into an adorable shade of pink. "Thank you so much, Rick. And I'm so so sorry… You offered to drive me, and instead of keeping you company, I fell asleep like an idiot."

"Hey, it's okay." He reached over and held her chin delicately between his fingers, forcing her to look at him. "Besides, I don't mind the quiet." Lie. He hated driving when it was too quiet. He could never quite tell when he would just doze off behind the wheel. Noise kept him awake. But he didn't mind the quiet when he was around Olivia.

Those stolen glances at her sleeping figure gave him the energy to keep driving.

Noticing how close their faces were, Rick cleared his throat and reached into the backseat, retrieving a cup holder with a steaming cup of coffee. "I got you some coffee. Figured you might need a pick-me-up after everything."

"Coffee? But we should get in first," Olivia's eyes widened in surprise, and leaned back away from Rick.

"Just relax. Warm yourself up a bit first," Rick pushed the coffee in Olivia's hand.

Giving her the coffee, Rick leaned back in his seat, watching as Olivia cautiously took a sip. A slow hum left her lips as she gulped down the coffee. They sat in comfortable silence, with Olivia taking slow sips of her coffee and Rick blatantly staring at her, unable to hide his adoration.

She didn't really notice how his gaze was stuck on her. With her eyebrows furrowed, she just kept staring ahead, here but not really here. Rick could imagine the storm brewing behind her eyes. Her daughter in the hospital, the cops clueless, her husband drunk and delirious, finances all up in the air, and who knew what else.

The least Rick could do was get her a cup of coffee, provide her with some quiet and keep her company.

All too soon, Olivia jerked in her seat as if remembering something, and reached for the door handle. "We should go in. I've already taken so much of your time. I'll just grab a few things and be right—"

Rick gently placed a hand on her arm, halting her movement. "Relax. Take your time. Finish your coffee first."

Olivia hesitated, glancing between Rick and the cup in her hands. "I don't want to waste more of your time. Also Emily…"

Rick's grip on her arm loosened, and he nodded understandingly. "I understand, Mrs Clarke. I do. But before you rush off, let's just take a breather. Yeah? I know it's been a tough night, and sometimes just sitting around doing nothing really helps."

Olivia wasn't convinced, but the more Rick held her stare, the faster she crumbled and settled back into her seat.

[

1. Let Olivia leave. Her heart is restless. (Temptation -5)

2. Put your hand slowly on her thighs. Send butterflies through her chest (Temptation +15)

]

She gave Rick a small, timid smile, and in return, he flashed her a bright grin. He rested his hand on her knee, keeping a careful watch on her expression.

Olivia gasped softly but made no move to push him away. Her skin was so warm, and Rick couldn't help but rub circles onto her bare skin with his thumb. Then, there was that satisfied hum again as she took another shaky sip of her coffee. Rick threw all caution out of the window and allowed his hand to move higher, bunching up the hem of her dress till his hand rested on her mid-thigh.

He could feel her breathing turn faster, and that just encouraged him to squeeze, relishing the soft skin beneath his fingertips. He caressed her thigh, goosebumps raised below his touch, and his fingers slid inward to cup her inner thigh, the warmth emanating from her too addicting not to indulge in.

Olivia's palm covered Rick's suddenly, and Rick's entire body froze. He was just about to stop and apologize profusely for getting so carried away, when he noticed that Olivia did press pause, but she didn't push him away.

When she spoke, her voice was thick with uncertainty, but she pushed through, "Rick, you and your dad… You don't know how much you've given me. There's probably no way I can ever thank you." Her fingers threaded with Rick's from behind, and she pressed her legs together, trapping his hand.

With his free hand, Rick tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear and said, "You're family, and it's our duty to help family."

Olivia's lips fell into a graceful smile before she turned front, staring at her house. She heaved in a huge breath through her nose and let out a shaky exhale. She turned to Rick once more. "Come with me?"

How could he ever say no? "Of course."

The two of them got out of the car and walked side by side on the pathway leading to the front door. Rick itched to take Olivia's hand in his, desperately wanting some of that warmth back, but he knew maintaining a bit of distance was appropriate. For now, at least.

As Olivia and Rick stepped into the house, a strong sour smell engulfed them from all sides. The front door was ajar, and the flickering light from a lone bulb barely illuminated the room. The air was heavy with the pungent odour of alcohol, and in the centre of the chaos sat a bald man, Olivia's husband, drowning himself in booze plopped on the dis-coloured couch.

Greg's eyes, glazed and barely coherent, shifted from the blaring television to Olivia and Rick. The lines on his forehead deepened as he tried to focus on their faces. Olivia's usually soft features contorted into a heated glare at her husband.

"Greg, we need to talk," Olivia's voice trembled with anger and annoyance. She approached the table, and Rick was half sure she would break a beer bottle on his head.

Greg's response was a slurred mumble, and it wasn't until Rick neared him that he understood what he was saying. "Get me some ice first." His gaze pointed accusingly at Rick, who stood with his hands twitching, desperately wanting to punch a hole through his bald head, "And why is this kid here?"

Olivia's eyes welled with frustration, but her voice was firm when she said, "Greg. Our daughter is in the hospital. The hospital! Do you even know that? Huh? Do you!

All you do is drink all day and then pass out. Rick and his father helped me. Show some respect."

Greg's laughed, bitter and tinged with resentment. "Helped? Yeah, right. I see how his father looks at you. Always hovering around, pretending to care."

Rick, though tempted to respond—mostly with his fists—chose to remain silent.

Olivia, her patience waning, shot back, "This is not the time for your drunk delusions. I'm already stressed about Emily. I don't need you adding to it."

Greg's tone grew louder, each word dripping with venom. "Always Emily, always some excuse. I know what's going on. Fuck! Get me the fucking ice you bitch."

Olivia's frustration reached a breaking point. "Are you fucking serious? Do you have any sense left in you? If you did, then you would sober up and meet me at the hospital. And if you can't, then stay out of my fucking way."

Greg stood up and bellowed, "You think I'm the problem? Everything I do, I do for this family But you?." He pointed a shaking finger at Olivia. "You only complain, complain, complain. Ungrateful witch."

Olivia threw her hands up. "For heaven's sake, please. Please, tell me what you did for this family. You lost your job thanks to your drinking. You almost gambled away the roof over our heads. And whatever little I earn, you steal it and blow it away on more drugs and drinks."

Greg squinted, trying to focus on Olivia. "A man needs his time. What would you know?" Then, his unfocused glare turned to Rick. "What are you standing there for? Go, get me some ice."

Rick blew a silent breath, reigning in his temper. This wasn't his fight to partake in.

Olivia sighed, and all the anger seemed to deflate in her. This was an everyday instance, and on this particular day, she didn't really have the energy to continue this back and forth. She turned and was headed toward the staircase when Greg called out for her.

"Bitch! Where you going?"

She ignored him and continued.

"Come back here."

When she still didn't give him the time of day, he roared and stood up. But he lost his balance and his knee hit the table. With nothing to grab onto, Greg's arms flailed before he fell to the ground.

Olivia gasped and stared in horror at her unmoving husband on the floor. She rushed to where Greg was. She was about to bend and reach for him when the sound of harsh snores filled the room. Seeing his pathetic state sprawled on the carpet, Olivia scoffed before turning to Rick.

Rick rubbed slow circles on Olivia's lower back and spoke softly, "I'm sorry you have to go through this."

Olivia turned her body to face Rick's, her eyes locked on Rick's hooded ones. She nodded. "It is what it is. I'm sorry you had to see all that."

[

Kiss Olivia right there and let her know what you want. (Temptation +25)

Ignore all your feelings and proceed with just friendliness (Temptation -10)

]

Rick didn't need even a moment to contemplate what his choice would be. His eyes drifted to her plush lips. How soft would they be? How desperate would they feel when his lips would press against them?

Without thinking, he grabbed Olivia's full, luscious hips and pulled her to him. She gasped, and her hands rested on his chest, bracing herself. His lips dropped to hers, and barely grazed them…

Rick probably should've thought this through. He should've used his head that was atop his neck to think for once.

Olivia pushed him away and looked at him with what could be described as barely contained disgust.

"What on Earth is wrong with you, Rick?" she yelled.

[

1. Apologize and pull back (Temptation -50)

2. Tempt Olivia that it was just a one-night thing (Temptation +15)

]

Rick should've taken this opportunity to apologize and told her all the stress was making him lose his wits. But wouldn't that be lying? He was done lying and walking on eggshells around her. She felt the same. He was sure of it. That reaction she had to him in the car was proof.

"Why are you fighting this?" he said calmly.

"Are you serious?" she scoffed. "I have watched you grow up. I looked after you when you were a toddler. Fuck. I can't believe this is happening." She moved away from him to pace in the living room, her fingers coming up to massage her temples.

He went after her and blocked her path, forcing her to face him. "Forget about all of that. Forget about all our shared past. Forget about the rest of the world. Right now, think about me as some man you just met. Would you allow me then?"

"Jesus, Rick!" She pushed his chest to get him to move, but he caught a hold of her wrists. "Let me go! Let me—"

"Tell me you don't want this," he whispered, inching his face closer to hers. "Tell me if I were just another man, you wouldn't want me."

"It doesn't matter." She stopped fighting against his hold and just stood still, meeting his imploring gaze. "Because you are not another man, and I can't look past this."

"It's just one night, Mrs Clarke." They were so close now that when she exhaled, her breath fanned his mouth. "No one has to know. No one. I promise."

Her resolve seemed to crack. Rick could see the walls slowly crumbling, so he prodded more.

"I can make you feel so good, Mrs Clarke," he spoke directly into her ear, lips touching her earlobe, "I can make you feel things you've never felt before. I can make you forget. Just one night. It will only be between the two of us."

Olivia sucked in a sharp breath and pushed Rick back so that she could face him. He saw the indecisiveness clouding her head, 'One night?' she thought firmly, her hands coming up to rest on his chest.

Rick's lips fell into a smile. "One night," he repeated.

* * * * *