Chapter 55: Past Indiscretion

“It was my first week, he asked me out for a drink and… and we had a one-night stand,” Harper said bluntly and then she held her breath waiting for Oliver’s reaction. His entire body went rigid, the protective hand on her thigh tensed instinctively. For a long moment, he said nothing, simple staring at her with an unreadable expression as the city lights streamed past outside the car window. The silence stretched between them, heavy with unspoken emotion. Finally, he let out a short humourless laugh that held no warmth whatsoever. “So, while I was busy think you were this innocent little thing straight out of college, you were sleeping with one of my junior executives.” His voice was dangerously calm, each word carefully measured. The driver up front seemed oblivious to the storm brewing in the backseat. “And how many times since then?” he asked quietly, turning his head to look out at the passing traffic. “Has he been bothering you? Making passes at work? Because if he has–“ He stopped himself abruptly, taking a deep breath to regain some semblance of control.

Harper put her hand on Oliver’s chest. “It happened once and it wasn’t a big deal,” she said calmly. “He and his girlfriend just broke up and he asked if I wanted to get a drink. I told him I wasn’t interested and made it clear that I have a boyfriend now.” Oliver’s chest rose and fell beneath her palm as he processed her words, the tension in his shoulders gradually easing. The mention of her referring to him as her boyfriend seemed to have more impact than anything else she had said. “A boyfriend?” he echoed, his voice regaining its normal volume. A genuine smile finally broke through the storm clouds gather on his face. “And you told him to get lost because you have a boyfriend? Fuck, that is hot.” His hand covered hers on his chest, squeezing gently. Leaning in closer, he captured her lips in a quick but possessive kiss that tasted of relief and triumph. When he pulled back, his blue eyes sparkled with renewed confidence. “Alright then,” he declared decisively.

“Look, you already know I like your jealous, possessive side,” Harper said with a teasing smile. “And I have no problem showing you how loyal I can be.” Her hand slid down his chest. “But I hate seeing you get all worked up at work and having to hold back.” Her tone shifted from teasing and seductive to something more sympathetic. Oliver’s expression softened completely at her understanding, the last remnants of workplace tension melting away under the genuine sympathy in her voice. Her hand tracing down his chest seemed to ground him in the present moment, reminding him that he was with her, not dealing with some rival employee. “You are right,” he admitted quietly, catching her wandering hand and bringing it to his lips for a soft kiss. “Work stress is bad enough without adding personal shit to it.” His other arm wrapped securely around her waist, pulling her flush against his side as the car navigated city traffic. The possessive energy hadn’t vanished entirely– it was now directed solely at cherishing her rather than confronting threats. “But seeing you handle yourself like that,” he continued with a proud smile, “Telling him you have a boyfriend already? Fucking impressive. Made me want to bend you over my desk right then and there.”

“Well, that is what I will tell anyone who asks or flirts,” Harper said playfully. “So, I guess you will have to claim me every night, to reward me.” Oliver’s blue eyes darkened with raw desire at her suggestion, his grip on her waist tightening possessively. The car’s interior suddenly felt too small, the confined space amplifying the charged energy between them. “Claim you?” he repeated, his voice dropping to a husky whisper that vibrated through their connected bodies. “Every single night. Every morning. Any time I want to remind you who you belong to.” His free hand moved to tangle in her auburn hair, tilting her head back to expose the smooth column of her throat. His gaze roamed appreciatively over her features before returning to lock onto her blue green eyes. “Consider yourself claimed,” he stated firmly, leaning in until his lips brushed against the shell of her ear. “My girlfriend gets rewarded for being loyal and for handling idiots like Evan herself.”

The car pulls into a parking lot overlooking an apartment building and Harper looked out the window at the multi-story residential apartment building, painted primarily sage green, beige and light grey. The building is five stories high and include multiple balconies with simple, metal railings. “Hope you don’t mind stairs…” Harper said casually. Oliver glanced out the window at the apartment building, his brows rising slightly at the mention of stairs. The luxury high-rise penthouse he owned had elevators, but clearly, she preferred something more grounded. “Stairs are fine,” he replied easily, already preparing to get up as the driver parked neatly beside a fire hydrant. “Better workout than standing in an elevator all day anyway.” Opening his door before the driver could reach it, Oliver exited the vehicle and extended a hand to help her out as well. The cool evening air carried distant city sounds mixed with crickets chirping from nearby greenery. “So, this is where my girlfriend lives,” he observed with a fond smile, surveying the building with genuine interest rather than judgment. “Cozy place.”

“Yeah, I like it. It is a little old fashion, but it meets my needs,” Harper said and started walking toward an opening leading to stairs on the right side of the building. Oliver’s eyes followed her as she walked, his gaze lingering on the way her hips swayed with each step. He jogged to catch up quickly, falling into stride beside her rather than behind her. “Old-fashion suits you,” he commented, slipping an arm around her waist to pull he closer against his side. “No flashy neighbours trying to impress people they don’t know. Just peace and quiet.” His hand rested possessively on her hip as they approached the stairs, his thumb stroking idly against the curve of her body.