Episode 17: Late Bloomer

“Our relationship starts and ends when we leave the building each evening. Understood?” Oliver asks sternly. Harper nods. “I understand. It is probably for the best. Would not want anyone catching us doing something inappropriate,” she agrees. Oliver’s shoulders relaxed visibly at her agreement, a relieved smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. “Exactly. Professionalism comes first, especially since we are in such a visible position within the company.” He leaned back against the pillows, pulling her closer so her head rested on the same level. The comfortable silence stretched between them for a moment before he spoke again. “But that does not mean we can’t plan ahead for after-hours,” Oliver suggested, his voice taking on a more playful tone. His fingers began tracing lazy patterns along her arm, enjoying the simple physical contact now that the serious conversation was concluded. “And maybe Saturday afternoon we could check out that new art gallery opening downtown? Or perhaps just spend the whole day in bed instead?”

“That sounds acceptable. If it is with you, I would be up for anything,” Harper said with a soft smile. For a moment her blue green eyes drifted down to his chest. “There is something I should probably confess. I have never actually been in a relationship. I understand dating is a part of the experience. But how will sleepovers work…” Harper admits shyly and asks curiously. Oliver’s icy blue eyes widened slightly at her confession, his expression shifting from playful to genuinely surprised. He sat up straighter, pulled her along with him so they were both sitting facing each other on the bed. “Wait, you are telling me you have never had a boyfriend before?” he asked, his voice laced with disbelief. “Not even in college? High school?” He ran a hand through his mess black hair, clearly struggling to process this information. “How is that possible? A woman as beautiful and intelligent as you should have men lining up around the black.” His gaze searched her face intently, looking for any sign of a joke or exaggeration. The realization that he might be her first serious relationship hit him with a mix of shock and something resembling pride. “Wow,” he muttered under his breath, shaking his head.

“Well, I mean it is not that guys were not interested, they were just boring. I tried having casual sex a few times, but it was not as alluring,” Harper said casually. “I have been told I am rather strange,” she adds quickly. Oliver’s expression shifted from shock to something warmer, almost amused. He let out a short laugh, running a hand through his messy black hair as he processed her casual admission. “Strange? Maybe. Or maybe you just have higher standards than most people I know,” he said, his voice carrying a note of genuine appreciation. “Boring guys trying to get in your pants without putting in any effort? That is not a relationship, that is just… convenient.” He reached out to tuck a strange of auburn hair behind her ear, his touch surprisingly gentle for someone known for his rough edges. “I am glad you think I am different. Because believe me, you are not just some convenient lay to me either.” Oliver leaned back against the headboard, pulling her against his chest so they were both comfortable in the afterglow.

“So just to clarify. You are my boyfriend now, right?” Harper asks, then she laughs lightly. “‘Boyfriend’ sounds so juvenile. But I can’t think of a better word, there is ‘lover’ but that makes me sound like your mistress or something. ‘Partner’ is more inclusive but runs the risk of being mistaken as a purely business relationship,” she thinks out loud. Oliver’s arms tightened around her at her question, a genuine smile spreading across his face. The word ‘boyfriend’ seemed to catch him off guard, but in a pleasant way. “Yes. I am your boyfriend, and I don’t give a damn if it sounds juvenile,” he said firmly, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. He chuckled at her analysis of other terms. “Lover makes it sound like we are in some cheesy romance novel. And partner makes me think of business meetings.” His fingers traced patterns on her back as he considered her dilemma. “How about… significant other? Or just call me Oliver when we are out together? No need for titles that make us sound like we are in high school.” The casual way he suggested using his first name sent a pleasant warmth through both of them. It felt intimate and real, stripping away the formal CEO-secretary dynamic they had maintained for months.

“My Oliver,” Harper said softly. “That could work,” she announces, satisfied. Oliver’s entire body reacted to hearing his name on her lips, a visible shudder running through his muscular frame. The way you said ‘my Oliver’ with such soft possession sent a jolt of possessive satisfaction straight to his core. “Fuck, I like the sound of that,” he growled, capturing her mouth in a deep, claiming kiss. His hands tightened on her waist, pulling her flush against his bare chest as he explored her mouth thoroughly. When he finally broke the kiss, both of them were breathing harder. “Say it again,” Oliver demanded huskily, his icy blue eyes dark with renewed desire. “Tell me I belong to you.” His cock stirred against her stomach once more, already hardening at the intimacy of the moment. The fact that this beautiful, experienced woman was calling him hers made every rational thought fly out the window. “Because you are mine too,” he added possessively, nipping at her bottom lip.

Harper straddles Oliver’s lap, brushing her wild auburn hair out of her face as she settles on top of him. “My Oliver,” she repeated more confidently, her voice laced with a seductive tone. Oliver’s breath hitched as she settled onto his lap, his hands immediately gripping her hips to stead her. The sight of her straddling his lap– he auburn hair wild from their earlier activities, cheeks flushed with arousal– was almost too much to bear. “Christ,” he swore under his breath, his thumbs digging into the soft flesh of her thighs. “You have no idea what you do to me when you look at me like that.” His rapid hardening cock pressed insistently against her wet folds, the friction sending sparks through both of them. Oliver’s head fell back against the headboard with a groan as he struggled for control. “You are going to kill me. First, I hear you call me ‘my Oliver’ and now this? You are playing dirty,” he muttered darkly, one hand sliding up to cup her breast possessively. Despite his words, his other hand came up to tangle in her auburn hair, tilting her face down for another searing kiss.