Chapter 31

"So, where are we going?" June fluttered her eyelashes adorably as if she hadn't tried the same tactic just five minutes ago.

Ollie tilted his head and tapped his chin in thought as if he was considering telling her. "You will have to wait and say, baby."

The hopeful glimmer in her eyes dimmed, replaced by an exaggerated eye roll.

"You are so boring. You must enjoy keeping me on my toes." She pouted.

He never thought he would see this carefree side of June. She was always so locked up, and grumpy, that he didn't even know she had it in her. Now, the obsessed part of him wanted to keep it this way. Whatever it took, he wanted to keep this side of June.

"It is my favorite pastime." His voice dropped a touch lower.

This earned him a jab on his arms from her. "Is this some kind of kink, Ollie? You like when I beg you?"

"You know me so well." He drawled. He enjoyed keeping her on her toes and besides, he wanted the excitement from this surprise to hit her like a burst of fireworks.

"I'm done begging. I don't care anymore at this point." She forced a frown onto her features but he could hear the smile in her voice.

A minute hadn't passed before June darted her gaze back toward him, her eyes glinting mischievously. "Tell me, please."

He couldn't help but smile. So help him, god, if this woman told him to put the world at her feet, he would.

When they entered the opera house and June caught up that they were here for Valentina Pyotr's exclusive show, he got just the reaction he wanted from her.

Priceless.

She gasped as her face exploded into a kaleidoscope of excitement.

"Ollie..." She fumbled over her words, wheezing with disbelief. "How did you..." The pure emotion in her voice did something in his chest. "How did you get a ticket to Valentina's show?" Her eyes squeezed close as her lips pulled up into the biggest smile he'd ever seen on her face and Ollie would move mountains to keep it there forever.

"Got it from a friend," Ollie grumbled, lifting a shoulder casually.

In truth, Ollie had threatened the tickets out of Landon's hand when he gushed about it during their last golf session.

First, he'd offered Landon his beach house in France but that fucker had rejected it, claiming his million dollars house wasn't worth Valentina Pyotr's exclusive ticket. So Ollie had resorted to threats.

"And you decide to bring me here with you?" June's voice was muffled against her palm. "Thank you so much. This is...thank you."

"It's nothing special, June," Ollie said gruffly as they walked to their front row of the show. "I brought you here as my plus one because I was given two tickets." More like took it by force, but June didn't have to know that.

June nodded. "I know this is nothing special to you but it is everything to me." She stayed quiet for a beat and Ollie watched her intensely as if desperate to grasp her next words. Not a good look, Ollie. Not a good look. "I never thought I would be privileged to attend my favorite opera singer's show. Thank you." She kicked her foot shyly. "I really appreciate that you thought of bringing me here."

"Don't get sentimental, June." It's nothing." He said.

"To you." She grumbled softly. "Besides, I never said it's special. I am just showing my gratitude. Ever heard of that?"

He smirked. What was June without her invisible claws and fangs?

"Right? People eat right out of your hands so you aren't familiar with it."

A low chuckle rumbled out of his throat and June's eyes darted away with a playful roll.

They were stopped by a few people who recognized him before they took their seats, and the show began.

As the show progressed, Ollie watched June's face and her very animated reaction. He grappled at every tidbit, his gaze lingering on every gasp and awe. It was as if he was fascinated by her even more than the star of this show.

He shouldn't derive this much pleasure from watching a woman but god could he help himself? Whenever this woman was involved, Ollie was helpless.

They'd had sex. He'd had her already. That should have scratched the itch. He should be tired of her already and move on with his damn life.

Instead, it just made him even more obsessed with her. Because now, he knew how she tasted, the sound of her moans, her face when she climaxed and he never wanted to stop seeing those.

But he liked to tell himself that this was just temporary and would wear out to give himself a false sense of control over what was happening to him.

"What?" June's eyes widened with surprise. "No." She shook her head.

"Yes."

"No."

"Yes."

"I can't." She shook her head. "I can't go see her."

"You can."

"You want me to go see her looking like this?" June gestured down her body with an air of exasperation.

Ollie tilted his head, still not grasping her concerns. She looked perfect so he didn't get the issue when he told her that she could see Valentina Pyotr privately since Landon's ticket had an additional private fan meeting.

"I don't see what the problem is." He scratched his jaw while checking out June.

A gasp of disbelief escaped her mouth. "I can't see her. Not when I'm dressed like this."

"Dress like what?" He was genuinely confused because there was nothing wrong with her dressing. She was in her signature Jean trousers and blouse. And they both looked good on her

"Like I am..." Her voice trailed off. "Never mind but I can't see her looking like this. If you had told me, I would be dressed better at least."

"You looked perfect, June. I don't see the problem here."

"Yeah, you won't understand if I explained to you. " She mumbled, biting her lower lips.

"June." He called her gently.

She bit her lower lip, her head falling back. "I don't know. What if she thinks less of me? I don't want to disappoint her."

"She will be thrilled to hear how you have been a fan since day one." He reassured her.

"You think?"

"I know." He said and took her hand. "Now, let's go."

They were making their way to Valentina's private room when Landon cornered him.

"Well, if this is not the thief..." His voice trailed off when his eyes landed on June by his side. "...and a very gorgeous woman." His eyes lingered on June and Ollie had never wanted to scratch his friend's eyes out than he wanted to do at this moment. "Who is this?"

"Landon," Ollie grumbled out in annoyance.

The playful glint in Landon's eyes intensified. The fucker ignored him and focused on June. "I don't think we have met before."

"No," June said carefully, looking between him and Landon.

"It's always a pleasure to meet a very beautiful lady. I'm Landon Astor." Landon extended his arm. His signature playful smile oozed charm.

Before June could consider taking Landon's offered handshake, he shoved it aside.

Landon's smile transformed into a smirk as if he was enjoying getting a rise from Ollie.

"June, go ahead. Go meet, Valentina." He said, directing her away.

"Okay."

As soon as she was out of earshot, Landon leaned closer. "So you threatened to ruin me over a ticket because of a woman."

"You weren't going to use it for any better." Ollie's voice dipped low and terse.

"Well, I was going to use it to impress women too." Ollie let out an annoyed groan at Landon's comment."You are no better than me. You were here to impress her."

"Don't compare June to the women you parade around." Ollie snapped.

A look of amusement crossed Landon's face as if unfazed by Ollie's hostility. "You should hear how your voice dipped low right now. How you looked like you would murder me." Landon said. "I will find you so fucking scary if you weren't a friend."

Ollie's chest rumbled with a groan.

"I can't wait for her to tame you." Landon teased with a sly smirk.

"I can't be tame." Ollie adjusted the knot of his tie. "I am not some animal."

"Looks like she already has." Landon wiggled his eyebrows mischievously. "She had you wrapped around her dainty fingers. "

"She doesn't." He said. "I am in control."

"Denial. Denial. Denial." Landon dang in a mocking tone before his gaze shifted past him. His eyes lit like he'd found a prey to make miserable. Whoever it was, Man or woman, his deepest condolences to them. "See you later." Landon walked away.

Ollie stewed in annoyance when his phone vibrated against his leg.

Ollie wasn't the type who checked texts because it couldn't be anything about business since it was his private line. But he checked this one immediately because he thought it might be June needing his help.

The first thing his eyes saw made him go rigid, his hand clenching hard on the phone.

Private number: New girl?

The text was followed by a picture of him and June at the ice cream shop.

Private number: I didn't know you could smile like this, SON.

Ollie's head grew heavy and his vision tinged red with anger. If a look could kill, his obsessive, psychopathic father would probably be dead on the other line.

"Oh my god, it was so amazing, I..." June's voice trailed off as he glanced sharply at her. "Are you okay?"

"Yes." He gritted through his teeth.

"Are you sure?" June said cautiously, dipping her head.

"Yes." His voice came out sharper than intended. "Let's go."