Now, Olivia is not one to get upset at being ignored — she is —, but Asher’s playfully aloof behavior grates at her pride, Olivia is annoyed that the boss’ attention is concentrated at a place that is not her. It’s solely when the hand still on her moves to curl at the back of her thigh and bring it higher up Asher’s waist that Olivia understands. She strokes her thumb on Asher’s collarbone, enjoying how soft the skin is. “You’re being selfish, aren’t you?” Olivia wonders and she meets Asher’s gaze for a fleeting second before the boss peers behind Olivia again. “I am.” The confirmation is all Olivia needs to hear to lower, her chest bumping on Asher’s as her hand skids to cup the joint of Asher's neck and shoulder. He kisses Asher’s cheek, speaking against it. “Is that kind enough?” Asher hums. “Hard to tell with just one.” “You’re so greedy,” Olivia dares to feign a complaint in spite of the blatant fact that she loves every single bit of Asher’s avarice. “I can be when it com
“I’m sorry, I should’ve let go,” Olivia apologizes, not that she needs to, but there is this inclination to comply that unfurls within her, this desire to listen to what Asher may request of her and rectify her own behavior when he does not.“You should have.”“I did now.”“Belatedly.”“I still did.”“And I need you to stop contesting.”Olivia’s mouth clams shut, and she squirms under Asher’s scrutiny, thumbs playing with the short hair at the base of the boss’ nape.“I’ll kiss your cheek if you let me have half of the beef jerky," Olivia proposes, and at Asher’s subtle curve of his lips, she fires her best weapon. “I’ll give you paws?”Asher’s sigh is heavy and defeated. “Here,” he grumbles.Olivia chuckles, and she lightly opens her mouth, allowing Asher to feed her the snack again and it reads like a reward in Olivia’s brain, one that she carefully preserves.Her teeth close around the beef jerky and she pauses, expectantly waiting for something she cannot really fathom.“Let go.”
Olivia’s response is a brief nod of her head. Asher’s hold tightens in reprimand, and Olivia is reminded to reply vocally. “I like it, Asher.”“Why?”“Makes me feel safe and happy. Like I can just shut my brain, and you’ll be there to take care of me. It feels really good.” When Olivia says this, there’s a flash of something — fulfillment? — on Asher’s face that Olivia cannot properly decipher. “What about you?”Asher emits a confused hum.“Do you like it when I’m… submissive?” The word sounds foreign on Olivia’s tongue. However, strangely fitting and freeing. Pleasant. Notably when accompanied by the one, she associates with Asher on the other side of the spectrum. “Or when I’m feeling soft? And what about when I’m not? Because I’m not always like that.”“I like every part of you,” Asher says, and it’s followed by a finger kiss on Olivia’s temple that he taps twice.“When you’re soft, when you’re submissive, when you aren’t. I love how playful and mischievous you are without ever rea
Everything is more acute now.The blunt nails scratching their path up Olivia’s back, starting at the two low dimples there only to climb up in a caress so maddening and gratifying that Olivia cannot repress the flurry of shudders quivering through her limbs, one after another, kept alive by the fingertips soon joining the nails.Olivia utters a ‘Thank you’, or she believes she does, but she’s not sure, her brain muddled by Asher’s touch and presence, by the haziness dulling her thoughts.Her hands loosen, unable to hold their clamp on Asher’s shirt, and the tremble of her body never stops, the tremors running from her tingly scalp down to her feet.Asher’s fingers come to halt between the dimples, and the nails graze circular motions there, drawing half-crescent moons.Olivia has never considered her lower back sensitive, never knew it could mollify her being as a whole so quickly, and she can only exhale in amazement and bliss at the newly acquired knowledge.Asher focuses on that s
Olivia won’t stop shivering as her pulse races, her abdomen constricting before relaxing, waves of goosebumps escalating and cascading down her body incessantly.“Ashy, feels so nice,” Olivia says, her inside squirming and twisting when her eyes fasten on Asher’s.“Is that so?” Asher says, a patch of warm mist sticking on Olivia’s skin for an ephemeral second.“Mhm.”“You like it?” ‘It’ comes in the form of a series of kisses on the curve of Olivia’s waist where petals and leaves are sown, Asher engraving each press of his mouth with a knead of his thumb.“Pink.” The cotton unravels in tamed bursts with at their core Ash’s timber, Asher’s lips, Ash’s touch, Asher just Asher.Asher straightens his back, and Olivia mutters a brief protest at the unwanted respite. “Do you feel pretty?”“I do,” Olivia replies quickly, hoping to bring Asher back to her cuddling session, even if their bodies are still entangled with each other.Even more, when Asher shifts closer, but Olivia wants the kisse
“Can you…” Olivia trails off, trying to blink away the fog clouding her mind.“What is it? Tell me what you want.”“Bite again.”Asher pauses, his head darting up as he straightens his back. “You want me to bite you again?”“Mhm.”“Weren’t you complaining about that a minute ago?”“Just do it,” Olivia says, snatching a flare of petulance in her that dissipates from her grasp as quickly as it arrived.Asher quirks a brow, but he complies to the request without a word. “That’s— Bite more,” Olivia huffs at the soft nibble. Asher’s gaze is curious as he reiterates his gesture nonetheless, yet it’s not enough. It’s not, and there aren’t any real traces left when Asher shifts away. “Again,” Olivia demands, Asher obeying once more. “Harder it’s not, it’s not… Bite more.”“Olivia, it’ll hurt if I bite any harder than that,” Asher says as he surveys her.“I know, don’t care,” Olivia dismisses. “I just want, want to see it later,” she somewhat articulates, the sentence jumbling together.Ashe
“It’s the third time’s a charm, idiotic moron,” Olivia snarks back.Henry tilts his head. “Still running your mouth even when so close to death,” he says, a smile full of contempt curling the corner of his lips.“Isn’t it the best moment to? Got nothing more to lose,” Olivia shrugs.Olivia is strangely yet understandably calm. She and Asher are outnumbered, each exit or entry point blocked by a flock of Henry’s men.A sliver of fear, or at the very least apprehension, should blaze inside her, yet none does, replaced instead by a tamed anticipation, kept in check by Asher’s reassuring presence.“Should I start with you?” Henry questions and ignores Asher in favor of aiming the gun in Olivia’s direction. “I’ve always wanted to shut your goddamn mouth since I first met you, but Nicolas had a plan for you, never allowed me to rough you up any more than what I was told.”Olivia can’t help the snort that escapes her mouth. “It’s hilarious that you never once won a fight you instigated again
Previously (Recollection)Henry: What the hellWilliam: HowHenry: How the f*ckHenry: sh*tHenry: Who the f*ck are youCaden: If you want money, we can arrange somethingHenry: Nah, I ain't giving a sh*t to that f*cking kid thinking he can try to scare us like thatHenry: We haven't stolen or sold anything to anyoneHenry: You don't know a sh*tRestricted number: Oh? Is that so?Henry: Yeah, you f*cking creep* * * * *“Five?” Olivia stupidly parrots.“Henry included, obviously.”Oh, yeah. Obviously.“Should we find out?” Asher resumes.Henry’s abrasiveness deflects at his unexpected predicament. Caden and William are framing him, the former seeming out of place and terrified as he avoids eye contact with both Olivia and Asher.“Let’s see for how long you can gloat,” Henry says. “Nicolas won’t let his plan fail because you refuse to learn your place and understand that my boss and his clan are the ones ruling over the city’s underground.”* * * * * * * * * * * * Back to Earlier that
Group chatAsh: Is everyone here?Ash: We need to talk about the tournament nowAsh: Olivia received the invitationAJ: What?PS: You received yours as well Asher?Ash: I didn'tSL: You're not even her adopter yetAJ: That's weirdAsh: It may be because of NicolasAsh: Either way it happened and Olivia is participating in the tournamentAsh: I need everyone to be here so we can talk about itAsh: Olivia got the letter along with her keycard and a phoneWG: What did the letter say?OF: A summary of what TSM is and the rules about itOF: The fact that they kept using 'it' while talking about the hybrids pissed me offOF: F*cking a*sholesAsh: Hybrids are nothing to them aside from a source of money and entertainmentWG: What's TSM?Ash: The name of the tournament aka The Scarlet Masquerade, TSM for shortAsh: As I said previously TSM is a match to death with, more often than not, only one survivorAsh: It's brutal and unforgiving and no one ever comes out unscathed from itMC: Are you s
Ash: Olivia??Ash: What's happening?Ash: OliviaAsh: Members of the clan are on the wayAsh: They'll be there in less than thirty minutesOlivia: No Don'tOlivia: Call them backOlivia: I'm fineAsh: What the fuck do you mean you're fineOlivia: I made it sound worse than what it actually was and then I lost track of time dancingAsh: You'reOlivia: Don't be mean worried AsherAsh: I need a minuteOlivia: SorryOlivia: I should have sent another text to say I'm fine but it slipped my mindAsh: I thought something bad happened to you OliviaAsh: You can't do shit like thatAsh: Fucking hellAsh: I was a moment away from upturning the cityOlivia: I'm sorry...Olivia: I just wanted to distract myself from the creepy letter I gotAsh: A letter?Ash: This is what it's about?Olivia: YeahOlivia: There was a letter in my mailbox but the very creepy kindOlivia: There isn't even a returning or my own address on itAsh: Does it have a logo on it?Olivia: YesAsh: Red?Olivia: YesOlivia: Ho
Both stare at each other silently. Asher’s words ring in the silent room. His face is filled with uncertainty and hesitation but also assurance. He is willing to do that only if Olivia will accompany him during those nights.Olivia without even hearing his words understands the turmoil in Asher’s heart. “Of course, Asher. we can call, facetime, or text whenever there's one. I’ll always be there with you”“Thank you.” Asher’s face breaks into a smile.The genuine smile makes Olivia’s heart tingle “We'll make a bunch of good memories about storms so that the bad ones are gone.” She says with a smile.Asher looks surprised and delighted with the suggestion “I'd love that.”“Me too.”Olivia looks at Asher and suddenly she remembers something “Also, I'm learning how to bake.”“What? Why?” Asher looks confused and surprised.“I was supposed to give you a gift some time ago but it slipped my mind with all the mess that had been happening. And now I changed the present I want to give you.” Ol
They both go silent after that, looking at each other's faces not knowing what to say."What?” Olivia starts, she was offended by the silence from Asher “Did I say something wrong?" she asks Asher with a smile.Asher’s face lit up and he shook his head "No, not at all."His answer made Olivia satisfied, she nodded her head with a happy smile on her face. "Was there a thunder on your side?""Yeah, something like that." Asher’s face dims remembering the situation he was trying to ignore.Olivia notices and asks with a soft voice "Do you want to talk about it?"Asher looks startled "About what?" he asks with confusion."Why you're scared of storms."Asher peruses his lips and goes silent. His tongue comes out to lick his dry lips. He shifts on his bed curling on to himself "There's nothing much to say.""I'm still listening if you want to share." Olivia doesn’t prob, but still tries to talk to him.Asher is not someone who opens up to someone about his shortcomings. He has been trained t
Oly: What bad blood?Mia: I don’t know and Walter doesn’t know eitherOly: That’s weirdMia: A little yesMia: Plus he seems to really antagonize me for some reasonsOly: I seeMia: You’re starting to speak like himOly: Who?Mia: Ash -.-Oly: That’s because we’re rubbing off on each other :(Oly: I like him so much Mia he’s amazingOly: He has trouble understanding feelings and emotions and human relationships but he tries to despite everything he went throughOly: He could have given up, you know?Oly: If I were in his place I would have and I wouldn’t care about understandingMia: He’s an intelligent manOly: He isOly: I really like him a lotMia: Have you been testing the waters?Oly: A little? I don’t know how to do thatOly: I don’t flirt MiaOly: But maybeMia: Maybe?Oly: Maybe he likes me tooOly: MaybeOly: We’ll seeMia: That’s progress it’s okayMia: Anyway, I have to studyOly: Yes, yes, good luck and/or have funMia: Bye, will talk to you later* * * * * * * * * * * *A
Mia: He is a human Olivia, he's not a hybridMia was so confused about how did Olivia even got that thought in her pea-sized brain. She was still contemplating when Olivia replied to her message.Oly: What if he's just hiding it?Mia: He can adopt a hybridMia: Hybrids can't adopt another hybridMia tries to talk sense into Olivia who is very stubborn to listen to any of her explanations.Oly: Unless they falsified their documents and make themselves pass as a humanOly: Steve could have done thatMia: This is insaneOly: You didn't see him the way I didMia: Is it bothering you?Mia: Is this what it's about?Olivia is quick to rejectOly: NoOly: It's about how he behaved and the fact that I know he's hiding a secret from meOly: Which is fineOly: But I can't stop myself from wondering, my mind keeps circling back to thisMia: Olivia that'sMia: OkayMia: Let's say that hypothetically Ash is a hybrid, what would he be?Oly: I'm not sureOly: A predator one I guess?Mia: Hypothetical
Olivia: Are you being an a*shole or genuinely asking?Ash: The latterOlivia: Because I like the idea of us having matching pics and contact nameAsh: Why is that?Olivia: Because It's hmmOlivia: It's comforting?Olivia: And it's a little intimate and just usOlivia: Which I like a lotAsh: [Picture attached]Ash: Like that?Olivia: ...Olivia: I'm okay it's making me feel weird to actually see itAsh: Do you like it?Olivia: I doAsh: How do you feel seeing it?Olivia: HappyOlivia: Very happyOlivia: And then it is ticking inside my chestOlivia: [Picture attached]Olivia: How do you feel?Ash: The same as you, I like it a lotOlivia: Me too but we can barely see the heart because of the dark mode :(Olivia: AnywayOlivia: I suppose you have work to doAsh: I'll be busy until later tonightAsh: You've nothing planned today?Olivia: Nothing at allAsh: MC will also be freeOlivia: What about her?Ash: It's time to talk about the tournament and it'll happen tonightAsh: Everyone wil
“I could live in this car.” Olivia sighs into the leather seat.“I don’t think Mini would appreciate that,” Asher says from where he’s bent over, his arms propped on the edge of the rolled-down window.“Good point. She’s tiny but needs a lot of space, a bit like Steve.” Olivia snickers at her own joke, two duffle bags brimming with Asher’s clothes thrown over the seat next to where she’s installed at the back of the car.“I’ll tell him you say that.”“Go ahead, I’ve been meaning to fight him after Airhead.”“Brat.”Olivia peers up at Asher, catching the fond smile on the boss’ lips. “Thank you for the date.”“You’re welcome, and thank you too,” Asher says, his face close to Olivia. “You enjoyed yourself?”“Mhm, the most,” Olivia grins as she fastens her belt when the driver enters the vehicle“Me too,” Asher whispers, and with his index, he brushes a strand of hair away from Olivia’s forehead. “I won’t be able to text you much today, but I’ll do what I can to try.”“It’s fine, don’t w
When Olivia wakes up a few hours later, it’s to an empty bed, Asher’s side on the mattress tidied up, the phone and iPad on the nightstand gone.It doesn’t take long for Olivia to figure out where the mob boss went when, and after relieving herself in the restroom, she climbs down the stairs to make her way to the dining room.Asher is seated at the end of the table installed in the corner of the bay windows and Olivia trudges up to the mob boss.Hands shoved in her pants pockets, Olivia knocks her foot on the leg of the chair Adam is occupying, the one directly on Asher’s left.“Move,” Olivia orders when Adam does not budge.Adam swivels around. “Say that again, GaintDog?”“That’s my seat. Move.”“How about you f*ck off before I shoot you in the knee?” Adam snaps when Olivia kicks the chair again. “It’s no one’s seat, however right now it’s mine because my a*s is on it.”“Adam, come on,” Walter intervenes from where he’s lounged further down the table, Mia by his sides. “They’re in t