Return to You

across the table, staring into his boss's icy
pale eyes. "You're a bastard to do this to Olivia. Me, I can
understand. I'm just a commodity. But Olivia ? Play your Machiavellian games
with me, Parker, I can give as good as I get. But stay away from
Olivia."
    Parker cocked a brow at him. "You do realize she's
my daughter."
    "I realize it. I just don't think you do." Michael
got up and strode out. He took a deep breath when he was outside.
The crisp fresh air was cleansing. It almost got the bitter taste
out of his mouth.
    He needed to talk to Olivia. He needed to tell her
what her father was up to and break it off with her.
    He reached into his pocket and rubbed her
locket.
    He knew she'd hate to be a pawn, and frankly he
couldn't jeopardize his future. He'd fallen into Parker's trap. He
was so caught up with this thing with Olivia that he couldn't focus
on anything else, much less the movie.
    He had to get free of Everett Parker. He knew she'd
understand that and why they couldn't see each other.
    He crossed the street and opened the door to
Romantic Notions. He paused in the doorway, waiting for the
delicate fragrance of the store to hit him. Lavender? It seemed
more than that, simple and sweet but complex at the same time.
    Like Olivia.
    "This is a surprise."
    Michael looked up to see Olivia gliding toward him.
She wore a tiny red leather skirt, her long luscious legs were
encased in sheer black stockings, and her black shirt had the top
few buttons undone. She stopped close enough to him that he caught
glimpses of the black lace underneath.
    Closing his eyes, he prayed for strength.
    He felt her hand on his arm. "Michael, are you
okay?"
    Okay? He wanted to push her against the door, and
slide his hardening cock all the way into her. He wanted to hear
her gasp and laugh. He wanted to have the right to hold her hand
and kiss her whenever he wanted.
    He opened his eyes and saw concern in her warm eyes.
He'd never noticed how rich and chocolaty they were. He should have
known that.
    How was he going to tell her they had to call it
quits?
    "Michael?" Her lips were the same red as her
skirt—deep, fuck me red.
    "Aw hell," he muttered and gave in. He brought her
flush against him and lightly bit her lower lip before angling his
mouth to hers. She gasped into his mouth and melted against him,
her hand working its way under his jacket.
    He released her just as abruptly. Her lipstick was
smeared and she gazed at him through lowered eyelids.
    She cupped his jaw and rubbed around his mouth with
her thumb. "This shade of red just isn't you."
    The huskiness of her voice made his gut clench. "I
don't know. I think it suits me."
    She gave him a look he couldn't decipher and stepped
back. "I didn't think I was going to see you this morning. To what
do I owe the pleasure?"
    He didn't know what caused her to draw away from
him, physically as well as emotionally, but he didn't like it. He
pulled her closer because he needed her there. "I missed you," he
said, surprised to realize it was true.
    She thawed noticeably. "Don't you have to be on the
set?"
    "I had a meeting between scenes."
    Her brow furrowed. "Out here? Who was the meeting
with? Parker?"
    This was the perfect opportunity to tell her. It was
practically an invitation to dump it out. All he had to do was open
his mouth and tell her they couldn't see each other anymore because
her father was manipulating them to ensnare him for the rest of his
creative life.
    He opened his mouth and said, "Just a small issue.
It's not important."
    Olivia smoothed the tension in his temples with her
fingers. "Well, if you want to talk about it, I'm here."
    "Thanks." He smiled, hating himself for not being
honest with her.
    "I have to get back." She waved toward a customer in
the back, who was covertly gawking at them.
    "Right. I have to get back to work too." He dropped
a kiss on her lips, lingering longer than he intended. "Have dinner
with me tonight," he whispered against her.
    He loved the way her mouth curved under his.
"Okay."
    "I don't know when I'll be done."
    "Okay."
    "And it's not like any restaurants in Marin will be
open that late."
    She laughed softly. "I'll take care of dinner. Just
call me when you know what time you can come over."
    "Wear this outfit." He brushed her cheek. "Later,
baby."
    He exhaled deeply after he closed the door behind
him. That didn't go exactly as he'd envisioned. He looked back at
Romantic Notions. Parker knew his quarry. Michael was