Page 70 of Left of the Slash

“I'm with you,” Olivia says.

Rob grabs his wife’s hand and starts walking toward the bar. “Let’s get it.”

I take Olivia by the hand and the six of us go over to the bar and order shots of tequila to start the night off right. Everyone in attendance does a quick salute with us before we knock our drinks back, and the party comes to life as the DJ turns on Squabble Up by Kendrick Lamar. The atmosphere brightens around all of us, and the mood stays as high as the stratosphere the entire night.

Later in the evening, Olivia and I notice Marcus and Eden standing at the end of the bar, talking quietly to each other with uncontrollable smiles on their faces. Marcus leans in close to her, whispering something only she can hear, and Eden reaches over and grazes her fingers across his forearm.

“Look at these two,” Olivia says, shaking her head.

“Crazy,” I say. “Maybe it’ll turn into something serious.”

“I hope so,” Olivia responds. “She’s been through a lot.”

“I know. So has he,” I say, hoping that the two of them can actually turn their relationship misfortunes into something with a happy ending. Marcus has been a player for far too long. Maybe Eden can whip his goofy ass into shape and make him man up. Personally, I would love to see the two of them work out. Then it would be perfect. Eden and Marcus. Rob and Sandra. Olivia and Quinn. Vacations and close-knit families sound like a vibrant future to me.

I reach over and touch Olivia’s hand to pull her eyes away from the newly-forming couple. “Hey. Thanks for doing all of this. It was really great.”

She smiles and clasps her fingers with mine. “You're very welcome. I'm glad you liked it. I know we’ve got big things happening tomorrow, but I hope this was a good distraction.”

“It was perfect. But the night’s not done, you know.”

“Is that right? What’s happening next then, Sir?”

“Well,” I say, moving closer so I can whisper into her ear. “First, we’re going to say goodbye to everyone. Then, we’re going to go back to the car, where I'm going to lean over and lick your clit just enough to feed my addiction to hear you moan. Then, we’re going to drive back to your place, walk down into the playhouse, and you're going to kneel for me like the good little slut you are. From there, the sky’s the limit. All I know is that I'm going to spend every waking minute of the night thinking of new ways to tear you apart. How does that sound, Miss Lucero?”

She grins with a raised eyebrow. “It sounds like we need to get started on saying our goodbyes.”

“That’s my girl,” I say, taking her by the hand as I stand. “Let’s go.”

Olivia licks her lips and follows my lead, her eyes as bright as stars. “Yes, Sir. Are we trying anything new tonight?”

I grin, imagining the layout of the playhouse and wondering where my mood will take me. Maybe we’ll give electroshock a go.Or perhaps we’ll dive into the depths of breath play. It all sounds good to me.

“Well, I don't know, baby girl,” I say. “But do you trust me?”

Olivia smiles, knowing that her response to this question has always beenmore and more every day. Tonight, she leans forward and kisses me softly. I run my fingers up the back of her neck and head until they're high enough to grip her hair, and I tug softly as I kiss her back.

We forget the world for a moment, until Olivia steps back and answers, “Yes, because I love you, Quinn. With all of my heart.”

My world spins. It’s the first time she has ever said she loved me, even though she has done a bad job of hiding it. I have felt it for a little while now. I guess that’s what love is supposed to be like. Even if it isn’t being said, you should feel when someone loves you, and I’ve felt Olivia’s love for me. I’ve felt my love for her, too. It has been growing more and more each day, and there has never been a more perfect time to speak it into the world.

“I love you too, Olivia,” I reply. “For a while now.”

She licks her lips and kisses me again, but this time feels different. It’s funny how just saying the wordsI love youcan change everything. The kiss is more tender and passionate because now we know that love is fueling it. It’s the best kiss we’ve ever shared, and everything else between us will be better now, too. Our relationship has just reached a new level, and I don't think I've ever been more excited about the future. It’s not just my future now. It’s ours. Quinn and Olivia. CISO and CEO. Sadist and masochist. D and S. Both sides of the slash.

THE END