Page 17

The music pounded relentlessly as Olivia and Ian slipped away from the dance floor, their bodies still buzzing with the energy of the club.

They found a secluded corner near the back, away from the throngs of people and the prying eyes of the crowd.

Olivia's heart raced, not just from the exertion of dancing but from the excitement of being alone. With him.

Just as they settled into the quiet alcove, Olivia's phone buzzed with a new message. She pulled it out, her stomach twisting when she saw Jessica's name on the screen.

With a deep breath, she opened the text: I respect your choice, Princess, but know that disobedience is always met with punishment.

Enjoy your night.

Olivia's heart skipped a beat. She knew she would have to face the consequences later, but right now, it just didn't matter enough.

Olivia leaned in close to Ian, her lips brushing against his ear as she whispered, her voice a sultry purr. "I'm not wearing any panties," she murmured, her breath warm against his skin.

Ian's breath hitched, his eyes darkening with desire as he met her gaze. The longing in his eyes was palpable, a magnetic pull that drew them closer.

Olivia's fingers trailed lightly down his core, hunting further and further south. "You look so good tonight," she continued, her voice low and seductive. "I've been thinking about you for weeks, about how much I want you."

Ian swallowed hard, his hands resting on her hips but not moving further. "Olivia," he said softly, his voice strained with effort. "Are you––you're drunk right now"

"So are you," she countered.

"I can't- I don't want to take advantage of you."

Olivia's smile was playful, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Who says you're taking advantage?" she whispered, pressing her body closer to his. "Maybe I want you to."

Ian's grip on her hips tightened, a mix of desire and restraint evident in his expression. "You have no idea how much I want you right now," he admitted, his voice husky. "But I can't. Not like this."

Olivia pouted slightly, her fingers tracing the line of his jaw. "Why not?" she asked, her voice teasing. "We could have so much fun together. Just you and me, no one else has to know. I could make you feel things..." Her hands drifted south, tracing down beneath the waistband of his pants.

Ian closed his eyes for a moment, taking a deep breath as if to steady himself. When he opened them again, his gaze was filled with determination. He caught her hand, stopping it so close to his length.

"Because I care about you too much to let things happen this way," he said firmly. "I want you, Olivia, I want you so, so bad, but I want it to be right."

Olivia's heart melted at his words, the sincerity in his voice cutting through her drunken haze. "Ian," she whispered, her voice filled with emotion. "You're amazing. You know that?"

He smiled, a hint of relief in his eyes. "Thank you, Olivia. And you are too. But let's get out of here, okay? Let's go somewhere we can talk."

Olivia smiled, the booze in her veins still present, still propelling her forward. "Okay," she agreed softly. "Where are we going?"

Ian smiled, taking her hand and leading her out of the club. "I know a place," he said simply.

The cool night air wrapped around Olivia and Ian as they walked hand in hand away from the vibrant chaos of the club.

The city streets were quieter now, the soft hum of distant traffic and the occasional rustle of leaves the only sounds accompanying their footsteps.

Olivia's head swam with a mix of alcohol and the intense emotions of the evening, but Ian's steady presence was a comforting anchor.

After a short walk, they arrived at a small stream on the edge of campus.

The scene before them was like something out of a fairy tale.

The stream wound its way through a serene landscape, illuminated by the soft glow of moonlight.

The water glistened, reflecting the stars above, creating a magical tapestry of light and shadow.

A quaint wooden bridge arched gracefully over the stream, its weathered planks adding to the charm of the setting.

Lanterns hung from the trees, casting a warm, golden light that flickered gently in the breeze.

Fireflies danced in the air, their tiny lights adding to the enchanting atmosphere.

The air was cool and crisp, filled with the earthy scent of the water and the surrounding foliage.

It was a stark contrast to the pulsating energy of the club, a peaceful haven where time seemed to slow down.

Ian led Olivia to the center of the bridge, where they sat, legs dangling off the railing and looked out over the shimmering water. "This is beautiful," Olivia murmured, her voice filled with awe. "I had no idea this place existed."

Ian smiled, his eyes soft as he gazed at her. "I come here sometimes when I need to think," he said quietly. "It's a good place to clear your head."

They stood in companionable silence for a few moments, the gentle sound of the stream and the rustling leaves creating a soothing backdrop. Olivia felt a sense of tranquility wash over her, the tension of the evening melting away. She turned to Ian, her heart full of gratitude and affection.

"Ian, thank you for tonight," she said, her voice earnest. "For everything. I don't think I've ever had a birthday like this."

Ian's smile widened, his eyes reflecting the moonlight. "I'm glad I could be a part of it, Olivia," he replied warmly. "You deserve to have a special night."

As they sat on the bridge, the tranquil night enveloping them, Ian looked at Olivia with a mixture of curiosity and concern. "If I may--you've changed so much, Olivia," he began gently. "I mean, don't get me wrong, it's amazing to see you like this, like you were tonight but...is everything okay?."

Olivia smiled, a bittersweet expression crossing her face. "You have no idea," she said softly, shaking her head. "Everything is okay. It's better than okay."

Ian hesitated, searching for the right words.

"About a month ago, I was dancing with this quiet, shy guy named Oliver on the team. And now, here you are, Olivia—beautiful and blossoming and wonderful. You're still quiet, but you're confident, you're secure. It's incredible, but I don't really know how to support someone going through such a big change while I have such...incredible feelings for you."

Olivia looked at him, her heart aching with a mix of emotions. "You liked Oliver?"

Ian nodded, his expression earnest. "I did. I thought he was funny and quirky and kind, when we did get to talk. He had this quiet strength that I admired. But now, seeing you like this, it's like...I don't know. I'm trying to wrap my head around it all."

Olivia took a deep breath, gathering her courage.

"You didn't really know me then. I was hiding so much. I did some...creepy things, things I'm not proud of." She looked down, feeling the weight of her past actions.

"I used to arrive early to the volleyball games just to stare at Jessica. I was obsessed. It was wrong, and I'm ashamed of it."

Ian's eyes widened with surprise, but he didn't pull away. Instead, he squeezed her hand reassuringly. "I had no idea," he admitted softly. "But that doesn't change how I feel about you now, Olivia. You're being honest with me, and that's what matters. Everyone has things they're not proud of."

Olivia looked up, tears glistening in her eyes. "It's been hard to face who I was, but becoming Olivia has given me a chance to...I don't know, be something else for a while, be something better. And meeting you, getting to know more about you...it's been a huge part of that."

Ian smiled warmly, his eyes reflecting the lights of the lanterns. "I want to support you, Olivia. I really do."

Olivia felt a surge of gratitude and affection. "That means so much, you have no idea."

Ian nodded, his expression earnest. "You have my support, always. Just promise me you'll keep being honest with me, okay?"

Olivia nodded, a genuine smile spreading across her face. "I promise."

The night air grew still around them as Olivia and Ian stood together on the bridge, the soft murmurs of the stream below providing a soothing backdrop to their thoughts.

Olivia leaned into Ian, resting her head gently against his shoulder, finding solace in his steady presence.

Ian responded by wrapping an arm around her, pulling her closer.

Their fingers intertwined, the warmth of his hand a reassuring anchor in the cool night air.