Olivia Sparks

Maxen kicked the door close, and it automatically locked. It was a security feature of his private residence's study.

Peeling his hands from her, Olivia stood in awe, drinking in the floor to ceiling, wall to wall, shelves of books that seemed to call her name.

One step further in and her nose got assaulted with the smell of parchment paper that wafted in the air. Her eyes wandered around as she admired the soft glow of the chandelier, which added more charm to the room.

Maxen grinned from ear to ear, proud upon seeing how Olivia subconsciously drummed her fingers on her bag to contain her excitement.

"Are you sure I can freely drive up and use this room?" Olivia turned on her heel and faced him. She knew how much valuable knowledge is stored in this room, one that Pyxis didn't have access to.

"Of course you can. That's what the keys are for," Maxen replied, sitting down on the leather couch. He poured himself a glass of bourbon and downed his drink. Through the rim of the crystal glass, he observed Olivia as she wandered around looking like a giddy child in Disney World.

"Oooh, look at that." She moved closer to a table where a model of the Country was displayed. 

Nisia, where the mountains meet the sea, is an island shaped like a heart. 

She studied the topography of the model and realized how strategic and effective the urban planning of the country was.

Running her fingers along the miniature model of highways that were sandwiched between the mountains and the sea, she bobbed her head as it all made sense to her.

Being a small island, they utilized the mountain ranges as a shield from tsunami threats.

"What are the flags for, Max?" she asked after she noticed random green flags on the mountain ranges.

"Those… are markers for the Huks… if you know who they are " Maxen placed his glass on the table but his eyes were locked on Olivia. He saw her nod, so he stood from his seat and walked to where she was to explain. Pointing at all the green flags, he narrated, "Those are the places we cleared and we still have more to clear. It's tough, you see. Because if we clear one mountain and move to another, after a while, some Huks could still return to areas we thought was cleared already."

"Haven't you tried peace talks?" she asked, folding her arms over her c.h.e.s.t.

"My uncle did before he died but it fell apart because what they wanted was to abolish the monarchy which is impossible."

Curious, she looked to her side where Maxen stood and asked, "Have you considered it? To abolish the monarchy?"

"Trust me. I wanted the same because honestly, royal protocols are suffocating. You don't have the freedom to do as you please, go after what you want. You're just an empty shell, smiling and pleasing everyone. People envy you for all the things you have, but that's it. Things. All in exchange for your freedom.

"And now they're shipping me away and I can't even be there to celebrate your birthday."

Maxen hooked his finger on his tie and tugged it, temporarily relieving him from its suffocation, and turned to get another glass of bourbon when Olivia called his attention.

"You had enough alcohol, Max." She followed him and held his hand to distract him. She noticed how Maxen had been drinking alcohol every night. 

It's not that she's against it but the statistics of men in power ending up in rehab because of alcoholism or drugs unnerved her. She simply didn't want Maxen to become a statistic.

Dragging him to the bookshelves, she laced her fingers with his and asked over her shoulders, "Since you'll be away, let's pick all your favorite books. Tell me what you read and I could tell you who you are."

Maxen's sullen face brightened at her words. A corner of his lips tugged into a mischievous smirk. Olivia's fingers almost felt like it got burned when a glint of deviousness flashed in Maxen's eyes.

"Let's start with this one." Passing it to Olivia, he hid the smile on his face with his hand over his nose.

"Maxen! This is nasty!" Olivia stomped, slapping the book on his c.h.e.s.t.

Her ears burned red, and her cheeks tinted pink at the images of positions she couldn't imagine doing.

Printed in gold, the title screamed "Kama Sutra".

"Hey, it's not like I'm tying you to a pole and for the record, I never tried this. This was Ollie's present for my sixteenth birthday. Blame your brother."

With her palms in the air, Olivia interrupted Maxen. "Stop, please. I don't do…" she looked around just to make sure nobody's listening, "kinky stuff."

Maxen threw his head back, laughing as hard as he could. His belly hurt, but it didn't matter. He hadn't laughed this much for a long time. 

Even Jack who was standing outside heard Maxen. He smiled, almost teary-eyed at how beautiful the sound was. When his vision clouded, he removed his eyeglasses and pulled his pocket square, wiping the glass clean, but the truth was, tears pooled in his eyes and he didn't want to acknowledge it.

Back inside the study, Maxen hovered in front of Olivia, forcing her to take a step back, pinning her on the shelf.

"I don't f.u.c.k you. I make love to you, Olivia. That's two distinct things."

"Then do it," she challenged, her chin jutted upwards.

"Here? I'm afraid this place is not for lovemaking, baby." Maxen chuckled, his hand skimmed the length of her skirt, riding it up her legs.

Their gazes locked and ridden with l.u.s.t. Their c.h.e.s.ts dance in sync as they each took labored breaths. Palming his c.h.e.s.t, she savored every muscle that carved on his dress suit.

Maxen took a sharp breath when Olivia reached his belt, unclasping it then pulling down his fly, inserting her hand in his brief.

"But you're dripping for me," she teased, the pad of her thumb swiping over the bead of juice on his head down south. 

She started to pump his c.o.c.k, masturbating him in a way that she knew was driving him crazy. 

And with every stroke of her hand, she felt his erection harden and the scent or carnal d.e.s.i.r.e reek from his skin like perfume.

Whispering in his ears, she teased, "And there's no bed to roll over."

He sighed through a smile. How could he tell her that her voice alone was almost an aphrodisiac to him?

Books fell as he pinned her on the shelf.

She hooked her arms around his neck, her legs sn.a.k.e.d and coiled on his h.i.p.s. In shaky breaths, she demanded:

"F.u.c.k me. Hard. Like you own me, Max."