Driven to Obsession

Chapter 6: The Pull Part 1

Sunday morning came far too quickly for Olivia. She had barely slept, her mind racing with thoughts of Sam and the conversation they'd had the night before. Despite her best efforts to push him out of her thoughts, he lingered there, an undeniable presence that made it impossible to find peace.

She arrived at the shop early, the morning air still cool and quiet. The streets were empty, the city not yet fully awake, and for a moment, Olivia found solace in the stillness. But as she approached the shop, the tension she had been trying to escape began to creep back in, coiling in her stomach like a snake ready to strike.

She knew Sam would be coming by to pick up his car today, and the thought filled her with both anticipation and dread. The previous night's conversation had left her shaken, her emotions tangled in a way she hadn't expected. She wasn't sure if she was ready to face him again, but she also knew there was no avoiding it.

As she unlocked the shop and stepped inside, the familiar smells of oil and metal greeted her, grounding her in the routine she knew so well. She quickly got to work, immersing herself in the final adjustments to Sam's car, focusing on the task at hand in an attempt to quiet her restless mind.

But no matter how hard she tried, thoughts of Sam kept creeping back in. The way he had looked at her, the intensity in his eyes, the promise of something darker and deeper between them—it was all too much, and yet she couldn't stop herself from wanting more.

By the time she finished the work, the sun had fully risen, casting a warm glow through the shop's windows. Olivia wiped her hands on a rag, her mind still racing, when she heard the sound of a car pulling into the lot outside.

Her heart skipped a beat as she glanced up, already knowing who it was before she saw him.

Sam's sleek black car came to a stop just outside the shop, and a moment later, he stepped out, his movements as smooth and confident as ever. He was dressed casually today, in dark jeans and a fitted black T-shirt that accentuated the muscular build beneath. Even in the simplicity of his attire, he exuded power and control, and the sight of him made Olivia's pulse quicken.

She forced herself to take a deep breath, steadying her nerves as she wiped her hands one last time and walked to the front of the shop. Sam was already waiting by the door, his gaze locked on her as she approached.

"Good morning," he greeted, his voice as smooth as silk.

"Morning," Olivia replied, trying to keep her voice neutral. "The car's ready."

Sam nodded, but his eyes remained fixed on her, as if he could see right through her attempts at professionalism. "Thank you. I knew you'd get it done."

There was a tension in the air between them, an unspoken acknowledgment of everything that had passed between them. Olivia could feel it, a current that ran just beneath the surface, ready to erupt at any moment.

"Do you want to take it for a test drive?" she asked, her voice steady, though her heart was racing.

Sam's lips curved into a slight smile, as if he could sense her underlying tension. "That sounds like a good idea. Why don't you come with me?"

The invitation was unexpected, and Olivia hesitated, unsure if she was ready to be alone with him again. But the look in his eyes, the way he seemed so certain of her answer, made it impossible to refuse.

"Alright," she agreed, trying to keep her voice even.

Sam's smile widened slightly, as if he'd been expecting her response all along. He stepped back, allowing her to walk past him and head toward the car. The proximity of his body as he followed her made her hyper-aware of every movement, every breath.

She slid into the passenger seat, the leather cool against her skin, and Sam took his place behind the wheel. The car was a work of art, every detail meticulously crafted, and Olivia couldn't help but admire it. But the luxury of the car was lost on her as Sam started the engine, the low rumble vibrating through her body, making her nerves hum with anticipation.

They pulled out of the shop, the city's quiet morning streets stretching out before them. Sam drove with the kind of effortless skill she would have expected from a professional, his hands steady on the wheel as they navigated the winding roads.

For a few minutes, they drove in silence, the tension between them palpable. Olivia stared out the window, trying to calm her racing heart, but the quiet made her even more aware of Sam's presence beside her, the way his fingers gripped the wheel, the steady rise and fall of his chest as he breathed.

Finally, Sam broke the silence, his voice low and controlled. "You've been avoiding me."

It wasn't a question, but a statement, and Olivia knew there was no point in denying it. She turned to face him, her pulse quickening at the intensity in his gaze.

"I needed time to think," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.

Sam nodded, his expression thoughtful. "And have you?"

"Yes," she replied, though the truth was, her thoughts were more jumbled than ever.

He glanced at her, his eyes searching hers. "And what have you decided?"

Olivia hesitated, the weight of his question pressing down on her. She had spent the last few days trying to make sense of everything, trying to figure out what she really wanted. But the closer she got to an answer, the more confused she became.

"I don't know," she admitted, her voice trembling slightly. "I don't know what I want."

Sam's expression softened, and for a moment, the intensity in his gaze gave way to something more gentle, more vulnerable. "That's okay, Olivia. It's okay not to have all the answers right now."

His words were unexpected, and they took some of the weight off her chest. She had been so worried about making the right decision, about not letting herself get swept up in the whirlwind of emotions he provoked, that she hadn't allowed herself the space to just... feel.

They drove in silence for a few more minutes, the city gradually coming to life around them. Sam navigated the streets with ease, taking them out of the heart of the city and toward the open road that led to the outskirts of Miami.