Bloom [Completed]

Chapter Twentyfive

Oliver looked up through his lashes and put down his chopsticks. He scooted closer to me so that now our legs were interlocked and his hands rested on my hips. "You have no idea how happy that makes me hearing those words come out of your mouth Billie," He bit his lip to contain a smile. 

I breathed a sigh of relief and Oliver touched his forehead to mine for a second. 

"I want you to be my partner, Billie." He whispered. "My girlfriend. And I don't want to hide you anymore."

"Are you sure?" I whispered back searching his grey eyes.

"Of course..." He said earnestly. "If you'll have me."

"Hmmm," I teased and I saw Oliver's eyes panic for a millisecond. "I think I could put up with you." 

He smiled widely, leaned in and kissed me. I could feel the corners of his lips smiling as we kissed. It felt beautiful. This man was so beautiful, and he was offering himself to me. He was talking so openly and honestly with me, it felt different. Good, different.  I was used to not getting answers or being ditched completely when it came to my past relationships. Which if I'm honest, had probably scarred me a little. You need to be honest with him, I told myself. Or he'll leave too. A sudden wave of fear gripped me in amongst all the happy feelings that were coursing through me. I had something to lose now.

I threw my arms around his neck in a sudden hug attack and he swayed backward in his chair catching me. 

"Oh!" He huffed in surprise.

I buried my head in his shoulder trying to banish those thoughts. I would deal with them later. But for right now, Oliver would have me and that's all I could think about as I pulled back smiling. 

I planted a huge fat kiss right on his gorgeous lips. "I'm just so happy, Ollie"

"No please," He begged while laughing. "No Ollie,"

"What do you mean Ollie?" I fayed innocence. 

He poked a finger in my sides where his hands held my hips and I squealed a little.

"That tickles!" I swatted his hands away.

"No Ollie," He jabbed at my ribs again, clearly enjoying himself. 

"Okay!" I cried out laughing.

Our hands fell into our laps, intertwined. We smiled quietly at each other, both staring lovingly into the eyes of the other. 

There was a quiet rap on the door interrupting our moment. I saw Oliver's eyes sadden a little and hoped it was at the thought of me having to leave.

"I'll let you get back to work," I said standing and taking our empty sushi containers with me.

I could feel Oliver follow closely behind me and when I reached the door his arm snaked around my waist. 

He leaned down and placed a chaste kiss on my lips, letting the breath linger a moment in the air between us. My eyes fluttered open and my feet stopped working as I watched him return to his desk. 

He smiled looking across the room at me. "I'll see you soon,"

"Yeah," Was all I could manage in response as I turned to leave. 

At 5:30 that evening as I was just about to leave the mailroom I heard a text ping into my phone.

You still here? I'll walk you out

It was from Oliver. I smiled despite myself, giddy at the thought of him thinking of me.