Learning To Love (The Griffin Brothers Book 4) (17 page)

“Oh, yeah. Sorry.”

“After this one, I
think we need to have a talk with our little brother about what’s
bothering him,” Scott says.

“It’s cool. I don’t
have anything to talk about.”

“Uh-huh. Sure. This
is us, bro. We know better.”

After we finish the
hand, which I of course lose, everyone sits back and stares at me. I
defiantly remain quiet for a minute. When I realize they aren’t
going to give this up, I sigh and tell them what’s bothering me.
“Olivia’s dad is hosting a party to celebrate twenty years at his
job. She hasn’t invited me to go with her. I know he hates me, but
it’s still bothering me. Go ahead and call me a girl or whatever.”

“Why would we ‘call
you a girl or whatever’ when we all get emotional for our women,
too?” Owen asks.

“I just never
expected to be like this with someone. Ever.”

“Well, you can’t
just fuck everything that moves for the rest of your life. Do you
love her?”

“Hell, yeah. I tell
her every day.”

“Does she say it
back?” Ryan asks.

“Yeah, she does. I
know she loves me.”

“Then don’t worry.
Her parents are pretty rough on her from what I’ve seen. She may be
trying to protect both herself
and
you.”

“I know. I just want
a chance to show them how much I love her, and how committed I am to
her.”

“Just how committed
to her are you, son?” my dad asks.

“I’m all in, Dad. I
might even have a ring.”

“You might have a
ring?”

“Okay, I
do
have a ring. I’m not sure when I’ll give it to her, but I wanted
one. It’s nothing big or custom made like you guys did. I think
she’d want something more subtle. But it’s from Harry Winston, so
it wasn’t cheap.”

“I’m sure she’ll
love it, Luke. Just don’t steal my baby thunder with an engagement
announcement, please.” Owen is smiling, so I know he’s kidding.

“I’ll try not to
take any attention off of you, Owe.”

“Seriously, though,
she’s never looked as happy as I’ve seen her these last few
months. She loves you, I can tell. Her parents are pretty bad, but
she’ll figure something out. I’ll do anything I can to help you.
We all will.”

“Thanks guys. Let’s
play so you can take the rest of my money.”

We play, but my head’s
still not in it. I lose all the money I brought with me. Thankfully,
I didn’t bring too much. I know I still have my Griffin money, but
I really am trying not to spend too much. I want to be independent.

Olivia and I didn’t
make plans since we didn’t know what time either event would be
over, and she hasn’t texted me in hours, so I just head to my
place. When I walk in the door, I freeze. There’s a trail of signs
leading to my bedroom.

Will

You

Go

To

My

Dad’s

Party

With

Me

Please

?

The last one is on the
door, and I push it open to find my girl lying on my bed, naked and
smiling at me. I cross the room and pull her to me, kissing her
thoroughly. “Is that a yes, Luke?”

“Yes, Ollie. Thanks
for inviting me.”

“I should have done
it sooner. I’m sorry.”

“I’m just glad you
asked me at all. I know your dad hates me.”

She doesn’t try to
deny it. “He does, and I’m not sure how this will go, but I want
you with me.”

“We’ll deal with it
no matter what happens. Now, no more talking. You’re naked in my
bed and I plan to take advantage of that fact.”

“I’m naked for you
every night, Luke,” she reminds me with a laugh.

“I know. I’m the
luckiest guy ever.”

I kick off my shoes,
and pull off my shirt, jeans, and boxers before moving to the bed and
taking her in my arms. I kiss her on the mouth again and then move to
her neck. She loves it when I suck lightly and nibble a little. She’s
squirming already when I move my hands lower. I use one to play with
her right tit and my other one finds her clit.

She arches into me, and
as I slide two fingers into her, she starts fucking my hand. I move
my mouth lower and pull her left nipple into my mouth. With my thumb
circling her clit and my mouth and fingers doing their work, she
doesn’t last long. As she’s still screaming my name, I power into
her. Tonight isn’t about sweet. It’s about trying to break my
bed.

I’m thrusting into
her hard, the bed’s shaking and she’s letting me know how much
she’s liking it. “Oh God, Luke. I love it like this, when you’re
fucking me hard.” She’s thrashing, and I know I’ll make her
come again before this is over. I’m close, but I’ll wait for her
to scream again.

“You like my cock,
Ollie?”

“You know I do…ah.
Yes. Like that. Luke. Like that. Oh my God.”

I swivel my hips to hit
where she needs it and she starts to shatter. I follow her over while
the bed shakes. We don’t break it that time or the next two times,
but we sure as hell try. The reverse cowgirl nearly broke me, too.
God, I love it when my girl acts wild and dirty. I also love her when
she’s quiet and sweet. Fuck, I just love her.

Olivia

Tonight’s my dad’s
party. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t nervous. Things have been
going great with Luke. We’re pretty much living together, just in
different apartments. I’m doing well in school and working a couple
days a week at the studio. Luke decided what job he was going to take
last night, and I’m really happy for him. So, I should be feeling
happy. I am, but I’m also worried about how my parents are going to
react to Luke and me being a couple. I’m just hoping that being at
the doctor’s house with people around will force them to be civil.
I’m not holding my breath, though.

Luke had a staff
meeting after school, so he’s meeting me at the party. He’s
missing his family’s Friday barbeque for this, and I appreciate him
even more for it. I chose a sleeveless short dress with different
color blue flowers embroidered all over it. The back has a low v but
is also covered on the sides with other material so it’s not too
revealing. I have on blue heels with a feather design, and my hair is
up in a complicated bun. I think I look pretty good, and I can’t
wait for Luke to see me. He always makes me feel like the most
beautiful woman in the room. I also can’t wait to see him in his
suit. I just hope I don’t swoon to the point of passing out.

“Olivia, there you
are,” my mother says as I walk in. She motions for me to twirl
around and then nods. “I’m glad you decided to look respectable
for your father’s party.”

I bite my tongue and
smile. The woman acts like I’m in hooker wear every time she sees
me. I may look a little sexy sometimes, but I always strive for
classy. “Thanks for your approval, Mom.”

“Don’t be sarcastic
tonight. This is your father’s night, and you will not embarrass
him.” She leads me to the head table where my dad, Rose, the
doctor, his wife, and Blaine are sitting. Blaine’s the douche who
tried to molest me in the bathroom. I knew he’d be here, but I’m
so not in the mood. I’m on edge enough without having to dodge him
and his constant leer.

There are two empty
chairs, one next to Rose and one next to Blaine. I, of course, go to
sit next to Rose. “Olivia, why don’t you sit next to Blaine?”

“Liv’s going to sit
next to her guest. I’m holding his seat for him.” God, I love my
little sister.

“C’mon, Rose. We
both know Olivia doesn’t have anyone here for her. So quit
pretending you’re holding a seat. She needs to come over here and
be friendly with me for once.”

“She’s not
pretending.” I was so freaked out by the thought of being nice to
him that I didn’t sense Luke behind me like I normally do. He looks
so good I almost swoon to the floor. Which is pretty much my usual
reaction to him in a suit. Or out of one. He has on a black suit with
a white shirt and black tie. Conservative, but hot as hell. Rose pops
up from the chair as Luke hugs her. “Thanks for holding my seat,
Rose.”

“Anytime, Luke.”

He turns to me. “You
look beautiful as always, Ollie.” He starts to lean towards me and
I meet him for a chaste kiss. I hear my mother gasp.

“Aww, isn’t this
cute. Can I call you Ollie, too?”

“Blaine, I don’t
care if this is your family’s house. I will kick your ass if you
come near my girl. And no, you can’t call her Ollie.” Luke looks
like he wants to murder Blaine, and I’m kind of loving it.

“He speaks for you
now,
Olivia
? I
thought you were at least a little independent. Hanging off the
school slut is not a good look for you.”

“I’m independent
enough to be the one to kick your ass if you insult my boyfriend
again,
Blaine
.” I
hold Luke’s hand tight to stop him from killing Blaine. I didn’t
know they knew each other, but I can tell it’s going to be bad if
he doesn’t stop goading Luke.

“Boyfriend? Luke
Griffin doesn’t have girlfriends, he has fuck buddies. And they’re
not really buddies since he never talks to them again.”

“Well, he talks to me
several times a day, so just shut the fuck up. I’m not kidding.”

“Olivia! What is
wrong with you? You don’t behave this way. I knew that Candi woman
would have a bad influence on you. And you’re with…with…him?”
My dad looks like he might explode.

“Yes, Dad. Luke and I
are together. We have been for a few months now.”

“We will discuss this
later. Now, sit down before you cause an even bigger scene.”

Luke pulls out my chair
for me and I sit down, taking his hand again once he’s seated.
Blaine’s mother, who has always been nice to me, decides to break
the tension. “So, Luke, how do you and Blaine know each other? Are
you in the fraternity, too?”

The asshole snickers as
Luke answers her. “No, ma’am. I was in the same fraternity at my
university in Chicago, but I wasn’t accepted here.” Blaine’s
smirking and I want to punch him. Luke has a better technique,
though. “I thought I was a shoo-in, but at the party I threw for
everyone, your son was disrespectful to my sister-in-law, Yasmin. My
brother, Scott, threw him out, and so I wasn’t accepted.”

“Oh. I see.” She
looks uncomfortable, and I feel for her. I’d be uncomfortable if he
was my son, too. I’m a little shocked he’s still able to walk if
he did something to Yasmin. I could see Scott killing him over that.
“You seem to be doing okay without the fraternity. What’s your
major?”

“Elementary
Education.”

“Really? I’m
involved with many local schools. Are you student teaching?”

“Yeah, I am. I just
accepted my first job as well.”

“Luke had six
offers,” I tell her with pride in my voice.

“That’s wonderful.”

“A teacher? Oh my
God, this just keeps getting better and better. Your family owns a
multi-billion dollar corporation, and you’re going to be a teacher.
I bet that went over well.”

“It did, actually. My
family supports me totally. They want me to be happy.”

“So you’re going to
what? Buy a small house and marry Olivia?”

“That’s really none
of your business.”

“Are you going to
love him now that he’s cut off, Olivia?”

Luke answers before I
can. “What part of me saying my family supports me do you not get?
No one’s cut off.”

“Even if he was, it
wouldn’t matter. I don’t love him for his money. We don’t live
some glamorous life because of it. Luke doesn’t need to flaunt his
wealth.”
Like Blaine does.
Everyone at the table gets my unspoken words. Rose has to
hide her smile behind her hand.

“Enough about Luke.
This is your father’s night, Olivia. If your
friend
is going to be a distraction, maybe he should leave.” My mother
looks disgusted as she stresses the word “friend.”

“If you want me to
leave, I will.”

“I think that would
be best, young man.”

I want to protest and
stand up for him. I
do
.
But I can’t. This is the moment we all knew would come, and I’m
failing. I know it, but I still won’t go against my parents. Even
for the man I love. It’s wrong and I know it, but I just can’t do
it.

Luke nods and then
leans over to kiss my cheek. “I’ll see you later.”

I try to convey with my
eyes how sorry I am, but he looks away. Blaine looks smug when I
glance his way. I glare at him. His mother stands and thanks Luke for
coming, while my mother looks like she wants to kill him. After
another hug from Rose, he leaves. Yeah, that’s right. My sister
hugged him. I couldn’t even bring myself to do that. She’s
glaring at
me
now.
I’m going to fix this somehow. I have to.

The rest of the night
is like a little slice of Hell. No, make that a big slice. My parents
make me dance with the douchebag, who tries to put his hands where he
shouldn’t. I slam into his foot with my stiletto heel and he jumps
back. “Luke will kill you, asshole.”

“I’m not afraid of
Luke Griffin. I
am
shocked that you managed to tame him, though. You must be a
firecracker in bed. Want to go upstairs and try out mine? I know I’m
better than him.”

“You’d have to kill
me first.” I pull my hand out of his and walk off the dance floor.
I ignore my parents as I grab my purse and leave. I need Luke.

* * *

Luke

I knew there was a
possibility Olivia would choose her parents over me, but I was hoping
she wouldn’t. I can’t believe she didn’t even hug me goodbye.
Rose hugged me, but my girl just sat there. My girl? What a joke.
She’s obviously not mine. I was stupid to think she ever was. I was
just someone to pop her cherry and have fun with.