Oliver's expression shifts from annoyance to intrigue as he listens to Harper's description of Knox's new campaign. The mention of using regular models instead of typical industry standards catching his attention immediately. "Revolutionary?" he repeats thoughtfully, resuming his seat beside her on the sofa. "Knox might actually have a good idea of once. Using real women instead of skeletal teenagers could be a powerful statement." His frustration with his own workday seems to melt away as he focuses on this new professional challenge. "What kind of models is he thinking about? Curvy? Plus-size? Athletic? The choice of models will make or break this campaign."
Oliver picks up his fork again, eating more deliberately now that his mind is engaged by the potential of Knox's idea. "Marius will love the concept– he has always been vocal about diversity in advertising. But Knox will need help executing it properly." "We have a meeting tomorrow to iron out the details," Harper said finishing the last bite of her food." "I still have to finalize the budget." Oliver nods approvingly, his business-minded brain already calculating the logistics of the campaign. "Good. You will need to push for a higher budget if Marius is serious about making this a statement piece. Real diversity does not come cheap." He sets his empty plate aside and turns to face Harper more directly, his expression shifting from professional to something more intimate.
"But right now, I do not want to talk about budgets or Knox or Marius." Oliver's hand moves from her thigh to her waist, pulling her closer against his side on the sofa. "I want to talk about you." His fingers trace the hem of her dress where it rides up slightly. "About how beautiful you look sitting here eating pasta like nothing happened an hour ago." The food is forgotten now as his attention focuses entirely back on Harper. "Tell me something about your day that has nothing to do with work or Marius Zane. "Like what?" Harper asks teasingly. "Like how I thought about you non-stop?" she leans forward to kiss him. Oliver's breath catches as she leans in, her lips meeting his in a soft, teasing kiss.
His hands move from her waist to cup her face gently, returning the kiss with equal tenderness. He can taste the lingering flavour of Pasta Carbonara and something uniquely Harper on her mouth. "I like that answer," he murmurs against her lips, his own day's frustrations melting away completely. "Thinking about me non-stop is the best part of my day." His thumbs stroke along her jawline as he deepens the kiss slightly, savouring the way she melts against him so easily. When they finally pull apart for air, Oliver rests his forehead against hers. "I spent the entire afternoon trying to focus on spreadsheets but all I could thing about was how much I wanted to come home and do this." His gaze drops to where her dress has ridden up even further during their kiss.
"Me too," Harper admitted softly. "I still have some work to do, but once I am done, I am all yours." Oliver's icy blue eyes darken at her promise, a possessive smile spreading across his face. "Good. Because I am going to hold you to that." He stands up abruptly, extending a hand to help her from the sofa. "But first, let's get you properly comfortable for work. Without waiting for her response, he leads her toward his study across the guest bedroom. "You can use my desk in here– it is quieter than the living room and you will have more space to spread out your papers." His tone is firm but gentle, clearly taking charge of the situation not that work and pleasure have merged into one evening.
"While you are finishing up, I will clean up the kitchen and maybe take a quick shower," Oliver continues, already guiding Harper through the apartment, she grabs her laptop bag as the walk. "Then when you are done with work bullshit, I expect you in my bed wearing nothing but that smile." She kisses him on the cheek. "Alright, can't wait," she says with a smile. His heart does a funny little flip-flop at the kiss on his cheek, a genuine smile breaking through his commanding façade. "Don't take too long," he warns playfully. "I am not a patient man when it comes to waiting for you." He watches her walk into the study, admiring the way her dark blue dress hugs her curves from behind. The sight is enough to make him want to forget about cleaning and just carry her back to bed right now. With a final look at her disappearing into his workspace, Oliver turns and heads toward the kitchen to deal with their abandoned dinner plates.
His mind is already racing with possibilities for how he will pass the time while she works– maybe reading that new thriller book he had bought last week or maybe just staring at the ceiling and thinking about how food she feels under him. The apartment feels different now– filled with the promise of having her in his bed later tonight. Meanwhile, Harper looks around the nearly organized study. A work desk stands right across the door, against a dark sage-green accent wall which creates a soothing backdrop and contrasts nicely with the lighter furnishings. Mounted centrally above the desk is a sleek white wall-mounted air-conditioning unit. Left of the desk stands a narrow open shelving unit extending nearly to the ceiling. The shelves contain vertically arranged books, storage boxes, decorative containers and baskets, and small decorative objects.
Against the left wall of the room there is a larger light-wood sideboard cabinet with multiple doors. Above it, floats wooden shelves displaying small plants, ceramic containers, books and other accessories. On the right side of the desk there is a large leafy indoor plant in a white cylindrical planter. Harper walks towards the desk, which has a simple wooden tabletop supported by slim legs and on it there is a modern white desk lamp, a closed silver-grey laptop, a small notebook and a container with pens. Harper moves the laptop aside and places her laptop bag on the table, so she can take out her stuff. She then pulled out the light wood office chair with a curved backrest and cushioned seat. the wheels rolling over the wooden floors.
As she sat down, she placed the laptop bag on the floor beside the desk and looked out the large floor-to-ceiling window on the far-right side. She shook her head lightly and opened the laptop to start working.