10.
Oliver had indeed taken care of everything. Nola was installed in a lovely room next to Oliver's that was decorated in tones of peach. The house itself smelled of the people that lived here, both masters and servants, and it was mostly a good smell. Mostly. Nola couldn't put her finger on it, but something in the house scent made her shiver, something so tenuous she didn't even recognize it. And thankfully it wasn't in her room. She guessed the scents there were of the maids, since nobody occupied it.
The house was full of stairs, which was good for exercising, but risky, so she took her cane with her every time she left her room. She was a bit nervous to see Moira and Thea again, since she was their guest, but everything went well. Except the odd scent. She discovered it came from Moira. It was very subtle, but unmistakable. Nola wondered what this scent meant, if it was the smell of secrets.
During the following weeks, she made good use of the facilities the house offered. In the morning she went for a swim, after work, an hour in the gym for PT. She was staying in the peach room, but Oliver joined her there when he finished chasing bad guys. He also showed her very creative ways to use the hot tub. She went regularly to her apartment to get her mail, check on her plants and of course her cats.
She went to the Applied Sciences Division several times to have her prototype adjusted. She wished every amputee would have a prosthesis like hers one day. She also kept going to her meetings, finding support and friendship there.
Her very best friend Roxanne, journalist in London, was supposed to come over for a week and Nola decided to spend the evening with her rather than at the mansion. Oliver was preoccupied with something Hood related, and she didn't like to be alone with Thea and Moira when he wasn't here. So she went back to her place and just enjoyed being at home with her cats until her friend showed up. She had missed Roxanne's lovely lilac scent more than she could have imagined.
« Surprise ! »
« Oh my God, Nola ! You're here ! »
« I'm so happy to see you ! »
They hugged warmly, two best friends who hadn't seen each other in a long time.
« How are you ? And I want the truth. »
« I'm better than I thought I would be, but still not one hundred percent. »
« Okay. I believe you. »
« And you stopped smoking, Rox, I'm so proud of you. »
Roxanne laughed.
« Four months and counting ! I knew you'd find out right away. So, what are your plans for the week ? »
« First I won't be staying here with you. »
« Really ? You have to go back to the hospital ? »
« No. I told you about Oliver, the guy from high school I met again a few months back. »
« Billionaire playboy Oliver Queen ? What about him ? »
« Well… we've been seeing each other casually for some time, and he offered to let me stay at his place until I'm fully recovered. »
« WHAT ? You're dating a guy richer than Cresus ? And living in his mansion ? »
« It's not official. Actually we've never been on a real date. We had one take out dinner here after … an outing. »
« One dinner, and it was take-out ? »
« I was really tired, and my foot hurt, so yes, we had take-out. But we had a really nice time. »
« Uh-huh. But if you haven't dated, what have you been doing ? »
Nola drank a sip of tea with a smile without answering. Roxanne lifted her eyebrows.
« I see. So, how does he rate ? »
« Full marks. On every subject. »
Roxanne laughed.
« And what's his scent like ? »
« Rainforest. Green, deep, and a little dangerous. »
« I have to meet him. »
« You will. He's taking us out to his club tomorrow night. »
« His club ? Like he owns it ? »
« Yes. It's called Verdant. »
« Nola, I know it's been a long time since we went clubbing, but do you remember what happened the last time ? »
Nola looked embarrassed.
« Like you said, it was a long time ago, I'm older and wiser, and I have more control over myself. »
« Has your sense of smell dimmed ? »
« No, not really. »
Roxanne shook her head.
« Nola… »
« Rox, I promise you he won't meet WildFire. »
She looked doubtful and sighed.
« All right. Plus I'll be there with you just in case. Not that it helped a lot the last time. »
« The last time I just turned 21, I had my first tequila shot, and I was out of control. It will be different this time. »
« Okay. So, what are we going to wear ? »
Later that night, Nola decided not to go back to the mansion. Oliver wouldn't be there, and she didn't want to face his family on her own.
*****
Nola looked at herself in the mirror. So much time had passed since the last time she’d been out in a club she wanted to look her best. Especially with her artificial foot. Her new dress was both elegant and sexy, and her new boots were tight enough around the ankle to make her feel secure. She would walk without her cane tonight, but she would have both Oliver and Roxanne help her if need be. Roxanne joined her in front of the mirror.
« Looks like Dark Amber and WildFire are back ! »
« Don't say that ! »
« I promise you, Roxanne, this is not going to end up like last time. For one, I don't drink anymore. Plus you remember what professor Walsh said, you can't get drunk on smells. »
« Yeah right… You can play Science Says all you want, I know you, Nola. »
« Look at us. Going clubbing like we're college girls again. »
They looked at each other with a smile.
« That does bring back good memories. »
« Oh yeah ! »
Roxanne opened the door when Oliver knocked. She was almost as tall as him, with eyes the color of good whiskey, and her black leather number didn't hide much.
« Your billionaire playboy is here, Nola. »
« And you must be Roxanne. »
« Hey Ollie ! »
Oliver took one look at Nola and stood dumbstruck. She was wearing black knee-high boots, a little dress the color of molten copper that stopped mid-thigh and hung to her every curve, and her usually knotted hair was dancing in wild curls around her face. She had done something with her eyes and her lips… they were painted a bright red and shone under the light. She licked them sensually and he swallowed hard. She turned around to close and lock the door.
« You're not taking a bag ? »
« Everything I need is in this little pocket sewn into my dress. »
She tapped at her thigh with a red painted nail. Oliver had never seen Nola like that. He remembered her in high school uniform, in a bathing suit, and even naked, but tonight she looked like a flame, and flirted like a pro. She walked past them, hips swaying.
« What have I done ? »
Roxanne heard him mutter.
« You woke up the fire, Oliver. You're in for one hell of a night. »
He winced and followed them to the limo that was waiting in the street. Nola sat in the back with Roxanne, leaving the rear facing seat to Oliver. She kept flirting, but her friend was there to remind her where they were.
Just before entering the club, Roxanne took Nola aside.
« Two things. First, he scores a nine on my scale. »
« Only a nine ? Where did he fail ? »
« His hair. Too short for my taste. »
Nola laughed.
« What's the second thing ? »
« Keep the control. »
« Rox, I'm in control all the time. For the first time in ages, I can lower the bar a little. Please don't be a buzzkiller. »
« Honey, all the locks are open. Be careful. »
« I know I can count on you to keep me in check. Thanks for being here tonight. »
« I wouldn't be anywhere else. »
Oliver opened the door and they stepped in. The smells hit Nola like a wave. A thousand different scents made a rainbow of colors behind her closed eyes, perfumes, sweat, things she'd rather not identify. And pheromones. The hundreds of people there that wanted to get laid were giving off musky and spicy scents that were going up her head. Oliver saw her stumble and caught her by the waist.
« You're okay? »
« Oh yeah ! »
« Let's sit down. »
He led her through the crowd to the VIP section where they met Tommy. She had smelled the storm the last time, and she wondered if it had calmed down, so she brushed his cheek. Still there. And something else. She turned to Oliver when Tommy started talking to Roxanne.
« He broke up with Laurel. »
« Yeah, I know. It happened a few days ago. I'm guessing you can tell that from his scent ? »
« Yes. Hers isn't on him anymore. And the storm is still present. »
As time passed, the pheromones started to have an effect on Nola. Her biology teacher didn't believe anyone could get high on smells but she knew differently. The proximity with Oliver and his scent only reinforced it. She put her head in his neck.
« Ollie, let's dance. »
They went to the dance floor and started moving together, entwined. Nola closed her eyes and let her body sway with the music. She was secure in Oliver's arms and wasn't afraid of falling. He bent his head and put his cheek on hers. They felt like in a bubble, forgetting about the outside world. Oliver wished this moment would never end.
Nola was feeling hot and crisped her fingers on Oliver's nape. She closed her mouth on him and rubbed her body against his. She could feel his desire rise and wished they were alone. She raised her head to whisper in his ear.
« Is there a place where we could be alone ? »
« Nola… I'm not sure this is a good idea. »
« Oliver, let's forget there's a tomorrow. »
There was a plea in her voice, and Oliver desperately wanted to forget about the imminent danger, at least for a moment.
« The office. »
He put his arm around her waist and they climbed the stairs unnoticed.
*****
Oliver locked the door behind them and pounced on Nola. She met his desire with hers. He had indeed awakened the fire, and he intended to get burned. He pushed her against the wall and put his hands and lips on her. Everywhere he could reach. There was an urgency in his moves, but it had little to do with where they were, or how little time they had. He bared her breasts and devoured them. Nola laughed, her hands fisted in his short hair. He pulled up her dress and kneeled in front of her. Her scent was sharp and her taste fierce. She put her leg on his shoulder and closed her eyes with a deep moan.
Nola felt Oliver wanted to be in control, so she let him, savoring the way he played with her. She wanted release, but she enjoyed a lot his means of getting there. She came suddenly when he put two fingers inside her, letting out a cry of pleasure. He kept caressing her from inside and out, extending her climax. She wobbled on her feet when he finally let her go.
Oliver lifted her and sat her down on the desk. Just at the right height. She watched him unhook his jeans and seized him. He groaned and took her lips, kissing, licking, biting. And slipped into her damp heat. She cried out again, delighted by the invasion. Oliver wanted to slow down, to take his time, but he felt like he was burning from the inside and he kept his rapid pace.
Nola started to come again and Oliver followed with a sharp cry. They hung on to each other, swaying like drunks, out of breath.
*****
She finally opened her eyes and noticed the red marks on his shoulder where she had scratched him.
« Oliver, I'm sorry I hurt you. »
« I didn't even feel it. »
« WildFire can be a bit rough. »
« WildFire ? »
« That was my nickname in college. I was quite a party girl back then... »
The knock on the door had them tidy their clothes in a hurry.
« John ? What's going on ? »
« Felicity may have something. »
« I'll be right down. Nola, when you leave, go back to the manor. I'll meet you there as soon as I can. »
« All right. Stay safe. »
She watched him run down the stairs and disappear into the crowd. She followed slowly, watching her steps. She spotted Roxanne in deep conversation with a blond man, hesitated to interrupt them when her friend saw her. She excused herself and joined Nola.
« For God's sake, Nola. I thought you said you were in control. »
« I am. That's why I'm leaving now. I'll take a cab back to the manor, and you can take the limo when you get back to my place. »
« No, I'm leaving with you. »
« And ditch Mister Blond ? You should enjoy your evening. »
Roxanne looked at the man and back at Nola.
« I don’t do one night stands anymore. I’ll be gone in a few days, so… »
« All right. »
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