by Amber Heart
‘Yeah, that’d be great.’ She smiled, watching him walk to the counter and order. His ass looked great in those jeans, and his sweater clung to his arms and chest. She saw a few other women look over to him, others who were just starting or finishing work, and even Olivia struggled to take her eyes off him. It was difficult to overlook Damien; he was practically perfect, both in looks and personality, and it seemed like everyone around him could sense it. He walked back a moment or so later and pushed a cup of coffee towards her.
‘No toast?’ She asked.
‘The waitress is a little busy, she said she’d bring it over when it’s done.’ He shrugged and then he leaned across the table and wiped something off Olivia’s cheek without warning. ‘Can’t take you anywhere.’ He smiled to himself and she felt her cheeks redden. For a moment, she thought he was going to kiss her and, if only for that moment, she wouldn’t have objected.
‘Okay, I got some toast for you, honey.’ A voice came from next to them and Olivia jumped a little at the noise.
‘Thanks.’ He smiled as she placed them down on the table. She hovered for a moment and then pulled a napkin out of her pocket, placing it down next to the plate, before walking away. She looked back at Damien before she reached the counter again and Olivia couldn’t help but notice. He took a bite of the toast without realising something odd had happened.
‘You realise her number is on that napkin, right?’ Olivia pointed out and he shrugged, pushing it towards her.
‘Keep it, I don’t want it.’ He shrugged, not bothering to check whether the number was there or not.
‘Got a girl I don’t know about?’ She teased and he ran a hand through his hair, nervous all of a sudden.
‘Are you free sometime this week?’ He asked just as Olivia finished eating.
‘Yeah, I mean, other than work. Why-’
‘Do you wanna go on a date with me?’ He said quickly, almost too quick for her to hear exactly what he’d said.
‘You’re asking me out on a date?’ She checked, smiling a little. His cheeks turned a very noticeable shade of red as he nodded. ‘I guess a date wouldn’t be awful.’
‘Really?’
‘I thought about asking you a couple of weeks ago.’ She shrugged and he looked surprised.
‘Wait, so why didn’t you ask me?’
‘I thought you’d lost interest.’ She explained. ‘Sure, you were flirty, but it was just the same level you use with other women. I thought maybe someone else had grabbed your attention.’
‘Unfortunately, it’s still you running around my thoughts, plaguing me at night.’ He smirked.
‘Has it been awful?’ She smiled, putting some money on the table before he could, refusing any he tried to put down. She stood up to leave and he had to follow her.
‘Unbearable.’ He agreed. ‘I’ve been all alone in a large, cold bed.’ He pretended to sniffle, as they walked to the car park. There were a few cars parked up, their owners inside the pancake house, but there was no-one coming or going. No sane person chooses to be awake at this time. ‘It’s so much better when you’re in it.’ He smiled, winking at her.
‘I’ve never been in your bed.’ She reminded him, going to unlock her car. He stood right behind her, his hands on her hips, pulling her to him.
‘It’s only ten minutes away if you want to try it.’ He practically growled in her ear.
‘What a good first impression that would be on your mother.’ She smiled, turning to face him. He kept her pinned against the car, his face close to hers.
‘Well I’m sure your bed would be just as good.’ He smirked, every inch of their bodies touching. His hands moved back from her hips and touched the small of her back, his fingers played with the waistline of her pants.
‘You’re actually being serious, aren’t you?’ She laughed and he watched her lips move.
‘A hundred percent. After all, six weeks is a long, long time.’
‘We went two years without jumping into each other’s beds, we can last a couple more days. It wouldn’t be right.’
‘No, you just jump me in the men’s bathroom instead.’ He smirked, leaning in to kiss behind her ear.
‘Damien! Cut it out!’ She laughed, pushing him back a little, her hands staying on his chest. ‘It’s not happening.’ God, she wanted to though.
‘It’s almost as if you’re scared…’ He smirked. No, no way would she give in to that crap, wouldn’t fall for her own trick. ‘After all those risky jokes I’ve done tonight, I can’t even get a kiss for my efforts.’
‘Because we both know you want more than a kiss, Dame.’ He didn’t bother speaking after that. He just stared down at her, flicking from her eyes to her lips, slowly getting closer, taunting her. ‘Fuck sake.’ She pulled his lips down to her, hungry for him.
‘God, you’re so easy.’ He smirked as she pushed him away a moment later. ‘All I have to do is challenge you.’
‘The annoying thing is, you’re the only one it works for.’ She complained, pushing the hair out of her face. ‘And you’re the only one who ever does it.’ She moved past him and opened the door to the back seats. ‘Get in.’ He did, sitting in the middle seat. She slammed the door, and was soon on his lap, grinding against him and kissing his lips hard. Pulling his jumper off, she threw it to the front seat and started kissing his jaw, his neck, anywhere she could touch.
‘You’re going to leave a mark.’ He moaned. ‘How are you going to explain that?’
‘I won’t have to.’ She smiled, biting him harder.
‘You know, you’re single-handedly ticking off half of my sex bucket list.’ He chuckled, his hands grabbing at her waist again
‘You don’t actually have one of those, do you?’ She asked, pausing for a moment.
‘I mean, it’s not written down.’ He laughed, moving to do the buttons on her shirt. He only opened to where he needed, revealing the top of her breasts. ‘I guess I have a favor to return.’ He said, kissing her collarbone, moving lower to bite her.
‘Jesus, Damien. Don’t stop.’
A tap at the window made Olivia yelp and bump her head on the roof.
‘Excuse me.’ Came a muffled voice. ‘This is a public area. Can you move on, please?’
‘Another tick on the list.’ He grinned at her as she scrambled off his lap, tugging her shirt back into place. ‘I guess it wasn't meant to be today.’
‘Yeah, we should save it.’ She said, her hands trying to cover her red cheeks. He reached to the front for his jumper and put it back on. ‘I’ll drop you off at home.’
They were quiet for the ride home, feeling a little embarrassed they had been caught, and a little disappointed the moment was ruined. He paused when she pulled up outside his building, turning in his seat to look at her.
‘So, when are you free for a date?’ He smiled, reaching over to move a stray piece of hair from her face. He was exhausted, but the night had been great.
‘How does seven sound on Saturday?’ She suggested. ‘We can figure out what to do at work, or we can text-’
‘No, let met plan the evening.’ He smiled. ‘I want to impress you.’
‘It can’t just be an evening of sex.’ She clarified. ‘I want a real, proper date.’
‘But what are my chances of getting some?’
‘Well, you’ll just have to wait and see.’ She laughed but Damien knew his chances were good.
‘Speaking of which, you sure you don’t want to come test out my bed?’ He winked and Olivia rolled her eyes before leaning in to kiss his cheek.
‘I’ll see you at work.’ She smiled.
Getting out the car, he walked up to the apartment block’s door and turned back to wave. God, she was amazing. No one ever made him feel like she did, he couldn’t wait for their date. It would be perfect. He tried to unlock the door and his key got jammed in the lock like usual. He sighed to himself.
‘All the fucking time.’ He muttered.
‘Hey, Damien!’ It
was Olivia, running up to him, her car unmoved. He turned to her and her arms wrapped around his neck, pushing him against the door. Then, she kissed him, tenderly, sweetly. ‘I just had to.’ She explained herself before he’d even asked. She kissed him again, tugging lightly at his hair. His hands were at her waist, sneaking up her shirt a little, feeling the warm, smooth skin underneath.
He heard the door twist open too late and, for a moment, felt himself fall backwards. If it wasn't for Olivia pulling him into her, he would have tumbled onto the floor.
‘Damien!’ Said one of his neighbours, staring at the couple. Shock came over her face when she realised what she had caught them doing. ‘I’m so sorry.’
‘Mrs Maddison. Good morning. You’re up early.’ Mrs Maddison lived across the hall from them and was a similar age to his mother, the two spent a considerable amount of time together.
‘I’m just nipping to the shop, do you need anything?’
‘I’m fine, thank you.’ She carried on with her task, but was a rather slow walker, and was clearly walking slower than usual to eavesdrop.
‘I’ll see you tomorrow.’ Olivia smiled.
‘See you tomorrow.’ He said, kissing her quickly. He watched her go, even waiting to watch her car drive away.
Upstairs, he headed straight for the shower; the night itself had been warm and running around pulling all those pranks had only made him sweaty. Not to mention their little adventure in the back seat of the car. Not long after, he jumped into bed, pulling the duvet over him. The morning sun began lighting up his room but his eyes slowly began to shut. He heard his mum start shuffling around, but he soon fell asleep, letting the thoughts of Olivia lull him into a dream.
It was two in the afternoon when he woke up, his room was bright and it took him a moment to adjust. He grabbed his phone and saw a message from Olivia.
He smiled to himself and got out of bed, throwing on a t-shirt and some shorts. His mum was in the lounge, sitting in her comfy chair, sipping a cup of tea as she watched a game show. Damien joined her, finding a warm mug waiting for him.
‘Look who decided to wake up.’ She smiled, turning the TV down a little. ‘How was your shift?’
‘Quiet. We had some fun in the office causing a little mayhem, playing a few pranks.’
‘You know what happened last time-’
‘It didn’t get out of hand this time, we’ve been given the all clear.’
‘You and who exactly?’ She asked, spotting the bruise on his neck. She had a pretty good idea who he’d been spending time with.
‘My partner, Olivia. It was her idea.’
‘And whose idea was it to give you that hickey?’ He choked on his tea and went bright red, covering his neck.
‘Mum!’
‘Well, you didn’t exactly hide it! Jesus, it looks like a vampire bit into you.’ She laughed. ‘Julie said she caught you with a young woman outside the apartment block anyway.’
‘She dropped me off after shift. It’s not as bad as you think, we just… kissed a little.’ He defended.
‘A little?’
‘Alright, a lot.’ He chuckled. ‘But I did get a date.’
‘You did?’ She beamed.
‘Yeah, we’re going out Saturday.’
‘I’m happy for you, Dame, you finally got the girl.’ She joked and Damien only blushed more. ‘Do you need me out of the house on Saturday?’
‘If anything happens, we’ll just go back to hers.’ He said, feeling a little uncomfortable. ‘We wouldn’t want to bother you.’
‘You mean you don’t want me bothering you?’ She laughed. He closed his eyes but laughed with her. ‘I was young once, you know.’
‘I know, mum. Well, thank you for this delightful conversation but I’m going to the gym.’
Going into work the next day, he did everything he could to hide his bruise but it was in too awkward a place. Before he even reached the office, he knew someone would say something. Walking towards his desk, he saw Olivia was already typing away on her side.
Before he even got chance to say hello to her, they were interrupted.
‘Damien Macken, what is that on your neck?’ Becca shouted, attracting everyone’s attention, including the captain’s. What a friend she was.
The whole squad joined him at his desk.
‘Jesus, what’s been at you?’ Hoffman asked, pulling at his collar to get a better look.
‘It starts with an O and ends in an A.’ Jason laughed and Olivia rolled her eyes at him from across the desk.
‘Alright, I was with a chick. Lay off.’
‘Believe me, we all know that.’ The captain laughed. ‘Anyone we know?’
‘Just some woman from a bar.’
‘Uh-uh. No way.’ The sergeant objected. ‘We all know who’s responsible for that.’ She smirked, staring at Olivia.
‘You think it’s me? Gross.’
‘You two spend all night together, ruining the office and god knows what else, he comes back with a black and blue neck and you’re acting all coy. Come on, you two. Spill the beans.’
‘Alright, alright. It was me.’ She admitted, shrugging at Damien, who had the biggest smirk she had ever seen on his face. ‘Things got a little heated.’
‘They can’t keep their hands off each other recently.’ Becca smiled and Olivia shot her a look that could kill.
‘What’s that supposed to mean?’ The sergeant didn’t miss what Becca had said, no-one did.
‘It means nothing.’ Damien explained. ‘Liv and I are going on a date, if you all must know, and we’d respect some privacy, if you wouldn’t mind?’
‘They’re right.’ The Captain called, starting to gesture people away. ‘Leave them alone, show’s over.’
‘Thank you, sir.’ Smiled Olivia.
‘Hardy, please leave his neck alone. Leave the assaulting to the criminals.’ He grinned, walking to his office.
Eventually, they were left alone as everyone else started to get on with their work.
‘Is it safe to say good morning?’ He smiled and a wolf whistle came from across the room.
‘Good morning,’ She smiled back. ‘You couldn’t hide that any better, huh?’
‘I tried! Would it have been less obvious if I was wearing a scarf?’ He teased. ‘Anyway, it’s your fault I’m in this position.’
‘How was this my fault?!’ She laughed.
‘Well, I didn’t put that bruise there.’
‘You asked for it when you pushed yourself against me on that car.’ She shrugged, throwing their mini basketball at him.
‘At least you didn’t have to explain it to your mother last night.’ He laughed, throwing it back as she gave a sympathetic smile.
‘I’d say I’m sorry but-’
‘But you love to see me being embarrassed.’ He finished her sentence for her. ‘She’s happy for us, anyway.’
‘Is she giving you dating tips?’ Olivia teased.
‘I don’t think I need tips on how to impress you.’ He winked. ‘And, I’ve got it all planned already.’
‘Oh, yeah? What are we doing?
‘Well, I was thinking dinner-’
‘Of course.’
‘Then, because I know you don’t like going to the movies for first dates. I was thinking either bowling-’
‘I’m not allowed to go bowling.’ She said quickly.
‘Who says? You’re mom?’ He joked and she nodded.
‘Yes. And my dad. And the bowling alley. And the paramedics.’
‘Paramedics?’
‘I hit an old lady. Don’t ask.’
Damien suddenly looked a little fearful. What on earth was he getting himself into?
‘Okay… well, option two is crazy golf.’
‘Oh! That could be fun!’ She beamed. ‘You any good?’
‘Am I any good? Trust me, you’ll be wanting me on the course when you see my skills.’ He smiled.
‘Crazy golf it is then, I’ll try and not tear your
clothes off you.’ She joked and he pouted in disappointment. ‘But, for now, I have a school talk to get to and you have paperwork to do.’ She started packing a bag before walking over to his side of the desk.
‘Are you in later?’ He asked, looking up at her from his chair.
‘No, sorry. And I’m in a conference tomorrow morning so I won’t be in the office.’ She shrugged and he sighed.
‘So not only am I working on a Saturday, I’m working alone.’ He complained. ‘I guess the next time I see you will be at your door with a bunch of flowers.’ He smiled.
‘If you think flowers is the way to go.’ She shrugged. ‘I’ll see you then, Macken.’ She smiled, scruffing his hair up. Is it needed?
‘See you later, Hardy.’ He laughed. She left and he watched her go, sighing as he turned back to his desk. ‘Best cancel that bouquet.’
Becca’s voice called from the phone speaker as Olivia rummaged through her wardrobe.
‘We’re playing crazy golf, Becca. If I move too fast my boobs will fall out of that dress.’ She sighed, feeling like she had nothing suitable.
She laughed.
‘And what about shoes? I can hardly play golf in heels.’ This was the most stressed she had ever been about choosing an outfit.
‘It’s a relaxed date.’ She argued, pulling out another dress just to put it away again.
‘What about some pants and a nice blouse?’
‘He knows exactly what he’s getting.’ She pointed out.
Becca sighed.
‘I think I’ve got it. Thanks for all the useless help.’ Olivia laughed. ‘Wish me luck.’
‘All covered. I need to go, he’ll be here soon.’
She hung up.
Olivia started running around her flat, trying to get ready in time. It was nearly seven. Becca had wasted some of her time but she was sure she’d make it.
This was it. She felt a little nervous and checked her reflection before she answered the door. She’d settled on a simple, dark blue dress that fell to her knees and pair of black ballerina pumps. At the last minute, she’d grabbed a cream cardigan too and smiled as she saw the finished outfit. Not too revealing, but it was obvious she had made an effort. Her dark hair framed her face and she’d used her best perfume.