by Amber Heart
‘I’ve never been this turned on in a restaurant.’ He growled as she moved her hand even higher.
‘That’s quite a problem you have.’ She shrugged and he moved his chair closer to her, their knees touching.
‘If no-one else was here, I’d bend you over this table and-’
‘What’s this about the table?’ His mother asked, catching a couple of words that he’d said.
‘He thinks these kind of tables would be good to have in the office.’ Olivia quickly covered for him, subtly moving her hand away.
‘It’s a bit odd to be table shopping at a restaurant, Dame.’ His mother laughed. ‘Makes me wonder what you see in him.’ She winked.
‘At times, I’m not sure.’ She nudged his elbow playfully. ‘Honestly though, he’s so sweet. You’ve raised a great man.’
The bill arrived at that moment and Olivia reached for it but Damien got there first.
‘Ah, ah. My treat.’ He smiled. ‘For my two favorite women.’
‘We can split it.’
‘Forget it.’ He argued, placing the money down.
‘You’re very cute together.’ His mother chuckled, watching the exchange.
‘When he’s not being annoying.’ She joked and Damien winked at her.
‘Why don’t you come back to ours?’ His mother asked suddenly, surprising them both.
‘Mum, Liv might be busy-’
‘I’d love to.’ Liv smiled. ‘I can’t drive home anyway after this wine so we could all share a cab.’
‘We have known each other for two years.’ Damien reasoned. ‘You’ve never seen my place.’
‘It’s settled then.’ She smiled.
The first thing Olivia noticed when she stepped into the apartment was how clean and tidy it was. It was nothing like hers, which was almost always on the messier side, no wonder Damien always teased her about it. Everything was ordered neatly and in the correct place; she had no doubt it was Damien who kept everything so perfect, especially since his desk was immaculate.
‘I’ll go pop the kettle on.’ His mum smiled, walking past them, further into the apartment.
Olivia noticed how many photos were around the place, every surface had a photograph. Photos of them both, of him as a child, of her in her younger days.
One photo near the door grabbed her attention in particular. It was a picture of Damien in a British police uniform knelt beside a German Shepherd. He had the biggest smile on his face, one she couldn’t ever remember seeing, of course he’d smiled a lot, but he was shining in the photo. She felt him stand beside her and hold her hand.
‘Is this the same dog as the picture on your desk?’ She asked and he nodded. ‘I never knew he was a police dog.’
‘His name was Apollo.’ He smiled foldly. ‘That was the day of our graduation, back when everything was… simple. Mum was healthy, my parents were together, I wasn’t on a different continent to all my friends.’
‘Do you wish you were back in the UK?’ She asked, turning to watch his face.
‘Sometimes. I miss a lot of stuff, my friends, my old job. But there’s also bad memories back there.’ He went a little quiet.
‘What happened?’
‘I was on a case with Apollo before I moved here. We were after this guy who kept breaking into elderly people’s houses. I got tipped off that he was going to strike again and when we found him, he ran. I set the dog on him and he stabbed Apollo.’ It was clearly a painful memory and he was trying not to get upset.
‘I’m sorry.’
‘It was the cruel part of the job.’ He smiled sadly. ‘You want a coffee?’
‘Coffee sounds good.’ She smiled, squeezing his hand. ‘Wait, I didn’t bring any spare clothes, I don’t have any pyjamas.’
‘Maybe you won’t need them.’ He smirked, leaning in to give her a kiss. She smiled and kissed him back, feeling his hands move down her back.
‘It’s like having a teenager again.’ His mother muttered from the doorway and they jumped apart quickly, both turning a little red. She rolled her eyes and grinned before going back into the kitchen.
‘Did you catch him a lot as a teenager?’ Olivia asked, following her, curious to know what he was like.
‘Wait a minute! What if I don’t want you to know about all my exes?’
‘How many were there?’ She asked, laughing at him.
‘He wasn't exactly a charmer back then.’ His mother chuckled. ‘He couldn’t even talk to a girl without looking like a tomato. He was seventeen when he got his first girlfriend. What was her name? Amy?’
‘Ali.’ He corrected. ‘She was the captain of the girl’s hockey team.’
‘What happened?’
‘Oh, well, she kind of cheated on me with the boy’s football team captain.’ He laughed. ‘Turns out they stayed together for a long time, I busted him for growing marijuana last year.’
‘Serves him right.’
‘Well since we’re opening up, what was your first boyfriend like?’ He asked. Amanda handed out mugs of tea and they all moved to sit in the front room.
‘Well, my first boyfriend was in the lacrosse team. He was a nice guy but high school came to an end and we grew apart. No hard feelings there really.’
‘Was he handsome?’
‘As handsome as you? No, but he wasn't a bad looking guy. Don’t worry, I’m not going to run off and find him.’ She chuckled.
‘Always nice to know.’
They all stayed up for hours, talking and getting to know each other better. His mother was the first to leave, too tired to stay up any longer. Damien cracked open a bottle of wine after she left and poured them both a glass.
‘I’ve really loved tonight.’ He smiled, putting an arm around her shoulder. She rested her head on his shoulder, almost falling asleep herself.
‘It was fun. I love your mom.’ He kissed her temple. ‘I wish I’d have met her earlier.’ She sighed and Damien couldn’t ignore what she’d said. His mother’s life was on a countdown, they both knew it, and no matter how many fun evenings they had, it was inevitable that, some day soon, she wouldn’t be around anymore.
‘I’m really going to miss her.’ He whispered, more to himself than to her, and she turned a little to kiss his shoulder.
‘Let’s not think about, just enjoy spending time with her.’ She assured him and he nodded. ‘How about we go to sleep? I’m exhausted.’ She yawned as she spoke.
‘Yeah I can agree to that.’
Damien’s room was exactly how she imagined: tidy and plain, except for a few framed photographs on his bedside table.
‘Can you help me take off my dress?’ She asked when he shut the door, moving all her hair over one shoulder, exposing a slim zip running down her back.
‘How did you do it up?’ He chuckled as he undid the zip, his fingers grazing her skin. She shivered a little at the touch.
‘By being sober and flexible.’ She sighed, stretching as she wiggled out of the dress, leaving her in her underwear as she carefully folded it. ‘Have you got a spare t-shirt?’ She asked and, when he didn’t respond, she looked up to see him smirking at her, his eyes soaking up every inch of her body.
‘You sure you want a t-shirt?’ He approaching slowly. ‘Because I think you look absolutely breathtaking in that.’ He reached out and ran a hand up the side of her body, the other held onto her waist.
‘You’d think I’d look great in a trash bag.’ She pointed out. ‘But I’m going to sleep.’
‘We could have a little fun before that.’ His fingers toyed with the waistband of her panties.
‘Not tonight, Dame.’ She kissed him lightly and walked past him, opening his wardrobe. He smiled and joined her, plucking a white t-shirt from a hanger.
‘I thought I’d reunite you with the t-shirt I fought so hard to get back.’ He grinned.
‘Thank you.’ She took off her bra and threw the t-shirt on, crawling into the bed and claiming a side. He smiled and got undressed himsel
f and turned off the lights before joining her, wrapping his arms around her.
‘You’re so toasty.’ She smiled, moving so her whole body was touching his.
‘Must be nice, I’m cuddling a human icicle.’ He chuckled quietly, kissing her shoulder as she fell asleep.
When Damien woke up the following morning, Olivia was still asleep. She’d moved in the night and was now facing towards him, wrapped up in the duvet. He smiled at how lucky he was and slowly got out of bed, not wanting to disturb her. He threw on some shorts and a t-shirt and walked to the lounge, finding his mother already awake.
‘Good morning.’ She smiled, her eyes flicking behind him to see if Olivia was following. ‘Everything okay?’
‘Yeah, everything’s fine. How’d you sleep?’ He asked, stretching.
‘Good, I think the wine made me tired. Last night was really lovely.’ She beamed.
‘We’ll go out more, I promise.’ He assured her. ‘Breakfast?’
‘Maybe in a bit.’ She shook her head and he sat on the couch with her. ‘How’s Liv?’
‘Still sleeping. She had a busy day yesterday.’
‘You look happier than normal. Not as bored or tired, though I’m sure you find ways of keeping each other awake.’ She smirked.
‘Mother.’ He blushed.
‘I can say what I want, I don’t care anymore.’ She laughed and he couldn’t help but join in. ‘I’m just happy you have someone, she’ll look after you when I’m gone.’
‘We don’t have to talk about that, mum.’ He smiled sadly.
‘It’s still good to know you won’t be alone.’ She put a hand on his cheek and tried to fight the lump in her throat.
‘I’ll miss you.’ He whispered and she nodded a little. ‘It’s not fair.’
‘I know, son.’ She opened her arms for a hug and he moved over into her arms, hugging her tightly. ‘I love you so much, and I’m so proud of you.’ A few tears fell down her cheeks and onto his shirt but she didn’t want him to see her cry.
‘I love you too, mum.’ He took a deep breath and pulled away. ‘Do you want another tea?’ He asked, standing up, getting ready to cook some breakfast.
‘I’m okay.’ She smiled as he walked into the other room. Both of them couldn’t help but feel a little uneasy. Her death was going to hit him hard, harder than he admitted to himself, even with Olivia in his life and they both knew it.
Olivia was stirred by the smell of bacon. Opening her eyes, she couldn’t remember where she was for a moment but soon remembered. Damien was nowhere to be seen. She looked around his room, now it was lighter and couldn’t help but wonder how many girls had woken up in the same bed she was in now.
‘Liv?’ A knock came on the door before it opened slowly. Damien smiled when he realised she was awake. ‘Good morning.’
‘Good morning.’ She smiled back, noticing the plates in is hands. ‘Are you bringing me breakfast in bed?’
‘Of course, as a thank you for an amazing night.’ He sat next to her and handed over a plate, keeping one for himself. ‘I present to you, a bacon and cheese omelette.’
‘You’re the best.’ She said, giving him a quick kiss on the cheek. Taking a bite, she sighed with pleasure. ‘You need to cook professionally. You’re going to waste as a detective.’
‘Are you saying I’m a bad detective?’ He asked, pretending to be offended.
‘You know I’m not saying that, but God you can cook.’ She smiled. ‘Unfortunately though, I’ll have to leave soon, I’ve got errands to run.’
‘I’ll drop you back off at the restaurant when you’re ready.’
‘Only one problem.’ She sighed. ‘I don’t have any clothes to change into.’
‘Doesn’t seem like a problem to me.’ He smirked and she tapped her shoulder to his. ‘Mum will have some spare shorts, you’re the same size.’
‘And I was also thinking I could borrow your t-shirt?’ She smiled, fluttering her eyelashes.
‘Sure, just give it me back at the office.’ He shrugged.
‘I was thinking I could borrow it on a more… permanent basis.’
‘This is daylight robbery.’ He laughed. ‘Go on then.’ She smiled and finished the last of her omelette.
‘I’ll just shower and get ready to go.’
‘Care to share?’ He smirked, resting a hand on her knee.
‘Not with your mom in, no.’ She laughed, pushing his hand off her so she could get out of bed.
‘I’ll get you a towel.’
‘Give me my bra.’ Olivia laughed, trying to reach for it and keep the towel wrapped around her at the same time. Damien laughed, lifting it even higher, out of her reach. ‘I need to get going.’
‘How the tables have turned.’ He grinned, wrapping an arm around her waist and pulling her body to his. ‘What’s the hurry?’
‘I have things to do! I barely get any time to do anything because I’m either with you or working.’
‘At least one of those things is enjoyable.’ He smirked, leaning down to his her neck.
‘You’re right, I do quite like work.’ She smiled smugly.
‘Now you’re definitely not getting this back.’ He laughed, moving to kiss her lips instead. Her hands moved to the buttons on his shorts and he moved his other hand, the one holding her bra, to the back of her head, deepening the kiss. Suddenly, she pushed him away and grabbed the bra, now in her reach.
‘Thank you.’ She grinned and it took him a moment to realise he’d been tricked.
‘Hey, that’s cheating! Get here!’
Amanda was walking to her room when she heard them both laughing from Damien’s bedroom. She smiled to herself, remembering what it was like to be young and in love. She’d loved Damien’s father unconditionally, he was always a caring, good man, the perfect father. As soon as he found out about her illness however, he left them both without much of an explanation. Both of them had been devastated, especially Damien, but seeing him happy again reminded her that his father had not always been so cold and the memories made her smile. Olivia and Damien emerged from his room after a moment, smiles on both their faces.
‘I’ll see you soon, Amanda.’ Olivia pulled her in for a hug and kissed her cheek goodbye.
‘Maybe we could do something next week?’ She suggested and Olivia nodded.
‘I’d love that.’ She agreed. ‘I’ll see you then.’‘
‘I’m just going to take Liv to her car.’ Damien kissed his mother’s cheek too. ‘Back soon!’
They started talking about work in the car but it wasn’t a long conversation. They were soon back at the restaurant, her car sat in front of them.
‘I guess I’ll see you tomorrow then.’ He leaned over to kiss her.
‘Back to the office.’ She sighed before moving to open the door.
‘Before you go.’ He put a hand on her knee to stop her. ‘I really want to thank you for making my mother so happy. She really loves you.’
‘I’m glad she had fun.’ Olivia smiled. She opened her mouth again, as if to say something, and her phone started ringing. ‘Sorry, I’ll be quick. Hey, Becca.’
She was only on the phone for a moment, Becca did most of the talking and little of what he heard made much sense. When she put the phone down, she sighed.
‘Everything okay?’ He asked.
‘Girlfriend issues.’ She shrugged. ‘I’ll go see her after I get everything done.’
‘Get going then.’ He smiled, pretending to shoo her away.
‘See you tomorrow.’
‘Love you.’ The words slipped out his mouth before he knew he was going to say them. His cheeks turned bright red. He meant it, of course he did, but he’d thought the first time he said it would be in a more romantic area than the parking lot of a restaurant. Olivia leaned over and kissed him again.
‘I love you too.’ She smiled, pulling back to look at him.
‘Really?’
‘Of course I do.’ She grinned. ‘You’re too
much of a goofball not to love.’
‘Well, I’m going to take that as a compliment.’ He smiled.
‘Now I really have to go.’
‘Third time’s the charm.’ He agreed.
Chapter Six
Two months later, everything seemed to be perfect. Olivia, Damien and his mother went to dinner every weekend and he still got butterflies in his stomach whenever Olivia said she loved him. Olivia started to spend a lot of time with Amanda, she’d go and keep her company if Damien had to stayed late, especially since the Captain had started to deliberately assign them different cases. He knew they were good detectives, but he didn’t like to put couples together in the field. He went as far as putting Damien undercover in the next city over, a three week operation to find a dirty cop in the local precinct. He liked the job, field work was always interesting to him, but three weeks of no contact with people he knew frustrated him. When the case came to a successful close, he reported his findings to the commissioner and made his way back to the office to collect his things and see Olivia, then his mother. He was excited to see them both, happy to go back to where he was comfortable.
When he finally arrived, the office was quiet, much quieter than usual. Becca was sat with Olivia, her arm around her. As he got closer, he realised she was crying quietly and Becca was comforting her.
‘Liv?’ He crossed the room quickly and crouched next to the pair. Becca didn’t meet his eyes.
‘Damien.’ Olivia whispered, looking up to see his face. She wiped away some tears from her face, her eyes red, but started crying again right away.
‘Liv, what’s wrong?’ He asked,
‘It’s your mom, Dame.’ Becca explained quietly and dread filled his body, panic setting it.
‘I’m so sorry.’ Olivia sobbed through her tears and he gulped, a lump at the back of his throat threatened to overwhelm him.
‘What happened?’ He pushed, his voice cracking.
‘She was fine, she went to sleep and I woke up the next morning and… and she was gone.’ She explained, her chest heaving up and down with ragged breaths, she was becoming hysteric. ‘I wanted to call you but they wouldn’t let me.’ His heart was shattering.