Don't Close Your Eyes

by Hilary Storm

  He eases the tension on the drive to the restaurant by bringing up topics of conversation that are easy to navigate. We don't have any problems talking through dinner and I bite my tongue when he orders my meal for me. If he hadn't already asked me what I was getting, I would have walked away from the table. How can he be so domineering but sincere at the same time? His personality still has me on edge waiting to see what'll come next. Maybe this is why I'm enjoying myself so much. I like the surprise factor and I'm out of my element just being on a date.

  I limit myself to two glasses of wine and let him lead in the conversation. I really enjoy hearing about his family; it sounds like they are very close. This is intriguing to me since I don't have any family left. I decide to share a few details of my life with him. Telling him about James is difficult, but I make it through it. He really eases me through my conversation about James by asking questions that bring up happy memories of our lives. I even go into the events following his death and what led up to me being an author. He genuinely seems interested in my stories.

  It's so easy to talk to him and I notice myself realizing that I've been missing this. Someone who cares how my day is going and what has happened in my life to make me who I am today. This is him showing the sincere side of himself again.

  We talk for hours and I lose track of time, forgetting that I was supposed to call Michael to check in. I pull out my phone and find that he's been trying to reach me.

  Olivia: I'm sorry. Out on a date, I'll call you in the am.

  I know this isn't going to appease him the second I hit the ‘send’ button. Maybe I should’ve thrown in something random to keep him from worrying about me.

  Michael: Okay. I need his name, now. You can't go on a date and not tell me.

  Olivia: Michael, I'm okay. I'll call you when I get home.

  Michael: I'll put a damn tracker on your phone if you pull this shit again.

  Olivia: I'll call you later.

  That conversation is far from being over and I'll need to prepare for him to be 'checking in’ on me even more. Liam looks at me with a questioning look and I know it's rude to be on the phone during a date.

  "Sorry. That was Michael checking on me. He was James's partner on the force when he died and he’s been watching out for me since I lost James."

  "So Michael is pissed you're on a date?"

  "No, it's more the fact that I didn't tell him about it and that I won't tell him your name. I know the minute I do, he'll be running a background check on you." Liam's face looks slightly shocked, but he seems to accept it pretty quickly because he continues our conversation right where we left off.

  "I should probably get you home, now." I'm slightly disappointed this is how the date is going to end, but I appreciate the step back from how things went in New York. The drive home is a little quiet but he manages to make me laugh a few times. He parks in my driveway and I struggle with the idea of inviting him in. I decide there’s no way I'm ready for that. This is James's house.

  I reach for the handle and feel his hand touch my other arm. "Livi, I really enjoyed our date."

  "Me, too."

  "I want to call you sometime."

  "I'd like that." I move again for the handle to open the door and hear him getting out of his side. The engine is still running, so I'm going to assume he's just walking me to the door. We reach the door and he waits for me to unlock the door before he moves in for a kiss. This time when he kisses me, I feel beautiful and respected. It’s a soft kiss, not demanding and passionate like what we shared in New York. He pulls away and makes sure that I lock the door before he leaves. I watch out the peephole while he drives away, leaving me wanting him now more than ever.

  I pick up my phone again to call Michael only to see he's left countless messages asking me to check in.

  "Hello. You have got to chill."

  "Olivia, I see the crazy fuckers everyday. You need to at least check in if you're going on a date with someone." I really can't disagree with him about the ‘crazy fuckers’ and figure the best way to calm him is to agree.

  "Okay. I promise IF I go on any other dates, I'll let you know."

  "Are you going to tell me his name?"

  "No, because you'll just investigate him and put him through the ringer."

  "You’re damn right I will!"

  "Michael, just calm down. If I go on any more dates, I'll let you know and I'll even tell you his name then. There probably won't be another date anyway."

  "Why, was he an ass to you?"

  "No, he was a perfect gentleman. I just don't know if I'm ready."

  "Okay. I can accept that. You have to be careful!"

  "I will. I promise."

  "James loved you, Olivia."

  "I know he did. I'll call you tomorrow."

  My brain begins to run on overtime as it replays the night. After analyzing and reanalyzing everything, I'm left feeling like there really is a connection with Liam and I need to decide if I can handle that. Luckily, this realization relaxes me a bit and I fall right to sleep.

  Chapter Nine

  I wake in the morning to the sound of my phone ringing. Liam has never called me, so I find it weird to see his name displayed across my screen.

  "Hello."

  "Good morning. Are you dressed?"

  "Uh... Not exactly. Why?"

  "Get dressed. I'm on my way to pick you up now."

  "Where are we going?"

  "I'm taking you out for the day. You'd better get a move on, because I'm almost there."

  "I need to shower, so you'll have to wait on me."

  "Call when you're ready."

  I move quickly to get showered, shaved and dressed. I throw on makeup again, which isn't my usual routine, but required if I go out in public. Picking up the phone to dial him, I hear someone at the door.

  I swing the door open to find Liam standing there in jeans and a t-shirt and I quickly decide this is my favorite look on him. I get to see the tattoos and muscles on his arms this way.

  "Hey there!"

  "Hi. I'm ready. Do I need anything in particular?"

  "No. Just yourself."

  I'm not surprised when he helps me in again and the ease of the ride is nice.

  "So, where are we going?"

  "Family barbeque."

  "You're taking me to meet your family?"

  "Yeah."

  "Turn around right now. Why would you do this without asking?"

  "Calm down. It's not like you're thinking. There'll be hundreds of people and it’s not like I'm taking you home to meet the parents." I'm more than a little panicked. This never crossed my mind as something he'd consider.

  "I'm not sure about this."

  "Too late now. I told Mom you'd be there."

  "Great, Liam. How exactly did you announce that you'd be bringing your fuck buddy to the family function?" With my words, he pulls over onto the shoulder of the road and puts it in park.

  "Do you really think you're just a fuck buddy to me?"

  "I don't know what to think. You can't take me home to meet your family. I don't do large groups. I haven't been around any people in almost a year, with the exception of New York, and you're about to take me into a group of hundreds? What do you expect from me?"

  "It's just an annual event they have to raise money for the schools. I didn't mean to upset you. We don't have to go." I feel like a bitch in hysterics right now. Is this something I can do? I take a deep breath and try to compose myself.

  "It's okay. We can go somewhere else. You just tell me where you want to go and we’ll go right now. I didn’t mean to upset you."

  "No, let's go, but keep in mind it might be something I need to work through." I should be honored to meet his family, from what he described last night they are outstanding people. I know they are all very special to him.

  "I'll never leave your side."

  He pulls back onto the road and we continue until he turns into a long driveway with cars littered ever
ywhere. I know this is going to be a challenge the second I see all of the people.

  "They do this every year?"

  "Yeah. Mom and Dad are very big supporters of the school districts." I'm pretty sure I'm going to like his family. It's been a long time since I've been involved in the community and it's something I used to enjoy.

  As we’re walking up to the group, a younger version of Liam meets us. When I say younger version, I mean that you can tell these two are family and there is no mistaking them as brothers.

  "Livi, meet my little brother, Mason." He extends his hand to shake mine and I watch his eyes focus on my cleavage.

  "Very nice to meet you!" The staring is a little awkward so I turn and lean into Liam.

  "Mason, you’d better back off real quick."

  "I'm sorry. I don't mean anything by it; consider it a compliment that I appreciate the view. Not many women catch my attention like you just did." I feel like a scared kitty cat hiding against Liam's side, but this is helping.

  "Please accept my apologies." I watch his face for sincerity and when I see it, I begin to ease up a bit. Another guy walks up and I wait for the introduction.

  "Jace, this is Livi. Livi, this is my older brother, Jace." I begin to imagine exactly how this day will go. I'll be meeting very hot men that are all related to Liam by the looks of things. I know there are at least three more, but who knows if there'll be other family members with these genes.

  "Nice to meet you, Livi."

  "Thank you, same to you."

  "Mom wanted to see you when you got here." Jace seems very laid back by the way he carries himself. I let Liam lead me through the crowd and into the house. The instant we hit the kitchen, I can tell who is in charge. I watch him as he goes to greet her with a hug and she stops everything to pull him in. It's as if the realization hits her that I should be here because she begins to search the room. Her eyes land on me and she moves from him straight over to me.

  "Welcome, Livi! Liam has told me all about you." The surprise on my face must be obvious because she begins to speak to me as she walks back to work in the kitchen. "Liam seems very fond of you, my dear, so I know you'll fit in just fine today. Please make yourself at home."

  I debate whether to follow Liam out into the backyard or move to help her. She’s very busy and looks like she could use the help.

  "Mrs. Brooks, how may I help you?" The smile on her face becomes enormous and she directs me to prep the lettuce. I work as fast as I can, but I'm in no way keeping up with her. She has a system and is boss in this kitchen. People come in constantly to take more food out. I can see Liam talking with a group of guys outside the window and kids playing all around them.

  An older man walks in and smiles at me while sneaking up on Liam's mom. He holds his finger over his lips to shush me from warning her. I watch as he slides in behind her, wrapping his arms around her.

  "Bill, you know I'm busy!"

  "I'd like to get busy." My laughter brings their attention to me and I wish I could've held that in.

  "You, my dear, must be Livi. I'm Liam's dad and you can't blame a guy for trying!" He pauses at the counter to greet me and I have a feeling I'm going to like this guy. His fun personality is infectious. It's hard not to feel like you belong in this house when everyone welcomes you like they have.

  The three of us grab the last of the food and go outside with everyone else. Liam is quick to pull me over to meet more family and I enjoy the conversations. Being locked up for nearly a year has really isolated me from companionship and it's in this moment that I realize that.

  We spend the day helping with the event and I suggest we stay to help clean up afterward. His mom seems to really appreciate it and I'm not sure who enjoyed the company more.

  "Livi, you are welcome here any day! You come back even if you're not with Liam. I'll be glad to see you!" She pulls me in for a hug and it feels nice for someone to appreciate me again.

  When we pull out of the driveway, Liam turns down the radio and looks over at me. "Well done. You have my family eating out of your hands."

  "What?"

  "My family loves you!"

  "Your family is nice. You're lucky."

  "I know I am." His voice trails off and he changes the subject.

  "So, where to now?"

  "I guess you can take me to my house."

  "What about my house?" I think about his proposed idea for a few seconds. I really do like Liam and if today is any indication, I need to step out of my cave and try to live again.

  "I'd like that."

  Chapter Ten

  We drive for a while and I turn to watch him. He senses my stare and looks my way.

  "What?"

  "Just wondering where you came from."

  "I came from Denver." I place my hand in his and leave it there until we pull into his garage.

  The decor in his house is modern and I'm surprised at how everything is perfectly in its place. He invites me into the living area and we sit close to each other. His behavior is a little off¸ almost like he needs to get something off his chest. I wait for him to either initiate conversation or what he has planned. We both sit there for several moments before he finally speaks up.

  "Liv, I need to know when we're together that you see me."

  "I don't understand." He hesitates for quite some time before he continues.

  "The last time we were together, I know it was James you were feeling. I want it to be me the next time we're together." Does he know what he's asking?

  "Liam, I can't promise you that I won't think about him. He was my life and I really miss him." I look down at my hands that are folded together in my lap and try to think of the right words to say. My mind doesn't find the right words, because I can't promise to give him what he wants.

  "I know you can't promise anything, but I want you to be ready for it before we go there again. Your tears almost broke me that night."

  "I know that I've enjoyed every moment with you. I know I really like you and want to see where this takes us and I'm not afraid to try with you." I turn to face him and try to express how I'm feeling. "And I can promise you I didn't think about James the first time we were together. You had my full attention."

  "So you like it rough." His directness causes me to shy away from his face and sit back into the couch.

  "I liked it that day. This is all new to me and I don't know what to think."

  "That's why we need to slow things down until you have time to work through your feelings." He pulls me into his side, wraps his arm around me and we spend the entire evening together watching movies and talking. It's the personal time like this that I miss the most.

  I wake to him lifting me in his arms. I let him carry me through the house and into his bed. He lays me in his bed and turns to walk out of the room.

  "Where are you going?"

  "I have to do some work, but I'll be back soon." I lay there and think about everything that's happened in the past week. How exactly one week ago we were in New York and he was spinning my world out of control. Now it seems like everything has settled and I really think I can try this. I can try to live again. He’s a great guy and I love that he's not predictable.

  I move to find the restroom and get a view of the master bedroom he left me in. The furniture is massive and the room still has a ton of space. The bathroom is just off the room and the shower is gorgeous. I pull off my clothes and start the water in the showerhead that's closest. I've never seen a shower this large and I actually feel tiny in the massive space.

  The steam fills the space rather quickly and I let the water travel over my skin. I move my fingers across some of the beads of water that are running down the glass shower door and nearly scream when I see his shadow.

  "Shit. You scared me!" He continues to watch me as I begin to lather soap over my body. He eventually starts to remove his pants and I decide that I'm okay with whatever happens. I really like him and it's good for me to be active in my life.
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  "I didn't mean to scare you. You're just so damn sexy in my shower." He slides into the shower with me and I let my eyes skate over his body. This is the first time I've actually been able to look and enjoy the view. His abs are deeply defined and his arms are bulging muscles, both covered in tattoos. His legs are large and sculpted as well. His body is perfectly proportioned and this makes me want to run my tongue over every ripple of muscle.

  I move into his arms and wrap mine around his waist. He's quite a bit taller than me, so we just fit together easily. He reaches for the soap and begins to lather my skin all over again. His touch on my skin feels good so I let him continue to draw tingles to the surface. Grabbing the soap, I return the favor and enjoy exploring every bit of his body. I don't shy away from washing his erection, adding extra lather and spending a little extra time there. His moan of appreciation and continued growth let me know he's not objecting to my advances. I begin to move even faster with each small thrust of his hips.

  "Shit, Livi." Not slowing down, I move around him so that my chest is against his back. His breathing gets louder and I can't help but place a small bite on his back while placing kisses in every direction. His release comes hard and fierce, hitting the shower wall and running down my hand. I curl my arms under his and lean into his back, just enjoying this moment.

  He turns to face me and I let him wrap me up in his arms. His lips begin to travel and send even more sensation through my skin. I brace myself against the wall while he moves down my body until he's between my legs. He moves my right leg over his shoulder and begins to return the favor. My hips move toward his face when he nibbles just hard enough to bring my orgasm to the surface. The invasion of his fingers sends me over the edge and I struggle to stand on one leg through the entire thing.