“Lizzy you look beautiful.” He said his eyes going up and down my entire body. “These are for you.” Handing me a dozen red and pink roses.
Smiling, “Thank you Ian. You didn’t have to go to so much trouble.” Burying my face into them and smelling them deeply.
“No trouble.”
Stepping aside so he could come in, “I’ll just put these in water.” Making my way to the kitchen, leaning over and searching the cabinets for a vase.
He couldn’t help but feeling like the luckiest guy alive, just when he thought she couldn’t get more beautiful. He thought as he watched her, his body in complete torture as she was bending over. He had been waiting for this day for eight years. He had been dreaming of this girl since his junior year of high school and have always wondered about her ever since.
“Here we go.” I said standing filling a vase with water. “I thought I saw a couple left in the cabinets.” Turning and smiling, “Should I bring a jacket?” I asked wondering how chilly it was supposed to get.
He wanted to say hell no, don’t cover yourself up. “I’m not sure if you’ll need it, it’s pretty warm right now.” He wasn’t sure if it was his temperature rising or if it was the hot and steamy day working on him. “You ready?”
“Yeah, lets go.” Grabbing a small hand bag and my keys he opened the door for me, following out behind me grabbing my keys he then locked the door for me. Placing them in my hand bag, he put his hand on the small of my back helping me down the stairs. Again, could this guy be any more perfect? Do not screw this up Elizabeth. Do not screw this up. I kept chanting to myself as we made our way down the stairs. One of the cooks in the kitchen whistled at us as we were walking towards the back door.
Smiling, “Good night Gale.” I said waving to the nice older woman who had taken me under her wing training me in the kitchen.
“Good night sweetheart. You two look lovely.” She smiled, winking at us.
Walking out of the back, he walked beside me our arms barely touching as we walked through the dimly lit alley way onto the sidewalk of main street. Neither one of us saying a word, I reached down and laced my fingers through his as he glanced over at me surprised. Smiling at me he squeezed my hand tighter as we walked to his truck parked down the street. I couldn’t help but feel like we were on display as some of the customers and waitresses in the diner stared at us as we walked by the window. My only apprehension being that I didn’t want Grant finding out by word of mouth. However, I wasn’t sure I had enough courage to tell him myself. I wasn’t sure if he was going to be angry because he felt like he was losing me from some sort of competition or if he really liked me. One thing I knew for sure, I was completely falling for his brother I thought looking up into Ian’s handsome face. This wasn’t an easy situation no matter how you looked at it.
Grabbing my hand he helped me up into his tall truck and walked around sliding in himself. “So where are we going?” I asked trying to fill the silence.
“Into the city. There is this restaurant that has great food.” He said pulling out, making our way into the city. Filling the silences with fluffy chit chat, well I was filling the silence with fluffy chit chat anyhow. He listened like he always does, looking over at me smiling every once in a while in amusement.
Pulling up into a small Italian restaurant I hadn’t ever remembered seeing it before as he helped me out of his truck and onto the side walk.
“You really look beautiful Lizzy.” He said with a touch of nervousness in his voice.
It was odd because I don’t ever remember either of the Walker brothers ever being nervous about anything. It was cute and made my nerves feel a little more at ease. Walking into the restaurant he gave his name and the gentlemen walked us to a dimly lit table in the back of the restaurant. Ian pulling the chair out for me, ordered us a few drinks as I passed on the alcohol. He just chuckled as he seated himself down across from me.
“How are you feeling Lizzy? Any better?”
“Slight headache but as good as new.”
“Well you could never tell, I don’t think I have seen a more beautiful woman.” He said growing bolder as the night went on.
Making me blush, “Thank you Ian. You look quite nice yourself.” Staring into those brilliant blue eyes. The same blue eyes I used to dream about so many years ago. The same ones I dream about now. “I know you don’t want me saying anything but I want to say thank you for last night. I mean saving me from Craig. I don’t know what I would have done if you hadn’t come along. I don’t know how I keep getting myself into those situations.”
“It’s nothing your doing, guys like him think the world owes them something. They are cowards and have no business being with any sort of woman. Especially someone like you.” He said picking at the salad that had just arrived at our table.
I wanted to launch myself over the table and kiss him immediately. The man had a way of making you feel like the most special person in the world and you could tell he didn’t even realize it. We made small talk the rest of the meal and avoided talk of his brother completely, which I was grateful for.
When we were finished he came over and pulled out my chair like the perfect gentlemen he is and laced his fingers through mine. Looking up at him I still could hardly believe that I was on an actual date with Ian Walker. There were women who would kill to be in my position. Walking into the lobby area where the jackets were held I clumsily dropped my purse, bending down to pick it up he continued to hold my hand so I wouldn’t topple over in my heels. Just as I was about to stand back up I hear more people walking through the door.
“Hey little brother.” I heard a voice say, and I knew it was Grant. Cussing under my breath I stood and turned around and came out from behind Ian’s broad back. The look of shock on Grants face was undeniable. He eyes immediately going down to our hands still connected they went steely cold. I had no idea why because standing next to him was the same tall brunette I seen leaving his apartment that day I came to visit.
“Hey Grant.” Ian said squeezing my hand in comfort.
Shooting his gaze to my eyes, “Hi Lizzy. How have you been?” He asked looking mad as hell.
“Grant.” I said nodding my head. “I’ve been alright.”
“I can see that.” He said turning his face into a smile. It was evident that it was forced but I smiled back at him. I couldn’t help but notice the hussy standing next to him couldn’t seem to remove her eyes from Ian and I could feel my blood start to boil with jealousy.
“Grant.” She nudged, “You have never introduced me to your brother.” She said batting her eyes sexily as Ian gazed upon me instead. I knew he was looking to me for any sort of reaction to his brother.
“Tasha, this is my brother Ian. I think you have met Lizzy.” He said still staring in my direction.
She ignored me completely and extended her arm out to Ian bending over a bit to try to give him a close view of her rack. I never wanted to claw someones eyes out so badly in my life. Instead of taking her hand, he unlaced mine and brought his arm around my waist securely bringing me further into his side.
“Nice to meet you Tasha. We really need to get going however. You ready Lizzy?” He said pulling me closer, Grants eyes blazing with fury. Tasha’s eyes looking just as furious. I was willing to bet she didn’t get ignored by any guy to often.
“I’m ready. Bye Grant.” I said looking away as Ian said his goodbyes. Walking out I didn’t breath again until we hit the steps.
“I’m so sorry Lizzy. If I had known he was going to be here, I would have picked some where else.” He said unlatching his arm from my side and turning to look down upon me. The worry evident in his eyes.
“You couldn’t have known. Besides, it’s been over with Grant for years.” I said smiling up into his face.
“I think maybe someone should let him know that.” He said glancing through the double glass doors into the parlor where Grant stood with his date at the desk.
Turning his hea
d back to mine I could tell that he was shutting down on me. The worry written all over his face that I was more interested in his brother than him. Placing both hands on each side of his face, I leaned up and kissed him gently on the lips. “This is where I want to be. This night has been perfect.” I said looking at the shock in his face. Wrapping both arms around me, securing them at the bottom of my back he flashed a smile that would make any woman melt and leaned down for another.
He didn’t want to look back through those glass doors but he couldn’t help it. He knew he was being a hypocrite since he to was out on a date to. Just the same the jealousy that was searing through his veins made it that much worse watching his brother kissing Lizzy. He turned away from the scene wishing he could trade his little brother places. Normally he would be happy for Ian. This time however, was different and he wasn’t ready to throw in the towel quite yet.
I have never had such difficulty pulling away from a mans kiss before. Not until Ian. Looking up at him his demeanor had changed back to his usual self.
“So you said this night has been perfect but it’s not over yet.” Winking at me as he led me back to his truck.
“Really? Where to now?” My curiosity peaked.
“You’ll see. It’s a surprise.”
Driving back into town he continued straight through and headed out onto the old familiar country road. My heart starting to pitter patter wildly in my chest I didn’t say anything until we pulled into the driveway to his farm house. “So what are we doing?” My fingers fidgeting nervously with the strap of my purse.
“You’ll see.”
Throwing the shifter in park he hopped out and came around to help me out of the truck. Going into the house, my eyes scanned the familiar room that I hadn’t seen for a couple weeks. Walking straight through, he grabbed my hand leading me out onto the back deck. Stepping through the sliding glass doors my eyes went up to the romantic sight that unfolded in front of me. Hundreds of twinkling lights strung up across the railings. Dozens of candles placed all over the glass table that was set off to the side. On the glass table were two flutes of champagne and some more roses in the middle. Strung up on the side was a hammock with a fluffy pillow on the top of it. My mouth agape, “How did you do this?”
“I set it up but I had Ben light the candles before he left to the bars for the night. I know you said you don’t want any alcohol so I can go back in and get something else for you.” He said turning to go back inside.”
“No. It’s perfect.” Grabbing his arm before he could leave. “Everything is so beautiful. I can’t believe you went to all this trouble just for me.”
“I wouldn’t go to all this trouble for anyone else.” Grabbing my hand and helping me into the chair.
“I just don’t even know what to say right now. I’ve never had anyone do anything like this for me.” Looking around at all the twinkling lights, the night sky lit up with the stars shining bright. It was the most romantic moment of my life and I owed it all to the incredibly sexy man sitting across from me. Was my luck finally changing? Dare I attempt to give my heart to this man? To love again and not be afraid that he’s going to turn against me. The fear was trickling up my spine and was almost crippling now. Everything was getting really serious and I no longer had the alcohol in my system to numb the fear and pain of the past.
Staring across the table at each other we drank the champagne, limiting myself to only one and made small talk. I asked him a lot of questions about the farm and the animals and his daily routine. The two topics we avoided entirely was his brother and what “almost” happened last night. When I started to yawn, he walked around the table and grabbed my hand walking me over to the hammock. Laying down first he steadied it while I slipped off my heels and crawled on next to him. The hammock forcing us close, half my body laid on his. Placing my head on his shoulder he ran his fingers through my hair as we gazed up at the stars. At this point, I knew my heart was in serious danger.
Kissing the top of my head, “I know you’re not ready for anything Lizzy but I like you. You are on my mind often and I hope we can do this again at some point.” He said unsure of himself, hoping nothing he was saying or doing was scaring her away in the other direction. Or worse yet, in his brothers arms.
“I hope we can to Ian.” Looking up into those blue eyes that continue to make me melt. My body starting to shake from the cold he carefully got up to get some blankets and wouldn’t take no for an answer. I was cold, but I was also scared. This was the proverbial fork in the road moment. Do I acknowledge and reciprocate his feelings? Or do I just try to play it cool and take my time? The last thing I wanted to do was push him away or make him think I wasn’t interested. Why couldn’t I be the carefree Lizzy for one night? Just go where my heart takes me. Because you did that one other time and you got saddled with a crazy husband. Was my mind ever going to quit arguing with my heart? Ian came back outside with a mound of blankets and I laughed as he carried them over. “I’m not sure I’m that cold.” I said giggling at him.
“I wasn’t taking any chances.” Walking over and carefully laying back down next to me, placing a blanket over top of our bodies and throwing the rest on the deck floor beside him. He was completely adorable, this strong, tall, unbelievably smoking hot man carrying out a mound full of blankets.
His cell phone ringing he started to dig it out of his pocket, “I’m sorry, I forgot to turn it down.”
“You know what happened last time it went off around me.” I said looking up at him with a flicker of amusement in my eyes.
Laughing, “How could I forget?” Bringing the phone up to look at it, I went to grab it and he tugged it away playfully. “Oh no ya don’t. You throw it into the pasture, I may never find it.” Starting to tickle me in return to keep me from grabbing it again. His phone had stopped ringing at that point but our tug of war hadn’t and before I knew what happened we were off the hammock and I was laying shocked on top of him. Roaring with laughter, he squeezed me tightly his phone still in hand, he had won the tug of war. Luckily, the blankets had broken his fall however, my little body landing on top of his massive one didn’t even seem to knock the wind out of him. I couldn’t help it when my lips came down on his, it was like my body was going to do what it wanted and I was helpless to do anything about it. If he was shocked he did well to hide it as his hands were up in my hair immediately, deepening the kiss his tongue dipping inside of my mouth immediately. The next few minutes were a blur and my brain must have decided to take a vacation because when I came back down to reality I had Ian’s shirt shed off and was kissing his chest.
His phone ringing again was the only thing that disconnected my lips from his body. Looking up at him this time he chucked it off the side of the deck. His hands reaching down for my face he brought me back up to his lips the desire evident in his eyes, this man was no longer joking. His hand slipped down my sides yanking my dress up to my waist and then up over my head. His fingers worked on my bra and it was off in seconds, my soft chest firmly pressed against his solid mass of muscles. Inching my way down his body I slowly unfastened his belt then worked on unbuttoning his pants. He made short order of kicking of his dress shoes and his pants were soon after off. He now was in just as a vulnerable position as I was. I don’t quite remember when both of us lost our underwear but I do know when he sat up and put me into a straddling position. At that moment I knew he was just as turned on as I was. His lips craving more of mine I pulled away briefly to gaze into his stunning blue eyes, “Please don’t hurt me. I can’t take any more hurt.” I pleaded as he pulled me in tighter, my legs wrapping around his muscular back.
“I would never hurt you Lizzy. Never.” His eyes never leaving mine as he spoke the words I had to hear.
“Promise me.” I knew a man making a promise to me rarely worked out in my advantage but I was hoping beyond hope that he was different. Praying that he was different.
“I promise.” He whispered his oath as we sealed it with an
other kiss. It was a chilly night but the heat of our bodies was causing us to sweat as we slipped across each other. When he finally forced himself inside of me the truth of the matter dawned upon me in the rush of the moment. I never loved Craig at all. I may have thought I did, but it wasn’t real. This was real. This man holding me tenderly as he brought me to heights that I have never been before is what is real. I wanted to scream out to him that I loved him but instead held back, afraid of ruining this perfect moment in time. The moments slipped by us and I savored each one as he held me close while he made love to me. Flipping me over onto the blankets he was careful not to crush me with his over six foot stature as he slowed his pace and looked down on me. His hair falling forward into his eyes, the sweat was slowly trickling a path down his tanned chest onto his abs. When that moment of pure bliss finally hit us both I didn’t want it to end. I wanted this moment forever locked in time.
I’m not sure when I fell completely in love with this man but I was sure in this moment that I loved him more than I have ever loved anyone. The thought sending a shooting pain through my heart of fear. I wanted to remain naked and wrapped up in his arms, but I also wanted to run in utter complete terror of these new crippling feelings. When his head pulled up from my shoulder he kissed me gently on the lips before he fell down beside me, flipping me over on top of him. Grabbing a blanket he threw it over the top of my now shaking body. He had no idea that I was shaking from the fear of the situation instead of the chilly night.
On Steady Ground (The Walker Brother's Series) Page 11