Save Me From Myself (Nashville Nights)

by Stacey Mosteller

  He leads me over to sit at the bar, and then goes to the fridge. Pulling it open, he looks back at me sheepishly. “I probably should have asked you last night if there was anything you wouldn’t eat, or if there was anything you were allergic to. But, since I forgot, I picked up a few different choices.” He stops, and realizing that he wants answers to questions he didn’t actually ask, I respond, “I’m pretty easy, and no allergies.” His grin turns lecherous, and I clue in to the fact that I said I’m easy. “Uh, I meant, I’m easy to feed.” His grin widens, and I give up, putting my flaming face in my hands.

  David chuckles, and after a few seconds, I feel his body behind me, and his arms come around to pull mine down. Turning the bar stool, he stands in front of me, seeming even taller than normal since I’m sitting. He tips my head up, and lowers his mouth to mine.

  He kisses me gently, not demanding anything, and my fingers clench in his shirt. When I pull him closer to me, he groans, running his tongue along the seam of my lips. When my mouth opens, he pushes his tongue inside to duel with mine. Moaning softly, I let him explore my mouth, enjoying the taste of him. He tastes faintly of cinnamon, and something that is all him. His arms feel like steel bands around me, and he crushes me against him as the kiss goes deeper.

  We kiss for what seems like an eternity, and he finally pulls away slightly, resting his forehead against mine, his breathing heavy. “This was not my intention,” he breathes. He pulls back further, and plants a kiss on the tip of my nose. The room is spinning, his effect on me is that strong! When he gets back to the fridge, he tells me I can choose between steak, chicken, and salmon for dinner. A guy that can cook, not that’s rare!

  Grinning, I tell him, “Impress me with your Salmon skills chef!” and he shakes his head, taking out what he needs to cook for me. This is definitely new. Matt’s idea of being the one to “make” dinner was to stop and get take out on his way home. David, however, moves around the kitchen confidently, cutting and mixing ingredients, and soon the room is filled with amazing scents. Disappearing into a room off the kitchen, he returns with a bottle of white wine. I raise my eyebrow, and when he sees me, he shrugs and says, “Wine room,” like it’s completely normal.

  Before I can say anything in response, I hear someone running down the stairs off the kitchen. SarahBeth bounces into the kitchen and grabs an olive out of the bowl on the counter.

  “Where are you going tonight?” David asks her as she walks past him.

  She shrugs, “I’m going to go see what Jer’s doing. If he’s busy, I guess I’ll hit up Liv.”

  “I think he’s in the pool house.” David raises his eyebrow at her, “But, if you wind up with Olivia, try not to get into too much trouble, okay?”

  SarahBeth rolls her eyes, “Whatever big bro. You know I’ll behave.”

  “Yeah, but your definition of behaving and mine are vastly different,” David scowls.

  She laughs and turns to leave. Opening the door, she looks over her shoulder and says, “Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do!” before closing the door with a smirk.

  I cough to cover my laugh when I see David’s pained expression. He turns to me and frowns, “What?”

  “Nothing! It’s just, it’s funny to watch you guys. You treat her more like a daughter than…” I trail off, realizing that is probably exactly how he feels.

  ***

  I am the expert at sticking my foot in my mouth, but he just waves off my apology and continues to cook dinner. Bringing our plates and the bottle of wine over to the bar, he sits next to me. While we eat, he asks me questions about my family, and I tell him about Aria and how close we are, about my younger sister Kaitlin who’s eighteen, my two much older step-brothers, Philip and Edward, and my brother Andrew. When his eyes widen at the amount of siblings I have, I explain that Kaitlin and Andrew are both half-siblings, Kaitlin is my mom and step-father’s, and Andrew is my dad and step-mom’s. I avoid talking about my parents as much as possible. That’s not a light-hearted conversation, and I feel like bitching about my parents when his are dead is ungrateful.

  The food is amazing, and he tells me that his mother taught both him and SB how to cook. It obviously came in handy when he was suddenly the guardian of a teenage girl, and I’m not complaining about reaping the benefits either! When we finish eating, I help load the dishwasher while he takes our wine glasses into the den.

  David lets me decide which movie we’re watching. Picking a comedy from the options he gives me, I sit next to him on the couch and he puts his arm around me pulling me close.

  Forty-five minutes later, I can’t tell you anything that’s happened in the movie. All I can think about is David. His hard body pressed against mine, his amazing scent, and the movement of his fingers on my side. We’ve been gradually moving closer together, so now, my feet are curled up on the couch with my head is resting on his chest as he leans against the arm. He’s making those damn little circles on the bare skin between the hem of my shirt and the waistband of my pants.

  He must have noticed my racing heart because his hand stops moving and grips my waist. I lift my head to look at him. His golden eyes look like dark pools of molten lava. He sits up, forcing me up onto my knees. Gripping the back of my neck, he pulls my face close to his. Slanting his lips over mine, his tongue enters my mouth when I gasp at the falling sensation, placing my hands on his chest. When they make contact, he groans and yanks me into his lap. Suddenly, I’m straddling him, and his hands are gripping my waist. My breasts are pushed up against his chest as we both breathing hard.

  He releases my mouth, and starts dropping kisses along my jaw, moving down to my neck. There, he places biting kisses down to the space where my neck meets my shoulder and he sucks gently. My hands are now at his shoulders, my nails digging in. He’s running his hands up and down my sides, and I sink down fully on top of him. When my core meets his groin, his hands stop and tighten on my waist as he lets out a groan.

  I can feel him, hard and ready beneath me. At that moment what feels like ice water runs through my veins. I haven’t been intimate with anyone since I lost the baby, and I’m not sure I’m ready for that. He must have felt me stiffen, because he pulls away and looks at me questioningly.

  “What’s wrong?” he asks. I don’t want to answer so I look away. He won’t let me get away with that though, so he grips my chin, forcing me to look back him. “What’s wrong Lyric? Where’d you go just now?”

  “Nowhere, I -“

  He cuts me off, “Don’t lie to me.” When I still say nothing, he sighs. “I’m not going to force you into anything, I just want you to talk to me. I didn’t bring you here to get in your pants. I just want to spend time with you. When I’m around you, I can’t help wanting to touch you.” He looks down at his lap, “Obviously.” He says wryly.

  “So, you won’t be mad if I say I’m not ready for that?” I ask, wanting to make sure. I don’t want him to be upset with me.

  “No darlin', we’re taking this at your pace. Don’t worry about me, I’ll just get very well acquainted with cold showers.” He grins to let me know he’s teasing, and I visibly relax. “Hey,” he says, “seriously, we aren’t going to do anything you’re not completely on board with, okay?”

  I nod, and he pulls me closer to him. Resting my head on his shoulder, I sigh when he puts his arms around me and just holds me. In his arms, I feel safe. Safer than I’ve ever felt with anyone else. We sit there like that for awhile. David holds me, kissing my head every so often while the movie that neither of us have been watching plays the credits in the background.

  When the television screen goes black and there’s total silence, I realize we’ve been sitting here for over an hour. I’m perfectly content to stay wrapped in David’s arms, but, it’s getting late, and I need to get home. David walks me back out to my car, and kisses me gently before closing my door. “Let me know when you get home so I know you’re safe,” he reminds me.

  When I get back to the apartment, Ann
a’s nowhere to be found, but there’s a note on the counter saying that she went out with Brandi, Terra and Ben. She ends the note with “if you even come home tonight to get this” with a winky face. Rolling my eyes, I pull my phone out of my back pocket and send David a text.

  I’m home. Safe.

  Good thing darlin'. Thanks for coming over. I hope you had a good time ;)

  A good time? I don’t know how it could have been better. Well, actually, I do, but I’m not ready for that yet.

  I had a fantastic time :)

  I’m glad. See you soon Lyric.

  Night David

  Sweet dreams darlin'

  When I fall into bed that night, I dream of David. I dream of what could have happened, if I hadn’t freaked out.

  I wake up the next morning to Anna sitting on the side of my bed. Stretching, I look at her quizzically, and she asks, “Well, how was dinner? Since you’re here and not there, I’m assuming there was no sexy time?” I blush, and she gasps, “Oh. My. God! There was sexy time? How was it? Is he hung like a horse?” If I let her, the questions will never end.

  Holding up a hand to stop her, I reply, “No, there wasn’t that kind of ‘sexy time’ Anna. Jeez. Just a little kissing and petting action.” She deflates, obviously she was hoping for more lascivious details, but I just don’t have any. I can’t keep the grin off my face though remembering the things he said and the way he kissed me. “However, from the time I spent in his lap, I can say with confidence that he’s definitely well ‘hung’!” I tell her, because I just can’t resist winding her up.

  “Ooh! Lyric and David bumping and grinding,” she teases in a sing-song voice which makes me laugh. When I throw one of my pillows at her, she ducks, and throws it back at me inciting a giggling pillow fight. We collapse on the bed laughing.

  Several seconds later she says seriously, “I’m happy for you Lyr, he’s definitely having a positive effect on you. I haven’t seen you this happy in over a year.”

  Her words instantly sober me up. She’s right though, I haven’t felt this free in a long time. It’s not all because of David, but just being around him helps. He makes me feel wanted, and normal. He’s not connected to what happened in any way, and that’s exactly what I need. Someone who doesn’t know the details. Someone I can just be me with. When I tell Anna this though, she reminds me that I’ll have to tell him eventually if we’re going to have ‘that kind’ of relationship. She’s right, but I just don’t want to think about that now.

  Anna leaves my room to let me shower and dress. I walk out into the living room andI check my phone for any new messages and see one from earlier this morning, from David.

  Good morning darlin'. Hope you slept well.

  Grinning, I know exactly how I’m going to reply

  Actually I didn’t. I was feeling very frustrated!

  I don’t have to wait long for his reply

  So was I. I just couldn’t get the image of this gorgeous redhead straddling me out of my head. Made for some very interesting dreams ;)

  Oh wow. I am way out of my league with this guy!

  *Fans self* Well, I had some pretty interesting dreams myself about this guy with a hot body.

  What has gotten into me?

  Darlin', I’ll let you objectify my body anytime! ;) I have to say though, I wish you were this open in person. Maybe I’ll make you sit across the room and text me next time

  Next time? So he does want to see me again? I feel giddy.

  *Pouts* What if I don’t want to sit across the room? I was pretty comfortable where I was last night.

  Are you sure this is Lyric?

  Snorting, I reply with

  Last time I checked, this was me!

  Good to know you’ve checked. So, when can I see you again?

  When are you free? Anna wants to go shopping today - again *sigh*

  Hmm, I’m scheduled at the bar tonight, tomorrow and Tuesday. What’s your schedule like Wednesday?

  I could probably be persuaded to clear my night.

  Alright, it’s a date then :) Make sure you dress up. And make sure you bring a coat!

  You already know what we’re going to do?

  I have a few ideas. Now, no more questions! I gotta get to Drench.

  So not fair! Now I have something new to obsess over

  Bye David. Have a good day :)

  Later darlin'

  ***

  After breakfast, Anna and I head to the mall. That girl lives for shopping! We’ve just spent an hour in the H&M store so that Anna can get more clothes to add to the never-ending pile on her bed. I’m pretty sure she’s run out of closet space. I keep waiting for her clothes to show up in my closet one of these days. When we leave the store, I see a pink and blonde head that is quickly becoming familiar heading our way.

  SarahBeth is walking with a dark-haired girl talking animatedly and when she spots us she smiles widely, “Hey Lyric!”

  I can’t help but smile back, “Hey SarahBeth.” Looking at the bags they are carrying, I ask, “Shoe shopping?”

  She nods, “Yep. It’s an addiction. I love heels!” Looking over at her friend, she says, “This is my friend Olivia.” Ahh, this would be the Olivia from the night before. The one David seems to think is a troublemaker. Based on the look in her eyes, which is similar to one I see often in Anna’s, I have to agree. “Olivia, this is Lyric. She’s Dave’s new…?” SarahBeth trails off, obviously not knowing what to call me.

  I’m not sure what to classify myself as either, so I just hold out a hand and say, “Friend. I’m a new friend of David’s.” I smile at her, and she shakes my hand.

  “Friend, uh-huh.” She winks at me, which causes my face to heat. Evidently, she’s already decided what I am to David, and nothing I say is going to change that.

  Anna doesn’t wait for me to introduce her, she steps forward and holds her hand out to first SarahBeth, then Olivia, giving her name and smiling, obviously trying to diffuse the sudden tension. She asks the girls where they are heading next, and we walk with them to their next stop. Anna keeps trying to get me to try on jeans, because the fifty pairs I already have aren’t enough, and tells me which ones make my butt look the most “bitable” making me blush multiple shades of red.

  Hanging out with SarahBeth and Olivia, I realize that the four of us actually have quite a bit in common. We are all avid readers, and share many of the same favorite authors; along with music and movies. Then, we move on to talk about their majors in college, and SarahBeth tells us she is going for graphic design, while Olivia is going for Interior Design. Apparently, both of their mothers were interior designers, and were business partners. Olivia wants to go into business with her mother now that she’s the sole owner of the company, and loves to shop for decorating supplies.

  After a full day of shopping, and making new friends, Anna and I say goodbye and head home. As we walk through the apartment door, I pull my phone from my pocket and notice multiple calls and texts from Matt. Not a good way to end a great day. Deciding that avoidance is the best policy, I text David to tell him goodnight, and get in bed.

  ***

  The next morning, Anna and I get to work a little early, and I sit down to start writing my Twisted Destiny review from Friday’s show. When I pull up my email, there’s an email from Matt to go along with the calls and texts from yesterday. Sighing, I minimize the window and get to work. I know I’m going to have to deal with him eventually, but I don’t want to ruin the good mood I’m in right now. Talking to Matt is sure to bring me down, and will just remind me of how people can turn out to be completely different from what you thought.

  By the end of the day, I’ve had to shut my phone off to avoid texts and calls from Matt, ready to change my number. Noticing that there’s also a missed call from my mother, I’m certain he called her to complain about me not answering his calls, texts or emails. I’d forgotten how much he treated me like a child when we were together. Anytime we would get into an argument, h
e’d call my mom whenever I refused to go along with what he wanted.

  After we eat dinner, I go into my bedroom to make the call I’ve been dreading all day. After barely one ring, Matt answers, “Hello Lyric.”

  “What do you want Matt?” I can’t imagine what we have to say to each other. Surely we’ve said everything we could possibly ever need to say.

  After a minute or so, he starts to talk, “Why didn’t you tell me you were moving?”

  “Why, so you could try to stop me? So you could tell me what a bad idea it was? How I should stay and fix things with you? I needed a change Matt.”

  I don’t know why this is such a shock to him. I told him I wanted him to leave me alone and give me space, but he refused. The only option left was to take myself out of the equation.

  Matt sighs, “You should have at least given me a chance to change your mind sweetheart.” Him calling me ‘sweetheart’ makes my skin crawl.

  “I’m not your sweetheart anymore, Matt.” What does he want?

  He clears his throat, “Yes, your mother tells me you’re seeing a bartender. If you’re trying to make me jealous, dating beneath you won’t do it.”