“Your house is fine, Liam. I’m okay.”
“If, you’re sure. I don’t mind making other arrangements. We are just talking; we can do that anywhere.”
She rolls her eyes, “Your house is fine, Liam. Don’t treat me like I’m made of glass.”
“Okay, I’ll see you tonight.”
I turn to walk away, “Liam!” She yells, her voice cracks, making it sound like a desperate plea.
Looking back at her, she says, “Aren’t you even going to kiss me?”
I walk back to her and take her face in my hands, “Is that what you want? You want me to kiss you?”
She nods with heat in her eyes.
I lean forward and kiss her cheek, “Not until we talk.” I walk over to my car and get in.
Fuck! I wanted to kiss her so badly it nearly killed me. But I know I need to be very careful. Everything needs to be on her terms. And we must talk. I still don’t understand why she said it was over. I need to know what the hell has been going through her beautiful mind.
* * *
I walk into my home and find Xander, Isabella, and Elle talking at the kitchen table. Max stands off to the corner, scrolling on his phone.
“WELL?” Elle yells when I approach them.
“I love you all. But I need you gone by five.”
Xander raises an eyebrow, “Mercy?”
I nod, “She’s coming over for dinner.”
Elle claps excitedly like a little kid. Sometimes, she really reminds me of Ivy.
I laugh, “We’re just talking.”
Isabella smiles, “Well that’s a start.”
“Let’s go then, let Romeo get ready for tonight,” Xander says.
“Romeo?” I ask.
He slaps my back, “Do you prefer Doc Delicious?”
I groan, “I do not.”
They all leave, and Xander, who I can always count on for kind words, yells, “Don’t fuck this up, asshole.”
I shake my head as they leave.
After my shower, wracked by nerves, I whip up a quick dinner. When have I ever been so nervous about a woman? Never, but I’ve never been madly in love with one, either. Fuck, I want her with every fiber of my being. I do not want to fuck this up.No, it’s not a want, I need her. Every single part of me yearns for her like I might die without her.
Shit! What if I’m completely overthinking things? Maybe she’s just coming to talk about Ivy. But she asked me to kiss her.Fuck. My head is confused like a teenage girl with her first crush.
I plate the dinner and put it on the table with wine.
At exactly six, my doorbell rings. I wipe my sweaty palms on my black jeans as I walk to open the door.
I stand there speechless as I gaze up and down her body, taking in her curves in the tiny, form-fitting baby pink dress she’s wearing. Her tits spill over the top, and I can’t think straight.