My Sweet

LIV

We've been drinking and laughing for a couple of hours.

The barman and I are best friends.

Katie is trying to prove my perfect guy theory wrong.

She fails, miserably, every time.

James and I are comfortable with each other, every now and then our touch linger a little longer than it should.

I really am enjoying myself.

"Come Liv! Let's dance. We haven't danced in ages" Em is pulls me on my arm.

We start to sway and shake, our arms are swinging to the rhythm and we sing out loud. It wasn't long when James and Katie joins us.

A slow song starts to play and James takes me around the waist.

"You mind?"

"Not at all." I smile at him.

"Just want some alone time with you. You enjoying yourself?"

"Yea."

We are swinging along to the song. I snuggle deeper into him..

"s**t Liv."

I look into his eyes. His hand palm my cheek.

Butterflies!?

"I want to kiss you. I don't want to rush this."

I lift my head a inch and put my lips on his.

He froze for a moment. I step closer my one hand on his chest and the other in his hair.

He kisses me back, like it's the last thing he'll ever do.

The kiss didn't last long.

He looks at me..

Shocked, he turns around and leave.

What the hell? Did he just leave? Was it that bad?

I'm shocked, pissed, sad mostly confused.

In my confusion I didn't see her, or smell her….

Someone grabs me by my shoulder. I turn around. A blonde with very long nails start shouting at me.

"YOU f*****g w***e! I TOLD YOU TO LEAVE HIM ALONE! I’ll f*****g KILL YOU!"

That's when the smell hits me and I knew exactly who she is.

"THEN I'LL KILL EVERYONE YOU LOVE!"

She pushes her long, skew, knobby witch finger in my face.

I'm livid, I loose my wits. You don't threaten my loved ones.

I grab her finger and bend her hand over. I twist her arm behind her back. Basic self defense move.

"Look here Missy. You have no idea who you just pissed off."

I hissed in her ear. I was so mad.

"You do not threaten me or my people ever again. I'll hunt you down. Do you hear me?" I make sure she hears me.

She was caught off guard, she's whimpering, because of the pain in her shoulder. She's trying to say something, so I loosen my grip a bit.

"Yes, yes. I hear you..." I let her go.

When I look up, James is staring at me. Disappointed? Angry?

"Jessica? What..."

"Oh James, did you see what this woman did to me? She's vile. Take me home. I miss you so much." She's bawling her eyes out, drama queen style.

I turn around, grab my jacket and leave. I don't need this. I don't want this. The look on his face. He saw me at my worst.

Em is behind me, trying to catch up.

"Shits, Liv are you okay? Must I go kick her big plastic bubble but?"

"I'm fine, just leave me alone for a bit. I need air. Have to clear my head, calm down."

"Okay, I'll see you at the B&B. Be careful.” She hugs me.

I walk up the street.

I walk without a destination. Thinking about nothing but seeing every bit of James' face. After the kiss, after I let Jessica go.

The way he looked at her when she cried.

"Liv!"

"Liv!"

Not sure if I hear correctly. I turn around. James is running towards me.

"Liv, where the hell?" He tries to catch his breath.

"I'm sorry you had to see that side of me. I don't go easily to that place." Why am I explaining myself?

"What did you mean by again?"

I'm lost, don't understand the question. He sees I don't have an idea what he is talking about.

"You said 'threaten me and my people again'".

"Oh, yesterday after our breakfast. She threatened me. I thought it was a case of mistaken identity. I didn't know who it was, but her perfume is a dead give away. "

"WHY didn't you tell me? Do you have any idea who she is? She knows some really bad people! Jaysis! You of all people should know you can't outrun a bullet!" He was frantic.

"What? I didn’t tell you.." It feels like ice water got dumped over me. I didn’t tell him how Chris died. He had me investigated?

"It's was just a figure.." He tries to explain but it already clicked.

"No! You investigated me? Why? To see if I'm good enough? What was tonight? A pity date? f**k! That is so wrong."

I'm so disgusted and disappointed. I would've told him in my own time. I feel violated. I turn to leave him. I don't want to see his face. I don't want to see his imperfect smile..

"Liv. Please. It wasn't like that. I was just being careful."

"James, I don't care. Just let me be. I can't do this." I start to walk. I knew it was to quick, I'm not ready, yet.

Tomorrow we are leaving for Limerick. I don't have to see him again.

Ever!

"AHHHH NO! NO!" I hear him scream.

I feel his strong arms engulf me from behind.

" I'm sorry." He says softly while kissing the curve on the back of my neck.

I love that! That spot, My spot.

" I can't let you go. Not like this. Please. I'm sorry" I turn around in his arms. I love how his arms feel around me.

" James, this is not going to work. This.. Us.. I'm going back, then what?"

" I know. I rather spend a week with you, than not at all! I want to feel this every day, even if it is just for a while. I haven't felt this in, forever."

"James, I don't know. Why would you investigate me?"

"Just Googled."

"No bloody difference! How can we be together if you don't trust me? Question everything I do or say?"

"Tell me you didn't Google me? After you found out who I am. You Googled me didn't you?"

Now I'm getting really pissed.

"NO! Because I want to know you! Not the glorified version of a magazine. You! The real you!" How can he not see that I don't care who he is or what he is in the world's eyes

"After Jessica, I don't trust easily. What I feel for you, happened so fast, I got scared. I'm sorry." He kisses my knuckles.

"But I'm not Jessica." Don't think you get two of her kind.

"Thank the Lord for that! It was stupid. Wish I could take it all back. I don't pity you. I'm in awe of you! Look at what you've become after what happened. You are the strongest woman I know."

I've known this man for two days. This is going to end bad.

Is it worth it?

Can I?

Do this?

I take a deep breath and look into his eyes.

" I'm sorry I woman-handled her. I don't do good with threats against my people."

"What?! That was awesome! You are bad-ass. Don't need to say sorry for that."

His smile…. I get lost every time.

"OK" I have to go. Get some perspective. I need to think.

"Goodnight James."

"Wait? You want to leave? When can I see you again?"

"James, we are leaving for Limerick tomorrow. Then we're going back. Why put us through it? The goodbyes?"

"Just say you'll think about it, please. That's all I ask.. Just the week. Then you can go back. No strings. No regrets."

"I'll think about it."

How couldn't I?

" I'm so not sorry for what I'm about to do." He envelops me.

His lips on mine, still, he wants to make sure I'm OK with this. I lock my hands behind his neck to deepen the kiss. I open my mouth to him. The kiss gets more intense. Our tongues lick and taste and stroke. It's overwhelming. My head is spinning. I have butterflies, I never thought it was possible..

" Jaysis Liv. I can do that every second of every day! You'll call me tomorrow with an answer?" He is holding on to me, tightly.

"Yes. I promise. After breakfast."

I turn around to leave.. I take five steps, then I feel his arms around me again. He kisses me right on the same place, my spot. That is my favorite place to be kissed.

"Thank you. Night, my Sweet."