“I have a few hours.” She sounded breathy.
“Well then.” I caressed her face so I could watch the way she closed her eyes to savor my touch. With my other hand, I grabbed a fistful of hair and pulled. “Let’s go teach you some manners.”
***
“Remind me again. Why are we spending our romantic evening with Claudia and Rubio? If romance is what you’re after, it seems counterproductive to have other people in attendance.” I’d forgotten my shoes in my hotel room and we were forced to go and retrieve them. The clock in my dash display reminded me we were supposed to pick up the other couple in an hour.
“Because, Best Boyfriend in the World, it’ll be fun. Also, Rubi really wanted to take Claudia somewhere nice. He’s been saving up since Christmas. Can Fabes is supposed to have amazing food. I still don’t know how you managed to make reservations. How did you get reservations anyway? It was pretty short notice.” Livvie checked her lipstick in the visor mirror for the third time. I think she just liked the way her lips looked in red. So did I.
“It was short notice because you didn’t tell me I was supposed to plan something. Valentine’s Day? I’ve heard of it, but I had no idea people actually participated in such… sentimentality. Don’t they get enough of that during Thanksgiving and Christmas?” I put my blinker on and moved to the passing lane to get around someone in what appeared to be a golf cart. Fuel-efficient cars. Bleh!
“Changing the subject, James. I’m on to your tactics.” Livvie glared. A smile played on her lips.
“I went down to the restaurant in person and charmed the hostess. She was very amenable.” I grinned. Livvie’s smile turned sour. “You asked.” I shrugged.
“I didn’t ask you to flirt with another girl.”
“I didn’t say I flirted. I said I was charming. I simply explained that I was a cad who’d made the grievous mistake of not acquiring reservations to take my beautiful girlfriend and her entourage to dinner on the most romantic day of the year. I told her I’d be lost without you and that anything she could do to help me keep your favor would be worthy of my deepest gratitude. Then I tipped her a day’s wages.” I kept my eyes forward, though I knew my expression remained smug.
“Asshole,” Livvie said. She grabbed my hand and put it in both of hers, squeezing.
“Idiot,” I countered. “As if anyone else could hold my attention.” I squeezed her hand in return.
“I got you a present,” she said.
“Kitten,” I admonished. “We already exchanged gifts.” I’d given her pearls. She’d gifted me with the sight of her in a red cape and heels high enough to nearly put us at eye level. It had been a very short but enjoyable chase. No one could run in those things. I forbid her to wear them outside the house.
“Relax. It’s no big deal.” She opened her purse and took out a box of candy. I laughed.
“It looks open.”
“I ate most of them,” she said.
“You are so strange sometimes, Pet.”
“Method to my madness, Sexy. Open your hand.” I complied and she put the heart-shaped candies in my palm. When I looked at them, I felt as though someone had squeezed my heart. All the candies read “Be Mine.”
“I’m already yours, Pet. And you’re mine.” Stuffing my mouth full of candy hearts may have lessened the romance of the moment, but Livvie didn’t seem to mind.
“Yes, yours,” she said. She kissed my cheek.
I felt in my heart the affirmation of what I had come to suspect was true for some time. What she really meant was: I love you.
After retrieving my shoes and picking up Claudia and Rubio (I have never been comfortable with calling that man Rubi), we arrived at the restaurant with ten minutes to spare. I felt the slightest bit awkward as we approached the hostess. She was the same woman from the week before and she smiled warmly. However, I didn’t miss the way her eyebrow lifted as she saw the young crowd I’d brought with me. I could never be ashamed of Livvie, but traveling with three younger people made me feel… old. There had been a time when it wouldn’t have bothered me because I had no idea of my age. Regardless, the hostess greeted us warmly.
“Señor Cole.” She pointed us in the direction of our waiter, who greeted us with a smile and asked us to follow him.
“Your last name is Cole? Like Sophia’s?” Claudia sounded incredulous.
“Strange coincidence,” I said.
Claudia shrugged and it made her look younger, despite the very adult cocktail dress she was wearing.
“I guess if you ever get married you won’t argue about whether or not Sophia will change her name.”
“Claudia,” Livvie hissed.
The waiter averted his gaze with a tight-lipped smile as he ushered us into our seats. I helped Livvie out of her coat and pulled out her chair (six months prior I couldn’t open a door). Rubio, upon witnessing my impeccable boyfriend skills, assisted Claudia. The ladies seemed to appreciate it very much.
“I will give you a moment to go over the menu while I check your coats.” The waiter walked away with the coats. I watched him speak to the hostess and surmised she was supposed to check our coats when we arrived. I hoped I didn’t get her into any trouble. Then again, she should have done her job.
“Thank you for inviting us,” Rubio said to me. He is ever the gentleman, and I often wonder how Claudia has managed to keep him. Then I am reminded of me and Livvie. Stranger things have happened.
“Thank you for helping me choose the restaurant. I’m not overly familiar with the area.” I winked and Rubio repressed a smile. The concierge at my hotel had told me about the restaurant, but there was no harm in helping Rubio impress his date.
“Rubi is so modest.” Claudia turned to her boyfriend. “You never told me you helped plan this.” She kissed him on the cheek. Rubio blushed (poor bastard).
“It was… a surprise.”
Livvie’s hand squeezed my thigh.
“Aww, you guys are so sweet you’re going to make me puke.” She and I laughed at the other couple’s discomfort. Did they have any idea whom they were out to dinner with?
Claudia composed herself quickly.
“Like you guys are any better. You’re always undressing each other with your eyes. I’m surprised you even left the house.”
“A man has to eat,” I said. “Also, I undress her with more than my eyes. Sometimes I use my teeth.” Livvie blushed to her roots while the rest of us laughed.
“I’m just glad she finally met someone. Rubi and I were trying to set her up for a while. We thought she might be gay and ashamed to tell us. I even told her about kissing my friend Bettany so she would come out, but she never did.” Claudia has a tendency to impart too much information, but when it comes to Livvie, I often enjoy what she has to say.
“You don’t have a friend named Bettany,” Livvie said. She sounded put-out, but it was all for show.
“You didn’t know that,” said Claudia. “I was just trying to let you know I was okay with you being gay.”
“But I’m not gay!” Livvie said with mock exasperation. She covered her face when the waiter chose that exact moment to return to our table.
Though I was sure he had overheard, the waiter kept a professional demeanor. We all managed to compose ourselves enough to order dinner and wine. Livvie thought Europe was “awesome” for no other reason than a person could drink legally drink at age eighteen. Of course, if you could reach the bar they’d serve you.
“You know, if you ever want to experiment with a woman—under my close guidance, of course—I’d be alright with it.” I smiled cheekily toward Livvie and lifted a brow for good measure.
Livvie shook her head.
“I bet you would.” Her hand cupped my balls beneath the table. Her eyes widened as she felt the stirring of my arousal. “Later,” she whispered. I wondered if she meant she’d please me later, or if I’d get to see her kiss and touch another woman later. Either way—lucky me.
The rest of dinner went on in the same jovial fashion. Claudia and Livvie took care of most of the conversation. I preferred it that way, and Rubio seemed to as well. Livvie was witty and Claudia so uncouth that one couldn’t help but be amused by the pair of them. The sprite and her boyfriend were growing on me—like a fungus.
After dinner and an attempt at dancing (I am not a good dancer), I returned Claudia and Rubio home. Rubio, being the gentleman that he is, tried to slip his share of dinner into my pocket, but I wouldn’t allow it.
“Buy her something expensive. Nothing makes a woman more agreeable in the bedroom,” I said with a grin.
“I’m already agreeable,” retorted Claudia. “Rubi may seem quiet, but you know what they say about the quiet ones.”
Rubi laughed even as he blushed.
“She’s drunk. I better take her inside.”
“Yes! Take me!” Claudia pulled Rubio toward her and mauled his face with her mouth. It went on so long I decided to drive off. I saw Rubio wave as he kept kissing.
Livvie was stretched out in the passenger seat. She was blissfully drunk, and by the way she was rubbing herself, I knew I’d have my own hands full once we got home.
“Is there anything you need from your apartment? I’d rather stay at the hotel tonight.” I stroked her with one hand whenever I wasn’t shifting.
“Why?” she asked dreamily.
“All of my things are in my hotel room. Your apartment is closer to where we are. We may as well stop and get your things if you need something,” I said. I hated sleeping without Livvie. The nightmares were significantly diminished when she was next to me.
“But I want you. I don’t want to wait,” she whined. She was very intoxicated, and part of me suspected there would be no sex for me that night.
“I want you, too. It’s a pity we live so far apart. Claudia and Rubio don’t have that problem.”
Livvie suddenly seemed very sober, if you didn’t take her huge eyes into consideration.
“Are you… do you want to move into my apartment?”
“No,” I said definitively.
“Oh.” She seemed at once relieved and disappointed. She turned away and stared out the window for a few minutes, then, angrily, “Why not?”
“Because your apartment is small.”
“Oh.” Confusion.
I sighed.
“I’m asking you to move in with me, Sophia. I’ll leave the hotel, you’ll leave your apartment, and we’ll buy a place that’s ours.” Silence filled the vehicle for what felt like endless hours.
“Okay,” she said simply.
“Okay?” I asked, incredulous. What sort of response was that?
“Okay,” she repeated and put her hand in mine.
“Okay,” I said.
The void was overflowing.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
We moved into our new flat in April. Though I thought otherwise, Livvie insisted it was the perfect birthday gift to move into our new home on her birthday. She’d insisted her birthday was just the leverage she would need to coerce her friends into helping her move her things. She didn’t want movers, she said. It made her feel awkward enough that I had purchased our home and put it in her name. I insisted it was better than putting it in the name of someone who didn’t legally exist. She agreed but couldn’t abide by making strangers move her.
For my part, I was something akin to excited. It seems wrong for a man to be “excited”; it sounds too much like an emotion for a school girl. I’d wanted to buy the house outright, but I thought that might be suspicious if the FBI decided to poke around. Instead, I had Livvie remove the amount of the down payment from her fund and put it in a safe deposit box. I then used that sum of cash to pay the bank.
Eventually, I was going to have to enlist the help of some former acquaintances to keep up appearances where Livvie’s new lifestyle was concerned. The FBI couldn’t necessarily touch us in Spain, but it was best not to provoke attention by living outside the means they knew Livvie was capable of. For better or worse, I didn’t tell Livvie about my plans involving illicit activity. I was becoming a very well-behaved boyfriend, but I was still me.
We’d purchased an enormous property that had been vacant for some time. Livvie and I had a good laugh over the number of windows. There was hardly a dark corner to be found, and light flooded every nook and cranny. I thought it very apropos. We’d spent enough time in the dark. However, because there were some things I liked to do with Livvie that should never see the light of day, I made sure the bedrooms had drapes.
The home had been furnished to best display its vaulted ceilings, marble countertops, bowl sinks, sunken living rooms, and wood and stone accoutrements. I’d made an offer to purchase it as it was. It was the perfect excuse to talk Livvie into donating her furniture to Claudia and Rubio (let him deal with all the bed pillows). She’s raised her eyebrows at me, but ultimately didn’t resist. I’d already been looking at houses for some time. By the time Livvie and I started taking tours, I’d narrowed the list significantly. It had been a test of my cunning to push Livvie toward “choosing” the flat I wanted on her own. I was ultimately successful.
All in all, the home suggested a certain level of wealth, but not enough to raise eyebrows. Our neighbors were professionals, not celebrities. It was the sort of place we could grow into and live in for quite some time. I planned on converting one of the larger rooms upstairs into a library/office for Livvie. I’d already claimed the downstairs for a project of my later choosing.
“Please tell me this is the last box.” Claudia lay sprawled on the hardwood floor.
“I don’t have that much stuff, Claudia. Stop whining.” Livvie put down the box she was carrying and wiped sweat from her forehead with the back of her hand. I caught her looking around with a wondrous expression and my chest expanded. Making her happy was more reward than I’d ever expected. I was once again struck by a sense of purpose. One I could take pride in.
I stepped over Claudia and spoke to Livvie. “There’s Coke in the fridge. I picked some up, along with a case of water. I’ll go to the grocery in a little while for more supplies. I owe you a birthday dinner at the very least.” I kissed Livvie on the forehead on my way out the door. The moving van was empty and Rubio was going to follow me to drop it off and bring me back.
He was waiting for me outside. He was actually dressed for function instead of fashion. It was amusing to see him in loose jeans, sneakers, and a t-shirt. He looked even younger than he already was.
“Are you ready to go?” he asked.
“Yes. The women can handle the unpacking while we’re gone. I want to stop at the grocery on the way back. We can pick up some steaks for dinner.” I ruffled Rubio’s hair as I passed him. He laughed and turned toward his car. I’d never done more than shake his hand until that moment. However, over the last few months we’d become friends of a kind. I could never confide in him, but he looked up to me and I’d begun to take him under my wing, so to speak.
“Sounds good. We can pick up a cake for Sophia.” He smiled. He’d sort of taken me under his wing as well. Rubio gave me insight into Livvie’s youth. She was downplaying the importance of her birthday, but he knew she still wanted a little spectacle. I planned on giving her quite the spectacle later when we were alone. But cake was nice too.
“Great idea,” I said. As I pulled away, I couldn’t help but look at Livvie’s and my new home in the rearview. Had I really moved on? Had I left the man I was behind? I didn’t know for certain. However, the knowledge that Livvie would be the first person I saw every morning and the last person I would see every night was more comfort than I’d ever allowed myself. My new life with her was everything. As much as it terrified me to think I was nothing without her, I was only too happy to have her for any amount of time fate would allow. Of course, if and when fate decided to try and wrest her from my arms, I would fight like the bastard I was to keep her.
After we dropped off the van, Rubio and I picked up some groceries and a cake for Livvie. I was exhausted, but I was looking forward to making Livvie’s birthday special. Selfishly, I couldn’t wait until everyone else left and Livvie and I could enjoy our first night in our new home.
“I hope Sophia likes our gift. We’re not ballin’ out of control like you.” Rubio grinned and tossed some of his fastidious hair out of his face. I was constantly tempted to take scissors to it.
“I’m sure she’ll love whatever it is. You’re her friends—you probably know her better than I do.”
“I don’t think so. She’s different with you. She’s happier. When Claudia and I first met her, she was kinda quiet. She didn’t like to talk about things: her family, where she grew up. Claudia felt sorry for her, said she must be very lonely.”
I frowned.
“Sophia doesn’t need anyone’s pity. She’s too strong for that.”
“Not like that.” Rubio appeared wounded. “Claudia just doesn’t like to see people unhappy. She doesn’t show it, but she’s very sensitive. She has a very big heart.”
“Right,” I said, incredulous. The sprite was brash and rude. I liked her, but I had my doubts about her soft mushy insides.
Rubio, for the first time, looked irritated.
“You wouldn’t know, would you? I do.”
I had to laugh.
“I didn’t mean to offend you. Claudia is a good friend. She’s just… well, you know.”
Rubio’s anger faded quickly.
“Yes. I know. The night we met, a friend of mine dragged me to a party. There was a girl I liked and I was heartbroken because I found out she started seeing someone else. I wanted to stay home but I went out anyway. Claudia saw me and she came over to me. She’s a big ball of happy energy and she insisted I cheer up. I told her about the girl and she told me to forget about her because I was her boyfriend.” Rubio had a stupid grin on his face.
“You belong together,” I said. Rubio seemed to like that. “Tell me more about Sophia.”
“She used to be sad. We cheered her up, but only for so long. I used to leave her and Claudia alone sometimes because I think it upset Sophia to see us so happy. She never said, but it was a vibe we got. That’s why we tried to set her up so much.” He shrugged. “Then she met you. She’s happy now. I hope you understand how lucky you are. I don’t know much about her past, but I know she is a good person. You should be careful with her.”
I looked at Rubio and his expression was very serious. Rubio was a good man.
“I plan to make Sophia very happy, Rubio. You don’t have to tell me what I have.”
“Good,” he said. “I never want to fight you.”
I laughed. I couldn’t help it. I was picturing Rubio trying to fight me.
“I never want that either, Rubio.”
Things were considerably less pleasant when we finally arrived home. Claudia met us in the driveway and the expression on her face gave me heart palpitations.
“Where is she?” I asked. I was already rushing toward the house. I didn’t hear what Claudia was trying to tell me.
“Sophia!” I yelled. I bounded up the stairs.
“I’m in here!” she responded from the bedroom. A wave of relief shivered through me. She was safe. There was no danger. Our lives were different. It took me a moment to settle. I’d thought I was going to have to hurt someone.
When I walked into the bedroom, Livvie was sitting on the bed. She’d been crying, and there was a letter in her hands.
“What’s wrong, Pet?”
She shrugged.
“I don’t know. I just…” She wiped at her eyes and sniffled.
“What happened? Did I do something?” I hated when Livvie was sad. I no longer relished the sight of those tears. They were bitter on my tongue.
“No, Baby. It’s not you.” She’d never called me baby before—well, not in a positive way.
“Tell me.” I sat next to her on the bed and she instantly found her way under my arm and against my chest. I rubbed her back and waited. Livvie was a talker and I knew she’d come out with it eventually.
“My mom sent me a birthday card. I brought my mail over and there was an unmarked envelope. I wasn’t ready for it.” She buried herself further in my chest.
Livvie’s relationship with her family presented a quandary. I wanted her to be happy. I wanted her to have all the things she desired. However, I wanted to be a part of her happiness. I wanted to be the largest part. Her family could threaten that—they could threaten us, what we had. I needed to tread carefully.