AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Miles:When will you be off tonight?
Lizzie:I should be done around ten. Do you still want me to let you know when I’m finished, or should I walk home?
I let out a loud gruff at her text. She doesn't know how significant this is. She doesn’t understand how serious I am about her. She’s mine, and I'll be damned if I let anything happen to her now that I’ve finally found her.
Miles:You aren’t walking anywhere, baby. I will be there at ten, waiting out front for you. I can’t wait to see you.
Lizzie:Ok, Mr. Bossy. I’ll see you then.
I chuckle at her response. Before I second guess anything, I send another text.
Miles:That’s my good girl.
She doesn't respond, but I didn't expect her to either.
I have a couple of hours before I need to be there, so I begin looking up the best spas in the area. I can also ask Mia tomorrow when we meet for her to help me with Lizzie’swardrobe for the party. I have no doubt that she’ll know the perfect place. I get up and turn the heater off, then head back inside. It’s getting too cold to be out after the sun sets. I go to my kitchen and pull out a prepared meal from my housekeeper, throwing it in the oven. I sit at the counter with my laptop and finish some work I needed to get done before I left the office today. The oven timer dings, and I take my dinner out, grab a bottle of water, walk to the living room, and turn on the tv. I never realized how lonely this place seems. I’m sitting here alone, eating on the couch, and watching tv. This makes me miss Lizzie more, and I find myself keeping track of the clock. I won’t be late picking her up. I really can’t wait to see her beautiful face and feel her soft lips against mine. She has gotten under my skin in the most incredible way. I want to spend all my time with her. She’s already constantly on my mind. As the time draws closer, I begin to get nervous just because I get to see her soon. I’ve never reacted this way to a woman. I feel like I have been put under her spell, but there is no other place that I’d rather be.I have it bad!
I grab my keys and wallet, walking to the elevator. I hit the button for the garage, so I can bypass the lobby. I step out, and the chill in the air hits me in the face. Lizzie is not going to be walking home in this. She could get sick, or she could be hurt by some strangers on the street looking to cause trouble. I get in my car and blast the heat, pulling out into traffic, then heading in her direction. When I get there, I see that most of the patrons have already left. I pull into a space in the front and wait for Lizzie to come out. After a few moments, she emerges with a man following close behind her. I see her look back and say something over her shoulder, but she doesn’t stop. Her face looks pale and unsettled, and seeing that, my stomach lurches. The man is stumbling around, and I see the look in his eyes, like he wants her. I feel my fists clench around the steering wheel. I hear the man yell something, but with my windows up, I can’t make out what he says. Whatever it was,Lizzie stops, immediately freezing in her tracks.
I instinctively get out of the car and walk toward Lizzie. She sees me coming and looks relieved. The man sees me but pays me no attention. He begins yelling at Lizzie, “It’s your fault I cheated on you. All you cared about was that stupid book. You didn’t have any time for me. You should have been a lawyer like your father wanted, you would be set. Instead, you have to make everything so diffic—" I cut him off before he can finish.
I walk up to him, facing him directly, eye to eye. “You have no right talking to her like that. I don’t want to ever see you come near her again.”
He looks at me, laughing in my face, and I can smell the liquor coming off him. “Lizzie, who is this? It can’t be a boyfriend.” He looks back at me and says, “Seriously man, don’t waste your time on this one. She’s not even easy. You could find anyone with your looks.”
I look over at Lizzie and see the tears in her eyes. Obviously, this is the bitter ex that wanted Lizzie and a side piece, at the same time. All I see is red as I grasp his collar and lift him in the air with his feet dangling above the pavement. “You are never to see Lizzie again. Do you understand? I can make your life hell! Now get out of here!” I see the hesitation in his eyes, and he nods. I drop him to the ground, and he saunters off to a waiting cab and gets in. I immediately go to Lizzie and lift her up to my chest, so I can look her in the eyes. The sadness in them is overwhelming, and I just want to make everything right in the world for her.
“I’m so sorry,” she finally says with a sniffle. “Jacob came in to get drunk and purposely sat in my section so he could harass me all night. He was begging me to get back together with him because he doesn’t think it’s a problem that he’s still screwing his assistant. My manager insisted that I wait on himand wouldn’t let me switch with one of the other servers. It’s just been a crappy night. I’m sorry you had to see that. I haven’t even heard from him since I found him with her six months ago.” I place her back down and cup her cheeks.
I wipe my thumb over her cheeks to erase the tears and pull her chin up, so I can look her in the eyes. “You don’t have to apologize about anything. No one should ever talk to you the way he did. He doesn’t deserve you. And if I’m being honest, I’m glad he messed up, not because he hurt you but because it brought you to me.” She looks up at me with a small smile, and I lean down to give her a deep kiss. I pull her waist against me, so she isn’t cold since we are still standing outside. But right now, I just want to feel her pressed to me and to comfort her.
We break from the kiss, and she whispers, “Thank you for saving me. I don’t believe he would have left me alone had you not been here. I suppose that doesn’t help my case that I’m fine walking home alone at night.” She chuckles. I just want to memorize that sound. I could never tire of hearing it. I kiss her forehead, walk her to the car, and open the door. She slides in, and I walk to my side to get in. I crank the car and turn the heat up because I can see her shivering. I pull out into traffic and toward her apartment. I move my hand to grasp hers, and we stay like that until I pull into her apartment. She looks over at me and quietly asks, “Would you like to come in for some tea or hot coffee?” I nod, then go around and open her door. We make our way up the stairs, still holding hands. She opens the doors, motioning for me to go in.
I help her out of her coat and shrug mine off, as well, and hang them next to the door. She begins to walk toward the kitchen, and I quickly grab her waist, pulling her flush against me. I brush stray hair out of her face and behind her ear. I lean down and give her a quick kiss, but I keep her held against me until I feel some of the tension in her body begin to melt away. I’m happy to be able to have that effect on her and that she feelssafe enough with me that she can relax. The thought brings a smile to my face.
“So would you like coffee or tea?” she asks.
“Coffee, please. Decaf if you have it. I don’t want to be awake all night.” She agrees and heads to the kitchen. While she is busy in the kitchen, I take the time to look around her apartment. It’s very neat and clean. There is a beautiful set of floor-to-ceiling windows that faces Central Park. I walk over to her bookshelf and peruse the books she has. As expected, many are British literature. Most of them look like she probably got them at the secondhand bookstore where she works. Maybe I can find some first editions for her. I know she would treasure them. I walk over to the opposite wall where I see some paintings. They look original.
“Who is the artist of these paintings?” I ask as I study them. I can feel the emotions pouring out of them. I enjoy books, but I also enjoy art. These paintings have me intrigued.
She walks up behind me with a cup of coffee. “I don’t know how you take your coffee,” she states.
I turn around and take the mug from her, then smile. “Black is fine.”
She stands beside me as we look at the paintings. “These aren’t anything special. I just hate bare walls and wanted something to fill the space, so Sarah insisted that we put them up,” she explained.
I look down at her and ask, “So, you painted these?” I can’t believe how creative and artistic she is. In all aspects of her life.
She looks embarrassed and replies, “Yes. I sometimes paint when I have a lot on my mind. It’s more of an escapism. Some people journal: I paint. It’s just to get the emotions out. They aren’t intended to be seen, but Sarah loved them andwanted to hang them up,” she continues.
“You are absolutely incredible! Do you know that? I have never met anyone like you before. You’re the most unique woman. I’m captivated by everything I learn about you. I’m amazed by you, Lizzie; you are one of a kind.”
She nudges me in the side with her elbow and says, “You are just being sweet. But thank you.”
I take her hand and lead her to the couch, so we can sit down and talk. She breaks off and turns the lights on around her windows, then comes to sit next to me. She pulls her legs up to her chest and gets the throw blanket from the back of the couch to cover us. Silently, we stare out of the window and drink our coffee. We finish our drinks and place the mugs on the table in front of us. I grab her hand under the blanket and hold it in mine. I love feeling her warmth against me. Her presence is so comforting.
She looks up at me, and I know she probably wants to explain what happened in front of the restaurant. “The man tonight at work was my ex, Jacob. We broke up over six months ago when I walked in on him and his assistant in bed. It wasn’t a pleasant sight. I haven’t spoken to him since. He called a few times after I walked out on him, but I never answered. So, I couldn’t believe he showed up at work tonight. I don’t know what he was thinking. Although, he was always possessive when we were together,” she says softly. I still at her mention of his being possessive. I don’t want anyone to think of her as theirs; she is mine!
