12. Smithy
Chapter 12
Smithy
I don’t know if my text will be enough to get her here, but I don’t know what else to do. I’ve been pacing the length of my house since the guys left. It doesn’t matter how much I work out or run, I can't seem to get her out of my head.
I keep thinking of her going on a date with some random guy. Multiple scenarios play out in my head and I hate each one of them more than the last.
This guy could be awful and she has a horrible date. I’d feel bad because Liliana deserves an amazing guy. She deserves a once in a lifetime love.
The guy could be sweet, but actually be a dick. He could fool her into falling in love with him, but then treat her horribly. That thought has me clenching my jaw even harder than before.
Or he could be amazing and she’ll fall madly in love with him. That one might hurt the worse. In that situation, I’ll lose her entirely. I can't let that happen.
As soon as the motion detector at the gate to my driveway alerts me someone is here, I swing the front door open as the metal slowly parts for Lil. She’s one of the few people outside my teammates who knows the code to get in.
She drives down the long driveway and around the circle, parking right in front of the patio. I don’t waste a second. I rush around the side of her car and pull her into my arms as soon as she’s out of her seat.
“What’s going on, Travis?” She squeezes me back.
“I just… I needed you. Is that ok?” I whisper.
“Of course.”
Instead of letting her go so we can walk inside, I slip my hands down her back and under her ass. I have to bite back a groan when I realize how short her shorts are and my hands are touching her bare flesh. I lift her into the air and her legs wrap around my waist, feeling way too perfect.
I shut her car door before locking it and doing the same to my front door. Then, I'm carrying her right to bed. I can't even explain the calmness that washed over me the second she was in my arms. It’s like the weight sitting on my chest since she told me about this blind date was pushed off of me and I can breathe for the first time.
She doesn’t lay down right away and I frown. I need her to sleep in my arms or I’ll never get any rest tonight. When she strips her sweatshirt over her head and tosses it on the bottom of the mattress, my mouth goes dry.
She has on a tiny crop top. It’s barely able to contain the swell of her breasts and it’s making me wish I had the balls to take this further tonight.
“Is this ok?” She frowns down at her shirt as I continue to stare at her. I’ve never seen her dressed like this. “Maybe I should borrow one of your shirts. This is what I was going to wear to bed at home and when you texted, I just threw a sweatshirt on over this…”
“It’s fine,” I mumble, trying to control the emotions spreading through my body. I want her so badly.
“Are you sure? I don’t mind changing if you don’t mind me stealing one of your shirts.”
“You’re always free to steal my shirts, but you look amazing in what you’re wearing.” I scrub a hand down my face and try to keep my hands to myself. I'm not sure it will be possible tonight.
“Why do you look mad then?”
“I'm not mad, Sweets. I’ve just… I’ve never seen you dressed like this before and I’ve always known you were hot, but this is some next level shit.”
“Umm… thanks?” Her brows furrow together as her cheeks heat with embarrassment, making her look even sexier.
I'm not used to women being shy around me. Sure, some women pretend to be, but they’re just playing a part. Most of them have no problem walking up to me and telling me exactly what they want from me. I'm not exactly attracted to that. I want Liliana. I want the woman who will blush faster than you can blink and isn't sure how to accept a compliment.
After climbing into bed next to me, she turns on her side and faces away. I plaster my chest against her back and wrap my arm around her, settling my hand on her stomach. I spread out my fingers so I'm covering her entire abdomen. I want so badly to slip my fingers under the bottom of her crop top, but I don’t want to push things too far.
“What’d you do today, Sweets?” I murmur against her hair.
“I went shopping with Winnie.”
“For anything in particular or just for something to do?” I ask, showing her I care about her and what she does. I want her to know I'm listening to what she says too.
“I needed an outfit for my date,” she says softly. I can hear the hesitation in her voice. She doesn’t want to talk to me about this and I'm not sure if it’s because she doesn’t want to upset me or if she isn't comfortable talking to me about it.
There’s no way she hasn’t picked up on how I don’t want her going on this date. Liliana pays attention to everything and I'm sure she saw the way I clenched my jaw when she first told me about it.
Her fingers brush over my arm and move up and down my forearm. She knows I'm not happy even though she can't see my face. I wish I could be excited for her, but I can't.
“Oh. Did you find anything nice?” I swallow hard to keep my anger and frustration out of my voice.
“Winnie made me buy a black dress. She says every woman needs a little black dress in their closet.”
“How little is this dress?” I can't keep the growl out of my voice this time. The thought of her walking around in a dress that doesn’t cover enough skin makes me want to lock her in my house and never let her leave.
“Oh, stop it.” She swats at my arm and snuggles further into my hold. “It’s just one date.”
I tug her a little closer, but don’t say another word. There’s nothing I can say. Nothing I can do at this moment. I need to wait. The only way I can convince her I'm the right man for her is to show her.
I won't stop until I can prove I'm the correct man for her.