“Luke! Get me another shot!” My head snaps to the left and I spot her dancing alone. Her eyes are closed and a few creepy motherfuckers surround her, waiting to grab onto her. What the fuck. And who the hell is Luke?
I cut through the swaying bodies, my eyes never leaving my target. Without thinking, I grip her upper arm, my hand almost wrapping entirely around her bicep.
“What the hell, man?” She shoves me and though the effort is futile, I’m glad to see she has some fight in her when a man grabs her.
“Flynn, it’s me. Come on, I’m taking you home.”
“You can’t I’m here with Luke.” I’m about to point out that she looks pretty alone, but my shoulder is grabbed and I’m spun around.
“What the hell, man, get off her.” As a reflex, my hand clenches into a fist, ready to fight if I need to.
“Lucas, don’t. It’s okay.” Flynn slurs and I instinctively shield her behind me in case things get ugly.
“Wait. Lucas, like, your brother?” I step back and Flynn rolls her sassy little eyes at me as she nods. “Shit, sorry man. I thought you were a creep.” I step back with my hands raised. “I’m Liam, Flynn’s—” fuck. I can’t tell him I’m her therapist. I can’t say we’re dating because we’re not. No matter what I say, he’ll question how we met. Sonofabitch. “Friend.” I throw in and her brother eyes me suspiciously. He’s protective of her, which I can respect.
“Her friend, huh?” His eyes narrow and he sizes me up.
“Look, man, I’m not looking for any trouble. I was going to help her home, that’s all.” I sound like every frat bro to ever exist.
“You look a little old to be her friend.” I am almost twice her age. I can understand why he’s skeptical. I know how this looks and it’s not good. Lucas puffs out his chest and Flynn finally steps in between us.
“Lucas, chill. This is Liam. He really is a—a friend. He wasn’t going to kidnap and kill me or have his wicked way with me or anything like that. Though, I wouldn’t mind the latter.”
“Gross.” Her brother shudders. “Okay, sorry man.” He extends his palm and we shake hands. “So how did you two—”
“Luke, if you don’t mind, I’m gonna let Liam drive me home. I have a lot I need to talk to him about.” I’m grateful she cut him off before he could finish his question.
We head out of the club and Lucas asks her twenty more times if she’s sure I should drive her home. She reassures him and I promise I’ll make her call once she’s home safe. With reluctance, he leaves.
I help Flynn buckle her seatbelt in my car and start heading downtown, toward the suburbs where she lives.
“Where are you going? I want to go to your place.”
“Flynn, that’s not a good idea.” My hands grip the steering wheel, turning my knuckles white.
“Liam, I can’t go home.” Her voice is dejected. Glancing over, I see the weight she’s carrying. She’s slumped in her seat, head resting in her open palm. She looks broken. “Please, can we go to your place?”
I nod and at the first chance I get, I turn around and head uptown, back into the city. The selfish side of me wishes she’d be a chattier drunk, that she’d spill whatever feelings and secrets she’s harboring under the surface. But I’m also glad she’s quiet, contemplative. I don’t want her telling me something she’s not ready to talk about.
In the time it takes to get to my place, she passes out in my passenger seat. I park my car and lift her out, carrying her to the elevator. She curls into my chest, snuggling against the crook of my neck. I lean down, inhaling her scent, and place a kiss on the top of her head.
Once I get inside my apartment, I take her right to bed. I lay her on the mattress, tucking her under the covers. I pull the curtains closed, shielding her from the lights of the city.
As I’m about to leave the room and let her sleep in peace, I hear whimpers. Sniffles follow and my heart splits right down the middle. I pause, torn. Do I leave, giving her privacy and let her believe I didn’t hear her? Or do I comfort her?
“Liam,” she whispers. That answers my question.
I curl behind her and she spins to face me, burying her head in my chest and softly sobbing into my shirt.
This is one of the strongest women I’ve ever met. She’s headstrong and stubborn. She’s the first to say she’s heartless, a black void of emotion, that ice runs through her veins, yet here she is.
Broken. Emotional.
Seeing her like this, hearing her cry, is breaking my heart. I want to do more for her than be a shoulder to cry on. I want to take away her pain. I don’t even know why she’s crying, but all I can think about is making her smile. I don’t want to see her in any pain.
I brush my palm over her back, letting her get it all out. The realization hits me like a ton of bricks.
I’m in love with her.
The morning comes and I wake up before Flynn.
I work out, shower, get ready for work, and cook breakfast before she rises. I bring her breakfast in bed, nudging her gently. Her eyes are red and swollen, the aftereffects of her night stained on her cheeks. I don’t mention
