My parents already met him three weeks ago when I let it slip that things between my high school pen pal have morphed intomore. They were always aware that Liam was my best friend, but introducing him as my boyfriend was a whole other ordeal.
I’ve never dated anyone before, so bringing him home was monumental.
Liam won their hearts with his charming smile and politeness within an hour of having dinner together. My dad and him bonded over their mutual love for the Ravens—Montardor’s hockey team—and my mom automatically became his fan when he poured over her cooking like it was the best thing he’d ever eaten.
My parents mean a lot to me. I love that Liam gets along with them.
After I’ve showered, moisturized, blow-dried my hair in waves, and applied my go-to date night glam, I pack an overnight bag since I’ll be sleeping over at Liam’s place tonight. His parents are out of town and we have the entire house to ourselves.
Liam hasn’t outright said what this ‘special date’ is, but I have a feeling it’s going to end with us naked, between the sheets.
I change into my lingerie set—a lacy red bra with matching high-cut panties—and wear black opaque stockings with a grey knit minidress. It’s late November now, so the weather has gotten significantly colder. My outfit is complete with a beige coat and thigh-high boots that make my legs appear longer than ever. Since I got a fresh set of burgundy nails—courtesy of my hard-working boyfriend who loves to spend money on me—I slip on a few gold knuckle rings and hoop earrings.
My phone buzzes with a text message. Liam says he’s downstairs. I could have driven myself to his place, but my boyfriend is a bit old-fashioned in that regard—he likes to pick me up and drive me around. I sense it has something to do with him feeling like my protector and provider.
When I step out into the fall evening, I see him coming out from the driver’s side, a huge bouquet of red roses in his hands.
There’s a pink tinge to his cheeks. From seeing me or the cold weather, we’ll never know.
I cross halfway to him and his eyes trek from my boots to the top of my black hair with an appreciative glance. I do the same to him. He’s in dark slacks, a black button-down, and a grey king-sized coat that fits him like a dream.
Liam O’Connell is perfection and I want to spend tonight proving it to him.
“Hi.” I smile cheekily when he stops in front of me.
“Hey.” He leans down to peck my lips softly. His beard tickles me. “This is for you. The florist didn’t have any sunflowers, so I hope these will do.”
It melts my heart that he stops at the florist every time before a date to spoil me with flowers.
Best. Boyfriend. Ever.
“I love them, Liam. Thank you.” I take the bouquet from his hands and kiss him again, lingering longer. I love kissing him. I can kiss him all day and night and never get bored. “I also got you a gift, but I’d like to give it to you later, if that’s all right?”
His eyes narrow playfully, falling to the big purse slung over my shoulder. He knows where I keep the goods hidden. “You didn’t have to get me anything, Bel.”
“Consider it a one-month anniversary gift then.” I kiss his cold cheek. “Are we ready to go?”
He weaves our gloved hands together and leads me to the passenger side of the car, opening the door for me. I climb in and he presses a kiss to my knuckles before closing the door.
The car smells like him—clean, masculine, and pinewood—and his scent stirs the butterflies in my stomach. I’ve been anticipating this date all week long and now that we’re here, I’m equal parts nervous and excited.
“You look beautiful,” Liam rasps once he settles behind the wheel.
We might both be newbies when it comes to this whole relationship thing, but I think we’re doing pretty good for ourselves, if I do say so myself. There’s something humbling in navigating through this ‘first time’ together and I love that we meet each other halfway.
“And you look handsome as ever, Liam.” I close the distance until our lips speak what our hearts cannot say yet.
Liam takes me toLa Flammefor dinner, a restaurant on the East Side that’s notorious for being one of the best date night spots. I keep a list in my phone of all the new places I want to try out and clearly he’s done his research.
We’re on our way back to his home and those butterflies from earlier? They’ve tripled and are having a party inside my belly. I’m playing with the roses in my lap while Liam’s thumb is rubbing the back of my hand in soothing circles. It’s like he can sense the slight tension and he’s doing his best to set me at ease.
It strikes me that Liam too might be nervous.
“I had a great time, Liam,” I say over the sound of a Zayn Malik song. “Much more fun than I would have had with that musician.”
His nostrils flare and his jaw tightens.
I barely hide my evil smile.
