by Amber Heart
‘In case mum calls.’ He explained, putting the phone back.
‘Oh yeah, sorry.’
‘Sorry it woke you up.’ He smiled, turning over and pulling her body to his. He nuzzled her neck and wrapped an arm around her. ‘Last night was amazing.’
‘Mmhmm.’ She agreed sleepily.
‘What do you want to do today?’ He asked, kissing behind her ear.
‘I’m sleeping because I didn’t sleep much last night.’ She pointed out.
‘Like you didn’t enjoy it.’ He smirked. ‘How about we pick up where we left off?’ He started kissing her neck and her hand reached up to stop him.
‘Let me sleep’ She groaned, curling up into a ball against him. She made him smile.
‘Alright, alright.’ He chuckled, keeping her close. It wasn’t long till he closed his eyes and fell back asleep himself.
Olivia woke up alone sometime later, the other side of the bed was cold. For a moment, she wondered if she’d dreamt spending the night with Damien but she could hear someone in the kitchen, whistling to themselves. The smell of food wafted into the room. Getting out of bed, she grabbed his t-shirt from the floor and threw it on, grabbing some underwear too. Walking into the kitchen, she found him cooking in his boxers and couldn’t help but admire the view. He’d clearly been working out, his shoulders looked wider than she’d remembered.
‘Good morning.’ She smiled, kissing his shoulder. ‘Something smells delicious.’
‘That would be breakfast.’ He grinned, putting another pancake on a plate, a stack growing on the side. ‘Thought I’d let you sleep in.’
‘And practice your culinary skills.’ She grinned and pulled a few onto another plate for herself as he finished cooking.
‘I cooked, you clean.’ He winked at her and she hit his arm playfully before leading them over to the couch, turning on the TV.
‘These are good, Dame. You can come over more often.’
‘Careful, I might just take you up on that offer.’ He smirked, moving food from his plate to hers. His phone beeped loudly on the table and he reached to pick it up. Meghan.
‘It’s Meghan.’ He muttered, confused. Olivia looked up from her pancakes with a scowl.
‘What does she want?’ She asked, shuffling noticeably closer to him.
‘I’ve not a clue.’ He admitted, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. ‘I was going to ignore it.’
‘Read it. I’m curious.’
‘Oh, so now you care what I do with her?’ He teased, not pushing it too far. Meghan was a sensitive subject. She put the plate down and climbed on his lap, looking him straight in the eye.
‘What does the message say?’
‘It’s a photo.’ He explained, oblivious.
‘A photo?!’
‘What’s wrong with that?’
‘She’s sent you a nude.’ She said, turning in his lap to sit between his legs. .
‘No, she hasn’t. Don’t be paranoid.’ He opened the message in front of them both. It was a picture of Meghan and, as expected, she was dressed in a slutty nurses outfit, little of her body left to the imagination. ‘Jesus!’
‘Told you.’ She scoffed.
‘In her defence, she isn’t completely nude.’ It was meant to be a joke, but Olivia did not see the funny side of it. She stood up suddenly and started pacing across the room. ‘Come on, it’s just a stupid picture. Why does it matter?’
‘Because a slutty nurse is every guy’s dream, even if they make weird noises.’ She was frustrated, getting herself more and more worked up.
‘Liv.’ He called but she didn’t even acknowledge him.
‘Just go ahead and send that to Victoria’s Secret. God, how am I meant to compete with that?’ She ranted and Damien stood up, wrapping his arms around her tightly.
‘I don’t care about Meghan, you shouldn’t care about her either.’ He assured her but she was still pouting. ‘I just had the best night of my life and you think I’d go running after a nurse I’ve been avoiding for a year?’ He stroked her hair.
‘Well, it sounds stupid when you say it.’ She muttered and he smiled a little.
‘Come on, just forget about the picture. I’d prefer a slutty cop anyway.’ He smirked.
She whacked him playfully. ‘Watch it.’ She scolded. ‘Wait, I know how we can reply.’ She brightened up suddenly, squeezing out of his hold and grabbing the phone from the table.
‘No, no, no.’ He chased after her, grabbing the phone back quickly. ‘We don’t have to send anything back.’ He sat back down on the couch and she joined him with a sigh, stretching her legs out towards him. ‘Come on, don’t be annoyed.’ She ran a hand through her hair.
‘I just think-’
He raised the camera and took a quick picture of her. ‘Hey!’ She complained, scowling.
‘It’s actually pretty cute.’ He smiled at the photo, quickly saving it before she turned the screen towards her. She softened, smiling a little.
‘Send it her. Let her know you’re taken.’
‘Am I taken?’ He smirked, an eyebrow raised.
‘Maybe.’ She smiled back, a small blush in her cheeks.
‘Does that mean I’m your-’
‘If you want to call us that… then sure.’ She smiled, moving to cuddle up to him. ‘I’m still exhausted.’
‘Go back to sleep.’ He kissed the side of her head.
‘Then I won’t sleep tonight. Fancy some Disney?’
‘Sounds perfect.’
They spent the morning cuddled up on the couch, watching Disney films. Around one in the afternoon. Robin Hood was coming to an end and Olivia had fallen asleep.
‘Hey, gorgeous.’ He whispered, shaking her shoulder lightly. She stirred, opening her eyes slowly. ‘I need to get going, mum will be waiting.’
‘Oh, okay.’ She smiled, sitting up, rubbing her eyes. ‘Want me to drop you off at home?’ She stood up to stretch and he joined her, grabbing her hips to pull her close.
‘I’ll walk.’ He shrugged. ‘But I’m going to need my t-shirt back.’
‘Yeah, good luck with that.’ She grinned.
‘I can’t just walk home in a blazer, I’d be booked for public indecency.’ He laughed. ‘Come on, give it back.’
‘Come get it.’ There was a mischievous glint in her eye.
‘No. We’re not messing about. Give it me.’ He couldn’t help but smile. ‘Hardy, come on.’ She pushed his hands off of her and walked to her bedroom, Damien quickly following. He picked her up from behind, making her giggle. ‘I’ll pull it off if I have to.’ In the end, she surrendered the shirt, in exchange for more than enough kisses, and he passed her another t-shirt. She lay back on her bed, watching him get dressed.
‘It’s not as fun watching you put clothes on.’ She whined.
‘It’s not like I’ll never be back.’ He smiled, pulling his shirt on. He walked up to her, leaning down to kiss her. ‘I’ll see you later.’
‘Bye.’ She smiled.
It wasn't a very long walk back to his own apartment; he hoped his mom was okay, he had left her for quite a while, longer than he probably should have. When we walked into the apartment, she was watching TV, eating lunch.
‘Damien!’ She beamed. ‘How was your date? I want to know everything.’
‘Maybe not everything, mum.’ He laughed, bending down to hug her. ‘Let me grab a quick shower, I’ll be right out.’ He smiled, walking to the bathroom. She grinned to herself as he left the room. She just wanted him to be happy, wanted to know that he’d be in good hands when she passed.
Twenty minutes later, he was freshly showered and changed. His mother had made some some food for him, which he was grateful for, and he happily took a seat next to her.
‘So, how did it go? Where did you take her?’
‘It was unbelievable. We went to her favorite Italian place, we’ll have to go, the food was amazing.’
‘We could all go together!’
‘Yea
h, that actually sounds really good.’ He smiled, excited his mother was so keen to meet Olivia. ‘Then we went to crazy golf and I was a gentleman and let her win.’
‘Sure you did.’ She chuckled. ‘Were you a sore loser like usual?’
‘You know, it’s a funny story-.’
‘So, yes?’
‘Fine. I was, but we had a good laugh. Then we went back to hers…’ His mother raised an eyebrow. ‘And we said our prayers and went to sleep.’
‘If that’s what you want to call it.’ She smirked. ‘I want to meet her.’
‘You can, let’s see how the next few dates go, then I promise, we’ll all go out.’
Chapter 5
Three weeks passed in a blur of cases, dates, and nights they never wanted to end. Everything just seemed to work better because they were together; work was easy and without distractions, his mother seemed brighter and he and Olivia were more comfortable with each other than ever.
‘So, do you want to go out tonight? Or do you want to have a quiet night in?’ She asked, flicking through some paperwork, double checking it.
‘We could go watch a movie?’ He suggested. ‘We could even go to the cinema if you can keep your hands off me.’
She scoffed sarcastically, ‘You start it most of the time!’ He shrugged and she looked at her watch. ‘Perfect, it’s lunchtime, I’m starving. What do you want? I’ll go pick it up.’
The worst thing she had done to him in their relationship - not that they had actually put a title on it yet - was get him into fast food. It was hurting his bank account, and his figure.
‘Maybe we should consider a healthier lunch?’
‘You’re funny. What do you want?’
‘Meatball sub, please.’ He sighed, handing over the money. ‘I’m serious though, Liv. We shouldn’t be eating so much crap.’ She rolled her eyes, her usual reaction when he tried to talk about eating better food, and kissed his cheek before leaving the precinct.
Five minutes later, he heard a familiar voice.
‘Damien! You forgot your lunch this morning.’ His mother walked into the office, a visitors badge hanging around her neck. She’d put her wig on and a touch of makeup, he could tell, and she looked perfectly healthy, no one would suspect a thing.
‘Mum! What are you doing here?’ He asked, standing to pull her into a hug. She handed over a bag and looked around the office, obviously looking for someone. He caught on quickly. ‘Are you here to see Olivia?’
‘I came to give you food!’ She protested and Damien folded his arms over his chest. ‘And also maybe see Olivia.’ She admitted.
‘Mum, I told you, we’re taking it slow.’ He explained.
‘Well… I want to meet her before I pop my clogs.’
‘Damien, is everything okay?’ Olivia’s voice came from behind them. His mother turned at a speed he didn’t think possible, a big smile on her face.
‘You must be Olivia?’ His mother beamed as she put their lunch down on his desk.
‘Hi, yeah that’s me.’ Olivia smiled back just as brightly.
‘I’m Amanda.’ His mother offered her hand.
‘Dame’s mother!’ She smiled, shaking her hand before leaning to kiss her cheek. ‘It’s so nice to finally meet you.’
‘Damien’s been hiding you from me. I was starting to think he was making this girlfriend of his up!’
‘Oh well, mum, you shouldn’t say she’s my girlfr-’
‘I’m hundred percent real. Damien’s the best boyfriend anyone could ask for.’ She smiled, looking up at him and winking. He let out a sigh of relief. ‘We were planning what to do tonight. Why don’t we all go for a meal or something? I know a great restaurant just down the road from my place.’ She suggested.
‘Oh, really?’ His mother’s eyes seemed to light up and he could have cried with happiness. ‘I would love that. It’d be nice to get out the house.’
‘I’ll ring them and make a reservation. How does seven o’clock sound?’ She smiled. ‘It was lovely meeting you but unfortunately I’ve just been called out.’
‘Don’t worry, go and do your duty.’
‘And you!’ She smiled, pointing her finger at him. ‘Don’t touch my lunch.’ She warned him, stepping around his mother to kiss him on the cheek. ‘Thank God we’re going to that restaurant tonight.’
He chuckled, ‘See you later, beautiful.’
‘See you tonight, Mrs Macken.’ She said, rushing off.
‘Please, call me Mandy!’ She called. Olivia turned around and smiled at her again, then waved them both goodbye.
‘Mandy, huh? You never-’
‘Propose to her.’ His mother insisted.
‘Mum! We’ve been together for three weeks.’
‘Do not let that one get away.’ She warned, slapping his arm. ‘I swear to God, if you break her heart, I will haunt you after my death.’
‘Okay, message received. Loud and clear.’ He promised, then a smile appeared on his face. ‘So, you like her then?’
‘I don’t think Cupid himself could find a more perfect girl for you.’ She beamed, hugging him again.
Olivia arrived back at work a few hours later to a quiet office. Damien’s mother had left and now, he was just sat at his desk, looking bored as he typed up reports.
‘You look like you’re having the time of your life.’ She smiled as she walked to her desk, finding her sandwich still there. ‘I’m starving.’
‘Hey! We’re going to a restaurant in like three hours.’ He complained and she scoffed as she unwrapped her food.
‘You underestimate how hungry I am.’ She pointed out. 'Your mom’s the best by the way.’ Olivia had wondered why she hadn’t met his mother before. She’d worried maybe he didn’t want for them to meet, that maybe she wasn’t good enough. Maybe he wanted to wait until they were definitely a couple and she’d said it now, she’d called him her boyfriend.
‘She loves you.’ He smiled, taking a break from work. ‘You made her so happy earlier.’
‘It was my pleasure.’ She smiled, taking a bite and sighing at how good it was. The phone on her desk rang and she rolled her eyes, chewing quickly. ‘Hardy… yeah, sure I’ll set off now.’
‘Another call out? Someone’s popular today.’ Damien smiled at her and she wrapped her sandwich up again, dropping it in her bag.
‘Domestic disturbance, just gotta check it out.’ She sighed. ‘I’ll see you tonight, okay?’
‘Sounds good.’ He smiled, kissing her before she could leave.
‘Mum! Liv’s picking us up in five minutes. Are you nearly ready?’ He called, fixing his tie in the mirror.
‘Coming!’ His mother walked out of her room, smoothing down her black lace dress.
‘You look beautiful, mum.’ He beamed, turning to look at her properly.
‘I haven’t felt this good in a long time.’ She smiled. ‘Come here. Your tie is wonky.’ She tutted as she fixed it. He was wearing a dark blue suit, one of his favorites, with a white shirt and black shoes to match his tie.
‘She’s here, let’s go.’ He smiled, opening the door. Olivia took his breath away, she’d chosen a burgundy, knee length dress with a v-neck neckline. It showed her figure perfectly at the waist then flowed out, the skirt pleated. Dark blonde waves sat on her shoulders and ran down her back. ‘Wow, you look stunning.’ He couldn’t take his eyes off her.
‘Thank you.’ She blushed and then her eyes looked past him. ‘Amanda! You look beautiful.’
‘Thank you, dear. You do too.’
‘Is anyone going to call me handsome?’ He chuckled.
‘You look very handsome.’ Olivia smiled, kissing his cheek. ‘Shall we go?’
‘I hope you’re not driving in those.’ He noticed her heels as they walked to the car.
‘I brought sneakers.’ She laughed, opening the door for Amanda. ‘He honestly treats me like a child sometimes.’
‘I’ve been there.’ She agreed, making them both laugh.
‘I can tell how this night is going to go.’ He sighed.
At the restaurant, Olivia greeted the waitress with a big smile and had a short conversation before she showed them to their table. She introduced Damien as her boyfriend, which made him grin and the waitress smiled warmly at him. They were put in a quiet corner and a bottle of wine was soon brought over.
‘You seem quite friendly with the staff.’ He smiled, pouring everyone a glass.
‘The best people to know are the people that serve you food. How do you think I got this reservation? There’s a month waiting list.’
‘Seriously?’ He laughed. ‘And you just called earlier and got a table for tonight?’
‘I can do it all over the city.’ She nodded
‘She’s a keeper.’ Amanda chuckled.
The evening went better than anyone could have imagined, they couldn't stop talking. They discussed work, home life, growing up, and everything else they could think of.
While they were having dessert, Olivia started stroking his thigh under the table, her fingers tracing patterns, slowly moving further up his leg.
‘I do worry about you kids on the street.’ Amanda sighed, eating the cherry off her cake.
‘We’ve got each other’s backs.’ She smiled and her hand grazed a sensitive spot. ‘Haven’t we?’
‘What?’ He coughed, feeling a little hot. ‘Oh, yeah. She likes to make me look like an idiot when I’m slacking.’
‘Are you okay, dear?’ His mother asked, concerned. ‘You look a bit warm.’
‘I’m fine.’ He stuttered, reaching to undo his tie a little. Olivia was driving him insane, her touch teasing him. He tried to distract himself, tried to ignore the hand sat high on his thigh, but it was too late, a bulge grew in his trousers. She was going to make a fool out of him.
‘You’ll have to excuse me, I’m just going to nip to the bathroom.’ His mother stood up and left the table. The moment she was out of earshot, Damien let out a low moan.
‘What are you doing?’ He turned to face Olivia, her hand staying where it was.
‘I don’t know what you’re talking about.’ She shrugged innocently but her smile told him she knew exactly what she was doing.
