by Haley Travis
My wide smile surprised me. I’d always had secret fantasies about big, hulking men, but I certainly couldn’t think of that now. He sounded sweet. Something about the tone of his voice was so friendly that it made me feel a bit more grounded for the first time since the world went dark.
Liam placed a hand on my shoulder, guiding me to the couch and sitting down beside me.
“Gwen said that the first thing I have to tell you is that she’s okay, because she doesn’t want you to worry.”
“All right.” Instantly I began to worry.
“She was riding her bike here this morning and got doored by some asshole getting out of a taxi. So she’s on crutches for a while with a sprained ankle.”
“Oh my God – poor thing.”
“It could have been a lot worse, but she’s learned how to fall pretty well after biking in Toronto for years. She’ll be fine, but she has to keep it iced and elevated for a while. She said that you shouldn’t be worrying about her, you’re supposed to be relaxing and taking care of yourself.” I felt the couch shift under his weight as he leaned back.
“Gwen checked with the agency, and they’re already low on nurses this month, plus the flu took out four of them yesterday. Apparently, there would be a two-week wait. She couldn’t stand the thought of you here alone, so she called me.”
“Wait – you’re going to drop everything and take care of me for five days?” That was unbelievably kind of a stranger, and it was a little strange.
“I work remotely,” he said. “My laptop is in my knapsack. So I can hang out here and feed you, keep you company, and make sure you don’t trip on anything.”
“Are you a nurse?”
That low warm chuckle again. “No, but I can handle the basics, and if anything comes up we can call Gwen. I’m pretty used to her ordering me around.”
“Wow.” Even though I couldn’t see, I looked down at my hands in my lap out of instinct. Having a professional care of me was a terrible necessity. Having a random guy do it was difficult to process.
“Is that okay with you?” Liam asked carefully. “Knowing Gwen, she likely tried to think of every possible solution.”
“Yeah, it’s okay. Thank you so much.”
“Did you have breakfast yet?” Liam asked.
“I had tea and a granola bar. I’m not a big breakfast person.”
“Then let’s have a big lunch,” he said. “Gwen said something about making sure you have food you can eat comfortably.”
“You don’t need to go to any trouble,” I said quickly. “We could order something in. I have accounts at a couple of different places.”
“Don’t you worry, little one. I’ve got you covered.” He paused, and it was weird thinking of this stranger looking at me when I couldn’t see him. “Kayla, when’s the last time you got any fresh air? No offense, but you’re a bit pale.”
I laughed lightly. “I’m always pale. I don’t go in the sunshine much. The light has always been a bit too bright for me.”
“Those bandages are light proof, right?” he asked. I nodded. “What if I take you out on the balcony for a few minutes? Roll your sleeves up, get some sun and air.”
My hands balled into fists. “I... don’t think I could.” I felt myself being usually open with him, which I guess was best under the circumstances.
“What if we just stand in the doorway? I won’t let you get anywhere near the edge.”
Maybe he was an outdoorsy sort of guy. I’d always spent most of my time inside, and he was likely right. “I’ll try,” I whispered.
Liam stood up and took my hand. “I know it might be weird having a stranger touch you, Kayla, but try to relax. I promise I only want you to be happy and healthy.” That rumbling chuckle filled the room as he slowly led me to the door, then pushed up my sleeves. “And of course, uninjured from tripping hazards. You wouldn’t believe how hard Gwen would smack me if I let anything bad happen to her patient.”
That made me laugh. He slid the balcony door open and lifted me so that I was standing on the door frame. I felt the heat of the sun on my face and arms, and the slight breeze was refreshing. But as it picked up, I cringed back. Being unable to see the edge was terrifying, since I could sort of sense where it was.
“You’re okay.” Thick arms wrapped around my stomach, holding me still. “Is this alright? I’ll be your seat belt.”
Liam was so warm, my back pressed against his chest. Hopefully he thought I was taking deep breaths of the outdoor air, but I was actually trying to calm my reaction to him. There was something absurdly sexy about a stranger holding me so close. He obviously didn’t mean anything by it, but it still felt a bit intimate. Saucy.
In this long, dark nightmare, the feeling of him, the scent of him, had been the first time I’d felt grounded in my body.
My other senses had been weird from the lack of sight to balance them, but my sensitivity to touch had been increasing. With this brick wall of a man surrounding me, I felt myself blushing from the primal thoughts flashing through my mind.
“The edge is four feet away,” he said gently, his breath tickling my ear. “I’d never let you go, Kayla.”
Something rang through his voice as he said that. My stomach clenched and my thighs tightened. I knew he was just doing a favor for his sister, but for a moment I could imagine what it would feel like if he were caring for me in different circumstances.
After around five minutes, he brought me in, then he went to fetch the sandwiches he’d brought from his favorite shop. We talked politely about strange restaurants, getting to know each other a little.
Then I listened to audiobooks for several hours while he sat at the other end of the couch working on his laptop. It was nice, but I couldn’t stop trying to think of excuses to have him touch me again. It was like an itch I couldn’t reach, and couldn’t push out of my mind.
I finished a chapter of a book, and couldn’t sit still any more. Pulling off my headphones, I asked, “How is your work going?”
“Pretty good, thanks,” he said. I felt something move through the air around him. Stretching his arms, maybe?
“What do you do?”
“I’m a copy editor for technical manuals,” he said. Then he made a little noise that may have been a snort. “Not exciting to some people, but it activates my hunter instinct. It’s like a little prize every time I find an error, or a chunk that needs rewriting.”
“What sorts of manuals?”
“Some projects are interesting things like new software. Some are really boring like dishwasher maintenance instructions.” There was a click which I assumed was his laptop closing, then he shifted, and his voice sounded like he was now facing me. “I learn something every day, so that keeps my brain clicking along.”
I nodded. “Cool.”
“It’s steady work, and I can keep my own hours, which is nice.”
His phone beeped, and it sounded like he sent a quick text. “A manual I proofed last week was approved and just went to print,” he explained.
“Ah, the satisfaction of checking something off the list,” I smiled.
“So, what movies are you into?” Liam asked casually.
Once again, I wished that I could see his eyes when I answered. “I like science fiction, and action sometimes. And documentaries about art, and the human psyche.” I smirked at myself. “And of course, the odd silly romantic chick flick.”
“Hey, those movies are very handy for some of us to try to understand women,” he chuckled.
“What do you like?” I asked. “Car chases?”
I loved that he gave my knee a little pat now and then, perhaps to show me that he was smiling. “Yeah, sometimes. I like science fiction too. And mysteries, and horror.”
I cringed. “Horror is the one genre that is seriously not for me.”
“Why not?” He sounded genuinely curious. “Too much blood?”
“I don’t like that, no, but mostly it’s the jump scares. Can’t stand it
. I can’t even stand other people being scared on those prank shows. It’s horrible.”
“Note to self – no big surprises for Kayla.”
“Thanks,” I laughed. “Do you like being scared?”
“No, they don’t scare me at all. But somehow… they pull me completely into the story. I love trying to figure out what’s going on, and they’re usually pretty dark visually. I like disappearing for a while, really mentally checking out.”
“Me too, but for me, that’s what books are for.”
I felt him shift on the couch. “Yeah, you’re going to need an extra bookshelf soon.”
“And then another,” I chuckled.
I heard him stand up, going over to the shelves. “I like that you have them alphabetically by author,” he said. “I saw a photo where somebody arranged everything by color.”
“I’ve seen that,” I laughed. “It was really pretty, and maybe it works if you only have fifty books. But more than that, and you need a system.”
Liam paused, and once again, I realized with slight discomfort that he was checking out my home. “I see,” he said quietly. “Fiction, non-fiction, and art books. But what’s with the vertical stacks all jumbled on the middle shelf?”
“Oh, that’s my to-read pile.”
He sat back on the couch and patted my knee again. “Well then, I’m glad your eyes are getting fixed so that you can get cracking before that pile is taller than you are. Those textbooks are bigger than your head as it is.”
Why did he make me laugh so much? “The big gold one? That is a great doorstop, and perfect for crushing dried flowers,” I said.
“Well, I can honestly say that’s something I’ve never tried,” he confessed.
“It’s not much of a sport for big guys.” I reached behind me and felt for the blanket, throwing it over my knees as I curled up sideways to face him. Even though I couldn’t see, it felt more sociable. “Are you into sports?” I asked.
I heard a slight rustle. “Oh shit. Sorry – I shrugged.” We both laughed. “I play basketball, baseball, and soccer. Only casual weekend afternoon games with buddies.”
“Never on real teams?”
“Nah.” It sounded like he was shaking his head. “When I was younger, I did a bit. But I don’t like how insanely competitive it got. Can’t everyone just play their best game then grab a beer?”
“You sound very wise.”
“Oh yes,” he said. “I have the wisdom of the ages. So when it’s time for me to suggest you eat your vegetables, you know it comes from a timeless, important voice.” He paused. “You don’t seem like the type into sports at all. No offense.”
“None taken in the slightest. Yeah, I’m not very coordinated.”
“Do you watch anything on TV? Go out to the pub and scream for your team?”
Shaking my head quickly, I wished I hadn’t. It felt too weird with the bandages. “I don’t like large groups of people.” Trying to think of something upbeat, I added, “I do like watching downhill skiing though.”
“Me too!” he exclaimed. “Those people are totally fearless. It’s inspiring.”
“It’s terrifying. But I can’t look away,” I said. “I swear, my heart stops when they do the jumps, especially when they flip upside down.”
“Yeah, that’s nuts,” he said. “I get nervous for them when they’re at the top of the hill, waiting for that buzzer that tells them when to go. What goes through someone’s head when they’re about to fling themselves down a mountain?”
My hands were fidgeting nervously with the edge of the blanket just from thinking about it. “I have no idea. It’s a level of bravery, or insanity, that I hope I never understand.”
“Says the girl who studies giant psychology books,” he chuckled. Then he patted my foot. “But you’re plenty brave, little one. Look at you, dealing with surgery, and dealing with a total lack of sight for a week.” He paused. “I think you’re really incredible for choosing to do this.”
I smiled. “Thanks. I don’t feel brave at all.”
“Well, you’re wrong. So there.”
I started laughing. “If I could see, I’d throw a pillow at you.”
“Sheesh, what’s with women chucking things at me? Gwen pitches baseballs at my head.”
“What?”
“They’re imaginary, but still.”
Then I laughed. A big, doubled over, gut shaking laugh that may have been welling up inside me for days.
Liam laughed with me, sounded delighted by my goofiness. When I finally started to compose myself, he patted my shoulder. “I’m glad you’re awesome, Kayla. I had no idea what I was walking into here.”
“Thank you for coming,” I said, still shaking a little. “Honestly, being trapped in the dark is weirdly lonely.”
“Thank goodness I brought cookies, then,” he said, getting up and rustling in one of his bags. I heard him go to the kitchen and open a few cupboards.
He came back, and I heard a china plate slide onto the table. Picking up my hand, he tapped my fingers on the edge. “I assume that dark chocolate and caramel cookies are filled with nutrients that are good for eye healing?”
“Yes,” I grinned, picking up a thick, chunky bakery-style cookie. “I’m surprised you’ve already read about that, they only finished that research last month.”
“Oh, I’m completely on top of cookie-related healing techniques,” he said with his mouth full. “I love science.”
***
Liam coordinated my food, rest, and conversation for the rest of the day, and I found myself relaxing around him much more than I ever would have expected.
He sounded reluctant when it was time to leave. “Do you know anyone else named Liam?” he asked.
“No. Why?”
“Hold on.” He went to my bedroom for a moment, then returned. “Okay, I’m a contact in your phone. Tell it to call Liam if you have any trouble. And I have a key, so with your permission, if it’s an emergency, I’ll just come in.” He paused. “Why are you grinning like you’re trying not to crack up?”
“It’s sweet that you’re overprotective,” I said, still surprised that I was being so open with him. “But I’ll be fine. I did a few blindfolded walkthroughs with Gwen, and we went over the night routine. There’s no muscle rub right next to the toothpaste.”
His big, deep laugh triggered my hand, which automatically reached out to lay against his chest. He took my fingers and gave the back of my hand a gallant little kiss. “Don’t worry, m’lady. I know I’m a big scary guy, but how am I doing at playing nurse so far?”
“A-plus,” I grinned.
“Excellent,” he said, and I could sort of hear the smile in his tone. “Lock this behind me, and I’ll be back at ten in the morning.”
“Thank you.”
I felt a pause. It was so annoying that I couldn’t see his expression. It was more annoying that my body instinctively wanted to hug him.
“You’re very welcome, little one. Goodnight.”
CHAPTER FOUR
* Liam *
I was in such deep shit. The deepest. The Marianas Trench of shit.
Gwen could read me like a book. Now I’d have to call her with a report, not letting her hear in my voice that I was completely smitten with this gorgeous girl who I was now apparently taking care of for four more days.
Kayla was sweet, smart and funny. Yet it was much more than that. She tilted her head to the left when she started to laugh, never the right. Sometimes she pressed her lips together when she was thinking about what to say. Her delicate fingers reached out so carefully for her mug of tea.
She seemed a little jumpy, but that was understandable. Honestly, she was handling her predicament much better than anyone else I know would have. Including me. I’d be seriously ticked off at the situation. Kayla wasn’t angry, just… unnerved.
I had to put the mental image of her soft, curvy hips and breasts out of my mind, locking it away for a few weeks from now. This week
, I was not permitted to even think about what I desperately wanted to do with her sweet little body.
I needed to kiss her. Picturing those full, rose-colored lips that taunted me every time she smiled in my direction – it was almost painful.
Yeah, I was smitten. I was deep in smit.
And shit.
Buckets and mountains of it.
At the second I was trying to pull myself together, my phone rang. “Hi, Gwen,” I said, trying desperately to sound normal.
“How did it go?”
“Pretty good. She really doesn’t want to be a bother, but I think part of that is probably because she doesn’t know me at all. Once we got chatting, she seemed to loosen up a little.”
“Good. And the instructions made sense, with her pills and everything?”
“Yes. And like you said, I forced her to take them even though she said she wasn’t in pain.” I paused. “Well you know, strongly suggested.”
I could hear Gwen laugh. “I’m sure with your deep voice it sounded more like a command than a suggestion.”
“Hey – I am being a very caring sort of nurse dude right now. Give me a break.” I paused again so that she could keep laughing. “How is your ankle?” I asked.
“Bugger it,” she hissed. “So annoying.”
“Do you want me to come over and help you out for a couple of hours?”
“No. Thanks, but my new neighbor Alex checked on me, and gave me his number in case I need anything.” I could almost hear her trying not to giggle. “Would it be too forward to ask him for a sponge bath?”
I chuckled. “You’re terrible.”
“But he’s really, really cute,” she whined. “And you know how men love to save the damsel in distress.”
Did I ever, but I certainly couldn’t tell her that.
As always, Gwen seemed to know what I was thinking. “So, you and Kayla got along all right?” she asked carefully. “You were able to keep your distance?”
I closed my eyes, attempting not to think of my arms wrapped around Kayla’s waist in the doorway of the balcony. I tried to block out the feeling of her back pressing against my chest, her curvy round ass, pressing straight against my…
