Lily POV:
The one dreadful thing that I detested most has become precious to me, getting close to people. It's almost like I've become addicted to being around Liam and his daughter Ashley. I've learned so much about them in a short period. Liam owns a prominent modeling company called Rowen's Dynamics. He lost his wife, Ashley's mom in childbirth, and his parents in a car crash several years ago.
I watched attentively as the beautiful little girl that stole my heart away, at first sight, bounced up and down giggling just like she did when I initially saw her.
"Lady, lady I missed you" Ashley squeals as she runs up to me flinging her little arms around my neck, nearly knocking me down.
"I missed you too sweetie," I say kissing her on the cheek.
"Hi beautiful," Liam says, making me blush and feeling gushy on the inside. I've never been capable of forging a social bond with anyone so fast except for Mandy since my Nana died. Here I am standing with an affectionate father and daughter who has treated me like family.
I've spent just about every day with them for the past three months. Liam was a man of his word; he refused to take no for an answer even on the days I was feeling down about not seeing Mandy. Today I had invited him and Ashley to my home for lunch, and I was extremely nervous about my decision. I've never allowed anyone into my home because I'm too fearful of their judgment and expectations of me. My hands began to sweat and my body became tense the closer we got to the door.
"Lily, you don't have to do this. I understand this is a big step for you," Liam says standing in front of me barring me from the entry of my door.
That's one of the key things that I've come to admire about him, always being understanding and patient with me. "I want to do this Liam!
"Ok if you're determined to do this, allow me to open the door, and we can walk in together," he says as he picks up Ashley.
While passing him my keys our hands accidentally touch and I feel that same spark of electric energy shooting through my whole body just like the first time. It's been hard for me to not make any physical contact with Liam. Especially when he looks longingly at me with desire blazing in his stormy gray eyes. The same look he's giving me right now.
I have never had any guy to look at me that way my whole life. They always thought I was weird and some even took it upon themselves to make my life a living hell. Little did they know I'm a fighter. I had to be, growing up with all the bullshit that came my way.
"Are you sure about this? Liam asks with his hand resting on the doorknob.
"Yeah, I'm certain! I say just before Liam unlocks the door and steps inside. The second he placed Ashley on the floor she ran towards the living room. Instantly I felt like all my nerves were being taken control of by some unknown force. I stood patiently at the door waiting for him to voice his disappointment with my home and me. My lungs began to burn as it begged me for the fresh air that I was unintentionally depriving it of.
"You have a gorgeous home that has a warm female touch to it," Liam says as he continues looking around. He finally stops to stare at me with this big beautiful smile etched on his face. I licked my lips nervously as he approached me with an unfamiliar gleam in his eyes. "Lily, your home is perfect just like you! He adds then tenderly caresses both sides of my face and leans over to place a tender, sweet kiss on my lips. Reaching up I strategically placed my hands around his neck promptly pulling him back down towards me.
"Lily my need to touch and kiss you like this has wreaked havoc on my willpower to stay strong since walking into your magically home," Liam says breathing heavily before gently licking my lips making me quiver inside. The moment he slid his tongue into my mouth my body felt like it was a burning inferno about to explode with an unfamiliar need. I felt his evident desire for me poking me.
"Lily, we have to stop this before I get into trouble! Liam murmured in between kissing me." Damn, I love tasting your sweetness; it's very intoxicating. I can't seem to pull myself away from you, so you're going to have to walk away from me, Lily."
I walked leisurely past Liam into the living room with a huge chest shire grin on my face after realizing the kind of effect on him. Ashley sitting on the couch watching Sponge Bob and laughing out loud.
"Are you having fun sweetie? I asked sitting down beside her while at the same time looking over my shoulder at her dad wondering if he was okay.
"Yes lady, I am! When can I spend the night with you? She asked out of the blue catching me off guard.
"That's all up to your dad honey but you are welcome to stay anytime," I genuinely say meaning it.
"Can daddy stay too? Ashley asked joyfully.
"We'll have to see about that! I honestly answered not knowing what else to say.
Liam POV:
Here I stood completely amazed at how fast I've fallen for Lily. For the first time, I'm not terrified of giving myself completely to someone since my wife died. What's even more astounding is how Ashley has taken to her, she never allows anyone to get close to her, not even my parents. I stood there eagerly watching the remarkable woman I've fallen in love with kiss my daughter on the cheek as if she's known her forever.
I've always been cautious of the people that I bring around my daughter. It never in the past occurred to me that she needed a mother figure in her life until now as I observe them cuddle together.
My overwhelming desire for Lily is steadily rising with each glorious day that I spend with her. I'm trying my hardest to get control of myself, but I'm failing miserably. I don't comprehend what it is about this woman that I can't stop myself from getting turned on. I've never been like this, not even with my wife at first. God help me I want her so bad that most times I can't even think straight.
It seems to me that Ashley and I were instantly drawn to Lily from the very first day we met her if I'm being honest with myself. I want her, but I will not force her into anything that she's not ready for especially after everything that she has been through already. I will patiently wait for Lily to come willingly to me and when she does I'll be there ready to treat her like the queen that she is.
I finally decided to make my way over to them as my desire for Lily has cooled down as much as it was going to. Standing by the luxurious couch I watched my two favorite people staring at the TV watching SpongeBob snuggled up together."Are you two ladies just going to sit here watching my favorite show in the whole wide world without me? I asked with merriment.
"Of course not daddy," Ashley says, pats the seat between her and Lily for me to sit. The three of us sat there watched countless reruns of SpongeBob until Lily headed towards the kitchen to serve lunch.