Page 29 of Guarded By Death

"It's okay, it's been a long time," he states, and I wonder just how long he has been without them. The fact that he even has parents, I'm so confused about him.

"Let's talk about something else," I suggest when the room falls silent.

The rest of the dinner is filled with light conversation. I ask about Brian and she mentions that he has a daughter my age, Kayla she says. She assures me I will love her; I wonder about his family. How will we fit in with them? I need to meet them soon.

I help her in the kitchen with dishes while Pierce sits in the living room. He tried to help but mom insisted he go relax.

"I think I like him," she grins as she places an already clean plate, that she's scrubbed to death, in the dishwasher. My stomach flutters. I knew she would, how could she not?

"I think I do too," I admit with a grin.

"You didn't tell me he was in the military, that would have given him extra brownie points before dinner," she says with a laugh.

I awkwardly laugh back, not knowing what to say since I didn't know myself.

After we clean up, I walk back into the living room and sit with Pierce. He looks huge on our tiny couch and it makes me chuckle.

"What are you laughing about?" he asks.

"I'm just happy. Thank you for coming tonight." I look back towards the kitchen. Our house is small so I can't bring up too much since my mom will hear me. "Do you want to go somewhere?" I ask.

"Where?" He raises his eyebrows and I know what he's thinking.

I hear my mom shuffle into her room, so I know it's safe to talk, quietly. I lean in closer to him and whisper, "Can we do a normal date?" I ask, and when his smile turns to a frown, I quickly backtrack. "No! No, no don't frown! I absolutely love the date you planned for us yesterday. It was the best date I have ever had." I assure him and his face brightens back up.

"I just can't give you anything like that..." I admit as I look at my feet.

He cups my face between his calloused hands. "Scar, you give me everything just by being you. I haven't felt this way before. I'm happy. You have no idea what that means to me, my life was dark before you. Please don't think you aren't exceptional," his gentle tone lulls me.

"So, what are you thinking?" he asks as he leans back into the couch away from me. Seconds later, mom comes into the room.

She dusts her hands. "What do you two want to do tonight?" she asks. I feel guilty wanting to leave but I can't be as close to Pierce as I want. No, need, to be when she's here.

"I think we’re going to head to the city," I say as I give her an 'I'm sorry' look. From the corner of my eye, I catch Pierce smirking.

"That sounds nice! You two have a lovely time and be careful!" she says as she gives me a knowing nod. Thoroughly okay with us leaving, I wonder if she's going to go see Brian.

Pierce rises to his feet. "I had a wonderful time Ms. Wells," he says. How does he know my last name? I roll my eyes at myself. Of course he knows it, he knows everything.

"Please, call me Stacy." She smiles, pulling us both in for a hug. I shuffle out with a sigh. I'm not sure how Pierce is with strangers hugging him. I give her a quick smile as I throw on my shoes and grab him to head out the door.

Sixteen

Ice cream

Pierce holds his hand out to help me into the passenger seat of my car. It's sweet he always wants to drive, but then I think about my anger-induced driving that rainy night, and that makes me second guess if it is just him being a gentleman.

I toss him my keys when he slinks into the passenger seat, he presses the button and stares at me while the seat slowly moves back, smirking about my short height.

I playfully swat his arm when he jokingly wipes his forehead to knock off fake sweat from his ‘long journey’. He laughs, taking off his button up to reveal a crisp white t-shirt underneath.

We take off towards the city and I find myself thinking about how nice dinner was, besides the sad story of a glimpse into Pierce's past. I think he had a nice time; I just hope my mom wasn't too intrusive. "I'm sorry my mom is a little much. She's a hugger, like me. I should have warned you." I laugh.

"No, that was really nice. I didn't realize how much I missed family dinners. I would like to come back soon... if that's okay with you?" His warm tone makes me blush.

"Of course," I say simply as we head down the road.

When he places his hand against my bare thigh, chills spread over me. "So why do you want to go to the city?" He asks.

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