Chapter Thirty One

'The ball's in your court now.' Those words echoed in Lizzie's ears as she tried, desperately, to function. Nate appeared within seconds of Oscar disappearing, and she'd been tied up with sorting out food for them all. Her two day hangover was staying away for as long as she was busy, but she had spent an exceptionally large part of the weekend behaving to excess, and that wasn't like her.

She knew the consequences weren't far away. But with Nate sat on a stool beside her talking about everything he'd done on the weekend in great detail, she was glad that she was holding any ill feeling at bay.

Before dinner time she had a text from Vicky, which echoed her feelings.

"OMG, feel like death, talk about delayed reaction. Was fun though, and now that you've got a more stable babysitter, we can do it more often. What you reckon? Hope it's...going ok ;)"

She laughed at the winky face that ended the message. Vicky was hanging on for any gossip, any gory details, But there wasn't anything to share. She hated that the word 'yet', hung in the air. Because Oscar was planning something, she wasn't sure what, but he was starting to lay down his intentions and she was petrified.

Oscar had come to the local gym, partly because he hadn't worked out properly in weeks, but also because he knew that Lizzie both needed, and would be frustrated by the space he was giving her. He ran on the treadmill, his earphones pumping thrash metal at a ridiculous volume into his brain, it was his greatest motivation. Then he moved to weights, making his body scream. But that sort of pain blocked out the emotional turmoil that was so new to him. He thought of Lizzie every time he closed his eyes, and particularly those odd moments when she let go, when she'd let him in, both physically and emotionally. The more he thought about it, the more he realised that he had to date her, treat her, make her feel special. That was so important, he'd not even tried to show her how he felt, yet he expected her to drop everything he threw her way, snippets.

His mother was his key, as predicted his parents had adored Nate, and he'd loved the attention, the love and of course the toys that they bought him. That made him chuckle, Nate's face when they gave him gifts for no other reason other than he was there.

They needed time away, the two of them, when they weren't being parents, weren't tied up with the trivialities of life, and when she wasn't grieving for her sister. They needed time for them. He just had to make her realise that.

He showered at the gym, taking ages to ensure he left calm, collected and in control of his emotions. Then drove back, arriving at the very moment Nate, bathed and in his pyjamas walked into the lounge, and demanding a story from him. When he had his son settled and almost asleep, he slipped downstairs to find Lizzie cooking dinner. Some sort of curry that smelled amazing.

"Wow, that smells divine!"

She glanced over her shoulder and smiled a real unguarded smile. And it warmed his heart, no animosity, no anger...just Lizzie, relaxed. He wanted to see more of that.

"You want a beer?" he'd reached the fridge before she nodded. Handing her one he sat at the table and watched her work.

"So you had a good weekend?"

She stopped at his question then slowly turned to study him for a moment; he knew she was searching for any signs that he was teasing her, winding her up. So he gave her, what he hoped appeared as, a warm smile.

So she nodded, "it was the first time in a long time that I had no stress."

He smiled at that, "that's about to change. You've been on your own for too long. Doing all this..." he gestured wildly around the room, "for too long. It's going to change."

Her smile then was warm, "really?"

Nodding he tipped his beer in her direction, "really. I'm here to take my turn, more than my turn...and I am also going to take you out. Once we find a sitter. Dinner, wine...and talking."

He watched her throat as she swallowed hard, then she murmured, "dinner?"

Oscar laughed, "you deserve better, and I'm going to show you what that means!"

Lizzie was glad of the sound of the TV as they sat down and watched a movie that night, otherwise she was sure he'd hear the pounding of her heart, because her whole body was vibrating with desire and longing and she wasn't sure how she was going to survive this. Arrogant and annoying Oscar was easy to dislike and to argue with, but this sweet, understanding version was a challenge to her sanity.

"So my mother will come and babysit for us to go out, that is unless you know someone else who could?"

She shrugged, "sometimes my neighbour does it...Marcus."

"Cool, I'll ask him about Wednesday night, if not, my parents will come, I'll get them a hotel nearby."

It was all a bit quick, but she didn't argue, instead she nodded, "ok."

As it was, her neighbour Marcus was away. So the inevitable meeting with Mr and Mrs Wicker was inevitable. True to form, Oscar was perfect in the days between in his announcement and the actual date. Keeping his distance, being helpful, attentive without overpowering her. He took Nate to school, and swimming, he washed the dishes after ever meal. She couldn't ask for anything more...except attention. She missed the attention, the sneaky glances, the hints at what he wanted, and those almost illicit touches. The more he seemed to withhold, restrain, the more she wanted him. By the time Wednesday came around she was a bag of nerves.

Vicky was her constant support on the end of the phone, and it was her who insisted that she book into a beautician that day. So lunchtime saw her being waxed, teased and primped. It wasn't necessary, not really, but Vicky was right, she felt better for that. Toe nails painted, fingers manicured, a facial. It was more extravagant that she could really afford to be, but as she made her way home, she felt better than she had done.

Oscar had been working out of a local hotel the last few days, apparently it was part of the deal that he had. The following week he was going away for three nights, a business trip. He had a few scheduled as part of the change in his job. That was why he was doing this now; she knew that, he wanted to establish things, before he had to disappear.

Lizzie didn't want to look like she was trying too hard, but when she came down the stairs a little later; she was wearing a slinky top, clinging to her breasts, but light around her body, and a pair of wet look leggings that clung to her like a second skin. She wasn't exactly comfortable, but she'd had to send a ton of pictures to Vicky who scrutinised her every choice. The deal was show off her legs and boobs, her best assets, hence the decisions made, and the rather lethal looking pair of heels that she attempted to walk across the room in. She had worn them once in the past, but that was to a work dinner a LONG time ago. She didn't think she'd worn a pair of shoes that high since. The thought daunted her. So she practiced walking without a limp or grimace around the lounge. And that was what she was doing when the front door opened and the Wickers came in.

She almost fell, as the noise took her by surprise, but she managed to reach for the doorjamb, a smile painted on her face as they all filed in.

Oscar had never felt so anxious. He'd met his parents and they'd gone to school with him to collect Nate. Now, they were all heading into Lizzie's house, his parents were about to meet the woman he cared about. He almost staggered at that reality. But, yep, he cared about her.

Glancing up as he sensed her approach he opened his mouth to introduce his parents, but the words froze on his lips. She looked...words failed him. Since they'd met he'd not seen her in much more than jeans, hoodies and some sort of running shoe. But here she stood, her thick, rich hair hanging around her shoulders effortlessly, her body framed by a scarlet coloured top, and those legs...shit. He didn't remember them as being so perfect, so long or so arousing, even when they'd been wrapped around his head.

As he once again opened his mouth to speak, his mother elbowed him in the ribs, barging past him.

"You were brought up better than this, Oscar Wicker." She glared at him angrily, before turning to Lizzie. "Sorry, forgive his manners, you must be Lizzie, I've heard SO much about you, it's a pleasure to finally meet you. I'm Margaret, this..." she nudged him again, "this reprobate's mother."

As Lizzie offered a hand, he watched as his mother pulled her into a hug, "and can I say thank you, for looking after this charming young man for so long. He's a credit to you and your sister."

He glared at his mother, knowing that a Janis reference tonight was so out of place, and so likely to upset Lizzie. But she smiled, reciprocated the hug and nodded, genially.

"Thank you, you're too kind. Welcome to my home, and thank you so much for coming to look after Nate."

Nate appeared battling for attention, and it was then that Fred, his Dad, introduced himself.

The three seemed to be getting on charmingly so he excused himself, "I'll just get changed, then we'll head out?"

Lizzie nodded, then swaggered...she could barely do anything but in those heels, into the lounge.

He was wearing a suit, but it was definitely a 'work suit', so he dived in the shower, then pulled on a dark blue suit, his favourite one. He was styling his damp hair in the small mirror in his room, when he heard voices outside in the hallway.

Opening the door he smiled to see his mother being led along the corridor by an exciting Nate who was chattering excitedly.

"He's showing me his room. Apparently there are some toys that I HAVE to see!"

As Oscar smiled, Nate chirped up, "yes Granny, this is the best. I promise."

"Go find them and I'll be ten seconds, I just need to speak to your Dad." Nate disappeared and she looked up at him smiling, "will I ever get used to referring to you as a Dad?"

He laughed, "maybe before I get used to being one?"

She hugged him then, arms around his neck tightly, "I love her already, Lizzie." She released him then, "don't hurt her, Oscar."

He rolled his eyes, "what are you saying? She might hurt me!"

His mother shrugged, "I'm not sure about that, you see I know you, and everyone loves you. Since you were a boy you charmed everyone, but that girl downstairs, she's had a tough time. Just be gentle with her. Ok?"

"I really like her Mum, a lot."

She smiled, "I really hope that's true, because I like her too. Already."

"You're quiet."

They were in the back of a cab heading into town when Lizzie spoke. She was sat beside him, legs pressed together, hands fastened in her lap, her confidence and strength from when he walked into the house had evaporated, and that was his fault.

"Sorry, was a little stressed, with my folks arriving." Partly true! His internal monologue was very active today. Taking a deep breath, he reached for a hand, she resisted him for a moment, then relaxed letting her fingers entwine with his. "Plus, you rendered me speechless."

That made her head pop up and her eyes meet his, "what?"

He smiled, "you look amazing, you literally took my breath away when I walked into the house. Taken me a while to get my composure back."

Her eyes widened, and that cute blush that he loved so much swept over her neck and face. "Don't be silly."

Oscar wanted to laugh at that, he word stupid was bad enough, but this woman had no idea what she was doing to him, and he had to show her. He was just worried about having the patience to see things through, because every night she tempted him to do the wrong thing, but tonight...he was going to need every ounce of his reserve to get through it all sensibly.

Hiding all that anxiety, he lifted her hand to his mouth and kissed the tip of each finger, then smiled, "silly? Nope, but maybe captivated, Lizzie. Yep, you captivate me."