Sheltering Olivia

Chapter 3

Chapter 3

Heath managed to stay away from the diner for a week. It had been hard not wanting to check on Olivia every day to make sure Jeremy and his gang left her alone, but he had to plan his next move carefully. It had never occurred to him that he might be coming on too strong. He was a man used to making hard and fast decisions, and when he wanted something, he held nothing back and went after it with everything he had. It had never been a problem until Olivia.

If he was going to win her over, it would take more cunning and patience. His usual tricks to get a woman in his bed weren’t going to work.

There was something special about her. He didn’t know what, but she was worth the effort. She was beautiful that was certain, but there was something more. Something different. For the first time in a long time, he wanted to get to know a woman. More than just her name, and where she lived to take her home and leave, when he was done. Something in him changed from when he first started pursuing her to saving her from Jeremy.

His looks, charms, and strength weren’t going to be what won Olivia over. No, it was something else. She was under the impression he was only interested in a one-night stand, but that was before. Now, he’d be okay with a little longer to be honest. Not saying something permanent just for a little while.

There had to be something that would convince her to give him a chance, and today, seemed like a perfect day to try his luck.

“Remind me again why I’m here.” Mike asked causally beside him, as he walked with his hands stuck in the front of his jeans, watching people give him wide berth.

Mike could be intimating to those that didn’t know him with his six-foot eight height. He was also as broad as a linebacker, which didn’t help. It was handy against their enemies, but frightening to most people that didn’t know him. He really was a kind and gentle guy to those that weren’t his enemy.

It was unconventional not only for Heath to bring a wingman, as he usually didn’t need one, but to go to a carnival. He had learned this was where Olivia would be today, and he wanted to see her. He didn’t want Olivia thinking he was stalking her or coming on too strong again, so he thought bringing a friend would help his cover and make it look like he was just out to enjoy the day, and not looking for her in particular.

“You’re helping me with reconnaissance.”

“By stalking the woman you’ve been going to the diner to see almost every day for the past month?”

“You’re one to talk. How many times have you gone sneaking off base over the past few months?”

Mike scowled. It was only by accident that Heath learned the real reason Mike kept going to a hospital off base so frequently, and it wasn’t because he was accident prone. True, he had been shot a few times, and almost every mission he seemed to get hurt in some way. The bastard was a giant moving target, but his skills and quick reflexes had prevented him from fatal injuries.

Mike had tried playing it off, saying he was getting hurt around the house, but everyone knew that for the lie it was. Heath followed Mike one day and saw him talking with a woman, and suddenly, it all made sense. Mike had found someone, but he wasn’t ready to share her with the team yet.

“It’s not the same.”

“Whatever you want to tell yourself.” They were both two saps, who would go through any lengths to see their object of affection. Though, Heath was sure Mike’s lady didn’t push him away at every turn.

“What’s this girl’s name anyway?” Mike asked, changing the subject.

Mike’s lady was a true mystery. Anytime Heath asked Mike about her, he changed the subject. He couldn’t be embarrassed about her, so what was his deal? Heath had no problem talking about Olivia.

“Olivia. Kathy, from the diner, said she was working the carnival today, so she’s at one of the booths. I just don’t know which one.”

“Man, you’ve got it bad.” Mike chuckled beside him. “I never thought I’d see the day.”

Heath stopped in his tracks and glared at him. “What are you talking about?”

“You’ve got the hots for this lady.”

“Yeah, so?” He had already admitted that. So what? Where was Mike going with this?

“I’ve known you for over six years, and I’ve never seen you pursue a woman like this.”

It was true, too. He had never tried for so long to get a woman in his bed, but there was something about Olivia that compelled him not to give up. That she was worth the time and patience he was giving, trying to win her over. It did seem out of character for him, since once the hunt was over, he moved on to other prey, but with Olivia, something told him one night wouldn’t be enough. Maybe, even a week. He didn’t understand it fully himself, so he didn’t try reasoning with Mike.

“There’s just something different about her.”

“Uh huh,” Mike said with a twinkle in his eye and a giant smirk.

“Don’t even think it.”

“Think what?” Mike said in mock shock.

“You think I’m falling for this girl, and I’m going to end up a sap, like all the other guys. Well, it’s not happening, so get that thought right out of your head.” He didn’t do permanent, as his life was full of unknowns. Each mission could be his last, and he didn’t want to put a girlfriend or wife through that. Too often, he saw his teammate’s girlfriends get weepy, when they went off. It wouldn’t be fair to a woman to put her through that.

“I’m just pointing out that you’re going through a lot of effort to get this woman in your bed for one night, when there are plenty of other women you won’t have to try so hard with.”

“I don’t want them. I want Olivia.”

“Do you even know why?”

Heath opened his mouth, but no ready reply came out. Again, he hadn’t put much thought into it. He saw Olivia and wanted her, and it wasn’t any different from the hundreds of other women he had seen and took home.

“I’m not judging,” Mike continued. “But there comes a time in all of our lives, that the game gets old, and you want to settle down.”

“Not me,” Heath said quickly, but even he had to admit the game was getting old, finding a new woman all the time. He couldn’t remember half their names or faces anymore. The thought of one woman for the rest of his life sent him into a cold sweat. Nothing in life was ever certain, and he didn’t want a woman waiting for him to come home. To nag him where he was going, or when he would come home. To fuss over him, when he got hurt.

A quick roll in the sheets and leaving without a backward glance was easier, even if lonely. He didn’t have to move any of his things to make room for hers. He didn’t have to worry about getting yelled at for leaving clothes on the floor or leaving the toilet seat up. He could come and go as he pleased.

“Heath, we’re at the town carnival surrounded by screaming kids and families. You have never come to one of these in all the years we’ve been stationed here.”

It was a valid point, but one he wasn’t going to delve into. He had his reasons, and he wasn’t going to share them with Mike. “Just help me find her, and I’ll do the rest.” He said, ignoring his friend’s words of wisdom.

“I’ll help you, but I still think you’re thinking of something more permanent with her.”

“No, I’m not.” Heath growled.

“We’ll see.”

No, they wouldn’t, but Heath wasn’t going to correct him. Heath was a confirmed bachelor and proud of it. If he was the only one in their group, then so be it. Settling down wasn’t for him. He didn’t even own a house, but an apartment. He couldn’t even commit to a house, so there was no way he could commit to a woman for more than a few weeks, before he got bored. Olivia would be no different. She would finally give into him, they would have amazing s*x, and then move on. Nothing more.

A voice inside him warned him he was lying, but he ignored it. He didn’t want anything permanent. Never again. He had tried the relationship thing once, and it hadn’t been for him. Nadine, his ex, had been demanding and insecure. Always paranoid he was going out and cheating on her, though he never gave her cause. She was demanding and always arguing with him. He couldn’t take it anymore and finally left. It was only after he left her that he discovered she had been doing drugs, which was causing some of her paranoia. Heath swore off relationships after that. It wasn’t worth the headache.

Heath’s hairs on the back of his neck stood on end in awareness, as his gaze travelled around the pedestrians, walking around him. Carnivals weren’t his normal scene, but this was the lengths he’d go through to see a woman. Not just any woman, but Olivia. He hoped she appreciated it. He didn’t like screaming, demanding kids. He actually didn’t care for kids in general. They whined and complained about everything. If they didn’t get their way, they caused a fit.

He shuddered just thinking about it. Just a little bit longer, and he could leave. He just needed to find Olivia, and they would leave the carnival for a quieter place. That thought had his eyes travelling around even harder. A group of teenagers moved past him, and then he was gifted with the most beautiful vision that quickly morphed into a nightmare. Olivia sat on a podium with a man kissing her, as Heath saw red. That was his woman. He had been pursuing her for a month, and he wasn’t about to allow some punk to set in and claim his prize. As the man pulled away, Olivia gave him a strained smile, before the man walked away.

Heath felt a tightness in his chest ease. Olivia didn’t seem into the kiss. He wouldn’t beat the s**t out of the guy after all, but then, another man came up to her and planted his lips on hers. What the hell was going on? Heath started storming towards her, when an arm held him back. Heath whipped around with his fist raised, but then stopped, when he saw that it was Mike.

“Dude, really?” Mike’s eyes darted between his and the fist.

“Let me go.” Heath warned. He had never threatened one of his teammates before, but he was seriously close to it now, if Mike didn’t let him go, so he could beat the man currently kissing Olivia.

“So, you can make an i***t of yourself? No, you need to calm down first.”

“f**k that. She’s up there kissing some dude.” Two in the span of a few seconds.

“For the carnival.” Mike said slowly, as if talking to a simpleton. Heath might as well be, because he didn’t understand what Mike was saying. Mike rolled his eyes and pointed at something over Heath’s shoulder. Heath turned and followed the finger to a banner over Olivia’s head he had previously missed.

Kissing Booth.

Well I’ll be.

She wasn’t making out with other guys. She was working a kissing booth to raise money. Kathy had told him she was working at the carnival, but he hadn’t put two and two together, until Mike explained. Now, he felt like an i***t. He had been about to start a fight for no reason. That definitely wouldn’t have earned him any points with Olivia. Mike just saved him from making a major mistake.

“Thanks, buddy.”

“Wow, I have never seen you so territorial about another woman before.” Mike said wide-eyed.

Heath hadn’t either. Normally, he didn’t care if a woman he was checking out went for another guy. He would brush it off and go after someone else. What the hell was it about Olivia that was driving him crazy? Pursuing her for a month, going to carnivals, and now, he was even going to get in a fight over a woman. Another first, and he didn’t like it. She shouldn’t be any different, and yet, she was. Now was his chance to prove it.

“I’m good. I just didn’t know she was working the kissing booth.” Heath lied smoothly.

“Thought someone was moving in and winning her over, where you failed?” Mike chuckled evilly.

“No,” Heath stressed. “But this works out in my favor now.”

“How so?”

Heath gave him a wicked smile. “Because she’s working the kissing booth and has to kiss whoever buys a ticket. She can’t say no anymore.”

Mike didn’t look convinced. “So, you think forcing her to kiss you is going to change her mind after a month, and she’s going to fall into your arms and tell you to have your wicked way with her?”

When Mike put it like that, it almost sounded negative. “That’s a brilliant plan. Thanks.”

Mike shook his head. “I wish you the best of luck.”

“You’re not coming with me?”

“And risk you trying to punch me again; this time for kissing your girl? No thanks.”

“I wouldn’t have punched you.” Heath mumbled under his breath, though in reality, he might have. He was doing a lot of irrational things, when it came to Olivia. That should be a warning sign to stay away from her, but he couldn’t. For the life of him, he couldn’t stay away from her.

“If you say so.” Mike still easily heard him.

Heath ignored him, heading for the ticket booth to purchase a ticket. He couldn’t believe he reduced himself to purchasing a ticket to kiss a woman. If the rest of his friends were here, they’d all laugh at him. The renown ladies’ man buying a ticket just to kiss a woman. He didn’t care, but Mike was right. He and Olivia would kiss, and she would finally stop resisting him.

Heath stood in line for several agonizing minutes, watching man after man come up to Olivia and kiss her. She was always polite to them and smiled, but he could see that it was false. He was shocked to see her working this booth, as she seemed the quiet and reserved type, but he wasn’t going to question his luck.

Before he knew it, he was the next person. Olivia’s eyes zeroed in on him with shock and irritation by the flare of her nostrils. It was the first spark of life coming from her, since he spotted her. Heath couldn’t hide his grin. This was turning into a beautiful day. That was until he saw the look of fear in Olivia’s eyes, when the man in front of him sat down in front of Olivia, and Heath saw red.