Guarded heart

Chapter 23 broken glass

CHRIS POV

As I walk back out to the decking I see Lisa has fallen asleep so I gently lifted her into my arms and carried her up to her room. I laid her in the bed and covered her with the quilt. Silly women should have slept earlier I think to myself. She looks peaceful like a angel asleep.

Then tip toed out the room before going back out to the decking to grab Lisas crutches before tip toeing back into Lisas room to leave then next to the bed. I then left the door slightly ajar before leaving and switching the landing light on incase Lisa woke in the night for the bathroom or anything.

Before I went to bed myself I quickly cleaned up downstairs, locked up then showered. Being a hot summers night I ditched the pj's I brought myself and decided sleep in my boxers. I laid in bed thinking over the days events and how they somehow beat the romantic meal and movie I had originally planned before falling into a content sleep.

"Chris wake up" I hear Lisa say sounding scared as she poked me in the arm. I opened my eyes wondering what was wrong. To see lisa looked frightened

"What's wrong?" I ask looking at the time to see its just gone 1am.

"I heard a noise, it sounded like someone was outside did you lock the door?" kiss asks as she stabds there near enough shaking.

"Yes, I locked up" I saw throwing back the covers to get up and go check out what could be outside.

"Ahh" Lisa says going to cover both her eyes with her hands that I nearly laughed until I see she was losing her balance so I caught her before she landed on the floor again bringing her to the bed but Lisa still wouldn't uncover her eyes saying "Sorry".

"It's okay, you stay here" I say making sure she is definitely on the bed enough to not fall off. Then I get grab the pj's bottoms I had out the bag putting them on as Lisa says "Where are you going don't leave me alone" sounding just as scared.

"I'm going to see if anyone is outside, after all it comes part of my job anyway" I say putting clothes on.

"What if someone is outside and you miss them then they get in" Lisa says.

I walk back over to Lisa take her hands away from her eyes and say "I promise your be safe. I will lock the door behind me if need be".

"Please don't go out there" lisa says.

"Do you trust me?" I ask.

"Yes but I don't trust everyone and if someone is out there I don't trust them" Lisa says.

"Do you want to come with me?" I ask.

"No" lisa says as if I'm crazy.

"Okay I will look out the windows and stay indoors but you stay here" I say

"Okay, promise your be quick and come back" Lisa says.

"I promise I will come back and no one will get in let alone near you to hurt you" I say.

Lisa then let's go off my hands but grabs the bedside table lamp.

I go look out the bedroom window first and see nothing then I go through each room checking out the windows and see nothing until I reach the living room doors and see a cat is on the decking with a broken wine glass I forgot to bring in and wash up. Lisa must have heard it smash and freaked out I think to myself as I go back up to my room. And I feel awful for leaving it outside.

"It was just a cat knocking over the wine glass breaking it" I say as I walk into the bedroom

"Are you sure?" Lisa says not 100% convinced.

"Yes I'm sure" I say sitting in the edge of the bed.

"Okay" Lisa says taking some deep breaths yet she is still shaking so I took her hands in mine.

"I promise, your fine" I say

"Just give me a moment to calm down then I will go back to my room. I'm sorry for waking you up" Lisa says

"I'd of rather you woke me up than stayed scared all night I say.

"OK" Lisa says

"Stay here as long as you want and need to, I don't mind so long as you feel safe" I Say.

Lisa leans against my arm then says "when I heard the smash I was worried it was a window that went through. It brought back memory's of when Summer had some hit an try to break in a kill her. That was scary stuff. Come to think of it that whole year frame was pretty scary. Now I get freaked out over stupid stuff" Lisa says trying to justify her actions.

I wrap my arm around Lisa and say "Trust me you have good reasons to freak out when something like this triggers bad memories. It could be worse I've often attended people calling because there's been someone knocking there door at in the middle of the night" I say trying to make Lisa feel better.

"Chris" Lisa says.

"Yes?" I ask.

"You won't laugh at me will you, but um whenever I get the odd night the nightmares strike or something happens to trigger me to be this freaked out usually my parents or summer of even Jade and Beth would come sleep me with. Do you think um maybe I could just sleep in here tonight?" Lisa says.

"Come on let's get some sleep" I say grabbing the quilt to cover us.

"Thanks" Lisa says as she lays down at the same time as me.

"It's fine, however just for the record I don't usually sleep with women on the first date" I say trying to lighten the mood.

"Don't worry nothing like that will be happening" Lisa says.

"I know I was trying to distract your mind from the broken glass" I say laughing.

"ah god now you must think I'm even more stupid" Lisa groans pulling the quilt over her face.

"No, I don't think your stupid. I think you human just like the rest of us" I say with a yawn.

LISA'S POV

"Chris" I say nervously again.

"Yeah" Chris says

I take a deep breath because this is it where Chris can say I'm to much work. I'm to broken and my tiny little heart that started to hope, to feel I don't know what will be disappointed. I know it. But I suck it up with a deep breath and say "If you don't want to date me again after seeing me like that it's okay. I will understand" as I finish saying it I quickly shut my eyes and turn my head away.

Then I feel Chris roll me to his side to face him gently before he wraps his arms around me bringing me closer to him. I can feel his care chest beneath my arms and hands.

Then Chris leans over to my ear and whispers "when I see you like that I don't want to run away Lisa. Oh no i want to do this bring you close and hold you close until you feel safe again. So you can feel safe and loved. I don't only just want date number two, I want dates three, four, five, six hell I already want a relationship with you where date nights never end. I already know I've fallen for you. But I know your not quite there already. I think you already love me but don't realise it. I see it with the way you look at me. But I will wait for as long as you need to be ready. But what I won't do anymore is let you cry, feel scared or frightened without doing this holding you close. So be warned lisa if I caught you feeling anything but happy then I'm going to hug you and only hug you until you feel happy" then he holds me slightly tighter but it's doesn't hurt or anything.

With every word Chris whispered into my ear I felt relief flod me. Then I felt surpised and shocked that Chris just told me he loved me.

"I won't argue, but I have to say one thing" I say

"What's that?" Chris says

"I think you forgot you and your friend broke my leg, I can't sleep on this side" I say.

"That's easily solved" Chris says then he gently rolls us so I'm laid on top of him "However I didn't say, I was going to let you go" Chris says then he shuffies us across the bed slightly before rolling us again so we are still cuddled face to face but so I can rest my leg better.

Suddenly my thoughts shocked me when I think and pray that Chris keeps holding me close like this the whole night.

"Are you comfortable now?" Chris asks as he slides some lose strands of hair behind my ear while looking at me.

"Yes, every comfortable now" I say as I rest my head on Chris's body and snuggle a little closer. I can hear Chris heart beat, beating and I'd rather hear that over the rustling leaves outside. That way my mind can't stray thinking someone is lurking within the trees.

The next thing I know, I'm awaking up to the sunlight flooding the room. I'm still cuddled up to Chris like I was last night. He looks mighty fine asleep or awake I think to myself. I find myself tracing the mighty define lines on Chris muscled body while I think over what he said last night. He said alof of things including he loves me. But I don't get why me. I'm nothing special I'm a single mum and ruined women. I just don't get what Chris can see in me.

I then feel Chris stretch a little before his hand gentle runs up my arm before gentle cupping face as I look up to Chris and he smiles at me before he quickly kisses my forehead. "Good morning beautiful" Chris says. "Good morning" I say back as I hide my face into Chris body again. Especially since I'm probably all red in the face from being called beautiful. Even though I probably look awful having just woken up it was nice to be called beautiful I think to myself.

"Did you sleep well?" Chris says.

"I did thankyou, did you sleep well?" I say.

"Best night sleep I've had in a long time" Chris says.

"That I find hard to believe since I sent you searching for intruders during the night" I say.

"No I slept better after that when you stayed and cuddled up to me" Chris says

"Now your just trying to flatter me" I say while running circles around Chris stomach with my finger.

"Maybe it's half truth and maybe it's half flattery" Chris says.

"Hmm maybe" I say.

"Are you ready for breakfast?" Chris asks and I look back up at Chris.

"I need a few more minutes to wake up, that way I shall be fully awake without falling down the stairs" I say.

"Okay, let me know when your ready to get up. I'm enjoying laying in bed to" Chris says as he gently rolls us so I'm laying on top of him.

"What are you doing?" I ask.

"preventing you from continuing to run your fingers across my body anymore before I end up needing a cold shower" Chris say

"Oh" I say crossing my arms and using them as a cushion for my head.

"Your to cute" Chris says as he wraps one arm around my waist a little tighter to I can't fall off and his other hand is gently running up and down my back. It's do relaxing I could stay here like this all day I think.

"Chris" I say

"Yes?" Chris says

"Can I bring Emma here one weekend please?" I ask.

"You want to bring Emma alone after last night?" Chris asks.

"Your right I need to find a brave man" I say laughing.

"Hmm and do you think your find this brave man?" Chris asks

I look up at Chris as i smile trying not to laugh as I say "I may have to put out wanted posters or ads in the paper, notice up in the cafe. Hell I may even have to do an appeal on the radio. What do you think?".

Chris looks at me as our eyes maintain eye contact and he looks amused before he says "Was I not brave enough for you last night?"

"You was very brave" I say smiling

"Hmm I was wasn't I" Chris says smiling back at me.

"Hmm mmm" I mumble while smiling and trying not to laugh.

"Anyway, what Im really curious to know is if your over your fear of dates yet? I mean can we go out on standard dates or do we need to do road trips each time?" Chris asks

"I didn't say I had a fear of dates, I had worry of what a date entails there's a difference you know" I say.

"And now? After this road trip so far are you still worried?" Chris asks.

"Yes and no" I say.

"why yes and no?" Chris asks.

"No because you nice, to nice to me. I feel safe with you. And yes because I'm worried if things move forward how I'd react" I say laying down so I don't have to look at Chris right now.

"Well I won't mind how you react, all I will care about is that it's was your choice that you felt ready for each step even if you react badly I'd assume it triggered bad memories and I'd understand. But I wouldn't hate you for it. I just want you to go at the pace you feel ready to?" Chris says

"I'm ready for breakfast now" I say changing the subject.

CHRIS POV

I was disappointed Lisa was now ready for breakfast as I was enjoying being cuddled up. But the lady has spoken and it's time to get up for breakfast.

"Okay, let's get breakfast" I say sitting up with Lisa in my arms still being careful with her leg as I move us to the edge of the bed with Lisa in my arms I realise on arm to grab Lisas crutches for her.

"Thanks" Lisa says taking them.

"your welcome" I say as I stand us both up and make sure Lisa is steady on her feet before I let her go fully".

We then headed down the stairs for breakfast. I left Lisa in the lounge while I went and prepared breakfast. It wasn't anything special just yogurt covering fresh chopped up fruit with croissants and some orange juice. I also made some cuppas as well. Filled up a tray with our foods and drinks before carrying it into the lounge. I see Lisa was watching the fresh Prince of belair.

"Good program" I say placing the tray on the coffee table.

"You like it as well?" Lisa asks.

"Yes, you can't go wrong with a bit of will Smith" I say passing Lisa her tray off food after I took mine off.

"Thanks, it looks nice" Lisa says accepting the breakfast.

"Your welcome" I say grabbing my own breakfast to eat it.

"let's go to the cinema for our next date" Lisa says suddenly catching me off guards.

"So there's going to definitely be a second date then?" I ask smiling like a fool.

"You don't want a second date then?" Lisa says

"No of course I do" I say and Lisa smiles back at me.

"So why the cinema?" I ask.

"Because it's something that I can do in this things. I'd tether bowling but that could end up tricky with crutches" Lisa says.

"Yes I can see your demila there. Cinema it is" I say

"You can choose the film though" Lisa says.

"Why do I have to choose the film?" I ask.

"Because I choose what we are doing. It's only fair you have input as well" Lisa says.

"Fair enough" I say laughing.

We finish eating our breakfast while watch TV. When the program finished and we had finished our breakfast Lisa went and got ready for the day while I washed up before getting ready myself. As I came out from the shower Lisa was sat on my bed and she suddenly covered her eyes saying "Sorry I figured you would get dressed in the bathroom like a normal person. I wondered if you had any toothpaste". I was only in my towel and I couldn't help laughing

"Give me a minute and I will be back dressed with toothpaste" I say grabbing my clothes and hurrying back into the bathroom.

"Okay I will go back to my room" Lisa says as I close the bathroom door.

"You don't have to" I shout out.

LISA'S POV

That was a stupid idea Lisa I tell myself mentally as I get up to hurry to leave the room. Only I was so flustered and in a hurry I feel to the floor like the fool I am.

"ahh" I screamed as I see the floor coming to me.

Chris opened the doors in his boxers and I shut my eyes again. "Great" I mutter.

"you wait for me to be in the room to save you?" Chris asks.

"Haha very funny. This is all your fault structig out here looking like you did in first place" I say.

"looking like what?" Chris asks as I feel his arms lift me into his. And I swear u must be beetroot red in the face.

"You know coming out here looking all sparkly wet in only a towel. Damn it. Why did you have to come out looking mighty fine making me flustered?" I ramble on.

"I look might fine do I?" Chris asks not putting me down. And I swear he is doing this to see how red in the face I will go.

I open my eyes and glare at him "It's just your fault" I say making sure I only look at Chris's face.

"I will gladly accept the blame since you think I look mighty fine" Chris says finally sitting me on me bed.

And I just glare at him while he laughs at me.

"As cute as you look annoyed, I'd rather know if you broke anymore bones" Chris says

"I'm good, you can go finish getting dressed again" I say looking to the ceiling while waving my arms in the direction of the bathroom.

"Don't go anywhere this time. Wait for me that way you can't fall without me there to catch you" Chris says

"I will be fine" I say

"Well on the safe side I'm taking your crutches with me" Chris says.

"That's just mean" I say

"It's for your own safety. I can't take chances" Chris says as he walks into the bathroom and I know he is in there because I hear the door shut. I look around and that man he did it he took my crutches with him. I throw myself back on the bed so I'm laying down with muttering silent curses towards Chris.

A few minutes later Chris reappears fully dressed while holding my crutches in one hand and the toothpaste in the other smiling at me.

I should of let my teeth root for one day it wouldn't of killed me I think to myself. Better yet I shouldnt of fallen asleep last night before I ould brush my teeth I think to myself.

"Come on then let's get your teeth brushed" Chris says laughing. I pick a pillow up an dthrow it at him.

"I still blame you!" I say trying to not laugh as Chris trys to dodge the pillow without dropping anything but ut still gets him.

"I can't help it of I look this good" Chris says holding his hand out to help me get up.

"Haha very funny" I say taking Chris hand and sitting up.

"I know it is this shall keep me amused for days" Chris says winking at me.

"You have no shame?" I say.

"I haven't done anything to be shameful of. But the next time you want to see me naked please just ask" Chris says laughing as he hands me the crutches.

And I'm not sure where this playful side of Chris has come from and I'm not quiet sure how to deal with such playful banter either.

"Hmm" is all I respond while I try again to exit this room.

"It does explain why you only fall around me though" Chris says.

"What do you mean?" I say.

"Because I flutters you so much it makes you lose focus. Not that I'm complaining it just gives me more chances to hold you in my arms" Chris says.

"I don't know what your talking about" I say deciding to act clueless is probabky my best option here.

"I'm sure you do know what I'm talking about. But its okay I find it sweet and cute u have this effect on you" Chris says as we reach my room.

"I'm sure you do" I say

"Okay, I will stop teasing you know. But on a more serious note when would you like to start going home?" Chris ask.

"After I've brushed my teeth" I say.

"Okay while you brush your teeth I shall start loading the car up" Chris says.

"Okay" I say heading for the bathroom.

While I brush my teeth I can't help feel a little sad at the fact we are going home. Back to reality. As much as I hate I just made a fool of myself just now and during the night I've actually really enjoyed myself. It's been refreshing and I've loved spending some time with Chris. The more time I spend with him the more me makes me want to spend more time with him to see if I could actually find love and happiness. It still scares me half to death but Im more interested in discovering what this could be between us.

There is definitely chemistry that's for sure. And I definitely like Chris I'm just not convinced I can move past my own self doubts and fears to make a relationship work no matter how much I like Chris.

By the time I reach downstairs Chris is sat on the sofa awaiting me.

"You ready?" Chris asks standing up when he sees me.

"Yes, thanks for bringing me here. I've really enjoyed myself. And I loved the view as well. It was refreshing" I say.

"Anytime you want to come back just let me know and I will make it happen" Chris says walking towards me.

"Thankyou" I say then we head out to the car. Chris makes sure I'm all settled in the car before he locks up the lake house. Then he joins me in the car.

"Let's rock and roll sweetheart" Chris says starting the car.

I put the radio on and as I go to take my hand back Chris takes it in his saying "Let me hold your hand a while longer" and I don't argue to try to take my hand back since Chris never asks anything off me. It's ot crossing any of my boundaries. Plus I quite like holding Chris hand as well. Its cute. So I sit back while Chris holds my hand and I enjoy the view as we start to drive out of this beautiful place.

"I think this was better than the original date I had planned. I've loved spending this time with you" Chris says as a few minutes.

I can't help but think Chris says the most sweetest things. I wonder how he is a policeman when he is always so nice and caring. Isn't a police officer meant to be intimating and scary with no nonsense writtern all over them I think to myself.