Saved By A Viking

Ch. 6 Thank You For This

Lisa's P.O.V.

I woke up with every muscle in my body screaming at me. Davis wouldn't teach me how to fight until I tone my muscles, having me workout and lift last night. He said we'd be working out every day for at least an hour whenever I'm able. He also told me we'd be having a 7 o'clock run together every morning.

It was currently 6 and my body only hated me further for getting only 4 hours of sleep last night. My mind wouldn't stop racing with thoughts of Davis then Chris, and finally Dad. It was a torturous run around. Yesterday afternoon had been great with Chris, but yesterday evening with Davis was so much more.

I need to be careful. I can't catch feelings for Davis.

I got dressed in a sports bra, mid calf leggings, and my running shoes. I wore a high ponytail, feeling the ends of my hair graze along the back of my neck. The stream of coffee pouring into my cup kept my gaze, causing me to daze off again. I kept thinking about Chris and then Davis again. The vibration of my phone against the counter had me snapping out of my thoughts.

Chris: Can we meet for lunch?

Lisa: Sure, I'm free. Let me know when and where.

Dad clarified I had to be available to Chris whenever he asked. If he asked to meet, I had to be sure to say yes. If he asked me on a date, the answer had to be yes. Everything had to be yes, because we have to appear madly in love to the world when they announce our engagement. I am just glad Chris isn't poor company, even if he only makes me feel a fraction of the intensity I feel around Davis.

Chris: I'll come get you at 12:30, if that's okay? I want to take you somewhere that's a little hard to find if you've never been before.

His response actually got me excited. I was curious about the place he was talking about. It sounded nice.

Lisa: Sounds good to me. I can't wait!

Chris: Neither can I ;)

I smirked at his text, feeling giddy.

This is good. I should feel giddy about him.

I heard a heavy knock on the door then. I frowned, knowing I wouldn't have time to drink my coffee now. Davis is more than likely on the other side of that door. Although, he's early if that is him. I peered through the peephole, seeing his hair in a high bun rather than its usual braid. It's crazy how different someone can look by just changing their hair. I opened the door, meeting those blue eyes again.

"Good morning," he greeted me with a sweet smile.

"Is it though?" I asked, seeing his brows furrowed in confusion. "A good morning, I mean. Is it a good morning?"

"I think it is, and if it's not, we still have time to change that." He stepped inside the apartment as he spoke.

My heart raced as his body neared my own. I felt my muscles stiffen with anticipation, but nothing happened. He just walked past me into the apartment without a second glance. I suddenly felt freezing inside and out.

"I brought you a smoothie," he said, holding out the cup I hadn't noticed in his hand. He had one for himself, too.

"Oh, thank you."

I wasn't expecting him to have gotten me anything. It was a sweet surprise. I took the cup with a childlike grin, taking the first sip of the fruity goodness. Hints of mango, orange, pineapple and mixed berries hit my tongue with an explosion.

"I love the sunrise smoothies." I said excitedly.

"I do too," he admitted, holding my gaze while he sucked on the straw. "Ready for our run?"

"Not really, but I don't think my answer will ever be yes, so let's just go now."

He smirked, finding my answer amusing, before nodding his head. He led the way outside, and we jogged at a steady pace around the city. Davis led me through the not so crowded streets at this time of day. Of course, the streets of New York are never empty, but right now they aren't as populated, either. It was oddly tranquil, and even though it felt like my lungs would burst at any moment, I was enjoying myself.

By the time we made it back to my apartment, I felt like I would die. My legs felt like jello beneath me, barely able to walk right. I wanted to just crash on my bed and not get back up for a few days. Davis followed behind me into my apartment, going straight into my kitchen and handed me a glass of water as if this were his apartment. I didn't mind though, as I was dying of thirst. We both chugged our waters as we stared at one another.

We were both a sweaty mess. I will say sweat has never looked sexier than it has against his lightly tanned skin. Davis is a god damn sexy motherfucker, and I think he knows it. If he doesn't, then it's by some miracle.

"What next Mr. Miagi?" I asked condescendingly, causing him to laugh. I liked his deep laugh, it made me smile every time.

"Now you get some rest until your workout session later in the day. Don't think you can skip it either. I'll come find you." He arched his brow as if challenging me to skip it.

"Don't worry, I won't miss it."

He nodded his head once before lifting his cup.

"Thanks for the water."

"No problem."

—--------

"I found this place randomly one day, and it's become my favorite," Chris explained as he walked me through a beautiful garden into a bed-and-breakfast.

Apparently, this place had the best cook in town, at least, according to him. When we stepped onto the property, I could smell the delicious scents of various foods cooking. It was like nothing I'd smelled before. It was better than the restaurant where we had dinner the day before last.

"It smells wonderful," I said as we entered the cozy B&B.

"Chris!" He was greeted by a larger, older woman. She looked to be in her late 60s with a round face and a kind smile. She hugged him tightly before kissing both his cheeks. "It's so nice to see you, again. Are you here for lunch?"

"Yes, Gran. I wanted to introduce someone special to this place," he said, looking my way. The woman's attention turned to me in an instant.

"Bella bambina," she said in what I am pretty sure is Italian. She placed both her hands over my cheeks, squeezing them as if I were a small child she found adorable.

"Um, hello," I greeted her back, feeling so out of place, and culturally shocked.

"Please come, eat, eat." She pushed me towards a table on the left excitedly. "I'll bring you the bread." She hurried away, leaving me baffled as I took my seat.

"Sorry about her. She gets excited when she meets someone new."

"Is she your grandma?" I asked, remembering he called her Gran.

"No, not at all. She asked me to call her Gran after how often I started appearing here. I think she adopted me without consent, but I don't mind," he laughed.

"She seems sweet."

"She is. She's going to stuff you full until you feel you're going to explode. At that point, she's going to feed you dessert. Stay strong because she doesn't like to take no for an answer," Chris warned me.

"Oh boy, I definitely can't wait for all the food though."

I'm definitely a foodie. There is a deep love in me for all kinds of food and drinks. I hope the food here lives up to the expectations that Chris set inside of me.

About 15 minutes later, our food appeared before us. Chris wasn't kidding. Gran's cooking was immaculate. It was like I had stepped into a restaurant in Italy itself. She checked on us repeatedly as we ate, asking how the food was. She wouldn't stop asking us if we wanted dessert either. Gran was really growing on me. Chris and I spoke all throughout lunch, not finding a lull in the conversation for a second.

"Thank you for this. It was delicious and beautiful," I told him with a smile as we stood by my car door now.

Chris had walked me to my car, not wanting to let me go. He played with my hand as he held it. His hand felt so different from Davis', soft, smooth and cold, just like mine. His fingers were long and wrapped around my hand. He had what I like to call piano fingers, long and skinny.

"Where are you off to after this?" He asked as he wrapped his hand around my lower waist.

He was being seductive. I could hear it in his tone. He was hungry, and not for food this time. I felt a small spark of light inside me, calling to be ignited by him. I leaned towards him, allowing my hands to rest on his chest as I stared up at him. He was only 4 inches taller than me, but only because I am tall for a woman at 5 '8 where he's 6 feet flat.

"I am going to pick up my niece and take her shopping," I answered him, letting my fingers tap his chest.

"Can I come too?" He asked with big puppy eyes.

"Really? You want to go shopping with us? You won't mind?"

Most guys I've dated have always hated shopping with me, yet alone with Abi. I think it's worse when Abi is with me. My wallet always takes a hit when I do.

"If it means spending more time with you, then yes. I don't mind at all." He answered, nuzzling his nose into the nape of my neck. It sent goosebumps down my arms and a warmth pooling in my stomach.

"Okay, you're welcome to join Abi and I, but be warned there's going to be a lot of shopping. There will be a lot of cooing, browsing many stores and carrying many bags. Are you sure you're up for that?"

"I am sure," he quickly responded, making me smile.

I liked that Chris wanted to spend more time with me. It was adorable to see, and it made me feel special. Plus, I wanted to spend more time with him, too.

"Okay then, let's go get my precious niece."