I sit on my sofa in shock, I can’t believe it…he’s coming, Leo’s coming here. He’ll be here in a day? I’m not sure how long the flight will be, but he is coming to Ireland. To see me. I squeal loudly doing a jig on the sofa.

Shit, he’s coming here.

I need to clean up, change my bed sheets, and go shopping. I need to change…I can’t believe I answered a video call from Leo in my sweats, no makeup and my hair looking like a rat’s nest.

I look around my small living room as if seeing it for the first time. It’s small, comfy and homely. I have a small sofa, two high backed chairs, a small bookcase and a coffee table., But the focal point of the room is the open wood burning fire, it’s my favourite part of the room. On a nippy day there’s nothing I love more than curling up under a blanket as the wood burns and pops.

The image of Leo and I lying in front of the fire making love hits me like a freight train, my body heats as my heart beats a frantic rhythm.

Grabbing my notebook, I nervously twist the pen between my fingers thinking about all I need to do. It will be better if I write it all down so as to not forget something.

Cleaning is at the very top, the house needs a clean, just the bathroom and bedroom. Presuming he will be staying here and...but where would he sleep? My bed? I could take the sofa...or not.

The thought of Leo in my bed has my thighs tingling in anticipation.

Shaking my head, I get to work on a shopping list. I look up ingredients for a few Italian dishes. I’m not the best cook but I can try; I want to try for him. Hopefully I don’t give him food poisoning in the process.

* * *

It’s lucky I cleaned out my boot to make space for the big shop I am currently doing, I have more food in my trolley than I would ever eat, but he’s a bloke, they eat more right?

As I wander into the drinks aisle I stop dead, what do people from L.A. drink? Me, I’m a beer or Bailey’s lass, I don’t do wine. I never liked it when me Mam tried to make me more refined.

It’s not like I can call him to find out, his phone will be off the whole time he’s in the air. New York is like LA right?

Me: I have huge news!!!

Brooke: What? You used Facebook’s handy video call to have cyber sex with Leo?

Me: No! Anyone could be watching on that thing.

Brooke: What could be bigger news than you finally getting laid?

Me: Leo is coming to Ireland for Vday!

Brooke: Holy shit! Seriously?

Me: Yeah, I am out at the moment shopping.

Brooke: Good idea you need new lingerie and a sexy outfit to meet him in.

Me: I’m shopping for food.

My phone rings in my hand. “What the hell are you doing food shopping? You need to get your priorities right woman. The first thing you need to do once you are done playing Betty Crocker is go to the nearest salon or whatever you have and get a wax, then your nails and hair done. Tell them it’s an emergency.”

“Hello to you too. Well, I thought feeding the man and having bathroom supplies ready for the first male to stay at my house was a good idea,” I laugh.

“Oh, good idea. Do you know how big he is?” She asks and I choke on my own spit.

“N-no. I meant shampoo, things like that. It’s not like it’s ever come up in conversation, Brooke. I can’t just ask him how big his dick is.” I blurt and hear a shocked gasp behind me. Turning I see an old lady quickly walking away, she throws me a disgusted look before turning down another aisle.

“I bet it has come up while you were talking, you just never realized it,” she giggles.

“Can we stop talking about dicks, I’m in the supermarket and I’ve just offended an old lady,” I whisper into the phone, she laughs hysterically.

“This would be so much more fun if I were there,” she sighs.

“I know, you are better at all this shite than me. My first thought was to clean my house and feed the bloke.”

“Those are good things to do but he’s coming to see you, not your house. And you can always order in,” she snickers, she loves throwing innuendoes around.

“Okay, listen. The reason I really called was to ask what you drink.”

“Water,” she says laughing.

“I mean alcohol. What do people from L.A. drink?”

“Chill out and stop obsessing over everything. Wine will do or beer.”

“Okay, I can do that. I think?” I blow out a breath and look at all the choices.

She laughs in my ear. “Just pick up some beer and a few bottles of wine and get to the salon.”

“I will, I need to pay for all this and try and fit it in my car,” I say looking at my overflowing trolley dubiously.

“Okay, call me after you’ve been to the hairdresser’s.”

“Yeah, thanks Brooke.”

“Just remember to breathe and to not obsess over everything.”

“Yeah…”

“Bye hon.”

“Bye and thanks again.”

I end the call and dump my phone in my bag. Grabbing a few different nice looking wines and some beer I head for the check out.

I fight to push the last of my many shopping bags into the boot, I quickly shove it closed and throw my hip into it a few times to get it to click shut. I sigh in relief and jump in, I have so much left to do and little time to get it done in.Ten hours and counting.

* * *

I twist the sleeve of my new fluffy off the shoulder jumper nervously as I wait at the arrivals gate. Butterflies assault my stomach as his time ticks closer, I have never been so nervous in all my life; I feel physically sick with nerves. The airport is crazy today, the day before Valentine’s Day is evidently a day people like to travel.

I’m glad I spent the time and money to get my hair and makeup done for the occasion, my hair hangs in shiny waves down my back and the dark circles under my eyes have disappeared with a wave of Shannon’s makeup brush.

I check my phone again, and get up, too restless to stay seated any longer. A few minutes later people around me start to stand too and move forward. It’s time.

My hands shake as I stand waiting, watching as the door opens and passengers start to disembark. I watch as loved ones greet each other enthusiastically, I wonder how we will greet each other.

Will he kiss me? Hug me? Would it be weird if I ran at him and threw myself into his arms?

I’m pulled from my thoughts when a shadow falls over me.

“Hey, gorgeous.” That voice, the voice that haunts me. A shiver runs down my spine as I tip my head back, my eyes drinking him in. From his casual dress pants to his white open necked shirt. I swallow hard as I take in the strong column of his tanned neck, what is it about a blokes neck? My lady parts sit up and take notice of every inch of the very male specimen in front of me.

“Leo,” I say, it comes out embarrassingly close to a whimper. I blush as my eyes finally connect with his.

Oh, Jesus help me. I am in so much trouble.

I’m not sure who moved first, or how it even happened, but I end up with my face buried in the crook of his neck as he hoists me into the air and spins me around in a circle.

“God, I have been dying to know what you would feel like in my arms,” he sighs, clutching me tightly.

“Me too,” I say, but I’m not sure he can hear me since I’m talking into his neck.

He pulls back smirking. “Do I need to be on my knees for you to wrap your arms around me?” He asks bending as if to get on his knees. I laugh shaking my head and wrap my arms around his broad chest.

“This’ll do, but I was referring to feeling your arms around me.”

“Mmm,” he hums, as his arms go around me again. I feel tiny, we are so mismatched in height we must look hilarious. “Maybe we should leave the airport before my return trip.”

I giggle letting go of him and step back blushing. “Sorry,” I whisper.

“C’mon,” he says grabbing his bag with one hand and grabbing my hand with the other. Tingles race up my arm and warm places that have been recently tortured.

When we get to my car I giggle as he tries to fit his big body into my little KA, I take pity on him and push the chair back as far as it will go. He manages to get in but it’s still a tight squeeze.

He takes in my home town as I take the scenic route home.

“Wow, it’s really beautiful here.” I smile and glance at him quickly, I still can’t believe he’s really here.

“It’s called the Emerald Isle for a reason.” I laugh as I pull into my street. I’m about to reverse park when the pompous twat next door pulls in and nearly takes out me feckin bumper. I slam on the breaks and rip my seatbelt off. “Gimme a sec,” I say through gritted teeth and kick my door open. I have had enough of the dickhead, he will not do this today of all days.

“What the fuck are you doing? You nearly took out me bumper, you fuckin eejit,” I yell losing my shite right there in front of all and sundry.

“Agh, fuck off. I wasn’t even close to that hunk of junk.”

“If I hadn’t slammed my brakes on you woulda taken out the back of me car.”

“Stop overreacting, I didn’t hit your little car so chill out.”

“Chill out? Move that piece of shite outa me parking space before I call the cops to come and tow the thing,” I say and turn back towards my car, seeing Leo leaning against the side of my car his eyebrow cocked and an amused smirk on his face makes my face heat.

“Bitch.”

The smirk drops off Leo’s face as the douche opens his mouth.

“Watch your fuckin’ mouth.” Leo barks, his expression thunderous as he advances on douchebag. Leo shoots the twat a death glare and the bloke about shits himself and hastily jumps in his car and squeals away down the street.

I thought Leo was hot before, that is nothing compared to him angry, I shiver at the power rolling off him. Mmm, an alpha.

Parking my car quickly I lead the way inside, my cosy house is warm and welcoming. I smile pleased with what I accomplished in a few hours.

As soon as the door closes I feel his presence behind me warming me. Tension tightens my muscles, just being this close to him throws me off, I want to jump into his arms and maul him.

“It’s beautiful, very you,” he comments breaking my thoughts. His bag hits the floor with a thud, I turn in time to see him shuck his coat.

“Very me?” I ask, taking his jacket and hanging it next to mine, trying to take my mind off the tension tightening like a coil in my belly.

“Yeah, small but cute and comfortable.”

“I don’t think I’ve ever been called comfortable before,” I reply laughing.

“I am very comfortable with you,” he whispers, his voice thick and rough.

“I like that,” I murmur and grab his bag. He makes a disapproving noise in his throat. “Ladies don’t carry bags.”

I hold my hands up in surrender and smile. “Okay, this way…I er, only have one bedroom, I don’t know how you feel…” I stutter stumbling over my words like an inarticulate eejit.

“Kaitlyn.” I stop and look up at him.

“You don’t need another bedroom,” he replies simply, his eyes flaring with heat.

I nod and lead him upstairs after showing him the amenities, I leave him to freshen up and go downstairs into the kitchen and flick on the kettle. Tea, the solution to all problems.

I don’t know how long I’ve been standing there staring out over my back garden but I jump when a pair of strong arm slide around me from behind.

“Mmm, I have dreamt of doing just this,” he whispers into my neck, breathing me in.

“Me too, and so many other things,” I whisper shutting my eyes and leaning into him. I feel so small but protected with his big body behind me.

“I think you need to boil that again,” he whispers, his lips grazing my ear, I sigh snuggling back into him. “Later, Tesoro.” He steps back leaving me cold and wanting more.

“Tea,” I say to myself trying to distract myself. “Do you want coffee?” I ask busying myself unpacking the espresso maker I bought just for him.

“You didn’t have to go to any trouble just for me,” he says taking the pot from my hands and expertly setting it all up. “Wouldn’t want you to burn yourself again.”

I laugh, my hands going to my hips. “That was one time and it was all your fault.”

“How was it my fault? I wasn’t even on the phone.”

“I may have been distracted, my mind on things they shouldn’t have been.”

“Really? Well, I’ll take full responsibility then,” he smiles.

“Okay, moving on,” I laugh. “Are you hungry?”

“Mmm, yes.” I laugh again. “You’re incorrigible. I meant for real food.”

“That too.”

“What do you fancy?” I ask opening the fridge, hoping he picks something simple, like toast.

“You gonna cook for me, baby?” He asks leaning against the work surface and crosses an ankle over the other.

“Er, sure?”

He laughs and pours his coffee. “I remember you telling me something about not knowing how.”

“I, er. I can follow a recipe,” I say and whisper “I think” to myself.

“I tell you what why don’t we just have a sandwich for now. I’m not in the mood for a big meal.”

I nod grabbing everything for sandwiches, I can do sandwiches without killing him on his first day.

I like having him here, my house feels full with his presence, homey.

“Do you want to grab some water from the fridge?” I ask grabbing our plates.

I laugh as he sits down on my sofa, it looks more like a single seat with his big body relaxed on it. I hesitate unsure if I’ll fit on it with him. He smiles and shifts over as much as possible; patting the small space beside him.

“Maybe I should have gotten a bigger sofa too,” I say and we laugh. I squeeze in beside him, when I say beside I mean half my body on his lap.

He settles an arm around me pulling me back into his chest. “I love this sofa,” he says and takes a huge bite out of his sandwich.

Unsure how to reply I stay quiet but my body agrees one hundred percent, it’s been a long time since I’ve enjoyed intimacies like this.

“So, what’s on the agenda while I’m here?” He asks after swallowing his last bite.

“Erm,” I mumble covering my mouth with my hand as I hurry to finish chewing. “I thought I could show you around, then thought I’d take you to see Belfast Castle and Cave hill, that’s if you enjoy hiking?”

“That sounds…fun. I could do with some exercise,” he says, smiling at me.

“Okay then, do you have a decent pair of shoes?” I ask, but stop when I feel his chest shaking behind me. “Oh, oh…” I whisper realizing what he was referring to.

“Yeah, I think I promise something along the lines of; when I came here you wouldn’t be spending much time outside of the bedroom.”

“Mmm,” I moan squeezing my thighs together. “That sounds even better,” I sigh, discarding my half-eaten sandwich. “So, when do you plan on enforcing this promise?” I ask my voice lowing sexily.

“Whenever you want me,” he whispers in my ear. “I’ve thought about getting my hands on you for weeks.”

“So, what are you waiting for?”

“You.” I smile turning fully in to him, running my palm along his jaw I comb my fingers through his thick hair, my eyes flick between his eyes and his parted lips. He groans, pulling me firmly against his chest, my breathing changes as my head descends on his, my eyes close in anticipation, I’m dying to taste that mouth, those lips.

Just as our lips are about to touch I feel a shock of pain across my cheekbone. “Ow,” I yell holding my face. I glare at Mr. Willy for ruining our moment.

“I don’t think he likes sharing,” Leo whispers, as Mr. Willy pushes between our bodies and curls into a ball, putting an end to our attempted first kiss.