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Sleeping was next to impossible to say the least. Even when I did sleep my subconscious worked over time forcing different scenarios into my dreams about how the day with Olivia would go. When my alarm went off I smiled. Sure I was nervous as hell but I was much more excited. I finally had Olivia all to myself for an entire day. I wanted her more than I had ever wanted a woman. When she finally rang the doorbell, I thought my chest would implode from the adrenaline. I stood at the door taking deep calming breaths until she rang the bell a second time. 'It's only a woman' I thought as I opened the door. But as soon as the door was out of the way, I knew I was kidding myself. She wasn't just a woman. She was Olivia, my beautiful obsession and today had to be perfect because I had to have her.
She smiled brightly at me as I soaked her in visually. She was wearing an over sized sweater and a pair of leggings but she couldn't hide her outstanding curves. I felt my jaw drop as I looked her over. As I got to her ivory neck I saw her swallow hard. Shit! I was obviously checking her out. I looked into her eyes expecting fury, but what I saw shocked me. She was smiling. Not just with her mouth, but her entire face. Her eyes were somewhere between coy and shy. She never took her eyes off of mine and I felt frozen to the spot. My breathing began to pick up and I lost all thought. Olivia's smile faded slightly and she took a small step closer to me. My trance seemed to break with her movement and I remembered that I should greet her.
“H... Hi Olivia. You look nice today.”
Her smile seemed to get even brighter although it seemed impossible. She leaned closer and wrapped her arms around me and my heartbeat slowed slightly as I took in the smell of her perfume. It took amazing effort on my part not to bury my face into the crook of her neck and run my nose along the soft sweet smelling skin there. She felt so good in my arms. Even though we were standing half outside, I didn't feel cold. And for the first time in several days, I felt calm. She tightened her grip on me momentarily before taking a step back.
“You give the best hugs!” She said beaming at me again.
There was a sparkle to her blue eyes that I hadn't noticed before. That did it. Now I had the confidence needed to woo her throughout the day. If a hug could make her eyes shine like that, then surely I had a chance with her. I smiled at her and extending my arm for her to take. She giggled at my gesture before taking my arm. I was suddenly so glad that I took such good care of my body. I had always been pretty fit, and seeing her rest her small hand on my toned bicep made me really appreciate the time I had spent in the gym the last few years.
Once we were buckled into my car I looked over to Olivia. She suddenly seemed nervous. Her eyes darted around the car a few times and her hands were folded tightly in her lap. I didn't understand her reaction. My car was clean and I wasn't driving fast as we had only just pulled out onto the residential street.
“Is everything alright?” I asked as I placed my hand over hers. It was a bold move and I immediately regretted it. But just as I began to move my hand back, she clasped it into her on and wove her fingers into mine.
“I was in a car accident about 3 years ago and I still get a little shook up. Would you mind if I just held onto your hand? It comforts me.”
I nodded my head until to trust my voice. Olivia was so unlike any other woman I had ever known. Every time I thought I had her figured out she would do something to shock me beyond words. I suppose it was what was so intriguing about her. She was different and it was unbelievably refreshing to me.
After showing her a hardware store and several clothing stores Olivia asked if we could stop for lunch.
“ I'm so hungry.” She said looking over at me sheepishly.
“What kind of food do you feel like?” I asked not sure where she would want to eat.
“I'm always up for Mexican!” she looked so excited as she said I wouldn't have denied her even if Mexican food wasn't one of my favorites.
“ I know just the place.” I smiled and turned the car down a side street. I didn't say anything as I drove. It seemed we were both just content with the silence for a moment. I pulled into a driveway and parked the car. Olivia turned her head to me silently questioning me. I didn't say anything, just smiled and made my way over to her side of the car. Just before I was able to open the door for her Olivia stepped out on her own accord and stood looking up at the small 3 bedroom home. I could tell she was confused. I couldn't help but smile at the apprehensive look on her face. I gently took her hand in mine. She quickly wound her fingers with my own and I began to caress her thumb.
“Trust me your will love this. Maria is like a magician in the kitchen.”
I walked forward just a bit ahead of Olivia and knocked. The door opened quickly, revealing the short plump woman that was like an aunt to me. Although I suppose most people in town thought of her that way. She was just such a warn and loving person that everyone just enjoyed her company. She smiled brightly when she saw me and enveloped me n a hug. Once I pulled away Maria slapped my upper arm hard.
“Why don't you visit Mijo? You know how I miss you!”
“I've just been busy Maria.” I said nodding my head slightly in Olivia's direction.
Maria looked over at Olivia and stepped closer to her. Nothing was said for a moment as she seemed to be sizing her up. Olivia's cheeks began to get slightly pink and I wondered why Maria was acting so strange. She always welcomed everyone with love and hospitality. Before I could unfreeze my mouth to speak though, Maria hugged Olivia fiercely and kissed her cheek. She turned to me and said “Esto es especial. Sea amable y amoroso con ella siempre.”
Then turning back and acting as thought nothing at all had passed Maria turned and led us into her kitchen. We sat and I felt Olivia's hand take mine under the table.I looked into her eyes noticing that she still looked quite nervous. I squeezed her hand slightly to try and give her some sort of reassurance. Maria got busy cooking and Olivia leaned forward toward me.
“What did she say?”
I looked at her questioningly for a moment before I realized what she was referring to.
“She likes you.” I responded simply. Of course, what Maria said had been a bit more detailed than that. But I didn't want to overwhelm Olivia. She was letting me hold her hand and I honestly was loving every minute of it. It felt strangely intimate with her today. But then again, Olivia was always surprisingly affectionate.
“So where did you live before?”
“Colorado.”
“Why did you leave?”
“ I hated the snow. My brother and I always did. Kids in our neighborhood thought we were strange because we refused to go out and play in it. It's cold and wet and frankly I don't care if I never see snow again.”
I had to chuckle at her little rant. “ I never knew anyone could feel so strongly about the weather.”
She smiled slightly at my response. “ You put up with about 43 inches of snow a year and you're bound to get sick of it.”
“Well I love it but maybe that's because it's pretty rare here in Phoenix.”
“I'm surprised. I expected you to just agree with me. Most people do.” Olivia said with amusement in her tone.
“ Why would I say that just to agree with you?” I asked mimicking her tone.
“Because you like me.” Olivia said as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. I had no response for that. My mouth froze around whatever witty comeback could have come out next. I didn't think I was so easy to read. She giggled at my expression. Before I could respond though Maria came in with the food. “Thanks Maria.” I stated picking up my fork.
“What is this?” Olivia whispered to me obviously not wanting to offend Maria.
“Tamales. Her Specialty. She tops them with a cilantro sauce. That's why they look green.”
“Oh okay then...” She hesitantly replied putting a bite into her mouth. I waited to see her reaction before a bite. I was not disappointed. Right away her face went from looking cautious to bewildered to ravenous. She looked up to me and with a mouth of food said, “ This is amazing! How does she do it?”
I laughed. She was probably the only person I would describe as cute while talking with a mouth full of food. I tried to answer her but I simply could not stop laughing. Maria came over then and whispered into Olivia's ear. Soon, Olivia was laughing as well. I briefly wondered what Maria had said, but I quickly forgot about it. The rest of lunch was full of laughs. I could have sat there forever listening to Olivia make jokes and follow them with her sweet laugh. Soon though we realized that we still had quite a few things to do. With that we both hugged and thanked Maria for the food and promised to to come visit soon. Once we were back in the car, I asked Olivia where she wanted to go now.
“Somewhere with flowers!” Olivia exclaimed wildly. With that we drove to the local nursery. Olivia was like a kid in a candy store. It didn't take much to conclude that this was her favorite hobby. She was always a few steps ahead of me asking me what I thought about this plant or this flower. I tried to give her my honest opinion about what would look best next to what but I had no idea about what any of these plants were. After she had successfully taken up every inch of the trunk of my car with various plants and flowers, we were once again on our way. The car was silent as we pulled away. I knew she had to be tired. It had been a wonderful day and I just didn't want it to end.
“ Want to rent a movie and watch it with me?” I suggested.
“ You read my mind” She said smiling up and me.
We stopped in at the local video store where she once again surprised me by proclaiming that she would really prefer to see a good action movie.
I couldn't believe we were going to watch something that I would be genuinely interested in. Most women that I've watched movies with before preferred to watch romantic comedies. With a gun- slinging action flick in my right hand Olivia's small hand in my left, we headed back to my place to watch our movie. It was going to be a great night and the smile on my face surely reflected my feelings.