Chapter Three

It's the little things that count, apparently

Henry was sat in his lounge looking around at the now empty room; all his boxes were packed up and either loaded into the car or by the front door ready to go. He sunk into his sofa and flipped open the top of his can of beer. His mind wondered over to Elizabeth as his eyes fell upon the chair where she sat five days ago. He hadn't stopped thinking about her since he first laid eyes on her at the coffee shop just nine days ago. His smiled as images of her flashed into his mind, and that kiss; the kiss that was so gentle and light you could barely feel it, yet he hadn't forgotten it.

Henry had spoken to his mother during the week and found himself mentioning Elizabeth to her; something he had never done with pervious girlfriends let alone someone who was still transitioning from a stranger to a friend. A friend. Henry couldn't help but hope one day they'd be more than just friends. He had grown to adore her already. Henry lifted his hand to take a swig of his can and coughed a little as the door knocked making him jump. He walked to the bay window and peered outside. He spotted blonde locks. It couldn't be could it? He walked to the door and opened it, genuinely surprised to see Elizabeth standing there before him.

'Hi' she smiled sheepishly

'Hi, come on in, it's freezing out' he stepped aside and let her in just like he done nights before. He was pleased to see her but she looked a little panicked, he closed the door behind her and noted she hadn't gone to sit down, but was still stood staring around the room.

'Everything ok?' he asked softly from behind her. Elizabeth looked around the room; she hadn't seen a lounge this packed up and empty since she had to clear out her family home and sell it. Before her families death they were selling the house to buy a farm in Virginia; unfortunately they never found the perfect location but the house was already on the market, so Elizabeth sold the property. Looking around she remembered boxing all of the house hold items and moving them into storage on her own, knowing they'd never see any of those items again.

'Elizabeth?' he asked, now standing next to her and placing a caring hand on her back. She jumped from her thoughts and looked up at him, her eyes glistening as she swallowed hard and shook away the sorrow.

'Yeah all good, sorry I just turned up' she pushed her feelings down. Henry narrowed his eyes and scrunched his face, a clear indication he didn't believe her. 'I'm fine' she lied.

'Hmm, please sit, can I get you a drink?' he asked and she took a seat and nodded

'Please, just not one of those, I don't drink' she stated pointing at his beer. Henry nodded and left the room for a moment before bringing her back a cold can of lemonade. When he returned to the room she had slipped her coat off and was sunk into the armchair opposite the sofa where he was originally sat.

'It's great to see you' he smiled, handing her the drink and taking his seat.

'You too, I urm… I got you a little something, that's why I came over' she explained, reaching into her pocket and handing Henry a small ring sized box. She sat back down and nervously played with her fingers as he turned the box in his hands

'Bit early for a marriage proposal isn't it, we're barely even friends' he teased causing Elizabeth to chuckle, roll her eyes and shake her head.

'Just open it, I'm bloody anxious enough, it's the little things that count apparently' she managed to laugh and Henry flipped the box open. His heart instantly danced as the contents were revealed. It was a copper/brass tiny aeroplane key-ring. He slowly lifted it by the chair and looked over at her

'This is very thoughtful' he tilted his head trying to figure her out.

'It's a housewarming gift, well kind of. I just seen it and thought you could put it on your new key'

'Its lovely, thank you Elizabeth' he got up off his seat and knelt before her, she looked down into his eyes; his hands on her knees, his eyes burning through to her soul.

'I want to kiss you' come his raspy breath. Elizabeth inhaled slowly

'I...I...I don't think that's a good idea' she tried to protest. She wanted to kiss him so bad, she wanted to hold him and be with him, she knew he would make her feel good, heck he already does. She could feel his hands on her knees, his thumb rubbing in circular motions. She felt the pull from within her core.

'Let me in Elizabeth' he whispered and she shot her head up to look at him

'Henry you don't know me, you're a stranger to me' she jumped on the defensive side.

'True, but sometimes it's easier to talk to a stranger, Elizabeth I cant help but feel there is something you are hiding' he spoke honestly, dropping his hands off her knees and too his side but he remained on the floor knelt before her.

'I don't know what I am doing with you' it was an internal thought but when Henry replied she realised she had spoken her mind.

'Well, I don't either, all I know is that I had to speak to you in that cafe and well here we are nine days later and I find myself wanting to spend more and more time with you as each second passes, there is something about you Elizabeth' she nodded, she felt the same.

'Tell me what is on that pretty mind of yours?' he tucked her hair from her face behind her ears. The truth was Elizabeth was having a bad day and went out for a drive, she hadn't meant to end up at Henry's house, she was thankful she still had that key-ring she brought him the day before in the car. It gave her the perfect excuse.

'I can't' she shook her head.

'Look,' he took a hold of her hands. Her core pulling even more as she felt his touch on her skin. She wanted him, but she couldn't work out if it was emotionally, physically or sexually. The fact that it could be all three never crossed her mind.

'You can talk to me Elizabeth, I won't push you because I don't want to risk losing you before I am even able to call you mine, but something tells me that you didn't come here just to give me that house warming gift. I move tomorrow, so tonight was your last chance to see me again; so why did you come here?'

'I just had a really bad day' she was shocked with her honesty, as was Henry. He got up and took a seat on the arm of the armchair

'Ok...'

'I just had a bad day and, well I've had a few 'bad days' recently over the last year, but you've been the only one to make me smile, I guess I wanted to smile again' she admitted sadly.

'I am not sure what it is that I do but I am glad I can make you smile, so on that note I better follow through' he instantly lifted the mood, he knew it wasn't wise to dwell on the fact she didn't open up fully. He stood up and smiled down at her

'How about that scrabble re-match? I kept it out incase you came back' he acknowledged and her eyes instantly lit up. Scrabble was a safe place for her.

'You're on McCord' she stood up and followed him into the kitchen like the last time, watching as he set up the game of scrabble.

'Sooo, you ready to lose Adams?' he grinned as he walked over to where she was stood, he put his best game face on and attempted to try and tease her but his appreciation and respect for her moments ago had thrown her off guard,

'Elizabeth?' he stepped closer, inches from her body. She looked up at him, her eyes full of desire.

'About that kiss...' she almost pleaded with him. Henry reached behind him and put the scrabble tiles down on the table. His gaze never leaving hers

'You sure, I don't want to make this awkward, I like you Elizabeth'

'Henry I am sure, please' she smiled genuinely.

'Well in that case, Elizabeth I can make you do more than smile' he whispered seductively as she swallowed. Henry paused for a moment before crashing his lips down onto her. It didn't take long for the kiss to deep and their hands to follow the contours of one another's bodies. Henry slipped his tongue along her bottom lip asking for access which she granted. Henry backed her into the kitchen cabinet, his body pressing against hers as his hands slipped down onto her hips. Soft moans left her mouth as his kisses began to trail down her neck and to her collar bone.

'Ohhh Henry' she purred, her back arching as her body collided with his. Henry groaned in response. He worked his mouth back up to hers, nibbling at her lip before kissing her once more, then pulling away, his body desperate for her but his mind crashing back to the reality that this woman was someone he wanted a future with.

'I respect you too much to go all the way, I can't' he panted and she nodded understanding where he was coming from.

'Thank you, that kiss was...'

'There is plenty more where that came from' he winked, and pulled his body off hers

'I am so confused by you, I don't know you and yet I find myself constantly wanting more.'

'I know. I guess that's what they call an instant connection' he winked and she giggled. She always laughed with him.

'Scrabble?'

'Yes, and this time I won't let you cheat' he mocked and took her hand guiding her to a seat at the table. Much like the night before they sat and conversed whilst playing scrabble.

'That is not a word' henry laughed

'Oh but it is!'

'Elizabeth – 'holymoly' isn't a word, move it' he laughed shaking his head and she done as she was told.

'are you looking forward to the move?' she asked

'Not really, I like this place, the new place is a flat, its smaller and well the location is great but I guess if the rent on here wasn't so high I could justify keeping it even when I am not here'

'Hmm, where is the new place?'

'Just off that street where we met at the coffee shop, that is why I was down that way'

'Ohh, I see, I live about three blocks up from that coffee shop' she smiled and looked up at him

'Well I'll have to come and visit' he smiled. And suddenly the thought of him entering into her home and seeing her private space, a space that held so many secrets petrified her.

'Hmm Maybe' she lied. 'It's getting late and you have a big day tomorrow, I best go. Catch you soon?' she stood up and Henry reached for her hand

'What are you doing to me Adams?' it was a rhetorical question but she answered it anyway

'I get lost on you, and then reality kicks me and I know you deserve more' she sighed

'Goodnight Henry McCord' she smiled and walked away towards his front door

'Goodnight Elizabeth' he called after her and then he heard the door click shut. He sat back down at the table and looked at the scrabble board. He placed a finger on one of the spare tiles and circled it around the table.

'Who are you Elizabeth Adams?' he asked himself, desperate to get to know this girl who was right in front of him moments ago, yet millions of miles out of reach.