Coffee Shop Romance

Chapter 36

The next morning I woke in a foul mood despite my plans to spend the day with the boys. I went into the kitchen to see Billy already sitting there with a cup of tea. I smiled to see another one sitting across from him untouched. "You read my mind Bills." I tried to sound happy and cheerful, but I knew I was failing. 'Where are those wonderful acting skills when I need them?' I thought darkly. I saw Dom still asleep on the couch, he going to be out much longer?"

"Most likely no, as I'm about to wake him. Would you like to do it though?" He smiled.

"Sure...I've still got some payback from a few pranks." I gave Billy a peck on the cheek and walked silently over to where Dom was laying on the couch. I gently lifted his hands from his chest and pulled up his shirt to just above his ribs. Then blew raspberries into his stomach.

"What the--" Dom flew up and grabbed my arms. "Getting into trouble early today are we?" He said groggily, then grinned. "Don't you know that in this game I can do that back to you?"

"Um...I don't think so, no." I grinned, then got up and walked back to the kitchen. Big mistake, I had to learn the hard way to never turn your back to Dom. One minute I'm walking into the kitchen, the next I'm on the floor receiving raspberries from Dom. Unfortunately for me, I realize that I was set up by beloved Billy, as he was holding me down so Dom didn't have to fight me. My sides hurt from all the laughing, and Dom’s hurt because I kept getting a hand away from Billy and tickling Dom. Then it suddenly turned into a serious deal.

"Lass...do you know how to get away from someone attacking you?" Billy asked quietly.

I tired to sit up to look at him, but he'd changed positions, and was effectively holding me down. Dom sitting at my side, but he'd sat up and was looking at me with concern on his face. Laughing nervously I asked, "What brought this up?" I tried to pull my hands free but I wasn't going anywhere. Billy had immobilized me just by putting his knees on my wrists and leaning his hands on my arms. He wasn't hurting me, but was using just enough pressure to keep me there.

"I'd answered the phone last night, incase you'd already gone to sleep and it was Elijah." He said.

I went pale. "You heard that?" I whispered.

"Aye, I did. Is he the reason you were reluctant to answer you dressing room door yesterday?" I nodded; it was all I could do. I was astonished that I was even having this conversation. "Well then lass. After that call last night I think you should just prepare yourself for anything, don't you think?" At my second nod his eyes cleared and focused on mine. "I'm going to let up on you, alright? But at the same time I'm going to try and pin you again. I won't hurt you lass, I promise."

"Alright." He let go of my hands and I immediately rolled onto my hands and knees and tried to push myself up. Billy was too fast for me, and quickly reached around me and spun me into his arms, holding me so tight I lost my breath. I pushed up against him and tried to yank my wrists out of his strong grip.

"Stop." It wasn't a request. I stilled and waited for the lesson to continue. "When someone comes up behind you they usually try to get you like this. Especially if it's a male attacking a female, they like to feel they have control over you but at the same time they like to, and I apologize for this, Lass, feel you. The can feel your fear, because it will cause you to stiffen, and shake. And with your body pressed against theirs it'll add to their sense of control over you. But you can still get out of this." He unwound our arms and I stepped away from him, my wrists still in his hands. "Do you see where my thumb and forefinger meet?"

I nodded.

"That is the weakest part of my grip on you. Most people, when their wrist is in a hand, automatically bring their wrist up to get out. That's doing nothing because of the full part of the attackers hand on the top of their wrists. But if you jerk your arms down...go ahead lass." I brought my wrist down forcefully, and it came out of his grip. "Good." He smiled.

"Um...Billy...where did you learn all of this? I mean...this is bordering on combat training." I laughed nervously, trying to make it a joke and lighten the mood.

He smiled. "Ah well if I told you than I'd hafta kill ya lass." Then realizing what he said blushed, "I took martial arts when I was younger. Different styles, and it's all stayed with me."

"Oh." I said quietly.

"I've decided to postpone my trip to Scotland until Elijah comes home. This would not be the best time for you to be alone, especially not in New York City my dear."

I gave him a big hug and a kiss on the cheek. "Thanks Billy."

The entire time Dom had been silently watching, but suddenly spoke up when the kiss was given. "Well hell I'll wrestle you Luv if I get a kiss afterwards." Not missing a beat, Billy did this amazing thing with his legs and Dom was down in a flash. He just looked at Billy with a "What the hell??" kind of look. But he soon smiled when I kneeled down and gave him a kiss on the cheek for being a good sport.

"So where are we going today?" Billy asked.

"Central Park Zoo?" Dom and I asked in unison. The grinned and jumped up and down in front of Billy. "Please please please please please?" We gave him our best puppy dog eyes and pouts.

"Alright, alright! You two are daily reminders being childless is good for now." He patted our heads and we walked out of the apartment heading towards Central Park at a slow and easy pace.