IN HIS EYES

THREE

Kevin looks at me abruptly.
"What! Don't be silly... Would be nice to have some company."

"Hey! Eyes on the road!"
"Oh sorry!" He quickly looks back in front of him.

"Sorry... Didn't mean to be harsh... Driving in the rain makes me so nervous. And this thunder and lightning are not helping!" I swallow a lump forming in my throat.

"It's okay... I understand. But I promise you that I will take good care of you. No need to be scared or worried. Okay? Kev is here." He winks.

Uhm... Okay?

"Ah... Home sweet home."

I look ahead and see a huge electric fence with a massive steel gate covered with electric wire. Kevin stops in front of the gate and fiddles with his keys and holds a small black remote with a red button in his hand. Pressing the button the gate slowly starts rolling to the side.

"Damn... You sure as hell keeping everything out of your property "

He starts laughing in a low town and drives through the gate, pressing the button again.
"Or keep in." He winks with a smile.

"Of course! The animals hey... So who looks after them when you are not here?"
I see a house in the far distance, connected to a long stretch of dirt road and a lot of different trees and tall grass.

"They take care of themselves." He continues driving and reaches the front of the house where Kevin stops and pulls the handbrake.

"Here." He hands me a set of keys and a remote with multiple buttons.
"Blue button deactivates the alarm, this one to unlock the security gate and this one the door." He switches between the two keys.

"Damn... Tight security hey? Okay... And you?"
"I'll grab your bags."

"Ah, my bags! They are all wet!" I feel my heart drop.
Kevin presses his lips together with a sorry look in his eyes.
"I'm sorry! I didn't even think of that... Now you'll have to stay the night." He quickly opens the door and darts to the back of the pickup.

I follow and run towards the house, up a few little steps, and under a small wrap-around veranda. I press the button and hear a beeping noise. I look back and see Kevin soaked busy loading my bags onto his shoulders.

"Do you need help?"
"What?"
"Do you need help?" I shout louder.
"No! Go inside! The storm is getting worse!"

I obey and unlock the gate and door feeling the wind start picking up by forcing the rain to hit against me. I open the door and enter a dark house. I turn around and help take the bags from Kevin as he drops them to the floor.

"Oh no, you are absolutely drenched" I take the last bag.
"Yeah. It appears I am." He laughs and flicks the switch.
"Damn! It must have struck the box." He starts walking past me.

"Umm, Kev!" I reach out and grab onto his hand.
"Are you okay?" He slowly fills my hand with his.
"Yeah... Not a fan of the dark..." I pull myself closer to him.

"It's okay. Let me get the candles. Then I'll go start the generator."
I nod and follow Kevin hand in hand into the darkness.

"Here..." He holds up his phone and switches on the torch. "This might help." He smiles.

I smile back and we make our way down the hall and into the kitchen.
"Here." He leads me to a wooden table in the middle of the old farm-style kitchen and I accept the chair he pulled out. He continues walking to the cupboard next to the fridge, opens the drawer, and takes out a few candles and matches.

"Luckily I have gas so we can eat and have some coffee at least." He opens the cupboard above the drawer and grabs a few glasses.
"Unless you want something stronger?" He walks over to the table and starts dropping the candles in the glasses and lights them.

"Hmm... What is this stronger thing you have?" I help him by adding more candles to the remaining glasses.

"Well let's have a look, mmm." He walks to the opposite end of the kitchen and opens two bottom cupboards.

"We have vodka, whiskey, and rum." He takes out each bottle and walks them towards me, cradling them before placing them on the table.
"Oh... Interesting selection... Let's start with some whiskey." I smile and take the bottle.

"Allow me." He stops me and starts unscrewing the lid.
"Such a gentleman. Thank you." I smile, watching him fill two remaining glasses on the table.

"Thank you." I take the glass and hold it up in front of me.
"And thank you for coming to my rescue Kev."
"Sure... Anytime!" He gently taps my glass and we both throw the drink down our throats.

Argh! That is nasty!

"So.... I guess I am staying the night then."
"Ah yes! Where are my manners? Do you want to freshen up? You can borrow one of my shirts just until we can get your clothes dry."

"Um... Sure... That would be awesome... Shame you need to get out of those wet clothes too! You're going to get sick!"

He smiles and in an instant, he stretches his white shirt up over his head and drops it onto the counter.

Oh. My. Damn.

"Better?"
"Hm-mm." My voice sounds pitchy.

"Are you okay?"
"Hm-" I clear my throat.
"Um yeah... Yes... I am perfect. I mean fine. I am fine. Thank you for asking." I continue, feeling my cheeks heat up.

His teeth appear causing his dimples to form and his eyes turn to a soft dreamy look.

"Come... Let's go shower." He winks and wraps his hand in mine.
"Okay-woah wait! Together!?" I stop and pull my hand back.

"No...I mean separate... Unless-"
"-no... Um... Separ- Separate will be better." I pull my arms up, folding them against my chest.