My love is blind

Chapter 1

I drive for about two hours, the dirt and gravel flying every which way, the rattling of stones, dirt, and other debris against the poor rims of my beat-up Mercedes; tearing off small chunks of red paint with each crash of dirt or pebble. Finally, I reached my new home; a white house with a red door perched atop a gray cement base. As I pull into the driveway; A tall honey skinned man with jet-black hair walks out onto his porch, surveying me with dark, narrowed eyes. A frown tugs at the corners of his lips, his arms folding across his broad chest.

I notice the brooding man and give a little wave, he nods in acknowledgment and then goes back inside, closing the door behind him with a hard thud. The loud thump resounds throughout the quiet neighborhood causing a feeling of unease, almost like a pen dropping onto an office floor. I can't help but wonder if I made the right decision coming here.

The engine hummed softly, a gentle white noise against the tense silence in the car. I stared at the cracked leather of the steering wheel, my chest tight with indecision. Ten minutes had passed since I'd parked, ten minutes of debating, antagonizing, and ultimately, stalling.

I have to do this. I'm already here, right?
But the fear, a cold coil in my stomach, tightened its grip. What if I was being over dramatic? What If I only thought I saw what she was doing? What if I was just... not right?
I took a shuddering breath, willing myself to move. This was it. I'd already bought the house, gotten a new job, and driven here, this is my home now. With a final, determined push, I threw open the car door.

And then I screamed.

A gasp caught in my throat as I stumbled back, crashing against the car door. A flash of pale skin, the fiery glow of ginger hair, and a pair of eyes as blue as the summer sky stared back at me. Strong arms caught me before I could fall, a snake tattoo wrapped around skinny pale wrists steadying me with a gentle firmness that sent a shiver down my spine.

"Are you alright?" he asked, his voice a low rumble that sent a jolt through me. I blinked my eyes, focusing on the man before me. He was... beautiful.

"I... I'm fine," I stammered, straightening myself and fixing my clothes, I felt the warmth fill my cheeks.

"I'm Liam," he said, extending a hand.
I took it, my fingers trembling against his. "Ashlyn," I murmured,  "Ashlyn Bennett"  my voice barely above a breath.
He smiled, a slow lazy smile that lit up his face. 'It's nice to meet you, Ashlyn Bennett.'

"You're lookin' a little red darlin" He chuckles softly and I look away, "Just the heat, not used to it is all." I murmur brushing frizzy brown hair out of my eyes, you'll get used to it eventually, don't worry," he reassures me and I give a small smile in response, "Well it was nice meeting you but I need to get to work unpacking" I tell him walking over and opening the trunk of my car.

Liam stood by my side as I opened the trunk of the car, revealing a mountain of messily stacked cardboard and plastic boxes, bags, and miscellaneous items; a full-length gothic mirror, a music box, a flat iron board, and a box of china.

I stare at the chaotic mess for a moment, mentally calculating how long it would take me to sort through all of it, collecting my thoughts. I grab one of the boxes and lug it into the house.

"You sure you don't need help?" Liam asked, his hands on his hips, his eyes flickering over the heap of belongings in my trunk shimmering slightly in the sunlight.

"I can manage," I said, more confidently than I felt stopping at the door to reply. "I just have to sort through everything and find a place for it in the house."

Liam shrugged, a slight frown pulling at his lips. "Alright then, if you're sure. But don't hesitate to ask for help if you need it."