#so you get a matted as hell excitable dog who thinks its ok to jump on people

[dragon-hoard]

anyone in the dog industry not breeding doodles is like

"doodles"

[sillyrabbit81]

Her Heavy Cross

Summary: Three years after tragedy hits, Lana she decides to start dating again. She meets Will through a dating app and they begin an online romance. After months of constant requests, Lana relents and agrees to meet and go on an irl date with Will. But is Will who he says he is? Lana is quickly pulled into an intense relationship forcing her to confront her tragic past. Will Lana face it or will she close her heart forever?

Pairing: OMC x OFC

Word Count: approx 2.7k

Warnings: swearing, angst, drunk, motion of death

Authors Note: The story started as a Henry Cavill fanfiction but I changed it to be an original character, but shades of Henry are still there. Hope you enjoy the story and thanks for reading.

Part 2 Part 4

Part 3

In less than ten minutes, we had pulled up to Liam's house. Liam paid for the taxi too. I kind of argued this time, but he pointed out he asked me to his house. I didn't get too stubborn about it.

Liam was living in a four-story terrace house, recently renovated by the looks of it. It was painted white with black wrought iron lacework, and it was beautiful. The front door and windows were painted black. It appeared to be the twin of the house that shared its wall.

We entered through the dining room, and I realised it was actually the two houses renovated together. The inside was modern with original heritage touches. The floors were light timber, and the walls were white. The ceilings had plaster and cornice so beautifully ornate that restoration must have taken ages. The room had an imposing black marble fireplace and a deep brown, almost black wooden dining table set on a grey shag rug in the room's centre. A huge abstract painting of bright pinks, greens and grey hung on the wall.

"Wow, this must have cost a mint!" I quickly covered my mouth. "I'm sorry, that was rude of me."

"It's ok. I was pleasantly surprised by the house too. The studio got the house for me I...." Liam was interrupted by a massive dog bounding into the room.

Liam got down and roughhoused with the dog for a bit. Wow, he was a monster! I'd seen a picture of Cole before that "Will" had sent me, but I wasn't quite prepared for how big he was. He was almost completely black with some brown above his eyes and ears. His paws were brown too, and his belly was grey. He wasn't any particular breed, apparently a rescue dog. I thought of my bull terrier cross cattle dog at home. This dog would eat him for breakfast, and Perrin wasn't small.

Cole's pink tongue lolled, and he panted as Liam moved from side to side. Cole imitated Liam's actions jumping about. He barked a couple of times as he got excited by the play. The noise reverberated through the quiet house.

"Shhh, Cole, people are sleeping." Liam softly admonished. Then his voice became stern. "Sit," he ordered before patting him. Liam looked at me and said, "Lana, this is Cole. Cole, Lana."

"Hi, Cole. You're much bigger in person." I could hear the slight tremor in my voice. Liam must have sensed I was nervous and came over to stand near me. Cole padded over and sniffed at me. Gingerly, I put my hand by my side and let him approach me. Cole nuzzled my hand, and I gave him a pat on the side of his neck. I let out a sigh of relief.

"I was worried he wouldn't like me. I love dogs but always get nervous around new ones." Liam put his head to the side, asking a silent question. "I had a dingo go me one time, and I've never really gotten over it." I squatted down and gave Cole more pats. "I think this guy is ok, though."

"Yeah, he's a good boy. How is Perrin, by the way?"

"He's ok." I sighed, "he's just old. The poor little guy can't get onto my bed anymore and sleeps in my lounge room now. I kinda miss it, but I have slept a bit better."

Liam gave Cole some more pats and told him to go sit. "Come on. I'll make you a tea or coffee if you'd like." I agreed a coffee would be perfect right now. I needed something to sober me up.

I sat at the kitchen bench while Liam made coffees. Cole sat by my stool, and I patted his head while watching Liam. Liam had kicked off his shoes and was walking around in his bare feet. It was amazing to see him so much more relaxed here than while we were out. He really did appear to enjoy being at home.

As Liam made our coffee, he moved with a grace that surprised me. His movements seemed economical and rigid but hinted at the power beneath them. He seemed coiled and ready to explode at any moment. It was like he was dancing the pasodoble, his body moving to an invisible beat. Images of Strictly Ballroom came into my mind, and I found myself humming Love is in the Air. I was drunker than I thought.

When Liam was done, he led me over to his large L shaped lounge, and I sat. Liam flopped down next to me, casually laying back and popped his feet up on the coffee table. Cole sat on a mat that was clearly his.

I sipped my coffee, not knowing what else to do. Suddenly the quiet between Liam and I felt awkward.

Liam and I spoke at the same time, "What.." "So..."

We both laughed. Liam indicated I should proceed. "Well, I was going to ask what brought you out to Sydney, for real, not the Will answer."

"A new project. I'm going to be filming a television show." Liam proceeded to tell me about his project, working with some people from Netflix on a fantasy/sci-fi series adaptation. He was so animated when telling me that it was obvious that he loved his job.

It would be his first television series and was to be more romance heavy than anything he had done in years. Liam explained that he is filming here because the story was written and developed in Australia. "If it works out, I'll probably be based out of Australia for the next few years. I'll go home to England for a few months during breaks, maybe do some small film roles. It's hard with Cole, though, because every trip into Australia means 10 days quarantine for him."

"Oh yeah, and you don't want a Pistol and Boo situation." Liam looked confused, and I explained about Amber Heard and Johnny Depp smuggling their dogs into Australia.

"I thought you said you don't follow celebrity gossip."

"I don't, but that was big news, hilarious really. It was on every bit of media in Australia, and then they had to make this cringe video apology. I almost felt bad for them." Then I yawned, suddenly all the alcohol had lost its buzz, and I was just tired. "The coffee doesn't seem to be doing its job. What time is it?"

Liam looked at his watch, "11.30."

"Yeah, it's late. I should get home. I don't want to turn into a pumpkin." I cringed. Fuck.

"You don't have to go. You could stay here." I raised my eyebrows. "I do have more than one bed if that's what you want." Liam leaned over to me and placed a hand on my cheek, rubbing his thumb against my skin.

I looked at my nearly empty coffee mug. I swirled the dregs around the bottom as if it were tea leaves, and they would tell me what to do. "I don't want to go home yet, but I don't want to go too fast, either."

"That's ok."

I didn't move. I wanted to stay. Ten years ago, I would have stayed, but Andy's face flashed into my thoughts. I knew it was ridiculous. Andy had been gone for over three years now. But every time I even contemplated being with someone, I couldn't stop thinking about him.

Liam was waiting for an answer, but I didn't know what to tell him. 'It's not you, it's me' is such a tired cliche, but sometimes it's true.

"Lana, it's ok. If you want to go home, that's absolutely fine. I'll even call you an Uber."

I felt my eyes sting, and I looked away from Liam. My bloody traitorous tear ducts giving me away. I shouldn't have drunk so much. Alcohol always makes me emotional.

"Fuck." I swore under my breath. I angrily wiped at my eyes, thankful I had used waterproof mascara. My eyeliner was a different story, though, and black streaked my fingers. I asked Liam where his bathroom was, and I got up, only half listening to his directions. I found it quickly. It was only through the doorway into a little enclave with a powder room, stairs and a lift. What kind of bloody house has a lift?

I closed the door and sat on the toilet seat. I knew enough not to try to stop the tears, so I just let them go. Bloody hell, Andy. Why did he fucking have to leave me? Why the fuck did you have to fucking die. Goddammit. Why do I do this to myself? Why do I do this to Andy? I wanted to scream, to punch something, to throw something. I needed another cigarette. Fuck you, Andy. Fuck you. Fuck me. Fuck Liam.

As I always did when I thought of Andy, I remembered the last time I saw him. His sweet face looked down at me as he kissed me goodbye. His deep brown hair fell like a curtain around us, hiding our kiss from the world. Cheekily I had slipped my tongue into his mouth, and he had groaned as he pulled away. He told me to save it for when he got back and would be as quick as he could be. I had thanked him for filling in for me. He winked and said to thank him later. Then he left.

When I was able to, I started to take deep breaths. In through my nose, out through my mouth. I could feel the tightness in my chest slowly ease. Breathing became more comfortable, and the tears stopped. I looked at my hands, and I was able to release the fists I was making. My nails hadn't broken the skin this time, but small red crescents remained etched into my palms.

I waited a few minutes longer to make sure the moment had passed. It wasn't Andy's fault he died, and I knew that. It's also not my fault that I wanted someone to love again. Sleeping with someone other than Andy felt like crossing the Rubicon, no going back.

The fact was there is no going back, no Andy to go back to, even if I wanted. In my head, it still felt like a betrayal. But it wasn't. And Liam wasn't just anybody. He was a guy I had spent weeks talking to, getting to know, and although he looks different, he is still acting as I had expected. I saw a potential future here. Did I really want to let my past ruin it?

I cleared my throat and stood up, preparing myself to see the horror that looked back at me. Ugh, it wasn't great. My eyeliner had given me panda eyes, and the tears had created streaks down my cheeks.

Getting a tissue and blew my nose, and decided there was nothing else for it, I washed my makeup off my face. I avoided washing my eye makeup off though, that was a mess I just didn't have the products for, so I just wiped under my eyes and cleaned it up. I binned my tissues, washed my hands, took a few more deep breaths and prepared myself to face Liam.

I opened the door and walked straight into something solid that made me bounce back into the bathroom like a tennis ball. Hands caught me before I hit the floor, and I found myself in Liam's arms.

"I'm sorry, did I hurt you?" He asked.

"No," I was flustered again. I spent all that time calming down to just be in a state two seconds later. "I just didn't expect you to be outside the door. Jesus, you're like a brick shit house."

Liam didn't laugh. "I was worried about you."

"I'm fine," I lied.

Liam didn't look convinced. He let me go and ran a hand through his hair. "Do you want to talk about it?"

"Not right now."

Liam nodded. "I'll get you that Uber." He pulled his phone out.

That's it then. All in all, it wasn't the worst date I'd been on since Andy died. Actually, it was probably the best. Liam, at least, was a guy I was attracted to and didn't appear to be a man child. He seemed to like me, even when I cried over another man. Although I doubt Liam knew that's why I was crying. I had told him I was married before and he had died, but that was only once and a long time ago, and we hadn't discussed it again.

The tears had done their job, and a calmness came over me now. I had said goodbye to Andy, and I was ready to take that last step to move on. That was why I started to date again; to open my heart, I was ready.

I put my hand on Liam's wrist, "if you still want me to, I'd like to stay."

"Are you sure? I probably shouldn't have asked in the first place. I let my other head think for me." Though I laughed at his candid admission, Liam's face was serious. "I'm not joking. I want you, and I didn't think about how you must be feeling. The whole fake profile thing must still be weighing on your mind. And all of the other problems that go along with being with me. You should have more time to think about it."

And my dead husband, let's not forget that. I didn't say that out loud, thank God. "I will have time to think about it. But right now, I want..." Shit. I've gone shy again. Just fucking tell him you want him too! "I mean, can't we just have a bit of a cuddle and a snog?"

Liam's lips twitched as he tried to suppress a smile, "a cuddle and a snog?"

I nodded.

Smiling, Liam put his phone back in his pocket. "I think I can arrange that."

Without further warning, Liam grabbed my wrists in one hand and pinned them to the wall above my head. His other hand snaked around my waist, holding me to him, his hips rolling into mine. His eyes were fierce and focused on mine. I  closed my eyes, the sensations too much, and my breath quickened.

I heard Liam say through gritted teeth, "It's taken everything I had not to do this to you since I saw you at the bar. I wanted to take you then and there." His voice seemed to ease, the words coming easier for him. "You don't know how much I've wanted to touch you. To know you are real." Then he whispered, "and you are. Real. You're as beautiful tonight as you were in your pictures."

I opened my eyes and found Liam staring at me, and his intensity was nearly frightening. He pulled me tighter against himself, his fingertips digging into me while he crushed me against his body. I felt his hardness against my hip, and I couldn't stop myself from rubbing against it. This time Liam closed his eyes, and I felt the rush of blood to my centre.

Liam opened his eyes, desire naked on his face, "Kiss me," he said.

I met his soft and warm lips. I felt Liam's groan rumble in his vast chest, and kissing him again, my lips scraped against his whiskers. Liam kissed me back now. His tongue pushed past my lips, and found mine. His tongue playfully danced in my mouth. Liam's hand left my arse and started to feel my hips, my waist and then my breasts. He cupped them and gently squeezed. My breath caught as his hand skimmed past my nipple. His palm created friction against the lace of my bra, and tingles radiated through my body.

His lips left mine and went to my neck. He kissed and sucked at me, moving down to the top of my breasts. I heard him take a deep breath into my chest as his cheeks rubbed against my skin. His kisses became harder against my chest and moved back up to my neck, his teeth nipping at me as he went. Even though he had me captured, I wriggled against him, my hips moved uncontrollably, my breath uneven and weak.

Liam pulled away, still firmly gripping one of my hands. "Come with me." Liam led me to the lift.

"Where are we going?"

"To my bedroom." I pulled against him, forcing him to stop. "Sweetheart, I promise I won't fuck you until you ask."

My legs turned to jelly. I wanted to fall to my knees and beg despite my reservations. I nodded and followed Liam into the lift.

Part 4

[got-to-love-a-badboy]

Sinking part 2

The pool wasn't open yet so Amy had plenty of time to find her way around and set up her things.

She headed to the staff room, there were a few people sitting chatting including the John the manager, "good morning" she beamed as she walked in, John was the only one who stood up and greeted her, "good morning Amy, excited for today?", Amy gave him a friendly smile, "ye I am John, ... would you be able to show me the area I will be using please?" "Oh yes of course!" John packed up the paperwork he was looking at and walked out of the room, Amy looked at the others and said "see you around" a dark haired girl looked up from her magazine and gave her a half hearted smile, "such friendly characters" Amy thought to herself.

She followed John down past the pool and to a little sun house, "it's not much but there are some mats in there" he said as he unlocked the doors, Amy walked in and saw tables, chairs and pool equipment piled up in the corner, "and that?" She asked John, "oh yes they need to be moved I will get one of the lifeguards to help you with that il go send them out now, they can just be piled up outside round the corner for now" and off he went to get help.

Amy looked around the room she could tell it hadn't been used for a while everything was dusty, she opened the doors full to let some light in, then started moving the chairs, she took 2 at a time and stacked them where she was told, after 10 minutes she had finished the chairs and stood outside looking around wondering where the help was!, then she saw him, walking out with he's swim shorts and shades on, topless looking like something from a magazine "he does not work here" she said to herself rolling her eyes as he walked over to her, "well hello newbie, you need a hand?" He said whilst looking down at her and licking he's lips, "um hi Billy" she said going shy as this was the most he had spoken to her ever, "could you help me with the tables please" she asked and headed inside the building, "hey, Il grab the tables you get the pool floats, Ok?" Amy smiled at him and began moving the pool floats.

“What are you doing in here anyway? This hasn't been used for anything since forever it's a storage shed as you can see" he told her as he lifted a table up onto he's shoulder causing the muscles in he's stomach chest and arms to flex, Amy noticed this and was gob smacked she felt like she was stood with her mouth open but after a few seconds she composed herself "Uh I uh I'm starting yoga classes, John thinks the ladies will love it", Billy smirked at her "yoga really, wow, so a bunch of ladies in Lycra stretching out, maybe so but I bet it's for Johns benefit, the dog he is!" He began a deep laugh, Amy didn't know where to put herself or what to say so she just gave him a small chuckle.

After all the furniture was moved Amy began laying out the mats on the floor against the back wall and she put hers in front of the door so she could face them, she backed out of the room to look at her space and began smiling to herself, "nice job? I'm starting my shift now but if you need anything il be around, over on the chair" as he walked away, "see you around yoga lady .... in your Lycra" he winked and walked off, "its Amy" she replied grinning, "I know doll I remember you" he walked off to the locker room.

As the morning passed people came flooding in to the pool, Amy grabbed as many people as she could to join her classes and walked around handing out flyers, she couldn't help looking over in Billy's direction, She wasn't sure if he was looking back as he had he's sun glasses on. She was staring a class at lunch time and already had 5 ladies signed up for the class.

As it grew nearer to he's class Amy started getting ready, she walked into the room and turned her music on which happened to be "Madonna into the groove", she took off her leggings and began stretching in the middle of the room, she was in the middle of the lotus pose when she noticed Billy sat on he's chair with the arm of the sunglasses in he's mouth staring right at her. She felt her face instantly go bright red, luckily a few of the ladies came in and distracted her.

She told them all to pick a mat and to begin warming up, once they were all in she joined them at the front with her back to Billy, she carried on with her class for 30 minutes, checking behind her every so often and he was still staring at her in a trance, feeling brave she stood up and said "ok ladies last pose then cool down, this one is the downward dog, she adjusted her leotard and lent forward into her pose, she could see Billy through her legs, he's jaw had dropped, she couldn't help but smirk, "and back up girls, now let's do some breathing exercises, in through your nose and out through your mouth" she thanked them all for coming and told them she would have another class at 2. When they had all left the room and gone back to their beds she headed for the lockers to get her water bottle.

Whilst she was having a drink she saw the dark haired girl in cokinh out of the girls showers in a swimsuit, "hey, I'm Heather, you must be Amy, sorry I didn't speak much this morning, not really a morning person" she said and gave her a chuckle, Amy shook her head "no it's totally fine, mornings aren't for us all", "how was your first class!?" Heather asked "it was so good! The ladies loved it, I have an hour gap now until the next one" Amy said excitedly, "oh that's a shame I'm just starting my shift out at the pool, I would have had a coffee with you" Amy thought that was really kind, after this morning she wasn't feeling very welcomed, "that's so sweet. Maybe on your next break il be free!" She suggested, "sounds like a plan, I best get off, il see you around Amy" and Heather left the locker rooms.

Amy took a sip of her water and laid down on the benches in the communal area of the changing rooms, "well that was ...something else" she heard a familiar voice say, she sat up and looked around and noticed Billy Hargrove stood in the door way, "excuse me?" She said not understanding what he meant, "the yoga,...the lack of pants, it was very entertaining" he said as he slowly made he's way over to her, "oh ... I uh .... I didn't know you saw it" she lied, "come on doll stretching out in practically underwear how could I miss it!" He was stood in front of her now licking he's lips, "oh jeez, well I...I'm sorry I didn't mean to distract you, ....I have to go sorry" and she ran in to the girls locker room closing the door and leaning against it when she heard him say "it was a good distraction I look forward to your next show", she felt her face go red, Unsure wether it was from excitement or embarrassment!

"What the hell was that" she whispered to herself "do not get feelings for Billy Hargrove Amy you know he's a dog when it comes to women!"

She stayed in the locker room until it was time for her next lesson, she hoped to god he wasn't by the pool when she went out.

She crept out of the locker room and headed for the pool house where there was a group of women waiting for her, luckily there was no Billy in sight, instead Heather was on the lifeguard station, she smiled at Amy and gave her a little wave. Amy thought she was really nice and was looking forward to meeting with we when they were both on break.

She finished up her class and headed to the car park, she enjoyed her first day at the pool but was tired, she threw her bag in the trunk then got in the drivers seat and headed home.

It was 3 pm when she walked inside the house, her parents weren't in so she call Jenny,

"Hello" Jenny answered the phone, " hey J im home from my first day at work!!! you want to come over?" Amy asked her, "yes! God iv been waiting for this phone call all day! I will be over in 5 minutes" and with that she hung up the phone. Amy laughed and decided to change before Jenny got there, she opted for some red shorts and a baggy white T-shirt.

After 5 minutes the door bell rang and Amy headed down to let her friend in, "hello working girl!" Jenny shouted as she walked in causing them to both laugh, "how was it? We're there lots of hotties? Did any of them talk to you? We're the ladies in your classes ok? And can I come next time!" She stepped back and took a deep breath, Amy looked surprised, "are you done .... wow J one thing at a time" laughing at her friend, she went to the refrigerator and got two bottles of water out, "ok were the ladies nice?" Jenny asked taking a sip of her water, "yeah they were really kind and I think I gave them a good work out that they weren't expecting!" They both began laughing, "ok so were there any hotties?!" Jenny leant forward eager for her friends answer, Amy didn't know what to say, "um I didn't really notice any, the guy in the office isn't a hottie, the people at the pool were mostly children and women" she hesitated for a moment, her friend sensing more was coming, ".... but..." she said raising her eyebrows, Amy sighed "Billy Hargrove works at the pool" she said and rolled her eyes, "oh well at least there's something to look at I suppose, he may be a ass but he's got a nice ass" the girls chuckled again, "actually that's the thing, he was checking out my ass ..." Amy said hiding her face, "WHAT! no way, tell me everything!" Jenny jumped off the chair and ran around the counter so she was stood in front of Amy, "well I wore my Yoga clothes and I was doing the stretches and poses like always and after my lesson I was in the changing rooms and he came in and was like 'well that was interesting' I wanted the floor to swallow me up there and then!" Amy said blushing from reliving it again. Jenny couldn't believe it "this is so hot! What now!?" She questioned her friend, "what! Nothing now! I go in tomorrow and act like nothin happened" Amy walked off into the living room, she was soon followed by Jenny, "NO! You have to pursue this!" She said, Amy sat on the sofa shaking her head at Jenny, "I do not! It's Billy Hargrove were talking about he will be with someone else as we speak he doesn't catch feeling like normal people, please just drop it and come watch a film with me, il let you pick!" Amy bribed her friend just to end this conversation.

The girls watched a movie until it got late then Jenny headed home and Amy went to bed ready for the next working day, 'please no more drama' she hoped before drifting off to sleep.

/////////////////////

Thank you for reading and liking my fanfics! Hope you guys are enjoying them!

Xx