He lifted his gaze and sat back in his seat as his heart rate sped up at the sight of Charlee. She strutted into the coffee shop looking like every man’s fantasy woman.
Liam didn’t know where she’d been or where she was going, but the white, fitted halter dress that stopped just above her knees was definitely a show stopper. It highlighted all of her assets.
She was already a stunning woman. But the way her usual wild curls were piled on top of her head and the way the dress hugged her lush body, only highlighted just how gorgeous she really was.
If the attention she was garnering was any indication, he wasn’t alone in his assessment. Then again, it might not have been just the sight of her that grabbed other’s attention.
She wasn’t alone.
With a hand on his back, Charlee guided the man she was with toward the counter. It was the same homeless guy who’d been sitting in front of the building. What Liam didn’t understand was why he was with Charlee.
He couldn’t hear what she was saying to him, but the man lifted his hand and shook his head as if to say no, that’s okay. But Charlee being Charlee, wasn’t taking no for an answer. While she ordered, the guy headed toward the restrooms.
And Liam watched the woman he couldn’t stop thinking about.
He watched, taking in all of her beauty.
He watched because he couldn’t take his gaze off of her.
Once their order was placed, she and the nameless man headed to a small, round table not too far from the entrance. Both seemed oblivious of the attention they were garnering. Some patrons even moved away from them.
Liam shouldn’t be surprised by Charlee’s kindness. He had seen the time when she had taken off her coat, in the dead of winter, and gave it to a homeless woman on the street. Then there were the times when she’d dig around her purse for spare change to give to someone in need. Next to his mother and grandmother, she was the kindest and most generous person he had ever met.
Clearly, that was something else about her that hadn’t changed.
When the barista called her name, Charlee hurried to the counter and returned to the table with two carry-out cups and a white paper bag. She kept one cup, probably a caramel macchiato, and set the other one in front of the man along with the paper bag. She nodded toward the items, encouraging the guy to indulge.
They sat together with her doing most of the talking as if the man was an old friend. Liam tried to ignore the smoldering desire that engulfed him whenever she was nearby. It was no use. Since the day in Jerry’s back yard, memories of passionate nights and hot sex with her occupied his mind. But it wasn’t just about how good they were together in bed. No, it was everything about the woman and the way she made him feel.
“I’m doomed,” he muttered under his breath and lowered his gaze to his phone. He needed to regain some control. He couldn’t keep carrying on like some love-sick puppy.
Clearly, that was going to be easier said than done. Every nerve in his body was attuned to her as he observed Charlee with the homeless guy.
Maybe they knew each other. This wasn’t their first encounter if how close the guy was sitting to her was any indication. Like her usual, overly friendly and trusting self, Charlee didn’t seem to notice or care. She listened intently, smiling throughout the conversation. Liam didn’t like the way the guy kept touching her. He’d seen first-hand how filthy his hands were. Who knew where the guy had been, or what he’d done out on the streets?
Charlee’s smile slipped, and Liam straightened. She was uncomfortable. The way she leaned away slightly as they continued talking spoke volumes. Uneasiness showed on her face, especially when the guy touched her arm.
A possessiveness Liam hadn’t felt in a long time fizzed inside of him.
Do not go over there.
She is none of your business.
What she does is none of your business.
Do. Not. Go. Over. There.
Chapter Eight
Charlee hated seeing anyone living on the streets, especially Everett. This was her third time running into him in the last eight months, but she thought the last time he’d been on the street would’ve been the last time. She had found him a job. Yet, here he was.
The guy was smart, funny, and probably a really good-looking man at some point. But a year ago he lost his job, his wife left him, and he couldn’t seem to catch a break. When she first ran into him, he’d been off and on living in a shelter, and only able to get daywork on occasion. He made her believe that he wanted to work, but maybe she’d been wrong.
And maybe inviting him in for a cup of coffee and something to eat might not have been the best idea. He was getting a little too…handsy.
“Everett, why are you back on the streets?” Charlee finally asked. “What happened to the building maintenance job? I thought the position was yours.”
He gave a slight shrug. “It didn’t work out.”
“Why not?”
“I didn’t have a permanent address when I filled out the application. So I gave them the one to the shelter. They made me think that the job was mine, but then they did a background check. Everything was fine until I couldn’t verify my address, and they claimed I lied on the application. At the time I applied for the job, I was staying there, but then I wasn’t anymore and…anyway, it didn’t work out.”
Charlee shook her head. So much for trying to help. When she gave him the information about the job, she hadn’t considered logistics. Apparently, going from homeless to employment wasn’t as easy as she thought.
“I’m so sorry that job didn’t work out, but you can’t give up, and you can’t keep living on the street. You need to keep looking.”
She wished she could think of a way to help him. Based on earlier conversations, he had too much potential to be wasting it hanging out on the streets.
“Once I get enough money, I’ll get a mailbox at UPS. That’ll give me a physical address that I can put on applications.”
“That’s a great idea.” Charlee grabbed her handbag. “How much do you…”
He stopped her, covering her hand with his. “No. I told you before. I’m not taking your money. I appreciate you, but you’ve done enough.”
Charlee eyed the hand that was covering hers. She swallowed, trying to push down the bile crawling up her throat. She never wanted to come across as the type of person who thought they were better than someone else, but his touch made her skin crawl. That and his dirty fingernails had her wanting to snatch her hand away and leap into the nearest shower.
And God help her. He smelled awful. What had she been thinking, inviting him into the place where others were eating?
“A few weeks ago, I was able to do a little work for that lawn service guy you introduced me to. He only needed me for a few hours, but I made enough to buy me a few meals. So thank you for that.”
He squeezed her hand and leaned a little too close, forcing Charlee to lean away from him. He seemed oblivious of his horrid scent and lack of hygiene. Her gag reflex was nearing its limit. Instead of asking him to move his hand, she eased out of his hold and sat her bag in the chair next to her.
“So what would your dream job look like?” she asked. She almost wiped her hands down the side of her dress until she remembered she was wearing white. There wasn’t any lingering dirt, but the fact that he’d put his hands on hers kind of wigged her out.
“Right now, all I want is a job. It doesn’t have to be a dream job. Just something to get me back on my feet.”
Charlee nodded her understanding, wondering if the director’s position was her dream job. She should’ve asked herself that question a long time ago before investing so many years into learning the business. The conversation with her father weeks ago still plagued her mind. His accusations of her not having a life outside of work bugged the heck out of her, and sadly, she didn’t know how to do anything but work.
“Are you doing okay? You look tired,” Everett said, a frown creasing his forehead.
“Oh yeah, I’m fine. Just putting in a lot of hours.”
She was actually beyond tired. Her eyes had popped opened at six o’clock that morning, on a Saturday, and she’d been in the office by seven. There never seemed to be enough hours to finish everything. Now the days and even longer weeks were running into each other and at times Charlee didn’t know if she was coming or going.
But determination drove her. That CEO position would one day be hers. Unfortunately, she wasn’t the only person vying for the job. Bradley Handler, Director of Manufacturing, who happened to be her father’s protégé and actually a nice guy, was working just as hard.
“I thought you were the boss,” Everett said, interrupting her thoughts. “Shouldn’t you be able to delegate some of whatever has you stressed out?”
If Charlee didn’t know any better, she’d think Everett had been talking to her father. “I’m not stressed, it’s just…” She didn’t bother finishing the statement. In all honesty, she was a little tense, but it wasn’t just about work. It was everything. Her father made her realize that her life hadn’t unfolded the way she had envisioned.
Charlee sighed and took a careful sip of her caramel macchiato, savoring the sweetness on her tongue. It was her go-to coffee product, but maybe she should’ve opted for a shot of espresso instead. Anything to give her more energy to get through the rest of her busy day. She had an early evening dinner party to attend, as well as a birthday celebration later that night. Yet, what she really desired was a nap.
“Even stressed, you’re still the prettiest woman I’ve had the pleasure of spending time with lately,” Everett said, the compliment coming out of nowhere. He stretched his arm across the back of her chair. “Maybe once I get back on my feet, you’ll let me take you out.”
Charlee eyed him, a smile playing around her mouth. Amused that he was flirting with her even though he was homeless. If only he could use that charm toward getting a job and pulling his life back together.
“We’ll see,” she said, knowing she had no intentions of ever going out with him. He was intelligent and a nice guy, but she could already tell that he didn’t have the type of drive and determination she looked for in a man.
“Oh, I almost forgot. I have a pay-as-you-go phone.” He patted the pocket of his sweatshirt. “Let’s exchange numbers before you leave,” he said, then surprised the heck out of her when he started massaging her shoulder.
“Um,” Charlee leaned forward, trying to wiggle out of his hold without letting on just how grossed out she was. “Ev—Everette, I don’t—”
“Get your hands off of her.”
Charlee startled. The low, lethal demand came from behind her, and she glanced over her shoulder. Her breath stalled in her chest at the sight of Liam, looking sexy as usual with a baseball cap pulled low over eyes that were glaring at Everette.
Where had he come from?
“I said—Get. Your. Hands. Off. Of. Her.”
“And who are you supposed to be?” Everette frowned, but sat up straighter. “Wait, you’re the guy who gave me money a few minutes ago. So what? You think just because you toss me some change, I have to do what you say?”
Charlee shook his hand free of her shoulder, but then it slid to her back.
Amused, the corners of Everett’s lips quirked as he kept his attention on Liam. “What she and I do is none of your business. Besides—”
“She is my business. Now move your damn arm or lose a hand. Your choice.”
Charlee’s mouth dropped open. The short while that they’d dated before getting engaged, she had witnessed Liam’s possessive side. It never made her uncomfortable and he was never rude to anyone. In fact, she actually loved the attention, but right now, he was way out of line.
She started to tell him that but thought better of it. Deciding to give him a piece of her mind when Everett wasn’t around.
“Come on. Let’s go,” Liam said, boldly inserting himself between her and Everett.
But Everett wasn’t having that. “Now you wait just a—”
“Actually, Everett, I really should be going.” Charlee stood abruptly, noting they were garnering attention. There was no need to let the conversation get even more out of hand. “It was good seeing you again. Take care of yourself.”
“Charlee, you don’t have to—”
“Yeah, actually, she does.”
Without another word, Charlee maintained her cool and let Liam guide her toward the exit, his hand resting at the small of her back. Despite being pissed at him, her skin tingled at the electric currents charging through her body, not surprised that his intimately familiar touch had the opposite effect as Everett’s.
The smart part of her brain was telling her to move away from him since she was struggling to ignore the heat from his fingers and the way it seared her body. But that other part of her, the part that had missed him more than she thought, wanted his large hand to move lower, and then even lower than that, which was crazy.
He had just embarrassed her, treated her like some kind of property, and was walking her out of the building like he was her man.
“Liam,” she said, starting to turn to him before they reached the door. He needed to know that just because she was walking out with him, didn’t mean that he could butt into her business whenever he felt like it.
“We’ll talk outside,” he mumbled gruffly under his breath. He slipped on his dark shades and now kept her moving with a gentle hold on her elbow.
Charlee practically stomped toward the parking lot where she’d left her car. At the moment, it didn’t matter that she was probably behaving like a brat. Lips poked out, eyes shooting daggers, while she mumbled under her breath. The last couple of encounters with this man was driving her insane. Some of his actions made it seem as if he had forgiven her and was ready to call a truce. But other times, like right now, she wasn’t sure what to think.
“I cannot believe you just did that,” she fumed, only loud enough for him to hear. They sidestepped a few people on the sidewalk. Some heading into the coffee shop, while others walked in the opposite direction.
Charlee already knew Liam wouldn’t respond until it was just the two of them. Normally, he wasn’t confrontational and for the most part, a very quiet and private person. She didn’t know what had gotten into him back there.
Maybe befriending Everett and spending those few minutes with him hadn’t been the smartest or safest thing to do, but she never sensed any danger from him. It wasn’t a crime to do something nice for someone, like buy them coffee.
In all honesty, she understood Liam’s frustration. She had gotten herself into some jams in the past and neglected her safety a time or two. According to him, she was too trusting. But she couldn’t help it if she didn’t roam around expecting the worst of people. That’s not how she operated. She treated people, no matter who they were, how she wanted to be treated until they did something to betray her trust.
The short walk to the parking lot was doing Charlee good as her anger slowly dissipated. She wasn’t sure where Liam was parked, but he followed alongside of her, neither saying anything as she headed to her white Lexus. It wasn’t until she unlocked the door and tossed her purse inside that she whirled around on him.
“What the heck was that back there? What were you thinking, acting as if you care anything about me!” she shouted.
Okay, so maybe she was still a little ticked off, but he had some nerve.
Liam got in her space, close enough for her to smell the alluring scent of his cologne. Though he was crowding her, tempting her to launch into his arms and cover his full, kissable lips with hers, Charlee stayed put. She couldn’t see his eyes behind the dark aviator shades, but no doubt he was glaring down at her.
“Why do you always put yourself in dangerous situations?” His voice was calm, but she heard the edge in his tone. His barely controlled anger was peeking out.
“Liam, how was that dangerous? I’ve seen him here before and I kn
ow Everett. He wouldn’t hurt me. I was doing something nice for someone who was down on his luck. That’s all.”
Liam snatched off his sunglasses and leveled her with a hard glare. “By letting him put his frickin’ hands on you?” he snarled. “Come on, baby. You’re smarter than that. The guy is living on the street. God knows where he or his hands have been. Yet, I look across the coffee shop and find him caressing you!” His voice grew louder with each word before he caught himself. He cursed under his breath, noisily exhaled, and took a small step back.
Yeah, Everett had weirded her out a little, but Charlee knew he didn’t mean to make her uncomfortable. But Liam was right. Just because she and Everett were always friendly, didn’t mean that it was a good idea to get too close.
She sighed and stared down at her strappy, white sandals. Of all the people to run into, why’d it have to be Liam? It had already taken her awhile to finally stop thinking about him every minute of the day. Now that he was standing there—still close enough to touch—he had ruined her peace of mind. She’d probably be thinking about him for the rest of the day.
“You’re too trusting,” he said with more calm. “When are you going to learn that you can’t save the world?”
“I’m not trying to save the world,” she grumbled. “All I try to do is spread kindness wherever and whenever I can.”
Okay, that might’ve sounded like some type of proverb, but it was true. If more people extended a kind gesture, maybe the world wouldn’t be so screwed up.
“Oh, please. Stop trying to justify—”
“Fine! Sue me if you have a problem with that, but what I don’t understand is why you have a problem with anything I do? It’s not like we’re together anymore. Normally, you can’t stand the sight of me. Looking at me sometimes like I have shit on my face. So what changed? Why do you care now, Liam?”
Unplanned Love Page 6