Deceiving The Groom

by Shadow, Lisa

  “Claire?”

  Claire jumped and spun awkwardly in her heels. Liam stood behind her, his suit jacket draped casually over his arm and the top button of his shirt undone. Her hand flew to her throat. Her heart heaved.

  “Liam!” she said and shoved the envelope into her handbag, pushing it as far in as it would go.

  Liam glanced at the post box. “You have a post box in the city, why not get them to hold it at Hopetown?”

  Claire closed the door with one hand and tugged the key out. “It’s for Geoff. He hasn’t gotten around to redirecting.”

  She didn’t give Liam a chance to ask another question, just slid her hand over his shoulder and pressed her lips against his rough cheek. His shoulders moved under her hand.

  “What are you doing here?”

  Liam gestured across the road at the large building.

  “The courthouse?”

  Liam’s jaw twitched slightly. “Yes, it seems no one is able to keep to their word or honor their deals anymore.”

  Claire tried not to cringe. Some deals were simply too hard to keep. “More business troubles?”

  Liam wrapped his arm around her waist. “I don’t want to bother you with the details. Since you’re here, let me take you to lunch.”

  Claire pulled away with a shake of her head. “No, I can’t. I just closed the store to come in before my next appointment.”

  “A coffee then?” Liam asked, his irresistible dimple luring her into submission.

  Claire glanced at the watch on her wrist. “I suppose I can squeeze in the time for you.”

  Liam flashed a grin, and tugged her against him. They went to the small cafe across from the courthouse. Claire stirred the froth on top of her coffee. Liam watched her, tapping the small espresso cup in front of him.

  “I’m glad we bumped into each other, Claire. You left so abruptly last night I was worried.”

  Claire scooped up a big spoon of froth. “I was just busy like I said.” She slid the spoon between her lips. Liam’s gaze seemed to feast on them closing over the bowl of the spoon. He paused his tapping and took a sip of espresso without looking.

  “You know, I wanted to thank you for last night.” His gaze rested on her, she could feel it measuring her, embracing her, but could not meet it. She tore open another packet of sugar and dumped it into her cup.

  “Well, someone had to save the spaghetti from you.”

  Liam chuckled and Claire lifted her cowardly gaze. God this man was something when he really smiled. His teeth gleamed straight and even, his dimples pressed into deep laugh lines. It was the kind of smile that stopped you and took you out of wherever you were, putting you wholly at its mercy. He was dangerous for sure. Even more dangerous to her.

  “That’s true enough. I’m the first to admit, cooking is not my strong suit.”

  Claire returned his smile. “Thank God. If you could do that as well, what hope would us girls have?”

  Liam leaned forward, a wicked kink to his brow. “Are you suggesting you find it hard to resist me?”

  Claire’s smile faded and her eyes flirted between her cup and Liam, her cheeks warmed. “I don’t think I ever did a very good job of resisting you did I?”

  Liam’s hand moved across the table and grasped hers softly. “I didn’t know you were trying.”

  Claire tucked her hair behind her ear and licked her lips. “Well, if I had been, I would have failed hopelessly.”

  Liam remained silent and rubbed his thumb across the centre of her palm. Claire cleared her throat and slid her hand from his, picking up her cup and taking a shaky gulp.

  “I wasn’t actually referring to your delicious culinary skills when I thanked you. I meant thank you for what you did with Lexi.” Claire’s cup returned to the saucer with a clatter. “It was nothing. Don’t mention it.” Her smile failed on her strained lips.

  “That story was beautiful. You’re a natural with children. Was it for your sister?”

  “Something like that.” Claire pushed her cup aside and looked at Liam. “So how did you go at the courthouse?”

  Liam sat back, his features becoming momentarily unreadable. Claire tried to keep her gaze level with his as she prayed he would accept her rebuff.

  “It was only arbitration. But I got what I wanted, if that’s what you’re asking.”

  Claire watched his eyes close off. “Do you always win, Liam?”

  Liam rotated his cup. “I don’t lose.”

  A pearl of unease swept down her back—she didn’t doubt it. She made a show of inspecting her watch. “I really need to get back to the store. But thank you for the coffee.”

  She rose to her feet and Liam stood beside her. His fingers wrapped around her forearm, bringing her body close to his. As usual, it betrayed her by straining towards him. He was like gravity.

  “So will I see you again tonight, Claire?”

  Claire’s eyelids fluttered with the erratic rhythm of her heart. “Sure, I’ll teach you and Lexi to make sloppy joes.”

  Liam’s cheek dimpled softly. “I’m sure she would love that. I don’t think she has had them since her mom was here.” His dimple faded sadly, and Claire rubbed his arm. “You’ll be able to make them together from now on.”

  Liam leaned down and pressed his cheek against hers in a quick hug. “Thank you, Claire.”

  He pulled away and paid for the coffee, then led her to her car and opened the door. “So can I pick you up after I collect Lexi from school?”

  Claire buckled her seatbelt and gazed up at him. “No, I’ll come see you once I’m finished at the store.”

  Claire pulled the door shut, and started the car. Liam stood on the pavement, hands in his pockets watching her drive away. Claire’s gaze kept retreating to the rear view mirror, seeing Liam’s figure shrink, becoming smaller and smaller, yet still occupying every inch of space in her mind.

  Chapter Thirteen

  The door loomed on the front porch like a monster’s open mouth, beckoning yet terrifying her. She shouldn’t have come. Her right hand rested on the top of the railing, her left weighed down by a bag of groceries. She should go, stay away from them both, especially Lexi. She took a step backwards, her foot sliding down to the step below.

  Lights flickered on and Claire froze. The door swung open and Liam stepped onto the porch, casually dressed in shorts that left his long, lean jogger’s muscles exposed. The saliva in her mouth increased. God this man’s thighs were just plain sinful.

  “Claire, I thought I heard your car.” Liam’s gaze travelled to the bag in her hand and he padded to her side, plucking it out of her hand.

  “Sorry, I’m late. I hope Lexi’s not too hungry.”

  Liam smiled. “She’s fine, I gave her a snack.”

  Claire glanced over her shoulder. Light from the streetlamp bounced off the silver paint of her car. Her keys were in her handbag. She could go anytime, get in her car and leave without hesitation.

  Liam guided her up the stairs and she walked into the kitchen. Lexi sat at the kitchen table, head bent over school books. She jumped up when she saw Claire and ran for her hug. “Are we cooking again?”

  Claire stroked Lexi’s curls. “Yep, your Uncle Liam told me one of your favorites, so I brought a few things.”

  Lexi stepped back. “What?”

  Liam placed the shopping on the bench and Lexi climbed onto a stool. Claire pulled out all the ingredients. “What do you think all these things might make?”

  Lexi’s eyes roamed over the meat and vegetables, and she pulled the hamburger buns closer. She looked back at the meat then up at Claire. “Is this sloppy joes?”

  Claire grinned and nodded. Lexi looked back at the groceries and pushed the buns away, sitting back on her stool. “That’s what Mom makes.”

  A bitter grief filled Claire’s lungs. She remembered Lexi’s reaction all too well, having experienced it herself many times. What was she doing here with this girl, making her remember things, feel things. She
shouldn’t be here.

  Liam stepped forward, placing his hand on Lexi’s shoulder. “Wouldn’t it be nice if you could have them again? We could call them ‘Mom’s Sloppy Joes’ and make them like she did.”

  Claire watched the exchange between Liam and his niece. He tried so hard for her. So few people would be able to rise to meet this kind of challenge the way he had, she couldn’t refute that. Did having wonderful qualities cancel out a person’s bad?

  Lexi looked up at Liam and chewed her lips. “Alright.”

  Claire divided up the ingredients and allocated responsibilities, talking Liam and Lexi through each step. Soon the meat filling bubbled on the stove in a rich mouthwatering aroma that hung heavy in the air. Liam put dishes on the table and Lexi stood at Claire’s side.

  “Ready for a taste test?”

  Lexi nodded eagerly and Claire blew on the wooden spoon, then lowered it to Lexi. The little girl tasted the meaty gravy on the spoon. “Mmm, that’s yummy.”

  Claire winked at Lexi then turned off the heat, then pushed the pan off the hot plate.

  “You know, Claire, you would be a good mom.”

  Every fiber in Claire’s body froze. She caught herself and turned to Lexi, then slumped to a crouch in front of her. Her gaze darted over her shoulder to Liam laying out the cutlery. Claire lowered her voice to a whisper. “What do you mean Lexi?”

  Lexi just blinked. “I mean one day when you have kids, you’ll be a good mom. You’re good at teaching things.”

  All the breath she’d been holding rushed out. Thank God. The worst thing she could imagine was Lexi adopting her as some kind of mother figure. Not when she still didn’t know where things were going with Liam. She patted Lexi’s arm. “Thanks, that is very sweet of you to say.”

  Claire stood again and pulled the buns out of the grill. She began spooning out the filling and glanced up. Liam stood at the counter watching her. Just watching her scoop sloppy joes like she were performing some kind of delicate surgery.

  Liam took the empty pan from her when she was finished, brushing up a little too close to her before he filled it with water and put it aside to soak. They took the plates to the table and sat opposite Lexi who had taken her seat the moment the buns touched the plates. “I tasted it already, Uncle Liam. It’s yum like Mom’s.”

  Liam picked up his fork. “Let me see…” He scooped a fork full and took a giant bite. He wiggled his eyebrows at Lexi as he chewed. His gaze flickered to Claire, a devious gleam in his eye. “Delicious.”

  Claire returned his look and took a bite of her own. The food was as good as it smelled. Better yet was watching Lexi and Liam enjoy it. Joking casually, acting like a family. Something it hurt for her even to remember.

  They finished eating, but not before Liam’s phone rang. Lexi swayed as though she might fall asleep in her plate. Claire helped her upstairs and into her pajamas. Lexi didn’t even make it to a story, crawling into bed as soon as she was changed. Claire kissed the top of her head and pulled the door shut then went back downstairs.

  Claire cleared the table and scrapped the plates into the bin, then set them in the sink. Large arms surrounded her, drawing her back into a waiting embrace. Liam’s lips pressed against her neck briefly. Her body shivered in anticipation.

  “You had better let me do this. I don’t want you drowning in my sink again.” He teased and slid her to the side.

  Claire gave him a little bump with her hip. “Fine, then I’ll dry.”

  Liam handed her a cloth. “You know, now that you’ve taught us to make sloppy joes, I’m going to be eating nothing but for the rest of my life…”

  Claire laughed throatily. “Lexi was happy, wasn’t she?”

  Liam’s movements slowed. “Yes, she was.”

  They worked together washing and drying and putting away. She’d slid right into his evening like she belonged there, like this was where she was meant to be. Claire put away the last dish and hung up the cloth. Lexi was settled in bed and it was time to go before things became even more complicated. Claire went to the counter and picked up her handbag.

  Liam turned, a frown deepening the light lines on his forehead. “You’re not thinking of leaving me already are you?”

  Claire shrugged. “I had a wonderful night, but I have some designing I need to finish at home.”

  Liam tugged her bag off her shoulder and dumped it back on the counter, then placed his hands on her waist. “Do it here. Spend the night.”

  He pulled her hips against his.

  “But I don’t have my things. I don’t even have a toothbrush.” Claire protested as his face bent to the crook of her neck. His breath tickled her skin and she giggled.

  “I’ll get you one. Stay.”

  His lips moved against her neck. Claire closed her eyes, her head lolling back. Her back bumped into the counter as Liam shifted against her. Her body came to life, every erogenous zone ultrasensitive, longing for his attention.

  “I’ll stay for a little while longer, but then I’m leaving alright?” She said breathlessly.

  Liam just made a grunting noise against her neck and scooped her up. His mouth captured hers and he carried her to his bed.

  Claire rushed across the pavement in a semi-jog. If the store weren’t so close she’d drive this morning. She was late opening up the store. It may have had something to do with the fact that it was three in the morning by the time she managed to drag herself from Liam’s bed, and his protests.

  The three inch point of her heel caught on the lip of the curb, jerking her shoe from her foot, and propelling her onto the road. She gave a squeal, falling to her hands and knees on bitumen. The massive blunt nose of a van rushed towards her. Claire’s arm flung up and she rolled sideways into the gutter. Wheels screeched. The choking fumes of burnt rubber filled her lungs. The white panel van swerved violently—a rush of air to blowing hair into her face.

  The vehicle veered back onto the correct side of the road, not slowing. Claire scrambled back onto the side walk. Her blood thrummed like she was on the inside of a paint shaking machine. She reached for her shoe and stood unsteadily on her other foot, leaning on an electricity pole.

  She glanced in the direction the van fled, it turned the corner towards Mrs. Rose’s. Claire drew up her knee and tried to slide the trouble-making shoe back onto her foot. Her ankle screamed in protest when she flexed but she placed her foot back on the ground. Pain grated from her ankle up her calf.

  This was not a great start to the day. She brushed her hands over her clothes. Her palms stung where they touched the fabric and her knee hurt. Claire took a calming breath and stuck her hand in her bag for her car keys. There was no way was walking to the store like this.

  She hobbled around the corner to the B&B where her Nissan was parked, and stopped. The white van that almost ran her down was parked opposite Mrs. Rose’s. The little hairs on her arms crept to standing but she brushed aside the feeling. She opened the car door and glanced across the street as she slid inside.

  She buckled herself into the driver’s seat and started the engine. She moved the gear stick into drive and rolled forward slowly. Her heart began its pounding again. She peered down the driveway of the B&B.

  No lights were on, nothing appeared different than it should be. She was being stupid. The near miss had shaken her up. It’d been her own clumsy fault, it wasn’t as though the van had targeted her, even if the driver was an ass who had not stopped to see if she was okay. Claire pulled herself together and slid her sunglass over her nose, then pulled into the street.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Liam saw the silver Nissan slide into the parking space in front of the bridal store and his back relaxed against his chair. It was twenty minutes past opening time and not like Claire to be tardy. He excused himself from his phone conversation and strode through reception to the front door. He leaned in the doorway and enjoyed the view of Claire’s delectable calves swinging out of the car.

  She hoisted
herself out of the seat, leaning on one foot with the other slightly bent. Her delicate nose scrunched underneath her dark frames. Liam straightened. She was hurt. He looked both ways at the traffic and crossed the street.

  He reached the open car door and snuck his hand around her waist. Her back stiffened for a moment, then she glanced over her shoulder.

  “Liam.”

  She turned into him and accepted the soft brush of his lips against hers. He resisted the urge to try for another.

  “You’re hurt?”

  Claire pushed her sunglasses over her eyes and into her hair. “Yeah, I fell. Some damn van nearly ran me down. But I’m fine, just twisted my ankle.”

  “What?” A bolt of red hot energy surged through him.

  “It’s fine, it was my fault. I stumbled into the street.”

  Liam’s gaze traveled from her ankle to her knee. “Your knee is bleeding.”

  She glanced down. “Just a little scrape. I hadn’t even noticed.”

  Liam shut the car door. He bent his knees and lifted her, carrying her to the store.

  “What are you doing?”

  “You need to look after yourself, and if you don’t then I’m going to have to do it for you.”

  “Really, Liam, I can walk.”

  “No.” He held her close to the door handle so she could slide in the key and unlock it, and carried her to the small couch in her dressing room.

  “Let me see what you’ve done.” He slid to his knees in front of the couch and lifted her ankle onto his lap. His fingers slid down her calf, luxuriating in the feel of her skin. He lifted her ankle. “It’s a little swollen. But your knee is only grazed.” He looked up at her. “I’ll take care of it. First aid kit?”

  “On top of the fridge.”

  Liam left and returned with the white first aid kit and a can of cola. He opened the kit and pulled out a swab. Claire cringed at the swab against her wound. Liam peered up at her from under the dark hood of his lashes. He blew gently against the graze.

  Claire’s expression heated, her bottom lip caught sexily between her teeth. He swiftly smoothed a plaster bandage on her knee.