No regrets...
Liana turned onto her side and pulled her sheet close to her neck. If she were honest, Mitch wouldn’t have to try too hard to get her into bed with him. She was extremely attracted to the man. But she wanted more than a bedroom companion.
She wanted him forever.
Liana sat up suddenly.
“I’m in love with him,” she whispered. “I’m in love with Mitch Molloy.”
Her heart beat a mile a minute. She took a deep breath, but a vortex of anxiety threatened to overwhelm her. She reached for the bottle on her nightstand and downed the tepid water. Closing her eyes, she tried to control her breathing.
But instead of banishing Mitch from her thoughts, her mind was flooded with memories of their shared past: the first time she saw him in New Zealand... the way he held her hand... how he and Connor joked with each other... how he had comforted Jay... his transformation from quiet roommate to stirring commander on the field... their first kiss... the respect he showed her grandparents and her friends... how he wanted to share her life, both past and present.
She knew this man. It might not have been long since they’d met, but she knew him. And yes, she loved him.
“Now what are you going to do about that, Murphy?” she voiced to an empty room that offered no solution.
When she met Mitch for an early breakfast the next morning, she watched how he moved with a quiet confidence common in people who no longer had anything to prove. Liana was certain the waitstaff in the breakfast room didn’t know who he was, but they treated him with deference usually reserved for more well-known figures. Maybe it was his size; maybe it was his genial attitude, but Liana bet that he attracted such respect because he offered it first.
At the end of the day, Mitch was simply a good man. And he was going to be her lover soon. The secret was hers to keep just a little bit longer.
* * *
Eight hours later, Mitch drove their rental car into a residential area in Los Angeles. The lawns were immaculately kept and the hedges trimmed to mathematical perfection, making him suspect that Liana’s “old friend” was going to be someone famous. Despite mentally preparing himself for that probability, Mitch knew his face reflected shock when he saw who came out of the large, black doors of a mansion.
He had met heads of state, royalty, and major celebrities, but none of them had ever stunned him. He could only stare at the fast-approaching figure who was returning Liana’s excited wave.
“Don’t you have any normal friends?” he asked.
Liana made a face at Mitch as she opened the car door. “They’re normal.”
“They are as far away from the definition of normal as possible.”
“They’re lovely people. Their children are exquisite.”
Mitch laughed. “None of my friends would ever call their children ‘exquisite’; they’ve called them rough and dirty, but definitely not exquisite. Come on, Liana. You must have one normal friend.”
“Come off it. That’s rich coming from you, Mr. Best in the World,” Liana said as she looked back in the car through the rolled-down window.
“My father’s a farmer; my mother’s a teacher. Normal.”
“The people you work with model underwear on billboards.”
“Only some of them.”
“There’s a giant cutout of your image in a field surrounded by sheep.”
Mitch grinned, getting out of his side of the car. “Touché.”
Liana didn’t hear him because of the scream coming from the lady of the house. “You are finally here! We’re so excited, but of course, Steve has his timing all wrong, and he is stuck in traffic. But he’s not far behind you. I can’t believe you’re finally here! It’s been too long, Liana!”
Mitch could only shake his head as he watched the iconic pop star of his youth embrace his girlfriend, laughter bubbling from both women. While Blake Stanton may have fantasized about Liana in his youth, it was posters of the former Veronica-Hall-now-Boyd who graced Mitch’s bedroom wall when he was a teenager. He had particularly admired her when she was part of the chart-dominating trio, “Impulse.” Veronica continued to be a darling of the media after marrying the bad boy of Scottish football, Steve Boyd, then surprised critics by producing designs that won over the fashion world.
Mitch suppressed a laugh as he watched Veronica’s equally famous children jockeying to get closer to Liana.
“Get off! Mum said I can get the first hug since I’m her godson.”
“But I’m her favorite!”
“You are not! Mum!”
“Enough!” Veronica glared at the two children. “Liana is here for a couple of days. She’ll have plenty of time to hug you all. Let’s not be rude. We need to welcome our other guest.”
That stunned the children, who turned to stare at Mitch. Mitch leaned over the front of the car and waved. “Hi.”
The older boy turned to look at Liana, accusingly. “You brought a guy with you?”
The little girl stared at Mitch. “You’re very big. Are you a football player?”
Mitch laughed. “No, miss. I’m a rugby player.”
Veronica’s mouth fell open. “Of course! You’re Mitch Molloy! I didn’t recognize you without a tight shirt on.”
Mitch felt his face instantly go hot. “I hope I’m not intruding.”
Veronica shook her head. “No, of course not. We love meeting Liana’s friends. She doesn’t bring many around. I think she’s embarrassed of us.”
“You didn’t tell them I was coming?” Mitch asked, now looking at Liana.
“I mentioned I was bringing a friend. She didn’t ask for more. My friends aren’t nosey,” Liana said.
Veronica made a tsk-ing sound and held out her hand to Mitch. “Nonsense. We are very nosey. But we’ve also learned you can’t pull anything out of Liana. She’d make a great spy. I sometimes think Mark models his character after her. He’ll deny it, of course.”
Mitch took Veronica’s hand. “Thank you for letting me stay. I don’t think I’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting you, but I have met Steve once before.”
Veronica smiled. “No, I’m fairly sure we’ve never met. I would have definitely remembered you.”
The children’s squeals took Veronica’s attention away from Mitch. “Children—get off Liana. Jack, help Mr. Molloy with the bags. Take them to the casita.”
“Aunty Liana, will you come up to my room now? I have a secret to show you,” asked the little girl, pulling on Liana’s arm.
“Posey, let Aunty Liana unpack first. She’s been on the road for a very long time,” Veronica said.
“No, it’s all right,” interrupted Liana. “I owe her a special visit, don’t I? Mitch, will you be all right if I head up to the main house first?”
“Of course,” Mitch said. His answer sparked a cheer from his newest fan.
“Thanks, Mitch,” said Veronica. “I’m sorry, but the children have been looking forward to seeing Liana all week. If you want to freshen up, there are clean towels in the bathroom cupboard. Jack will give you directions on how to get from the casita to the main house.”
“Thank you. If you don’t mind, I might take a quick shower. That L.A. traffic lives up to its reputation.”
“It’s horrid. We’re never on time. We’ll see you in a bit. We’ll either be in the kitchen or in the side-yard. Hopefully, Steve and Max will be back by then.”
* * *
Liana had Posey up on her back for a ride, the little girl playing with her hair. Liana watched Mitch follow the tween.
Veronica stood next to Liana. “My, my, a rugby player, Liana. Well done. And not just any ordinary rugby player. I think you’d be the only person in the world who could get one of the legends of rugby to be your personal chauffeur. Steve is not going to believe this.”
Liana laughed. “Mitch is very nice.”
“Hmm, he is indeed.”
“Veronica Boyd, get your head out the gutter.”
�
��If they were all like that in the gutter, that wouldn’t be a bad place to be.”
* * *
Mitch followed Jack past the wrought-iron gates that led to a small garden. They turned a corner, and Mitch stopped to admire the view of Los Angeles below them.
“Mr. Molloy? The casita is just there,” Jack said.
Mitch looked passed Jack to a small, nondescript building that, given the size of the pool, he would have easily mistaken as the home of the pool pump. When he stepped through the French doors, he was surprised to see a spacious and bright living room. Decorated in white and blue, it contained a sectional, a couple of armchairs, and a flat-screen TV that hung over a fireplace. Skylights flooded the room with natural light. To his right was a small kitchen. When he opened the bedroom door, Mitch’s heart skipped a beat: one bed.
He tried to ignore the rush of blood that went to his head. Don’t get your hopes up, Molloy. That sectional could be hiding a foldout bed.
After a cold shower, Mitch made his way to the main house. The Boyds’ chef had prepared a taco buffet, and that made for a casual dining experience, especially with the children insisting on preparing Liana’s tacos. After satisfying the children’s (in Veronica’s words) “Liana-fix,” Veronica sent them upstairs while the adults sat by the fireplace in the living room.
Steve’s and Veronica’s faces were so well-known to Mitch that he had to remind himself that he didn’t really know them. But they made him feel comfortable, asking casual questions about his Championship experience and life in New Zealand. He found Veronica to be smart and funny, while Steve’s on-field persona—cultivated as the captain of Scotland’s football team—seemed to be precisely the same in the comfort of his own home: unapologetic, brusque, and insightful.
When Posey wanted her mother’s attention, Mitch caught up with Steve and Liana’s discussion of a football play Steve had encountered in his last match. Steve asked whether a different formation would have prevented the goal. Liana frowned then shook her head. “No, your defender would have been drawn out to the right, and two more were coming in from midfield to support Sanchez.” Liana shrugged. “It was a good goal. They were just the better team that day.”
Mitch crossed his arms. Steve glanced at him. “You didn’t know that she can do that? Recall stuff from her memory in a second?”
“I knew she watched a lot of footage.”
Steve snorted. “This girl never forgets a play. Never. She’s a freak like that.”
Liana rolled her eyes. “You say the kindest things about me, Steve.”
Steve took a drink from his beer. “Freaks change the world. Us average folks disappear into oblivion, our mark on this Earth forgotten as soon as they put that last bit of dirt on our graves.”
Liana stared at Steve. “You’re an odd man, you know.”
As they walked back to the casita later that night, Mitch asked Liana about her ability to recall football plays.
“Yeah, it’s something I’ve always been able to do,” Liana explained. “I just remember what I see on the field. I have a good memory all around, but I do see the plays in my head.”
The night air was crisp. The city lights twinkled before them, and they stopped for a moment to appreciate the view. Mitch pulled Liana close, reveling in how well she fitted into his body. She snuggled deeper into his embrace, and Mitch inhaled deeply. Today, she smelled of sunshine, even in the dark of the night. He stroked her arm, delighting in the trail of goosebumps that erupted at his touch. She was so responsive. He lifted her chin. His eyes were no longer awed by the view behind them but of the face in front of him. He caressed her cheek, tracing a path with his thumb before placing his hand gently behind her neck to draw her in.
Los Angeles disappeared. All that existed was the woman in his arms. Weeks after his lips first touched hers, he was still unprepared for the headiness that overwhelmed him. Her hand ran through his hair before moving to his shoulders. She seemed to savor each part of his body, feeling and encouraging him to get closer.
Mitch deepened his kiss, intoxicated by Liana’s scent and taste. When her hands dipped under his shirt, he moaned in anticipation. Where she touched, shots of electricity coursed through his body. She teased him with her slow exploration as if trying to memorize the contours of his muscles. She moved her hands to his stomach and traced his abs, following the natural planes of his body downward.
“Liana, sweet, we better stop,” he whispered reluctantly.
“You’re right,” Liana said, her head buried Mitch’s massive chest. “But it was fun.”
His body shook with laughter. The wind picked up suddenly, and they ran the short distance to the casita.
Inside, Mitch turned on the heater and headed to the kitchen to start the electric kettle.
“Thanks for unpacking!” Liana yelled from the bedroom.
“No worries. I only took out a few things for each of us,” he replied. He was pouring the hot water into two mugs when Liana came out of the bedroom in a cotton nightshirt that was the sexiest thing Mitch had ever seen. Those legs. Liana wasn’t tall, but she had long legs—long, strong legs.
He blinked.
“Aren’t you getting ready for bed?” she asked, looking at him expectantly.
Was she inviting him to share her bed? They’d always been honest with each other, and he couldn’t afford to misunderstand this. He took a deep breath.
“Liana, if I join you in bed, I don’t think I will be able to stop myself from making love to you.”
There was a heavy pause between them.
“I don’t want you to.”
A rush of adrenaline shot through Mitch. He closed his eyes in an effort to regain control of his hormones and his body. When he opened his eyes again, Liana was in front of him. She reached for his hands and brought them to her lips.
Desire spread through Mitch quickly. His breath quickened. He swallowed again.
“I’m actually nervous,” he said. “Like it’s going to be my first time.” He turned her hands in his, and he copied her actions by kissing her hands gently, his eyes never leaving hers.
Liana laughed softly. “Me, too. But I love you, Mitch. Whatever happens next, I love you.”
Mitch’s nervousness was replaced by euphoria. Was that his mind playing tricks? “Say that again, please.”
“I love you, Mitch Molloy.” Her eyes were clear and confident. And full of love—for him. It was there. It was finally there. He hadn’t realized how much he’d wanted to see those feelings until that moment.
He inhaled deeply to steady his nerves.
She loved him.
“I love you, too, Liana.”
“I was hoping you would,” she whispered.
As he bent to kiss her, he hoped he’d be able to convey his gratitude for her gift. He knew it was precious, knew it wasn’t something she gave away readily. Loving him was a choice she made. Still kissing his love, Mitch reached under Liana, lifted her easily, and walked to the bedroom.
* * *
Liana woke up cocooned.
Mitch literally enveloped her with his body. Her head was below his chin, his arms and legs over her. She smiled. She felt safe, warm, and loved. She snuggled deeper, luxuriating in the feel of his skin against hers. He moved slightly, tightening his hold on her, but his steady breathing told her he remained asleep. First light was filtering through the louver shutters. The shadows in the room slowly disappeared. Liana felt rested despite the lack of sleep. She smiled.
Kaboom.
They first had to satisfy an urgent, primal need for each other. Physical desire overwhelmed them both. But in the middle of the night, with hushed whispers, they explored each other’s bodies slowly, learning and trusting with each kiss, with each caress, with each touch. The second time they made love, they were not just physically aware of each other, but also emotionally.
“You’re thinking,” said the deep voice from behind her.
“Yes.”
“Ab
out what?”
“How wonderful it is to be loved by you.”
Mitch tightened his hold on Liana. “I’ve been dreaming of waking up with you in my arms for weeks. And this morning, when it was finally real, I couldn’t believe it. I went back to sleep because I didn’t want you to disappear from my dreams.”
Liana turned around. “How can you say things like that and not make me love you more, Mitchell Andrew Molloy?”
“You know my full name?”
“After we met, I had to find out as much as I could about you.”
“Did you have a crush on me, Liana Erin Murphy?” Mitch asked playfully. He pushed a few strands of hair back behind her ear.
“You know my middle name?”
“Blake told me. Who needs the internet when I have Liana Murphy’s number one fan on my team? But you’re mine, and I don’t share well. Never have and never will.”
* * *
Veronica had warned Liana and Mitch that the Boyds kept late mornings on Sunday, so she had the kitchen in the casita stocked up for their breakfast. They showered together, making breakfast an hour later than they’d initially intended. Over scrambled eggs, cut fruit, and tea, they finalized their plans for their last two days in America before they left on separate planes. Mitch would be returning home while Liana needed to be in Europe to catch a couple of the Kiwis play for their clubs.
“Three weeks? I won’t see you for another three weeks?” Mitch asked.
Liana sighed. “Looks like it. It’s going to be my first Christmas away from my grandparents in a long time, so I want to be sure to spend some extra time with them.”
“They’re not interested in coming down to New Zealand for the holidays?”
“They’re actually going on a cruise in December—first time ever. The Mediterranean. I think my moving out of the country has started them thinking of doing some new things. Nan was even talking about going back to India. I’m glad. Being away has made me realize how much their lives revolved around my well-being, even twenty years after the accident.”
“You’ll spend Christmas with me?”
“That’ll be nice.”
“And New Year’s?”
“Okay.”
Always There Page 15