She was still smiling when Tatum’s hand was up in the air. “Okay, no touching. Got it.”
“No more trying to buy me off or meddling in Liam’s love life either,” she hissed at him in a whisper.
Fran turned back so Joan had to release him before she got his promise. “Do you like purple, pink, or maybe a deep red like the rose?”
“I think if the ballroom is as lovely as this one, Fran, then we should leave it just as it is.”
The fact that Tatum was rubbing the spot she’d pinched made her smile. His talk with Liam put her more on edge than she already was, which should’ve been impossible considering her whole life was a lie at the moment.
Hansen cutting her off her alcohol consumption meant that she wasn’t going to be dulling her senses and the questions. Holy crap, the questions. Joan knew for a fact that Kenna didn’t get the kind of interrogation Joan did when she got engaged.
Between Joan’s parents and Liam’s, she’d felt like a P.O.W. most of the evening.
And Fran.
Poor Fran.
She was doing everything within her power to try to help plan the wedding, not just a wedding but a dream wedding and shooting down her amazing ideas was becoming more and more difficult.
Joan tipped back the glass forgetting again that it was just apple juice.
“Liam.” Fran beamed looking past Joan.
Oh shit. He’s here.
Her throat froze up refusing entrance to the apple juice. Joan kept her back to Liam, afraid of what she’d see when she looked at him. Rage? Hatred? Resentment? Pain?
No. Not pain. He didn’t care enough to come back tonight. If Tatum hadn’t pissed him off, I probably wouldn’t have seen him until the wedding.
She swallowed the apple juice.
Last night was all he wanted from me. He’s made that perfectly clear.
Joan steeled herself as she turned around. Liam took the last three steps toward her. “I’m sorry I’m so late,” he said.
The look in his eyes reminded her of the look he’d given her when he’d pushed deeper inside her than she’d thought possible, and just like that her heart filled with hope that maybe she meant something to him.
Stupid, Joan. You’re being so stupid right now.
“You can’t blame her for being angry with you, Liam. Her parents waited hours here hoping to meet you,” Fran said when Joan failed to find a coherent sentence.
He looks like James Bond and smells like cedar and soap.
Liam put his hands on her waist applying gentle pressure to pull her toward him. Joan dug in her heels resisting him. If he kissed her now while her stupid, twitterpated heart was tap dancing in her chest it would just complicate things.
His hands fisted in the gold chiffon of her dress at her sides and pulled her forward until her body was pressed against his. “Liam, please don’t.” She breathed when his mouth was nearly on hers.
“Did he force himself on you?”
She felt her eyes widen and her breath catch. “No. There was no sex. Nothing happened.”
“You’re upset.”
Her breasts were tingling with heat where they pressed against Liam’s hard chest. This close, every breath she took was filled with the scent of Liam.
Joan shook her head lowering her gaze from his. “I’m fine.” Her attempt at backing up was like being on a backward treadmill since Liam didn’t give her an inch of escape and her heels slid over the polished floor. Instead of loosening his grip, he pulled her tighter against him.
“Don’t pull away from me.”
Liquid and electric heat gathered between her legs, her core aching to feel him inside her again.
“I can’t keep this up, Liam,” she said her lips quivering. “It’s too much.”
His mouth came down on hers like a branding iron – hot and powerful – owning her entire body with the contact. Every pulse of her heart was for him, every inch of her flesh yearning for his touch.
Her fingers curled around the lapels of his jacket.
Don’t push him away, Joan.
She tilted her head giving him better access to her mouth. He tasted just as good as he smelled. Joan sucked on his tongue telling herself that she just wanted one more taste before she’d push him back.
“Kids, let’s not get too carried away,” Terrance said.
Joan pulled back, her face stinging with heat. Liam caressed the heated skin of her face with one hand while the other gripped her skirt, holding her where she was. “You’re not going anywhere. Stay here.”
“Stop bossing me around.”
He smiled at that. “Fran, thank you so much for arranging our engagement dinner on such short notice. I apologize again for missing it. You and Dad should turn in, it’s getting late.”
“He is bossy isn’t he?” Fran laughed. “I’m not done planning the wedding and with only tomorrow left to make arrangements, Joan has to pick her colors.”
“You’re not counting Friday morning,” Liam said.
“That’s because the wedding is happening Friday morning. Your father told me you agreed to this so that the contracts—”
“I didn’t agree. It should be in the evening so Joan and I can leave for our honeymoon straight after. Business first.”
Fran clapped her hands together. “Isn’t that great?” She raced forward hugging Joan as Liam released her. “Is there somewhere you’d like to go for your honeymoon?”
Joan looked over her shoulder at Liam expecting him to say something but he was no longer standing with her. He was approaching Tatum. “Can I see you for a minute in the other room?”
“Sure,” Tatum said.
“Everything okay?” Fran called after them.
Tatum laughed. “We just have a little matter to work out. We’ll be right back.”
Joan was watching Liam though and he wasn’t laughing. No. Liam looked as deadly as a lion protecting his pride. “I don’t think we should leave those two alone,” Joan told Fran.
“Why aren’t you making any decisions on this wedding? You barely picked out a dress, you didn’t want to taste the cakes, or select the main courses, I can’t even tell if you’re excited or nervous. The only thing I can see is that you’re in love with my stepson Liam.”
“Why would you say that?” Joan asked.
Fran shook her head. “Honey, if you put a tenth of the passion you put into that kiss with Liam into the planning of your wedding we’d be in business.”
“You think I’m in love with Liam because of a kiss?”
“It’s not just that,” Fran said narrowing her gaze on Joan. “The way you look at him, the way you say his name—”
A crashing sound cut Fran off mid-sentence. The wall shook with a second impact.
“Boys,” Fran said shaking her head. “Pray you have daughters, Joan.” She added as they both rushed toward the double doors. Cole stood in their way. “Cole?”
“They need to sort this out between themselves once and for all, Mom.’”
The wall shook again and the sound of furniture breaking came next. “They’re going to kill each other if someone doesn’t step in,” Fran said. “Move right now unless you’d like to be grounded an additional month.”
“Hansen is out there and so is Dad.”
“Cole, this isn’t the way to solve problems.” Joan tried. “I work in the ER, remember?”
Cole winced at the sound of the next impact. “Hansen will step in if it’s necessary.
“I think between the two of us we can pry him out of the way,” Fran said. Joan started to help move Cole out of the way but the more grunting and punching she heard the more she knew she was in the wrong place.
“Look, I think my staying here is causing problems. I should go to the hotel where my parents are staying and get a room.”
Cole flattened his hands against the doors behind him. “I’m not letting you out.”
“Cole, we don’t force people to stay against their will. But I do agr
ee with Cole that you should stay. Please don’t let my silly son’s behavior scare you away.”
“I’m not scared. I just need a little space.”
Fran nodded. “I suppose I would too if I were in your shoes. I’ll have your things sent to the hotel. You can take my car. It’s the pink one out front. The keys are in it. Get yourself to Harmony Suites and I’ll make sure there’s a room waiting for you. It’ll be under the name Thurston.”
“Mom.” Cole groaned. “You’re helping her leave?”
“Thank you, Fran,” Joan said giving her a quick hug. She then took off her shoes and ran across the ballroom and out into the dark night.
***
Liam held the raw meat Hansen had slapped onto his face for his swollen eye.
“You love this one don’t you?” Tatum asked. “Still there?” He added since he had raw meat on both of his swelling eyes.
“Your injuries don’t speak for themselves?” Liam flexed his sore hand.
Tatum groaned. “You kick ass better than you used to, that’s for sure. Just so I understand what happened, did I get my ass kicked because I saw Joan’s naked ass or because I liked seeing her naked ass?”
“Both, and for all your dirty comments, thoughts, and suggestions to Joan.”
“Last time I hit on one of your dates you just laughed and picked up a new chick.”
“Joan’s different.”
“I see that. Scary as fuck to be in love isn’t it?”
Liam lowered the raw meat. “Yeah, it is.”
“Well, you can’t blame me for testing you both. You’re getting married Friday. That’s what? A whole week since you met her?”
Liam tossed the meat onto the platter on the countertop. “I can blame you and I do.”
“Figures. You want me to take you to a strip club for an impromptu bachelor party? I’ll get you so drunk you’ll forget what an asshole I can be.”
“There is only one woman I want to see strip right now and she’s not at some strip bar. I’m gonna go find her.”
Liam left Tatum in the kitchen. Fran and his father had already expressed their displeasure in the fight so Liam assumed Joan went up to his room.
When he found it empty of Joan and any evidence of her ever being there he started searching all the spare rooms in the house.
“What are you doing?” Fran asked coming out of her room with her blonde hair in rollers. “You’re slamming every door in the house?”
“Looking for Joan.”
“I knew you weren’t listening when I was scolding you two. She left. I told you that.”
Liam cursed. “You let her leave?”
“Yes. You can’t force people to do what you want them to do, Liam. Joan is an independent, smart young woman. Bossing her around is not the way to get her to see your way of things.”
“Where did she go?”
Fran laced her fingers together. “She said she needs time. You know this is all happening quite fast. Joan might be having second thoughts. I wouldn’t blame her. You and Tatum are acting like children. Bad children.”
“Where did she go?” Liam repeated.
Fran sighed. “Liam. You do hear the words coming out of my mouth, don’t you? She needs time. This is a life long decision—”
“I know what I’m doing.”
“You know what you want. That isn’t the same as knowing what you’re doing.”
His dad came out of the bedroom behind Fran. “She’s checked in at Harmony Suites.”
“Terrance.” Fran turned to him. “Rushing her and pushing her isn’t the right thing to do.”
“The wedding has to happen Friday. Liam needs to smooth things over. We can’t leave that to chance.”
Liam jogged down the stairs. Once he hit the bottom he turned back. Fran was at the top watching him leave as she wrung her fingers. “Thank you, Fran, for being so good to me all these years, and thank you for looking out for Joan.”
Her fingers laced together and she pressed them against her mouth, her eyes getting all watery. Liam never could take it when Fran got emotional. He started to leave but again turned back.
If he was going to thank her he might as well get it all out now so that he didn’t have to do this again. “I call you Fran, not because I don’t see you as my… mother. I knew of no other way to honor my mom who passed away than to hold that title especially for her. You have been a wonderful mother and support to me.”
“Liam, it’s been my honor to know you and love you as my own son. I’m so proud of the man you’re becoming. I already knew why you don’t call me mom. But it means so much to me that you think of me as a second mom and not just as your father’s wife.” Tears streamed down her face but her voice remained strong.
Thank you, Lord.
“Good.”
Fran smiled. “Well, what are you waiting for? Go and win her heart, son.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
“What am I doing?” Joan asked Mae.
“You’re doing the right thing, honey. If you are starting to really fall for Liam, then you had to get out of there. You have to protect your heart, Joan. Especially after Earl.”
Joan frowned and since they were using video chat on their phones, Mae saw it. “What’s that about? You made that face you make when you don’t want to say what you’re thinking.” Mae nodded. “I know I’m right so just spit it out.”
“Fine. I was thinking that I never cared about Earl like I do about Liam. I… got along with Earl but there was nothing else there. With Liam, it’s fiery and complicated.”
“Fiery, huh? Did you two hook up again? I mean after last night?”
Joan shook her head. “He was gone all day and I told you their family was having a conflict and I needed to give them privacy.”
“You didn’t say that. You said you were freaked out about how you were responding to Liam.” Mae grinned. “Are you wearing that to bed by yourself?”
Joan blushed as she fixed her robe from falling off her shoulder. “Evelyn only packed sexy lingerie. There aren’t t-shirts or sweats. No comfy clothes.”
“I love Evelyn. You look like the elegant, sexy woman you are. Finally. The frumpy clothes were not doing you any favors.”
“Mae, oh my gosh, shut up with your fashion lectures. Let’s stay on topic. I have to go back tomorrow before my parents do, I don’t want my dad getting wind that I’m freaking out. He’s already adamantly against this whole thing.”
“So, get up early and head back. What’s the big D?”
“I left in a rush. It’s going to be awkward showing up and seeing Liam again. Well, if he’s even there this time.”
Mae began flossing her teeth but paused to say, “That’s a good thing. Awkwardness keeps you from getting all starry eyed. Now let me update you.”
“Okay.”
“It was Earl. Amanda and I got him on video.”
Joan sat up straight. “You got him putting up those pictures of me? That’s great. I’ll show him the footage when I get back and he’ll have to back off.”
Mae let go of the floss she was using, leaving it stuck between her teeth and hanging loose. “Amanda and I thought it would be better to go through official channels. We turned a copy of the footage over to the board president and to the director.”
“He could get in a lot of trouble for that.”
“Well, we also got it on the record when we confronted him and… he said some really bad stuff.” Mae bit her lip. “He’s been excused from his position on the board and suspended indefinitely while they determine whether or not to allow him to continue working at Phoenix General.”
Joan sighed. “I should probably be happy about this, but I can’t help feeling a little bad for him.”
Mae growled her disapproval. “He earned everything he got.”
A sharp knock at the door startled Joan and she almost dropped the phone.
“What time is it there? It’s late to have anyone coming to your door. Don’t answ
er it.”
Joan began to nod as another rapping knock pounded on the door. “Joan, open the door.”
“It’s Liam,” Joan told Mae. “What do I do?”
“Tell him to go home. You’ll see him tomorrow.”
Joan nodded as she stood up from the couch taking Mae with her. “Go home, Liam. I’ll see you in the morning.”
“Open the door, Joan.”
“He’s persistent.” Mae commented. “He sounds sexy as hell though.”
Joan peeked through the peephole. Liam was still in the suit he was wearing earlier that evening, minus the jacket and with the addition of blood splatter and rips. His eye was bruising and swelling, and there was dried blood at his hairline.
Yeah and he looks sexy as hell too. What is wrong with me?
“You look like shit, Liam. Go home and put something on that eye.”
Mae grinned. “Damn, that’s cold Joan. I didn’t know you had it in ya.”
“I told you to stay,” Liam said.
“Yeah, you did. Only, you don’t get to boss me around.”
Joan peeked at him through the hole again. He had both his eyes closed and was leaning on the door with his hands out in front of him. His mouth was moving in what looked like a silent prayer for patience.
“I wanted you to stay.” He was looking into the peephole, and the look in his eyes was… vulnerable. She’d expected anger. “Did you hear what I said?” Liam repeated.
“We all can hear what you’re saying,” someone yelled at Liam from somewhere in the hall. “Why don’t you shut up and let people get some sleep?”
Uh oh.
“I’ll see you tomorrow. Just give me tonight to get my head together.”
“Tonight, you’re mine and tomorrow night too. I refuse to give up that time with you.”
Joan stepped away from the peephole, her heart pumping. “One night. That was all we agreed on.”
“It’s not enough.”
“Ho-ly-shit, Joan. He is hot.” Mae fanned herself.
Joan scowled at Mae. “You’re not helping.”
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