So, he was going to spin this back to her? Macy ran her fingertip over the jagged skin on his cheek. “I’ll be fine. I’m sorry I dropped your skillet.”
He reached up and pulled her hand away from his face. “I can replace a skillet. I was more concerned with you.”
That low, throaty tone of his combined with that dark gaze sent this intense moment into another level of intimacy. Macy inched a bit closer, her heart quickening when his eyes grew wider.
“You have a need to save people,” she whispered. “But it’ll be fine.”
His thumb stroked the inside of her wrist. “I don’t want you hurt.”
The raw conviction in his tone tore her heart in two. She wasn’t so sure she was the one who needed saving at all. Maybe this strong, determined man needed someone to ride to his rescue. She knew telling him that wouldn’t go over very well, so she’d just have to show him with her actions.
“You must think I’m a complete idiot to grab that without even thinking,” she murmured.
“Why do you think I have all this first-aid stuff?” he countered with a slight grin. “I’ve done it a time or two.”
His words eased her embarrassment somewhat. “Maybe I should get you back home,” he told her, his eyes darting to her lips. “It’s well after midnight.”
“I’m not really tired,” she countered, needing him to fulfill that silent promise in his eyes. “Are you?”
“Not at all.”
Heat flooded her. She wanted Liam to make a move because she would not be the one to break their truce. She was more than willing to give him the upper hand here. She never thought this would happen, but with Liam she wasn’t scared. If anything, she felt safe, which turned her on even more than her physical attraction to him.
His thumb continued to run over the sensitive skin on the inside of her wrist. There was no way she could prevent the tremble from taking over and there was no way he missed the effect he had on her.
“How do you do this to me?” he whispered. “I’ve been here before. I swore I’d never do this again.”
That was the second time he’d mentioned being “here” before, but Macy had no clue what he referred to. Was he meaning her or someone in his past? Macy didn’t want to think about anything other than this moment. There was something about the middle of the night that brought out even more intimacy. There was something to be said for knowing there would be no interruptions and that the only two people who mattered right now were Liam and her.
“Who hurt you?” she whispered, resting her forehead against his, reaching up to stroke his hair.
He pulled in a ragged breath. “She doesn’t matter, but I can’t do this, Macy. Damn it. I want to. I just . . . I can’t.”
The angst in his voice, the pain lacing each word, almost had her feeling guilty, but why shouldn’t they act on their emotions? Perhaps what she’d told him had put him off. Maybe knowing she’d been a victim of sexual assault had scared him away, adding to the demons he already faced.
Or maybe he’d believed the old rumors of her being promiscuous because she liked to date. Nobody knew of her assault in college. Well, nobody but Liam. If they did, maybe they would see how she’d used each and every date to get over that fateful night that changed her forever. That she’d accepted every man who asked her out because that put the control in her corner and she needed to hold the upper hand.
A slice of pain hit Macy deep as she eased away. She stepped far enough back to be out of reaching distance. Swallowing all of her emotions, she pushed back a stray strand of hair that had escaped her ponytail.
“I’m ready for you to take me home now.”
Liam tipped his head. The man who hid the scarred side of his face had returned. They were right back to where they’d started.
“I’m not rejecting you,” he told her, stepping forward.
Macy rounded the island and held up her hands. “No, you’re rejecting any chance of happiness. But I understand if this has anything to do with my past, what I told you. I get it if you think I’m—”
He moved so fast and gripped her shoulders so intensely, Macy let out a yelp as she was hauled against his chest. “Never think I’m turning you away because of what you’ve been through or what other people may say about you. The outside world has nothing to do with what is happening here.”
Well, that answered her question, but brought up a whole host of new ones.
Placing her uninjured palm on his chest, she stared up at him. “And what’s happening in here, Liam? Because my heart goes like crazy when I’m around you. I can’t lie about this any longer. I want you to make a move, to stop worrying about tomorrow or what I’d expect in the end. I have no expectations. I know I like spending time with you. Even when we bicker I’m having a blast because you challenge me. Can’t we—”
Liam’s mouth covered hers. Instantly shutting down any more thoughts she might add to her ramblings. He kissed her as he did everything else, with passion and determination. His hands slid over her jaw, his fingers threaded through her hair as he shifted their angle. His tongue tangled with hers as his body perfectly lined up with every part of her from chest to knee. He moaned slightly, giving away that he wasn’t in as much control as he probably thought.
Macy brought her hands up to his shoulders, but hissed and pulled away when the pressure hit her burnt palm.
Liam raked a hand through his hair and cursed. “I’m sorry. I wasn’t thinking.”
Macy held her hand to her chest, hating that she’d been the one to pull back when he finally relaxed and took what he wanted. She needed him to do that more often because that was the only way he’d see what they could be . . . and she desperately wanted to know how far this could go.
“Don’t apologize,” she told him. “You kissed me and I forgot all about my hand.”
The corner of his mouth tipped up. “Maybe I didn’t need to use that ointment after all.”
“I like when you smile. When you laugh. But I especially like when you kiss me like you don’t care about anything else.”
His smile vanished and she figured she’d said the wrong thing. Too bad. She was done dancing around this, around them.
“You should know something,” she warned, poking him in the chest with her index finger. “I don’t plan on ignoring this attraction. You can try, but I’ll fight you and we both know I’ll win. Let that sink in as long as you need, but I’m ready.”
She expected him to look a little alarmed, a little nervous, but if anything, his eyes darkened, his lids lowered, and he appeared to be . . . turned on? Well, hell yeah. About time her words started sinking in to that brain of his.
“You’re ready for what?” he asked, his voice husky.
She leaned in close and whispered, “Anything you want to give me.”
Knowing she was well ahead in the game here, she sauntered away, an extra spring in her step. But before she could get too cocky, an arm snaked around her waist and hauled her back against a hard, broad chest.
“Don’t flash those eyes at me, taunt me like that, and walk away,” he growled in her ear. “You want a battle. It’s on. But, honey, you’d better be able to back up what you’re saying because I’m bringing my A game and you’ve never seen anything like it.”
Macy shivered and prayed he was telling the truth. Because she wanted Liam . . . and this promised A game.
Chapter Eleven
With spring showing off beautiful days, each one more perfect than the last, women were calling and booking their getaways at Bella Vous. Some were coming just for a quick overnight stay and a day of pampering, others were seeking weekend retreats. The last report Sophie had given Liam was that they were booked through the next two months. Of course they were closed during the wedding weekend, but other than that, they had names for each room and the money would continue to flow in.
Liam still hadn’t made a decision regarding Magnolias, but he did feel a bit less guilty about leaving. Mark had ended
up having to cancel their meeting, but he’d called and settled on a price with Liam and discussed specifics. Liam was informed on what all was included with the price as far as equipment and inventory.
Now more than ever Liam wanted his own place. The price was reasonable because Mark wanted out, which made it perfect for Liam because he wanted in.
But making that final decision, that huge leap of faith, was proving to be harder than he thought it would be. He wasn’t so much afraid of the responsibility of being married to the business—that part actually thrilled him. The problem was over the past year he’d actually grown closer with Zach and Braxton. The experiences of running the resort and the death of their sister had forced them to communicate in ways they never would’ve done on their own.
Well, maybe Braxton would’ve continued to be the mediator, but Liam never would’ve gone to Zach on his own. From the time they all started living together as preteens and teens, Braxton had been the peacemaker. Now that they were adults, not much had changed.
Liam could admit how stubborn he was, how the chip on his shoulder had kept him away for years. What initially had started out as hiding from the pain of the accident had turned into pain from a broken relationship.
Gritting his teeth, Liam snapped the lid on the BLT pasta salad for tomorrow’s lunch crowd. He’d finished all of his prep and was ready to head home. To a home that wasn’t really his home. Macy had grown up there and had slept in the same room he was using now.
Macy. There was another factor in his decision to go or stay. He hadn’t wanted any more layers of guilt, but now he was finding himself wondering how Macy would react if he left. Would she care? Was this just a fun little flirty thing for her? Or was she feeling more than just . . . what? Sexual? When she’d thrown down the gauntlet two nights ago, was that her sole purpose?
As much as he hated to think anything bad about Macy, he had to wonder where she wanted to go with this. And not that he was looking for a ring on his finger—far from it—but he’d like to know what she was thinking. He was a guy, so sex wasn’t something he wanted to turn away from, but he also felt with the shaky ground they’d been walking on lately, that maybe some guidelines should be laid out.
Or he could just take everything day by day and enjoy the time here in Haven. That’s what Chelsea would’ve wanted. His late sister rarely made plans. The only time she thought ahead was when she was planning her next excursion and even those tended to be last minute. She’d start daydreaming of a place to visit and the next thing they knew, she’d pack a bag and be gone.
With Liam living in Savannah for the past decade, she’d often call him from the road, text him when she arrived, or she’d simply swing in through his restaurant to give him a farewell hug. She hadn’t stopped in on her final trip, though, and Liam wished like hell he would’ve had a chance to say good-bye. To hug her one last time. But he also knew even if he’d been able to tell her he loved her and wrap his arms around her, he’d still be wishing for one more day. She was a rare gem in life. There had always been a smile on her face, and she was always looking forward to each day because she had the ability to find one positive thing in any given situation. Liam wondered if he could adapt to that mind-set, if he could try to find one positive thing each day to perk him up.
As he wiped off all the counters in the kitchen he cursed himself. What the hell was he trying to give himself a damn pep talk for? He was nothing like his gorgeous, free-spirited sister. All the things that worked for her were what made her so special. He wasn’t looking to change himself. He was happy just the way he was, thank you very much. Changing for anyone because his life wasn’t going to plan was no way to live.
Clearly the stars were all lining up for him with the prospect of Magnolias, Macy challenging him in that sexy, not-so-subtle way, and he and his brothers getting along as well as they ever had. Perhaps things were working out exactly the way they should be, just not the way he’d planned.
“Are you coming out for pictures?”
Liam jerked around to the back door, where Sophie stood poking her head inside.
“Pictures?” he repeated, clutching his damp rag.
“Brock’s prom.” Her sigh of frustration told him she was not pleased he’d forgotten. “His date will be here soon and we wanted to get some family pictures by the pond.”
Family pictures. Such simple words for such a complex group of people. Liam glanced down to the black apron he wore over his jeans and black T-shirt. With a shrug, he tossed the rag on the counter by the sink and jerked the apron from around his waist. After hanging it on the peg by the back door, he followed Sophie out to the pond.
Passing through one of the pergolas covered with hanging wisteria, Liam glanced up and saw Brock standing next to the pond. A little catch in Liam’s throat had him pausing. This was a boy who only a year ago was living a much different life. He hadn’t been sure where he would be safe to lay his head down at night, much less thinking of going to a dance with a date.
But here he stood, fidgeting with the white flower on his lapel while he waited for a girl to arrive. Brock was living the life every teen should have, yet there were so many in the world who were living a life of hell. Thanks to people like the Monroes and Zach and Sophie, they were offering hope to one life at a time. Brock couldn’t have landed in a better family. Zach would be stern but gentle, and Sophie would be motherly and make sure he had everything he ever needed. Like the perfect tux and flowers for a prom.
Liam remembered those days. The first dates, the date that truly mattered because he wanted to impress a girl. Brock had grown so much in the past year and these nerves were normal, healthy. He was hitting another adolescent milestone.
But now that Liam had experienced life a little more, had been jaded by trying to impress a girl, he was done. For some asinine reason, Macy was impressed with him and he hadn’t even been trying.
Brock glanced up, caught Liam’s eye, and smiled. The boy had barely smiled when he’d first come to live with Zach and Sophie, but now that he’d relaxed and realized he was safe and had a support team, Brock was a regular teenager. He smiled, he back-talked, he loved his beat-up car and was saving for the next, and asked for advice on girls. Liam was so damn proud of the way Brock was growing into a young man and that he’d gotten so comfortable here. He was truly one of their own.
“Just one picture.”
Liam laughed as he stepped closer to the small crowd around Brock. Zach, Sophie, Braxton, Cora, and Heidi all stood waiting.
“I want more than one,” Sophie retorted. “And you’ll stand there and smile like you’re having a good time.”
Brock gave the typical teenage groan, but Liam knew from the glint in the young man’s eyes that he was thrilled to have all of this positive attention devoted to him.
“Let’s do one of the guys first.”
Sophie corralled everyone in front of the picturesque pond. Liam and Braxton stood on one side of Brock and Zach stood on the other.
“Can you put your arms around each other or something?” Sophie asked, waving her arm in the air. She clutched the camera in the other and shot a glare to Zach. “You all love each other—let me see it.”
In typical guy fashion, they looped their arms over shoulders and stared back at Sophie.
“A smile is too much to ask, isn’t it?” Sophie asked.
“Take the damn picture,” Zach growled.
Sophie snapped several, more than just a few. By the end, Liam was holding the camera and getting a picture of Brock with Sophie and Zach, then Cora and Braxton, with Heidi, of course, and then with just the ladies. Surely Sophie would be pleased with one of these.
By the time Brock’s date arrived, Liam was hoping to remove himself from the gathering. He wanted to get back inside and work on preparing the meals for tomorrow, but Brock needed his family’s support. Liam watched as the teen smiled at his date—Alli, if Liam recalled correctly. A genuine smile lit up Brock’s face and Alli
seemed to be just as taken, if the tilt of her head and lowered lashes revealed anything.
Good for Brock. The boy deserved some excitement, some fun and an evening with friends. He’d worked hard around the resort and with keeping his grades up. Zach and Sophie had done an impressive job in the short time Brock had been with them.
Liam wished Chelsea were here to see all of this. To see how they’d all come together, not only for the resort, but for Brock.
Guilt crept up fast and fierce. Liam was leaving. He hadn’t made final plans, but in his heart he knew the end result would be the same. Haven wasn’t home for him anymore and his dream of having a restaurant of his own hinged on Magnolias.
Shoving his hands in his pockets, he turned and headed back to the house. Voices carried, laughter surrounded him. He loved his family, loved this place, but how could he stay knowing this wasn’t what he wanted for his life? Wouldn’t Chelsea have wanted him to follow his dreams? She had been such a dreamer, she would understand.
Damn it, he missed her. As he let himself back into the kitchen, he thought back to the time he’d shown her how to bake bread. She’d just been dumped by some jerk and Liam figured pounding out some dough would be a great relief, plus he had to bake loaves anyway for one of the neighbors, so it was a win-win.
Chelsea had loved the entire process. She’d gotten so wrapped up in learning, she’d forgotten what’s-his-name, and by the time they were finished they were both coated in flour, fingers sticky with dough, and laughing. He typically thrived on a neat, orderly kitchen even when he was younger, but seeing her so happy had been worth the disaster.
The screen door slammed shut, but Liam didn’t turn.
“Running from the family fun?”
Zach’s judging tone didn’t help the guilt Liam already struggled with. “Just getting back to work.”
“You’re not happy here.”
Liam jerked his gaze toward his brother, who leaned against the island, arms crossed over his chest. What could he say? Zach was right, but Liam wasn’t quite ready to have this argument.
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