Lost in You

by Jules Bennett

  Once Brock let himself out, Liam released a sigh and raked his hands through his hair. Macy adjusted her apron and retied it.

  “Everything okay?” she asked.

  Liam turned and nodded. “Just teenager issues. He’s such a good kid and he’s so worried about upsetting Zach and Sophie. Part of me thinks he worries if he doesn’t break his back pleasing them that they’ll stop loving him or something.”

  Macy reached forward, cupping the unmarred side of Liam’s face. “I’m sure you worried when the Monroes adopted you.”

  Liam shrugged. “Somewhat, but I was mostly concerned with watching my back around Zach and Braxton.”

  Macy dropped her hand and leaned against the side of the counter. “You guys started fighting off the bat?”

  “No.” Liam’s face hardened. “I was just coming off a hellish foster system and needed to be on guard.”

  He’d never spoken of the time between when his mother passed and when he’d started living with the Monroes. From the telling statement he’d just delivered, Macy knew he’d endured a period that had scarred him for life.

  “Let’s not go backward,” she told him. “For right now, let’s just have fun. Unless you want to talk about it.”

  She knew he’d say no even before he shook his head. And that was okay, because she definitely wasn’t ready to dive into her past and give him all the details. He knew enough, more than anyone else she’d ever known.

  “What do you say we tackle some jalapeño dip?” Liam suggested. “It’s simple and it’s a nice appetizer that will go a long way.”

  Macy shrugged. “You’re the boss. I killed those mac ’n cheese bites, so bring it on.”

  Liam laughed. She loved that sound, wished he’d do it more often. Perhaps he was getting accustomed to being back in Haven. He didn’t seem as uptight, as angry as he had when he’d first arrived. There was something to be said about amazing sex.

  “What’s that look on your face for?” he asked, narrowing his eyes. “If you think you’re going to use that apron and those boots on me again . . .”

  “What?” she asked, laughing.

  “You’re absolutely right.”

  When he reached for her, Macy jumped out of his way and ran around the island. He swatted at her again, managing only to catch the ties on her apron, jerking it undone. She squealed when he reversed his path and caught up with her.

  He had her wedged in the corner with the countertops at her back and his perfect form molding against her in the front. Not a bad place to be.

  “I thought we were cooking,” she murmured, trying not to get lost in those mesmerizing eyes of his, and failing.

  His lips feathered softly over her cheek. “Oh, we’re cooking.”

  Firm hands slid up her sides, lifting her dress. His fingertips dug into her hips as he tugged her closer. Macy closed her eyes, fully giving herself up to anything he wanted to do. Control was still hers to own, but she’d give him this moment . . . and maybe she was giving it to herself as well.

  “You’ll be in my bed, Macy,” he murmured against her ear. “Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow. But you’ll be there.”

  She stiffened against the warning. Macy wasn’t afraid of him, more like she was afraid of all the feelings he conjured up inside her. What if she let him take her to bed? What then? She’d flip out and be even more humiliated than she was now.

  “I can’t,” she whispered. “I’ll do anything else. Don’t ask that of me.”

  Liam rested his forehead against hers. “I’m not asking, Macy. I’m telling you I’m going to be the man to get you past this.”

  She started to say something, but in a swift move his hands left her hips and framed her face. He forced her gaze up to his.

  “Me,” he reiterated. “No one else, because you will get beyond this fear.”

  Tears pricked her eyes. She wanted to give in so much. She wanted him to be the one to take away her demons, but...

  “I don’t want this burden on you.”

  He nipped at her lips. “And I won’t let you carry it around any longer.”

  Macy trembled at his intense tone. He was serious about helping her, about getting her to overcome her fear. How could she not fall head first into love? How could she not want to let him do this? She never thought she’d ever find a man that she’d consider going that next step with. But Liam showed up, and after she’d pushed and pushed, he came back at her and forced her to take a look at herself.

  Damn it, that wasn’t at all what she’d had in mind when she’d tried getting closer to him. She never once thought he’d pull these emotions out of her.

  When Liam’s lips slid across hers, Macy reached to the side and gripped the edge of the countertop. Before she could fully melt at this man’s words, his seductive touches, he eased back.

  “Now, let’s get to work, because I have so much to teach you before the party.”

  He turned away and started bustling about the kitchen as if he just hadn’t turned her completely on, then laid down a promise that had her so anxious and terrified at the same time. How did he do that?

  Macy shoved away from the counter and spotted the one and only cookbook propped against the side of the refrigerator. The fact he kept that book through the foster home hell and all the time with the Monroes really spoke volumes as to how much this man valued family, valued that personal bond. He might want to come across as not needing people, but that was a mask he wore . . . and wore quite well.

  She was about to rip it off and thrust the mirror in his face for a change, because as much as she needed healing, and she couldn’t deny she did, Liam needed it just as much.

  Carefully, Macy picked up the cookbook. “What was your mom’s favorite recipe?”

  Liam had just closed the refrigerator when he saw what she was holding. Eggs in hand, he stared at her, and Macy wondered if she’d gone too far, but she didn’t think so.

  “Is it my turn to talk?” he asked, setting the eggs on the island.

  “Only if you want to. I’m only asking about your mom. Anything beyond that is your call.”

  Liam let out a deep sigh and nodded. “You’re going to be sorry you asked.”

  “I doubt it.”

  Macy sat the book on the counter. She wanted him to have that visual reminder of the better times. His mom was such a huge part of the man he was today. She literally shaped him and he’d carried that with him even during the worst possible moments. Macy obviously had never met the woman, but no doubt his mother would’ve been proud of the man he turned into.

  “She liked dumplings,” Liam told her. A smile flirted around his lips. “She made dumplings all the time. That was one thing that took me forever to master. I actually didn’t get them down until I was out of school. After she passed, I didn’t get the opportunity to cook at my foster family’s house. I either avoided going home, or I locked myself in my room.”

  To protect himself.

  “Once I came to live with the Monroes, and I felt safe, I started again. Actually, Chelsea and I would experiment in the kitchen. She would sample as I’d cook.”

  The wistfulness in his tone as he spoke of his mother and Chelsea clenched Macy’s heart. No wonder he kept that shield of protection around himself—he’d lost every woman who mattered to him.

  “Then she’d love that you’re the chef at her dream resort,” Macy stated. Cooking lesson forgotten, she moved around the island and took a seat on one of the stools. “There’s so much irony in the fact that you and your brothers are complete opposites, but Chelsea continues to pull you all together.”

  Liam tipped his head, crossing his arms over his chest. “Yeah. I wish she were here to see all of this. She’d get such a kick out of Zach heading that whole project up. Not to mention the fact he and Braxton are planning a wedding at the house.”

  Macy reached across and gently flipped the cover open on the cookbook. “Let’s do the dumplings.”

  “Now?”

/>   She glanced back up at him. “Why not? You have something else to do today?”

  “I’ll have to go to the resort at some point and get some dishes ready for tomorrow.”

  Macy shrugged. “Then let’s take this show on the road. We’ll do dumplings at the resort and the guests will love some nice southern cooking.”

  Liam narrowed his eyes. “You want to come cook at the resort with me?”

  The more she thought about it, the more she loved this idea. She’d not spent much time at the resort; it wasn’t as if she had the time to spare.

  “I would love to.” She came to her feet. “And later, I’d like to talk to you about something.”

  She hadn’t known when she’d tell him about the fostering. Actually, she wanted to make sure the child was indeed going to be in her home. The call could literally come at any time.

  “Something wrong?” Liam asked. He straightened, worry etched on his face.

  “Actually, something I’m pretty excited about. I’ve not told anyone yet. Well, my dad knows, but that’s all.”

  Liam grabbed the eggs and put them back in the fridge, then rounded the island. He turned her stool until she faced him, and stepped between her legs.

  “Tell me now, since you’re excited.”

  Macy wasn’t sure what he’d think, or what he’d say. She had no clue what they were doing together, or how long they’d be doing “it” together, but she refused to let anything deter her from her goals. A family was the one main thing she wanted and there were too many children out there who needed good homes.

  Macy clasped her hands in her lap. “I’m going to be a foster mom.”

  Silence. Stunned silence. Liam continued to stare at her. He didn’t move, didn’t speak. Was he breathing? Nerves fluttered in her stomach.

  “Liam?”

  “Yeah, I’m processing all of this.”

  Macy laughed. “There’s not much for you to process. I mean, I’ll be caring for a child. Dad is actually excited to help and she’ll be coming to the store with me on occasion.”

  “She?” Liam asked. He sank back on a stool as if the conversation had knocked him for a complete loop.

  “I requested a little girl under the age of five. I had my home inspection done and passed my background check. I’ve been evaluated over and over. I finally got the green light.”

  Liam ran a hand over the back of his neck, then faced her again. Well, he kept the unmarred side to her. The habit was one she fully intended to break, but he’d done this for over a decade. Hard to deprogram something that was second nature to him.

  Still, as intent as he was on making her overcome her past, she was just as hell-bent on seeing him tackle his own host of issues. And she had a feeling the scar was just a minor portion of all that weighed heavy on his shoulders.

  “That will be one lucky little girl,” he told her. “Are you sure that’s not too much with the store?”

  Anticipation flooded through her. “Not at all. My parents raised me in that store. I plan on having Dad watch her a few days, then bringing her in a few hours a week. She will have fun. I even still have my old toolbox my Dad got me when I was five. She can play with it and not get hurt since it’s all rubber.”

  Liam continued to stare at her.

  “You think I’m crazy.”

  Instantly, he grabbed her hands and squeezed. “Not at all. I’m just surprised. Though I’m not sure why. I know you want a family. You’ll be an awesome foster mom.”

  The unknowns still had her a bit worried, but overall she was so excited she could hardly control herself.

  “I still have a few things I want to do to the spare bedroom, but I’ll be ready.”

  “We can ditch the cooking and finish the room if you’d like.”

  Macy hopped down off the stool, but held on to his hands. “That’s sweet, but you’re not getting off the hook. I want to learn that dumpling recipe and you need to get things done at the resort. Then we can think about working on the room.”

  Liam came to his feet, trapping their hands between their bodies. The way he loomed over her, as if she were tiny, always made her feel so feminine. She’d never felt that way with another man. Granted, Liam made her feel different than any other man had, in many different ways. Because he cared, because he wanted her to be the best version of herself. Again, how could she not fall in love with that?

  Liam leaned down, nuzzling the side of her neck. “And then you’re mine.”

  When he nipped at her earlobe, Macy couldn’t suppress the shiver. “Mine.” He said the word so boldly, so matter-of-factly.

  On a sigh, Macy whispered, “Yours.”

  Chapter Fifteen

  “I’m pretty sure that’s not right.”

  Liam peered into the boiling pot at the blob of... Well, they couldn’t be called dumplings. Maybe one giant-ass dumpling, but, yeah. That wasn’t right.

  “Okay,” he said. “That happens.” Not to him, but she was still new at this. “We’ve got plenty of dough. Let’s tear off some more.”

  Macy blew out a breath. “Why don’t you do them? I’m wasting all of your ingredients.”

  He’d waste all of his stock to get her happy and relaxed. “It’s fine,” he assured her.

  Heidi’s nails clicked down the hallway, the only warning they had when Cora was coming.

  “Whatever you are making, I want some.”

  Liam laughed. “I’m teaching Macy how to make dumplings.”

  Cora’s hand slid along the countertop and stopped just before the industrial stove. “I thought I heard your voice, Macy. I’ll gladly be your guinea pig.”

  Groaning, Macy glanced toward the boiling stock. “I’m not sure you want this.”

  “It’s fine,” Liam stated, giving Macy an elbow to the side. “It glommed together and made one giant dumpling. That’s all.”

  Cora gasped. “A ball of carbs? Let me take a seat and you can serve it up.”

  Macy started laughing, but Cora literally made her way to the bar stool and sat down. Liam glanced to Macy, who simply shrugged.

  “My first customer,” she stated, reaching for the ladle. “Grab a bowl.”

  Crossing to the cabinet, Liam pulled out a bowl. “Cora, would you like to wait until the bread is done? I have some rolls already made up. I can pop a few in the oven and they’ll be done in no time.”

  “No, thanks.” Cora waved a hand in the air. “I’m waiting on Sophie to finish upstairs. She’s taking me to pick up my dress. Macy, do you want to come? Do you have your dress yet?”

  “I ordered one online,” Macy stated. “I hope it fits okay. I actually have things to do today, but thanks.”

  Liam held the bowl to Macy as she carefully scooped out the oddly-formed dumpling. The look on her face was nothing short of defeat. He didn’t think she wanted to go dress shopping—that wasn’t necessarily her thing—but he knew she was discouraged over the food she’d prepared. That was definitely an area he could relate to.

  “Hey,” he whispered. “It will taste fine. You had all the ingredients right. And I promise, this is better than the first time I made them.”

  “What is that smell?”

  Liam glanced over as Brock came into the kitchen.

  Macy blew out a sigh. “I attempted Liam’s mother’s recipe for dumplings,” she explained. “I’m pretty sure the smell is better than the taste.”

  “No.” Cora pushed her fork into the dumpling and scooped up another bite. “It tastes amazing. It doesn’t matter what it looks like, my taste buds are pretty happy.”

  Brock pulled a drawer out, grabbed another fork, and settled onto the stool next to Cora. “I’ll be the judge of that. There’s no way you can eat all of this.”

  Cora laughed. “Not if I want to fit into my wedding dress.”

  “Well, I’ll finish this off and then you won’t have to worry about it,” Brock mumbled around a mouthful.

  Liam went back to the island where the rest of the do
ugh sat in the pile of flour. He motioned for Macy to come over. She shook her head. When he raised a brow, she crossed her arms over her chest and glared back.

  Cora and Brock continued to argue over the dumpling as they took stabs at their bites. Liam didn’t take his eyes off Macy.

  What was it about this woman in her little apron? He’d worked with female chefs before, had seen plenty of them in aprons, but he’d never once thought of stripping one of them and taking her on the counter.

  Clearly there was something about Macy, apron or no apron, that made him think twice about everything he ever wanted.

  Sophie breezed into the room, immediately looking toward the stove. “Liam, I swear you make this house smell better than any air freshener I could put out.”

  Shaking his head, he pointed to Macy. “She did the work.”

  Sophie’s eyes widened. “You’re learning to cook? That’s great. Liam is an awesome teacher.”

  Macy held her hands up. “Oh, no. I’m not a great student. There’s one giant dumpling those two are fighting over.”

  Cora laughed. “That’s because it tastes amazing. I don’t care what it looks like to you all.”

  “It’s really good, Soph,” Brock agreed. “But you can’t have any.”

  Sophie crossed the room, reached around Brock’s shoulder, and grabbed his fork before he knew what she was doing. When he yelled, Heidi came to attention, but Cora quickly reached down and patted the dog.

  “I just want a bite.” Sophie helped herself and then ended up getting two more bites. “You’re right. That does taste amazing.”

  Liam threw a lopsided grin to Macy, who was fighting back her own smile. After all the raves, there was no way she could deny that she’d done a great job.

  “I actually do have to finish working on some things for tomorrow.” Liam circled the wide island and braced his hands on the top. “Are you all about done attacking that bowl?”

  “I better stop or my dress won’t zip and I already paid for the alterations,” Cora told him as she dropped her fork onto the counter. “But feel free to make those anytime. Better yet, let Macy assist you in the kitchen.”

  Macy assist him? He threw her a glance, noting her wide eyes. He couldn’t help the chuckle. “I don’t think she wants to make this a permanent arrangement. We were working on things for her dad’s surprise party and dumplings just happened to come up, so here we are.”