One Love for Liv

by Marianne Arkins

  She got onto her knees and moved to the edge of the bed, slipping a finger into the waistband of his sweat pants, and pulled him closer. Feeling powerful, she slid her hands into his pants and cupped his firm butt, burying her face in his abdomen for a moment before slowly moving her hands around to the front.

  “Wait.”

  She jerked her hands away, wondering what she’d done wrong. “I’m sorry,” she said, hoping a blanket apology would suffice.

  He lifted her head and kissed her until she was senseless. “Don’t be sorry about anything. I just want to get something out of the bathroom before we get any further along.”

  He’d taken a few steps toward the bathroom when the doorbell rang. “Crap.” He looked at Liv. “Ignore that.”

  She smiled and reclined back on the bed, arms tucked under her head. “No problem.”

  The bell rang again, and then frantic knocking started and, after about a minute of continuous noise, it didn’t appear it was going to stop. Mike looked heavenward, sent a quiet glance of apology to Liv and crossed to the door. He didn’t have a peephole, so he cracked it open.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Apparently that was all the invitation the person behind the door needed. The door was shoved open all the way, and in she walked. “Mike, I need you.”

  Daisy.

  Liv looked around for a way to hide, but didn’t have time before the woman saw her on Mike’s bed. “Oh, I’m sorry…” Daisy started to apologize, and then her eyes narrowed and she took a few steps forward. “You look so familiar. Are you…Olivia? The picture Geoff has of you shows you as a blond.”

  Liv crossed her arms across her chest, trying to cover at least part of what was hanging out and stared at Daisy, having no idea how to respond. This should prove interesting at the very least.

  Mike looked at Daisy and then back to Liv, his passion clearly cooling. “You two know each other.”

  Liv nodded. “I told you yesterday I knew her boyfriend. Remember?”

  “My boyfriend? How do you know Chet?” Daisy planted a hand on her hip.

  “Chet?” Liv felt a little nauseous. Who was Chet?

  Daisy’s eyes grew huge and then she smiled. “You thought I was sleeping with Geoff.”

  “Geoff?” Mike looked back and forth between the two women.

  “Yes. Geoff. A client.” Daisy smirked at Liv and then turned her gaze to Mike. “Her fiancé.”

  “Ex. Ex-fiancé, almost.” Liv clarified, knowing all her dreams for the night, for her life, were swirling down the drain of deceit. And what kind of business did Daisy run, that she considered Geoff a “client”?

  “You thought Daisy was screwing your fiancé.” Liv watched as it all fell into place for Mike. “You were spying on her the day we met. I remember waving to Daisy right before I whacked you with my car door.”

  Liv lowered her head and let the tears fall. She nodded again, hating herself for lying to him, knowing he had no reason to forgive her.

  “Just who are you, then?” Mike’s voice was quiet, but intense and Liv didn’t know how to respond.

  “Daisy!” A man’s voice called from outside, and the sound of heavy footsteps echoed down the hall. Liv’s shoulders slumped, knowing everything was about to get even worse.

  Daisy strutted to Mike’s front door, obviously loving every moment. “In here.” She paused. Smirked. “Geoff.”

  He entered the apartment. “Daisy, there you are. I needed to tell you I had a change of plans. I can’t do it today.” He looked puzzled when she took his shoulders and turned his attention to Mike’s bed. Puzzlement turned to shock the moment Geoff saw Liv curled up on the pillows. “Lee Lee?”

  Liv lifted a hand and waved weakly. “Hello, Geoffrey.”

  “I don’t understand.”

  “Join the club, man,” retorted Mike. “I’m right there with you.”

  Geoff walked to Liv’s side with small, hesitant steps. “What are you doing here? Why are you dressed like that? Lee Lee.” His tone of voice got louder. “What did you do to your hair?” He reached out a hand to touch a strand.

  Liv pressed her lips and blinked against the tears. She didn’t want him to see her cry. Geoff looked devastated and it was her fault. Was it possible she’d been so terribly wrong about everything? How had she come to mess things up so grandly?

  “Geoff, why are you here with her?” Liv gestured to Daisy. “Why have you been spending so much time with that woman?”

  “You’re sitting in another man’s bed, dressed like that, offering him something you refused me, your fiancé, and you have the nerve to question me?”

  Daisy’s smile grew huge. “I think my work here is done.” She stepped closer to Mike and slipped an arm around his waist. “Still, I’m enjoying this little soap opera so much I think I’ll stay just a little longer. If you don’t mind.”

  Mike didn’t move, didn’t speak, only kept his accusing gaze on Liv. She wished he’d yell or throw something. She didn’t know how to respond to his quiet disapproval and hurt.

  “Mike…” She leaned around Geoff and held out a hand. “I can explain.”

  “I don’t want your explanations, Livvy. I don’t want—” He looked her up and down, eyes filled with disgust. “I don’t want anything from you.”

  He shrugged off Daisy’s arm and walked to where Liv had left her bag, lifting it and tossing it at her on the bed. “I think you need to leave.” He looked pointedly at the crowd in his little apartment. “All of you. You make me want to puke, and I can’t believe I ended up in your sick game.”

  Liv stood slowly and pulled her bag behind her into the bathroom, retrieving the clothes Mike had removed so lovingly only moments before. She pulled off the emerald green silk and held it pressed against her heart for a few moments, then turned and dropped it into the wastebasket next to Mike’s shower. She dressed quickly and walked out, head held high.

  Ignoring Geoff as she walked past, she stopped in front of Mike and laid a hand on his stiff forearm. “I didn’t do any of this to hurt you. You…you’re a wonderful man, and you didn’t deserve to be treated this way.” When he looked away, she moved back into his sight. “Mike, I never lied about how I felt about you. About how you make me feel. It was the most honest I’ve ever been about anything in my life.”

  She didn’t really expect a response, but her heart cracked a little when he just shook his head, a tiny jerk, and moved away from her. She sighed and picked up her bag, chin up as she went by a still-smirking Daisy. Liv knew the woman wasn’t going to let it end easily and wasn’t surprised when she reached out with one hand to stop Liv’s dignified exit.

  “Serves you right.”

  “Why is that? Because I tried to fix a broken relationship? Or because I horned in on your territory? Do you think you own all the men in this town?” Liv gestured toward Geoff. “That one’s all yours, but keep your grubby hands off of Mike, or I’ll break your fingers. He deserves better than you.”

  “Oh, you mean someone like you?”

  Liv shook her head, a wave of melancholy threatening to overcome her. “No. He deserves someone better than me, too.” She spared him one last glance and walked out the door.

  She dragged herself toward the car, making it to the sidewalk before Spike joined her. She tried to smile at him, failed, and then realized she was going to miss the big lug.

  After throwing her bag into the backseat, she knelt down and put her arms around his neck, not even cringing when his enormous tongue washed the side of her face.

  “Oh, Spike, what am I going to do?” She started crying all over again and used his fur to wipe her tears. “Will you at least miss me?”

  She stood up and made a move to close the door to her car, but before she could, Spike jumped in the back. “Hey! No, you can’t come with me.” She reached in a pulled at his studded collar, albeit half-heartedly. “You live here and you’re way too big for my condo.”

  Spike shook his head violently, spraying
drool in a wide circle around where he’d planted his rump. Liv wiped her forehead on her sweater sleeve and tried again. He didn’t budge.

  “Are you sure about this?”

  “Who are you talking to?” Geoff’s voice made Liv jump and Spike bark.

  “Him.” Liv flapped a hand at the mastiff in the back seat of her rental car. “I think he’s adopted me.”

  Geoff took a step back. “What is that thing?”

  “You mean you’ve never met Spike?” Liv was surprised, given his friendly demeanor. “He lives here. Well, lived, apparently. I think he lives with me now.”

  “What are you going to do with a dog? Especially one that big?”

  “What does it matter to you what I do? You gave that right up weeks ago when you started a relationship with Daisy.” Liv shut the door and circled around to the driver’s side, brushing past Geoff.

  “Lee Lee, you’re mistaken about what’s been going on. We need to talk.”

  “Not now.” She opened the door and slid into her seat, but Geoff stopped her from closing the door with a quick grab.

  “Have dinner with me.”

  “Won’t you be busy with Daisy?”

  Geoff shook his head. “Damn it, Olivia. You’re not hearing me. I’m not involved with Daisy, not that way.” He leaned forward, only inches from her face, and Liv heard a noise she’d never heard before. Spike was growling.

  “You’d better back off.” Liv didn’t know what to think about what Geoff was saying. Her head spun from the events of the day, and she needed to go home.

  Geoff’s gaze flicked to the dog and back. He swallowed hard but held his ground, and Liv gave him points for bravery. “Not until you agree to have dinner with me. Tonight.”

  “Fine. Maybe you can explain the receipts I found in your jacket pocket a week ago.” She jumped out of the car and jabbed him in the chest.

  “What receipts?”

  “Lovely Lady Lingerie. Flowers. Dinner.” She ticked them off on her fingers. “Incriminating evidence.”

  He shook his head. “Flowers for my secretary. Dinner with Daisy to talk about the work she’s doing with me.” He stopped there, and darn if he didn’t blush.

  “And the lingerie?”

  He took a deep breath and looked her right in the eye. “For you. For our wedding night. I figured I’d lay it out on the bed at the hotel and see if you liked it. I know I did.”

  “Oh.” She cupped her suddenly warm cheeks. “Geoff, you’ve never acted like you’re interested in me that way. You’re always so controlled and unemotional.”

  “Because I respect you. Do you think I don’t want you?” He tucked a bit of her hair behind one ear and stroked her jaw with his knuckles. “I can hardly wait until we’re married. But I want to wait until we’re married.”

  They stood together, quietly, until Spike grew restless and gave a sharp bark. She patted the dog through the window and smiled at Geoff. “Dinner at my place, then. Tonight. I’ll need to get the dog settled in. Why don’t you pick something up and bring it by?”

  “I’ll see you at eight.”

  “Eight o’clock is fine with me.” Liv sped off, grateful in a strange way for the fact Geoff would be spending the evening with her. It would help keep her mind off of the fact she’d lost Mike. At least it would for a few hours.

  She dreaded the night. As tears threatened again, Spike propped his head on top of her seat and rubbed his cheek on hers.

  “I’m so glad you’re here, boy. But I haven’t got a clue what I’m going to do with you.” She scratched the top of his head and he gave a low moan in his throat in response. “First stop, the pet food store.”

  She spent a small fortune at the store, grateful to the clerk who walked with her and Spike up and down the aisles pointing out dishes, a leash, food, a brush, dog shampoo and several boxes of treats, along with half a dozen chew bones and toys to keep him busy. She also bought a new pet carrier to replace the one she’d borrowed from her neighbor and forgotten at Mike’s. She was sure she wouldn’t be welcome back there anytime soon.

  Liv decided to bring Spike to work with her the following day. He wouldn’t be allowed to hang around the lobby, of course, but her office was good-sized and people were in and out all the time. He wouldn’t be lonely there, that’s for certain. And since her days of moonlighting as a maid and cook for Mike were over, she could spend more time at the spa.

  By the time she got home, it was almost time for Geoff to show up. She slipped the handles of all her purchases over her arms and called to Spike, adding the end of his leash to the other loops on her arms. Hopefully he wouldn’t give her any trouble, or she and all her packages were going to take a vicious tumble.

  He paused uncertainly at the elevator, but after a few sniffs, hopped inside. Thankfully, they were alone on their trip to the third floor.

  She’d no sooner gotten inside and set up a space for Spike’s dishes in the kitchen when the buzzer for the downstairs door rang.

  She pressed the button. “Yes?”

  “Lee Lee, it’s me.” Geoff’s voice came over the scratchy-sounding intercom.

  She looked at the slim watch around her wrist in surprise. Was it eight already? She buzzed him in without a word and went back to unpacking dog supplies.

  A few minutes later there was a rap at the door. Spike loped to the door, gave one low woof and sat down to stare. Liv was relieved he didn’t bark up a storm—it would give her neighbors one less thing to complain about.

  She peeked through the peephole and saw Geoff standing there, his hands full of Chinese take-out boxes. She braced herself for the evening ahead and opened the door.

  “Hello.” She gave him a quick peck on the cheek and took a couple of the boxes, leading the way to the kitchen counter. The smell of the still-warm food made her stomach rumble, and she remembered the meal she’d left behind at Mike’s.

  That made her think of how they’d talked about having dessert first. Heat rushed to her gut and her breasts tingled as though Mike’s hands still touched her.

  “Lee Lee, are you okay?”

  “I’m fine, just hungry.” She rubbed her belly and shook off the sensation before pulling out two plates from the nearby cupboard. “What did you get?”

  “Szechuan chicken for you, of course. And moo shoo pork for me. Rice and noodles to share.” He pulled out two packages of chopsticks, because eating Chinese food with a fork simply wasn’t an acceptable practice.

  The last time she’d had Chinese, though, she’d used a fork, and Mike hadn’t mentioned it was strange. Maybe most people ate their noodles with a fork. Maybe she was the one who was strange. She wondered if Geoff would mind if she had a bite of his dinner. She’d never shared from his plate before, which struck her as a bit odd, now she’d taken some time to think about it.

  Liv closed her eyes for a moment. Spike, as if sensing her unhappiness, leaned heavily against her legs. She let one hand drop to his head.

  “Would you like me to serve?” Geoff offered.

  “Please. I’ll make some tea.” Anything to keep busy. She wished Geoff had brought something besides Chinese and all its memories, but at least he hadn’t brought pizza. Liv didn’t think she’d ever be able to eat pizza again without remembering her first meal with Mike.

  He dominated her thoughts; his memory tagged along with her no matter what she was doing, and she was getting frustrated.

  Determined to put him behind her, certain Mike would never forgive her for all the lies she’d told—and really, who could blame him for that?—she smiled brightly up at Geoff. “Let me get those for you.” She took the plates from his hands, and set them neatly at the dining table.

  Geoff seated himself and waited while she got the teapot and cups along with ornate cloth napkins. When she sat down across from him and poured his tea, he began to eat.

  Spike settled down at Liv’s feet, and she found herself a little surprised at how easily the huge dog fit in to her condo. She
had supposed his living outdoors all the time with no restrictions would make it difficult for him to be content inside.

  He gave a loud snore, and she laughed. It didn’t seem to be a problem for him in the least.

  Geoff swallowed a bite after having finished his twentieth chew. Liv swore she could hear him counting. It was an annoying habit, and one he indulged in even when he ate gelato. She’d never really thought about how irritating it was until now. And just to annoy him right back, she waited until he was looking at her, took a bite of noodles, chewed once and swallowed it. Would Geoff be able to tolerate the new Olivia Leslie Leigh?

  He cleared his throat and the muscles in his jaw flexed when he gritted his teeth, but didn’t admonish her about bad manners. Maybe there was hope for him yet.

  “Lee Lee,” he started. “We really need to talk about what happened today.”

  She put a bit of chicken in her mouth and then spoke around it. “What about it? What can I possibly say to make it all go away?”

  His gaze was glued to the partly masticated chicken that must have made an appearance when she spoke. At last she swallowed, and he was able to talk again.

  “Nothing can change the past, but it’s up to us to make the future. I think we should try to work things out between us. I still want to marry you.”

  “Why?” She picked up her teacup and slurped a large gulp, rewarded by those jaw muscles again.

  “We’re well suited.”

  “Ah…” She picked at an imaginary piece of food in her teeth. “Well then, let’s just chuck it all and run off to Reno and get married tonight, since you feel so passionately about me.”

  “I’m being serious.” Geoff pushed his chair away from the table. “What’s wrong with you?”

  She sighed and dropped her head into her hands. “I can’t explain it. This past week I’ve been so free—free to do whatever I wanted, to dress how I wanted, eat what I wanted. I hadn’t realized how many expectations I carried around with me.”

  “Expectations? You mean basic manners?” He pointed to her food.

  “No. I mean how I worried about what everyone thought. What would Daddy think if I behaved this way? How would you think if I said that thing? What would the clients at the spa think if I wore these clothes? Everyone’s expectations weighed me down. I don’t want them back.”