by Tesa Devlyn
“Brittany of course. She worries about you. Hey, I got your message. I’d love to attend your cocktail party.” Michael’s voice sounded warm and sexy.
“She has no reason to worry. Did I mention the party is at seven?” Liana hoped she didn’t sound too eager. She’d thought of him way too much and, despite Shari’s support and reassurance, she feared heartbreak.
He chuckled. “That’s what your message said. Can I bring anything?”
Liana bit her lip to keep from saying, just you. “I think we have everything. What’s Leif up to? He’s welcome to come over.”
“Leif’s studying with a friend tonight. Will Brittany be home?”
“After ballet practice, she’s staying over with Meagan.”
Michael’s chuckle warmed her to her toes. “I hope Leif’s not studying girl’s ballet practice.”
Liana laughed. “I think you’ll like Shari and Richard.”
“I’m sure I will, but what I really look forward to is more time with the beautiful, sexy woman who hired me to remodel her house.”
Liana wandered toward the bedroom, unbuttoning her damp blouse on the way. Anticipation bubbled inside her until she thought she’d giggle. “I want to spend time with you too.”
“In that case, I’ll see you at seven?”
****
At seven o’clock sharp, Michael stood on Liana’s back step, amazed she wanted him to join her party when she’d cancelled their dinner Monday night. Little by little, he learned more about her and what pushed her buttons. He didn’t intend to push a sensitive one tonight.
Tomorrow would make one week since he’d met her. She excited him and at the same time scared the hell out of him.
His life had been simple and uncomplicated since he and Leif moved to Montana. He didn’t want to disrupt it with a relationship that could go south.
Liana opened the door and his midsection clenched. A short black dress hugged her curves. Black tights conformed to her long legs and stopped at her shapely ankles. Damn, how’d she do it? She turned him on from the top of her artfully messy blonde hair, to the tips of her bronze polished toenails. A fire curled through his midsection. Good Lord, had he lost his mind when he turned forty?
“You look great.” He struggled to sound unaffected.
“Thank you. Come on in. Shari and Richard are here.” She stepped out of the way and gestured for him to go into the dining room.
Since a heavy sheet of plastic was still the only barrier between the great outdoors and the living room, she’d set up a seating area in the dining room in front of the fireplace.
“Michael, you’ve met Shari. This is her handsome and charming husband, Richard.”
“Keep that up and I’ll never be able to live with him.” Shari smiled and shook Michael’s hand before she stepped back for Richard to do the same.
Richard impressed him with a firm handshake and direct look. The Collins’s were important to Liana; he was grateful he could honestly like them.
He stepped toward Liana, at war with his inclination to pull her into his arms. Slow down, Saxon.
“Michael, what would you like to drink? I have wine, of course.”
“Of course.” Michael grinned.
“I also have the makings for martinis. I even picked up Richard’s favorite scotch.”
“Wow, I can’t refuse a good scotch. On the rocks, please.”
“Better taste it before you dilute it with ice, Michael.” Richard lifted his own glass. “This vintage is extra smoky and mighty fine.”
“All right. No ice, please.” He stared at Liana’s backside as she walked to the bar.
Richard cleared his throat.
Michael tore his attention from the way the little black dress slightly cupped Liana’s behind and snapped his focus back to the other guests.
“Richard, what brought you and your family to Kalispell? I assume you came from California.”
Richard grinned at Michael, a glint in his eyes. “I retired from the San Diego Police Department a year ago. Several of my fellow SDPD moved here over the years to hunt, fish and enjoy retirement. Seemed like a good plan for us.”
“Smart man. How do you like Montana, Shari?”
“I was skeptical when Richard caved into the persuasion of his friends. I thought I’d miss the shops and my job, but it’s really beautiful here and there’s plenty of shopping.”
“It’s a good thing Kalispell is so beautiful because once they decided to move here, they started to work on me.” Liana returned with a crystal rocks glass Michael estimated held at least three fingers of scotch. He hoped the hors d’oeuvres were substantial enough to cut the alcohol before he drove home.
He accepted the glass and slid his hand over hers. This party had little to do with the remodel in progress. Her friends were here to check out the man she’d hired. Judging from the glances from Richard and Shari, they suspected more transpired than a remodel.
“Liana wasn’t as easy to convince. She had a very successful real estate business in San Francisco,” Richard said, a brow raised.
Michael appreciated the way Liana’s friends protected her. He’d be under tough scrutiny, but hey, he could handle it. “I’m sure she’s a success at whatever she chooses to do.” He met Richard’s gaze with assurance, and turned to Liana. His heart squeezed at the moisture in her mossy green eyes.
“Liana’s excellent with real estate, but it isn’t your dream job, is it?” Richard lifted his glass toward her. “I’m sure you’d like nothing more than to delve back into design work.”
Liana glanced around the room, her bottom lip held captive by her teeth. Damn. Michael wanted to wrap his arms around her, hug her into his side and kiss her fragrant hair.
“Liana told me about her degree in Design. I’m impressed.” He moved a bit closer. Her friends meant well, but they needed to back off and let her enjoy the evening. “She has great plans for this house.”
Liana sipped her Martini and gazed at him over the rim of the glass. “I’m sure what Richard and Shari are dying to tell you, is that before Frank was hired in the Silicon Valley, I worked for a large firm in San Diego.”
Michael slowly shook his head. “You gave up your career to move with him?”
“I had to. Brittany was little. I didn’t want to upset her life.”
“Liana has always been an unselfish person. Sometimes too much so.” Shari did what Michael ached to do and wrapped an arm around Liana. “Okay, enough seriousness. Let’s get those appetizers set out. I’m famished.”
Richard moved to one of the wing-backed chairs in front of the fire. “Let’s sit and chat, Michael. I’d like to hear about your business.”
Michael appreciated the change in conversation.
He’d lived through so many emotional ups and downs with Meredith, he didn’t relish the thought of another relationship full of issues. He respected Liana even more after hearing what she’d done for her daughter, and to make her marriage work. So what had finally happened to end it?
Trays of hors d'oeuvres appeared on the table, along with colorful plates and napkins. Candles were artfully placed to enhance the spread, but not cause a hazard to the diners.
Michael loved what Liana did to everything she touched. She was a professional designer, but she kept things pure and natural.
“This is a feast.” Michael pushed out of the wing-backed chair and led the charge to the table. Food always smoothed the tension of meeting new people. He dished up a little of everything and exchanged his empty glass for a glass of merlot.
“Help yourself to more scotch, Michael,” Richard said, refreshing his own glass.
“I might after we eat. I’m curious about the native Californian with northwest wine.” He tasted the Washington State vintage and rolled his lips in and out. “Very good.”
Liana smiled. “I tried it shortly after I moved here. I was pleasantly surprised.” She clinked her glass to his and took a sip.
Settling into o
ne of the four chairs in front of the fire, she set her glass on a small table between her and Richard.
“Michael, we’ve never discussed your family back home.”
“Yes.” Shari leaned forward in her chair. “Please tell us.”
“Not much to tell. My maternal grandmother’s half Cherokee. They were part of the relocation in the eighteen hundreds. She met and married my grandfather, a full-blooded Irishman. My father’s family came from England in the early nineteen hundreds.”
“The mix was a success.” Liana bit into a slice of pork and licked her lips.
Michael stifled a moan and struggled to keep the conversation going instead of kissing Liana mindless in front of her friends. He had to stay on track and not make a fool of himself.
“Liana, what’s your family background?”
Liana wiped her hands on a burgundy napkin. “The usual, English, Irish, Scot. You know the Heinz mix.”
“There’s nothing generic about you, Liana Campbell.” Michael fingered the stem of his glass. What would happen when the party ended and the Collins left? Would she ask him to stay?
“Well, thank you, sir. Can I refresh your wine?”
She stood and moved toward the bar before he could respond. She struck him speechless. With every word, every move, she sent his senses into overdrive. His reaction to her made him feel like an over-sexed, middle-aged leach.
The evening wore on with him and Richard in a rapt discussion about bow versus rifle hunting. Michael agreed to join Richard’s hunting group for cat season later in the winter.
A few minutes past ten, Shari yawned and stretched her legs. “I have to get home to bed.”
“Wow.” Liana tried to hide a yawn, but failed. “You used to be the life of the party.”
“Not any more. Anyway, Richard’s driving to Missoula early in the morning to look at some hunting supplies.”
“Arrows, dearest.” Richard turned to Michael. “My favorite sporting goods store has a sale on bows and arrows. Want to come along?”
“I would, but I have a house to finish and winter won’t wait.”
Liana shifted in her chair, and glanced from Michael to Richard and back. “If you mean my house, I don’t want to spoil your weekend. I don’t expect you to work seven days a week.”
“Good.” Michael walked toward the kitchen and set his wine glass on the counter. “Because I never work on Sundays.”
Liana moved beside him at the sink and her perfume wafted its way into his air space and kick-started his testosterone levels. “I don’t want to prevent you from going with Richard.”
Michael itched to kiss her adorable pouty mouth. “There’ll be another time when your house is snug and warm.”
“Michael’s right.” Richard gave Liana a hug. “I’ll keep you posted if I see another big sale. Good to meet you, Saxon.” He shook Michael’s hand. “Plan on cat hunting later when we have a good layer of snow.”
Shari sidestepped her husband and gave Michael a hug. “Be good to her,” she whispered in his ear.
“Bet on it.”
Michael truly liked the Collins and appreciated their loyal friendship with Liana.
Anticipation built while Liana saw them out the door. When she returned to the kitchen, she acted withdrawn. Huh, what had he done?
“It’s late.”
Michael chuckled. “Is that your way of saying it’s time for me to leave?”
“I’m just saying, it’s late. You’re working tomorrow so you should get some sleep.”
“I’m a big boy, Liana.” He stepped toward her and grinned when she blushed. “Aren’t you working tomorrow?”
“Only for a while in the morning. The new office schedule came out this afternoon, but I didn’t have time to look at it.” He stepped closer. She didn’t move away.
“Can’t you access it online?”
Liana gripped the edge of the granite countertop. “I guess I can.”
Michael stopped a hair’s breath in front of her and braced his hands on either side of hers. His belt buckle brushed the front of her dress and turned to molten metal. Here came the lovesick teenager with the appetites of a man.
She tilted her chin and gazed into his eyes. “You’ll be here early in the morning? I can make breakfast.”
“Sounds great. Bacon and eggs?”
She nodded and her breasts pressed against him. “With pancakes?”
“Um, really good.” He took a shaky breath. “One of these days I’ll be here long before breakfast.”
Her tongue darted out to moisten her lips. Michael moaned and slanted his mouth over hers, tasting wine and spices.
She leaned into him and responded to his every move. His head swam and a haze settled behind his eyes. He should stop right now and leave.
She slid her hands up the front of his shirt, bunching the fabric in her fingers.
Michael pulled her against his aching body. “I don’t want to leave. Brittany’s gone for the night. I think your friends approve.”
“What happens then, Michael?”
The lady knew how to cool him off. He rested his chin on the top of her head. “I don’t have any answers about later, Liana. I can’t make any commitments until I know you better.”
“Exactly.” She slid her hands up and down his shirtfront then brought them back to her sides. “That’s why I can’t let you stay. My body wants you, but my heart couldn’t handle it if you don’t feel the same way.”
He cupped her face and kissed the tip of her nose. “I’ll always be honest with you. I don’t make love casually. I’d still be married if my ex hadn’t cheated on me. I could’ve probably handled her alcohol problem, as rough as it was. Fidelity is everything to me. I won’t break your heart.”
****
“No, but I’ll break yours.” Liana mumbled as she stared her computer. The words had tumbled through her mind over and over since Michael left last night.
Another sleepless night.
Restless, she’d gotten up at four and went online to review the current office schedule at work. Way too many hours of floor time. She didn’t need the walk-in business right now and would rather pass the opportunity to her fellow agents.
She composed a very professional, grateful, but no thank you, email to her broker and hit send.
What she needed was more time with Brittany. With Frank’s daily phone calls and his looming presence in the background, her daughter needed to be her main focus.
Weary with exhaustion, Liana curled up on the couch with her down comforter and closed her eyes. What would Michael say when he learned she’d almost cheated on Frank?
“That which I feared the most,” she muttered, and burrowed down to sleep.
A truck door slammed.
Liana groaned and covered her head with the comforter. She’d floated in a dream where Michael understood her and didn’t hate her for the past.
“Go away.” Maybe it was UPS and they’d leave her package and go.
Knuckles firmly rapped on the back door.
Liana sat up and swung her feet to the floor in one move. Michael. Oh, my gosh. She’d promised him an early breakfast since he planned to give up his Saturday to work on her house. Tightening her robe, she hurried to the back door finger combing her hair as she went. She glanced out the kitchen window. His black truck sat in her drive.
She caught her reflection in the stainless steel front of the microwave. “Nothing like removing the mystery in a new relationship.”
He rapped again. Liana unlocked the back door and opened it.
Freshly showered and groomed, Michael looked as handsome and brawny as ever. Only a close glance into his amber eyes revealed a hint of tiredness. Fine lines fanned out from the corners of his amazing eyes and verified her suspicions. He hadn’t slept well either.
“Good morning.” He lifted his dark brows and glanced past her to the dimly lit kitchen. “Did I wake you?”
Liana took a deep breath and let it slowly esca
pe. “I haven’t cooked breakfast yet.”
“No problem.” He reached out and tugged on her robe ties. “Got any coffee?”
“I can make some.” She stepped back. “Come on in.”
Michael stepped around her and into the utility room. The scent of spicy soap and clean male almost knocked her off her feet. She took a deep breath again, but this time to savor the scent and presence of Michael Saxon.
She shook off the groggy weirdness she always felt when she napped and hurried into the kitchen to start a pot of coffee. She glanced at the clock.
“Wow, it’s only six.”
“Yeah, sorry I’m so early. I couldn’t sleep so I gave up and started my day.”
Liana pushed the button to start the brew cycle. “Sounds like my night.”
He sat on one of the bar stools and planted his elbows on the granite. She stared at his bronzed forearms, left bare by the rolled sleeves of his chambray shirt. His intense eyes caught her gaze and held it.
“Maybe we would’ve slept better together.”
“Maybe.” Her body tingled, her stomach fluttered. She held out her hands and fanned them down the front of her robe. “Well, here’s what I look like in the morning. The mystery is over.”
Michael laughed, his teeth white against his dark skin. “Honey, you’re beautiful any time of the day or night. No makeup and messy hair won’t scare me off.”
“I don’t want to scare you off.” She took several measured breaths and moved around the bar, walking her fingers on the granite countertop as she went.
Michael swiveled the bar stool and pulled her between his thighs. “Good, ’cause I don’t plan on going anywhere.” He touched his lips to hers, drew back and gazed into her eyes for a moment before kissing her again, this time deeper—soul shattering deep.
Liana wrapped her arms around his neck and the movement pulled her robe apart. For some insane reason, she’d worn her black lace teddy to bed. Now, she was glad she had.
Michael slid his hands under her robe and over the whisper of lace. The warmth and strength of his hands sent sensations through her body and fire through her veins. His calluses caught on the lace.