by Tesa Devlyn
Liana absently touched her hair and glanced down at her rain dappled olive green jacket. “I look like Lucky dragged me in.”
“As usual, you look beautiful.” His voice was low and gravely. “I don’t know how you do it.”
“Dress wrong for the weather?”
“No. Be wet and cold and still look so damned good.” He turned back to the pizza. “Now go change and hurry back for a sip of wine before I set dinner on the table and call the kids.”
The warmth and comfort she’d perceived when she walked into the house mystified her. She’d been ready to defend herself and instead, he treated her like a queen.
She’d lived on her own for four years and it went against her grain to accept his suggestion without protest. She bit back a retort and headed for her room to change. Shedding crumpled wet clothes, Liana slipped into a chocolate brown, velveteen jogging suit. After she blow-dried and fluffed her hair she took a minute to freshen her makeup and apply a coat of lipstick. The tin of sparkly scented powder she splurged on beckoned her. She glided the puff over her throat and chest above her zippered jacket.
She returned to the kitchen just as Michael set a large bowl of tossed salad on the table. He ran his gaze from the top of her head, to the tips of her polished toenails. “Dinner’s almost ready. The kids are playing some game on the computer.”
“Thank you, Michael.” Liana didn’t want to resurrect their recent disagreement, but, despite his consideration with dinner and making sure she was comfortable, tension hung in the air like a heavy rain cloud. Her marriage had taught her that give and take relationships were make believe. She wasn’t quite sure where to go from here.
Michael rested the salad tongs on the edge of the bowl. “Hey, our canine is gaining weight and glossing up.”
“Wonderful.” She moved next to him and luxuriated in his warmth. Warning bells went off in her head. Had she forgotten the internal dialogue she’d had on her trip home? They had to slow down and stick to business. Things could get too complicated and she had enough complication in her life.
“Yeah. I’m glad you found her. She’s really a good dog.” He cupped her upper arms and rubbed up and down to warm her.
Tears pricked Liana’s eyes. “We’ve hit some bumps today, haven’t we?”
“Everyday can’t be perfect, Liana. It’s all part of getting to know each other.”
She smiled through her tears and sniffed. She shook her head and glanced around the fragrant kitchen. “Is there anything you can’t do?”
“You’d find out if you gave me a chance,” he murmured close to her ear.
The perpetual goosebumps traveled down her neck and back. “I should say hello to the kids.”
“Let’s leave them to the computer game for another minute.” He nuzzled her ear and tightened his arms around her, skimming the sides of her breasts. “I’m as puzzled by this whole thing as you are, Liana. Let’s stop getting upset about it and go out. On a real date.”
“Oh, Michael,” she said on a sigh. “You don’t know how tempting that sounds, but it won’t change anything. We’re both old enough to face the facts. We have teenagers to finish raising and very different life styles.”
He stepped back and picked up the salad bowl. “One of these days, you’ll wake up and realize some great opportunities passed while you had your head down and your nose to the grindstone.”
“You’re quite the philosopher.” She set the salad dressing on the table, refusing to become irritated with yet another reminder of how he disagreed with her work schedule.
“Not at all.” He transferred the pizza pan to a trivet on the table. “I believe if you want something, you’d better go after it before it moves on.”
“Are we talking about my work schedule or do I only have one chance to go out with you?” Disappointment hit her. Maybe she should end this now. She didn’t have the energy to play emotional games. Frank had exhausted her in that arena.
He shrugged. “I won’t ask again if that’s what you mean.”
Her stomach sank. She’d only known Michael for a short time, but the thought of never knowing what could have been hit her almost as hard as the news of Jack’s death.
This thing with him was already too deep.
Rooted next to the island, she gripped the edge of the counter top and tried to shake off the pain deep in her heart. “I’ll get the kids.”
Liana stepped into the den to find Brittany and Leif bantering about the treasure hunt game. “Dinner’s ready.”
“Hi, Mom. I didn’t hear you come home.” Brittany stood and propped her hands on her hips to stretch her back. Had Liana ever possessed such a naturalness?
“I’ve been home for a few minutes. Michael has dinner ready. You guys hungry?”
“Starving.” Leif grinned. “I’m sure Brit is tired of losing.” He fiddled with the computer another moment and closed out each window.
Liana looped her arm through Brittany’s and headed for the dining room. “I met with Stan today. I’ve decided to cut my office hours back to two days a week. That means I’ll work from home three days a week plus weekends.”
“That’s great, Mom, but please don’t do it for me. I’m fine as long as Michael’s working on the house. He’s here when I get home, or I go to Meagan’s.”
The pain in Liana’s heart intensified. She’d failed as a wife and a mother. “Only time will tell how long this new schedule will last, but I want to do this for us, Brit. Shari has been a godsend, and so has Michael, but I want my life back, and you’re the most important part of it.”
“Thanks, Mom.” Brittany hugged her and blinked back tears. She pulled away from Liana and stuck her tongue out at Leif. “After dinner we’re on for a rematch, Saxon.”
“Bring it on, sister.” Leif punched her in the arm and bee-lined to the table. “Are you guys through with all the sappy stuff so we can eat?”
Liana laughed and her heart lifted.
Michael pulled out a chair and gestured for Liana to be seated. “He’s a master at levity, isn’t he?”
The pizza and salad were delicious, but Liana couldn’t shake her misgivings over spending so much personal time with the Saxons. Later, when the house was finished and Michael moved on, she wouldn’t be the only one hurt. Brittany had taken to Michael and Leif and would be heartbroken when it all ended.
Despite the risk to her heart, Liana wanted to say yes to his date and test their strong attraction. Maybe in private, away from the kids, they’d discover they weren’t compatible and the attraction would dissipate.
Her appetite dimmed, she gave up on eating and sat back to sip her wine and study her dinner companions.
Leif and Brittany acted like old buddies. Even if in jest, she loved how he’d called Brittany, sister. His youthful good looks promised to transform into his father’s rugged handsomeness. For now at least, her daughter seemed unaffected.
She gazed at Michael. He glanced at her over the rim of his wine glass. Her breath caught in her chest. Damn, the man did things to her she hadn’t thought possible. Even Jack hadn’t affected her with such intensity. They’d been young. Would their relationship have turned into what she felt every time Michael looked at her?
The kids sparred over the debate teams in Leif’s speech class and which would win.
“Are you okay, Mom?”
Liana tore her gaze from Michael’s. “I’m fine. Just lost in my thoughts. Michael, dinner was great. Thank you again for your thoughtfulness.”
He wiped his mouth with the green linen napkin Brittany had dug out of their dining room linen drawer. The things they used for company. “Not a problem. You made breakfast.”
“Michael ate breakfast here?” Brittany asked, pizza halfway to her mouth. She glanced from her Mom to Michael and back.
Liana could throttle him. Why had he brought it up? It made it sound like he’d stayed the night. “Michael came to work early this morning, so I cooked him a hearty breakfast before I left
for work.”
Apparently satisfied with the answer, Brittany shrugged and continued to eat.
Her nerves jangling, Liana shoved her plate back and stood. “I’ll put on some coffee.”
“It won’t take long to go over my plans.” Michael gathered up his plate and Liana’s. “Like I said in my email, I have an idea that needs a decision before we go any farther.” He joined her at the sink and rinsed the plates before he stacked them in the dishwasher.
“I can’t wait to hear about it.” Liana pushed away her earlier fears and doubts. Liana loved Michael’s presence in the kitchen, how he helped with dishes while they discussed the building plans. It almost seemed as if they had a life together.
“Mom, go over the plans with Michael. Leif and I can finish the cleanup,” Brittany called from the dining room. She gathered up the pizza pan and salad bowl.
“Thank you, sweetie.” Liana poured water into the coffeemaker and added grounds to the basket. She pushed the brew button and wiped her hands with the tea towel hanging on the refrigerator handle. “Okay, I’m ready. Let’s look at your idea before the night gets away from us.”
“It’s Saturday night.” Michael leaned one hip against the counter, his amber gaze shuttered and his usually mobile mouth firm.
Liana blinked. “It is, isn’t it? Regardless, I’m sure you have things you’d rather be doing.”
“I’m doing what I want to do.” He folded his arms over his chest. “What happened?”
Brittany and Leif arrived with the leftovers and dishes.
Liana wove through the hubbub and started for the living room. “Let’s move out of the way. I’ll never discourage Brittany from cleaning up after a meal.”
“Hilarious, Mom.” Brittany laughed when Leif got tangled in the plastic wrap.
Michael followed her to the living room. “I’d like to finish the conversation.”
“I refuse to discuss us in front of the kids. Now what’s your idea? I can’t wait to finish this remodel so I can think about something besides cost and the fact that Thanksgiving is looming.” She rubbed her upper arms. She didn’t want to be so abrupt, but she had to protect herself from the spell Michael cast on her every time he was near.
Michel propped his hands on his hips and huffed. “I won’t force you into a personal conversation.” He picked up the plans and unrolled them on the coffee table. “Since we have to patch into the roof line anyway, why not add an upstairs? You could use it as a guest room, or an office.”
“I could do that?”
A design studio flashed through her mind, complete with fabric swatches and paint samples. Large windows and a work-table in the center of the room. “Could it have an outside entrance?”
“A separate entrance?”
“Yes, a separate entrance.”
Michael’s stance eased and his eyes warmed. “If we came out a few more feet we could run a balcony over the front door and a set of stairs down the front of the building at an angle. I sketched some of it on the plans. Let’s pencil in your idea and see what you think.”
Liana glanced around the corner toward the dining room. Brittany and Leif were still in the kitchen engrossed in their banter. She turned back to Michael. “This sounds intriguing.”
He smoothed the large paper out on the table. “Here’s the original plan with scissor trusses to support the new peaked roof over the addition. We can replace them with regular trusses and add the second story, with stairs running up from the living room.” He stroked his pencil across the plans like an artist.
Fascinated with his talent, Liana edged closer and almost moaned when his warmth and spicy scent wrapped around her.
As much as she tried to fight it, Michael Saxon decimated her better judgment. Seventeen years had passed since she’d felt even close to this degree of excitement and passion. If she didn’t go out with him, she could miss out on a once in a lifetime chance for true love.
“What do you think?” Michael glanced at her and caught her stare.
“About what?”
“The new plan.” His mouth softened and twitched into the shadow of a smile. His eyes heated a few degrees, the disappointment from moments ago gone.
“I really like it.”
He slid from the couch to the floor next to her and propped his hand on the carpet between them. “Don’t be afraid to take a chance, Liana.” He leaned close enough to bring their mouths a breath apart.
Her heart fluttered. “I can’t help it. I have a lot to lose.”
“There’s always a price, sweetheart. Stop this dance with Frank. The song ended four years ago.” He brushed her hair back from her face.
“He has an endless supply of quarters for the jukebox.”
Michael laughed. “You’ve caught onto my parables.”
“Parables?” She tilted her head to one side.
“That’s what Trinity calls them. Over her teen years, I started to compare her issues with something to help her make sense of them.”
Liana’s heart lightened. “Trinity sounds like quite the young lady.”
“I want you to meet her.” His voice lowered and rasped with the passion she clearly saw in his face.
He placed his hand on her thigh. They were wedged between the couch and the coffee table, but Liana stayed on guard in case the kids popped into the room. She heard a thread of conversation and frowned.
“Frank.”
“What about him?”
“Brittany’s talking to him on her phone. I didn’t hear it ring. She must have called him.”
“What’re you worried about? It’s natural for her to call him.”
“It’s what he pries out of her that worries me. He tries to fill her head with crap.”
“Are there things Brittany doesn’t know?”
Liana slowly nodded. “Adult things she wouldn’t understand, possibly not forgive. Things you might not be able to handle either.”
“Let me get close enough to find out. I’m a good judge of character, and I learned the hard way with Meredith. Whatever you’re hiding won’t chase me away.” He treaded his fingers through her hair. “Give us a chance.”
Maybe if they dated, and she told him about Ryan, the matter would be settled. He’d either turn his back on her, or declare his love regardless of her poor choices. Before sanity returned, Liana took the leap.
“When do you want to go out?”
His delicious mouth tilted into a full, blown smile. “Sooner the better as far as I’m concerned.”
“Well, this is Saturday night and it’s about gone. Let’s plan on next Friday night.”
He leaned in for a quick kiss. “You’ve got it. What do you think? Ready for the design studio you’ve dreamed of?” He tapped the plans on the table.
Liana leaned back, her eyes wide. “How do you know I’m thinking about a design studio?”
“When you asked about the outside entrance. Follow your dreams, Liana. Let’s do it.”
“Mom!” Brittany came into the living room, her phone still at her ear. “Dad wants to talk to you.”
Liana glanced at Michael before she smiled at her daughter. “Please tell your dad I’m busy with the contractor and will call him back later. Probably tomorrow.”
Brittany hesitated, uncertainty etched on her face. “O-kay.” She turned and relayed Liana’s message.
“Good move. I’ll bet he’s digging for quarters right now.”
He pushed off the floor and rolled up the plans.
Liana chuckled and joined him on the couch. “He can look all night as far as I’m concerned.” A new lightness and confidence flowed through her. She’d taken control of her situation with Frank and it felt good. At least for now.
Liana walked with Michael to the back door. For now, Brittany’s conversation with Frank hadn’t diminished her good mood. She wouldn’t quit joking with Leif until he said goodbye and hopped down the back steps, then she thanked Michael for dinner and went to her bedroom.
“Sure, son. Warm it up and you can drive us home.” Michael tossed them through the air and Leif caught them with one hand.
Michael pressed his lips against Liana’s forehead. “Get a good night’s sleep. I’ll be around early Monday morning. I promise the living room will be completed by Thanksgiving.”
“I appreciate that. It means a lot to me.” She wanted to tug his face down to hers and kiss him until he moaned in that gravelly way of his. But, Leif waited in the truck and Brittany could pop out of her bedroom anytime.
She folded her arms to keep from touching him. “What should we do on our date?”
He grinned. “Uh, dinner? Dancing? Whatever you want.”
Damn, the man tempted her.
“I’ll let you know.”
Michael did his typical two-finger salute to the brim of his hat and rounded the corner of the house.
Back in the warmth of the laundry room, Liana locked the door and wandered into the kitchen. She made a cup of chamomile tea and settled into a chair in front of the fire.
Stalling Frank might seem like a victory right now, but he’d retaliate. An angry Frank had never been a good thing.
Chapter Six
Liana found new excitement in the remodel.
She loved to design and change, but when the original contractor left, she’d lost her zest for the plan. Michael had restored her enthusiasm on every level.
True to his word, he showed up at seven Monday morning looking so deliciously handsome Liana leaned against the doorjamb and drank up the sight of him.
The anticipation of their date made her nervous and giddy. She wasn’t ready to have her heart broken again, but oh, she wanted to experience complete passion.
Now to figure out how to tell Brittany she planned to date the contractor.
Her daughter rushed from room to room getting ready for school. She called out a hello to Michael as she left to catch the bus.