Haven’s fingers fluttered over his chest. Her breath puffed against his chin with each rapid rise and fall of her chest. “Do that again,” she whispered, those fingers grabbing on, fisting the material of his T-shirt.
She didn’t have to ask him twice.
Liam leaned in, slowly this time, knowing that once they crossed this line, there’d be no going back. No doubt there would be consequences, but with Haven’s ripe mouth so close, so eager for the taking, he couldn’t think of a single one.
Closing his eyes, Liam finally brushed his lips against hers. Back and forth. Back and forth. He nipped her bottom lip then soothed the area with his tongue. The contact was everything Liam knew it would be.
Exciting. Filled with promise. Electric.
The feel of Haven’s soft mouth against his sent fire through his veins. His cock hardened with a speed that left him light-headed, or maybe that was just Haven.
Liam cupped her jaw, greedily capturing the tiny sigh that escaped as he teased his tongue along the seam of her mouth, and then slipped inside. Dual groans filled the room. Something unfurled in Liam’s chest as he explored her mouth, discovering over and over what made that delicious sound come from her throat.
He wanted to know where else he could put his mouth to elicit those needy moans. Keeping his mouth on hers, Liam slipped his hands under her arms and dropped back, pulling her over him as he stretched along the sofa.
This time Haven’s groan wasn’t filled with pleasure.
He broke the kiss, both of them panting. “What is it? Did I hurt you?” He ran his hands over her back and hips, checking for potential damage.
Haven chuckled and dropped her head against his chest. “Not you. All the work we did today. My body feels like I’ve been hit by a truck.”
Liam froze. God, he was such an asshole. He should’ve realized she’d be sore. “Poor pixie. Here, hold on a sec.” Liam shifted out from under her and onto his side, thankful for the extra deep couch. He propped his head on his hand. “Stretch out on your stomach here next to me.”
Haven rolled to her belly, crossing her arms under her head. She turned her face toward him. “Sorry to ruin the fun.” She gasped as he slipped his hand under the hem of her shirt and worked his fingers along her spine.
“Oh, I don’t know. I get to keep touching you. That’s fun.”
Haven hummed as he worked the muscles in her back. “You’re amazingly talented with just one hand. Makes me wonder what you could do with two.”
Liam stopped moving, tempted to turn her over and show her just exactly how talented he was. “There will be plenty of time for that later.” He hoped. God, he hoped.
He got back to work, massaging up her spine and neck, alternating between gently rolling and light strokes while savoring the silky softness of her skin.
“That was an amazing first kiss.” Haven whispered. She’d been quiet for so long, he thought she’d fallen asleep.
Liam chuckled. He leaned down and pressed a kiss against her temple. “I couldn’t agree more.”
“What happens now?”
“We sleep?”
Haven nudged him with her foot. “Do we forget the kiss and go back to bein’ just friends?”
“I’d like to think we will always be friends, no matter what we do from here.” Liam traced soothing circles across her skin. No sense beating around the bush. “I’d be lying if I said that kiss was enough for me. All it did was whet my appetite. I want more, Haven. I want more of you.”
“I want more, too,” she said, so softly he almost missed the words.
With a silent warning to his dick to chill the fuck out, Liam snuggled in next to Haven, wrapping her in his arms. “It’s settled, then. Once we’re rested and recovered from today’s exciting experience, I’ll take you on a whole new adventure.”
And Liam couldn’t fucking wait.
8
Liam was gone when Haven woke up the next morning. She found a note beside the coffeepot saying he had to run out, but he’d be back soon. Since he hadn’t indicated where he’d gone, and she had no idea when he’d left or what he considered ‘soon,’ the perfunctory information didn’t give her much. Or anything.
The note reminded her of texts she’d gotten from Craig when they’d been together. Playing the victim was Craig’s favorite form of manipulation. But I sent you a text to let you know I’d be late, he’d said. And then to her parents, I don’t know why she’s upset. Would she rather I don’t communicate at all?
Bastard.
Haven poured a cup of still-hot coffee and took a sip, letting the brew work on her sore muscles from the inside out.
Haven knew it was unfair to compare Liam to Craig. They were nothing alike. Liam was solid and strong and loyal. Liam genuinely cared about her. She still didn’t understand why he hadn’t told her about leaving the Navy, but she knew he hadn’t kept it from her with the sole purpose of hurting her. Liam wouldn’t do that.
But old habits died hard, and she couldn’t control where her insecurities took her thoughts, even though she wished she could.
Craig had been dishonest with her from the start. He’d smiled and charmed her out of her panties with promises of a future. Craig might be cute and charming, but luckily for Haven, alcohol inflated his ego. If it weren’t for him running his drunk, dumbass mouth to one of his buddies in the bar one night, Haven might not have caught on to his lying, cheating ways.
Haven had overheard Craig brag not only about the women he fucked on the regular, but also about his plan to marry her and turn his favorite watering hole into his primary means of support. The fucker actually mused to his buddy about how great it would be to drink and party full time, while she ran the business.
Haven had punched him right off the barstool. Then, with the patrons cheering behind her—because what Irishman didn’t love a good fight? —Haven kicked his sorry ass out of her bar.
She’d never felt so liberated and so insanely stupid at the same time.
What scared the hell out of her was how easily she’d fallen for Craig’s shit. He’d flashed her that pretty grin and told her she was being unreasonable. That he’d never run around on her. That whatever woman he’d been seen with was nothing more than a friend.
And because she hadn’t wanted to be alone, she’d chosen to believe him. And she hated herself for it.
Haven took her coffee out to the patio, stopping along the way to grab her cell phone in case Liam called. She curled up in a lounge chair and stared out at the beautiful garden courtyard. Vining plants climbed the brick, interspersed with brightly colored flowers. Planter boxes were filled with rich green plants and several palm trees bracketed the area. The light floral scent mixed with the warm salty air combined to make a fragrance Haven would forever associate with California.
There were worse things than being alone. And she wasn’t. Not really. Presley had shown her that. Haven had her parents, her friends. Liam.
Liam.
Her body warmed in delicate places at just the thought of him.
When she’d made the decision to visit, Haven hadn’t been prepared to be greeted by six-feet-four-inches of pure sex on legs. His powerful, muscled frame. Those mischievous, iridescent eyes. And his mouth. Goddamn, his full lips and questing tongue had lit her up like a St. Patrick’s Day float. And he hadn’t even touched her yet. Not intimately. Somehow, she knew when he finally did, he’d change her idea of pleasure.
Haven hugged the coffee between her hands and tried not to overanalyze where Liam had gone. One kiss—no matter how earth-shattering—did not give her the right to his whereabouts. They weren’t a couple. And anyway, Haven knew better than anyone that Liam wasn’t the type to commit.
If they were going through with their more plan, Haven needed to get her head right. She did not want to risk losing him by making demands or having expectations. And anyway, she’d be going back to Ireland soon. If there did happen to be any post-more awkwardness between them by the ti
me she left, the distance would help to put them back on familiar ground. He’d go on with his life in the US, and she’d go on with hers in Ireland—as had always been the plan anyway.
So, why did the sudden image of Liam with a wife and kids make her stomach ache?
Haven’s cell phone rang, dragging her from the thought. She frowned at the screen, her stomach tightening for an entirely new reason.
Craig. He’d been calling and texting her from the moment she’d left Ireland, but Haven had ignored his attempts to get in touch. She’d only delayed the inevitable. She was done playing games.
She swiped the screen. “Hello?”
“Haven!” Craig hollered, his tone unnaturally chipper. It put her teeth on edge. “I’ve been tryin’ to reach you.”
“I am aware.”
Her gruff tone must have surprised him because he went silent for a second or two. “We need to talk, babe,” he finally said. “Where are you?”
“We don’t need to talk. There’s nothin’ left to say.”
“You’re just gonna blow me off like that? Not give me a chance to explain my side?”
“I heard your side, Craig. Remember?”
“That was just guy talk, babe. You know how we get after a couple of pints. And anyway, you weren’t meant to hear all of that. You’re the one who eavesdropped, and I’m not askin’ you to apologize, am I? You decked me!”
Piece of feckin’ work. “You want an apology? Fine. I’m sorry I hit you because I overheard you admit to stickin’ your dick into every chit who would open her legs for you. Better?” She wasn’t sorry. Not one goddamned bit.
“It’s a start,” he snapped, clueless. “A little less hostility would be nice. All I’m tryin’ to do is clear up a misunderstanding and get us back on track.”
Haven pinched the bridge of her nose. “There’s nothin’ to clear up. We’re over, Craig. We’ve been over for weeks. That’s it. End of story.”
“You don’t mean that, babe. You know you don’t. Tell me where you are. Your parents are worried. They said they haven’t heard from you.”
Haven’s temper flared. “Stop talkin’ to my parents!”
Craig had charmed her mom and dad as easily as he’d charmed her. She’d warned them that Craig was no longer welcome in their lives, but it seemed she’d need to reiterate that fact.
“Why should I? You’re not here, and Rory needs someone to pick up the slack.”
Haven’s laugh sounded sinister. And Craig expected her to believe he was the one doing that? Right. The only thing Craig was picking up was another shot glass full of scotch.
“Let me be real clear about this,” Haven hissed. “I want you to stop contactin’ me, stop talkin’ to my parents, and keep your nose out of the pub, you hear me? We are none of your business. Take that wanderin’ dick of yours and use it to find someone else to be your meal ticket. I’m done.”
“Oh, you’re done? This is your fuckin’ fault anyway, Haven. If you’d taken proper care of my dick, maybe I wouldn’t have had to find others who would.”
The vile insult made Haven’s eyes burn with unshed tears. But there it was. The truth finally admitted. “You’re a feckin’ bastard, you know that?”
Craig laughed. “You’ve never had it so good as me, babe, and one day soon, you’re gonna realize that. When you come back to me, and you will, you better be on your knees. That’s the only way you’re makin’ this shite up to me.”
The tears spilled over as Haven cursed him in Gaelic before she disconnected the call. She deleted Craig’s texts without reading the new ones, and then blocked his number. Something she should’ve done weeks ago.
Her head pounded as she pulled the sliding door open and stepped into the living room. The cooler air inside the condo helped ease the heat in her cheeks. She shouldn’t be surprised that Craig had found a way to blame her, but his words still stung. In the light of day, she knew she wasn’t to blame. But sometimes, late at night, a niggle of insecurity made her wonder if she had been the problem. That if she’d done more or…God…been better in the bedroom, that Craig wouldn’t have strayed.
Haven dug in her bag for a painkiller for her headache. Before she knew what she was doing, she climbed the stairs and made her way to Liam’s bedroom. She should lay down on the couch, but the conversation with Craig had left her exposed. Raw and vulnerable. She craved the comfort she’d always found with Liam. Since he wasn’t there, she’d surround herself with his things, his scent, instead.
Liam’s bed was a monstrosity of a thing and dominated a large portion of the room. The ivory bed sheets were tangled with a comforter striped with earthy tones. Haven crawled onto the mattress and laid down. She wrapped one of Liam’s pillows in her arms and pulled it tight against her chest. The tears began in earnest then. Haven didn’t try to stop them. She let all the hurt and anger purge from her body until sleep finally claimed her.
Liam cut off the lawnmower and surveyed the job. Not bad, but he mentally checked groundskeeping off his list of potential career paths. His lines weren’t neat enough for professional work.
He could do something about the tick in the mower’s engine, though. He wheeled it onto the driveway, and then headed for the garage. He was searching for the necessary tools when Andi stepped out of the house.
“You finding everything you need?” she asked.
Ozzie’s widow looked good. Rested, with actual color in her cheeks. Liam thought she might’ve put on a few necessary pounds as well.
“I am.” He located the wrench he was looking for and held it up. He grabbed the bottle of oil from the shelf. “I’m just going to do some quick maintenance on the lawnmower before I clean it up and put it away.”
“Thank you, but you don’t have to do that. It’s been almost a year,” she said quietly. “I appreciate what you’ve all done for us. Believe me, I do.”
Liam narrowed his eyes at her. “But…?”
Andi smirked. Honest to fucking God smirked, and Liam’s heart healed a little more. “I’ve been thinking it might be time to turn over the lawn care to Jeremy. He’s ten now, and his dad would’ve wanted him to have responsibilities.”
Liam couldn’t argue with that logic. “I’ll talk to Zig.”
Zig had accompanied Ozzie back to the States after that fateful mission that stole his life from them. Then, Zig just sort of naturally stepped into the role of coordinator when it came to the team’s efforts to help Andi and Jeremy.
Andi followed him into the driveway, propping her hip against the back of her vehicle as Liam knelt beside the mower.
“Have you figured out what you’re going to do next?” she asked.
Andi knew he’d put in his papers. He had no idea what the future held or where he’d end up. He didn’t want Andi and Jeremy to think he’d abandoned them. He’d wanted her to know that no matter where he landed, they could always count on him if they needed anything. Although Liam was sure Zig had them covered.
“I haven’t. I do have an interview set up for a personal security position.” He hadn’t gone looking, but apparently word got around when a SEAL left active duty and was potentially available for work. He thought it might be worth checking out.
“A bodyguard?” Andi wrinkled her nose as if she didn’t approve of the idea. “Is that something you think you’d like to do?”
Her gaze drifted toward the street. Liam turned in time to see Brian get out of his car.
He raised a hand in greeting and turned his attention back to the mower and Andi. “I think it depends on the situation. The interview I have is to head the private security for an up-and-coming female pop star. Could be fun.” He finished adding oil to the mower and turned the machine on its side so he could tighten the blades. “Quite a bit of travel, but I’m used to living out of a bag, so that won’t be a big hardship.”
“What’s no hardship?” Brian asked as he joined them in Andi’s driveway.
Liam straightened, wiping his hands on a rag.
He offered Brian a relatively clean palm to shake.
“Liam was just telling me about an interview he has lined up,” Andi said.
Brian’s brow winged up. “Oh, yeah?”
Liam filled Brian in on the details while he finished with the mower.
“What does Haven think of the idea?” Brian asked when Liam was done.
Liam sent his friend a curious stare. “Why would you ask me that?”
“You seek her council on stuff, don’t you?” Brian shrugged, nonchalant. “And she’s here, in front of you, so it makes sense that you would’ve talked to her about it. And honestly, I’d love to hear that firecracker’s response to your being a bodyguard for some high-maintenance prima donna.”
Liam would too, actually.
Andi’s gaze darted between them. “Who’s Haven?”
“Liam’s bestie from Ireland,” Brian answered for him.
Liam thought of how soft and supple Haven had felt under him the night before. How silky her tongue had felt against his. Shit. If he kept up that line of thinking, he’d be sprouting wood right there in Andi’s driveway.
“Yeah.” Liam ran a hand over the back of his neck, not sure how much he wanted to share when he wasn’t sure where things were headed. “It’s a little more complicated than that.”
Brian’s grin turned to the brilliance of one thousand watts. “Oh, do tell.”
Liam shrugged. “Nothing to tell.” Yet. To Andi he said, “In a nutshell, we met in Ireland when we were kids. We’ve been long-distance friends ever since. That is, until a few days ago, when she showed up for a surprise visit.”
“That doesn’t sound so complicated,” Andi said, one side of her mouth kicking up.
“I kissed her last night. Odds are, I’m gonna do it again.” And again. All fucking night long.
Andi’s mouth curved into an O.
Brian crossed his arms over his chest. “So, I’ll ask again. What does Haven think about the job interview?”
Hot SEAL, Charmed Page 7