by Layla Hagen
“I’ve never had this,” he said quietly into my neck.
I froze a little, wondering if I crossed some boundaries, if I was being overwhelming.
“And you...you like it?” I asked, unsure.
He whirled me around, his gaze hard.
“That you woke up thinking how to make my day better? Fuck yes, I like it,” he exclaimed right before covering my mouth with his. He’d never kissed me like that, with a deep and desperate urgency, as if he wanted to consume me. His lips were warm and fast, and then he pressed himself into me. I gasped, feeling his erection against my belly. He deepened the kiss until I wasn’t aware of my surroundings anymore, only of him and how exquisite everything felt.
He drew his rough finger pads over the sensitive skin on the side of my neck. I moaned against his mouth, touching his arms and shoulders, wanting more and more. How was it that I was always insatiable when it came to him?
To my astonishment, he stopped the kiss, letting his hands drop to my side.
“My bad. Didn’t meant to hijack your plan,” he whispered.
I grinned against his mouth. “Don’t worry. This was part of it. I didn’t know when or how, but I was sure you were going to feel me up.”
He smiled devilishly.
“In that case—” He leaned in, feathering the tip of his nose against mine. “—drink that coffee fast.”
“Oh, I’d forgotten about it.” I felt a little deflated. “What’s one thing got to do with the other?”
“I want you to be fully awake for what I have in mind.”
Oh, yum. “Yes, sir.”
Taking my cup, I went to the couch, moving my hips seductively. I glanced at Liam over my shoulder, making a come-here motion with the finger.
I sat down on one end. To my surprise, instead of sitting next to me, he lay down with his head in my lap.
“I love your apartment,” I said. “It’s huge. How many bedrooms are there?”
“Four. I bought it right after selling the app. I actually thought I’d fill it up in a few years.”
It took me a few seconds to realize what he meant.
“With...a family you mean?”
He nodded.
“Were you seeing someone seriously at the time?”
“No. I’d just gotten out of that relationship I told you about. But I thought it would eventually happen. Only it didn’t.”
“Mr. Harrington, color me impressed. I’ve never heard a man talk like this, so openly about actually wanting a family, instead of wincing at the idea or calling it old-fashioned.”
He grinned, and it looked lopsided and adorable from up here.
“You confessed that you’ve been dreaming about jam day, so I feel safe around you.”
I laughed, smacking his shoulder. “Hey, no judgment here. I also thought I’d have a family by now, someone to just fuss over all the time.”
He frowned, playing with a strand of my hair between his fingers. “But you’ve dated a lot, right?”
“How do you know that?”
He immediately schooled his features. He was trying to give me a poker face! Things clicked the next second.
“Skye told you, didn’t she? When?”
“When she called me once to ask me about the website design company. She also brought this up. Don’t tell her you caught on. She made me promise not to give away anything she said.”
“Now you’re just digging your own grave. She said more? What?”
He hesitated for a few seconds before saying, “She said you always wear your heart on your sleeve.”
“Oh...well, she’s right.”
“I’m not like you, Tess.”
“What do you mean?”
“Well, to quote David, I’m a bit robotic. I think I’m taking after my grandfather. He was never one to express feelings or emotions.”
“Really?”
“Yes. Whenever there was a problem, he just fixed it. Said problems are there to be fixed, not talk about. I think he would have rather kept being fired from us too, but it wasn’t possible, obviously.”
“So, is that why you talked to the therapist? You mentioned that once.”
“Yeah. I knew there was no way he’d want to. He didn’t even acknowledge the depression. So we helped the only way we could: by doing things instead of talking about them.”
I laughed. “Wow. That’s so different to how we do things in my family. Did I tell you how I came up with the no-secrets policy?”
“No.”
“After Dad left, everyone was having a hard time, and I insisted we had to talk about it. We couldn’t afford a therapist, but I knew we had to communicate.” I narrowed my eyes. “I can’t believe David says you’re robotic. You seem so open about everything.”
He lifted his head, laying a quick peck on my chin. “That’s because you leave me no other choice, Tess. I can’t help but share too.”
I was thrilled that I was seeing a side of him that he usually didn’t show people. It made me feel special. I ran a hand through his thick hair, loving the familiarity of the touch.
“Were you never afraid of letting people in after your parents’ marriage ended so badly?” he asked.
I pondered that, looking deep into myself, perhaps deeper than I ever did.
“I am afraid...but I just do it anyway. It’s like I can’t help myself.” Even as I was saying it though, I wondered if I’d ever been so open with anyone I dated. I didn’t think I’d been, and it wasn’t just because they never bothered to ask. I hadn’t cared to share my dreams and hopes, or my fears.
“After selling the app, it became so much more difficult to date. I was thrilled in the beginning by how much my popularity with the ladies skyrocketed.”
“Hmmm...somehow I think you’ve always been popular.”
“Yes, but after the sale, it was different. I couldn’t be sure they were after me or after the fame and secure financial situation. I won’t lie, I enjoyed the extra attention, but that was about it.”
We both cleaned up the kitchen, and once we were done, Liam headed to the shower. I stayed behind, enjoying another cup of coffee.
***
Liam
Tess was still at the kitchen island after I came out of the shower. She was hunched over a notebook, pen in hand, talking on the phone. I only caught a few words, but it was enough to learn that it was about her brother’s wedding.
“Look, Laney wants a shabby chic theme, and I want to make that happen for her. If you don’t like it, we can just find another wedding planner. Yes, I’m authorized to let you go.”
I loved this side of her too, ruthless and unforgiving.
“No, listen, I want both of them to have the best day of their lives.”
What I liked most was her determination to make others happy...including me.
I snuck around her, looking over her shoulder. Her notebook was not what I expected at all. I’d thought it was a to-do list, but instead it looked like a five-year-old had gotten hold of it. It was an explosion of colors and stickers. I barely held back my laughter. Tess was still speaking, after all. She glanced at me over her shoulder, bumping her ass against me when she noticed my smile.
“Well, Honor, you have one week to get me the options Laney asked for. Otherwise, we’ll part ways.”
She hung up afterward, turning to face me.
“You’re going to make fun of my notebook.”
“Yes,” I said earnestly. “I’m sorry, just having a hard time piecing together the businesswoman and that.”
She stepped to one side, pointing to a page. “I have a system. Different colors for different types of tasks.”
“And the stickers?”
“I put them there once a task is complete.”
“Crossing it off doesn’t do the job?”
She shrugged a shoulder. “It does, but it’s so normal and boring.”
I burst out laughing, leaning in to kiss her forehead. Only Tess.
“H
ey, don’t knock it until you try it.”
“I will 100 percent not try that.”
“Your loss,” she said coyly.
“You have any more calls to make?”
“No, that was all. The wedding planner sent me some options, and they were no good. Laney wants a certain theme, and I’m going to get her exactly what she wants.”
What would Tess want for her wedding?
The question popped in my mind out of nowhere. I had no idea why my thoughts went there. This wasn’t something I’d ever thought about. Sure, there had been a time when I thought about having a family, but not recently. Not until I met Tess. And I’d never thought about a wedding.
“Hey...you’re smiling weirdly.”
“Weird how?”
“I’ve seen it before. What are you thinking about?”
“It’s a secret.”
Mostly because I thought Tess might run away if she knew where my mind just went. Hell, I was shocked too.
“Ha! The joke’s on you, mister. I’m a very good detective, did I tell you that?”
“No.”
“Oh yeah.” She tilted her head, tapping her finger against her chin. “I’m just trying to decide what tactic to use.”
“And?”
“Nah, I can’t think fast this morning. But I do have an idea for today. Want to go out and explore the city?”
“Sure.”
“Okay, then. I’ll go put my bra on.”
“I’ll come watch.”
Tess giggled and immediately broke free from my grasp, heading straight toward the master bathroom. I made to follow her, but she glanced over her shoulder, making a no-no sign with her finger.
“Actually, I think it’s best if you wait here,” she said.
“Why?”
“That glint in your eyes is a bit dangerous.”
“A lot dangerous,” I admitted.
“See? Stay here. I’ll be quick.”
I nodded, because she had a point.
I checked my phone in the meantime, going through my agenda. Very boring compared to Tess’s.
Just a list, no colors or stickers. I had a new request for a meeting from my lawyer. There was a note too.
Mapped out some options. The sooner we meet the better.
He suggested several time slots. Becca and David had already agreed on one. I had a meeting then, but I’d postpone it, because I didn’t want to miss this. I wanted to know every option to fight that fucker and protect everyone I cared about.
“I’m ready,” Tess exclaimed a few minutes later.
I dropped the phone on the couch, heading toward the bathroom. I was determined to push my troubles to the back of my mind.
But the sight of Tess smiling from ear to ear only brought to the forefront that she could also be among those damaged by Albert’s ego. No way in hell was I going to allow that. Tess was mine to protect, and I’d do that no matter the cost.
She walked to me with a seductive swing in her hips. Stopping in front of me, she frowned.
“Oh! What happened? Your shoulders are all rigid again.”
“My lawyer suggested time slots for a meeting.”
“Well, that’s good. Means you’ll know all the options.”
“Exactly.”
“Which also means today isn’t for worrying.”
“Easier said than done.”
“Oh it’ll be easy. Because you’re going to get the Tess Winchester treatment.”
Chapter Twenty-Three
Tess
“Should we buy something to eat? For Isabelle too? It’s going to be lunchtime by the time we get there,” I told Skye one week later. Ever since Josie asked us to meet up with Isabelle, we tried to find a time that worked for all three of us. Today was the day.
“Good idea.”
Isabelle worked long hours, moonlighting as a tour guide as well. I wanted to pamper her a bit.
First step: getting her something delicious to eat.
Second: dish some encouragement once I was there.
Third: help plan an outing for her current clients.
The third was why we were officially meeting. Skye and I had experience planning events—primarily the charity galas our family ran. This was different from what we usually did, but we had some insights that could be helpful.
Forty minutes later, a gust of wind snaked between us the second we stepped out of the subway station, blowing my hair all over my face. It stuck a little to my lipstick, but Skye helped me untangle it.
Isabelle’s practice was in a high tower in Brooklyn, and it was bathed in sunlight. She smiled as she welcomed us in. Her fiery red hair was falling in waves around her shoulders.
I loved Isabelle. She was practically family to me, as was Josie. I was also close to Josie’s two brothers, Dylan and Ian. They didn’t live in New York though, so we only saw them on special occasions, like Christmas and Thanksgiving, and sometimes they even showed up at the galas.
Isabelle’s practice was very cozy, with two vintage armchairs in front of her desk. Black-and-white sketches of the city hung on the walls. Behind her desk was a huge golden bow lamp.
“Girls, thanks so much for coming here,” she said as she set out the food containers on her desk. It amazed me that despite being from Montana, neither Isabelle nor her siblings had an accent. Then again, they all lived in various parts of the country for many years. “I just had a client, and afterward I’m off for one of my tours.”
That right there was one of the reasons I was rooting so much for Isabelle. The woman just kicked ass. She wasn’t making enough money with her practice, so she also worked as a tour guide twice a week. She was a dreamer but also didn’t mind getting her hands dirty. A woman after my own heart.
“Okay, so tell us exactly what you have in mind for the weekend event with your clients,” I said as we ate our tacos.
“I want it to be a weekend where they relax but also get to know themselves better. I found a ranch very close to the city. I’ve always wanted to try some sort of animal therapy. Horses are very good for this. So this weekend, they’ll get individual time with me, but we’ll also spend time all together doing different activities from hiking to horseback riding, or just feeding them if they don’t know how to ride. I just need a daily plan. It’s a small group, just ten people.”
“Okay,” Skye said.
I mulled this over, trying to imagine myself spending the weekend at the ranch. How many breaks would I need? How much time would I like to spend in strangers’ company and how much by myself?
“Would it start Friday night or Saturday morning?” Skye asked.
“Friday in the evening.”
“Okay, so here is what I would do,” I said. “I’d do welcome drinks on Friday but not dinner. Start it late enough that people will have to eat before. Sharing a meal with strangers might put them on edge.”
“Oh, that’s very smart. I was thinking I need an icebreaker on Friday and that putting everyone at a table might be too much. Casual drinks is very smart. They’ll warm up to each other and be ready for breakfast together on Saturday.”
“Exactly,” I said.
Skye nodded. “I’d do the same. And then I’d alternate between group events and alone time.”
My sister was right. I tried putting myself in the clients’ shoes. I could imagine them needing time for themselves.
“Maybe also don’t make three big meals a day where everyone has to gather. How about multiple meal times? Or even just having a permanent snack bar with some canapés or just chips and dry finger foods.”
“Yes. I like both those ideas,” Isabelle exclaimed. “Will that make catering more expensive?”
“A little. But we can talk to our caterer for the gala. I’ll get you a good price,” I said immediately. “We’ve been working with them for a long time. I’ll talk them into it.”
“Or I could talk to Rob,” Skye said. Her husband ran a chain of restaurants. “Dumont Foods doesn�
�t have a catering division, but he’s had a lot of our gatherings catered lately. You have a small group, so they could do it.”
“I don’t want him to go out of his way for me, though. I’m happy just with an intro to your catering company, really.”
Skye winked. “I’ll talk to him and we’ll see.”
“We just want you to get a fair price,” I added. “I think Rob might be a much better option.”
Isabelle ran a hand through her hair, biting her lip. “Okay, talk to him. But please only tell him to agree to it if it’s not too much trouble. I feel like I’m imposing on you guys a lot since I moved.”
“You don’t,” I reassured her. “Want to talk us through the daily routine you have in mind?”
“Sure!”
Over the next half hour, we went back and forth over her tentative schedule. Isabelle obviously knew better than us how much alone time her clients needed, but where our expertise came in handy was in keeping momentum. Every event needed that, and it was even more important if it was spread over two days. You didn’t want the attendees to get bored, but it was also best not to exhaust them.
“Thank you so much for coming here, girls,” she said once we finished.
“No problem. That’s what friends and family are for,” I emphasized.
Isabelle smiled, drumming both hands on her desk for a beat before pointing a finger at me. “You know, I’ve meant to ask you since you came in. What is it with that...glow about you?”
I grinned. “Glad you noticed.”
“Impossible not to,” Isabelle exclaimed.
I’d wanted to spill the beans for so long that I was practically bursting at the seams.
“Well, since you’re asking.”
I swear I spoke so fast that I barely took a breath. It felt like that, anyway. I was nearly lightheaded but so damn happy that my heart felt like it might jump out of my chest.
Isabelle laughed. “You totally deserve a guy who makes you happy, Tess. I think you’re one of a kind. Always so optimistic in the dating world. If my clients were more like you, they wouldn’t need me.”
“Just your clients or you too?” I asked.
Isabelle waved her hand. “No, I’m good. Just waiting for things to settle a bit with the practice before jumping into dating waters. I can’t wait. My dry spell’s been so long I wonder if certain parts still work. My virginity will grow back any day now.”