by Layla Hagen
Tess sighed before nodding.
“Babe, talk to me,” I said.
“Can we do it after the customers leave?”
I stepped closer, cupping her face. “You want to torture me that long?”
I looked her straight in the eyes, watching her determination melt until she shook her head.
“I think Skye can handle the customers for a few minutes. Let’s go in the back office,” she murmured.
We passed the changing rooms, which were shielded from the store by a huge black curtain. Tess closed the door behind us in the office.
“Tess, talk to me.”
She paced the room, arms over her chest as she bit her lower lip. I grabbed her shoulder, steadying her so we had eye contact. I touched her lip where she bit before.
“You’re worried.”
“I am. Hence the family council.” She was smiling, but her eyes were still full of unease.
“Is it related to our conversation before I left?”
“Yes. I’m still processing it, but I wanted to process it with my family.”
“You’re mad at me?”
“Not exactly...but I don’t understand why you didn’t tell me everything.”
I pressed my thumbs gently in the nape of her neck, deciding to lay all my cards on the table. “Because when I talked to you on Thanksgiving about this, you closed up. I could practically feel you slipping away, and I didn’t want to risk that happening again.”
Tess dropped her gaze to my chin. “You’ve been so withdrawn and silent during these past few weeks instead of letting me in so we could work through this together. I thought...” Her voice wobbled a bit. “I thought I’d done something wrong.”
Fuck!
“Tess...babe. I was just trying to protect you.”
She swallowed, nodding. “But I don’t want you to do that. You’re taking all the tension on yourself all the time, and that isn’t good, you know? You’ll get tired of it...of me,” she whispered.
“No, I won’t. Ever. I love you.”
“I spoke to Skye, and we’d like to tell you to please not handle the situation with Albert any differently than you usually would. If we weren’t together, I mean.”
“What are you saying?”
“I spoke to my family, and if you were to freeze the investment for a while, they could extend us a credit line until things work out.”
“You’d rather borrow money from your family, which you’ve told me you don’t want to do, than trust me to fix this?”
Her eyes flashed. “No, I’m looking for options so you don’t have to put your business in danger. Because I love you, Liam.”
Fucking hell, this woman. She was infuriating. Did she really trust me that little? That was worrying me more than anything else. I knew Tess loved her independence. I knew her dad leaving when she was a child affected her more than she let on. She’d practically told me that one of the reasons she’d always been so self-sufficient was because she hadn’t wanted to depend on anyone else financially—not even her family. I wasn’t asking her to depend on me, just to trust me.
“You can’t go rogue. We need to decide these things together,” I said in a measured tone.
Tess threw her hands up in the air. “You’re the one who didn’t involve me in your decisions.”
There was a knock at the door. Isabelle poked her head inside.
“Sorry to interrupt, but the customer is asking for you, Tess. Also, we can hear your voices a bit. I propose you continue the conversation later on. Liam, we have plenty of goodies outside. I will have Josie stop by the changing room with snacks for you too, Tess. Things make so much more sense once your belly is full and you have some sugar in your system.”
Tess chuckled. I smiled too. Isabelle was something else.
Tess hurried outside the room to her customer.
“Come on.” Isabelle laced an arm around mine, practically dragging me from the room. “I wasn’t joking about the sugar.”
“Is that your official therapist advice?”
She laughed as she led me to the buffet.
“Hell no. That would be to not push things tonight. Tess and Skye are running on adrenaline. Once everything’s over and they’ve rested a bit, I’m sure they’re going to see things more calmly.”
“Listen to Isabelle. She knows her stuff,” Hunter said. He was right next to us, helping himself to snacks.
“Awww, thanks for being such a supportive brother-in-law,” Isabelle replied with a wink.
Ryker and Cole approached us too.
“You survived,” Ryker said seriously. “I’m impressed.”
“Means he doesn’t even need the talk, does he?” Cole added.
“I wouldn’t go that far,” Ryker said quickly.
Hunter patted my shoulder. “Liam, full disclosure. I completely agree with your approach.”
“So do we,” Cole said.
Ryker nodded. “But a lifetime of dealing with our sisters taught us that we actually have no clue what to advise you.”
Isabelle groaned. “You lot are no help.”
Hunter smiled at her. “No. Hence why we suggested he listen to you.”
“Why don’t we all listen to me and actually eat some of these goodies? Maybe we can come up with better advice after that.”
I loaded my plate, not really caring what I was eating. I looked over my shoulder, willing Tess to come out of the changing rooms. I just needed to try talking to her one more time tonight. Isabelle’s advice made sense, but I didn’t want to let this evening go by without making things right with Tess.
But at five o’clock on the dot, the rest of their VIP customers came running inside the store. Skye and Tess only emerged from the changing room to walk customers out before heading back.
I was forced to admit defeat. Isabelle was right. This was not the time to talk to Tess. I wanted nothing more than to wait and take her home once the evening was over, take care of her in all the ways I knew. But the longer the evening stretched on, the more I realized that wasn’t likely to happen. The party just refused to end. Their VIP customers didn’t show any signs of wanting to stop shopping.
As an investor, that was excellent news. But I just wanted to be alone with her.
As the family started to filter out, leaving Tess and Skye with their customers, Josie and Isabelle approached me again.
“Oh no, no. That’s a determined look,” Isabelle said.
“I’m calculating the risk of Tess still wanting me if I throw her over my shoulder and take her out of here,” I replied. I was only half joking.
Josie patted my shoulder. “You don’t want the answer to that. Why don’t you focus on what you’ll do next time you see her instead?”
“Just a tip, but having her favorite food around might not be a bad idea,” Isabelle added.
Josie nodded. “Like ice cream.”
“And cheese,” I said.
Josie grinned at me.
Isabelle nodded approvingly. “I think you’ll do just fine.”
Chapter Thirty-One
Tess
The next morning, I woke up with a pit in my stomach. My head felt heavy. Last night had stretched until the morning hours. Our customers had so much fun that they hadn’t wanted to leave, and there was no way we could chuck them out.
It had been a glorious evening, and only one thing had kept it from being perfect. Whenever I thought about the pre-opening night, I envisioned Liam by my side, unable to keep his hands off me—of course— whispering sweet and naughty things. Instead, we fought in the back room and then barely made eye contact the rest of the night.
My poor heart was hurting.
I dragged myself out of bed. Those orders to the factory couldn’t wait just because I’d gone to bed late, or because it was Saturday. The shower didn’t really help wake me up, and neither did the first cup of coffee.
As I made myself a second one, I noticed a text on my phone.
Isabelle: A
re you awake?
Tess: Yes.
She didn’t write anything back.
Tess: I just need to drink another coffee to wake up my neurons, and then I can help with whatever you need.
Isabelle: I don’t need anything, silly. Was just checking on you. Do you have any plans today?
Tess: Yup, I need to send all of last night’s orders to the factory.
Isabelle: Wow. I know we both live by the motto #HUSTLE, but you can probably take a day off.
Tess: I will, don’t worry. AFTER I send the orders :)
Isabelle: So you’ll be home all day?
Tess: Yes. But we can plan something in the afternoon.
Isabelle: Let’s talk after you’re done.
Tess: Sure :)
The second coffee didn’t help as much as I hoped either, but then again, what could mere caffeine do against that hollow feeling in my chest?
Armed with a third cup and my laptop, I turned on the Christmas lights on the balcony before sitting in my armchair. Yep, it was one of those days when I needed all the holiday spirit I could get. Except the lights didn’t do the trick. I needed just a bit more Christmas in my home.
Setting my laptop aside, I brought out my box of decorations from the storage room.
I could do this very quickly. I was a pro at decorating under every circumstance. Even the year Mom moved us to New York and had neither space nor money for decorations, I turned our little apartment into Christmasland. All I needed was a trip to Goodwill, scissors, paint, and glue. And I’d done it all before Mom had even come home from work. I’d known it would lift everyone’s mood, and I’d been right. Even Mom smiled that day, and I’d rarely seen her smile since the divorce. Christmas was magic—for me at least, it had always been.
I was only going to need ten minutes.
Half an hour later, I was sweaty and swearing, because I couldn’t untangle the last set of Christmas lights.
I only stopped because my doorbell rang. Had Isabelle decided to pay me a visit after all? Or was it someone from my family? Come to think of it, I could do with some Winchester love right now. My apartment was cozy, with the Christmas lights, fake tree, silvery garlands, and painted globes hanging everywhere, but I still would love a bear hug from one of my brothers or Hunter.
“Come in. The door’s open,” I said loudly, still trying to untie the Christmas lights. I heard the door open and only looked up when footsteps approached, then promptly stopped.
Liam.
He was wearing jeans and a blue sweater that molded perfectly around those steely muscles and brought out the depths of his eyes. He sported a five-o’clock shadow, and his hair was messy. He just rolled out of bed and looked drop-dead sexy. I felt very self-conscious in my old yellow sweater and leggings. They were the first things I found in my closet, and I’d put them on without giving them a second thought, even though they looked like rags.
He stared at my hands, then swept his gaze around the room before focusing on me again.
“Liam, what... Was I supposed to know you were coming?” I asked.
I hadn’t looked at my phone since starting Operation Christmas and didn’t hear it chime with a message or a call.
“No. It’s supposed to be a surprise.”
My heart was beating so fast. Last evening, I’d told him so many things and hadn’t given him time to say much. I was afraid of what he had to say now.
“How did you know I was home?” It quickly occurred to me. “Oh, Isabelle.”
He smiled at last, and my stomach unclenched a little.
“You asked her to spy for you?”
“No, just to find out if you were home. And keep the rest of your family from showing up.”
“Why would you want that?” I really wanted some Winchester love.
“So I can have you all to myself.”
He moved from the doorway, making a beeline for me. Even though I was sleep-deprived, I couldn’t help but drink him in. I couldn’t decide what was sexier: those deep blue eyes, the stubble, or the stance of his shoulders.
“Liam...I don’t want to fight again.”
“That’s not why I’m here.”
“Oh.”
He was so close to me that I could smell his deodorant.
“Tess, the only reason I didn’t throw you over my shoulder last night and carry you someplace private was because you had customers.”
“How thoughtful of you,” I said with a small laugh.
“I didn’t think you’d forgive me if you missed your event because of me, and I didn’t want to give you more reasons to be upset with me.”
I clutched the string of lights tighter, waiting with bated breath for him to continue.
“I love you, Tess. I love you so damn much that I didn’t even hesitate to put you first when deciding my next steps. It felt natural to me. Was I wrong for not including you? Yes, I was. But also...not really.”
The corners of my mouth twitched, but I said nothing. For one, my heart just about jumped out of my chest when he said that putting me first was the only thing that felt natural to him. And I wanted to know why he thought he was wrong but also not. Sounded like one of my brothers’ lines—maybe that was why they liked him.
“You’d been in over your head for weeks with the store and everything else. I didn’t want any of this weighing on you. It was my mess to fix.” He took one of my hands in his and then reached for the other. “It’s the way I was raised. Solving problems, not talking about them.”
“But that’s not okay with me. I want us to communicate. No secrets, remember?”
“We’re very different when it comes to that...but I promise I’ll do better. I’ll try.” Swallowing hard, he added, “It’s not the only reason I didn’t tell you everything, though. I didn’t want anything getting in between the two of us. Just in case there was any chance this could drive us apart. Last night, seeing that wary look in your eyes, the anguish...it fucking slayed me. It was like my worst fear coming true, and I couldn’t take it, not even for a few minutes. And I won’t. I’m not leaving here until we figure this out.”
“We?” I whispered, smiling. I dropped the light strings, touching his face with both hands. His whiskers lightly scratched my palms. “I’m sorry I was harsh last evening. I just didn’t know how to react or how to deal with all of it. I’ve gathered so much tension over the past few weeks, and I was so afraid you were pulling away from me... I was putting you first too, you know. When I spoke to Becca, the first thing I thought was ‘I don’t want him to harm his own company because of me.’”
He kissed me the next second, hard and deep and with so much urgency that I couldn’t help but respond with all I had. I wrapped one hand around his neck, running the other through his hair. His body was vibrating lightly, or maybe it was mine; we were so entangled that it was impossible to tell.
He wrapped an arm tightly around my waist. I finally felt like I could breathe again. I never wanted to not kiss him again. And I had no idea how it happened, but I completely agreed with his view that he was wrong but also not.
“I still want to talk, but I can’t stop kissing you,” he whispered, trailing down my neck now. His arm was still firmly around my waist.
“Then kiss me. Do whatever you want with me.”
He groaned, moving his lips back up my neck and capturing my mouth. His kiss was even deeper than before, even more urgent. When he finally released the arm around my waist, it was only so he could lift me up by my ass with both hands. I wrapped my legs around him, laughing against his mouth.
“What?” he asked, pulling back just enough to look at me.
“Nothing. I’m just happy. That you care so much about me. That you spoke with my family just to make sure no one interrupted us today. You’re everything to me, Liam.”
He closed his eyes, pressing his forehead against mine. I loved feeling him this close, knowing he was mine. I loved him with all I had, and I never wanted him to doubt that.
“I love you,” he said.
“You know, you keep saying you do, but if you thought this problem was going to drive a wedge between us, then I have some things to prove as well,” I said.
His eyes were like fire as he traced the contour of my mouth with his thumb, parting my lips slightly. I leaned in, brushing my mouth against him. I did it slowly at first, just wanting to soak in his nearness, the fact that he was here. But before long, I grew too hungry for him. I kissed him, smiling against his mouth when he took control of the kiss. He walked me backward, right until we bumped into the box of decorations.
I giggled. Liam grinned before tightening his grip on me. Oh, how I liked this position, where his hands were firmly under my bottom. I could explore him all I wanted without his touch distracting me.
I kissed down his neck. My fingers were already working on the best way to get rid of his sweater. I was so focused on pulling it up that I didn’t even realize we reached the bedroom until he laid me down on the bed. I didn’t let go of his sweater, so he tumbled right on top of me, bracing himself on his forearms and smiling down at me.
The way he looked into my eyes was just surreal, as if I was the only thing that mattered to him.
He covered my mouth with his, kissing me gently and without hurry. The slow strokes of his tongue drove me crazy. I was vibrating as my fingers fumbled on his sweater, and I clumsily pushed it over his head, yanking it down each arm.
“Slow down, babe.”
“No, I’m greedy today.” I really was. I wanted him completely naked. I got rid of his pants and boxers with his help.
“Happy?” he teased.
“Almost.”
I slowly pulled my sweater up my belly. He scooted closer the next second, pulling my sweater higher, then getting rid of it before moving to my leggings and throwing them somewhere in the room.
I was wearing simple white lace underwear because I hadn’t been paying attention to what I put on this morning, but Liam’s eyes grew darker still. He spread my thighs wider, coming closer before drawing one hand down my navel, then lower still. The muscles in my belly clenched as he trailed two fingers over my panties, touching me over the fabric until I soaked it through. I rolled my hips, pushing myself harder against his fingers, gasping. I needed more.