We stand there for a moment saying nothing, Gwen then removing my jacket, and handing it to me. Taking it from her, I lean in and rest my lips to the top of her head in a gentle kiss.
Walking by to head back to the truck, she stops me grabbing hold of my arm, “Liam, you don’t have to leave.”
“Gwen, I don’t think I can Stay.” I run my hand down my face in disappointment, how did I manage to let this happen? I can’t let this happen.
In a final effort, I take her in my arms, resting my chin lightly above her, “I need you! I want you! Since the day I first laid my eyes on you, I knew you were it. I chose to do what my head was telling me was the right thing, instead of listening to what my heart was clearly telling me I needed. I have to live with that decision, but I need you to know, even though we haven’t really got to know each other, I’ve been falling for you since the first time you ever looked into my eyes.”
I feel the quivering of her body against mine as she lets out a soft cry. Linking her hands in the back of my hair, she places her lips on my neck, leaving a trail of heated kisses up to my mouth. Cupping the base of her head with one hand, the other falls to her waist bringing her closer to me. Our mouths grow hungry for the taste of one another on our lips, quickly losing ourselves in our longing for more.
Slowing the kiss to a mere brush of her lips, she pulls away. “Liam, I want you to come in, and I want you to stay the night. That isn’t a request…this is me, telling you, what I want. I want you, all of you, tonight, and every night from here on in, but Liam, this thing with Emily, you feeling like you still owe her something…it’s done. If we are going to have a chance at this working, you need her out of your life…for good.”
I place a chaste kiss on her forehead, “Done!”, then on the tip of her nose, “Done!”, and then a final one on the bow of her lip, “Done!”
I take her under my arm, and lead her in the house, knowing tonight is the start of something I have been waiting for all too long.
Chapter Fifteen
-Gwen-
Liam and I spent more time together over the weekend, meeting up for coffee before and after his shifts, and at night talking for hours on the phone, until one of us would eventually fall asleep. He’s promised me a formal first date, saying he wants to do this right, but honestly, I could care less, I just enjoy being able to spend any time we can sneak in, getting to know one another.
After dropping Ati off at school, I head to the local car dealership. I think it’s time Ati had her own wheels…this whole chauffeuring her around is getting a little tiring, since she has developed quite the social life. Pulling into the parking lot; my phone sounds with a text. I park in a free spot and then pull out my phone.
‘Good morning Gem. Just headed into work and wanted to see if you would like to meet up for lunch later?’
My stomach flutters with excitement; that has been happening a lot lately. Can’t say I mind though, I hope they never go away because right now it’s the best feeling I’ve ever experienced.
‘Good morning. I would love to meet up. Right now, I am at the car dealership looking into a car for Ati, but I am sure I will be free by then.’
Not expecting him to text tight back, I throw my phone in my purse and get out of the car. As I shut the door, I hear another ping…guess I was wrong.
‘Wait! Are you sure you don’t want me to come with you?’
Really…typical male!
‘You are such a man…I am perfectly capable of buying a vehicle without the superior insight of the male species, but thank you.’
‘Sorry, inserting foot in mouth now.’
I can’t help but laugh at his last text. I can actually see the little pout on his lips as he typed it.
‘You are too cute, but if it makes you feel better, I can send you pics.’
He sends back a ‘thumbs up.’ I put my phone away, and head into the offices.
“Gwen?” I spin around at the mention of my name, to find Ben approaching.
“Hey, fancy meeting you here.” I manage to get out before he is gripping me into a tight hug.
He looks around, most likely checking to see if Ati is with me, “She’s in school.” Ben’s cheeks are reddening quickly.
The night of Ati’s party, things changed between them, they seemed to become even closer. Still not sure where the line between sister and parental figure starts or ends, I have remained neutral, hoping to miraculously gain some insight overnight as how to best deal with this.
“You, looking to buy?” Clearing his throat, while re-directing the conversation, which at this moment, I am all for.
“Yeah, Ati needs her own car, driving her around all the time is starting to become tiresome.”
Letting out a sigh, I look around the lot, now thinking this may be more difficult than I had initially thought.
Ben’s body stiffens, “A tank!” His eyes are serious.
“Um Benny, First I don’t think they sell tanks here. Second, even if they did, I am pretty sure I would never be able to afford one.” He doesn’t seem to like my answer.
Ben looks around the lot, “That one,” His finger pointing in the direction, of what I could only describe as the civilian version of a tank…literally.
“What on earth is that?” The horror apparent, not only in my tone but my face as well.
“A Rezvani tank!” He replies with a victorious smile from ear to ear.
“Ben, she’s an eighteen-year-old girl, I doubt she wants to pull up to school in a vehicle looking like she drove it off the set of the Terminator.”
His smile quickly turns to a frown as he folds his arms across his chest. “Fine, but remember it’s Ati's safety we are talking about here, I don’t think we should completely take it off the list.”
“We? Are you going to help me pay for the car, Ben?”
“If you pick the tank, I will pay for the whole thing.” He states honestly.
I have no reply; I think the man has lost his mind. Walking further into the showcase area, I spot a perfect little black Mercedes GLA 4 door.
“That’s the one…it’s perfect.” I say.
Ben turns to see the car, “It’s no tank, but I suppose it will do.” He pauses for a moment, and then quickly has a thought, “Maybe Kai can take her out for some defensive driving lessons…actually, I will call him now.”
Yep, no question, he has definitely lost his mind.
As Ben walks off to call Kai, I walk into the sales office to set things up.
“Good Morning!” An older man approaches, “My name is Glen, is there anything I can help you with?”
“Yes, actually I am interested in the Black GLA you have on the floor. Would you be able to tell me a little about it?”
“Absolutely! Great car.” Glen continues explaining about the Exterior, interior, trim package, add-ons, and warranty. It all sounds great, but as I promised Liam, I sent him a pic with all the specs.
‘How much, Gwen?’ Of course, that’s the first thing he asks.
‘52K, fully loaded.’ I wait patiently for his reply and am not surprised when it comes.
‘What!?!? My first car cost me two grand, and that included the cassette player.’
‘Liam, at least I didn’t opt for the tank Benny wanted me to get Ati’
‘Tank? Never mind, no need to answer, that’s Ben. If it were up to him, she would walk around in a bubble.’
He’s not kidding; Ben probably would put her in a bubble, and think nothing of it.
‘I have to run, just got a call out, but if that is what you want for her, then I think it’s good. Can you make lunch?’
‘Yes, O’Fallon’s, 12 o’clock?’
‘See you then, Gem!’
I turn to Glen, “Where do I sign?”
Donning a winning ‘closed the sale’ smile, he shakes my hand and walks me to the office to finish the paperwork. Shortly after, I leave the office and Ben is waiting for me in the lobby.
“So, I spo
ke to Kai, and he is in for the defensive driving lessons, he’s actually really excited. I swear he lives off the adrenaline of anything extreme.”
“Uh Ben, you did tell him 'defensive' driving and not 'Stunt' driving, right?”
A menacing smirk spreads across Ben’s face, “One and the same to Kai, but it’s all good, Gwenie. I completely trust him when it comes to this stuff. He’s the best!”
How can I argue that “Very well, but if she ends up injured I’m blaming you!”
Brushing me off, he gives me a quick hug, and we both head off.
***
On the way to O’Fallon’s to meet Liam for lunch, I received a text message from Ati.
‘I am going to Thea’s after school so I can study for mid-terms with her and Grace, and also, going to stay overnight. Can you bring me a change of clothes in the morning?’
Buying that car was the best decision I have ever made, only three more days and I can pick it up.
‘No problem let me know if anything changes.’
Liam, already has a table waiting when I arrive, “Hey there Handsome!”
He stands up from the table, and reaches for my seat pulling it out; such a Gentleman, I really must let Maia know she did one heck of a job raising these boys.
“How are you, Gem?” I will never stop loving the way it sounds when he calls me that.
“Wonderful and yourself? How is your day going?”
“Better, now that I get to see you. Day has been busy, past few months we have been working on a case with the FBI, but it seems we are always one step behind…it’s frustrating.”
I can see the exhaustion in his face just speaking about it. I would ask him more, but I know that he is not able to discuss any details.
“Well I can’t help you with that, but maybe tonight you can come over for dinner, and I can help you unwind.”
Liam’s face is now beaming with excitement, “No need to ask me twice, but what about Ati?”
“Ati will be at your Parent’s place with Thea; they are studying for mid-terms, so she is sleeping over.” My reply seems to brighten his gaze even more.
Taking my hand in his, he brings it up to his lips and leaves a gentle kiss, “What can I bring?”
“Just you!”
“What about PJ’s?” he asks with a wiggle of his brow.
“You could bring some along, but really they would be more of a hindrance…you know how I am about time management, every little time saver helps.” I whisper, noticing Liam now thoroughly flushed and squirming in his seat.
Jimmy takes our orders; then within minutes, we are enjoying the daily lunch special. “Gwen, can I ask you something?” Liam, all of a sudden, becomes serious.
“Suuuure!” I reply with hesitation.
“I don’t know if I mentioned this, and honestly I don’t want to bring her up, but I returned the money back to Emily, we never went on a date. I was a fool, and the last thing I wanted was to spend a night ‘wining and dining’ her. However, when I returned the money to her, she mentioned something, that I have been thinking about. She said you had never gone to visit Ati before two years ago?”
I can feel my throat start to close up, and my heart race, ‘Why can’t this woman leave well enough alone? Think quick Gwen’.
“Um, really? That doesn’t seem right; I’m sure I did.” I pause for a moment gathering my thoughts, or rather a plausible explanation, “Um, could be though, if you remember, Ati mentioning that I went to University, It could have been around that stretch…I never really had time for much of anything then.”
I think he bought it, but then as he nods his head, I realize I opened up another topic of conversation.
“Speaking of school, you never did explain the whole undergraduate degree, or you, aspiring to become a lawyer. How did that all come about, and why did you stop?”
Choose your words carefully here Gwen, “Well, like most high school graduates, I took the next step, deciding to go to university. I had always had an interest in the inner workings of Politics, so, naturally, Poli-Sci was the best choice. As for law school, the two go hand-in-hand. After I finished my undergrad, I intended to go to Law school, but things with my home-life changed, and with that, so did my career choice.”
He isn’t buying it; I can see it in his eyes.
“O-K, but from Politics and Law to Hairstylist…that’s a huge change. There has to be more to the story. What could have happened to make you uproot your whole life, completely changing your goals and dreams? I mean who does that?”
“I do! Liam, this isn’t something I care to discuss right now. I made the change, never second-guessing it. Do I regret it, sure sometimes, but I know now the decision I made was for the best and look only to what my future will hold!” I know my tone had an edge, confirming it more, is the look in his eyes, which has gone from inquisitive to one of frustration.
Standing from the table, grabbing the bill Jimmy left earlier he turns to me, “You know Gwen, just because you decide to leave parts of your past behind, doesn’t mean when you’re in a relationship with someone you can decide that it’s better for them to be in the dark. How do you expect me to fully commit when you refuse to share an important part of yourself with me?” He pauses for a moment almost seeming defeated, “You know what, never mind…I’m wrong. I shouldn’t push you to share what you don’t want to…Look, I have to go, um, I got the bill; talk to you later.”
Without another word he drops money on the bar for Jimmy and heads out, leaving me sitting there lost as to how that escalated so quickly. I understand his frustration with me, this isn’t the first time he has tried to get me to open up about my past, but how do I tell him about something I am still trying to figure out myself? There are still so many questions; questions I don’t know if I will ever have the answers too.
***
Liam called later, to let me know he wouldn’t be able to make it for dinner, after all, saying he had to work late. I’m not sure if it was the truth, or if he was still upset about this afternoon and wanted to get out of dinner, but either way, it left me somewhat reeling for a way to make things better. With Ati at Thea’s for the night, the house felt empty. Deciding to take advantage and figure out a way to smooth things over with Liam, I get my running clothes on and head on my usual route down to the boardwalk. As I am making my way down the beach, I spot Thea, Grace, Ati and some others I am assuming are school friends.
“Hey you, I thought you all were studying?” I poke, jokingly.
Ati turns from her group, spotting me walking toward her, “Hey! Yeah, we were, then decided we needed a break and hit Jenny’s up for some lattes and sweets. Why are you out running so late?”
“Bored…the house is too quiet without you, so I thought a run would kill some time before I turn in.” I don’t really want to get into the whole, ‘I messed up, and now Liam is pissed at me' issue.
It’s as if she is able to read it on my face, “Are you OK, Gwen?”
“Yeah, I’m fine. Just a little down, because Liam had to cancel dinner plans to work late.” That wasn’t a lie, just more of an omission.
She straightens up, “That’s what he was grumbling about earlier to Maia. He stopped by, grabbed a quick brown bag his mom made for him, saying something about having to cancel plans again, and never being able to make up for it.”
A feeling of relief, but also admiration comes over me…he wasn’t canceling because of earlier this afternoon. A plan comes to mind.
“Ati, I gotta run, I will talk to you later. Be good and don’t stay out too late.” I give her a quick kiss and head off.
“Yes, Mom!” She shouts out, as I make my way back down the boardwalk toward Jenny’s.
***
In the two years, I have lived in Emerson; I have never been to the police station. Walking into the small building located on the main street of town, I reach the reception area.
“Hi, I was wondering if Detective Adair would be in?”
>
The middle-aged officer looks up, and immediately notices the two trays of coffee sitting on top of two boxes of mixed pastries I had Jenny put together for me.
“That depends, will you be sharing those?” He asks, pointing to my arms.
Letting out a laugh, I nod, “Absolutely, just doing my part to support Emerson’s Finest.”
The now, overly excited officer comes around the desk and relieves me of my deliveries.
“Follow me; he’s in the back office.”
As we walk to the back, the filled office cubicles come alive with uniformly clad men, jumping at the smell of baked goods passing by.
“Johnson, you sharing or do we need to wrestle you for some again?” One of the men asks.
“All mine, Cleary. Go work front desk, maybe another Gem of a woman will appear with some for you.” I can’t help but let out a chuckle.
“Johnson, I am the only one that calls her Gem.” Liam appears out of nowhere, taking me into a hug. “You know, if you are looking to get out of any speeding tickets, you struck gold. These savages will turn criminal for Jenny’s.”
Returning the hug, I add, “As long as I am not considered an accomplice, I’m in.”
“Gem, you always know how to make me smile.”
“Good, then my job here is done!”
He looks into my eyes, “What brought you by?”
“Well, I went for a run, then thought maybe you all would like a pick me up, considering your working so late.”
“Adair, if you don’t marry her, I will.” A voice, shouts from behind.
“Garver, you may need to run that by your wife.” Liam answers
“She won’t mind, she keeps saying she’s about done with me.”
Liam shakes his head, turning his attention back to me. “What are you doing the rest of the night?”
“Just going to head home, take a shower then maybe some TV, Why?”
Taking my hands in his, placing a kiss to each of them, “I thought when I was done, I could come over; I should be done by nine. Will it be too late for you?”
Shaking my head like a crazed woman, “Not at all…I will be up!”
“Perfect. I have to get back to work, but I will see you later.” He leaves a kiss on my forehead and turns to walk off, “Oh Gwen?”
Liam & Gwen - Entirely Yours: A Romance Novel (The Adair Series Book 1) Page 15
