Liam opened his mouth to comment and Michelle cut him off.
“But thirty . . . her clock is ticking.”
Liam thought about Avery’s lifestyle. “I don’t think so.”
Michelle looked at him like he was missing a few brain cells.
He avoided the argument and stood to refill his coffee. He had a long weekend’s worth of pushed aside work to get to.
“Who is this?”
He glanced at his phone. “Shannon.”
“She looks like a movie star. Is she?”
“Ex-wife of Paul Wentworth.”
Michelle did a double take. “The governor?”
“Yup.”
“What an idiot.”
Yeah, that’s what Liam thought.
Michelle grinned and hiked a brow. “Looks like someone wants to say good morning to you.”
Liam snatched his phone from his sister and opened his messages.
It was Avery.
I hope you slept well.
He considered lying.
Tossed and turned all night. You?
He sipped his coffee and waited for her reply.
Like a baby.
He shook his head.
Liar.
Good thing I like you, Holt.
The use of his last name made him laugh.
Michelle cleared her throat.
“What?” he asked.
She crossed the kitchen and kissed his cheek. “She’s a lucky woman.”
No . . . he was the lucky one.
Chapter Seventeen
Sheldon walked alongside Avery as she described his childhood home in the way Liam had described it. Once all the walls were stripped of art and knickknacks collected over a lifetime, the lack of upkeep became strikingly clear.
“Any real estate agent worth their salt will tell you to paint all the walls and replace old and worn carpet at the bare minimum. But in the case of this house, I would seriously consider a heavy renovation. The kitchen and bathrooms will cost the most but make the biggest impact when finding a turnkey buyer who will pay top dollar.” Liam’s exact words.
“What did your contractor estimate?”
She told him Liam’s numbers and added that he should expect to spend 20 percent more. Better to come in under budget than over.
Sheldon whistled.
“Consider this. While you might not have had a lot of love for the paintings on the walls, they were done by artists that catch a decent paycheck. The floral pieces in your mother’s sitting room were painted at the turn of the century. The receipt of purchase was found in her files.”
“How much?”
“She spent half a million dollars each, forty years ago. One can only imagine what they will go for now. There is your renovation budget, which will give you a much bigger return on the house.” She paused while standing at the French doors leading to the backyard. “Of course, that means you’ll have to hold on to this place a little longer.”
“How long?”
“I don’t have that answer. My guy said four to six months isn’t unheard of on a renovation this size. But we are in California without weather mucking up construction schedules.”
“How long before your work is done?”
“I need two more weeks to clear the house of everything worth sending to auction and then arrange the estate sale.”
“So I have three weeks to decide.”
“Have you picked a real estate agent yet?”
He shook his head.
“They’re going to tell you to keep some of the furnishings in the main rooms if you’re going to sell as is. If you’re renovating, then it’s best to purge everything and bring in a professional stager to sell.”
“Is your contractor able to do the work?”
She hesitated. “I asked him a favor to give an estimate, I didn’t imply that he’d get a job.”
Sheldon rocked back on his heels and tore his gaze away from the yard. “If you recommend him, it’s good by me.”
Avery tried not to think of the ethics behind her suggesting Liam for the work. “I’d recommend you get a couple of estimates before picking a team.”
He stared at her.
“I didn’t need two when I hired you.”
She couldn’t argue that.
“Let me see if he is available. If he is, I’ll put you two together.”
“Sounds good.”
Avery followed him out of the room and down the main hall.
“I found some items in your father’s study that you might want to look at.”
For a second, Sheldon stared, stone-faced. Once again his cold eyes had her taking a slight step back.
“Nothing, Avery. I want nothing from this house.”
“I won’t ask again.”
And just like that, he was smiling again. “You know how it is . . . self-centered parents who considered you only in passing.”
“Right.”
He nodded toward the door. “Walk me out.”
What she really wanted to do was get back to work and distance herself from this man.
Outside, the Santa Ana winds were kicking up dust and blowing leaves from the trees. She closed the door behind them to avoid it crashing against the wall inside.
He took the first step and turned. “Avery.”
“Yes?”
His lips pulled into a grin. “I’d like to take you out.”
His words didn’t register at first. She thought maybe he was suggesting a work-related meal . . . but they’d never done that, and there wasn’t a need.
“On a date. Dinner,” he clarified.
“Oh, ah . . .” Think, Avery . . . hell no. “I’m flattered.” In a creeper kind of way.
His smile tilted.
“I’m seeing someone.” Oh, Liam, don’t fail me now.
“Exclusively?”
She bobbed her head like one of those dolls. “Yup.”
His eyes narrowed.
“I thought you said after your divorce you poured yourself into your work and that nothing got in the way of your getting the job done.”
This was going from bad to worse. Not to mention get a hint, dude. “It’s new. Besides, I’m working for you, and that wouldn’t feel right even if I was available.”
He smiled again. “So if things don’t work out with you and . . .”
Avery didn’t offer a name.
“You’d say yes? After the work is done, of course.”
No! She couldn’t say that.
Her skin itched. “You’re a very nice man.”
Not the right words. She could tell by the expression on his face.
“Well, then. We’ll revisit this conversation when the job is over.”
Before she could suggest he not ask again, he bounced off the stairs and ducked behind the steering wheel of his Volvo.
Avery scurried inside and leaned against the closed door.
With a shudder, she rested her head in her hand. She didn’t see that coming. How the hell was she going to handle him?
“I’m blowing off krav on Tuesday,” Avery told Liam over the phone later that night.
“Brenda’s going to make you work harder on Friday.”
“I know. But I can’t help it. I have a late appointment with an art dealer and a whole house filled with old furniture. I have no idea how long it will take. I want this job done as soon as possible.”
“Late hours and stress. You sound like me.”
Avery kicked her feet up on her coffee table and drank from her bottled water. “Who would have guessed?” She considered telling him about Sheldon but decided to hold off. She’d been keyed up about the man all day and needed time to sort out how to handle him.
“I have back-to-back inspections all week, and my second crew is starting a job in Santa Monica.”
“More work than you can handle?”
“No. I probably need to hire a couple more guys and tell my secretary to increase the payroll.”
> Avery watched her feet as she spoke on the phone. “You have a secretary?”
“Yup. My sister.”
“So it’s a family business.”
“No. She’s in school for a psychology degree and helping me while she lives here. I told her she didn’t have to, but she insisted.”
“Sounds like a winning combination for everyone.”
“She wants to meet you.”
Avery froze. “Ah . . .”
“Let me rephrase that. I’d like you to come over for dinner and meet my family.”
She didn’t mean to hesitate, but the words took a while to form in her mouth. “I just got used to talking to you on the phone . . . and texting.”
“Am I pushing you outside your comfort zone?”
“Yes.”
He chuckled.
“Liam.”
“No pressure,” he told her. “We have Sunday dinners almost every week. The invitation is open. This weekend, next weekend.”
She pushed off her sofa and walked into her open kitchen and grabbed a bottle of wine. “Meeting your family implies . . .”
“Implies what?”
“I don’t know, but it implies something. I’m pretty sure I’m not ready for that something.”
He was laughing now. “You think about it.”
She rummaged through a drawer, looking for a wine opener.
“I will.” She should just say no.
“I have to go over some invoices and bury myself in paperwork for a couple hours.”
“Aha!” She found it.
“Excuse me?”
“Nothing. Fine. Go. I have some busy work to do myself.” Like opening the bottle of wine.
“Avery?”
“Yeah?” She pulled the foil off the bottle and tossed it aside.
“I miss you already.”
Her fingers stopped playing with the bottle as she sank into his words. “I saw you yesterday.”
“That doesn’t stop me from missing you today.”
Had anyone ever told her they missed her? Other than her girlfriends? Sure, the occasional guy on rotation would offer a Miss ya, babe. Need ya, babe. But what they missed was the horizontal time. Not one of them suggested they stick around once she called it off.
She poked the wine opener into the cork. “You haven’t been gone long enough for me to miss you,” she told him.
“Uh-huh.”
“And don’t call me a liar. That’s rude.” He’d been implying she was a liar since they first met. Today she wanted to cut him off before he had a chance. Even if most of the time he’d been right about the white lies that had passed her lips.
“I didn’t say a thing.”
The cork gave way. “Good.” The wine went in the glass and she lifted it to her lips. “I’ll see you on Friday, right?”
“I’ll be there.”
She sipped the wine, welcomed the flavor on her tongue. “Good.”
“Good night, Avery.”
“Good night.”
For several seconds she looked at the dark screen on her phone. What the hell was happening in her life? She dropped her phone on the counter, grabbed the bottle by the neck, and walked over to her couch. After switching on her TV, she vowed to stay awake long enough, or drink half the bottle, so she wouldn’t toss and turn, thinking about him.
Chapter Eighteen
Avery arrived at Brenda’s studio early, determined to get some extra time on the mat. All the time off made her feel weak and rusty.
She dropped her bag by the door and started to call out to Brenda when Avery realized she was talking on the phone.
“I told you I have a client on Friday night. We have to meet after nine.”
Avery’s footsteps stopped. Even as she listened in, she scorned herself for eavesdropping.
“I think about you, too,” Brenda said.
It had to be Brenda’s mystery guy. Not only was the woman saying romantic words Avery didn’t think Brenda could piece together, but she spoke them in a softer, gentler way.
“It’s only a few hours.”
Avery turned her head and forced herself not to listen.
Was that Brenda giggling?
Did Brenda giggle?
Avery paused again.
Stop listening.
Her shoes squeaked on the mat. The sound shot through the silent room.
“I’ve got to go.”
Oh, shit. Busted.
“Hey, Brenda.” Avery recovered quickly. “I’m early.”
Brenda poked her head out of her office. “Nice of you to join me.”
“I called.”
“Yes, you did. But did you work out while you were on vacation?”
Avery didn’t think drinking champagne and eating wedding cake constituted a workout.
“That’s what I thought. Fifty burpees, twenty-five squats, and three minutes of plank.”
At Avery’s thumbs-up, Brenda turned back into her office.
“Phew.” Danger averted.
Twenty-five burpees in, Liam waltzed into the room.
Same broad shoulders, slim hips, and sexy smile. So why did he look different?
“Hello, Avery.”
Just her name from his lips made her blush. Damn, what was she, sixteen?
“Hello, Liam.”
His sexy smile grew bigger.
Brenda cleared her throat.
“Hello, Brenda,” Liam said with a laugh.
“Three minutes of plank, and then I want one hundred push-ups from you. I need your arms tired for today’s lesson.”
Liam saluted the open door.
Avery went back to her burpees, counting them down. By the time she was on her squats, Liam had finished his plank and started the push-ups.
He really should do those without the shirt. Women everywhere would applaud, and what red-blooded American man didn’t want that?
“Are you staring?” he asked without looking up.
“I most certainly am.”
“Do you like the view?”
“Are you searching for a compliment?”
“No, no.”
Twenty-seven. Twenty-eight. “Liar.” It was sweet turning the tables on the man.
She struggled through the last minute of plank while he eased down the final count of push-ups.
“You two are awfully quiet today,” Brenda said as she left her office.
“That’s because I’m dying here.” And had nothing to do with the fact that if she said anything to Liam, it would be to demand he take off his shirt so she could at least see what he was denying her. Dreams of him had plagued her all week. If the man didn’t give in to her lust soon, she wasn’t going to make it.
“Speak for yourself,” Liam teased.
“Oh, don’t be cocky. I saw you slowing down on the last ten.”
“I have another twenty in me.”
“Let’s see them,” Brenda told him.
Avery pointed his way. “Backfired,” she said, laughing.
Liam didn’t pause. He pushed right into position and started counting backward from twenty. When he got to ten, Avery decided to make it harder. Without asking, she planted her butt on his back and crossed her legs.
“Playing dirty.”
“That’s how I roll, Holt.”
Even Brenda smirked. “Let’s see what you got,” she said.
Avery toppled a couple of times and then grabbed hold of his shoulder with one hand and his ass cheek with the other.
He kept going.
When he reached ten, she wasn’t sure who was more worked up.
She patted his butt, like she had the right, and jumped off his back.
“That was entertaining,” Brenda said. “Let’s get to work.”
Enough, enough, enough.
Their relationship had changed, somehow become intimate without intimacy. Liam wasn’t sure that was possible, but that was his explanation when his concentration went to zilch.
Brenda had Aver
y practicing getting out of bear hugs, knife to the throat, attacks from behind. Only Liam wasn’t feeling it. All he could sense was the way Avery’s skin felt against his, how her breathing made her chest rise and fall against his arm as he held her. He wasn’t completely geared up in protective padding as he had been in the past. So she stopped short of actually striking him but had to use her weight, strength, and speed to untangle from any hold he had on her. All her wiggling, kicking, and twisting had him sweating and his body rock hard.
Avery noticed.
Oh, she noticed and let her gaze drift down to his pelvis several times.
Her smirk only made it worse. Or better if they were alone and naked.
Only they weren’t.
“One more drill and we’re done for the day. Avery, I want you on your back.”
Like a puppet, she rolled onto the mat and smiled up at Liam.
“Liam, you’ve met at a bar, taken her home. Plan on going at it . . . but what she doesn’t know is your kink is strangling women.”
Liam looked at Brenda like she was nuts. “I don’t like this game.”
“It’s not a game. Avery tends to freeze when she’s on her back.”
Liam had noticed but never pointed it out.
Brenda knelt down. “I want you to sense the second his body language changes, get out of his hold and up on your feet. And you.” She pointed to him. “A blow to the groin will make you recoil but not disable you. You’ve been doing drugs, you naughty man. So you come back and try and take her down.”
She stood and took a few steps back. “Drills, Avery. Don’t hurt the man.”
A month ago, Liam would have laughed at the thought that she could. Now he knew better.
Avery crooked her finger in Liam’s direction and shifted her knees, giving him room to settle between her thighs.
Oh, yeah . . . that wasn’t helping his erection, which had subsided slightly during Brenda’s instructions.
“What’s the matter, Holt?”
He narrowed his eyes at her. “You’re enjoying this a little too much.”
Avery wiggled her hips. “You know it.”
Brenda huffed. “Stop playing. I don’t have all night.”
He wiped his palms on his sweatpants and lowered himself to the mat. He crawled toward her until the feel of her thighs warmed his hips.
“Lean over like you like me,” Avery prompted.
Chasing Shadows (First Wives Book 3) Page 13
