by Nan Dixon
She stayed there too long, absorbing his warmth. When she slid back in her seat, Anne grinned at her. Dolley shook her head.
“Who’s driving you home?” Dolley whispered.
Anne pointed down the table.
Faith had a soft drink in front of her. She heaved an exaggerated sigh. “I’m designated driver.”
At least Dolley didn’t need to retrieve her car and cart Anne home.
The music started. A sad, lilting ballad.
Liam leaned forward, hands on his thighs, his focus on the stage. He could block out everything else. Was that why he was so good at what he did? Did she need to focus more? Take up meditation to calm the racket inside her head?
What if Liam focused on her? A thrill ran down her spine and curled into her center. Ever since their kiss, it was hard not to think of kissing him again. Of being free to touch him and run her fingers in the black silk of his hair.
There was another reason to stay away from him. If she was thinking about kissing him, she wasn’t concentrating on what he could teach her.
She sighed.
Liam turned and smiled. And held up three fingers. Almost halfway to the goal. Would they leave when he smiled eight times?
He held up his camera.
She was supposed to be working. See. Lack of focus.
She debated what to shoot. Lights shone from the floor up to the performers. Dust swirled in the beams.
She moved closer, holding up her camera to the woman with the fiddle. The fiddler nodded, her hands flying up and down the neck of her instrument. The bow wove a pattern in the air.
If she kept the shutter open, would she capture the energy of the song? She screwed the camera onto her tripod.
Concentrating only on the fiddler’s strong hands against the dark wood of the instrument, she blurred the background. If she captured that power, she would be happy.
Then she did the same with the other musicians. With the flute she wanted to evoke gentleness during a sad song. The mandolin, sweetness.
She pulled back the focus and framed the trio. They’d morphed into a rollicking reel. Their faces were dewed with sweat. Energy. She was still snapping pictures as they ended the set with a flourish.
She moved back to the table.
Liam held out his hand. “Let’s see.”
She chewed on her lip.
He scrolled through the photos, pausing on the close-ups. “I don’t know that I would have done the close-ups, but I love them.” His fourth grin of the night. “You’ve a talent, Miss Dolley Fitzgerald.”
Heat rushed through her body. “Thank you.”
He pulled release forms out of his bag. “Now for the not-so-fun stuff.”
He tugged her to the stage. A few customers were talking to the trio.
The fiddler approached them. “Hallo.”
“A countrywoman,” Liam said. “Where might you be from?”
“Dublin.”
Liam and the trio talked. Dolley listened to their travel discussion. Envy hollowed out her stomach.
“We’re here through St Paddy’s Day,” the fiddler said.
“I’m wondering if you might sign releases in case the pictures my associate took are used in a film and book I’m putting together.”
The woman nodded.
Liam handed her the papers and a pen. She took them to the two men.
Dolley’s mouth dropped open. Associate? And he wanted to use her pictures?
Liam tapped her chin, making her teeth clack together. “Don’t look so surprised.”
“You want to use my pictures?” Her voice squeaked.
Another grin swept across his face. “Aye.”
“Any chance we could get copies?” the fiddler asked.
Liam looked at Dolley, but she was speechless. “Absolutely,” he answered for her. “An email would do.”
Dolley stumbled back to the table. It was happening. Her photographs might appear somewhere other than Bridal Party Today and the B and B’s blog. She sank into the chair, her heart pounding a little. Her dream was coming true. And it felt—fantastic.
Anne shifted chairs, wrapping an arm around her shoulder. She leaned over Dolley and said to Liam, “How are you doing helping our Dolley find a career in photography?”
Liam frowned. “What?”
“She was hoping you’d give her a leg up in the industry.” Anne looked between the two of them.
“Anne.” Dolley settled her friend back in her chair. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Her words were so fast, they ran together.
Anne frowned. “You wanted Liam to get you a job, right?”
“She told you that?” Liam’s gaze turned a glacial blue.
“Last fall. Before you’d agreed to mentor her?” Anne blinked and shook her head.
“Anne,” Dolley choked out.
“Remember. You told me your big secret. You wanted Liam to fast-track your career.” Anne’s eyes grew huge. “Secret. I forgot. I wasn’t supposed to say anything.”
“A secret.” Liam’s jaw clamped tight.
Dolley closed her eyes. “Liam, it’s not as...mercenary as it sounds.”
He nodded. His expression was as impenetrable as granite.
All this time she’d worried dating Liam would ruin her chances of learning about her craft. And it was Dolley’s own ambitions and her friend’s big mouth ruining everything.
* * *
LIAM WATCHED DOLLEY’S fingers twist into knots.
His gut burned. It was Kieran all over again.
Did Dolley feel guilty for using him? Did it matter? She’d seen an opportunity and grabbed for it. Was she holding out on him until she could ask about helping her find a job? Maybe this—connection between them was fake. Shite.
No wonder Dolley hadn’t kissed him. She was only in it for what he could do for her. Mercenary. He rubbed at the ache in his chest. She’d used the ugly word. He wanted to get as far away from her as possible. She’d fooled him once. Once was enough.
“Right, then.” He pushed away from the table and slung his camera bag over his shoulder. “I’m off.”
Dolley pulled bills out of her purse and tossed them on the table. “I’ll come with you.”
“Stay with your friends.” The words came out in a harsh growl.
“No.” She leaned down to Anne. “I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”
Liam strode toward the exit, not waiting. He’d wanted to stay and listen to the music, but his pleasure was gone.
Her light footsteps echoed behind him. “Wait.”
He kept going. His legs chewed up the distance. Disappointment was the only companion he wanted right now. That and maybe Jameson.
“Liam!” The click of her shoes moved faster.
He couldn’t bear to look at her. He should be making sure Dolley got home safely, but everything inside hated her duplicity. Didn’t she know he would have helped her no matter what?
Now everything had changed.
He took the steps up to Bay Street two at a time, his thighs complaining at the pace. But he couldn’t shake the echo of her footsteps.
There was a smack of leather on stone. And a grunt. “Ooohh.”
Don’t turn around. But he couldn’t stop himself.
Dolley was splayed over the steps, cradling her bag.
He closed his eyes and exhaled. Then headed down the steps. “Are you all right?”
Tears glistened in her eyes. “No.”
He bent and took her elbow to help her off the cold, wet steps.
She winced and stood slowly. Her arm shook under his fingers.
“Can you check my camera?” Her voice trembled as much as her body.
Liam slid the strap over her shoulder, bumping the side of her breast. “Sorry.”
His body perked up, and he slapped down his desire. His campaign was through. Pulling out her Nikon, he checked that there weren’t any dents. Then he turned on the power, focused, shot pictures of the steps above them. “Everything’s savage.”
“What?”
“Fine. It’s fine.”
“It’s not what you think. Really. I told Anne about the possibility of you becoming my mentor.” Her words ran together. She grabbed his hand and stared into his eyes. “I might have said it would be great if you could help me. But that’s not why I wanted to learn from you. You’re talented. That’s why I wanted to work with you. Not so you would find me a job.”
He yanked his hand away but couldn’t stop staring at her face. She gnawed on her poor lower lip.
“Please, Liam.” She touched his arm.
He shrugged away her hand. “Are you okay to walk?”
She swallowed. “Yes.”
He started to climb the stairs but stopped to check on her.
Dolley grabbed the railing and shuffled her feet one step at a time. Each time she put weight on her left leg, her face contorted.
“Oh, for God’s sake,” he muttered.
Retracing his steps, again, he stopped next to her. “What did you do?”
“I tried to save my camera, so I twisted and landed on my left side. My hip took a beating.” Her words came out in a shaky gasp.
“Hang on.” He shouldn’t have come to the pub with her. Why hadn’t he left well enough alone? He placed one arm under her thighs and the other around her waist. “Up you go.”
“Oh.” She grasped his neck with her hand.
He’d imagined holding her countless times, but this scenario wasn’t in any of his fantasies. How could cuddling her into his chest feel so right and be so wrong? As he climbed the stairs, he tried to make sure he didn’t press his fingers into her sore left side.
Obviously, he wasn’t meant to be part of any relationship. Even Dolley only wanted to be around him for what he could do for her career.
“Please, forgive me.” She set her head against his chest. “It wasn’t like Anne made it sound. I just want to do something special with my photography. Is it wrong to dream?”
“It’s wrong if you’re using me.” His head brushed against the curls peeking out from her woolen hat. They were as soft as he remembered. Her warm scent wrapped around him.
“If I was using you, would I have fought so hard to keep things businesslike?” Her fingers twisted the button of his coat. “Wouldn’t I have encouraged a relationship?”
“I don’t know what goes on in the computer you call a brain.” His anger was fading. He wanted to clutch it tight, so he didn’t get hurt.
“It wasn’t that way.” She touched his face. “It was the day you offered the mentorship. I was so nervous. I have no idea what I told Anne.”
He looked down at the curvy bundle in his arms. Mistake. Tears hung on her eyelashes. “Apparently, you told her you like my voice.”
“I love your voice.” She hiccupped. “I could listen to you all night.”
Was that an invitation?
He’d never understand Dolley.
He focused on the sidewalk and not the woman in his arms. He was going to get mental whiplash from her.
“I can probably walk.” She tucked her head deeper into his chest. Even through the layers of coat and shirt, her touch had him heating up.
He set her on her feet, if for no other reason than self-preservation.
“I’m sure it’s just a bad bruise.” She took a few hobbling steps, favoring her left leg. “Trying to walk up the steps was too much. I’ll be fine.”
He stayed right next to her, wanting to put his arm around her waist, just to help her keep the pressure off her sore side.
Her jaw gritted with determination, but with each step, her shoulders stiffened.
“Oh, devil take me.” He wrapped his arm around her waist and took her weight every time she stepped on her left leg.
“Thanks,” she whispered through clenched teeth.
“Where do you live?” he asked.
“Just...take me to Fitzgerald House. I’ll crash in the carriage house.”
“Grand.” Everything was grand, right?
Her curls brushed his nose, enticing him with the scent that was all Dolley. He tried to hold on to his anger, really tried, but he couldn’t. He didn’t want the wound from her mercenary talk to heal.
“What did you think I could do for you?” he asked.
“What?” she croaked.
“When you were talking to Anne, what did you think I could do for you?”
“I have no idea.” Her head rubbed back and forth in the cup of his shoulder. “I guess advice more than anything. It was a nebulous desire. I want to...to be you. Travel and see the world through my camera lens.”
“I’ve done it.” He thought about sleeping on the ground in bug-infested tents. Of making acquaintances for a month or two. Of never belonging. “It’s not as romantic as you think.”
“But you’ve done it.” He felt her sigh. “You make a living doing what you love.”
She stumbled, and he tightened his grip. “There’s more to living than making a living.” But she’d never understand that. She had what he wanted—family, friends, roots.
“Too bad we can’t change places,” he mumbled.
“Why would you want to be a nobody website designer stuck in Savannah?”
“You need to work on your self-image.”
“That’s what I am.” She shifted, and a moan rumbled through her body.
“I want to get back to the B and B before next month.” He swept her back up in his arms. “You’re a partner in a successful business. You’re incredibly bright and a brilliant photographer.”
He felt her head tip back, but he wasn’t going to look down at her. If he did, he’d kiss her. How could this woman not understand she was amazing?
“In Savannah, I’m just the youngest Fitzgerald sister. Everyone knows about Abby and Bess. I’m the other one.”
He stared at her. Gave in and brushed a kiss on her forehead. “You are so wrong.”
He took a side gate into the Fitzgerald House courtyard. Lights spilled through windows and curtains in the main house. The bushes glowed with tiny blue-and-white lights. A nighttime fairyland.
It would be safer to leave Dolley at the foot of the carriage house stairs, but she needed his help. The thump of his steps on the stairs echoed in the night.
He set her gently on her feet. She dug in her purse and came up with a key chain sporting a fob with the Fitzgerald House logo.
Everything she touched carried the mark of her family’s success. How could she think she wasn’t a key ingredient to that recipe? He’d heard the three sisters discuss their business. Everyone’s voice was heard.
He wanted desperately to be valued like that. Not for his talent, but because he was Liam.
Dolley had no clue how lucky she was.
“Thank you for helping me,” she said, unlocking her door.
“You’re welcome.” He started to turn, but she clutched his arm. He reached out to steady her.
Her face, normally so animated, was solemn. “I’m sorry.”
She tugged on his shoulders, forcing him to bend.
Her lips settled against his mouth. Just a soft brush, but enough to set his body churning.
He clutched her, tugging her onto her toes.
Her mouth opened under his.
He should push her away.
Instead, he wrapped his arms under that sweet behind and pulled her so she didn’t stand on her sore leg.
H
is tongue chased hers. There was that taste he craved. All Dolley. He swept kisses along her cheek, running his teeth along the delicate shell of her ear. He blew softly into her ear.
She moaned his name, tugging him back to her mouth. This kiss was deeper, hotter.
His breath rasped in and out.
Her hands roamed down his back, cupping his butt and pulling him closer.
He braced her against her door to take more.
It flew open, banging on the wall and bouncing back. He caught the rebounding door before it smacked her.
She dropped her head to his shoulder and laughed. A laugh that vibrated through her whole body.
“We’re barking mad,” he gasped. Hugging her close, he let his rusty laugh join hers, their chests rising and falling together.
She wiggled down his body. He held her until she was steady. He hated the cool air that filled the space where they had touched. He leaned against the door frame, not wanting to leave, but knowing he wasn’t going to stay. Pity, that.
“Are we okay?” she asked. “I don’t want my stupidity to screw anything up.”
“We’re good.” He stroked her cheek. “I’ll wander back to my room.”
“Thank you for helping me.” Her green eyes were huge as she shuffled into the apartment.
He tugged the door closed with a click.
Setting his hand on the wood, he sighed. He’d gotten what he wanted. Dolley had kissed him.
What did it mean? Had she kissed him so he would keep helping her? Was it panic—or real?
CHAPTER TEN
Everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it.
Confucius
“HAVE YOU SEEN LIAM?” Dolley limped into the kitchen. She had to make sure she and Liam were okay.
“Was I on Liam watch?” Abby made a production of checking her to-do list. “Nope. You have that honor.”
“Right.” Dolley rolled her eyes. Wait. Did Abby suspect something? “I thought...you might have talked to him this morning. That’s all,” she sputtered.
Abby frowned. “Did something happen?”
“We were at Kevin Barry’s, and Anne was drunk. She said something that made it sound like I was...using him.” Dolley rubbed her temple, but her headache pounded harder.
