Bet Me to Stay

by Candace Havens

  “I’m your mother and I have the right to know who he is.” Her mother had jumped off the stool and stood with her hand on her hips.

  “Momma, this family is the kiss of death when it comes to dating. Ask anyone at this table.”

  There was silence again as everyone stared down at their plates, especially the younger members of their crew.

  “Well, excuse us for making sure our children aren’t dating axe murderers,” her mother huffed.

  “He’s not,” she said.

  “Not what?”

  “An axe murderer.”

  “And how would you know? Did you ask your uncle Bernardo to do a background check on him? I mean, what good is having a policeman in the family if we can’t find out the truth about someone?”

  “I asked him on the first date. He said he wasn’t an axe murderer, and I still have my head, so I’m inclined to believe him.”

  The whole table started laughing. At first it was a couple of snickers, and then full belly laughs.

  “You want a swat with a wooden spoon?” her mother asked.

  “Does this guy have a job?” her brother chimed in.

  “Is he a shut-in like you?” her cousin Elsa asked. Rude. Even if it had been true up until a few weeks ago.

  She ignored all the questions. “Oh, and for the record, he likes me just the way I am. Actually doesn’t care if I eat all the potatoes.”

  “Oh, I’ve heard about guys like that,” her brother said. “Yuck. Sis. It’s a fetish. Men who like fat girls.”

  “Michael,” her mother admonished. “We do not talk about sex at the table. Shame on you.”

  Of course, her mom wouldn’t chastise her brother for calling her fat.

  “Well, if it’s a fetish, I’m totally into it. Though, for the record, I am the recommended weight for my height. That may not fit into your vision of what a woman should be because we come from a family of Amazonian supermodels. But I happen to like the way I look. So you can stuff it up your—”

  Her father cleared his throat. “Eat your potatoes,” he said in that deep bass voice of his. “You’re perfect just the way you are. But why won’t you bring the boy around so we can meet him?”

  Her dad always had her back. Sort of.

  “Not ready for you guys to scare him off yet. And he’s not a boy. He’s a man.” So hot the rest of you wouldn’t believe it. “Like I said, it’s new. He’s nice to me. That’s all you need to know. And he doesn’t care that I spend most of my life looking like an absent-minded professor or a bag lady.”

  “You shouldn’t insult the bag ladies,” her brother joked.

  Everyone, except her dad, laughed.

  “You look very nice tonight,” her father said. Ever the diplomat when it came to her.

  “Thanks, Dad. Actually, if you guys don’t mind, I had a big lunch, and I have a lot of writing to do. I’m up against a big deadline. I’ll be skipping a few Sunday brunches until I catch up.”

  She’d been feeling really good about herself until she’d stepped into The Rustic Pig.

  Her mother started to fuss, but her dad waved a hand. “Let the girl go. Do you want me to let you out the front? And you know, if things don’t work out with this little writing thing, you always have a job here.”

  And just like that, her dad had joined the fray.

  “I’ll go out the back. You guys finish eating.”

  Once outside, in the cool air, she breathed deep.

  Why did she let herself get into that situation? Every time more than three of her family members were around, it turned into “let’s bash Cassie” time. She was so over it.

  Never again. She deserved better. Maybe she was being overly sensitive, but she was exhausted from being made to feel less than.

  This was why she had such a hard time understanding why anyone, least of all Liam, would find her attractive. She deserved to feel cherished, and he did that for her. Did she need to tell him the truth? She did. In a way, she wanted to wait for selfish reasons. But part of her believed that if he knew her better and understood who she was, that when she told him, maybe it wouldn’t be so bad.

  Maybe.

  Either way, she needed to be near him right now. Needed that gruff smile of his that warmed her from the inside out.

  She’d just met him, but she craved him in the worst—or maybe it was the best—way.

  After looping around the block, she waited to make sure no one in her family was in front of The Rustic Pig, then she entered the warmth of The Boar’s Head. It wasn’t her imagination that the place had a cozier, more welcoming feel than her parents’ pub. Even though she’d grown up above the place across the street, this one felt more like home.

  With some improvements, Liam could turn this place into something even more amazing. She had, on the sly, thrown a few ideas out there. Posing it like things she created for the pub in her book, but he’d listened and even told her that might be something he’d think about for the Boar.

  Liam waved her in and cleaned off her favorite booth. “Have you eaten? I made some chicken noodle soup. My gran always said it’s good for the soul, and you’re looking a bit sad there.”

  She smiled. “Just a long day.” Scooting into the booth, she pulled her laptop out. “I wouldn’t mind a Black and Tan. I can pour it myself, since you guys are busy.”

  “Place across the street is closed for some reason, so I think we got a bit of the overflow. But I’ll get your beer.”

  Then he leaned down and kissed her in front of everyone. Sparks shot from her lips straight to her core. It must have surprised even him, because he blinked as if he couldn’t believe what he just did.

  “Missed ya, lass.”

  “Same,” she said. “Get to work. I’ll be fine. I’ve got a chapter to finish if I want to play with my new friend later.” She smiled.

  “Huh. Is that so? Do I know the friend?”

  “Very well,” she said. “You might even say intimately.”

  He leaned in, his peppermint-scented breath brushing her cheek. “I hear your friend can’t wait to fuck your brains out. He’s been thinking of licking that sweet pussy of yours all fuckin’ day.”

  Irish and dirty-mouthed. Such a dangerous combination where she was concerned.

  She squirmed in her seat.

  “You’re a bad, bad boy, Liam.”

  His hand slid up her thigh. Heat rushed through her body and her breath caught in her chest. Just with a touch, he did that to her.

  “Lass, you have no idea.”

  She leaned forward and kissed him again. “Get to work. I’ve got to get these pages to my agent in the morning or she’ll kill me.”

  A few hours later, she’d sent the pages to Tansey. Everything was cleaned up for the publisher and the first three chapters were some of the best she’d ever written. Meeting Liam had honestly been one of the most amazing things that ever happened to her.

  She blinked, trying to keep her eyes open, but she was too tired. I’ll just close my eyes for a few minutes…

  …

  “Your lass looks like she’s had a hard day,” Finn said as he put the last of the glasses behind the bar. They’d closed about a half hour ago and were getting ready for the next day. “Came in looking a bit sad, if you ask me. Did you ask her what’s wrong?”

  Liam smirked. “Who are you? Dr. Phil?”

  “I’d kind of like to have my own television show and tell people what to do with their lives.”

  Liam threw his bar rag at his brother. “No sane person would take advice from you.”

  Finn threw the rag back. “Maybe, but I’m good at reading women. Your lass had a bad day. I’d bet a week’s pay on it.”

  “No more bettin’, mainly because I know you’re right. Probably has to do with her family. I’m going to get her upstairs. You’ll finish up here?”

  “Aye. By the way, I’m still in on the wager. Haven’t had a date since we shook on it.”

  Liam chuckled. “Not su
re I believe it.”

  Finn shrugged. “It’s the truth.”

  Liam shook his head and headed back to Cassie.

  After slipping her laptop in its bag, he gently picked Cassie up and put her over his shoulder. He glanced back but couldn’t see if he’d woken her up.

  “Still out,” Finn whispered and then ran ahead to open the back door for him. She was a little thing, so not much to carry up the stairs. Soon he had her in bed. He thought about undressing her but then decided she could sleep in her jeans.

  He was slipping one of her boots off when her eyes fluttered open.

  “Liam? Am I dreaming?”

  “Yes, lass,” he said as he put her foot down on the bed and then took the other boot off.

  “Oh, good. I love the dreams you’re in. Thank you for being so handsome.”

  He chuckled. “You’re welcome, lass.”

  She sighed and snuggled into the pillow. “Liam?”

  “Yes.”

  “Tonight was hard on my soul. So hard. All I could think about was getting to you. Feeling your arms around me. It’s my safe place. Not a sexy dream. Too bad. Just hold me, please.”

  Well, hell. That’s exactly what he did, fully clothed, all night long. And truly, he tried not to think about how this quirky, wonderful woman had stolen his fuckin’ heart.

  And somehow in the last two weeks, she’d become his own sort of safe place.

  I’m well and truly fucked.

  But as she snuggled into his chest and wrapped her arms around him, he couldn’t help but smile.

  …

  The next morning, Liam had just showered and put his jeans on when Cassie woke up. “How are you feeling?”

  She bit her lip and sat up in his bed, pulling the sheet around her, even though she was dressed. “Confused? How did I end up here?”

  “You fell asleep in the pub.” It didn’t feel right to bring up how sad she’d been.

  “Oh.” After grabbing her phone, she frowned.

  “Everything okay?”

  “Yes. Just my dad checking on me.”

  He wanted to know more about her family, but she’d obviously been upset about seeing them. “I have to work the late shift at the pub tonight, but do you have plans tomorrow night?”

  “Yes,” she said a bit too quickly for his liking. Did she have a date?

  “Is it something you could cancel? I have the night off and I thought I’d take you out.”

  She pursed her lips and stared down at her hands. “I told you before this isn’t—”

  “Isn’t what?”

  After shrugging, she pulled the covers off and stood up. “Um. We don’t have to do the whole dating thing. I keep telling you, I get what this is.”

  “That you’re using me for sex?”

  That sweet smile spread across her face and her cheeks turned pink. “Yes.”

  “Doesn’t mean we can’t have some fun outside of the bedroom. And I keep telling you, I don’t say or do anything I don’t want to. So what are your plans?” He pushed too hard, but he couldn’t help himself. He was curious about the people she hung out with.

  “It’s just my monthly book club with a bunch of my writer friends. Unfortunately, I have to go. We made a bit of a contract that says the only reason we don’t show up is death or book tours. It started out as a way for us all to be social. Writers have a tendency to be hermits who don’t come out of their caves until they turn in their book. This way, we all get out one Thursday a month and speak to other humans.”

  “Can anyone join? Or do you have to be a writer?”

  She sat down on the edge of the bed again to put her boots on. “It’s open to anyone who likes reading books. But you’d probably be so bored… It’s an eclectic crowd, and that’s putting it mildly. I’m not sure if it would be your kind of scene.”

  “Why not? I like to read. And I can handle an eclectic crowd. I might even enjoy it.” He put on his sweater, and when he pushed his head up through the neck, he found her staring at his abs. “There’s more to me than just my body,” he teased.

  She blinked and her face reddened even more. He’d give her a thousand dollars to find out what she was thinking just then. The heat in her eyes had him wanting to shuck all this clothes and fuck the hell out of her. But there was more to her than just her body, too. And anyway, there wasn’t time. He had a friend coming to fix one of the taps downstairs.

  “It’s up to you,” she said finally. “Do you really want to go?”

  “I really want to go.”

  She smiled at that. “We’re reading The Discovery of Witches. It’s kind of long for you to read in one night, though.”

  “I’ll skim it.” His whole body relaxed, as if he’d been tense with worry. Over what? It was just one night. He didn’t have to go if she didn’t want him to. But that smile said she did. “What time should I pick you up?”

  “I guess around seven? We usually meet at Harvey’s bookstore around seven thirty.”

  “Got it. I’ll see you then.”

  After Cassie left, he scratched his head. Was he really so tied up in this woman that he’d invited himself to her book club?

  Yes, arsehole, you did.

  Finn better not find out or Liam would never hear the end of it.

  …

  Liam arrived to pick her up at seven on the nose, wearing dark jeans and a cable-knit sweater. Forget the pub, the man could have a career posing for GQ.

  Always the gentleman, he helped her on with her jacket. The man was a dichotomy. In the bedroom, he was nothing short of god-like. Forceful, with a dirty mouth that made her body burn in the best sort of way. But then other times, he was almost gentle and had great manners. He constantly surprised her.

  “Are you sure you want to do this? This group can be sort of—passionate when discussing things.” That was putting it mildly. She needed to give him one last chance to back out. “And more often than not, the conversation has nothing to do with the book.”

  “I want to meet your friends,” he said. “I know you’re worried, but I’ll be fine. I’m sure.”

  For the life of her, she didn’t understand why. All of this was temporary, but there was a small part of her that was maybe just a tad excited about showing him off. If only things were different, then he could meet her parents.

  That might shut my family up for good.

  A few minutes later, they made their way down the alley behind the bookstore, where everyone entered after hours. Just ahead of them, Frannie, a drag queen who ran an expensive burlesque show at her club, Moxie, wore a shiny gold jumpsuit with a rhinestone headband and eight-inch heels.

  To his credit, Liam smiled when she introduced them.

  “My, oh my, honey. You are all kinds of handsome,” Frannie said. “You ever want to switch sides, you just come by the club.” She handed Liam a card. “And even if you don’t, you should come to the show. We girls know how to have a good time. Isn’t that right, Cassie?”

  She laughed. “That you do, Frannie.”

  Liam held the door open for them.

  “And he has manners? Goodness, girl, you better hold on to this one tight.”

  If Frannie only knew how much she might like to—so much that it scared her.

  You cannot fall for this guy. He may be playing in your league for now, but it really is temporary.

  Funny how easy it was to forget that sometimes.

  In the back of Harvey’s bookstore, he’d created a cozy living area with soft cushy sofas in an array of dark purples, and a worn eighteen table with so much wine on it, there wasn’t room for one more thing. After making introductions to the book club members, all of whom seemed to be as mesmerized by Liam as she was, she poured them both some wine and guided him to a love seat they could share.

  It didn’t dawn on her until they’d walked in that any one of these people could spill the truth about who she really was. Blood and fear coursed through her veins like a train wreck waiting to happen. S
o far, no one had called her by her full name, and she wished they could leave before anything slipped out.

  She did want to tell him the truth. He deserved it. Just maybe not in front of all of her friends.

  Everyone was talking, and Liam seemed to be taking it all in.

  Harvey, who owned the bookstore and was a popular mystery writer, started the meeting by welcoming Liam, who waved and smiled at everyone.

  “Since you’re our guest, why don’t you tell us what you thought of the book? Did you find it relevant for our times?”

  “I just told him about book club yesterday,” Cassie chimed in. “I’m sure he hasn’t had time to read it.”

  Everyone laughed.

  He leaned in and whispered, his breath tickling her ear and sending delicious shivers down her spine. “Did I miss the joke?”

  “Let’s just say, if you haven’t finished the book, you wouldn’t be the only one. Usually, at least half of us forget which book we’re supposed to have read and the other half has to take over the discussion. All of this really is more of an excuse just to hang out.”

  “Did you want to start us off, Liam?” Harvey asked again. “Or would you rather not?”

  He shrugged and then smiled. She swore half the room sighed.

  “I thought it was relevant,” he said in that deep Irish rumble of his. “It was a metaphor for discrimination and political factions fighting for control. The writer used magic and paranormal elements as a way to tell an allegory. And I liked it more than I thought I might.”

  Dead silence. She had to forcefully close her jaw.

  He’d actually read it. Not just a skim-read, either. If he was trying to impress her, it worked.

  “Yes, honey. You got it in one,” Frannie said. “A face and a body like that, and he’s smart, too. Come to Momma, big boy.”

  Liam chuckled.

  The others in the group picked up where he’d left off, and as the evening went on, she was entranced by the way he responded to her friends. This man really was everything.

  And when she told him the truth—he’d be everything she couldn’t have.

  Chapter Nine