by Anders, S.
Axel stopped rampaging through the dresses in mid-throw. “No,” he uttered, more like a snarl. She couldn’t have been having an affair for a year. “No damn way!”
But he knew there was a damn “way.” He threw down the dress and shoved a hand into his pocket, looking for his cell phone. He’d call her and fix these messy suspicions he had.
A few minutes later, he entered the front of the store with his cell phone in his hand. Useless, because Kiki wasn’t picking up. His eyes roamed the store, searching for Liv Dawson's tawny head when he saw she was no longer in the chair he’d brought out for her. His gaze finally found a bit of coppery-gold from her hair and he walked forward, seeing her leaning against the floor-to-ceiling window that wasn’t taken up by displays.
She had her cell phone hung uselessly in her hand and he was struck by how isolated she looked. He wanted to cuss at Dawson for causing his pretty wife even a moment of anxiety.
“I’ve tried to call Andrew on my cell, but ...”
Axel finished for her. “No answer.”
She turned her gray eyes, shot with silver, toward him. “It’s not so unusual for him to not answer.”
Axel wondered what that meant about them, because ... “It isn’t unusual for my wife either. And, she’s not picking up.”
Once again, the unspoken passed between them. She straightened from the window, lifting her cell phone toward her purse. “Well, I better stop bothering you,” she murmured. “Thank you for your help.”
He stuffed his cell phone into his pocket, feeling the anger that had been simmering inside him spike again, but he didn’t let it show as he nodded to her. What more could they say to each other?
“I’m sure it’s all been a mistake,” Liv muttered, then she stepped to the door and pushed it open. “I really like your display windows. They’re very creative.” She smiled at him.
“Thanks,” he answered stiffly. He couldn’t smile back. Then she was gone with the door swishing shut, while his eyes trailed her walking to a black SUV. Was there an explanation?
Liv walked to her car, slowly. Her mind was working anxiously on all the explanations there could be for her husband’s car to be parked where it was. She shook her head; she must have small town soap opera syndrome.
“What if he’s just broken down and he’s gotten a ride with someone?” she muttered, with her gaze looking across the highway. There was a bar over there. One she’d never paid much attention to before. Her eyes squinted against the morning sunlight. Was the place even open this time of day? She couldn’t tell by just looking at the building, but two motorcycles were parked out front.
She got into her car, nearly as if she was reluctant, while looking at Axel’s store, wishing he had the answers to all the questions taunting her. Throwing her purse on the seat beside her, she reached and caught the door, slamming it shut.
Then she attacked the ignition with her key, muttering. “Damn you Andrew for making me even think this.” But she’d been ignoring other signs as well. Andrew’s constant trips to Houston ... and being out of touch for days at a time. “What husband acts like that?” she demanded to know from the steering wheel as she turned on the ignition.
When she pulled out of the parking lot of Savvi’s Rental, she was torn. So torn, she only made it a short distance down the highway before she turned her car around. She didn’t want to believe it, but she just had to find out. The only way she could find answers was to wait for Andrew to return to the scene of the crime ... his red Roadster.
“If I don’t do this now,” Liv muttered, pulling her car into the parking lot of the questionable bar across the street from Savvi’s. “I’ll never have another chance like this to catch him.”
Maybe she was looking for the worst but this was her best chance, on her own, to either exonerate Andrew or catch him in the act. Because her husband was the type of man who would try to make her look crazy for thinking he could be fooling around. He was that good at twisting things like that.
Actually, she’d feel empowered, if it was true and she could catch him so concretely he couldn’t deny it. Liv pulled her car behind the bar. She didn’t want there to be any chance of Andrew noticing her SUV across the street. That left the only place she could really watch for him was inside the bar.
After she parked, she used her cell phone to put off her appointments and work for the day. Her crew at the rose farm, Carlos and Fran, could easily handle the day’s chores without her. The full-blown rose season wasn’t on them yet. That time of year, from June to October, was crazy busy.
Liv grabbed her purse and got out of her car, feeling nervous about going into the bar alone. When she walked around the side of the building, she mentally prepared herself to walk into the bar. While she wasn’t a prude, she was a married woman who hadn’t walked into a bar alone in years.
“I’ll just order a glass of wine.” God, it was only ten-thirty in the morning. But whatever. “I’ll just order the wine, and get a seat by the window to watch.”
Yes, nothing could be simpler, she assured herself, looking over the massive motorcycles as she walked by them toward the front door of the bar. She’d have to remain aloof inside so none of the motorcycle guys got any ideas. But she was probably being overly crazy and they wouldn’t even pay attention to her.
“Who has a bar open this early?” she muttered, pushing the door open past any hesitations she felt. A single thought did pass through her mind. She wished Axel Savvi was with her.
Going from light to dark blinded Liv for a second and she blinked, while stepping inside the bar. She heard the door swinging shut behind her just as a man’s voice boomed in a masculine tenor. “Oh mama, look who just came in. Pink is my new favorite color.”
Liv felt a blush creeping up her cheeks as her gaze focused on a large man walking toward her. He had a red bandanna tied across his forehead and a long beard that rivaled his big belly covered in a ratty blue tee shirt. There were chains hanging from the pockets of some type of leather pants he wore, and more alarming, there was another man just like him standing at the bar.
“Come on, babe, we’ll buy you a drink.” She was startled and a quick comeback did not flip to her lips fast enough. “Are you looking for a walk on the wild side, baby?” he roared at her.
The man’s alcohol-laced beer breath washed over her as he entered her space and tried to grab her behind. She did squeal then, damn it, like a girl and she hated the sound as she twisted away from his beefy hand, noticing the other biker was leaving the bar and lumbering toward them.
“You cannot just accost people like that,” she hissed at him, glaring as hard as she could. “I’m not interested,” she stated flatly. That should put him in his place, she thought, trying to walk around him.
“Aw, come on, babe, how about a dance. Get to know each other.”
Liv’s eyes widened. The man was filthy drunk and not paying any attention to a word she said.
“Hey, lady, dance with me instead. He’s too drunk, he’ll smash your pretty toes,” his partner said overly loud as he drew nearer.
“I don’t want to dance,” Liv stated a bit loud herself. Then she sidestepped them both, moving around a table, looking for the bartender. Someone needed to get these men in line. Then she added, for good measure, in an even louder voice, “My husband will be here any minute.”
She stayed on the other side of the table, not going toward the bar or leaving, because the two burly bikers could catch her either way she went from where they stood. One was scratching his belly and the other was drinking from a bottle of beer, while they peered at her through their red eyes.
“Well, babe, we better dance fast if your old man’s coming. I’ll warm you up for him.” The drunkest man started around the table, which backed her toward the wall. It was ridiculous, and she was becoming concerned. And what if Andrew showed up while all this was going on and she missed him?
“Liv?”
Liv glanced up at her name, shield
ing her eyes from the morning light glaring off the windows into the darkened bar. She saw a large masculine silhouette, but she couldn’t make out any features.
By voice recognition alone, she whispered, “Axel?”
Some shuffling movements sounded and she saw the burly biker in front of her stumbling backward. “Hey man, your wifey was just looking for a man to dance with.”
“I was not,” Liv exclaimed.
At the same time Axel, who she could see better, moved next to her and grasped her around the back of her waist. “Buy these men a drink on me.” Axel nodded toward the bartender, then he looked at the men. “See you around.”
Axel’s strong arm moved her toward a window seat as the bikers grumbled, but eventually staggered back to the bar. “I guess we had the same idea,” Axel’s low voice said next to her ear.
Liv felt a blush heating her cheeks — it was a little embarrassing. Then he reached forward to pull out a chair from a small two-person table in front of the window. As she sat, she could see the view was perfect to see the Roadster.
Axel guided her chair in, and then he leaned down. The smell of his cologne tugged her closer to him. “I’m going to go pay for their drinks and I better get us something.” He hesitated and she could see the amber shots in his irises.
She leaned closer, and murmured in his ear. “Just white wine. It’s so early and I can’t think of anything else to order.”
His eyes seemed to look over each of her features slowly, and she couldn’t guess what he was thinking, then he said, “I’ll be right back.”
She watched him straighten and walk toward the bar and she realized he had changed his clothes. She should be keeping a vigilant eye on Andrew’s sports car, but she didn’t. Instead she watched Axel. His broad shoulders bunched as he leaned on the bar to speak to the bartender, while his butt looked masculinely tight in the jeans he was wearing.
She sighed. He had on a blue collared shirt with a black vest and his shirt sleeves were rolled up his well-developed brown forearms. The bikers were eyeing him, but they stayed on their half of the bar. He just looked powerful; like a man that could take care of himself in any situation.
Her darn eyes got misty and she turned her gaze away from him. It should be her husband shoeing away men that were giving her unwanted attention and it should be him up there buying her drink and looking after her. And it should be her husband making her heartbeat flutter and her gaze drink up his masculine body.
“Liv, are you alright?”
Liv blinked back the telltale moisture in her eyes, looking up at Axel as he set a steaming mug in front of her. “I’m fine,” she replied automatically.
He nodded, pulling the chair out opposite her, and she saw he had a mug too. “I took the liberty of getting you coffee with some Baileys in it.”
It smelled so good. Her eyes lit with thanks and that brought a wicked smile to Axel’s full lips. Inside her, a small gasp sounded. It had been years since she’d sat with a man she barely knew in such an intimate situation. She couldn’t help feeling a little excited.
Axel watched Liv sip the drink he’d brought her. She obviously enjoyed it and her pretty eyes and curved lips showed her pleasure. The difference between Liv and Kiki was so plain, he couldn’t ignore it. Maybe being married for four years had dampened Kiki’s kindness toward him.
Kiki would never be so sweetly pleased at any drink he’d brought her, in fact she’d likely complain about something. No straw, no napkin, too hot, and didn’t he remember she drank only organic coffee now. But he pushed those thoughts aside to enjoy a lovely woman’s attention. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d been alone with a woman like this that wasn’t his wife.
“You should have told me you were coming over here, Liv. It’s no place for a woman alone.” He kept his tone low and unaccusing.
“I didn’t know it when I left your store.” Her gaze looked out the window, as she said, “I just couldn’t leave without knowing.”
The hurt in her voice propelled his hand to touch hers sitting on the table. Her hand was cool and he covered it with his larger, warmer hand.
“I couldn’t either.”
It was the best comfort he could give and he realized he wanted to comfort her. Maybe it was their shared hurt that drew him closer, because he so intimately understood it. His gaze followed hers to the red sports car.
“This is the best spot to have eyes on the target,” he said.
Her gaze turned back to him, not moving her hand. “Is that military?”
The question puzzled him for a moment, then he realized what he’d said ... how he’d said it. “Yes, old habit.” He shrugged.
She smiled again and he had to admit he basked in it a bit. “I’m sure your expertise is going to help us.”
“I would have my binoculars in here, and my scope on its tripod, if I thought I could get away with it.” He squeezed her hand and grabbed his mug with the other hand.
Her smile grew. “What about your store?” she asked.
He nodded out the window and she looked across the street. “That’s my marine buddy Jax, pulling in. He’s going to back me up. Look after the store.”
Liv saw a tall, well-built man in khakis and a sleeveless tee shirt get out of a Jeep and walk up to the store. He had long brown hair in a ponytail and he looked partially Asian.
“Did you tell him?” she asked, and she heard the concern in her voice. If they told other people, that would make it real.
“No,” Axel answered quickly, and she sighed in relief. “On a need to know basis. And he won’t ask.”
Axel’s hand moved from the top of hers and she regretted its absence. Then she silently admonished herself. She was a married woman. Whose husband was likely cheating.
“It’s such a small town,” she murmured, looking at Axel’s profile as he looked out the window.
He didn’t turn to her as he studied the opposite side of the main street. “I love it here. Kind of unexpected, I wasn’t sure I would again.” His maple colored eyes turned back to her. “My aunt’s here at Vidas Home, it’s what brought us here to live.”
Liv took a sip of her drink, watching him over the rim, then she said, “I know Vidas, my grandmother spent her finally years there and they were wonderful with her.”
He nodded, briefly rubbing his hand over the short, inky black hair on his head, then his hand settled on the table between them. “They’re very good with the dignity thing. I see her several times a week, but sometimes ...” He halted on a sigh. Liv leaned forward with the gesture trying to encourage him to finish. “It’s just ...” His gaze looked hurt for a second. “Kiki. I think she feels trapped to be here. Her thing is the big city, shopping, and social gigs.”
Liv nodded, suddenly feeling commonness with him. “Andrew really loves Houston. He spends days on end there.” Then she realized what she’d said and she stiffened a bit with a blush heating her cheeks. Quickly, she looked out the window trying to hide it as she cleared her throat. “We ought to take turns.” She didn’t look at him, but nodded her head toward the street. “Looking and making sure we don’t miss them.”
“Liv, it’s okay.” His fingers brushed the top of her hand but didn’t linger.
She looked at him, thinking her face must be an open book. “I’ve thought something might be wrong,” she said slowly, seeing understanding in his eyes. “I just kept ignoring it, hoping I was wrong.”
Axel tightened his fingers into a fist on the tabletop. Why did he feel like wringing Kiki’s neck for hurting the attractive woman sitting across from him? Instead, he should want to take her husband out into the woods and deal him some military justice. But Darwin was faceless and practically nameless to him, while Kiki wasn’t. He knew how spiteful Kiki could get. She was great if you were following her agenda, but if not ... watch out. He used to think it gave her spunk, made her seem vibrant, but it had turned more biting as she’d gotten older.
“I hate to admit it,�
�� he said, pinning Liv with his gaze. “I wouldn’t admit it if it wasn’t you. If this wasn’t happening, but I have wondered a few times ...” His eyes turned down to his fist as his voice fell away. He couldn't come out and say it.
“Axel.” Her hand was on his fist, and her voice was compassionate. “I get it. Details don’t matter. Both of us were avoiding ...” She paused as though searching for the right words, and then she said, “Problems in our marriages.”
Her soft hand squeezed his bigger hand and he loosened his fist studying the contrast of her pale skin to his light brown. “Alright, I’ll admit problems. Every marriage goes through them, but it doesn’t make this right.” His head inclined toward the Roadster. “If,” he emphasized the word. “She was that unhappy, she should have left me, not cheated.”
After he’d put into words what they’d both been thinking since Liv walked into his shop that morning, they fell silent. Maybe he shouldn't have said the word, “cheat” out loud like he had. It made it real ... as if it could really be happening.
Damn, he should have kept his mouth shut. Liv looked crushed. She took her hand away from his fist, which he regretted. Just such a simple touch, but it held comfort. He wished he could wipe away the creases between her brow and the haunted look in her gray eyes.
Helplessness, which he wasn’t use to feeling, left him feeling edgy and empty as he looked outside, watching that damn Roadster. He was beginning to hate that sports car.
He saw her car first.
Of course he would, it was his wife’s car. With an instinct born of being a husband, he could probably pick it out a mile away. This time he caught it coming down the main highway from the east and it instantly had him wondering what was in that direction. Where could Kiki have been? They lived west ... everything they did was west. Shopping, groceries, and gas ...
He hated saying the words before they were out of his mouth. “It’s coming.”
Liv’s gaze locked on him and her curvy lips pulled tight. It was if they communicated some unspoken resolve between them.
