He didn’t move back. The heat of his body warmed her side as she reached past him, and she imagined she heard a hitch in his breath. Everything female in her stood up to take notice. By the time the lights were in place, her hands were shaking.
“There.” She turned to take the rest of the string. Her fingers closed reflexively on it when she made the mistake of looking into his eyes and seeing they’d darkened to a stormy color. “Liam.” Her voice was breathy, and she knew she should let go of the string, but couldn’t. Not for a million dollars.
“Harley,” he countered, and pulled ever so slightly on the strand of lights.
Her breasts brushed his chest since she didn’t bring her hands up to stop herself. His breath heated her lips as his mouth descended. Her eyes drifted shut and she recognized the sigh of surrender from her own lips...just before the doorbell rang.
Mia’s barks echoed in the small room, and she twirled in a tizzy.
Look at that. She could drop the lights after all, and did, practically leaping across the room to answer the door. She didn’t know many people in Starfish Shores, so who could it be?
Nothing in the world could have prepared her for seeing Tony on the front step.
Chapter Five
Liam saw Harley go pale and take a step back.
“Tony. What are you doing here?”
Tony? Asshole Tony had chased her down to Starfish Shores? Instinctively, Liam stepped up beside her, close enough to put a question in Tony’s mind about the nature of their relationship, but not close enough to piss off Harley. Tony’s narrowed eyes told Liam the message was received. The other man turned his attention to Harley.
“Harley, we need to talk. I’ve made a terrible mistake.”
“Leaving her?” Liam couldn’t help himself. “You bet you did.”
“I’m sorry.” The polite smile Tony offered was fake. “Have we met?”
“Tony, Liam. Liam, Tony.” Harley’s tone was distracted. “Liam is Sam’s friend and my boss.”
Ouch. He didn’t really see himself as her boss, though technically he supposed he was. He wanted to stake a claim, but he had none.
Mia nosed between Harley and the door, and Harley dropped her hand to the dog’s head to stop her, just as Liam did. Tony noticed, and his expression darkened.
“You mean to tell me we haven’t been apart a month and you’ve moved onto someone else? After seven years?”
Her shoulders snapped square. “Seven years didn’t mean anything to you when you were sleeping with whatever blonde fed your ego.”
Tony’s face tightened. “I don’t want to have this conversation in front of him. I told you I made a mistake. I want to talk to you about our future.”
“We don’t have a future,” was what Liam hoped she would say.
Instead, she turned to Liam, her eyes clouded. “Do you mind?”
Hell, yes, he minded. He understood Tony’s type, knew he would use their years together to try to manipulate her, to make her feel like she’d thrown that time away if she didn’t come back to him.
But he had to trust that Harley knew her own mind and wouldn’t allow herself to be manipulated. She might need a better kind of closure, but damn, it was going to hurt her. He’d do anything to prevent that. She wouldn’t thank him for it, for anything less than letting her be her own woman. That was something Tony would do.
“All right. I’ll see you at The Pit.” He brushed a kiss across her forehead when he would rather kiss her mouth, had been so close to doing so before Asshole Tony showed up. She caught her breath, and he drew back to meet her gaze.
“I expect you in tonight.” He tried for stern, something he’d never been able to pull off. “No later than seven.”
“I’ll be there.”
He clucked to Mia, who wagged her tail, and headed to his truck without giving into the urge to shoulder-bump Tony.
Harley watched him walk away with her heart beating against the base of her throat. What had that been? And she couldn’t even explore her reaction to the kiss because Tony was standing in her doorway, scowling. Reluctantly, she stepped back to let him in, wishing she’d kept Mia to act as a buffer.
“I thought you’d be at your parents,” he said, almost accusingly.
“I wasn’t quite ready to face them.” She sat on the edge of the chair that was partially obscured by the Christmas tree.
“Right. Because they never liked me.”
Wow, for someone seeking forgiveness, he was awfully petulant. Had he always been like this, and her eyes were newly opened? She’d explore that later, when she was alone. He waited now for her to tell him he was wrong, that her parents liked him fine, but she didn’t.
“So you went to Oregon,” she prompted.
“I came looking for you once I realized how bad I hurt you. Now I’m wondering. Did I hurt you? Who was that guy? What was he doing here?”
A lot of questions for a guy who’d given up his rights to ask any, but she chose to answer the second. “I told you. Sam’s friend. They own a bar together and I’m working there while Sam’s away.”
“Sam’s away? And his friend is, what? Shacking up with you?”
She was proud of herself for not rising to the bait. “What was your intention once you found me? Just what did you think would happen?”
He was instantly contrite. “I’m sorry. You threw me off-balance. I never thought I’d find you with some guy. I’m going about this all wrong.”
Because clearly he thought he’d find her sobbing her eyes out, devastated. She wasn’t going to lie, there had been times like that, but no longer. She wasn’t giving him any more of her tears. “Yes, you are.”
He widened his eyes, taken aback. So, he didn’t expect to face any attitude from her, either. God, had she been such a wimp? Such a doormat that he thought just his coming back to find her would bowl her over? She should have closed the door in his face. She had no intention of taking him back, but she wanted to know why he thought he wanted her back.
Then it hit her. Who was supporting him now? Who paid the rent and utilities and rent on the rehearsal space? Her stomach roiled at the realization, and unexpected tears stung the backs of her eyes. Wow. Just...wow. But she’d let him hang himself, then she’d indulge in a few more tears before she pulled herself together and went to work.
“Let me start over.” He took a breath. “I let my music become more important than you. I never should have allowed that to happen. I spent too much time with the band, and all those guys are single, and I let them influence me, when I knew I had the best thing in the world waiting at home for me.”
“Yes, you did,” she surprised herself by saying.
Surprised him, too, by the snap of his head, but then he smiled, like he thought he was getting through.
“So you’ll give me another chance?”
“No, I don’t think so. I’m taking chances on myself right now, figuring out what I want out of my life, what’s best for me. You’re not what’s best for me.”
His eyes darkened, and the hopeful expression froze on his face. “I can change.”
She sat back. She’d never heard those words from him before. Part of her wanted to know what he thought he should change. But she shook her head. “I don’t need you to change. Not for me. What we had is over.”
He straightened in his chair. “Is it because of that guy? Liam?”
Of course Tony would think that. She’d never let him think she had any strength of her own before, had she? She sighed. “No. All me.”
“So what are you going to do? Work at a bar?”
Her temper rose, but she battled it back. “How is that worse than being a receptionist?”
“There are a lot more guys sniffing around, for one thing. They’re drunk and they take liberties. I don’t want you hurt.”
“Liam and Sam will see that doesn’t happen. And it’s time I learned how to take care of myself.” She rose. “I’m sorry, Tony, but I’m not going t
o accept your offer, though I will accept your apology. I wish you all the best, but I don’t want to be part of your life anymore.” Her voice quavered a bit, because she was saying good-bye to seven years of her life. That hurt.
He merely sat on the couch, gripping the arm, clearly not expecting that response. She wondered if she would have been able to be so cool two weeks ago, or even one week ago. Would she have felt sorry for him? Would she have had the confidence? Even now, as he remained on the couch, she felt her courage wavering, but she stood her ground. This was her new life, and she had no room for him in it.
“Time for you to go,” she said, when he didn’t. “I need to get ready for work.”
He held her gaze a moment longer, and she felt her face heat. What would she do if he refused to leave? But then he pushed to his feet, standing just a little too close to her. God, she’d never been afraid of him before. Should she have? Because she felt threatened now.
“I said I was sorry. What else do you need?”
“I need to be my own person. Thank you for helping me to see that. But you need to go. Now.”
He paused another moment, for dramatic effect, she was sure, before he turned and walked out. She didn’t hesitate a second before she bolted the door after him.
***
Relief swamped Liam when Harley walked into the bar shortly after opening, looking calm and collected. Part of him had worried she’d returned to Nashville with Tony without saying good-bye. He hadn’t wanted to think she would do that, would turn her back on herself again, but he knew guys like Tony, and how persuasive they could be.
She sent him a smile as she tied on her apron, but that told him nothing. He wanted to ask her what had happened, but they needed more privacy.
“You okay?” was all he said, and she nodded, taking her tray and moving away from the bar.
They didn’t have a lot of customers now, so he got the feeling she was putting distance between herself and his questions. He got that, but he had to admit it hurt.
He kept his eye on her throughout the evening, easy enough to do since the crowd was thin. So he saw her tense, and followed her gaze to see Asshole Tony saunter in. The man glanced at him and nodded, then passed the bar to sit at one of the tables by a heater.
“Cindi, can you get that gentleman?” Liam said, directing his more experienced waitress.
“I have this,” Harley countered, placing her tray on the counter. “Give me one of those, with salt and lime.” She pointed to an imported beer.
Making an effort to keep the scowl from his face, he dressed the bottle and handed it over. “I can kick him out.”
“I can handle it.”
Her tone was snippier than normal, so he stepped back, hands raised. But he kept a close watch as she delivered the beer, intrigued by her body language. He could see her make an effort to keep her arms loose at her sides as she spoke to the other man, who looked up at her, his head at an arrogant tilt. Liam wanted to kick his ass just on principle. But Harley didn’t smile, just nudged his beer forward and turned to attend to her other customers. Liam wanted her to come back to the bar, to retreat, but he got the feeling she was proving something by staying on the floor.
She returned a few moments later with an order for another table, but didn’t meet his gaze.
“Harley.”
She shook her head.
Over her shoulder, he saw Tony lift his finger, signaling for another beer. Understanding dawned when he reached for another green bottle and lime.
“He always drink this fast?”
She shook her head. “He spends a lot of time in bars. He can handle it.”
“Let me take this one to him.”
“I’m not going to hide behind you, Liam. He’ll see I don’t want him here and he’ll go. But if I use you or Cindi, he’ll think I’m avoiding my feelings for him. So let me do this.”
He passed her the beer. “You’re the boss.”
But when Harley delivered the beer and Tony caught her hand, not letting her go even when she pulled, Liam had enough. He rounded the bar when he wanted to jump over it, and stepped up beside Harley. Tony dropped her hand and she stepped back. Liam could feel her temper rolling off her.
“You can consider those two drinks on the house, but no one puts a hand on my waitresses,” he said, fighting for calm. “Time for you to go.”
Tony looked from him to Harley. “You were right. Very protective.” Then back to Liam. “I told her this job can be dangerous. She assured me you’d look out for her.”
“Damn straight. Like I said. Time for you to go.”
Back to Harley. “I was just messing around. Do you want me to go?”
“I would feel more comfortable if you left, yes.”
Betrayal etched the younger man’s features as he stared at her, then he rose.
“Door’s over there,” Liam pointed.
Tony shot him an eat-shit look and headed out. Harley’s sigh of relief was audible.
Liam turned to her. “You’re keeping Mia tonight.”
“What? No. I don’t have a house suitable for a dog.”
“It’s either her or me, because you’re not staying alone as long as he is in town. I can sack out in Sam’s room.”
“He’s not dangerous.”
“Harley. He came in here to send a message. Alternately, you can stay at my place. He doesn’t know where that is, though I guess he can find out.”
“Either way, if you stay with me or I stay with you, he’ll think something’s going on between us when it’s not.”
“Why should we give a damn what he thinks? But he makes me uneasy, and I get the feeling he does you, as well. I’m not trying to tell you what to do, but my gut is saying you shouldn’t be alone. After work, we’ll go pick up Mia, all right? Unless you want me to stay.”
She hesitated. “I’ll take Mia,” she said finally. “I’m not stupid. He’s never acted like this before.”
“I’m thinking he’s not used to you standing up for yourself.”
“And how sad is that?” She gathered his bottles and carried them back to the bar.
***
Harley had never had a dog, so wasn’t sure what to do with the giant puppy when Liam dropped them off at the bungalow.
“Make sure she goes outside before you go to bed, and you probably want to contain her in one room so she doesn’t tear things up when she’s exploring. I’m thinking not the living room with the Christmas tree. Put her bowl with water out for her, and feed her in the morning after she goes out.”
Harley slid off the seat and hooked Mia’s leash on her collar. “Might be easier to keep you instead.”
“I can stay,” he said solemnly. “Mia and I can sleep in Sam’s room.”
Her stomach did a fluttering thing as she looked into his eyes. She wanted to say yes for all the wrong reasons, but she couldn’t. If he was right and Tony came by and saw the truck—or if one of Sam’s neighbors saw it and told Sam—no. Bad idea.
“We’ll be fine. Thanks, Liam.” Because whether he was right or not about Tony, she felt better having Mia in the house. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
He started the truck. “Call if you need anything.”
She led the dog into the house and released the leash, letting Mia sniff around. She was a little too interested in the tree, so Harley called her into the kitchen to show her the bowl of water. Harley was still too wound up to go to bed, so she curled up on the couch and turned on the TV. After making a round of the house, Mia jumped up to sit beside her, placing her big head in Harley’s lap. Harley gave a fleeting thought about Sam maybe being upset over dog hair on his couch, then dismissed it, petting Mia’s head. The dog sighed and closed her eyes in contentment.
Harley wished she could relax so easily. She never would have expected Tony to come after her, never would have expected him to apologize, though of course he had to be pretty desperate with no steady income. What alarmed her was him showing up at the bar.
What had he hoped to gain from that?
She flipped through the channels, speeding past the news channels, past the cop shows to a sitcom she’d always enjoyed, and settled in, forcing herself to relax.
She woke to Mia’s grumbling. Her stomach clenched when she opened her eyes to see Mia’s head up, ears lifted, her lips curling as she stared at the back door. The idea of opening the door to let the dog out made her weak at the knees, but maybe all Mia needed was a potty break, which Harley hadn’t given her before she fell asleep. Picking up her phone in one hand, her finger hovering over Liam’s number, which he’d programmed in earlier, she swung her numb legs off the couch and tried for cheerful.
“Okay, Mia, let’s go potty.”
The dog was still rumbling when Harley unlocked the back door with shaking fingers, and Mia exploded outside with a sharp series of barks. Harley winced, thinking of the neighbors, but closed the door and locked it, looking through the curtain on the door. She couldn’t see much outside in the dark, but heard echoing barks from other dogs in the neighborhood. A few minutes later, Mia had done her business and clicked back up on the step, wagging her tail. Relieved that the dog didn’t seem worried, Harley let her in, though she quickly closed and locked the door again.
“Come on, girl. Let’s go to bed.”
Still, a long time passed before Harley could slow her heart rate and fall asleep.
***
She met Liam on the beach the following morning. She sat on the end of the wooden walk and watched him run toward her, pure physical male perfection.
“I love Alabama,” she breathed to the dog, then released Mia’s leash and the dog bounded toward her owner, who bent to greet her affectionately. He straightened and walked toward Harley, looking so damned good with his shirt plastered to him. Mia ignored his objection and bolted into the waves.
“Any trouble last night?” He signaled for her to move over.
She scooted her butt to the left to make room. He smelled good—clean male sweat, and she wanted to take a deep breath. “She was good. I did fall asleep without letting her out, so she woke me up, then proceeded to complain to the neighbors.”
Swept Away for Christmas Page 6
