“Guilt? What for?” She drank from her own cup and it did wonders in covering her grin.
He shrugged. “A long time has passed since I’ve had a woman bring me coffee to bed.”
“Since the complimentary wife, I assume.” The words slipped out before Holly could put a lock on them. By his irritated expression, he didn’t like it either.
“I’d answer that but I’d rather not fuel jealousy,” he said.
Her stomach cringed. He was right. “I’m sorry. I didn’t intend for it to sound so catty. I’m saying that I’m sure Tiffany was a good wife. The marriage was a bit abrupt, but sometimes surprise packages are the best.” She should stop there. Her filter was dysfunctional this morning. “I’m glad you had someone there for you after I left.”
“We will talk about my marriage, but not this early in the morning…and not today.” He reached for his shirt and pulled it over his head.
Bye-bye sexy abs. She clung to the mug like it was a lifeline, rather than following her urge and touch his six-pack. “I guess not. I’ve got to get ready anyway.”
Sincerity flooded his face. “Today’s your grandma’s funeral. How are you holding up?”
She shrugged and forced a smile on her lips. Making people think things were okay had become habit. “I’ll be fine.”
He stood up and the blanket dropped from his lap. His cock pointed to the ceiling. My God the man was an Adonis. Holly’s temperature became excruciating. She couldn’t look another moment or she’d rub male flesh, and probably lick and suck too.
Flustered, she busied herself with straightening magazines on the table while he slipped on his jeans. When she heard the zipper, she turned back. “I see you’re still a confident man.”
“You’ve seen it a hundred or more times,” he said. “Not to mention you got your eyes full this morning while I slept.”
”Yes, I did and I have no shame.” She’d looked and liked the eye candy. “Thank you for staying. I do appreciate it.”
“Next time you’ll get the couch and I’ll take the bed.” He winked.
“If there is a next time, I’ll be sure we share the bed,” she whispered.
“What’s that?” he asked.
Clearing her throat, she pushed her thoughts away from how sexily irresistible he was in the morning and how she craved to run her fingers along every masculine contour of his body. “Oh, I only said there are plenty of beds upstairs.”
“I’ll keep that in mind . I’ll see you at the funeral. If you need anything, let me know.”
“I will.” With the concerned expression Liam gave her, she wanted to cry. He was making depending on him way too easy. She couldn’t allow that to happen. Not when a mountain of baggage existed between them.
* * * *
Her grandma had requested a closed casket. Holly didn’t blame her, but Vicki, on the other hand, made a big deal out of it. She thought it was ridiculous that anyone would be so rude to have people come to a funeral and not see the person one last time. Holly sat quietly, listening.
Vicki nudged her as the pastor stepped up to say a few words. “How could anyone send such awful flower arrangements? Wildflowers? They should be ashamed.” Vicki clicked her tongue, managing to turn a couple of heads.
Holly wanted to say that her grandma would never know the difference. Instead, she conjured up pleasurable images—brawny chest, lean hips, hard tool. The subject sat three rows back on the opposite side of the room. If she turned, she could see Liam’s profile without anyone knowing she was visually stalking him.
When he’d arrived, he’d stopped and said hello, offering his respects. Holly had wanted to ask him to sit with her, but the risk of Vicki saying the wrong thing was too great. Holly felt a sense of guilt that her grandma lay dead ten feet away in a casket and the image of Liam’s cock remained in Holly’s mind. Knowing her grandma, Holly wouldn’t doubt the woman smiled down from above. Doris had always liked Liam and had joked if she were young again she’d have snagged him up.
One of the last conversations Holly had with her grandma had been about Liam. Truth be told, many of their conversations had been about him. Doris had believed one day Holly would come back to Raven. Sadly, Holly had waited too long.
“Wasn’t this supposed to be a private service?” Vicki asked.
Holly followed her mother’s stare. Mr. Meyers greeted Dante Hartman. “Everyone wants an opportunity to pay their condolences,” Holly said as Dante’s gaze met hers from across the room. A smile eased over his expression and she responded with a curt nod.
“I should go speak to Scott Meyers about the lack of respect in failing to keep out the riff-raff,” Vick snapped.
Holly laid a hand on her mother’s arm. “Let it go. Causing a scene would be disrespectful.”
Vicki’s eyes widened as if she’d been slapped. Holly half expected her mother to respond with a verbal thrashing, but instead, she lifted her chin in a conceited fashion and brought a tissue to her eyes, dabbing dry lids. Her mother could perform. She’d missed her calling as a Hollywood superstar. At least Holly had gotten what she’d wanted, and that was to keep her mother from drumming up drama.
Holly brought her head back around and met Liam’s stare. He smiled and it made her heart speed up. She smiled and turned her attention to Pastor Dickerson who ended his eulogy.
Once the service was over, everyone filed out of the church, paying Holly and Vicki their last respects. Mr. Meyers asked if Holly would be riding in the complimentary limousine to the cemetery and when she started to duck out , Vicki chimed in, “Yes, she will be.” Once seated in the vehicle with her mother and James, Holly realized why she’d wanted to ride separately. The second the car engine started, Vicki began crying and whimpering. “I just can’t believe mother is gone. Poor mother. All of those people sitting around, pretending to be a friend.”
Holly swallowed bitterness. She knew Vicki’s dramatic tactics. Too bad it’d been used too much. Even James appeared annoyed by Vicki’s sudden outburst of emotion. However, he didn’t sacrifice comforting her. James placed a hand on her knee and patted once. “She’s in a better place, dear,” he said. There was no sign of sincerity in his expression or voice.
“Of course she is,” Vicki sniffled. “Yet it seems like she passed way too soon.”
“She was seventy-two,” Holly said.
Vicki glared at Holly over her wrinkled tissue. “Is there a number placed on death? Do we reach a certain age and then we’ve worn out our welcome?”
“Of course not, but she lived a good life.” Holly hoped to ease her mother’s stress, although, she didn’t know why she bothered.
Vicki sniffed. “I guess, but I’m not sure.”
Holly winced. Did Vicki know something that Holly didn’t? Whenever Holly spoke to her grandma she’d always seemed in fine spirit, but her mother’s comment gave her pause. “Do you think she wasn’t happy?”
Vicki dropped her hand into her lap. “Well, if you must know, I think she was senile.”
Holly couldn’t believe what she heard. “She was the most lucid person I know.”
“If you say so, Holly.” Vicki huffed. “Just as always, you think you know more than I do.”
The oxygen seemed to evaporate from the small space. “This isn’t a competition to see who knew Grandma better. I’m only saying that I spoke to her days before she passed and she was laughing and coherent.”
“I guess you would have also taken her side against mine.” Vicki pursed her lips, causing deep wrinkles to appear around her eyes and mouth.
“What are you talking about?” Holly asked.
“She didn’t tell you?” Vicki looked surprised.
“Tell me what?”
Hesitating, Vicki finally said, “I told Mother I thought she should consider going into a nursing home. It wasn’t safe her being alone in that big house at her age. Of course, she blew me off.”
“Damn right I would have been on her side. What did you do? Did
you try to force her into a home against her will?” Holly knew her mother and her dark actions all too well.
Vicki’s bottom lip quivered. “I felt she was incapable of taking care of herself.”
“But she could take care of herself.”
“I had no idea that she meant it when she said she’d die before she was placed into a home,” Vicki stated and blinked twice.
Holly’s mouth fell open. Her disbelief tangled with anger. She was afraid to speak for fear of what she’d say. For years, Vicki had stepped on everyone and anyone around her. Holly had no doubt that her mother wanted Grandma placed into a nursing home for personal reasons. More than likely, Vicki thought she’d benefit financially. Unfortunately, everything would be Vicki’s now—the house, the belongings, anything valuable. Holly didn’t care about anything except keeping her grandma’s journal.
The car pulled into the narrow drive leading into the cemetery. Once it stopped, Holly quickly opened the door and climbed out. She had a hard time catching her breath through the sobs that threatened to break free. Never would she allow Vicki to see her cry. It’d give the woman too much pleasure.
The breeze swept across her face and she was grateful for its soothing coolness. Closing her eyes a moment, she breathed in deeply, and exhaled slowly. The scent of honeysuckle, her grandma’s favorite, lingered in the air.
“What is he doing sniffing around here?” Vicki complained in a whisper. “And why the hell is he coming this direction?”
Holly opened her eyes and saw Liam walking toward them, each stride authoritative and self-assured—the definition of masculinity. The white uniform shirt did nothing to hide his toned arms and the black pants accentuated his muscular legs as he moved. His eyes were on her and she relaxed, finding support in the dark pools. Sweat beaded between her breasts, but she resisted the urge to fan her face. “He was a good friend to Grandma,” Holly murmured.
Vicki planted a satin-smooth smile on her ruby red lips. “Well, if it isn’t the Chief Ryan,” she crooned. Holly threw up a little in her mouth as her mother laid a fake finger nailed hand on Liam’s arm. It reminded Holly of a snake slithering over its prey.
Liam shrugged off the touch. “I’m sorry about your loss, Ms…”
“Oh, it’s Belmont now. James and I are married. Maybe you didn’t hear the news?” Vicki chuckled.
“Of course. Doris told me you’d married a man from the south. Nice to meet you James.” The two men shook hands. James nodded and smiled, but said nothing.
“It’s nice that you took time out of your day to pay your respects,” Vicki said.
“Doris was a good woman. She’ll be missed.” Liam brought his gaze to Holly and her heart fluttered.
“Thank you. It’s been very difficult.” Vicki dabbed the corners of her eyes, but she’d lost her audience.
“How are you Holly?” Liam asked.
“I’m okay.” What more could she say? She couldn’t tell him she wanted to touch him, to fall into his arms.
“If you need anything, just let me know,” he offered.
Although his words were probably meant for Vicki as well, Liam didn’t remove his eyes from Holly. She could think of a hundred things right off the top of her head that he could do. Good thing he couldn’t read her thoughts. The delightful contemplations kept her going, she believed. “I’ll certainly let you know.” Holly wanted to thank him again for staying last night, but she didn’t want her mother to have a panic attack, so it was best to save that juicy information.
Liam moved on and Holly’s gaze naturally followed him. His ass was as tight as ever. She looked around just in time to see Vicki getting her eye share of him too. For a woman who seemed to hate the man, Vicki sure did seem interested.
“He’s all grown up and quite the man,” Vicki said as she dug into her purse, pulled out a paper and used it as a fan.
For the first time, they agreed on something.
CHAPTER SIX
HOLLY SHIFTED IN the leather chair in front of Brigham Mason’s desk. He was a seasoned man with a scraggly beard, black tee and jeans. He deceived people with his casual appearance, but Holly knew the spry man knew the law like the back of his hand. Grandma once told her that Brigham could be trusted with a million dollars of someone else’s money.
“I’m sorry about your loss, ladies. Doris was a fine woman. I can vouch for that,” Brigham said, looking over the top of his reading glasses.
“Yes she was. We will both miss her.” Vicki squeezed Holly’s arm as if to reinforce the statement.
Holly remained quiet. The dankness rocketed. Holly found her interest wandering to the abstract painting hanging on the wall above Brigham’s head. The red and blue stripes reminded her of blood dripping on ice. The longer she stared the more she could see the beads of crimson falling and splattering.
“Let’s get started then.” Brigham’s deep voice brought her attention back to the matter at hand. He thumbed through a folder and pulled out a thick document. “As you both know Doris hired me to prepare her will. Much of the information is minor and I’ll get right to the topic of interest for you both.” Vicki cleared her throat and tapped her designer heels as if the anticipation killed her. “When Doris’s husband passed away, he had a life insurance policy, which she inherited. She invested all of it in stocks. Over the last twenty years, she has saved every dime earned and had a bank account worth three hundred and fifty thousand. She gave fifty thousand to local charities and left the remaining amount to—” Holly could have sworn she heard Vicki swallow, “—you Holly.”
Holly wasn’t sure if it was the moan that came from her mother or the astonishment of Brigham’s words that made the room spin.
“What?” Vicki said. “But, I’m her daughter.” The words sounded like an accusation.
Brigham nodded. “Yes, I understand that.” He didn’t even spare Vicki a look of apology. “Do you understand, Holly?”
No, she didn’t. She hadn’t thought of how much her grandma was worth or how much she’d saved. “I—I’m not sure.”
Vicki turned her heated gaze directly on Holly. “You’re not sure?” Her voice reeked of resentment.
“Let’s continue,” Brigham shook the papers as if to gain their attention again.
“Yes, let’s do,” Vicki muttered.
“The house was free of any mortgages or liens. The house is left to Holly as well.”
“What?” Vicky popped up out of her seat. “This is ridiculous. How is this possible?” In one moment, all of the procedures of plastic surgery went down the drain. She looked her age, older maybe. “I don’t believe for a second that she left Holly everything.”
“Have a seat, Mrs. Belmont. She did leave something to you.” Brigham’s voice was calm, as if he’d expected Vicki’s enraged attitude.
“Fine,” Vicki said coldly. Tension fled her face as she sniffed and took her seat again.
“For you Mrs. Belmont, Doris left her antique collection of porcelain clowns.”
Vicki’s mouth dropped and a sound of horror escaped her, as if she released a demon. Her mouth snapped shut and her skin paled. “How dare that old woman make a mockery out of me. She was a senile old bat.”
Holly kept her gaze on Brigham across his cluttered desk. For her, her mother’s temper tantrum was nothing new, yet he too remained as cool as a cucumber as he lowered the papers to his desk. Reaching into the open top drawer, he pulled out two business-sized envelopes.
“Doris’s health was ailing over the last year, but I assure you her mind was very much intact,” he said. “She came in a few months ago, made revisions on her will and asked me to give you these letters upon her death.”
Vicki stared at her envelope. Holly took hers, seeing her name scrawled across the white paper. Her grandma was the only one who ever put a heart after Holly’s name. “Do we need to read these now?” Holly asked.
He shook his head and scratched his bearded chin. “No. In your own time.” He laid Vick
i’s envelope at the edge of his desk. “There are a few details we’ll need to go over together, Holly.” Vicki didn’t take the silent invitation to leave. “I’ll need to speak to Holly alone,” he said to her.
With an expression of cold, slanted eyes and pursed lips, Vicki got up. Holly felt sorry for her mother, yet it was hard to feel compassion for someone who only looked out for herself in whatever situation. Holly knew this would be another wedge in their relationship.
* * * *
Liam parked on the street in front of the office of Brigham Mason and turned off the ignition just as Holly walked out the front door. He watched her walk down the walkway, her head down, seemingly unaware of her surroundings, and honked the horn. She looked up and he waved, but her forced smile told him what he’d already guessed; the meeting was a disaster.
She came to the window and he rolled it down. “How did it go?” he asked.
“About as fun as a stroll through hell,” she said.
“That good, eh?”
“Yeah, that good.” Her frown deepened.
“I’ll buy you a cup of coffee.” Staying clear of her had been the plan, but unfortunately, staying away was the last thing he wanted.
“Sure,” she answered without hesitation.
“Betsy’s serves a mean cup of joe. You want to jump in and I’ll drive you over?”
“I have my car,” she said.
Yeah, he knew she did. “I’ll bring you back.”
She crossed around the front of the SUV and climbed into the other side. “Is this legal? You know, having a passenger in your car?” He watched her examine the dash as if she wanted to test drive it.
“I am the chief.”
“Big man on campus now, huh?” She laughed and he swore the sun got brighter.
“More like the man that has the gun but no one to shoot.”
“You’d always wanted a gun when we were kids,” she said.
“I had a gun.”
“It was a BB gun,” she reminded him. “And you were afraid to shoot it.”
Sin With Cuffs Page 5
