by Layla Hagen
I laughed and climbed in next to her.
We arrived in Soho quickly. The location they planned on leasing was only a few streets away from their original store. It was smart, keeping the two spaces so close to each other. It would make logistics easier, and their name was Soho Lingerie, after all. Tess was beyond excited as she showed me around inside. The realtor had given us a quick tour and now was smoking outside.
“So, we can model this after the original store. The layout of the room is perfect. It would strengthen the brand, I think.”
I was only half paying attention to her words, too busy drinking in her exuberance, the way she just lit up when she spoke about her dreams. I wanted to make every single one of them come true.
“Hey, focus,” she admonished, poking my arm.
“Or what?”
“Or you might make the wrong decision.”
“The space is great, Tess. When will you be able to open?”
“If we sign this week, probably in the beginning of December.”
“Let’s get the ball rolling, then.”
Turning around, she headed toward the door. I caught up with her midway, kissing the side of her neck from behind.
She yelped in surprise before turning around. “You, sir, have a playful side I like very much. You kept it hidden until now.”
“I don’t think I was aware of it,” I said truthfully.
She grinned. “So it’s just for me?”
“Just for you, I promise.”
She leaned in for a quick kiss, then smoothed the collar of my coat. “Well, let’s go finalize things with the realtor. Then you can go back to the brownstone, or David will hand me my ass.”
I growled. “First, David’s going nowhere near your ass. It’s mine.”
“And second?”
“I want to spend the day with you.”
I had no idea where this came from, but it was an impulse I wanted to follow.
“But I remember you and David going on about all the things you had on your to-do list today.”
“I know how to sell this to David. I’ll just tell him I’m getting to know your business better. Honestly, he’d probably approve. He’d also show me the middle finger for skipping work, but he’s always making fun of me for being so stiff about schedules and lists.”
Tess grinned again. “So I bring out the playful side of you and make you want to skip work? I’m not so sure I’m good for you.”
“I guess we’ll find out.”
“Okay. Our store is covered by two sales associates, so I don’t necessarily have to go there.”
We both headed outside, and while Tess talked to the realtor, I texted David. As I predicted, he answered with a middle finger emoji.
Laughing, I dropped the phone back in my pocket.
“It’s all done,” Tess said as the realtor left. “So...how serious were you about spending the day with me?”
“Dead serious. What was your plan?”
She blushed. “I was going to pick up some fabric from the store, then head home and experiment a bit. The back room is full of orders waiting to be shipped, not exactly spurring creativity.”
I wiggled my eyebrows. “I’ll gladly watch. Or help.”
“And how exactly do you plan to ‘help’?” she asked with air quotes.
“Any way you want me, Tess. I’m very good at taking off your lingerie.”
She gasped lightly before pointing at me. “You will do no such thing. Promise.”
I cocked a brow.
“Not until I’m finished with the experiments,” she amended.
“That’s better.”
“Okay, then. Let’s go.”
We stopped by the store first before heading to her apartment near Bryant Park.
I only walked her to the door last night when I dropped her off, so this would be the first time I’d gone inside. She glanced over her shoulder several times as she unlocked the first door. Is she nervous?
We left our coats and shoes at the entrance, and then she led me to the living room.
My apartment looked empty compared to hers. She had pillows and furniture everywhere. It was warm and inviting. It fit her.
“So, this is my place. You’re the first guy in here in...forever.”
That caught my attention. “How so?”
She shrugged, unloading the bag she filled with supplies at the store straight in the middle of the living room floor.
“I’ve had shit luck dating these past few years. I think the last time I went out with the same guy for longer than a few months was when I was still at my corporate job. I thought it was more serious than he did. He made that clear when he started dating a coworker immediately after breaking up with me. Anyway, when I just get to know someone, I prefer to go over to their place. Bringing someone here...it’s just personal.”
I saw red at the thought of Tess going home with any other guy. Fuck no. I needed that image out of my mind. She was mine.
I chose to focus on the fact that she brought me here.
“So, um, I’m not sure how good I am at this dating thing.”
“Tess, tell me what you’re afraid of. I want to know.” I took her hands in mine, lacing our fingers.
“Getting my heart broken,” she whispered.
I kissed her temple, working my way to her forehead. “I can’t promise I won’t make mistakes, but I won’t break your heart. Can you trust me on that?”
She nodded, leaning into my touch. “I do. How about you? Why aren’t you taken?”
I shrugged. “No particular reason. Last serious relationship I had was right before I sold the app. She broke up with me because she wanted to move across the country, and since then, I haven’t had anything serious.”
She pulled out of my arms, wiggling her eyebrows. “Well, mister, seems we’re both in the same boat.”
“We are. ” I grinned, pointing to the pile of bras. “How does this work?”
“I usually play with—”
She stopped talking when a phone buzzed from the entrance.
“I think it’s your phone,” Tess said.
“I’ll just go silence it.”
I went to the front. As I took the phone out of my coat, I heard Tess come in too.
It was my grandmother calling. Shit. She rarely called. Usually, I was the one doing it.
“I have to take this,” I said and immediately answered.
“Liam, hi. This is Ellen’s friend, Hilary.”
She was a neighbor who often played chess with my grandmother. “Is something wrong?”
“So, Ellen had a fall.”
“What happened? Did you call an ambulance?”
“She doesn’t want me to. Says with a bit of ice, everything will be fine.”
“What do you mean, she doesn’t want to? Okay, okay. I’ll be there as soon as possible. Can you stay with her? I’ll need about fifteen minutes.”
“Of course. But don’t worry. It’s just her knee hurting a bit. Nothing more serious.”
“What happened?” Tess asked after I disconnected the call.
“Gran fell down, and she doesn’t want to go to the hospital. That was one of her neighbors calling. I’m sorry. I really wanted to spend this whole day with you, but if I don’t check on her, I’m just going to keep thinking about her. The neighbor says she’s okay, but I want to make sure.”
“Of course. Want me to come with you?”
I was stunned. My shock must have been obvious, because she quickly said, “It’s just...you look super tense. I thought maybe it would help.”
“It would, actually. And Gran would love meeting you.”
Tess blinked rapidly.
“Why do you look so surprised?” I asked.
“Let’s just say you’re unlike any guy I’ve ever known.” Coming closer, she took my fist between her hands. I hadn’t even realized I clenched it.
“You’re going to cut your palm,” Tess whispered. She unclenched my fing
ers.
I left marks on my skin. Tess lifted my hand and kissed my palm gently. I wasn’t used to anyone soothing me—I always licked my wounds alone—but right then, all I wanted to do was more of this. More of Tess.
Chapter Sixteen
Liam
I couldn’t calm down on the drive to the Upper East Side. Tess kept my hand between her palms, looking sideways at me.
“I have an idea. My brother’s fiancée is a doctor. I know for a fact that she’s not on shift right now. I could ask her if she can stop by your grandmother’s place to check up on her, if you want.”
How had she guessed that I was worried sick that my grandmother didn’t want to go to a hospital? That I needed the reassurance of a doctor?
“That’s a great idea, Tess. Thank you.”
“I’ll call her right away.” Taking out her phone, she brought it to her ear and spoke quickly. “Hey, Laney. I hope I’m not disturbing you. I have a huge favor to ask. The grandmother of a very good friend fell down. She appears to be okay, but he’d be much happier if you checked on her. She doesn’t want to go to a hospital.” Tess had my hand in her lap, caressing it. “Okay, perfect. Thanks. I’ll text you the address.” Hanging up, she half turned to me. “We have a doctor.”
“Thank you.”
“Just tell me the address.”
She typed as I spoke, and I couldn’t take my eyes off her. I didn’t like that description of me—a “very good friend”—but this wasn’t the time to bring it up.
We arrived in front of my grandmother’s building ten minutes later. I led the way, keeping a hand at Tess’s back. I couldn’t stop touching her, and honestly, I wasn’t even trying. I was calmer whenever we were connected.
I rang the bell, even though I had a key, just to give Gran and her neighbor a heads-up. I unlocked the door, and Tess and I stepped inside the narrow and dark corridor.
To my astonishment, I heard my grandmother’s laughter from the living room. Had they not heard the bell?
“Someone’s in a good mood,” Tess whispered.
Nodding, I led the way, right until my grandmother and Hilary came into view. They were both sitting on the flowery couch. Gran had her leg up on a wooden chair with a pack of frozen peas on her knee. Hilary, a white-haired wisp of a woman who always dressed in dark colors, had her face scrunched in concentration at the chess board in front of her. They both startled upon seeing me and Tess. Clearly, the doorbell wasn’t working. I made a mental note to fix it.
“Liam, darling. Who is that lovely creature you’ve brought to see me?”
“Gran, this is Tess. We were together when Hilary called to tell us about your fall.”
Tess smiled at her. “Nice to meet you, Ms. Harrington.”
“Call me Ellen.” Then she turned to me. “Liam! Tell me you didn’t interrupt a lovely day just to check on this bag of bones. I clearly heard Hilary tell you I’m okay.”
Hilary merely waved at us before focusing on the board again. She lost against my grandmother every time, and to my knowledge, she wasn’t faking it.
“Don’t chastise him, Ellen. He was too worried not to check on you personally. Especially since you didn’t want to go to the hospital,” Tess said.
Gran scoffed. “I didn’t even scratch my knee. You don’t go to the hospital for a fall.”
“If you’re eighty, you do,” I said, losing my patience.
Tess winced. Gran narrowed her eyes.
“Liam Harrington! You don’t get to lecture me.”
I shook my head. “Okay, that was uncalled for. I apologize.”
Gran softened immediately, looking between Tess and me.
“Ellen, I have a family friend who is a doctor. Liam was so worried about you that I offered to ask her to come over. Is that okay?” Tess asked.
Ellen waved her hand. “Fine, fine. I can’t fight both of you.”
Tess smiled. “She’ll be very quick, and that way, you don’t have to go to a hospital and your tyrannical grandson will be appeased. It’s a win-win.”
“She’s coming here at this hour?”
“Yes. I told her it’s for a very good friend of mine.”
There she went with that label again.
I could barely keep from smiling. Tess was good at this, wording everything as if she was asking for permission. I’d forgotten that Tess’s friend was on her way. I could only imagine Gran’s reaction if a doctor appeared at her door out of the blue.
“I’m going to check on my friend,” Tess continued.
“Make yourself at home. I’m sorry I can’t get you a drink—”
“I’m on it, Gran.”
Putting an arm around Tess’s shoulders, I guided her to the dining area. It was a separate room around the corner, where we were out of earshot. My grandma kept a bar here.
“What would you have done if she said no?” I teased.
Tess laughed. “I’m sure you could have convinced her...or just played your tyrant card.”
“I don’t have your ability to sweet-talk everyone.”
Tess placed a hand on her hip, batting her eyelashes. “I have four siblings and a cousin. Mastering family politics was a vital skill.”
I moved my hand down her back, then up again, wrapping it in her hair. I traced her lower lip with my tongue, kissing the corner of her mouth. Tess sighed deliciously. I barely kept myself from pinning her against the bar and kissing her senseless. I was so damn happy she was here. Just being near her filled me with this sense of calm that was foreign to me. She was balancing me out. I gripped her waist with both hands, skimming my mouth from one corner of her lips to the other. She held on to my shoulders, digging her nails in the fabric to my skin. Her breath turned shaky.
“Kiss me,” she whispered.
“I can’t. I’m afraid I won’t stop. I just want to hold you like this.”
“And torture me?”
I smiled against her mouth. “Possibly.”
“You have no qualms about being in your grandmother’s home, huh?”
“Tess, I’ve kissed you against walls in public. Nearly had you on my desk. I think I’m actually on my best behavior right now.”
She laughed, glancing down at my hand. It was on her ass. I must have slipped it down unconsciously.
“Well, you’re groping my ass, so I’d say that’s debatable.” She walked backward a few steps, narrowing her eyes. “I’d say this is a safe distance. I’m not in the receiving area of those pheromones rolling off you.”
I burst out laughing. “What?”
Tess tapped her cheek as if considering something. “Actually, you know what? We’ll be even safer if you go behind the bar. I do want a drink anyway. This bar is so damn sexy.”
Laughing, I stepped behind it. “What do you want?”
“No clue. I’m a wine person, but this bar screams cocktail.”
“I’ll mix you one. What do you want?”
“Surprise me.”
“Will do.”
She sat in one of the chairs, inspecting the rows of drinks.
“I thought you wanted to check on your friend.”
“Yes, but she already texted me that she’ll be here in twenty minutes. Does Ellen expect us back?”
“Actually, it’s best if we stay here. She likes to focus on her game. My grandfather loved this bar.”
I started preparing a Tequila Sunrise, mixing Don Julio with orange and pomegranate juice.
“You miss him,” Tess stated.
“Yes. In many ways, they were more like my parents. I grew up with them. I lived here.”
“So your parents have always been traveling?”
I nodded, sliding her the drink.
“Yes. The only way to keep at the top of their game was to always take photos of the next big thing, then sell it to magazines. Now, their blog rakes in enough income that they don’t even need the magazines anymore, but back then, things were different. They came home a few times a year and tried to be here
at Christmas, but it didn’t always work out.” I looked at the drink I just gave her. “Let me know if you don’t like it and I’ll mix you something else.”
The Christmases they missed were the only times I felt really lonely. Opening the gifts they sent only drove home that they weren’t with me.
I always thought that if I had kids, I’d do things differently. I’d be there for them, teach them handiwork and help them fill out college applications. I’d do all those things my grandparents taught me.
“That must have felt a bit lonely.” Tess was looking at me with soft eyes.
Right, time to change the subject. The last thing I wanted was her pity.
“You haven’t tasted your drink.”
“Oh, right.” She wrapped those plump, perfect lips around the straw. The sight sent a jolt right below my belt. She sipped half her drink at once.
“Babe, there’s tequila in there. You might want to slow down.”
Her eyes widened. “Oops. I couldn’t tell. I just tasted the orange juice.”
“You didn’t see me pour Don Julio?” I teased.
“No, I was too busy admiring the bartender’s sexy arms and hands.”
“You like this bartender, huh?”
“Quite a lot. He’s got mad skills behind a bar, and in bed, and outside of it. And he steals kisses with so much style.”
I came out from behind the bar, heading to her. Tess scooted so far back in the round chair that she nearly fell off. I caught her ass in my hands, pulling her toward me until we collided.
“What are you doing?” she whispered.
“I want to kiss you.”
“But I thought this cocktail thingy was supposed to distract you.” She pointed with her chin to the glass on the counter.
I pressed my fingers on the top of her ass cheeks, wanting to rid her of the thick fabric, to feel her bare skin.
“That was before you admitted to liking that I steal kisses.”
“I don’t know what you mean. I was talking about the bartender.”
A deep sound reverberated in my throat.
“Was that a growl? Oh my God, you’re jealous of yourself?”
Yes, I was jealous of myself. I was losing my mind.
She grinned, right until the moment I kissed her.
