Liam understood completely. He didn’t like it, but he understood. “I get it.”
They remained silent for a few uncomfortable moments until a thought occurred to him and Liam chuckled. “Just so we’re clear, you’re admitting that you do want to have sex with me?”
Colby seemed to relax and even crack a smile. “Of course, that is all you would hear.”
Liam’s smile faded just a bit. “Seriously. I admire your focus.” Colby’s admission left him feeling like he was about to miss out on a great opportunity. “You’re a special kind of woman.” He’d known it the first night their eyes met.
Colby held her breath as she watched him watch her. Liam Lockwood was a dangerous man. He had her forgetting everything she’d just said and wondering exactly how good it would feel to have him sliding in and out of her body.
Colby joked but not really. “I am special, and don’t you forget it.” Although she said the words to him, it was more of a reminder to herself.
“Impossible.” Liam nodded.
Colby glanced out at the track. “Good. I’m glad we are on the same page.”
Liam respected what Colby wanted to do. Her points were more than valid. He would reign it in.
“Let me help you with this.” Colby moved to show him how to put on his helmet, then she did the same, ultimately signaling the end of the conversation.
Once Colby was confident that they had taken all safety precautions, she revved the engine. “I promised you a little bit of heaven. I think it’s time to dance with the angels.”
*****
“So, what did you think?” Colby was giddy with excitement as they pulled the car back into the garage.
Liam was an avid mountain climber and enjoyed outdoor sports, but he had to be honest, racing around the track at ungodly speeds was freeing. He literally felt as if he was flying without the benefit of a plane. “It was incredible.” Even now that the ride was over, he still felt the rush of adrenaline.
“You sound surprised,” Colby said.
They got out of the car and left it in the care of the guys on the maintenance crew who hadn’t gone to Georgia’s.
“It’s definitely a high I’ve never experienced.”
She loved seeing the excitement of racing in his eyes. Colby nodded knowingly. “Exactly. It’s how I feel every time I’m out there. There truly is no better feeling in the world.”
“It’s certainly intoxicating, but there might be one or two things that might top it,” he said suggestively.
“Like what? I can’t imagine even one.” Colby said before catching on.
She looked so damn kissable. Liam couldn’t help himself. He reached out and pulled Colby close. Her arms reflexively came around as she grabbed ahold of his arms.
Liam’s face hovered close to hers. “I shouldn’t want to kiss you.”
Colby looked up into his face. She whispered, “I shouldn’t want you to.”
Her words were all it took for Liam to lean in close and press his lips against hers. Colby melted. At her response, Liam tightened his hold.
Colby’s mouth parted ever so slightly. It was then that Liam took the opportunity to deepen the kiss.
It was hot, fiery, passionate, and demanding. Colby wanted to pull away before she lost herself but couldn’t do it. If she were honest, she was gone the moment he pulled her into his arms.
Liam took his time as he savored the taste of her. Never in his life had a kiss rocked his entire being the way this one had.
They lost all sense of time and place until the annoying sound of his phone brought them back to reality.
Somehow, Liam managed to find the will to pull back.
Colby’s head was spinning. She had never been so thoroughly kissed before in her life.
Her eyes fluttered open. Her voice was a barely-there whisper. “I thought we decided not to act on our attraction to one another.”
He used the pad of his thumb to caress her lower lip. “I couldn’t help myself.” Liam hadn’t planned on kissing Colby.
Colby sucked in her lower lip as if to hide it away. More than likely, it was to keep herself from asking for more.
Liam’s throat felt thick as he watched all the emotions play across her face. He cradled her face between his hands. “You’re beautiful.” Their attraction was stronger than either of them realized. “I want to respect your wishes, but damn, that kiss. Knowing you feel the same way is a problem.”
Liam began to lower his head to kiss her again. Only this time, he was interrupted by Markos, who had just arrived at the garage.
He cleared his throat to announce himself. “Mr. Lockwood?”
Liam froze. Markos had the worst timing ever. Liam sighed in frustration before loosening his hold on Colby.
He half-turned and couldn’t keep the irritation out of his voice. “What?”
Markos was used to Liam’s moods. He didn’t take them personally. After knowing his boss for years, Markos had figured this moment with Colby was building. Markos wasn’t sure if Liam would act on his feelings or ignore them, but he was happy to see he had decided to go with it. “Your office in New York has been trying to connect with you. There appears to be a problem. They called me when they couldn’t reach you.”
Liam closed his eyes and dropped his forehead against Colby’s. “Can we meet later? I’d like to talk about this a little more?”
Run. Don’t do it. It’s suicide. Colby was hesitant but couldn’t bring herself to say no. She rationalized that, if she accepted his invitation, she could convince Liam that something like this could never happen again. “We can’t do this.”
“It’s already happening.” Liam ran his hand down the length of Colby’s arm.
Colby thanked God she was wearing her fire suit because it hid her goosebumps.
“Have dinner with me?”
If Liam were going to be around this NASCAR season, Colby had to get him to understand that they absolutely could not have a romantic relationship. She was uncertain. “Promise that we’ll just talk?”
“Is that the only way I can convince you to say yes?”
“It is.” Colby sounded resolute. The problem was that she wasn’t and had never been this conflicted about anything in her life. She wanted Liam to pursue her, but at the same time, she didn’t. It wasn’t just him that she didn’t trust. Colby didn’t trust herself.
“Then, I’ll be on my best behavior.” Liam wasn’t a liar, but he couldn’t actually agree to her terms either.
Not realizing he never actually promised that they would only talk, Colby tried to sound casual when she accepted. “Where do you want to meet?”
Liam grinned as he slowly started to back away. “I’ll pick you up at seven.”
Colby nodded. “I’ll text you my address.”
“I don’t need it.” He winked. “See you tonight.” Satisfied, Liam turned and reached for Markos’ cell phone.
Liam placed the phone up to his ear. “Lockwood.” His voice changed. It didn’t sound like the man who, only a second ago, had been so gentle. Colby saw the transformation right before her eyes as Liam turned into a no-nonsense cutthroat billionaire businessman.
It was unnerving.
She watched him walk away, all the while second, third, and fourth guessing her decision to go to dinner. Remember your goals because this couldn’t possibly end well for you. “It’s just dinner.”
Her words sounded weak even to her.
Chapter 16
“Does your father know you’re going out on a date with Liam Lockwood?” Lila asked.
“It’s not a date. It’s dinner,” Colby said more to convince herself than Lila. “I think you’ve overlooked the fact that I am a grown woman. I don’t need my father’s permission to go anywhere.”
“That means no.” Lila giggled as she placed her hands on her hips. “You’re not slick, Colby. You’ve never spent two hours in the bathroom, getting ready to hang out with Gonzo.”
“How
many times do I have to say that it’s just dinner?” Colby sat on her bed as she slipped on a pair of cross-strapped black stiletto sandals. “Liam and I have a few things we need to iron out.”
“You ain’t foolin’ nobody. More like dusting out a few cobwebs.” Lila laughed. “You’re gonna hurt that poor man in that little black dress.” She continued to crack up laughing. “Breasts sitting all high and perky!”
“Stop it!” Colby laughed too. She got up and went over to the mirror to put the finishing touches on her makeup. “He’s my boss’s brother. I’m not going to sleep with him.”
At the mention of Brian, Lila’s face softened. The energy in the room dropped a little. Lila’s voice softened. “Did you see him today?”
Slowly, Colby stopped applying her lipstick and lowered her hand as she watched her cousin through the mirror. “Yeah. I did.” She hesitated. “You know, last night, he got the same look on his face as you do now. Are you sure it’s really over and done?”
Lila glanced up. Her eyes met Colby’s in the mirror. “I’m sure.”
Colby didn’t believe her. “If I’m overstepping, just say so, but . . . what happened between you two?” She didn’t think Lila was going to answer, but surprisingly, she did.
“Brian and I were once deeply in love. We even talked about marriage.” Lila started to blink back tears. “If he had asked, I would have immediately said yes.” Lila sighed. “I’ve been chasing that kind of love ever since we broke up. Then I gave up on love and set my sights on other priorities. Pathetic, right?”
Colby couldn’t judge. She’d been chasing ghosts for a hell of a lot longer than Lila. “Not at all. But I’m still confused. How did you go from spending your life together to not even being able to be in the same room?”
“Easy if you walk into your best friend’s apartment and find your naked girlfriend in his bed.”
Colby's hands went to her throat. Oh, shit! However, she didn’t voice her surprise out loud.
“In college, Brian was the best of friends with this guy named Anthony Luccesse.”
Why does that name sound familiar? Colby thought.
“Anthony’s family was rumored to be this big crime family. At the time, he was just Brian’s friend. Anyway, they competed over everything, and I mean everything. They got such a high from one-upping each other. But that all sort of slowed down once Brian and I started dating—to a point. Anthony would always flirt with me, but I never took him seriously. He only wanted to get the best of Brian.” Lila had this faraway look in her eyes as if she were no longer in Colby’s bedroom, but back to a different place in time. “Anthony called late one night to tell me that Brian wanted to meet me at Anthony’s place. When I think back on it, that was an odd request. I went like a dummy. Of course, Brian wasn’t there. Anthony asked if I wanted a drink while I waited. We were friends, so I trusted him. I only asked for a water. I didn’t think anything of it. The next thing I knew, I felt fuzzy-headed. I could see and hear everything around me, but I couldn’t move or talk.”
Unshed tears began to stream down Lila’s face.
“Oh, my god! Did he?”
Colby couldn’t finish her words. Lila shook her head vigorously. “No. It didn’t get that far, but he undressed me and placed me in his bed, then got in next to me. Of course, that’s how Brian found us. I was so out of it that I couldn’t say anything. All I remember is Anthony laughing, and then he and Brian got into a physical fight. Shortly after, I passed out.”
“So, all this time, Brian thinks you cheated on him with Anthony?”
Lila wiped away her tears. “Probably. We never talked about it. By the time I got back to our apartment, he had already boxed up my stuff and left it in the hallway. That was the last time I saw his face until the other day.”
Colby walked across the room and took Lila’s hand into hers. “You two should talk. You’ve got to tell him the truth.”
Lila rolled her head around her neck. “There’s no point. It was years ago. I’m sure Brian could care less now.”
“He was shaken when he saw you the other day. I get the feeling things may not be as finished as you think. Maybe with the passing of time, he might be willing to listen to the truth. If not, maybe you two can at least find some kind of closure.”
“Brian Lockwood is my past. Sometimes, it’s best to keep things there.” Lila pulled her hands away from Colby’s and shook them out. She pasted on a fake smile. “I don’t want to be a downer. You’re going on a date for the first time since breaking it off with Derrick. Knowing how closed off you can be, that’s a big deal.”
“It’s not a date,” Colby said. “I already told you, Liam and I just need to figure some things out.”
“You and Liam don’t need to figure anything out. Brian is your boss, not Liam. So, what is this really all about if it’s not really a date?”
After Lila just bared her soul, Colby really couldn’t hold back. “He kissed me today.”
Lila’s eyes went wide. “Oh shit! How was it?”
Colby’s eyes rolled back into her head. “It made my toes curl.”
“That good?”
“God, yes.”
“So, you are going to let him dust off a few cobwebs.” Lila laughed through her pain.
“Lord, I hope not.” Colby heard the doubt in them, then said her words more firmly. “No. I’m not. I can’t.”
“C’mon. Stop playing this cat-n-mouse game. For heaven’s sake, why not?”
“I told you! Plus, I’m racing in two weeks.”
“So?”
“So,” Colby drew out the word, “sleeping with him could ruin the career I don’t even have yet.”
“Why go to dinner? It’s not exactly a good keep your distance strategy.”
“Liam is always around and,” Colby bit her lower lip, “we are so attracted to each other. It’s almost like the attraction has a mind of its own. When I tell myself no, everything else says yes. I think it’s the same for him; only he doesn’t seem to mind.”
“Liam doesn’t really have anything to lose.”
“Exactly! So, tonight we are going to discuss how to navigate this possible train wreck.”
“Have you thought about just having sex? Getting it out of both your systems?”
Colby frowned. “I can’t imagine having sex for that reason.”
Lila shrugged. “It’s not like he doesn’t get you all hot and bothered, and it’s been known to work.”
Before Colby could respond, the doorbell rang. It was seven on the dot.
“I think that might be your date.” Lila stressed the last word. “And he’s right on time. I do believe Mr. Lockwood might be a little anxious to get between those chocolaty thighs.” Lila laughed out loud.
Colby faked glared. “You’re a mess.” She hugged her, then pulled back slightly. “Are you good? I could cancel.”
“No, you will not. I’m fine.”
“Okay. Well, I’ll see you in a few hours.”
Lila doubted it. “Right. I’m sure I’ll see you after breakfast tomorrow. Have a really good time. I mean a really really good time.”
Chapter 17
Colby’s stomach started doing summersaults the moment she heard the doorbell. She sucked in a deep breath to steady her nerves and calmly walked over to the door.
“Good evening, Ms. James. I’m here to escort you to the LUXE hotel for your dinner with Mr. Lockwood.”
Colby was surprised and a little disappointed to find Liam’s overly large personal assistant on the other side of the door and not him. “Markos, right?”
“Yes. That’s correct.”
“Thank you. I thought Liam was going to pick me up?”
“He was detained on a business call. He sends his apologies.”
Colby waved to Lila and walked out of the house. “Liam really didn’t have to send you. He could have just called. I live five minutes away from the hotel and could have driven myself.”
Markos opened t
he car door. “Mr. Lockwood wanted to make sure you arrived safely.”
Colby smirked. “If I had to translate that, it would probably mean something like your boss is a control freak.”
Markos tried to suppress a grin. “He’s definitely particular.” Colby slid into the back. Once she was settled, Markos got in the front passenger seat and instructed the driver to go.
Colby could deny it to everyone else, but she couldn’t lie to herself. She was nervous and found it hard to be still. She crossed her legs, uncrossed them, only to cross them again. Colby tried to remember the last time she’d felt this way but couldn’t.
On the way to the hotel, she changed her mind about having dinner with Liam at least twenty times. Just as the hotel came into sight, she opened her mouth to ask that they turn the car around, but the words wouldn’t come.
Finally, the car stopped in front of the hotel’s entrance. “No turning back now,” she murmured.
Like clockwork, Markos got out of the car. But this time, when her door opened, Liam was standing on the other side.
For a moment, Colby stopped breathing.
He was impeccably dressed in a black dinner jacket and slacks. That wasn’t even his best panty-melting feature. Colby would have said it was his eyes, but after their kiss this afternoon, it was hands down his lips.
They curved in an upward smile.
This was not only a bad idea. This was going to be a spectacularly bad idea, she thought. I’m going to be a yes to whatever he asks.
Liam had every intention of picking Colby up with flowers, and everything like their dinner meeting was a real date, but an urgent business call had prevented it. When he opened her door and peered inside, he was at a loss for words. Colby was beautiful on any given day, but tonight she was fashion-magazine stunning. How on God’s green earth that she was still single was both a mystery and a travesty.
Liam managed to sound a lot more collected than he felt. “I’m glad you could make it.”
Damn those eyes. His gaze was no less intense than any of the other times Colby had caught him looking at her. But, tonight, they had an extra sparkle in them.
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