“Really?”
“Yes.”
“Should I just go down there?”
“Yes.”
“Okay. I’m not sure what I’m waiting for. Being away from him only makes it harder.”
“Way to go.”
I run straight upstairs and pack my bags for the next week or two. I’ll have Roxie and Emiliano have the movers prepare my things if we decide to get married. God. I can’t believe I’m about to do this. What if he’s not as serious as Roxie believes? No. I know he is. Hell, Emiliano came from his father and he’s a good man, so I have to have faith that Liam is a good man. He is a good man.
The flight to Dallas feels like an eternity but when I land, the airport is busy and my vehicle is waiting with my driver that Emiliano hired to protect me from Dallas to Steeleville.
We arrive in Steeleville, and I feel like I’ve come home. There is something relaxing, even though I know there’s more wicked going on underneath this quiet exterior. I instruct the driver to pull outside of Panhandles, which is open for business, and he says, “Wait for me to open the door.”
I only listen because that’s what Emiliano has asked of me. Until I’m under Liam’s watchful gaze, I should stay close to my personal security.
Once he opens the door, I climb out and stay by his side. We enter the bar and as if sensing me, Liam comes out of the backroom and snarls at the man at my side. He’s nearly on him when I press my hands outward, firmly against Liam’s chest. “Calm down.”
“Who the fuck is this?” he snarls.
“My security,” I answer when he tries to go around me.
“Oh.” He instantly calms down, but I don’t.
Lust flooding my entire body at his actions, and I almost feel sorry for my guard because I have a feeling Liam might have not stopped once he got a hold of him for even getting near me.
“Emiliano wouldn’t let me come here without security until he knew I was safely with you,” I inform him.
“Well, you’re safe with me.” Liam turns to my guard and says, “Your services are no longer needed.”
“That’s up to Ms. Martin.” I can feel the tension all over him, knowing he doesn’t like his tone.
I don’t want trouble, so I intervene before things get messy. “Thank you, but Liam is right. I’m fine. I just need my things.”
“Nickel, go get my woman’s luggage for me, will you? Bring it to my office. I need a minute, and knock before you come in.” He nods, and Liam takes my hand. We have several people staring at us, including two people I remember but I don’t quite know.
As soon as the door is closed, he turns around and my back is against the wooden surface, his mouth on mine. “Fuck, babe. I’ve missed you so much.” The overwhelming feeling of love washes over me and the silly fears flee. Roxie was right.
“Wow. I guess you did.”
“If I didn’t want people to hear you come, I’d fuck you right here, right fucking now, but I’d have to kill a motherfucker.”
“Is there a place upstairs?”
“Unfortunately, I have a guest up there.”
“Oh. A female guest.” Maybe I spoke too soon. I push away from him, but he doesn’t let me move an inch.
“Don’t. It’s not like that.”
“Then what’s it like?”
A knock at the door interrupts us. “Give me a minute.” He opens it, and the guy he called Nickel brings in my luggage.
“That guy said he’ll be in Dallas if Ms. Martin needs him.”
“Thank you. Keep an eye on the bar for me. I have to handle some things, but I’ll be ready for the next shift.”
“Sure thing, Boss. Don’t forget about the interviews you have lined up in an hour.”
“Thanks.”
“No problem.” He leaves and Liam closes the door and takes my hand, leading me over to the leather sofa and sitting me on his lap. I slide right off it because I’m pissed at him and need answers.
“Interviews?” I ask.
“Yes, I need more bartenders. With Roxie leaving and, well, I want more time to manage behind the scenes and with you, I don’t want to spend all day bartending.”
“Oh. So this woman…?” I continue my questions. I can’t help the way I feel and maybe it’s wrong, but he’s asking me to give up my trust and heart to him, and it’s not easy when he keeps secrets.
“This woman is practically a girl. Do you remember the women that I kicked out that night?”
My teeth are clenched as I hiss out a “yes.” How could I forget? It was the day I met him. It’s when he made me feel special and when they reminded me of how time had passed me by. Now one of them is here?
“They all weren’t bitches that day. It was just the one that had a mouth on her. Besides, even if she had been the one in distress, I still would have helped. Granted, I would have sent her to Dallas right afterward and washed my hands of her, but this one was the nice, designated driver.”