If I didn’t have responsibilities, I would have been on the first flight out of Dallas and straight over to her that afternoon, but life just doesn’t work that way for everyone. Other people rely on me for a paycheck, and I can’t abandon them, regardless of the fact that it doesn’t hurt me to close the bar for a bit. I’ve been doing everything to replace Roxie as well as posting signs that the bar will be closed two days this week because of the wedding.
“Liam, put me down.”
“No. You’re not getting away again. I know damn well you ran from me as quickly as you could, but if you thought I wasn’t going to follow, you were wrong.” I swat her ass.
“I… I…”
“Don’t lie.”
“I’m getting a head rush.” Oh shit. I set her on her feet as we reach my floor.
“Sorry about that, babe.” She brushes her hair away from her face, attempting to repair the mess gravity made of it, but I think it’s perfect and in fact, I’m about to fuck it up some more. I thrust my fingers into it, urging her back against the wall of the elevator, dropping my head to taste those soft, glossy lips. Fuck, how the hell am I about to come in my pants from a kiss? I’m nearly fifty, an experienced man for God’s sake.
I pull back before I ruin this moment and embarrass myself. Pressing my head to hers, I attempt to calm my breathing. The door opens and I drag her out, forgetting that she’s in heels and she stumbles. I catch her and swing her up in my arms. “Sorry, babe.”
“Did I do something wrong back there?”
“No. No. Esperanza, you did everything right. Too damn good.”
“Um… thanks. I think you’re nuts, but thank you anyway.”
“Woman, have you seen yourself? You give women half your age a run for their money. You’re sexy as hell, so stop believing anything less. Hell, you have guys around here ready to get beat to death just to flirt with you.”
“You know Anthony only does that when you’re around, right?” she informs me with a smile on her face.
“Does he?” I ask with a snarl. It doesn’t matter because I feel like a violent animal ready to rip him limb from limb when it comes to Esperanza. She’s mine and the thought of anyone else trying to take her from me makes me insane like wildly insane.
“Yes. He tries to rile you up.”
“Why? Does he have a death wish?” I ask through clenched teeth.
“No. I think he wanted you to do what you did: carry me out like a caveman.”
“Fucking asshole.”
“You make it sound like a terrible thing.”
“Besides, I made a fool of myself around everyone at your son’s wedding, so no it’s not. If it was any other time or place, I’d pin you to the wall and fuck you to show the world you belonged to me and only me.” I know I’m being bold as fuck, but she deserves to know the truth.
“And what about you, Boss?”
“It’s Liam. Say it,” I demand, wanting to hear my name from her lips. The way I feel about this woman is all new to me and it should freak me out, but it doesn’t.
“Liam.” Instantly, my dick jerks in my pants like a teenage boy.
“Now as to that question, I’m only yours. I haven’t been with anyone in at least six years, so if that doesn’t tell you anything, well, I don’t know what will.”
“Six years? But you…” She runs her eyes up and down my body like she can’t believe that I would be celibate for so long because I still stay in good shape, but it’s the truth. I have to be honest that I love the way she looks at me. It makes all those hours of working out worth it.
I brush my hands over hers and then interlace our fingers together, I answer her. “I thought I was just losing my drive. You know that I peaked. I was never a womanizer, but I was no saint either, but I got to the point where life became empty.”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to kill our mood.”
Cupping her face, I tuck a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “Not at all. I’m just trying to talk. As much as I want to fuck you on every damn surface imaginable like we’re in our twenties, I want to get to know you and why you ran.”
“I didn’t quite run. My plan had never been to stay in Steeleville that long at all. Besides, I had to come here and get the ball rolling for their rushed wedding. Milo didn’t want to wait, so he wanted things done as soon as possible, especially since they missed out on so much time together.”