Liam lets out a chuckle. “I figure the alcohol kills any germs there might be.”
My lips curve up into a smile. “Makes sense.” I point at the bottle. “I’ve never opened one. Can you help?”
He wipes his hands on a paper towel, and taking a wine opener from a drawer, he makes quick work of pulling the cork out.
I glance around the kitchen, and finding wine glasses, I take two and pour some wine into them.
Liam plates the food, steak and salad, then nods in the direction of the balcony. “Let’s eat out there.”
I carry the glasses outside and place them on a coffee table. A similar leather suite as the one in the living room is situated between potted plants, the view spectacular from up here.
Sitting down, I take a plate from Liam. “Thank you. It looks delicious.” Cutting a piece of the steak, I pop it into my mouth, and after chewing for a couple of seconds, my eyes drift closed. “God, this is really good.”
“Glad you like it.” We stare at the view of the city while eating, and only when I relax with the glass of wine in my hand, my stomach full and happy, do I ask, “Where did you go for your vacation?”
Liam swallows the sip of wine he just took, then answers, “I had some business to take care of in Vancouver and Toronto, then visited my Uncle in Finland.”
“Do your parents live here in Chicago?”
He shakes his head. “My mother passed when I was eleven. My father remarried and has been traveling the world since.”
“I’m sorry about your mom.”
“She’s in a better place,” he murmurs before taking another sip. A frown forms on his forehead, then he asks, “What about your father? I should arrange protection for him.”
Oh shit.
I shake my head quickly. “Ah, no, he’s away on business.”
“Good.”
I down half the glass of wine to settle my nerves.
Steering the conversation away from our families, I ask, “What do you usually do on your weekends?”
“Work.”
I really want him to tell me about the mafia. Honestly, I’m curious how it fits in with Byrne Enterprises.
“But the office is closed over weekends.”
“Doesn’t mean I stop working.”
Damn, that’s true.
Suddenly my thoughts turn down a dark path, flashes from last night bombarding me once again.
I breathe through the chaotic emotions, taking gulps of the wine, hoping it will ease the trauma.
“You okay?” Liam murmurs.
I nod. “Yeah. It comes in waves.” I suck in a deep breath, then force a smile to my face so he won’t worry.
We sit in silence for a couple of minutes, then feeling brave from the glass of wine that’s almost empty, I ask, “If you don’t like being touched, does that mean you don’t do relationships?”
Yep. I just asked that, but getting to know Liam is a distraction I desperately need.
“Yes.”
My heart drops to my stomach. “Like ever?” My eyebrow pops up. “So, no intimacy.”
Shut up, woman.
An amused smile tugs at Liam’s mouth. “I’m not celibate, Kiara.” I finish the last of the wine in my glass, then he says, “But I’ve never been in a relationship.”
Shrugging, I murmur, “As long as you’re happy, it’s all that matters at the end of the day.”
“And you?”
My eyes widen. “Me?”
“Boyfriends? Celibacy?” Then he raises an eyebrow. “Virgin?”
“Ah… none of the above.” Reaching for the bottle, I refill our glasses.
The wine keeps flowing, stoking my bravery which I’ll probably regret tomorrow. “So, how does kissing work with you? Or do you just not do it?”
Liam watches me closely, his grin becoming hotter by the second. “You’re just full of questions, aren’t you?”
“Curious by nature.” And this is helping to keep my mind occupied.
His teeth scrape over his bottom lip, drawing my attention to his mouth. “I don’t kiss. It’s too personal.”
Such a pity.
Taking a deep breath, I glance at the setting sun. Minutes pass, and looking back at Liam, it’s to catch him staring at me.
“Penny for your thoughts,” I murmur, a comfortable atmosphere weaving around us that acts as a soothing balm.
“I’m wondering how you’re holding up after last night.”
My eyes lower to the glass in my hand, and I swirl the blood-red liquid. “I’m okay.” Lifting my gaze back to Liam’s, I admit, “I feel unsettled. You know… as if life’s a little off balance.” He nods, and I continue. “Things could’ve been so much worse, so I’m counting my blessings instead of letting it drag me down.” At least, I’m trying to not let it overwhelm me. I shrug. “Yeah, I’m rattled, and it was horrible, but I don’t want to think about it.” I force a smile to my face. “Plus, being in good company helps.”
A lot.
I think if I was alone, I would’ve dealt with it differently.
I’d probably still be trembling in a corner, crying my eyes out.
I stare at the view again, lost in thought, until Liam says, “Ask more questions. I don’t like it when you’re quiet.”