“Is he—” her dad began.
“Yes.” Cora looked at Liam in astonishment. “He’s purring. This is insane. Angel never does this with strangers.”
Liam locked eyes with her. “Guess I’m not a stranger, then, am I?” He slid his chair back and Angel jumped into his lap. Jumped. Into his lap. Liam began to pet the purring cat, but he kept his gaze steady on Cora’s face.
The hairs on the back of her neck prickled with awareness, and she had the sudden feeling they’d met before. The way he looked at her was so...familiar. She sucked in a breath. Ridiculous! She’d never seen him before in her life. Of that, she was certain. Liam O’Connor wasn’t the type of man a person could easily forget. She leaned back in her chair and shifted her gaze to her cat. “I promise you, Angel never acts this way. It’s like you’ve bewitched him.”
Liam smoothed the cat’s back, then scratched him behind the ears. Angel nudged his nose affectionately against Liam’s hand. “Maybe he just has good taste.”
“Or hell just froze over,” Cora said.
Liam’s mouth curved into a wicked half smile. “If it did, I’d be the first to know.”
She shifted uncomfortably and rose from the table. It was his damned smile. It tugged at her insides and made her stomach flutter in recognition. Or confusion. Or something. She walked into the kitchen and placed her plate in the sink. Then she filled it with warm, soapy water, grabbed a kitchen towel and began wiping down a counter. What was going on with her? She felt split down the middle, equal parts skeptical and charmed by this man. Her usually keen instincts were in a tailspin because she wanted to remain calm and clinical in her assessment of him. Her plan that morning had been to keep him at arm’s length and be cool and aloof. But she was undeniably drawn to him, and it wasn’t just his sinful good looks. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d felt this uneasy around a man.
Cora spent fifteen minutes milling around in the kitchen until she felt more grounded. When she returned to the table, her dad was discussing the upcoming charity ball at the famous Davenport Estate just outside the city.
“It’s a big black-tie event the local businesses host every year. They raise money for different charities. This year it’s for... What is it, Cora? I can’t remember.” He glanced apologetically at Liam. “Ever since I moved to Charlotte, I’m not as up-to-date on Providence Falls’ society news. Cora usually fills me in when she comes to visit.”
“Bread for the Hungry.” She began to clear the table. Liam lifted the now-empty pan to help her. When their fingers accidentally brushed, he sucked in a pained breath and drew his hand back.
“What’s wrong?” Cora asked, eyeing him warily. “Did Angel just claw you?”
He blinked, then said in a strained voice, “It’s fine.”
Cora glanced at her cat, who was draped across Liam’s lap, kneading his claws and purring in contentment. She shrugged and carried the pan to the kitchen sink. If Liam insisted on risking his limbs by petting the dangerous feline, it was his loss.
“The gala is basically just a big, fancy party where we ply rich people with too many drinks and get them to part with their money so we can help the less fortunate,” Cora said, returning to the table.
Liam gave her a roguish smile. “Like Robin Hood.”
“I guess. Except instead of wearing tights and slinging arrows, we’re wearing formal clothes and slinging alcoholic beverages. Also, we don’t actually steal. And we’re not fugitive outlaws. But other than that, sure. Just like Robin Hood.”
Liam slapped a hand on the table. “I like the sound of this party. When is it? I want to go.”
“Excellent.” Her dad beamed at both of them. “It’s in a couple of weeks. You guys can go together.”
Cora clamped her mouth shut, struggling to keep her expression neutral. She needed to have a talk with her father before he got carried away. Scratch that, he already was. At the rate he was going, they’d be off on their honeymoon in no time flat. This had to stop.
“Dad, can you help me in the kitchen for a moment?” Cora asked through gritted teeth. Then she glanced at Liam and said, “Why don’t you take Angel into the living room and kick back on the couch?” It wasn’t a question; it was a command.
In the kitchen, Cora dropped the last of the dishes into the sink and turned on her father, keeping her voice low so Liam wouldn’t overhear. “Look, I get that you’re loyal to Liam’s father and you feel you owe him, but you have to stop trying to force him on me.”
“I’m not trying to force anything, honey. I just think he’s a very nice man, and—”
“Believe me,” Cora said, holding up her hands. “It’s abundantly clear you think he walks on water, but please allow me the courtesy of making my own decisions.”
Hugh’s voice softened. “It’s just hard for me to think of you living alone out here, now that I live so far away.”
“Dad, this is not Antarctica, and I’m not alone. I can literally hear old Mrs. Gilmore next door snoring at night when she leaves the window open.”
He shook his head. “I just like the idea of having someone close by to protect you. Can you blame me for that?”
“Yes! When are you going to realize I’m not a little girl anymore?” Cora said in exasperation. “I can protect myself. I’m a cop, for God’s sake.”
“But, I’m your father.” Hugh smiled, his blue eyes crinkling at the corners. “To me, you’ll always be that little girl crying at the bus stop on your first day of school.”
Cora rolled her eyes. “I was crying because I wanted to walk to the bus stop myself, and you wouldn’t let me. And don’t try to change the subject.” She jerked a thumb at the living room. “You’re trying to manipulate me into letting him move in here, and it’s not going to happen. Stop trying to control me.”