When I sit back, having demolished most of my food, I find he has a strange expression on his face.
"What?" I frown. "Am I wearing my food on my face?"
"That, too." He wets his finger, reaches over and rubs at a piece of food on my chin, then brings his finger to his lips and sucks on it. My entire body seems to light up with a strange weightless sensation. My nipples pebble. My core throbs. My throat dries, and I can’t tear my gaze away from him. He leans across the breakfast counter until his nose bumps mine.
"I have a surprise for you."
13
Liam
"You could have given me some advance notice." She folds her arms across her chest.
"If I had, would you have more agreed to get on the plane with me?"
She firms her lips.
"That’s what I thought."
After breakfast, I gave her just enough time to grab her handbag before I whisked her out of the house and into my car. I refused to tell her where we were going, but when we’d reached the private airstrip, it became clear to her we were leaving the city. When she refused to get on the plane, I reminded her of our arrangement. She scowled at me but finally conceded. To my relief.
Now she glances out the window, then whips her head around in my direction. "What about my clothes? My accessories, my—"
"Medication?"
Her features are pale. "How do you know about—"
I glance at the handbag she’s thrown down next to her seat. A bottle of pills peeks out from the opening. She stuffs it back inside, then juts out her chin. "They’re vitamins. I need them to support my energy levels."
I raise my hands. "What you take is your business; I’m not asking."
She huffs, then glances about at the plush leather seats, the thick carpet, the gleaming light fixtures, not to mention the glasses of champagne the stewardess gave us as soon as we boarded. She sniffs, "If you’re trying to impress me, I’ll have you know I’ve flown private many times."
"If I were trying to impress you, you’d have been so swept off your feet, you’d have been rendered speechless. Finally."
My phone vibrates, as does hers. We glance at each other then pull out our devices.
"Mother," I answer my phone.
"Did I hear that you’re taking Isla and leaving for the island before the wedding?"
"I’m on the plane right now."
"Good. I hope you’re using the time to turn this wedding into the real deal."
"Nothing of the sort is going to happen. As you said, this is the only way for you to get an heir, so you should be grateful for that."
"Liam," my mother admonishes me, "that wasn’t very nice of you."
"You’re right." I squeeze the bridge of my nose. "Look, I thought it best we leave early and be on hand to make the final arrangements. That way, when all of you arrive," I wince, "everything will go smoothly."
"I don’t buy that one bit, but that was almost convincing."
I rub the back of my neck. "Why is it that talking to you always makes me feel like I’m five?"
"Because no matter how old you get, you’ll always be my youngest."
Leave it to my mother to cut me down to size. "I’ll see you in a few days, Ma." I disconnect at the same time as Isla.