Chapter 25 – Gabriella #2
Conscious of the ridiculousness of this whole scene, I blurted out, “Ten black coffees. And one venti hazelnut latte.”
“Iced. Half syrup, an extra shot, and caramel drizzled in the cup.” The deep base rumbled at my back. “With whipped cream on the top.”
The barista fanned herself. “Your man knows your drink.”
I felt the flush rise to my cheeks. “Yeah, he doesn’t miss a thing.”
“I’ll have your drinks up shortly,” the barista beamed.
Moving to the waiting section, I plucked a napkin from the dispenser, shifted my hold on the excited mass of energy, and then had to fight the creature to take the cup away and clean his face.
Storm looked around for more, head whipping back and forth.
I did too. But what I saw was the baristas exchanging glances. I heard the sounds of their whispers, though not the words themselves. They were wondering about my husband’s mask.
The strange shopping date took on a whole new level. Liam not only carved out time from his busy day to spend time with me, he’d mustered the courage to appear in public. Masked. Where people could stare.
I tightened my grip on the puppy, desperately wishing I could lecture the kids pouring coffee about not making disabled people uncomfortable. But saying something would cause a bigger scene. I resolved just to hurry out of the area and then distract Liam as we shopped.
Screw waiting, I could distract him now.
“We’re going to need to go to the pet section, I guess,” I said to my husband, drawing his attention away from the whispering idiots. “Have you had a pet before? Do you know what kinds of things we’ll need?”
The muscles in that sharp, beautifully strong jaw relaxed. “It’s been a few years, but yeah. Food, collar, leash—the basics.”
I looked down at Storm. What about treats? Toys? And if that poor thing got a chill, wouldn’t he need a sweater?
Suddenly, I felt inadequate. I might have all the functioning parts, but I wasn’t a mother. I didn’t know the first thing about caring for a human being, let alone a pet.
“What is it, cailín?” Liam pressed.
I jumped, not having realized how close he’d come.
Storm tried to nip at his suit jacket.
“Nothing,” I said quickly.
“Gabriella.” Liam cupped my cheek with his bare hand, forcing me to look at him. “Your whole face changed. I can see the wheels in your smart little mind racing.”
Letting out a short sigh, I gave him the truth.
“You would think that with nine younger sisters, I would know a thing or two about babies.” I lifted Storm slightly in explanation.
“But our housekeeper always did the brunt of the work with the infants. Toddlers, I understand. Kids, I know. But babies? What if I break him, Liam?”
That strong thumb stroked under my eye. “He might seem like a wee pup, but he’s resilient. You’ll do just fine.”
That slight, lilting accent did things to my insides. Not just the rush of arousal. But a dangerous warmth that spread through my chest. He truly believed what he said. Those words dared me to hope.
This man was dangerous.
I could feel myself falling.
The moment was broken when one of the baristas called out my name. I broke from Liam’s spell, moved to the counter, and took his drink.
“Here.” I handed it over. “Let’s have some fun.”
***
“Do you…want a new book?” Liam hedged, jerking his chin to the aisles teeming with paperbacks. “You’ve almost finished the one you brought.”
My stupid heart did a little flip. He’d noticed. He paid attention to everything.
It’s how he stays alive.
Brushing aside that gloomy thought, I nodded. “Sure, we can look.”
Liam turned the cart, brimming with random items, into the book section. He hadn’t protested once about the things I put into the cart. He didn’t look at the price tag, didn’t ask me why we needed them. He just pushed the cart and watched.
“This is the author you like.” He held up a book. “Have you read this one?”
I pulled the corner of my lip across my teeth. “Actually, I’m in the mood for something else.”
This was it. The ultimate test.
Liam set the book back and waited.
I took a deep breath. “I’ve heard interesting things about this story.”
My fingers shook as I plucked the think paperback with a crowned skull, butterflies, and red roses. Red roses that supposedly didn’t have thorns because the stalker removed them.
Liam picked up another copy and read the back. His brow lifted slightly. But that was his only reaction.
“I don’t have to read it though,” I hurried to say and set my copy on the shelf.
“We’ll get it.” He plucked a second copy and set them both in the cart. “Anything that has to do with a game of cat and mouse sounds like a grand time.”
My jaw dropped.
Liam’s hand shot out and he snatched my coffee before it fell from my fingers.
“Why two copies?” I gasped.
He took a sip of my drink and made a face. His body shuddered. “Fecking hell, that’s wretched.”
“Then don’t drink it,” I teased and tried to grab the half-drunk latte back.
Liam lifted it out of reach and took another, slow, savoring sip as his stare pinned me. My pulse doubled over itself. Sexy. Smooth. His lips pressed against the cup. When he handed it back, I held his gaze and took a drink. My mouth covered the spot his had been.
A groan, so soft I nearly missed it, rumbled in his throat.
That sound made my core clench tightly.
“I’ll be reading the book too, cailín,” Liam said, voice rough and gravelly. “I want to know you better. You can tell a lot about a person by what they read.”
A dark romance novel…. The first one I would openly be able to read. No more sneaking them on the cook’s iPad during a lunch break at the restaurant. I craved reading them all.
What did that say about me?
That you have good taste?
I coughed and cleared my throat. “What do you like to read?”
Liam shrugged. “You’ve seen my library.”
“Yes, but—”
At the end of the aisle, a peeved voice scolded Connor.
“—I thought they were decorations,” I finished, but my attention was distracted.
“They aren’t.” From the sudden tightness in Liam’s words, his focus was directed at the bodyguard holding the snoozing pup.
“Go get a manager then,” Connor scoffed.
The store employee scowled and waddled away.
“What other books do you want?” Liam flicked a finger toward the shelf.
“I, uh…what?”
“Books, cailín. We’re shopping.” But the playfulness was gone from his words.
“I don’t need more books. I read one at a time.” As I spoke, my gaze wandered over the shelves.
The moment a cover caught my attention, Liam plucked it and set it on top of the others.
“More,” he demanded.
I let out an incredulous breath. “You’re going to regret that.”
“No, I’m not.”
Such confidence! It was devastatingly sexy. “Do you have any idea the amount of books I’m able to consume?”
“I said, more.” He came around the cart, planted his hands on my shoulders, and guided me toward the forbidden fruit. Leaning down, his bare face brushed against my cheek. “Pick, cailín. All of them, if you’d like.”
“Aren’t you shocked?” I whispered. “Scandalized by the smut?”
Liam hummed, the sultry sound was kryptonite. “I’m just glad I’m finally figuring you out, little wife.”
We managed to select two dozen books before all hell broke loose.
The manager, hands clasped in front of his tummy, explained in his most professional tone that the store policy was service animals only.
“Fuck off,” Connor spat.
Liam let out a haggard sigh. He straightened and walked to the mess. “What seems to be the problem?”
The manager repeated himself.
“The pup is sleeping. It’s a baby.” Liam bent, getting right in the manager’s face. “And I don’t like your tone.”
Connor snickered.
The other guards crept forward until a circle of large, tattooed mobsters surrounded the manager.
“O porca miseria,” I muttered under my breath.
These idiots were going to get the cops called on us. I liked this store, liked the freedom of shopping for whatever I wanted. And I liked being with Liam, maybe even a little too much.
If he was banned from the premises….
I rushed forward, pushing past Connor and another guard named Sean. “Excuse me, I’m so sorry. We didn’t know.”
I placed a hand on Liam’s arm, giving the solid flesh a warning squeeze.
“We’re first-time pet owners—well, I am at least. It’s my dog. I thought you could bring them inside if they were puppies. I’ll take him outside,” I rushed to add. “Not a trouble at all.”
The manager gaped at me.
The hard tone cracked behind me. “No.”
I squeezed Liam’s arm harder. “Sorry for the confusion. You’re doing a great job—” I read the manger’s nametag “—Russell. The customer service industry sucks balls.”
Shock rippled around me, and a few of the guards snickered.
“I was a manager too, so please, forgive us.” If I smiled any brighter, my face would shatter.
Russell fidgeted, looking around at the guys. “No problem, ma’am. Just doing my job.”
Liam opened his mouth, but I gave his arm a tug before spinning about and going to the puppy, whose head popped up as if sensing the commotion.
“Connor, take the bleeding pup outside,” Liam barked before I could pluck it free.
I faltered. “It’s my dog, I can take it outside.”
Liam’s voice was ice. “Connor will do it.”
The guard was already walking away, whistling a tune.
A hard hand fell on my shoulder. Liam guided me back to the cart. His hot breath fanned against my ear. “You’re playing a dangerous game, little bird. Careful, or I’ll swallow you whole.”
His teeth grazed my ear.
I should have been frightened. I just stood up to a mobster in front of his men. But Liam didn’t shout. Didn’t hurt me. Which was why the shiver racing down my spine wasn’t fear. It was desire.
***
What the hell am I doing? I yawned.
Storm was asleep in Liam’s armchair after a dinner of fresh food, which was supposed to be healthier than kibble, and plenty of treats for going potty outside.
I tried to study the page, but my mind kept replaying the day. The shopping. Being close to the monster. The fear that should have come but never did.