Chapter 15
Liam
The next morning, I felt like a college freshman. I’d gone to sleep at two o’clock in the morning after dropping Tess off at her apartment.
She looked just as exhausted as I felt, and we exchanged conspiratorial smiles as we left the room after the first general meeting about our new partnership.
It had been a productive one, where we set our immediate goals. We were going to start with radio ads right away. Tess and Skye would give us a list of their requirements for the new online shop, which we’d then send to the website-building companies we used in the past.
Dexter and Becca were also going to assess their Facebook and Google ads. We decided that I would be Soho Lingerie’s official mentor, since I’d been in contact with them the most.
And right now came my favorite part. Tess was going to show me the location of the space they wanted to lease for their second shop.
“Okay, everyone, great job,” I told the team, Tess, and Skye once we were all back on the interns’ floor. “We all have our tasks, so let’s get the ball rolling.”
Everyone was going to think I was just being a hardass, as usual, but instead, I just wanted to get out of here with Tess.
Everyone except Skye, who was looking between me and Tess with a smile. The three of us left the brownstone together.
Skye shook my hand. “Liam, I’m sorry I can’t come with you to see the space, but I’m sure Tess will be great company.”
“Yes, she will.”
Skye was looking at Tess with a huge smile, then whispered something in her ear as she kissed her cheek before getting in the Uber she ordered.
“So, what was that about?” I asked once it was just the two of us.
“Yeah…this morning my sister asked for a rundown of every little detail from last night. I promised I’ll update her today.”
“You say that like it’s normal.” I didn’t discuss my personal life even with David and Becca, and they were my best friends.
Tess burst out laughing. “It is. We have a no-secrets policy in my family. I’m the chief enforcer,” she said proudly.
“I learn something new about you all the time.”
A black Mercedes slowed down in front of us. It was our Uber. I opened the car door for Tess. She wiggled her eyebrows at me as she lowered herself inside. “I love that you’re always opening doors and such. I’ve only ever seen it in old movies.”
I laughed and climbed in next to her.
We arrived in Soho quickly. The location they planned on leasing was only a few streets away from their original store.
It was smart, keeping the two spaces so close to each other.
It would make logistics easier, and their name was Soho Lingerie, after all.
Tess was beyond excited as she showed me around inside.
The realtor had given us a quick tour and now was smoking outside.
“So, we can model this after the original store. The layout of the room is perfect. It would strengthen the brand, I think.”
I was only half paying attention to her words, too busy drinking in her exuberance, the way she just lit up when she spoke about her dreams. I wanted to make every single one of them come true.
“Hey, focus,” she admonished, poking my arm.
“Or what?”
“Or you might make the wrong decision.”
“The space is great, Tess. When will you be able to open?”
“If we sign this week, probably in the beginning of December.”
“Let’s get the ball rolling, then.”
Turning around, she headed toward the door. I caught up with her midway, kissing the side of her neck from behind.
She yelped in surprise before turning around. “You, sir, have a playful side I like very much. You kept it hidden until now.”
“I don’t think I was aware of it,” I said truthfully.
She grinned. “So it’s just for me?”
“Just for you, I promise.”
She leaned in for a quick kiss, then smoothed the collar of my coat. “Well, let’s go finalize things with the realtor. Then you can go back to the brownstone, or David will hand me my ass.”
I growled. “First, David’s going nowhere near your ass. It’s mine.”
“And second?”
“I want to spend the day with you.”
I had no idea where this came from, but it was an impulse I wanted to follow.
“But I remember you and David going on about all the things you had on your to-do list today.”
“I know how to sell this to David. I’ll just tell him I’m getting to know your business better. Honestly, he’d probably approve. He’d also show me the middle finger for skipping work, but he’s always making fun of me for being so stiff about schedules and lists.”
Tess grinned again. “So I bring out the playful side of you and make you want to skip work? I’m not so sure I’m good for you.”
“I guess we’ll find out.”
“Okay. Our store is covered by two sales associates, so I don’t necessarily have to go there.”
We both headed outside, and while Tess talked to the realtor, I texted David. As I predicted, he answered with a middle finger emoji.
Laughing, I dropped the phone back in my pocket.
“It’s all done,” Tess said as the realtor left. “So…how serious were you about spending the day with me?”
“Dead serious. What was your plan?”
She blushed. “I was going to pick up some fabric from the store, then head home and experiment a bit. The back room is full of orders waiting to be shipped, not exactly spurring creativity.”
I wiggled my eyebrows. “I’ll gladly watch. Or help.”
“And how exactly do you plan to ‘help’?” she asked with air quotes.
“Any way you want me, Tess. I’m very good at taking off your lingerie.”
She gasped lightly before pointing at me. “You will do no such thing. Promise.”
I cocked a brow.
“Not until I’m finished with the experiments,” she amended.
“That’s better.”
“Okay, then. Let’s go.”
We stopped by the store first before heading to her apartment near Bryant Park.
I only walked her to the door last night when I dropped her off, so this would be the first time I’d gone inside. She glanced over her shoulder several times as she unlocked the first door. Is she nervous?
We left our coats and shoes at the entrance, and then she led me to the living room.
My apartment looked empty compared to hers. She had pillows and furniture everywhere. It was warm and inviting. It fit her.
“So, this is my place. You’re the first guy in here in…forever.”
That caught my attention. “How so?”
She shrugged, unloading the bag she filled with supplies at the store straight in the middle of the living room floor.
“I’ve had shit luck dating these past few years.
I think the last time I went out with the same guy for longer than a few months was when I was still at my corporate job.
I thought it was more serious than he did.
He made that clear when he started dating a coworker immediately after breaking up with me.
Anyway, when I just get to know someone, I prefer to go over to their place.
Bringing someone here…it’s just personal. ”
I saw red at the thought of Tess going home with any other guy. Fuck no. I needed that image out of my mind. She was mine.
I chose to focus on the fact that she brought me here.
“So, um, I’m not sure how good I am at this dating thing.”
“Tess, tell me what you’re afraid of. I want to know.” I took her hands in mine, lacing our fingers.
“Getting my heart broken,” she whispered.
I kissed her temple, working my way to her forehead. “I can’t promise I won’t make mistakes, but I won’t break your heart. Can you trust me on that?”
She nodded, leaning into my touch. “I do. How about you? Why aren’t you taken?”
I shrugged. “No particular reason. Last serious relationship I had was right before I sold the app. She broke up with me because she wanted to move across the country, and since then, I haven’t had anything serious.”
She pulled out of my arms, wiggling her eyebrows. “Well, mister, seems we’re both in the same boat.”
“We are. ” I grinned, pointing to the pile of bras. “How does this work?”
“I usually play with?—”
She stopped talking when a phone buzzed from the entrance.
“I think it’s your phone,” Tess said.
“I’ll just go silence it.”
I went to the front. As I took the phone out of my coat, I heard Tess come in too.
It was my grandmother calling. Shit. She rarely called. Usually, I was the one doing it.
“I have to take this,” I said and immediately answered.
“Liam, hi. This is Ellen’s friend, Hilary.”
She was a neighbor who often played chess with my grandmother. “Is something wrong?”
“So, Ellen had a fall.”
“What happened? Did you call an ambulance?”
“She doesn’t want me to. Says with a bit of ice, everything will be fine.”
“What do you mean, she doesn’t want to? Okay, okay. I’ll be there as soon as possible. Can you stay with her? I’ll need about fifteen minutes.”
“Of course. But don’t worry. It’s just her knee hurting a bit. Nothing more serious.”
“What happened?” Tess asked after I disconnected the call.
“Gran fell down, and she doesn’t want to go to the hospital. That was one of her neighbors calling. I’m sorry. I really wanted to spend this whole day with you, but if I don’t check on her, I’m just going to keep thinking about her. The neighbor says she’s okay, but I want to make sure.”
“Of course. Want me to come with you?”
I was stunned. My shock must have been obvious, because she quickly said, “It’s just…you look super tense. I thought maybe it would help.”
“It would, actually. And Gran would love meeting you.”
Tess blinked rapidly.
“Why do you look so surprised?” I asked.
“Let’s just say you’re unlike any guy I’ve ever known.” Coming closer, she took my fist between her hands. I hadn’t even realized I clenched it.
“You’re going to cut your palm,” Tess whispered. She unclenched my fingers.
I left marks on my skin. Tess lifted my hand and kissed my palm gently. I wasn’t used to anyone soothing me—I always licked my wounds alone—but right then, all I wanted to do was more of this. More of Tess.