Chapter 16
Liam
I couldn’t calm down on the drive to the Upper East Side. Tess kept my hand between her palms, looking sideways at me.
“I have an idea. My brother’s fiancée is a doctor. I know for a fact that she’s not on shift right now. I could ask her if she can stop by your grandmother’s place to check up on her, if you want.”
How had she guessed that I was worried sick that my grandmother didn’t want to go to a hospital? That I needed the reassurance of a doctor?
“That’s a great idea, Tess. Thank you.”
“I’ll call her right away.” Taking out her phone, she brought it to her ear and spoke quickly.
“Hey, Laney. I hope I’m not disturbing you.
I have a huge favor to ask. The grandmother of a very good friend fell down.
She appears to be okay, but he’d be much happier if you checked on her.
She doesn’t want to go to a hospital.” Tess had my hand in her lap, caressing it.
“Okay, perfect. Thanks. I’ll text you the address.
” Hanging up, she half turned to me. “We have a doctor.”
“Thank you.”
“Just tell me the address.”
She typed as I spoke, and I couldn’t take my eyes off her. I didn’t like that description of me—a “very good friend”—but this wasn’t the time to bring it up.
We arrived in front of my grandmother’s building ten minutes later. I led the way, keeping a hand at Tess’s back. I couldn’t stop touching her, and honestly, I wasn’t even trying. I was calmer whenever we were connected.
I rang the bell, even though I had a key, just to give Gran and her neighbor a heads-up. I unlocked the door, and Tess and I stepped inside the narrow and dark corridor.
To my astonishment, I heard my grandmother’s laughter from the living room. Had they not heard the bell?
“Someone’s in a good mood,” Tess whispered.
Nodding, I led the way, right until my grandmother and Hilary came into view.
They were both sitting on the flowery couch.
Gran had her leg up on a wooden chair with a pack of frozen peas on her knee.
Hilary, a white-haired wisp of a woman who always dressed in dark colors, had her face scrunched in concentration at the chess board in front of her.
They both startled upon seeing me and Tess.
Clearly, the doorbell wasn’t working. I made a mental note to fix it.
“Liam, darling. Who is that lovely creature you’ve brought to see me?”
“Gran, this is Tess. We were together when Hilary called to tell us about your fall.”
Tess smiled at her. “Nice to meet you, Ms. Harrington.”
“Call me Ellen.” Then she turned to me. “Liam! Tell me you didn’t interrupt a lovely day just to check on this bag of bones. I clearly heard Hilary tell you I’m okay.”
Hilary merely waved at us before focusing on the board again. She lost against my grandmother every time, and to my knowledge, she wasn’t faking it.
“Don’t chastise him, Ellen. He was too worried not to check on you personally. Especially since you didn’t want to go to the hospital,” Tess said.
Gran scoffed. “I didn’t even scratch my knee. You don’t go to the hospital for a fall.”
“If you’re eighty, you do,” I said, losing my patience.
Tess winced. Gran narrowed her eyes.
“Liam Harrington! You don’t get to lecture me.”
I shook my head. “Okay, that was uncalled for. I apologize.”
Gran softened immediately, looking between Tess and me.
“Ellen, I have a family friend who is a doctor. Liam was so worried about you that I offered to ask her to come over. Is that okay?” Tess asked.
Ellen waved her hand. “Fine, fine. I can’t fight both of you.”
Tess smiled. “She’ll be very quick, and that way, you don’t have to go to a hospital and your tyrannical grandson will be appeased. It’s a win-win.”
“She’s coming here at this hour?”
“Yes. I told her it’s for a very good friend of mine.”
There she went with that label again.
I could barely keep from smiling. Tess was good at this, wording everything as if she was asking for permission. I’d forgotten that Tess’s friend was on her way. I could only imagine Gran’s reaction if a doctor appeared at her door out of the blue.
“I’m going to check on my friend,” Tess continued.
“Make yourself at home. I’m sorry I can’t get you a drink?—”
“I’m on it, Gran.”
Putting an arm around Tess’s shoulders, I guided her to the dining area. It was a separate room around the corner, where we were out of earshot. My grandma kept a bar here.
“What would you have done if she said no?” I teased.
Tess laughed. “I’m sure you could have convinced her…or just played your tyrant card.”
“I don’t have your ability to sweet-talk everyone.”
Tess placed a hand on her hip, batting her eyelashes. “I have four siblings and a cousin. Mastering family politics was a vital skill.”
I moved my hand down her back, then up again, wrapping it in her hair.
I traced her lower lip with my tongue, kissing the corner of her mouth.
Tess sighed deliciously. I barely kept myself from pinning her against the bar and kissing her senseless.
I was so damn happy she was here. Just being near her filled me with this sense of calm that was foreign to me.
She was balancing me out. I gripped her waist with both hands, skimming my mouth from one corner of her lips to the other.
She held on to my shoulders, digging her nails in the fabric to my skin. Her breath turned shaky.
“Kiss me,” she whispered.
“I can’t. I’m afraid I won’t stop. I just want to hold you like this.”
“And torture me?”
I smiled against her mouth. “Possibly.”
“You have no qualms about being in your grandmother’s home, huh?”
“Tess, I’ve kissed you against walls in public. Nearly had you on my desk. I think I’m actually on my best behavior right now.”
She laughed, glancing down at my hand. It was on her ass. I must have slipped it down unconsciously.
“Well, you’re groping my ass, so I’d say that’s debatable.” She walked backward a few steps, narrowing her eyes. “I’d say this is a safe distance. I’m not in the receiving area of those pheromones rolling off you.”
I burst out laughing. “What?”
Tess tapped her cheek as if considering something. “Actually, you know what? We’ll be even safer if you go behind the bar. I do want a drink anyway. This bar is so damn sexy.”
Laughing, I stepped behind it. “What do you want?”
“No clue. I’m a wine person, but this bar screams cocktail.”
“I’ll mix you one. What do you want?”
“Surprise me.”
“Will do.”
She sat in one of the chairs, inspecting the rows of drinks.
“I thought you wanted to check on your friend.”
“Yes, but she already texted me that she’ll be here in twenty minutes. Does Ellen expect us back?”
“Actually, it’s best if we stay here. She likes to focus on her game. My grandfather loved this bar.”
I started preparing a Tequila Sunrise, mixing Don Julio with orange and pomegranate juice.
“You miss him,” Tess stated.
“Yes. In many ways, they were more like my parents. I grew up with them. I lived here.”
“So your parents have always been traveling?”
I nodded, sliding her the drink.
“Yes. The only way to keep at the top of their game was to always take photos of the next big thing, then sell it to magazines. Now, their blog rakes in enough income that they don’t even need the magazines anymore, but back then, things were different.
They came home a few times a year and tried to be here at Christmas, but it didn’t always work out.
” I looked at the drink I just gave her.
“Let me know if you don’t like it and I’ll mix you something else. ”
The Christmases they missed were the only times I felt really lonely. Opening the gifts they sent only drove home that they weren’t with me.
I always thought that if I had kids, I’d do things differently. I’d be there for them, teach them handiwork and help them fill out college applications. I’d do all those things my grandparents taught me.
“That must have felt a bit lonely.” Tess was looking at me with soft eyes.
Right, time to change the subject. The last thing I wanted was her pity.
“You haven’t tasted your drink.”
“Oh, right.” She wrapped those plump, perfect lips around the straw. The sight sent a jolt right below my belt. She sipped half her drink at once.
“Babe, there’s tequila in there. You might want to slow down.”
Her eyes widened. “Oops. I couldn’t tell. I just tasted the orange juice.”
“You didn’t see me pour Don Julio?” I teased.
“No, I was too busy admiring the bartender’s sexy arms and hands.”
“You like this bartender, huh?”
“Quite a lot. He’s got mad skills behind a bar, and in bed, and outside of it. And he steals kisses with so much style.”
I came out from behind the bar, heading to her. Tess scooted so far back in the round chair that she nearly fell off. I caught her ass in my hands, pulling her toward me until we collided.
“What are you doing?” she whispered.
“I want to kiss you.”
“But I thought this cocktail thingy was supposed to distract you.” She pointed with her chin to the glass on the counter.
I pressed my fingers on the top of her ass cheeks, wanting to rid her of the thick fabric, to feel her bare skin.
“That was before you admitted to liking that I steal kisses.”
“I don’t know what you mean. I was talking about the bartender.”
A deep sound reverberated in my throat.
“Was that a growl? Oh my God, you’re jealous of yourself?”
Yes, I was jealous of myself. I was losing my mind.
She grinned, right until the moment I kissed her.
She rested her hands on my shoulders, her legs dangling around mine.
She tasted like oranges and tequila, and I wanted to kiss her all night long.
I explored her mouth until she pressed her entire body against mine, craving contact just as much as I did.
I pulled her even closer on the edge of the chair, spreading her thighs wide.
She grinned again when I pulled back, closing her eyes and humming.
“This was one for the books,” she whispered. “I think it’s even in the top three kisses.”
I laughed. Only Tess. “You have a top?”
She opened her eyes lazily, still keeping me trapped between her thighs.
“Oh yeah. I started counting when you gave me the first one, then sort of lost track after today. But this one was definitely among the best.”
I opened my mouth to dig deeper into that statement, but Tess’s phone rang on the counter, interrupting us.
“Oh, Laney’s here. That doorbell really isn’t working.”
She slid down the chair, heading toward the entrance. I followed her, lost in thought. One stood out, though: I wanted to give her the best kisses she’d ever had. The best everything she’d ever had.
Laney became one of my favorite people within fifteen minutes of meeting her. At first glance, she seemed soft-spoken, what with her blonde wavy hair and round eyes, but she managed to check on and then scold my grandmother for not going to the hospital in a way that made her cower a little.
“You’re lucky to have such a caring grandson,” she finished, prescribing something for inflammation.
“But it wasn’t hurting too much,” Gran protested. She’d only reluctantly given up on the chess game.
“You were lucky, but you could have torn a ligament without noticing. I’ve been in many surgeries caused by exactly this behavior.”
Gran sighed. “Thank you for coming at such short notice. I really appreciate it. How much do I owe you?”
Laney smiled. “Absolutely nothing. Tess is family.”
My grandmother looked between me and Tess, then Laney.
“Then stay for a drink, Laney,” Gran said.
“I suppose I can do that. But just one.”
We all moved to the bar area, and after fixing everyone drinks, I excused myself, wanting to check the doorbell before I forgot.
My grandfather had done most of the repairs around the house, and I learned to fix everything from pipes to electrical systems by the time I was fourteen.
I had a fancy alarm system installed for Gran, and the bell was wired into it. I identified the issue quickly enough, a simple electric overload. I flipped the circuit breaker back on and tested the bell. It rang loud and clear. Perfect.
I returned to the bar, grinning when everyone raised their glasses to me. They were sitting at the round table just next to the bar. Gran used an extra chair to elevate her leg.
“When you said you were taking a look at it, I didn’t think you’d actually fix it,” Tess said.
“It was quite easy.”
“He’s very handy to have around,” Gran informed Tess. “My Hector taught him to fix just about everything. Anything needs repairing, he’s your guy.”
The tips of Tess’s ears turned red. Gran noticed it and winked at me.
“Well, this drink was delicious, but I really have to go now,” Laney said. “I have an eager fiancé waiting for me.”
“We can’t compete with that,” Gran said, then turned to me. “But you two are staying, right? Tess offered to play a game of chess with me.”
She offered to what?
She could have turned Gran down, come up with an excuse. But she wanted to stay here. She didn’t mind spending time with my grandmother. I couldn’t wrap my mind around that.
After Laney slung her huge bag over her shoulder, Tess and I walked her to the door.
“I really appreciate you coming,” I said.
“Anything for Tess…and a good friend of hers.” She emphasized the last words in an amused tone.
Tess blushed.
“I’m glad she didn’t have anything more serious,” Laney continued. “It was good you called, Tess. It never hurts to double-check.”
I opened the door for Laney, waving as she left. Tess was still blushing, and I seized my chance. Closing the door silently, I pinned her with my gaze.
“A very good friend?” I teased.
Tess licked her lips, pushing blonde strands behind her ear.
“I didn’t know what to say.”
I stepped closer until I was in her personal space.
“You want to keep us a secret?” My whole body went rigid at the thought.
“No! No, I don’t want that. But I didn’t know…”
“We’re dating, Tess. As soon as we actually get a moment to breathe, I’m taking you out. But just so we’re clear, we’re dating. Seriously dating.”
Her eyes widened a little. I’d gone out on a limb there, and now I held my breath for her reaction. Her eyes widened even more, and then a huge smile spread on her face. Tess was transforming right in front of me.
I claimed her mouth the next second, sealing this step, capturing the joy of the moment.
She giggled when we pulled apart.
“Seriously dating? I like the sound of that.”
“We probably should have some rules.”
“Why, so we can break them?” she asked seductively.
“Exactly.”