Chapter 24
Chapter Twenty-Four
"Where did you go?" Road asks, his arms crossed. "Because it sure as hell wasn't Truth Harbor."
"What do you mean?" Tori's eyes travel back and forth between her brother and Blair, who both study her with concern.
The three of them are sitting on her back deck after she poured them each a glass of iced tea with blackberries and sage. She's discovered she could add flavors from her herb garden to iced tea the same way she does lemonade.
"Please, just tell us the truth." Blair leans forward. "We're worried, that's all. It isn't like you to lie. Is everything okay?"
"I'm not lying," she says, mystified. "I did go to Truth Harbor."
Road watches her. "How did you get there? There's no way you drove the Honda."
Tori opens her mouth but then closes it. She planned to tell them about Liam today, but she didn't imagine it happening like this.
"I changed the oil in that car, and the mileage had barely moved since the weekend," he says. "You think I don't keep track of that?"
Tori's brows go up with surprise. It had never occurred to her that he'd notice the car's mileage.
They're both studying her again. Her brother's green eyes flicker with anger. He doesn't like being lied to. Of course, who does?
She takes a deep breath. "I did go to Truth Harbor, except I didn't drive there in the Honda."
"How did you get there?" Blair asks.
Tori licks her lips. "I went with Liam in his truck."
There. Whew. The cat's out of the bag.
Blair is staring at her like she's a crazy person while Road appears mostly confused.
"You spent the weekend with that guy?" Blair gawks. "Are you kidding me?"
"No, I'm not. In fact, we're dating now."
Blair shakes her head. "Oh, Tori. You're doing it again. Can't you see? Falling for the wrong person."
"Jesus," her brother says. "I wish you'd told us the truth. Couldn't figure out what the hell was going on."
"He's really great. I want you two to give him a chance."
"Why lie, then?" Blair asks. "If he's so great."
Her brother's arms are still crossed. "People usually lie about things they're ashamed of or want to hide."
"Look at you two." Tori leans back in her chair. "It's because I knew I'd get a reaction like this. That's why I didn't tell you. "
"People don't change that much," Blair says. "I know it was a long time ago, but I remember how he treated you in high school."
Tori shakes her head. "It was an accident. That whole thing with the milkshake. He poured it on me accidentally."
Blair rolls her eyes. "Come on, everybody saw him do it. I saw it too."
"No, everybody misinterpreted what they saw, including you."
Blair and Road both eye her with skepticism.
"It's the truth," Tori says. "I've gotten to know him, and there's no way he did that on purpose."
"Listen to you." Blair lets out a humorless laugh. "You’re deluded."
Her brother shakes his head. "We know you like to see the best in people, but this guy is bad news."
"No, he's not." She huffs in frustration. "Look, he'll be here at my party on Saturday, so please be nice. I want you to give him a chance. Do you hear me?"
The two of them glance at each other.
"We'll try," Blair says. "That's all I can promise."
Tori picks up her iced tea and takes a sip. She's tempted to continue arguing and making a case for Liam but realizes it's pointless. They'll have to get to know him the same way she did.
"There's something else we wanted to talk to you about." Road leans forward. Tori hoped they might tell her they're pregnant today, but judging by the grim expression on his face, that's not it. "What the hell is going on with Mom?"
"What do you mean?"
"She called me five times while you were gone. And then some neighbor of hers named Donna called me threatening to bring in the cops."
Tori’s brows go up. She has no clue how Donna got Road's number.
"We went over there," Blair says. "And your mom and that Wayne guy were in the front yard yelling at each other. "
"Mom was shit-faced." Her brother shakes his head. "Hell, she sounded drunk off her ass every time I talked to her."
Tori nods. "It's been a problem lately."
"Lately?" her brother asks. "And how long has that asshole Wayne been in the picture?"
"A few months."
He shakes his head. "Jesus, I wish you'd let me know this was happening. I had no idea she'd gotten so bad."
"I didn't want to bother you guys or bring you down."
"You're not bothering us," Blair says. "We want to help."
Tori sighs. "I don't know what's going on. Wayne seems to bring out the worst in her." She wonders if she should tell them her worries about him being a thief and a smuggler, but she has no evidence and doesn't want to get them worrying too.
"Maybe I need to talk to this Wayne guy some more," Road says. "Tried when we were there, but the dude was hammered."
"I've already tried. He keeps saying everything's fine and that he's taking care of her."
Road snorts. "Yeah, right."
"We were amazed at all the new stuff," Blair says. "Do you know where it came from?"
Tori explains how Wayne said he got it on sale somewhere, and they both appear skeptical.
They talk for a little longer, but Tori has to go pet sit a German shepherd for one of her Happy Pet Nanny clients. Thankfully, Blair and Road leave her the Honda.
As she's playing catch with King, the German shepherd, she gets a call from her cousin Brody to tell her he may have found her a new minivan.
"It's a used Town & Country in great condition. About six-years-old. I'll check it out thoroughly, but the price seems reasonable." He tells her how much the owner wants.
"Oh, really? That does sound reasonable. "
"I could probably talk him down a little more even. I'll text you a photo, and you can tell me what you think."
"You know I trust your judgment. Are you coming over on Saturday?"
"Yeah… I think so." There's a subdued note in his voice.
"Is everything okay?"
"I might bring someone. Is that all right?"
"Of course it's fine."
They hang up, and she's glad to hear Brody's dating again. He and his longtime girlfriend Kiera split up a while ago, and he's been kind of down ever since.
When the photo arrives, Tori studies it. The minivan is white and a different style than Mable. A little more modern, but classy too.
She texts him back. I love it!
Okay, good. I'll let the guy know.
She has a couple more pet sitting appointments that afternoon and then heads straight over to her mom's house.
Wayne's yellow Charger is parked in the driveway, and for once Tori is glad to see it. She wants to question him using some of the interrogation tricks Liam told her about.
"Baby girl!" her mom exclaims. She gets up from the sofa and totters over in her sky-high heels to give Tori a hug. "It's so good to see you."
Wayne gets up. "Did you have yourself a nice trip?" he asks. She's worried he's going to try and hug her too, but thankfully he’s just going into the kitchen.
"It was great," Tori says.
"Are you hungry?" her mom asks. "We ordered pizza. It should be here soon."
"I'm okay."
"How about a drink?" Wayne calls out to her. "I made a pitcher of margaritas."
"No, thanks. I'll just have one of my flavored waters."
Eventually he comes out with a bottle of water for her and the three of them have a seat in the living room. Tori glances around nervously, hoping she doesn't find more new stuff, but doesn't see anything.
"I saw Road and Blair earlier today," she tells them.
"Is that right?" Her mom takes the margarita glass from Wayne's hand. "How are they doing?"
"They said they came over during the weekend when I was gone. You don't remember?"
"I remember." Her mom smacks her lips and puts her drink on the end table. "That's really good," she tells Wayne, who grins with crooked teeth.
Tori tries to relax and pretends to glance around the room admiringly. "All this new stuff looks amazing. How did you find such a great deal on everything, Wayne?"
"Oh, you know." He scratches the back of his head. "It was just one of those things. A real good sale."
She studies the head scratching. Is that a sign he's lying?
He reaches for his cigarettes and lights one. "Let's hear about your special weekend. Where did you go again?"
"Truth Harbor."
"Pretty area up there. You go alone?"
Tori takes a sip from her bottle. "I went with a friend." Her eyes go to her mom, who's sipping her margarita.
He nods. "Friends are good to have."
Tori leans forward. "You know, I've been looking for a new TV. Do you think I could get the name of the place where you guys found yours?"
Her mom doesn't say anything. Instead, her eyes go to the television, where the evening news is on.
"What kind of TV are you looking for?" Wayne asks.
"Something like the one you got my mom." Tori stops talking as a terrible thought enters her mind. What if he steals a television for her ? "I was thinking I'd like to shop around first though," she says quickly. "You know, see what's out there."
"Sure."
"So what's the name of the place?"
Wayne tells her the name of some outlet store in south Seattle.
"Thanks, I'll have a look."
He blows out a stream of smoke and rubs his jaw. "You may not get as lucky as we did. They were having quite a fire sale. One of those ‘everything must go’ type deals."
Tori thinks back and is certain this is the same way he described it last time she was here. Does that mean something? Is it a lie?
"Doubt it's still happening."
Her mom has grown quiet and is studying her. "What friend did you go away with? You've never mentioned any friend to me."
Tori has been debating how to handle this and decides the best thing is to tell it like it is. "I went with Liam."
"Liam?" Her mom blinks at her.
Wayne sits up straight and appears to have gone on high alert. Tori watches him and can tell he remembers exactly who Liam is.
"You guys both met him that one time."
"Holy shit!" Her mom's eyes go wide. "Are you talking about that fed you brought here?"
"Yes, he's a federal agent."
"Baby girl," she wails. "What are you doing? This isn't right!" Her mom turns to Wayne. "Talk some sense into her!"
Tori takes a drink of her strawberry-flavored water. She knew her mom would freak out, and she also knew there was nothing to be done about it.
"I'm sure your daughter has a mind of her own," Wayne says carefully as he watches Tori. There's something almost menacing in his gaze. "It's her decision the type of person she chooses to get friendly with."
"Are you nuts?" Her mom is practically shouting. "I'm not going through this a second time. Are you hearing me? I've been through enough."
"What are you talking about?" Tori asks bewildered .
"Don't you dare bring him here," her mom says. "I never want to see the law in my house ever again!"
She tries to ask more questions, but it's obvious her mom is drunk and ranting.
Eventually Tori leaves, though she's none the wiser about Wayne, who seems to have dropped his harmless loser act and is making her nervous. She still can't tell for sure if he's involved with any criminal activity.
When she gets home, the first thing she does after hugging her animals and giving everyone dinner is call Liam.
"How did it go?" he asks.
She loves the sound of his voice. Right away she relaxes. "Please come over. Can you come over tonight?"
"Sure. Let me get Fancy and we'll be right there. Are you okay?"
"No, it's been a rotten day."
By the time Liam arrives, she's changed into a sundress and is warming up leftover Indian food she made yesterday.
They have dinner on the couch together while she pours out the details of everything that happened today.
He nods. "So Road figured out you didn't drive the Honda because of the mileage."
"You almost sound approving." She eats the last of her garlic naan and puts her empty plate on the table.
"I guess I am. It's the kind of detail I’d normally have caught myself."
She rolls her eyes. "I can't believe my brother keeps track of the mileage on his cars. Who does that?"
He shrugs. "I do."
"Really?"
"I usually know the mileage for both my truck and my bureau car."
She takes a sip of water and shakes her head. "Guys are weird." Miss Fancy Pants comes over to join them, and Tori pets her. "If you're the same way, then why didn't you think of the mileage thing? "
He smirks and puts his plate next to hers. "Because I was too distracted by a pretty girl."
She grins. "So I distract you, huh?"
He reaches over to join her in petting the dog. "Actually, I was referring to Fancy here."
"Ha ha." She kicks his ankle with her bare foot, and he laughs.
The two of them study each other, smiling. Tori's noticed they smile a lot when they're together.
"So how did it go with your mom and Wayne?" he asks, leaning back.
She shakes her head. "About as bad as you'd expect. My mom ranted and raved. Demanded I stop seeing you. At one point, she even called me Victoria."
His brows draw together with interest. "Is that your name?"
"Yes, but nobody uses it."
"I didn't know that."
Tori thinks back to the episode at her mom's house. "She was saying all this weird stuff. It didn't make any sense."
"What do you mean?"
"She was going on about how she's been through enough, how she never wants the law in her house again."
"Really? I wasn't at her house very long."
Tori pets her dogs, who all came over when they noticed the attention Miss Fancy Pants was getting. "That's what’s weird. I don't think she was talking about you."
"Has Donna ever called the police? Maybe she's talking about that."
"Maybe."
She wishes she could tell him how she tried to question Wayne and about all her suspicions. It would be a relief to tell him. She's too worried about what will happen though.
"Oh, I almost forgot. I want to show you something." She gets up and goes into the kitchen. When she comes back, her cat Lita is draped across Liam's lap. "One good thing did happen today. "
"What's that?"
She scrolls through the texts on her phone and brings up the one from Brody. "Meet Samantha," she says with a grin, handing it to him.
He stares down. "Who?"
She sits beside him, and they both look at the screen. "That's my new minivan. Brody found her for me. What do you think? Isn't she gorgeous?"
"I’m surprised you've already named it."
"It came to me as soon as I saw her. She looks just like a Samantha, doesn't she?"
He hands the phone back. "I can’t believe I’m saying this, but she does."
They talk some more about the minivan, and he agrees it sounds like a good price. Eventually they push the cat off and relax on the couch together. Liam lies on his back while she drapes herself over him like Lita did a few moments ago.
"Thanks for coming over tonight."
"Are you feeling better now?"
She nods. "Everything's better when you're here."
"I'm glad you think so."
"I do." He strokes her hair, plays with it, and she closes her eyes. "That feels nice."
They lie together for a while, just relaxing.
The steady beat of his heart soothes her. If only they could stay like this forever.
He takes a deep breath and exhales. "Tangerines."
"What's that?"
"You always smell like tangerines."
She lifts her head to look at him. "No, I don't."
"Sure you do. It's your perfume or something."
"It's grapefruit."
"Really?"
She laughs. "Yes."
"Well." He shrugs. "It smells like tangerines to me. "
"Do you like it?"
"Yeah, definitely." His eyes drop to her mouth. "It turns me on."
"So tangerines turn you on?"
"Apparently, though I think it has more to do with the woman than the scent."
She leans in and kisses him, then bites his lower lip. He rumbles with approval as he slides his hands down to her ass, pulling her in tight. Small wildfires are already starting in her. They continue kissing, and it isn't long before he has her flipped under him on the couch, his solid weight pressing into her.
She strokes his muscular back, then up to his shoulders.
"Why do I feel like I'm being watched?" he says in a dry voice.
"What?" She turns her head, and all the dogs are sitting right there. She lets out a laugh.
He stands and offers her his hand, and the two of them make their way into her bedroom, where he shuts the door.
Her eyes go to her nightstand, to where his FBI badge, gun, and holster are resting. Whoever thought this would happen? That she'd be here with Liam, that he'd be the one making her feel like this?
Like anything is possible.
"I want to try something tonight," she says.
"What's that?" he murmurs, pulling her in close. He's sitting on the edge of the bed while she stands in front of him. He slides his hands up her legs under her sundress. "I like this dress. I'm going to like the ease of removing it the most."
She runs her hands through his short dark hair. "I want to try to come with you."
He looks up at her, his gaze thoughtful.
"Maybe I can do it or maybe not, but I want to try."
He nods. "Let's try, then."
She closes her eyes as he continues to caress her. Everything he does always feels so good. She's not sure if she's ever felt so easily turned on .
After a little while, he stands and unzips her dress down the back. It falls straight to the floor.
"Now that's what I'm talking about," he says.
She smiles as he brings his warm body in close behind her, his chest hard against her. Fingers slide down her arms, creating sparks on her skin.
He pushes her hair aside, her breath trembling when he kisses her softly on the back of her neck.
"I can't believe how much I want you," he murmurs. "It's never been like this with anyone."
"Me either," she whispers.
Warm hands slide to her breasts, fondling them, his nails lightly grazing her nipples. Sucking in her breath, she turns around to face him. She wants to taste him, touch him, devour him whole.
That wildfire burns all through her.
He moans into her mouth, and then they're consuming each other. It’s like a thirst that can't be quenched.
She's not even sure how they wind up on the bed, but when he slips her panties off and moves his face between her thighs, she knows this is it. It's finally going to happen for her. And she's ready—oh so ready.
She lies back and gets comfortable.
It goes on for a long time, Liam so patient, so willing in his passion.
Tori squeezes her eyes shut.
Time seems suspended. She's so close. Hovering. Dancing around that star. She wants it to burn her, wants it so bad.
"I can't," she finally moans, staring up at the ceiling with frustration. "It's not going to happen."
He doesn't stop, so she pushes him away.
His eyes are dark, nearly black. His mouth is open. "Are you sure? I'll keep going."
"Yes, I'm sure."
He nods, and she can see the state he's in. Hot with need. When he moves over her, there's no preamble. He takes her with a groan. It's intense. She wants it though, wants his desire. His excitement. If she can't have one, she'll take the other.
Afterward, she cries. She doesn't mean to, but she can't stop her tears.
Liam hugs her as they lie side by side, their faces close.
"This is a dumb thing to cry about," she whispers. "When there’s so much suffering in the world, and I'm so lucky."
"It's not dumb, rubia."
"But I have so much good in my life. This should be nothing."
He kisses her cheeks, softly brushing her tears away. "Just give it time. It'll all work out."
"I don't know what's wrong with me."
"There's nothing wrong with you. You're perfect."
She wants to believe him. Wishes she could.
"Do you want to go in the bathroom?" he asks softly.
"No, forget it."
He strokes her hair. "I don't want you to feel bad about yourself. I like you just the way you are."
"You're so patient. So accepting."
"I'd do anything for you." He kisses her gently. "You must know that by now."