Page 88 of The Red-Hot Stakes

One small shift from either of us could close the gap, but it might as well have been the Grand Canyon. And the consequences could be worse than ever.

* * * *

Friday, I woke to the wonderful sound of the toilet flushing. I groaned at the light streaming in around the curtain. Despite my tiredness, I hadn’t slept well with Liam so close. Had never completely relaxed.

Liam, my favorite morning sight, came into view, hesitating when he saw I was awake. “Sorry. Didn’t mean to wake you.”

I shrugged, hugging a pillow to my chest. “No biggie.” My yawn was huge. “What time is it?”

“Nine.” He sat on the edge of the bed, his shoulders taut as he leaned back on his palms.

“Any word from the others?”

He shook his head. “Want to go get breakfast?”

Surprise flashed through me. “Just us?”

Liam chuckled, a twisted version of his normal laugh. “I don’t think I can handle pretending to sleep next to you anymore. And I’m not good at just sitting around.” He shrugged, the movement accentuating his biceps, his tattoo rippling as he leaned forward to set his elbows on his knees. “I think food would be relatively safe.”

“Nothing with you is safe,” I muttered, throwing back the covers and traipsing toward the bathroom. I splashed cold water on my face. How the hell would I survive another night like that? Let alone eight of them.

I came out just in time to see him buttoning his shorts, and heat flooded my cheeks. “We’re going to have to figure out an all-clear sign or something.” His laughter followed me as I snatched up the first clothes I could find and headed back to the bathroom.

We wandered toward the restaurant section, one of which hosted a buffet for breakfast and lunch. After the hostess greeted us, we followed another employee through a winding maze of food down a corridor to a dining area. There were several different sections of tables that branched off, all separated by water. As I stared out of the window, I noticed a turtle perched on a rock, sunning itself while koi swam around beneath. It was peaceful and open. And familiar.

As I studied the layout, understanding dawned. “That section over there is the Italian restaurant we ate at last night. They must shut down the buffet area and divide these into separate restaurants for the evening.”

Liam sat in his chair, looking around in surprise. “You’re right. That’s pretty neat.”

“Coffee?” A tall, dark-skinned man wearing a black apron poured water in our waiting glasses.

Both of us nodded eagerly in response, and he returned with a coffee pot. As soon as he filled my mug, I took a sip and sighed in happiness. Much better.

We ventured to the buffet. The amount of food was overwhelming—stations where a chef made omelets, counters of hot dishes with all sorts of meat, potatoes, scrambled eggs, oatmeal. A whole section in the middle was devoted to pastries while another counter was laden with fruits next to a yogurt bar.

“I don’t even know where to start.”

Liam smirked. “I do.” He got in line for an omelet.

I followed, snatching a piece of bacon along the way. Can’t go wrong with an omelet. After I watched the chef personally make mine, I berated myself for not carrying some dollars to tip with.

I wound my way to the fresh fruit, helping myself to a kiwi and some grapes. I snagged a few delicate pastries and was about to head back when I found the drink station.

Champagne and OJ to start my day? Yes, please. I sat down at our table absolutely beaming.

Liam did a double take at my expression, then he saw my glass. “Mimosa?”

I nodded, and he shook his head, laughing quietly. We ate in relative harmony, reminiscent of our past mornings together. I was content to watch the people bustling around, the turtles on the rock outside, the fish swimming below.

But I’d definitely taken too much food. My omelet itself was way more than I needed, and when I was done, I automatically shoved my plate toward Liam. He shot me a sad smile as he helped himself to my leftovers.

It was easy to fall back on these moments of muscle memory. But they were also too painful. I still wanted him, and I tried to lighten the mood by blurting out, “Maybe a good romp in the sheets would help relieve some of this tension.”

Liam blanched at my words. “Gina…you know that won’t take care of what’s between us.”

I sighed. I knew that, just like I knew it wouldn’t make things any easier in the long run. Although those few minutes, or hours, would be amazing. I cut off all thoughts of bliss, knowing I wasn’t strong enough to do that to Liam a second time. Plus, if the blackmailer was watching…

Liam’s rumbly voice brought me back to the present. “Still sticking to your lame-ass excuse?”

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