Page 19 of Her Bossy Daddy

“I can handle myself.” I inhaled a few puffs and let them out slowly. “I don’t always need someone to come dashing to my rescue.” My heart secretly soared at his statement.

“If we were out together I’d have kept you closer to me.”

“Right. Well, with the way things are at the moment, that can’t happen. Not in public at least.” I took several more drags and blew the smoke out in rings.

“Your accent is spot on. I’d swear you were born and bred.”

“It, uh, started as a joke.” I scrunched my nose up at him, but I loved when he teased me. “The regulars think it’s funny as hell on a good night.” I fell back into my normal tone.

“It was funny until that wanker threw a punch. It’s a good thing Patrick reached him first. I’d have laid that maggot out cold.”

We stayed silent for a few minutes, and I enjoyed the feeling of being here with him. Liam finished his cigarette and stomped it out.

“I still can’t believe what happened. I didn’t do anything to encourage him.” I extinguished my cigarette. “He just walked over and said how my—” Liam crushed his mouth to mine, interrupting my rant. Someone might see us but I yielded to him. He wrapped his arm around my waist and tugged me closer, deepening the kiss. “We can’t—out here—like this.” I stammered, but tasting him made me want him even more. I forced distance between us and leaned against the wall. “At least, not when there are people from our job here.”

“Come over tonight. Then I can do whatever I want to you.”

“I’ve got some things to do later.” Drawing me away from the wall, he pulled me close to him again and then he smacked his free hand against the back of my dress slacks. “Ouch! What was that for?” I scowled.

“I didn’t ask you a question.”

I went slack-jawed from the depth of his statement. He didn’t ask me to come over. No. He demanded it. Two hard slaps bounced off my cheeks. Then two more. “Liam!”

“I bet your friends are anxious to leave after that display anyhow.”

“I can’t—”

“Come over tonight after you drop off your friends.” He spun me around, then cupped my ass. Liam licked a long line from the top of my neck up to my ear then nipped the lobe hard and scraped his teeth across the tender skin. “Get me?”

“Yes.” I shivered at his touch, even under the threat of punishment. His hand glided up my spine, then he tangled it in my hair. Anticipating the tug, I closed my eyes but nothing happened. Several seconds passed, then I gasped as he swiftly yanked. He expected his title and I should have added it. He repeated the gesture, which caused wetness to pool in between my thighs. “Yes, Sir.”

“Good girl,” he whispered and relinquished his hold on me. I shivered again, chilled from the loss of his warmth.

Sarah burst through the door. “Lacey! There you are! Tori and Jamie are shit-faced and we all just want to go home. Plus, you have a lot of explaining to do. Since when did you get an Irish boyfriend?” She eyed Liam suspiciously, and then she returned her focus to me.

“If we were out for barbecue tonight and I got into a fight? Well, I’d turn Southern faster than a cat in heat! Then I’d tell ‘em all about my sexy boyfriend who is the best damn cowboy this side of Texas, y’all,” I drawled.

“All right. You were acting. You had us all fooled.” She nodded to Liam. “Thanks for checking on her. We all got worried.”

“Well, I’ve seen my share of fights.” He ushered me through the door. “You ladies get home safe, right?”

Sarah glanced at Liam and smirked. “Yes. We’ve got Lacey to thank for the free drinks and the ride.” She rested her head on my shoulder and whispered, “He’s so damn sexy. And he’s so protective of us!” At least she attempted a whisper, but she wasn’t sober. Liam chuckled behind us but he didn’t let on.

“Good thing I’m driving.” I rolled my eyes and led her up the tiny hallway. Devin met us at the main door.

“Lacey, I’m sorry for what happened.” Devin hugged me, but it was awkward since Sarah was still leaning on my shoulder. “Come out when you’re drinking, love. One night on me.”

“Fucking wanker he was,” Liam muttered under his breath. “You ought to ban him.”

“He isn’t a regular, but I hope he doesn’t show up anytime soon.” Devin frowned. “I would’ve sent his arse packing, right? If I’d seen how far gone he was.” He noticed Liam as if for the first time and clapped him heartily on the shoulder. “You’re Mary’s boy, ain’t ya? What the hell are you doing here?”

“Jesus! It’s been fifteen years at least.” Liam nodded, the recognition coming over his face and he clapped him back. “Sorry, I’ve had a bit too much to drink. Yeah. I got promoted at my job. Real swanky.”

“Glad to hear it. Did Ronan tell you he’s moving out this way?” The two men parted. “I figured he would.”

“No, em, not that I recall. You’d have thought he would mention it. What’s he got going on then?” Liam asked with interest.

“I got him all lined up to help manage this place.” Devin crossed his arms over his chest. “It would do a world of good to see a familiar face. You’re always welcome here.”

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