Page 7 of The Science of Attraction

He poked his head into the spare bedroom and grinned. “Is there any room that doesn’t have a million-dollar view?”

“Nope, sorry. You’re just gonna have to deal with it.”

He chuckled. “It’ll be a struggle, but I think I’m up for it. And you’re right. Illness and injury happen across the board, and I do try and balance my work. Wealthier clients allow me to take others on at a reduced cost, but I still think I could do more. Anyway, I’m not sure what I imagined, but this place is amazing. Thanks for showing me around.”

“You’re welcome.” I arched a brow. “Did you think we’d bunk you down in the shearers’ quarters? Throw some hay on the floor and sweep the sheep manure into the corner.”

His eyes danced. “Maybe?”

I snorted. “Well, I can certainly rustle you up a few dags if you’re truly after the whole woolshed ambience.”

Liam grinned. “Nah, I think this’ll do just fine.” His phone pinged in his pocket and he pulled it from his jeans.

“I’ll wait outside.”

“No. It’s fine.” He pocketed the phone. “It’s only my sister checking in. I’ll call her back.”

“Is your family in Dunedin too?”

He shook his head. “Just my sister, Bron, and sixteen-year-old nephew, Connor. We grew up there, but a few years after my mother died, my father moved up Kaitaia way. We don’t see a lot of him. He’s a good guy, but when Mum died, he kind of pulled away, I guess. He occasionally calls Connor, which is good, but Bron and me, not so much.”

“I’m sorry.”

He shrugged. “It is what it is.”

“Do you travel a lot?”

“A fair bit.” His bright hazel eyes fixed on mine. “But the best thing about working for yourself is that I can pick and choose my contracts.” He shot me a slightly wicked grin. “And as you know, I’m not cheap, which means I can turn down work when I need a break.”

I barked out a laugh. Liam Skelton wasn’t even in the same universe as cheap—something my father was keen to remind everyone about, as often as possible. But knowing we could hand Dad over to a professional five and a half days a week was worth every damn penny.

I showed Liam how to troubleshoot the switchboard with itshauntedbreaker switches, where the firewood was stacked, how long you had to wait for the water to run hot in the kitchen, and the eccentricities of the satellite dish, which could somehow survive a hellish snowstorm and then mysteriously go on the blink after barely two millimetres of rain.

“Cell phone reception is good to the northern end of the valley.” I made my way out onto the veranda and down the steps and Liam followed. “But the minute you start to climb the ranges either side, you’re history. Don’t bother asking why, no one’s been able to work it out and a new locally funded tower is on the wish list. But none of that should bother you unless you feel like exploring. If you do, pick up a sat phone from the big house first and make sure someone knows what your plans are.Neverjust head off on your own. The weather can change on a dime in these mountains. It’s deceptively inviting, but don’t be seduced.”

A smile tugged at Liam’s lips. “Sounds like an old boyfriend of mine.”

And okay, that conjured images I wasn’t prepared for. A fat raindrop landed on my lashes, then another, and another, while I continued to stand there staring at him like an idiot.

It was Liam who broke eye contact first, tipping his head back to frown at the burgeoning clouds. “I think I should grab my car before this breaks.”

It was enough to jerk me back to reality, and I followed his gaze. “Good luck with that. I’ll keep going to the woolshed out back.”

We headed back up the drive at a jog, but halfway to the house, the sky opened and rain began sheeting down. Liam pulled the back of his shirt up and over his head for some protection, and I absolutely didn’t gawp at the strip of bare skin covered with intricate lines of ink that snaked around his waist. Nor did I wonder at what else he had hidden under those pesky clothes. Nope, not me.

Drenched to the bone, Liam made it to his car, yanked the door open, and dived inside. I did the same with my ute parked just in front of him, grabbing the towel from the passenger seat and drying my face as I watched him do a U-turn and head back to the cottage. The minute he was out of sight, I groaned and banged my forehead on the steering wheel... twice. Then I did it a third time just for good measure.

“You idiot,” I scolded myself. “What the hell are you doing?” It wasn’t like guys had never been on my radar—I’d known I was bisexual since forever. One or two had even caught my eye, but that’s as far as it ever went. Guys had never had a seat at my table. I’d never invited them.

Guys were... complicated. Women were... easier. Women were... fine. More than fine. Women did it for me way more than men. They absolutely did. I’d never found them wanting or lacking. The sex was great. What was there not to like?

And faced with the choice of dating perfectly acceptable women or coming out as bi to the inevitable shitshow like Zach had experienced, it was a no-brainer. Why poke the bear? It wasn’t as if I was ever likely to end up with a guy, right?

Right?

I stared into the rear-vision mirror even though Liam was long gone.

Nope. The chances of something crazy like that happening were a fucking million to one.

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