Page 26 of When It Rains He Pours

I knew when I said it that it sounded a lot angrier than I meant it to. But I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a little ticked off that he abandoned me the way he had.

No note, no thank you, but you can leave now; all I got was a cold empty bed.

“Well, I thought I'd find you where I left you, but you were gone.”

“And I thought I'd find you next me, but you were gone.” My voice was harsh, layered with annoyance and frustration. “You could have at least had the decency to tell me to go and not leave me to wake up alone.”

Holding out his hands, he walked closer. “Wait a minute, you think I left because all I wanted was sex?”

“That is how a one night stand works, isn't it?”

“Who said it was a one night stand?”

“You were gone when I woke up, what else would you call it?”

A smug grin filled his face as he shook his head. “I was going to call it breakfast, but when I got back you weren't there.”

Shit. . .

“What the hell are you talking about?”

“I left to go get us breakfast. I planned on waking you up with hot coffee for the headache you probably had and fresh bagels.” Holding up a small cup and a paper bag, he waved the bag side to side. “This isn't the same coffee, I got you new one, so it's hot.”

I felt like a complete asshole. I had jumped to a conclusion before I knew the truth, reading the situation totally wrong.

“Seriously?”

“Yeah, seriously. I'm not one of those guys, Glory, I'm sorry if that's the impression you had of me.”

Dropping my arms to my hips, my shoulders rolled forward in embarrassment. “I'm sorry, I just thought you left because it was easier than telling me to get out.”

Laughing, he strolled forward and reached out to touch my cheek. “Next time I won't leave you like that, I'll make sure to leave a note or something first. I never meant for you to think I was done with you.”

My belly tumbled again, filling with the same warmth I had felt the day before. “Well, don't I feel like an asshole now.”

“No, don't do that to yourself. I should have let you know I was going out, I understand why you thought that.” His thumb swirled over my face, caressing me softly. “I shouldn't have done it that way, and I won't do that again.”

Smiling, I felt my cheeks light up. “So you really want there to be a next time?”

“If you'll let me.”

Nodding, I shied away, tilting my head towards the floor. “I think I'd like that.”

Snatching my hand, he wrapped it around the coffee with a smile. “Good,” he said, glancing around. Liam stalked the room, making his way to the desk and placing the bag of food on top. “So, what can I do to help?”

“Well, you already said you can't paint.” Letting out a labored chuckle, I kicked a broken frame. “Without these paintings, I'm screwed.”

It was depressing to think of all the shit I needed to start over. I wasn't sure if I would even be able to do it. Mount Everest had just relocated, growing out of the ground and blocking me from my gallery.

“No, but I can clean.” Grabbing long wood shards, he piled them up in the crook of his arm as his eyes searched the area. “Got another bin? I think you're going to need more than just one.”

“You don't have to do that.” Scratching my head, I squeezed my temples. “I just can't believe this. Fuck, that asshole did a real number here. I had to cancel orders, and convince my buyers to give me some time to create them something else.” Closing my eyes, I dragged my hands down over my face. “It sucked, I lost so much business because of this.”

“Don't worry, we'll get this cleaned up.”

“No, no, I can't let you do this. You've already done enough, this isn't your problem. I can't ask you to do anything else.”

“You're not asking, I'm insisting.” Liam kept bending and picking up garbage, his pile growing larger and larger. “I'm helping you, I can't just leave you here to do this on your own. And I'm definitely not going to let you be alone here until I know you're safe, and that prick isn't going to try and come back. So,” he said, standing with his back straight and his arms full. “Another trash can?”

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