Page 45 of Not That Complicated

“Icanbe easy-going and laidback.” Only if I’d had a Valium because of a dentist’s appointment. I didn’t see any point in sharing that with Liam. “And we didn’t hook up. Did we skate close to the edge? Yes. I will confess to that much. But we came to our senses, or at least I did, what with being mature and responsible, and called the whole thing off. Besides. He is way too young for me. Don’t you think? It’s not quite a decade, but it’s close enough. A decade is too much. Isn’t it? We’re practically of a different generation. I couldn’t be his father or anything but still. And look at him. I mean…” I flapped a hand at Adam. He leaned against the bar, head tipped back, laughing. “Does it look as if I belong over there? With them? In any way?”

At some point while I was busy unravelling, Liam had picked up his pint glass. He finished it, and set it down with a click and a hint of irritation. “Yeah. There’s nothing between you at all. I’m convinced.” Liam’s voice was flat.

I was not going to let Adam Blake ruin another relationship. And, true, Liam and I didn’t have a relationship yet.

But we could have.

Liam was big and burly. He had some bulk to him, and I was here for it. He had a kind face—when he wasn’t interrogating you. He had nice eyes, and a smile—when he did smile—that wasn’t evil at all. It was a touch stern, granted. I was also here for it. When he looked at me it was with cool interest. I got noI’m about to fuck with you, Ray, vibes from him at all.

I also got very little in the way ofI absolutely want to fuck you, Ray, either, but I wasn’t too concerned about that.

I’d had enough of all those vibes from Adam, thanks. He’d reignited my need for companionship and, yes, orgasms from another person. Starting something with Adam was too much of a risk. He’d chew me up and spit me out.

Starting something with Liam, on the other hand...? I let myself imagine it.

His rugged eyebrows furrowed. “You all right, mate?” he said.

“Yes. Yes I am.”

Liam smiled slowly.

And there it was. A warm glow of attraction.

Which was doused by a cascade of bright laughter from the bar, Adam’s deep voice in the mix.

“I know we were only going to have a quick get-to-know-you pint,” I said. “But out of interest, where do you stand on the idea of extending it to a get-to-know-you dinner?”

“I can always eat.”

More excited by the idea of food than me. That was fine.

I tossed back the last of my wine and stood up.

I knew Adam was watching. I knew he’d love it if I caught his eye. I ignored him as I shrugged on my coat and waited for Liam to come around the table. We left together and went to The Star, The Lion’s main competitor.

We had fun. He ordered the steak. I ordered my usual beer-battered fish and chips and chocolate brownie, and vowed to go for an extra-long run every day for the rest of the week. We hit it off. Conversation was easy. The evening was perfect.

Liam walked me to my front door like a proper grown-up on a date, rather than ringing my doorbell at one a.m. He said, “This was nice,” and kissed me.

It was a good kiss. It was.

He was firm but not demanding. Technically skilled. He pushed me up against the door. I spread my legs enough for him to lean in and opened up to it.

But he didn’t spin me around, tell me to open the door, wrangle me inside and say,Which way’s the bedroom?

Instead, he pulled back, smiled kindly at me, and said, “I’ve got to be up early tomorrow. I can’t come in.”

“Okay,” I said.

He’d already sauntered off before I gathered my wits enough to think that what I should have said was, “I didn’t invite you in.” I whirled around and scrambled inside before he got the idea I was gazing after him with hearts in my eyes or something.

I was annoyed at the offhand way he’d assumed that coming inside was a given, if only he had been on a later shift. Was arrogance stuck to the Blake/Nash genetic code, I wondered? Or was it me? Did I come across as that available?

No, it was them. Arrogance, for sure. I found myself smiling, thinking about how Adam would react if I called myself available in his presence.

He’d be so torn.

He’d want to scoff and make a big, bitchy deal about how difficult I was. And at the same time, he’d want to do something tauntingly sexual to show me exactly how available I was.

---