Page 98 of Caught Up In You (The Monroes 2)

Ugh. She ignored the path her thoughts traveled and focused on something she could actually control. Control…something she prided herself on, something that had gotten her through the past several years.

Macy shoved the cash and receipts into her bank bag and tucked the bulk beneath her arm. She needed to get out of here before she had a run-in with Mr. Sexy Tenant. Liam had moved in a few months ago and she’d tried to avoid any face-to-face time when no one else was around to buffer…so far so good.

Even though she’d known him since she was a teen, she’d never been more aware of her feelings where he was concerned. That teen crush had vanished, replaced by something intense and much more grown up. She couldn’t describe how she felt now that he was back home. Knowing he was so close made her want to reach out to him, but then that fear of her past, the fear of his reaction had her waiting.

Damn fear. Why did she let that control her? She’d wanted one man for years and now that he was here, she went on about her life like everything was perfectly normal.

Nothing could be further from the truth.

Slinking in and out of her own business was absolutely not normal. Her heart accelerating each time she heard heavy footsteps upstairs was not normal.

Yet here she stood with bank bag in hand just like every night the past two months he’d been here. The internal battle between her angel and devil never more prominent. He wasn’t in town to pick up where he left off years ago. Not that they had anything to pick up. Her attraction had clearly been one-sided because she was pretty sure he didn’t even flicker a glance her way other than on friendly terms.

No, what brought Liam back to Haven – reluctantly – had been his family. He and his brothers, Zach and Braxton, were now owners of Bella Vous, a women’s only resort and spa. The fact that three rough around the edges men now owned something so dainty and feminine would be laughable if the circumstances surrounding their decision weren’t so tear-jerkingly sweet.

Their late sister, Chelsea, had created this vision, going so far as to keep notebooks and journals about a place for women to go and relax, take a break from reality or just have a fun girls’ trip. When Chelsea unexpectedly passed away, the guys banded together to make her dream a reality.

Granted it took Liam a bit longer to come around, but the bad blood between him and Zach had been somewhat settled…or as much as possible considering their past and the ordeal they were thrust into.

Just before the grand opening, Bella Vous lost their chef when the lady who’d been hired opted to take off with her boyfriend on a cross-country trip. Needless to say, they were in a bind and since Liam was let go from his hoity-toity position at an upscale place in Savannah, he decided to fill in.

Macy knew Liam didn’t want to be here. He never came out and said the words, he didn’t have to. His actions, his apparent unhappiness spoke volumes. But as much as Liam wasn’t keen on being back in the town that reminded him of the tragic night that altered his life, he wasn’t about to let his family down when they needed him most.

And the last minute change of plans had left him with nowhere to live…until Zach’s wife Sophie mentioned the apartment over Knobs and Knockers.

So, now Macy had to hightail it out of her own territory because the man she’d been infatuated with since high school was invading her space.

As soon as she grabbed her keys from the shelf beneath the counter, Macy froze. Those footsteps overhead were now on the steps…as in, coming down the steps. Toward her. She’d hung around too long. It wasn’t like she could make a mad dash for the door now.

Gripping the keys in one hand, she grabbed the bag from beneath her arm and whirled around to the back of her store. Clad in well-worn jeans and a black T-shirt that molded to his muscular form, Liam met her gaze as he crossed the wide aisle toward the counter.

That scar running along the left side of his face may be intimidating to some, making him appear harsh, but to Macy he was the sexiest man she’d ever met. And that scar was a reminder of how close they’d all come to losing him. Those dark eyes fanned with dark lashes, his broad frame and an intense gaze only added to the appeal. The ink peeking from beneath the short sleeve didn’t hurt, either. Would it be too forward to ask him to take the shirt off? Just to see the rest of the tattoo, that’s all. Maybe she could trace it with her finger…or tongue.

Yeah, this was no teenage crush anymore.

This was full-on adult hormones with very adultish images scrolling through her mind each time she saw him.

“I need some putty for the faucet in the bathroom upstairs,” he told her in that low, gravely tone that covered her entire body with chills in the very delicious way.

Focus, Macy. The man needs putty, not drool.

Macy loved this old building full of charm. However, charm and old often went hand in hand with renovations and repairs. She’d lived above the hardware store her entire life. Her grandparents had started this business and saved money by living upstairs.

Then the store was passed to her parents when they married. Macy never knew another home until a few months ago. Macy and her father moved when Macy decided to build a house and have an apartment built on the back of her garage for her father. Needless to say she was adjusting to new life from every possible angle.

“I’ll come up and fix it.” She sat her bag and keys on the counter. “Let me grab the putty.”

Macy moved around the old scarred wrap-counter that sat in the middle of the store. Liam didn’t budge as she approached him. She’d always been tall, but next to him she felt tiny, feminine. For a woman being five feet ten inches and owning a hardware store, Macy relished in the simplest things that made her feel like a woman…like her slight addiction to pretty lingerie. She’d always been athletic, not the type to paint her face with makeup or wear the latest styles. Sports and tools had been her staples growing up. Oh, and her cowgirl boots. She never left home without them.

“I’ll fix it.” He tipped his head slightly to the left, a habit she noticed and knew he didn’t even realize he was doing it at this point. A vain attempt at hiding his scar came second nature to him. “Just give me the tub.”

Macy crossed her arms, her elbows brushing slightly against his chest. Well, hello there glorious muscle tone.

“You’re my tenant,” she reminded him, though she was mentally reminding herself as well. “I’ll take care of any problems.”

“I can fix the damn sink, Macy.”

Why did she have to watch his lips as he said her name? Did she enjoy the torture? Apparently masochism was another trait she possessed. He didn’t say her name often, but when he did she took a moment to savor the way his low, throaty tone delivered the simple word.

---