Page 6 of Fall for You (Flirting with Forever 4)

Chapter 4

Quinn

I’m in mini-meltdown mode. O-M-G is he married? I sink back into my chair and try my best to think back to everything that was just said at the meeting and everything he’s ever said when we’ve been alone. Of course, that last bit doesn’t take long—we don’t talk much. He’d referred to Becky as Olivia’s mother. He hadn’t said wife, but I don’t know if that’s odd considering we were here to discuss his daughter, not his relationship with the other woman in the room. And definitely not to discuss whatever relationship he has with me. Relationship? Ha! I don’t know if you could classify what we did as a relationship.

I let out a choked laugh that actually frightens me. Oh my God, I’m going to go insane trying to wade my way through this mess. I guess we’ll just see what happens from here. Shit, shit, shit. I’d agreed to tutor his daughter. I’d agreed to be paid for it. There is no way that if she’s staying after school that one of them isn’t coming to pick Olivia up. She’s only a sophomore. Not old enough to drive yet, I don’t think.

My breath hitches as my mind whirs back to January, to Hadleigh’s birthday dinner at the cider mill on the night I lost my ever-loving mind.

I park in the empty lot knowing the cider mill might already be closed. It’s eleven thirty, so on the off chance that they are still open, I zip my coat and flip up the hood. Bracing myself for the cold chill of the night, I open my door, slip out of my Xterra, and dash to the heavy oak door. I knock once. Wait. Shiver. Great, it’s freaking freezing out here. What the hell was I thinking?

At first, I was thinking of Piper. The poor girl had realized on the way home that she’d left her favorite hat and glove set on the table when we’d all bundled up and gotten out of there for the night. But I hadn’t told anyone I was coming back.

Because second, I was also thinking of me and the fact that Liam was so hot, I wouldn’t mind seeing him again.

So, here I stand. I knock another time, and pause for a few seconds before I turn around. Disappointment abounds—not only because I’d failed to retrieve Piper’s things, but also because I was hoping to … I don’t really know what. Talk to Liam? Stare into those bold chocolate-brown eyes? Admire the way his rolled-up sleeves showcase his strong forearms, complete with veins that manage to pop out to say hello? I don’t even know why I like that. But it’s just so damned manly. Or maybe, just maybe, I wanted to come by to check out the way his ass looks in his jeans for a few more minutes. Because I’d ogled him each time he’d walked away from our table earlier this evening. Even my friends had noticed I was very much interested in what I was seeing.

I sigh, giving one last look at the door before I turn, arms wrapped around myself, and head back to my car. It was worth a shot, anyway.

Behind me, the door opens with a deep groan and a creak. “Hey. Were you looking for something?”

I whirl back around, my heart up in my throat. You could say that. There at the door stands the man I’ve been drooling over for the past few hours. “Oh, um. Hi. I’m Quinn. I was here earlier with some friends?”

His mouth tips into a smile, and he nods. “Of course. I’m Liam. Why don’t you come in out of the cold?”

With a shiver, I nod. “Okay.” I approach him and smile as he allows me to enter first.

Once the door shuts behind us, I glance around the place again. “The woodwork in here is amazing. Everything is functional, but still gorgeous.” He smiles as my gaze sweeps up the big staircase leading up to the tasting room and reception area where we were just hanging out earlier with Hadleigh for her birthday. I point in that direction. “I—uh, my friend Piper left her gloves and hat upstairs at our table.” I stumble over my words. “That’s, um, that’s why I came back.”

He nods. “Of course. I set them aside at the bar upstairs.” He motions for me to follow him and leads the way up.

There’s that fine, fine ass. My eyes remain riveted to his backside the entire time it takes us to climb to the next floor. I almost start fanning myself just as we get to the top, as all of a sudden, I feel distinctly overheated.

Liam strides quickly behind the bar and retrieves Piper’s things. “It was kind of you to come back to get these for your friend.”

“Yeah, she seemed a little distraught at having left them, and since I was the designated driver, I figured it couldn’t hurt to swing back by after I’d dropped everyone at home to see if you were still here.”

He bobs his head in understanding and eyes me carefully, but doesn’t say anything further on the topic. Instead, he crosses his arms across his broad chest—not that I’m looking—and changes the direction of our conversation. “So, you liked what you tasted of the cider?”

My lips twitch into a smile. “Yes. I was just sad I had to drive so I couldn’t have more. Next time, maybe.”

“Next time?”

“Well, sure. I’ll be back for the wedding reception, at least.”

“Oh. Right.”

It almost seems like he’s hoping I’ll come back in before that. Am I reading him correctly?

We gaze into each other’s eyes. Chests rise and fall. Is he as affected as I am by this? Please tell me he is.

“You have the prettiest eyes I’ve ever seen. Full of mystery and sparkle. Really beautiful.”

I dip my head, unable to stop the furious blush from hitting my cheeks. “Thank you.” I let out a ragged breath. “I couldn’t keep my eyes off of you earlier tonight.”

He grins. “I may have walked past your table way more than was necessary. I couldn’t help myself. I was drawn to you.”

We step forward at the same time, eyes roaming over each other. He’s almost close enough to touch me, then he closes the distance and reaches up to cup my cheek in his hand. My entire system is overwhelmed at his proximity, at his touch. His thumb slides over the delicate skin of my cheekbone. “Is this okay?”

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