“Understandable,” she agreed. “How about Tuesday?”
“That works. We’ll leave early? Is it doable for you, Liv?”
She jotted down notes quickly. She was conscientious and admittedly forgetful at times. I recalled her confession of relying on her calendar a lot. “Yes. My mom can take Sammy to day care for me and pick her up if needed. Mom is going away to see her sister soon, so Tuesday works.”
“Once the day care here is open, Sammy can come to work with you,” Bentley pointed out, raising one eyebrow. “It’s going to be free to the staff.”
Liv lifted her shoulder. “Sammy’s been at this place since she could walk, Bentley. There’re lots of kids her age, and it’s right by my place and close to my mom. She’s going to school next year, so I don’t want to take her out of her routine.”
He pursed his lips.
“I’ll bring her on occasion if there is a problem. It’s not that I don’t appreciate the offer,” she stated gently. “But it’s the best for her.”
“I understand. Maybe your next one.”
Liv didn’t say anything, and I shifted in my seat, suddenly uncomfortable.
Bentley stood, letting us know the conversation was done.
“Okay, we’ll pick you up at your place, and we’ll head out. You good with that, Van?”
“Why don’t I drive? The place has been empty for a while, and the road is bound to be overgrown. The truck can handle it better than one of your fancy cars. Plus, I can have some tools with me.”
He acquiesced fast. “That works.”
I stood, waiting for Liv to join me. “Okay, Tuesday it is. We’ll see you at the site later?”
He shook our hands. “Yes. And thanks. As usual, you are both amazing.”
We walked down the hall, Liv in front of me. I liked watching her walk—the gentle sway of her hips, and the way the light reflected off her hair. It was up again today, but I knew how soft it was when she let the waves loose. I remembered the way she felt in my arms. How she tasted. Smelled. Sounded. Her loose clothing hid her from the world, but I had felt her curves and knew what was underneath the material. I cleared my throat.
“Could I speak to you for a moment?”
She glanced back at me, her eyes worried. “Now?”
From the moment I saw her this morning, I had wanted to be alone with her. She had been on my mind since I left her place two evenings prior. Yesterday had been crazy with meetings and plans, and I had debated all evening about calling her, wondering if it would be crossing a line. I was determined to clear up some of the rules and talk to her today.
“Yes, now.”
Jordan passed us in the hall. “Heading for caffeine and sustenance. Can I grab you the usual?”
“Sure. I’d appreciate it. Liv, you want something?”
She shook her head. “No, I’m good.”
Jordan grinned. “Your loss. I’ve been smelling the Danishes baking all morning. I can’t resist anymore.”
He passed us, and I reached out, tugging Liv into my office. I shut the door and, without hesitation, spun her in my arms. I covered her mouth with mine, kissing her deeply. She wound her hands into my hair, gripping the strands hard and kissing me back with equal vigor. I yanked her tight, taking advantage of her willingness. I needed to kiss her as long as possible, and I hoped the café was busy. I wanted Jordan absent for a long time.
Except Liv pushed away, her eyes wide. “Van,” she gasped softly. “We can’t.”
“Oh, we can,” I disagreed. “Maybe we shouldn’t, but I had to. I’ve had to kiss you since I left you the other night.”
She traced my lips with her finger, the digit shaking as it touched my mouth. I kissed the tip and stepped back regretfully. “Are you all right?”
She nodded, looking shy. “I wanted you to kiss me too,” she admitted.
“Good.”
“But the office…”
I held up my hand. “I know. I get it, and I’ll try to rein myself in. You simply looked too pretty not to kiss today.”
She grinned at my words.
“I wanted to call you last night,” I confessed. “I didn’t know if I should or not. I’m not sure what the rules are between us.”
She leaned on the edge of my desk, her arms crossed. “I don’t know either, Van. I’m still trying to wrap my head around the concept of you.”
“The concept of me?” I repeated.
“Of you. Of us.”
“I like the sound of us.”
“I like the sound of it too, but it’s still a scary one.”
“As long as you’re willing to try, I’m willing to take it slow. Tell me what you need, Liv.”
“Just some time.”
“But I can see you? Spend some time with you and Mouse?”
“Yes.”
“Can I call you?”
“Anytime.”
I reached behind me and opened the door. Jordan would wonder why I had shut it. I crossed the room and stood in front of Liv. “Then we’ll start there.” I reached out and traced her cheekbone. “I can be patient.”
She leaned into my caress, her eyes drifting shut. It took everything in me not to sweep her into my arms and kiss her again.
I heard Jordan’s footsteps, and I stepped back. “Can I drive you to the site this afternoon? Maybe we can have coffee afterward?”
“Sure.”
Jordan walked in, his hands full. Liv and I were standing far enough apart it looked as though we were discussing something business-related.
“I got you a coffee, Liv.”
She eyed the box in his hands. “How many Danish did you get?”
He snickered. “A lot. They’re still warm.” He flipped open the lid. “How can you resist?”
Liv reached into the box, but her eyes were on me when she answered. “I can’t, it seems.”
I snagged one for myself with a grin. “Nope. Resistance is futile.”
Liv bit into the pastry. “So I’m discovering.”
I hid my smile.
“These are wonderful!” Liv gushed as we walked through an empty unit. “The woodwork and detail are exquisite.”
I ran my hand along a chair rail. “They are.”
“Some of the units are in bad shape. Can you match the trims and colors?” Bentley inquired.
“I can. It’ll take some work, but I can do it.” I bent down and picked up a loose piece of trim. “There’s a company that can analyze the stain so it can be matched. There is another that can replicate the cuts.”
“Excellent,” Bentley stated.
“I’ll have to figure it out place by place. If it’s bad enough, it might be cheaper to tear it out and replace rather than piece it together.”
“Whatever you need.”
Liv was busy with her sketchbook. She was enthralled as she walked around, eyeing up the layout and planning. Maddox had joined us, and the two of them were in a discussion about costs. He was a brilliant numbers man, and I knew he, no doubt, already had mapped out budgets.
Bentley was correct. The structure was sound, the apartments a good size, but all in need of updating. He had found a hidden treasure. It needed some polishing, but once complete, it would be a goldmine. Maddox would be pleased.