His features mare with concern as he hurries out of his chair to crouch by my side. He frames my face with both hands. “I’m so sorry. I really am.”
I nod, begging for the moisture veiling my eyes not to form into tears.
“Anna, look at me,” Liam asks softly. Getting my full attention, his eyes train on mine. “I love you.”
My lips part as my insides melt. I am about to respond when he brings two fingers to cover my lips. “Don’t say anything. I don’t expect you to respond, just let it sink in, ok?” he asks.
Ever so slowly he slides his fingers away only to be replaced with his lips that encounter mine in the softest of touches. Easing back, he gently kisses my cheek, then my forehead, and stands. I follow his moves with my eyes as he takes back his seat; my mind is a little scrambled, my heart, on the other hand, euphoric. Did that just happen? Did Liam just say he . . . loves me?
An alert sound coming from Liam’s phone reminders me that he’s never really off duty. A little reminder that this is his life, every moment, beautiful and precious as it is can abruptly end with one little call. Hesitant, I watch him. I’d hate for the evening to end right now. However, if he needs to leave, I’ll never hold it against him. He mumbles an excuse before checking his phone. His lips tip just before he glances up for a stolen peek to another part of the restaurant. Whatever he sees there makes his smile grow.
I turn my head trying to see what made him smile. “Everything alright?”
Liam sends me a contagious grin; I can’t help but mirror him. “Why are you being weird?” I ask. You just freaking told you love me and left it as is. Oh, and let us not forget the moving in part which I need you to decipher for me, because – madness! Now you’re smiling at God knows what. Seriously, what is happening.
“How am I being weird?” Is delivered over a chuckle.
“Hi.”
I’m startled by the unexpected low voice at my side. I jerk my head to follow the voice. My eyes climb higher and higher. By my chair, towering over me is a handsome guy. I frown, noticing him smiling at me. Given I seem to be his sole focus, I feel compelled to ask, “Umm hi, do I know you?”
For a brief moment, the guy throws Liam one of those “respect, dude,” sort of appreciative nods before turning back to me again. Disregarding my question, the guy says, “Say yes.”
My brows pinch tighter. “Excuse me?”
He slaps Liam’s shoulder harder than a customary friendly pat. Liam throws his hands to the sides in a, “Really, dude?” sort of gesture. The guy smirks at Liam and returns to me.
What the heck is going on?
“Anna,” the guy says. “This guy,” he slaps Liam again, seeming to take great pleasure in doing so. “This guy is gone for you, and he’s the best guy I’ve ever known. I suggest you say yes to whatever he asks.”
Okay, seriously, what the hell is happening right now? A tad irritated and a greater part baffled, I repeat my question. “Do I know you?”
Handsome Tall Guy extends his hand for a shake. When I hesitantly reciprocate, he says, “Delighted to make your acquaintance, Anna. I’m Little Shit.”
Now That I Saved Your Life, Let’s Get Naked, Shall We?
“So, Pen Pal, top you off?” Benjamin asks Anna, calling her by the nickname he gave her half a bottle of wine ago, the bottle in his hand that’s tilted toward her glass.
Anna covers the glass with her hand, shaking her head with a smile. “No, thanks. I’m good.”
Catching Benjamin’s eyes, I make a whole show of looking at my watch, hoping that Sir Chatty gets the hint and splits. He’s been hanging with us for a couple of glasses too many. Don’t get me wrong, he’s one of my closest people. But as much as I like the guy right now I want him gone, the little shit that he is.
While I was away in Leer, Benjamin finally replied to my email. The E-mail. The one which, by some unbelievable coincidence, landed in Anna’s inbox. After realizing it missed its destination, I sent it to the correct email address. Long story short, we spoke on the phone earlier today and I told him all about Anna. When he mentioned he was in the area, visiting with the Flamingo, aka his girlfriend, I told him to pop by the restaurant I was taking Anna to and maybe wax lyrical about me. Give Anna a character reference in person. I know, lame-ish, but with less than a few hours to prepare, Little Shit was the only rabbit I was able to pull out of the hat. Right now however, I need said rabbit to go back to his hole.
Smiling, Benjamin catches my stare that clearly tells him that his job is done. He puts the bottle of wine back on the table with a grin. “Okay, Pen Pal,” he tells Anna. “I think Liam here wants me gone.” He pats my chest, chuckles and stands up. He takes Anna’s hand, and kisses it. “So long.”
Anna laughs and says, “Night.”
I can’t hide how pleased I am that she didn’t insist he stayed. And then, like I needed any more distractions tonight, our waiter comes to politely ask if we need anything else since they’re about to close the kitchen.
I look at Anna in question, she shakes her head and I ask for the bill. When Anna takes out her purse, I give her a look that makes her put it right back. Not long after I sign the bill, the lights are dimmed and chairs are being put up on tables. “I guess that’s our cue,” I tell Anna. I offer her my hand, she doesn’t take it, just smiles and leads the way out of the restaurant.
As we step outside, Anna reaches for her phone.
“What are you doing?” I ask.
“Getting an Uber,” she says, opening up the app on her phone.
Everything inside me is screaming NO. This isn’t how I wanted things to go. Without even thinking I swipe the phone from Anna’s hand. “We can’t end the evening like this.”
Anna’s stare bounces from the phone in my hand to me.
“Come home with me,” I say.
Anna raises an eyebrow and cocks her head; a smile starts playing at her lips.
“Mind out of the gutter,” I say, and add, “Not that I’d, God forbid, ever object if you’d only ask. I just—I’m not ready to let you go. We still have a lot to talk about. And I want to spend more time with you.”
Anna bites on her lip and says, “I know the feeling – I wasn’t ready to let you go back then either, yet . . . ”
I drop my head and try again. “Look, I can’t blame you. I know I hurt you and as I said, I am so very sorry. If I could take it back I would, in a heartbeat, believe me. But please Anna, stay with me tonight. Just . . . no expectations – just . . . be with me.”
She considers my words and softly says, “Okay.”
Unable to resist myself, not with her looking so damn sweet, I send a tentative hand to her cheek. I lean closer, wordlessly asking for permission which she grants with parted lips and hooded eyes. My heart is beating double-time as I press my lips to hers. When she opens for me and I finally taste her, the sensation runs along my skin, powdering my gut with immeasurable feelings of affection.
Christ, how I missed her.
Finally physically connecting, we reach for each other with urgency, our tongues dancing along one another, our hands finding their places, hers on my waist, mine framing her face. I send my fingers to comb through her hair, tilting her head gently, pulling her closer into our kiss. For a few long passionate moments, we’re lost in our reconnection.