She shrugged a shoulder. “I had this plant when I was young. An orchid. After my father left, I neglected it, and it withered. Then, I was determined to keep it alive. I babied it, watered it, sang to it. And then it flowered, and it was beautiful.”
A young girl whose life was out of control, finding control once more through a plant.
“I was hooked after that.” She pulled out a first aid kit and set it on the island. She spotted a folded piece of paper on the island, and snatched it up.
“What?” he asked.
“Oh, the twins are out with my mom. She came down to take them to an art show. They won’t be home until late. Phew.”
He felt a spurt of annoyance. “So you can sneak me out of here like a dirty, little secret.”
She frowned at him. “It’s not that. You’re a freaking billionaire, Liam. Your presence would generate a whole bunch of questions I don’t want to answer right now.”
Patience, Kensington. He took a deep breath.
Aspen tore open a wipe, tipped antiseptic on it. “Hold still.” She cupped his cheek and dabbed at the cut on his temple.
He saw the words inked on her forearm. Words that said so much about her. He looked at that sexy dimple in her chin, then cupped her cheek. They could have both been shot today. Flying bullets tended to put things into very sharp focus.
Made a person realize what was important.
Her gaze moved to his. Damn, she was so beautiful.
“So, your mom and sisters are out late?” he said.
“Yes.”
“And we don’t need to meet Boone at the warehouse for hours.”
She leaned closer, gripping the collar of his shirt. “Yes.”
“You haven’t shown me your bedroom, yet.”
She pressed her tongue to her teeth. “No, I haven’t.”
He tugged her against him.
“Liam, we were just shot at—”
“I know. It makes me want to celebrate being alive.” He nipped her lips. “And celebrate having the sexiest, most competent woman I know under my hands.”
He took her mouth. Damn, every time he kissed her was like a punch to the gut.
He pulled her closer to straddle him, then rose. She clamped her arms and legs around him.
“Which room is yours?” he asked.
She waved a hand.
He strode through the neat living space. As he walked into her bedroom, he turned his head. She nipped at his jaw.
“I like your bedroom.” He did. There were lush plants, and a serene feel. Candles and more plants rested on a shelf.
“Thanks. It’s my little haven.”
Liam put one knee on the bed and lowered her to the pretty, soft cover.
“Now, let’s christen this bed of yours.” With a smile, he pressed his mouth to hers and started to unbutton her shirt.
Aspen
I collapsed on top of Liam, panting, pleasure still flooding me.
He ran a lazy hand up my back and I shivered.
“Well, I’m glad you like my room,” I murmured.
His fingers danced over the knobs of my spine. “I really like you.”
God, I was totally going to fall for this guy. Danger, danger.
“Hungry?” I asked.
“Yeah.”
“I’ll order takeout. There’s a great Chinese place around the corner.” Man, I hoped billionaires liked Chinese food.
“Sounds great.”
I pressed a kiss to his chest and pushed up.
I grabbed my robe and wrapped it around my body. When I looked back, he was watching me. His gaze said he liked what he saw.
He was sprawled there in my bed, looking all golden, like a well-satisfied lion.
I escaped, telling myself that I should be guarding my heart more carefully. I rummaged through the drawers in the kitchen and found the takeout menu. Snatching up my cell phone, I placed the order.
Mmm, I needed some fried rice. The thought immediately reminded me of Erica. My friend loved fried rice, and we’d often gorged on it when we’d had sleepovers. Then I thought of Jake.
A shot of guilt closed my throat. I’d just had amazing sex, and was spending time with Liam, planning to eat Chinese. I pressed a hand to the counter and dragged in a breath. Meanwhile, Erica and Jake were suffering, and having a horrible time.
Tonight, I was going to find that lockbox. I would work it all out, dammit. I’d lure Doyle out and get Jake back, get those photos for Liam, and then watch Nexus go down.
“Hey.” Liam appeared. “You look way too serious for a woman who just had two orgasms.”
He was shirtless, just in his suit pants. My mouth watered. This was my favorite look of his.
He rounded the tiny island and pulled me into his arms. “You keep looking at me like that, it’ll be three times.”
I rested my forehead against his chest and slid my arms around him. “I’m just worried about Jake. And feeling guilty that I’m enjoying you while he’s a prisoner, and Erica is pregnant, alone, and hanging on by a thread.”
Liam hugged me tighter. “We’re going to get him back. I’m here to help.”
I looked up. “I’m not used to having help.”
He gave me a dry look. “I would never have guessed. You’re frighteningly competent, and wade in to help everybody.”
This time, I kissed him. The man tasted better than that super expensive wine of his.
Things were getting heated. He groaned, I thrust my hands into his golden hair.
Suddenly, I heard a key in the front door lock, and the murmur of voices.
Oh. Crap.
The door started to open.
“Get down,” I hissed.
His eyebrows shot up. “What?”
“Down.” I gripped his hips and urged him downward.
He dropped into a crouch behind the island.
Juno, Briar, and my mother spilled inside. My lungs froze. Oh, God.
“Hi.” I tried to sound casual, but my voice came out sounding like a strangled cat.
They all looked my way, shedding their coats.
“I thought you guys were out until late.” I looked at Mom. “Hi, Mom.”
“Hi, baby.”
“The art show was a dud,” Juno declared.
“Totally,” Bri agreed. “A monkey could do better. It was shitwaffle.”
“It was not what I’d hoped for.” Mom blew me a kiss, then carefully hung her coat on the hook by the door.
The twins eyed my robe and frowned.
“Why are you home?” Briar asked.
“And why are you in your robe?” Juno followed up.
“Oh, well…” At that moment, Liam stroked a hand up the back of my leg. Sensation skidded through me and I kicked him lightly. “My case is crazy. I was tired and I had some time, so I caught a quick nap. I need to head out again tonight.”
And find a way to sneak my billionaire lover out of the apartment.
The twins both stared at me suspiciously.
“You look…different,” Juno said.
“Yes, relaxed or something.” Briar tapped her lips. “And you never look relaxed.”
I made a scoffing sound.
“She has sex hair,” my mom stated.
Oh, crap. I heard Liam’s quiet snort and kicked him again. His hands skimmed higher up my leg, sliding under my robe.