Destined To Be A Dad (Welcome To Destiny Book 9) (12 page)

“It’s still so bright out here,” she said. “Shouldn’t most of the accent lighting be off by this time?”

After what he’d said to her back at the truck, this was what she wanted to talk about?

Liam sighed. Not that he was interested in talking anymore tonight. No, what he wanted to do was grab her, pull her into his arms and find other uses for that pretty mouth of hers. Find out if his feelings were all one-sided, or if she was trying to sort through some crazy emotions as well.

He shoved his hands in his pockets to keep from doing what he desired. “I overrode the shutdown remotely from my phone while we were out.”

“Why...oh.” She looked at him, her lips pursed as if she was attempting to hold back a smile. Or blow him a kiss. “You didn’t want Casey to be alone in the dark with her date.”

“Damn right I didn’t.”

Her soft laughter rippled over his skin like caressing fingers. “You know, she might be home already.”

Liam looked up as they approached the boathouse; the apartment was still dark except for a small glow from the living area. “Are you kidding? If she’s anything like we were, she’ll push the curfew right up to the last minute.”

“Well, since there’s plenty of light out here, you don’t have to see me back to the flat.”

They stepped onto the path that led along the side of the boathouse, the shadows darker and deeper here. “A gentleman always sees his date to her door.”

“And you’re a gentleman?”

“I’m trying my best.”

She stopped, her touch warm on his already heated skin. “What if I don’t want you to be?”

Hoping he was reading her words correctly, he gave in to the need raging in him. He stopped too and reached for her, one hand landing on the small of her back, anchoring her against him. He cupped her head with his other hand, his fingers digging into the soft strands of her hair, holding her in place as his mouth came down on hers.

A spike of heat started low in his gut. A moan escaped Missy’s lips as she parted to accept his kiss.

She grabbed at his arms, not to push him away but to hold on as they stumbled backward together, deeper into the darkness, into the corner, until the rough texture of the log wall scratched the backs of his hands.

Longing that had been building since the last time they kissed twisted in his gut. She had to feel the same, with the way she met the forceful demand of his kisses with demands of her own. He moved his hand down past her hips to cup her perfect backside. But only for a moment—then he slid them up again along the softness of her shirt until he found her breast, his thumb automatically scraping lightly across the hardened tip—

She stiffened and broke free from his mouth. “Liam, wait.”

He lifted both his hands from her and moved to take a step away, but she stopped him. “No, I don’t—I thought I heard—oh, my, headlights.”

Liam looked over his shoulder in time to see the harsh glare, but then it was gone. Seconds later the sound of a vehicle engine being shut down and doors opening and then closing filled the air.

“It’s Casey,” Missy’s words came out in a whisper. “She’s home!”

And she wasn’t alone. Liam could hear his daughter’s sweet laughter, and unintelligible words in a lower, masculine tone. They were headed this way, cutting through the yard on the far side of Nolan’s place, taking the most direct route to the boathouse.

Meaning they would be here any minute.

He grabbed Missy’s hand. “Come on.”

“What—”

Yanking open a nearby door, he stepped inside the small space, pulling her behind him. “In here.”

“Where are we?” she whispered.

“The outdoor shower.” The door gently bumped closed behind them and Liam receded as far as he could, until he felt the cold metal pipes and fixtures pressed against his back. Missy followed, her backside against his front. He tightened his hands on her waist, biting back a groan at how perfectly she fit there.

“Liam, we shouldn’t...” She leaned her head back into his chest, her words still a low whisper.

“Shh, they’re right outside.” He dipped his head, his mouth at her ear.

Moments later, they clearly heard two sets of footsteps as Casey and Nathan walked past them.

“You know, you don’t have to walk me all the way to the flat,” Casey said, sounding just like her mother a few minutes ago.

“Sure I do,” Nathan replied. “My dad taught me I should always make sure my date gets safely home.”

Missy looked over her shoulder at him and smiled.

Yeah, okay. The kid got points for that.

“That’s sweet, but I’m sure my mum is waiting up for me. I can go from here. The last thing you’d want is to be...” Casey’s voice faded as they continued walking.

Although Liam could hear a deep chuckle that had to be Nathan’s, they were too far away now for him to hear what they were saying. Setting Missy aside, he stepped toward the door, easing it open a crack. Just enough to—

“What are you doing?” She hissed in his ear. “Spying on them?”

“Yes.”

She rolled her eyes, but then moved in front of him again, crouching a bit so both of them could look at what was happening out there.

Liam spotted his daughter and her date standing in a pool of light at the far end of the boathouse. It was a familiar scene, as if he was seeing himself and Missy, just like that, years ago. Needing to say good-night, but not wanting the night to end. Neither of them sure of what the next move should be.

Nathan stood with his thumbs tucked into his back pockets, Casey rocking up on her toes a bit. Their voices were too soft to hear. Then, all at once, Casey placed her hands lightly on her date’s shoulders and reached up, giving him a kiss on the lips that lasted far longer than Liam liked before she spun away, her footsteps echoing on the stairs that led up to the apartment.

The boy remained rooted to the spot for a moment. Then he shook his head and headed back toward them. Liam wasn’t sure he liked the goofy grin on Nathan’s face, but he allowed the door to shut again when the kid got close, staying perfectly still until he heard the sound of the boy’s truck starting up and leaving the parking lot.

“That was sweet,” Missy said.

That was close.

Their daughter had almost found her parents making out right outside the boathouse. Then again, if he and Missy had made it up to the apartment, she might’ve walked in on them necking on the sofa like a couple of teen—

Liam slammed a lid on that thought, raking his fingers through his hair.

“Hey, are you all right?”

No, he was far from all right.

Liam looked down at her, surprised that his emotions had switched so fast from worrying about their daughter to wanting nothing more than to pick up where he and Missy had left off.

He wanted her in his arms, wanted his mouth, his hands, on her. Wanted her hands on him.

Missy must’ve been able to read the desire in his eyes, because she turned, pushed the shower door open and stepped back into the cool night air. He followed, taking her arm to stop her when she started to walk away.

She stilled, pulling from his touch, but she did turn back to face him. “I should go. Casey is probably waiting for me.”

“And worrying?”

Missy shook her head. “I left her a note.”

That surprised him. “Telling her you were out with me?”

“Telling her that you and I went to see some old friends and I would be back around the same time as she.”

And she would’ve been if he hadn’t given in to the crazy need to have this woman in his arms again. But it wasn’t just him. Missy had been willing, too; she wanted that kiss as much as he did.

Why was she now acting as if nothing had happened between them?

“I want you.”

She slowly lifted her gaze to his, the astonishment in her eyes cutting him.

“Please don’t tell me that surprises you.”

“We can’t...we can’t let the past—
our
past—affect our lives now.”

“Why not?” he demanded.

She took a step back, pulled in a quick breath and squared her shoulders, her posture perfectly ballerina straight now. “I’ve already told you, I’m here because of Casey, to give her a chance to get to know you and your family.”

“Do you really believe that? You were the one who put out an obvious invite a few minutes ago. Now you’re giving me mixed signals.”

“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t—we shouldn’t have—”

“Oh, yeah, we should.” He stepped closer. “Are you going to hide behind Casey and deny you still have feelings for me?”

“Of course I have feelings for you. How could I not?” Missy’s response came in a cool, distant tone, despite how much her admission surprised him. “But this trip isn’t about me, about us. It never was. The last thing I’m going to do is to let myself think, to dream... I did that once and I got my heart crushed. I won’t do it again. Not even for you.”

“Missy, I would never—”

“Please...don’t.” She moved back again, holding out a hand this time to ward him off from following her. “Please don’t make a promise we both know you can’t—that neither of us can keep.”

Chapter Eleven

L
iam stared at the envelope in his hand, his heart beating so loudly in his chest he was certain it could be heard even here on the sidewalk outside Destiny’s medical clinic on a busy Friday afternoon.

“I was about to head out to your place when I saw you drive by.” Dr. Ronald Cody, the only full-time physician they had in Destiny, looked more like a cowboy in his worn leather boots and white Stetson instead of a stethoscope and a white jacket.

Dr. Cody had just flagged Liam down as he drove along East Main Street. When Liam had first seen the doctor waving at him, he’d feared the worst. That something had happened to someone in the family—to Missy or Casey—while he’d been on a return flight from a two-day business trip in Denver.

He’d hated leaving on Wednesday, but he hadn’t been able to reschedule the meeting. The crazy idea of asking Missy to come with him had crossed his mind during one of his many sleepless nights since their date, but he knew she’d never agree to go.

Hell, they’d barely spoken to each other in the last week.

Short of coming right out and demanding time with her, he couldn’t get her alone so they could continue their unfinished conversation about the two of them.

At least it was unfinished on his end.

Missy had that British stiff-upper-lip thing so down pat no one else seemed to notice how she was being aloof, even when it was just him, her and Casey.

Not that there’d been many of those times recently.

His fingers tightened around the envelope, remembering the fleeting glimpses of confusion he’d seen in Missy’s eyes over the last few days when she thought no one was looking.

And he’d put them there. His fault. He hated that and they needed to talk—

“Liam?” The doctor’s voice cut off the memory. “You okay?”

“Yes, I’m fine, and thank you.” Forcing a smile, Liam relaxed his grip and held out his other hand. “For getting this back to me.”

“I’m sorry it took so long, but a computer glitch caused quite a backup at the lab.” The doctor returned his handshake. “I’m sure you want to open that somewhere more private. It’s pretty self-explanatory, but if you need to talk, just call the office.”

Somewhere more private.

An image popped into Liam’s head, so clear it was like looking at a photograph. Him, Missy and Casey. Yeah, as much as he wanted to get Missy alone, he wanted even more to share this moment with their daughter, too.

Especially because of what he planned on
not
doing.

Heading back to his truck, he checked his watch. There was still time to make a few stops. The grocery store, the butcher shop. And he’d swing into Fay’s to grab a bouquet of flowers before heading home.

But he was going to need some help, and he knew exactly whom to ask.

He pulled out his cell phone as he slipped behind the wheel. “Hey, Mom,” he said after the call went through. “Yeah, I’m back in town, but keep that to yourself, okay? And I need a favor.”

Less than an hour later, he arrived at the house, surprised at finding a group of all-terrain vehicles sitting in the parking lot, one with a trailer attached to the back.

After exiting his vehicle, he grabbed his bags from the backseat as Nolan came around the side of his house, the twins with him, their arms loaded with boxes, a couple of axes and sleeping bags.

“You’re back. How did the meeting go?” Nolan asked.

“As expected. The deal is closed.” Liam joined his brother and nephews at the three-wheelers. “What’s going on here?”

“The boys and I are going to winterize the north cabin this weekend.” Nolan secured a crate he’d been carrying in the trailer. “Lay in supplies, chop a few cords of wood, the usual.”

Liam nodded. He’d forgotten that was this weekend. The cabin was used year-round, as it was situated right in the center of their woodland acreage. With only one bedroom, it was small, but bunk racks in the main living space allowed for up to six people to stay there as long as they didn’t mind roughing it. Other than a small generator, the place was pretty much off the grid when it came to modern amenities.

Because of the cabin’s remote location, ATVs and horseback were the only ways to get there. In the past, at least two of the Murphy brothers had gone, Devlin usually being one. Of course, he was in England now. Getting Bryant away from his pregnant wife was probably going to be a tough sell. That left Liam or Adam.

“Hey, you aren’t looking for company, are you?” Liam asked.

Nolan grinned. “Why? You want to get out of that suit and rough it for the next couple of days?”

Not really.
“Ah—”

“Don’t worry, I think I’ve got all the company I need,” his brother said, slanting his head in the direction of the twins. “It’s about time these Muggles earned their keep.”

“Well, have a good time.”

Liam started for his place, thinking he should get the steaks he bought into the refrigerator when the sight of Casey and Missy heading his way stopped him. They were talking and neither saw him standing there, but the same duffel bag Casey had had with her the day they met was slung over one shoulder.

“Oh, hey, you’re back.” The smile that lit up Casey’s face when she spotted him pierced straight through the envelope tucked away in his inside jacket pocket and smacked him right in the heart. “I was hoping I’d see you before I left.”

He glanced over his shoulder at the ATVs again, counting the vehicles parked there. Yeah, her plans weren’t hard to figure out, and there went his.

“Left?” he asked anyway, hoping he might be wrong.

“Just for the weekend.” This came from Abby, who skipped down the steps from her house, a similar bag over her shoulder and another in her arms. “We’re still lucky enough to have her company for another ten days. What fun!”

Liam caught his niece’s bright smile from the corner of his eye as she walked past, but his gaze was on Casey, who turned her back to her cousin and rolled her eyes. “Did I mention she’s started a countdown?”

“Are you sure you want to go?” Missy asked.

“Of course. I’m not going to let some nippy—” Casey glanced his way and snapped her mouth closed for a moment before she sighed. “I never should’ve told her that you got our tickets. She caught me in a moment of weakness after tipping me off about Nat—the jerk who shall be nameless. Besides, I want to drive that ATV again.”

“With a helmet,” Missy added.

Again with the eye roll. “Of course.”

“Wait a minute,” Liam said, feeling the need to catch up as Casey switched from topic to topic. “What is Abby counting down to, what tickets are you talking about and why is Nathan now a jerk? Did he try anything with you—”

“Ah, look at the flowers. Yellow roses, nice.” Casey cut him off, placing a hand on his arm as she pushed up on her toes and peeked into the top of the grocery bag he carried. “Crikey, you got a bunch there. Planning something special?”

Liam tried hard to keep up with his daughter. “Actually, I was hoping to cook dinner for you and your mother tonight.”

“That’s sweet. I didn’t know you cooked.”

“I can manage a barbecue grill as well as the next guy.”

Casey’s gaze flew from him to her mother and then to where Nolan and his kids were milling around the three-wheelers. “Well, I guess I could cancel my plans...”

Her voice trailed off, but he could see how much she wanted to go to the cabin. It meant a lot to him that she’d offered to stick around. They’d had a great time last weekend when he taught her how to ride the all-terrain vehicles his family kept at the compound. He didn’t want to be responsible for her missing the chance to ride again.

The test results could wait. He’d already accepted the truth.

“No, don’t do that.” Liam said. “We can do this another night.”

“You sure?” Casey asked.

“Very sure.” He grabbed one of the bundles of roses from the bag and presented it to her. “Here, something to decorate the cabin.”

“Cool!”

“And please, do what your mother said. Wear all of your protective gear while driving and listen to—”

“Yeah, I know. Do everything Uncle Nolan says, stay on the trails and no going over the designated speed limit.” Casey buried her nose in the flowers for a moment, and then gave him another big smile. “You know, you should still cook for my mum. She got some great news today!”

Liam enjoyed the pink blush on Missy’s cheeks. Maybe his plans for the evening weren’t a total bust after all. “Really? What’s that?”

“Oh, it’s nothing.” Missy shook her head. “Just something related to my clothing line.”

“Hey, finding out Princess Kate purchased one of your formal frocks isn’t nothing,” Casey said, caressing one of the rosebuds. “Can you imagine what’s going to happen when the future queen shows up at some high-society fling in a Melissa Ellington original? Your sales are going to go through the roof!”

“I agree with Casey. That sounds like a pretty big deal.” Liam grinned at Missy, happy when she returned his smile. “And a perfect reason for us to celebrate.”

* * *

She almost hadn’t come.

Foolish as that seemed now, walking along the pathway from the boathouse to his place in the soft, diffused twilight, Missy had been tempted to call Liam and tell him getting together was not a good idea.

Especially after his mother had made a big deal about her, Alistair, Bryant and Laurie going out tonight for dinner and a show in Cheyenne. With Nolan and the kids gone, that meant she and Liam were the only ones in the compound.

A fact that made it clear why canceling their plans would have been the right thing to do. For her. For him. For everyone.

But she couldn’t do it.

Tired of debating with herself when deep inside she’d already accepted the fact she wanted to be with him tonight, she’d taken a quick shower and then slipped into a simple top, a long, flowing skirt that reached her ankles and a pair of flats. She’d studied her reflection in the mirror after applying her makeup, and thought about leaving her hair loose, but ended up putting it in the familiar chignon style she normally wore.

Yes, normal was what she was going for.

Tonight was just another normal night. Dinner with a man who just happened to be the father of her child...and the only man she’d ever loved.

Past tense, of course.

“Oh, you’re a bloody liar,” she whispered, her words floating on the cool night air. “Why can’t you just admit what you want?”

Lifting the hem of her skirt to keep from tripping, she took the stairs to Liam’s front porch. A quick intake of breath and she knocked before she could think about it.

Nothing. She knocked again and thought she heard him call out her name. She opened the door and peeked inside. “Liam?”

“Yeah, come on in. I’m—” A loud clanging filled the air. “Damn! I’m back in the kitchen.”

Stepping inside the front foyer, Missy closed the door behind her, the sight of bright yellow roses in a vase on the entry table making her smile.

She’d only been inside Liam’s home once before, when he’d given her and Casey a tour one afternoon, but she remembered the kitchen ran along the back of the log house. There was a wide timber stairway directly in front of her that led to the second floor, and his office and an empty guest room were on the right. She turned left and walked into the living room.

A fire was already lit in the fireplace, reflecting off the leather furniture arranged in front of the stone hearth. She headed for the dining area that opened into the oversize kitchen, noticing the large table was beautifully set at one end with matching place mats, cloth napkins, sparkling dishes, tapered candles, an open bottle of wine and more of those beautiful roses.

And the distinct odor of something...burning?

“Liam? Is everything okay?”

He slammed the lids on a couple of stainless steel pots and spun around from the stove, looking adorable with a dishcloth tucked into the waistband of his jeans as a makeshift apron. “Define okay?”

She moved to the counter that separated the two spaces, noticing how his dark hair stood in spiky tufts, as if he’d run his hands through it a few times. His white T-shirt hugged his muscular chest nicely, highlighting the dark shadow of his tattoo and the splattering of multicolored food stains across the front.

“Is that our dinner I smell?” she asked.

“If it smells like burned rubber, then, yeah, I guess it is.”

“It’s not that bad,” she said, noticing that the two sets of French doors that led out to the rear deck were open, along with the windows over the sink, allowing the night air to clear out the kitchen. “Can I do anything to help?”

“Yeah, pour us a glass of wine. I need it.” He grabbed a wooden spoon and turned back to the stove.

Missy tried to hide her smile as she did what he asked, but the furrow of his brow made it hard to resist as she joined him again, two glasses of wine in her hands. “Here.”

He reached for one, and then paused and wiped his hands across the towel at his front before taking it from her. “Thanks, I really need this.”

“I can see that.” She started to check one of the pots, but his fingers, warm and firm, landed on hers before she could lift the lid. “What’s in here?”

He took a large gulp. “Burned rice.”

She slid from his touch and this time only pointed at a second pot. “And that?”

“Broccoli.” His tone was unforgiving. “Also burned.”

She didn’t ask about the third pan. A quick sniff spoke of extra-crispy carrots, and not in a good way. “Please tell me you haven’t gotten the steaks on the grill yet.”

His sharp gaze swung to her, but then a moment later humor replaced the hardness in his cool blue eyes and he grinned. “No, not yet.”

“Well, thank goodness for that.”

Liam sighed and looked again at the mess on the stove. “I don’t know what happened. I came home, put the groceries away, grabbed a quick shower and then started getting things ready.”

The smoothness of his jaw told her he’d shaved again as well. The familiar scent of his woodsy cologne made it through the lingering kitchen odors to tickle her nose and dredge up old memories.