Naked Flame (6 page)

The desk chair crashed backward, back into the sagging couch he kept meaning to replace. Now he was grateful for its lumpy cushions that prevented him from a hard landing on the floor. He found himself on his back, cradled by the tipped chair and struggling to get his balance. When he tried to right himself, he was shocked to realize his fly was open and he had the fingers of one hand wrapped around his cock.

Holy shit.

“Hey, Liam. You okay in there?”

The sound of Mac's raised voice came through the closed door. Holy shit again. Liam quickly tucked himself in and zipped up before the door opened. He was awkwardly trying to extricate himself from the chair when Mac barged in.

“What the fuck?” He reached out a hand to Liam. “You been drinking in here?”

“Of course not. I just leaned too far back in the chair.” Managing to get to his feet, he pushed the chair upright, moved it closer to the desk again and sat again.

Mac frowned at him. “You okay? You look red in the face.”

“I'm fine.” He made a show of looking at his watch. “Isn't it time for you to leave?”

“I'm going, I'm going. Sheesh.” He turned and walked away. “Can't even be concerned about someone around here.”

Liam would have protested, but he was too busy catching his breath and wondering how the hell he'd fallen into an erotic daydream. Clearly, he was in bad shape, more than the damage to his leg. The erotic beast in him wanted to get Charity, drag her into his truck and strip her naked. But the few rational brain cells he had cautioned him to take it slow. For the first time in longer than he could remember, this woman might just be worth the effort. Might just be the first bright spot in his life for a long time.

And he hardly even knew her yet.

A ribbon of excitement wiggled its way through him. Yes, he was really looking forward to the evening, for a whole lot of reasons.

Chapter Four

When Charity came down the stairs dressed for the evening—she had a hard time calling it a date considering the way it had come about—she wasn't surprised to see
the girls
gathered in the big sitting room. The B&B was full on the weekend. Georgie had told her they had few if any weekday guests except during holidays and summer. Right now, Charity was it. At the moment, as she looked at the women waiting for her, she wished a busload of guests would descend.

“We want details.” Reenie lifted a wine glass with amber liquid in it. “And we're willing to pay for it. Here.”

Charity had no idea how to react. Except for two women who were always busy with their own lives, for the past ten years, her friends had all been cops. She had never enjoyed the close-knit feeling that defined this group. When she'd decided to come to Saddle Wells, she had figured she'd hang with Amy at her place for a couple of days, move to the B&B and try to figure out the rest of her life. Now she was surrounded by women who were smart and savvy and offering her friendship just because Amy included her. She had no idea how to share. How to be a girlfriend.

She took the wine glass, swallowed a fortifying sip and forced her mouth into a smile. “I told Amy everything,” she pointed out.

“Ha!” Reenie flicked a hand at her. “He kissed you and asked you out? That's details? I think not.”

Amy sighed. “I did my best to pump her for info when we were in the car, but she's tighter than a clam.”

“There's nothing else to tell,” Charity protested. “Really.”

Except for the fact that he's hotter than a pistol and makes all my girlie parts scream for his touch.

Georgie laughed. “I'm not sure Amy filled you in on Liam Douglas's history.”

Charity frowned. “She said he was in Afghanistan for two tours, came home a year ago with a bad leg and took over running Mike's. Is there more?”

“No,” they all shouted.

“That's why this is a big deal,” Cyn explained. “I only moved here about six months ago, so I probably know the least about him, but it's common knowledge that he's Mr. Antisocial except in the bar and hasn't had a date for as long as anyone can remember.”

“That's why we're so damn curious,” Reenie added. “And what was with the waitress routine Amy told us about?”

Charity shrugged. “I told Amy. I worked at it through high school and college and the poor guy looked like he needed help.”

Cyn rose from the chair where she'd been sitting and put her arm around Charity. “Let's give the poor woman a break, okay? I know how she feels. You guys can be relentless.” She gave Charity a squeeze. “We're most concerned about you, honey. Liam is such an unknown quantity. He's been so remote, and we don't want to see you get hurt.”

“I appreciate it. I really do.” She blew out a breath. “To tell you the truth, I don't even know what happened. One minute I was eating lunch with Amy, the next I was bussing tables and serving lunch. And then he kissed me.” Heat crept up her cheeks. “I don't usually do things like that.”

Amy raised her hand. “I saw the kiss. I can testify to it.”

“Yes.” Charity laughed. “Because you were snooping through the swinging doors.”

“Whatever. It must have been some kiss, because he actually asked you out.”

“It was—” She stared at the women.

Before she could figure out what to say, the front door swung wide and Liam stood framed in the opening. For a moment, her breath was trapped in her throat. Instead of jeans and a tee-shirt, he wore black slacks and a collared shirt. His thick brown hair had been tamed into submission and he held a tan Stetson in one hand. She had to restrain herself from throwing her body at him.

He stepped into the sitting room, breaking the spell, and nodded at the group, all of whom were staring at him.

“Ladies. Nice to see you.”

“Uh, you too, Liam.” Georgie was the first to find her voice. “You sure look spiffy tonight.”

“Have to shape up if I'm taking out a good-looking woman.”

The words came out smoothly, but Charity could tell he was well past his comfort level here. Especially since they were staring at him again as if he'd landed from an alien planet.

“Take good care of her,” Amy said.

“Be a gentleman,” Georgie added.

“Don't keep her out too late.” Reenie winked.

“Thanks for all the advice.”

Charity could tell the women were making him feel uncomfortable, despite their good intentions. She linked her arm through his. “Well, we have to be going. Right, Liam? Don't we have reservations?”

“Uh, yes, we do. See you all later.”

Charity felt eyes at her back until they were outside and in Liam's truck.

“Whew.” She leaned back against the seat. “I don't know those ladies really well, except for Amy. I'm sorry they were so tough on you.”

Liam was silent as he pulled the truck out of the parking area and onto the street.

“Some things you need to know,” he said at last, his voice uninflected.

Charity's stomach knotted. Was he going to reveal some deep, dark secret that would send her running back to the B&B? She clasped her hands together in her lap.

“Okay. Let's have it.”

“I, uh, don't date.”

She turned to look at him. “Ever?”

He gave a short laugh. “Not in a long time. I did two tours in Afghanistan. I got a medical discharge after the last one because I wrecked my leg.”

“I'm so sorry. Should you—”

“I haven't been the most sociable person since I came home. In fact, I haven't been that friendly at all.” He blew out a breath. “I have some issues. I guess you'd call them. A lot of shit happened over there.”

“Liam, are you trying to tell me you have PTSD? A lot of people have that. In fact—”

She was about to tell him cops suffered from it too, but he barreled right along as if she hadn't spoken.

“So I didn't feel like making nice with anyone. Okay?”

“O-Okay.” She made herself wait for what came next.

“I don't know what this is between us, but I feel like a train rolled over me. After you left, I couldn't get you out of my mind.”

She laughed softly. “Same goes. I don't usually act the way I did this afternoon.”

“You mean waiting tables or locking lips with strangers?”

“Well, I waited tables for a lot of years before I graduated, so I guess locking lips with strangers would be the thing.”

He reached over and took her hand. His was warm and slightly rough. “This okay? Me holding your hand?”

She gave his hand a gentle squeeze. “Yes, it is.”

“This is so fast, Charity. Whatever it is stuns me. But there's something here, right?”

“Yes, there is.”
And it scares me as much as it apparently frightens you. I'm so bad with relationships.

“So it's quick, but I learned that life can be very short. Let's see where it goes, okay?”

“Okay. I discovered the same thing. And, Liam, you don't scare me a bit.”

He couldn't stop looking at her. It amazed him that this very sexy woman who kissed like a temptress was actually sitting across the table from him. Tonight, she wore a sweater in a rich-blue color that matched her eyes. She wore minimal makeup again, but he didn't think she needed any. She had such natural beauty. Every time he looked at her lips, he remembered exactly how they'd felt and tasted, and he wanted to repeat that. As soon as possible, as a matter of fact.

Dinner had been really nice. The nicest meal he'd had in a long time. They talked about everything and nothing. They liked a lot of the same movies and television shows, and discussing them took them through salads and entrees. Now they'd ordered a thick slice of chocolate cake to share for dessert. He watched her cut off a small piece, slide it into her mouth and swallow, her eyes closed in bliss.

“Mmm. This has to be the best chocolate cake I've ever tasted.” She opened her eyes. “You're staring at me again. Do I have a smudge on my face or something?”

“A little chocolate frosting on your lip.” Before he could stop himself, he reached across the table and wiped it with his thumb. Her lips were so soft he just wanted to lick the chocolate off with his tongue. He couldn't wait to kiss them again. He hoped she would be up for that too. The way she was looking at him, he figured there was a good chance of that. He licked his thumb, eyes locked with hers, and he was sure he saw heat flaring in them.

Slow
, he told himself.
Don't rush it.
When the waiter asked if they wanted more coffee, he looked at her and she nodded. Holding the cup gave him something to do with his hands so he didn't reach across the table again.

“So.” He leaned back in the booth. “We've talked about everything but ourselves.”

“I didn't think you were up for personal discussion. I'm sure talking about Afghanistan isn't the most pleasant thing for you.”

“Let's talk about you.” He studied her over the rim of his cup. “I don't know anything about you except you're a friend of Amy's and decided to hang out in Saddle Wells for a while. Do you have a job somewhere?”

She cut off another bite of cake in a very deliberate motion, chewed and swallowed it slowly.

“You might say I'm between careers.”

“Oh, now you can't just leave it like that,” he told her. “That brings up all kinds of questions. What did you do after you quit waitressing?”

She put the fork down, wiped her mouth and sat back. “I've been a cop for the last ten years.”

Of everything she could have told him, that was the last thing he expected.

“A cop?” He hoped he didn't look as stupid as he sounded.

Her laugh held little humor. “Shocked you, right?”

No kidding.

“Let's just say, of all the careers I'd have guessed, that's not one of them. I think of female cops as—”

“Hard? Not feminine? Butch?” Her face hardened and she pressed her plump lips into a thin line.

Liam held up his hands. “No. Not at all. Don't take this the wrong way, Charity, but I see you as a warm, sexy female that I'd love to—” He stopped himself before he got into more trouble. “A warm, sexy female,” he repeated.

When she smiled at him, he relaxed.

“It's okay. A lot of times, I had to prove that I was tough enough.”

“So why'd you quit? I assume that's what happened or you wouldn't be here. Unless you're taking an extended vacation.”

He watched a slideshow of expressions wash across her face as she decided how to answer him. Was she in trouble? Had something bad happened to her?

“Actually, I was really good at my job. Even made detective.” She shrugged. “But after ten years and some broken relationships, I decided it might be time for a change.” She took a sip of her coffee. “Truth to tell, I was worn out. Maybe even burnt out.”

He studied her, waiting for her to say more. When she didn't, he said, “There's something else, right? You can tell me whatever it is. I'm the last person to be judging anyone.”

She lifted a shoulder. “It's not that. I just don't like bringing ugliness into a nice conversation.”

“Let me be the judge of how ugly it is.”

“My last case, we took down a major drug dealer in Dallas. Paco Morales. One of the most vicious ones, as a matter of fact. There were a lot of long days, not much sleep, tense moments. A lot of energy went into building the case and arresting him. And then…” Her voice trailed off.

“Let me guess.” He reached across the table and closed his hand over one of hers. “He threatened you.”

“Big time.” She shook her head. “I've had criminals promise vengeance before, but Morales has a wide-reaching organization. I took what he said very seriously. So I decided it was time for a change of scenery and a change of jobs. Right now, I'm considering my options, as they say.”

“I'm guessing Morales is locked up tight?”

Charity nodded. “He's in the county jail until they transport him back to the courthouse for sentencing. Then he'll be sent to Huntsville. Good riddance.” She took a sip of her water. “Let's not talk about unpleasant things anymore, okay? In fact, let's get out of here.”

“What are you thinking?” Charity looked at Liam, sitting next to her on the quilt. They'd been stretched out, leaning against a tree trunk, for more than an hour.

“I'm thinking how strange it is at my age that I don't have a place to bring a woman home to. That I'm sitting out here under a tree like some horny teenager and grateful for the full moon so I can see you.”

She burst out laughing. “You do have a home, Liam. A big one that you share with your dad.”

“Exactly,” he grumbled. “I'm thirty-five years old and live with my father.”

He picked up one of her hands and drew circles on her palm with his thumb. Shivery sensations cascaded through her from that simple caress, making her want the same things she'd wanted when he'd kissed her that afternoon.

“Well, I sure can't invite you back to the B&B,” she pointed out. “Even if we just sat and drank coffee in the kitchen, we might as well take out an ad in the
Hill Country Herald
.”

“You got that right. And I don't want to take you to a damn motel. That smacks of a quickie, and that's miles from what I want this to be.”

They were silent for a moment, his thumb still drawing circles in her palm with a sensuous stroke.

“So if we had a place to go,” she teased, “what would we do?”

“I'd rather show you than tell you.” His voice was rough with passion as he rolled her to the quilt, one arm beneath her, his free hand cupping her chin. “And then I'd start with this.”