“Morelikehomeiswhere the hate is,” I muttered, struggling to muster the burning anger I typically felt when thinking about Liam Bishop.Instead, his voice—velvety and comforting—sent a shiver skittering up my spine and set my heart racing.It was hard to remember I loathed the man when just the sound of his voice sparked off a throb of longing deep in my belly.I’d just gotten used to the idea that he wasn’t coming back, but here he was, standing in my store and making me feel all fluttery inside.The jerk.
At least having him back would distract me from my parents’ calls.
My phone had been ringing pretty much non-stop for the last week, but I’d let it go to voicemail every time.The last time my parents put this much effort into contacting me, they’d gone on and on about how much fun they were having now that I was no longer holding them back.It was almost as if they were gloating about how much better their life was when I wasn’t in it.And that stung.
The sudden increase in calls also had me listening to more Alan Rickman than I had in ages, despite my cheap, crackling bluetooth speaker making it a far less effective method of distraction than usual.
Now that Liam was back, though, I could focus on him instead.Getting vengeance against him for leaving Nana yet again should help me keep my mind off my parents—at least until I could buy a new speaker and go back to Alan Rickman.
I shelved the last few books on my cart, taking a moment to settle the fluttering in my stomach before I stepped around the shelf—and slammed right into Liam’s muscular chest.I shoved him away, forcing myself not to notice how amazing he smelled.Like walking through the forest after it had rained.
Even after several minutes, my stomach was a swirl of excitement.My heart pounded double time as I questioned the emotion—was I glad to see him?
Nah, that couldn’t be it.I was thankful he would keep me distracted from my parents, and nothing more.Of course that’s all it was.
He gazed down at me through sexy dark-rimmed glasses, his ridiculously blue eyes bluer than ever, and my stomach began doing somersaults all over again.
“So, you’re back,” I said, narrowing my eyes at him, praying he couldn’t hear the thumping of my heart in my chest.“I figured you’d disappeared for another three years.”Guilt coloured his features, but I waved him off before he could respond.“Never mind.What brings you by today?You can always go upstairs to visit your Nana without stopping to bother me first, you know.”
He shook his head and grinned.“I was hoping I could persuade you to make me a coffee?I brought breakfast pastries,” he singsonged, wiggling a bag in front of my face.“I wasn’t sure what kind you’d like, so I brought a variety.”
Sensing a trap but unable to resist the promise of delicious treats, I took the paper bag and peeked inside, inhaling the sweet aroma that wafted up to greet me.That thoughtful bastard.“Come on, then,” I grumbled.“Don’t just stand there.”
Once behind the coffee counter, I busied myself grabbing plates for the pastries and making the coffee.He liked the Americano I made him last week, so he’d be getting the same thing now.He was lucky to get coffee at all.
“What time does the book club meeting start?”
My face burst into flames at his question.How did he know about the super-smutty romance book club?Was he aware that that’s the kind of club I ran?God, I hope not.
I finished making our coffees, adding cream and cinnamon to his to buy some time for my cheeks to cool.“Uh, they’ll be arriving any minute.How-how’d you know about book club?”I asked, trying to sound casual, but my voice betrayed me with a squeaky stutter.
I had no problem discussing the smuttiest, spiciest romance novels with the senior citizens of Carlisle Creek, but discussing the special features of fictional alien penises with Liam?I wasn’t ready for that.
“Your friend Sierra called me over to grab a package for Greg—an outfit Nana picked for Mr.Fluffy.”
I nodded, wondering why Nana hadn’t asked me to pick it up.I was here to help make her life easier, after all.
“She also told meallabout your alien porn club.”
I sputtered a nervous laugh, the heat in my cheeks intensifying.It’s not that I was embarrassed about our book club choice.My favourite shirt had “aliens do it better” emblazoned over one of the sexy couples from theHot Dudes, Hotter Planetseries, for crying out loud.And I wasn’t ashamed of the romance books I read, including the ones with super sexy aliens.I refused to be shamed for enjoying an art form that centred women and their desires.So why did the thought of talking to Liam about it leave my cheeks burning and my heart racing?
“I’m surprised,” he continued.“I never would have pegged you for an alien porn kind of girl.”He paused to shoot me a wicked grin.“Sparkly vampires, maybe, or mobsters with hearts of gold.Something like that.But aliens?Sounds kinky.I like it.”
“What’s kinky?”The Pattersons walked up, arms around each other,Hot Dudesbooks in hand.“Did I ever tell you me and the Mrs.like the kinky stuff?”
I groaned internally.They had subjected me to similar conversations before.The Pattersons had zero concept of TMI—each new book club meeting brought on a fresh wave of uncomfortable oversharing.Likingthe kinky stuffbarely scratched the surface of the things I wished I didn’t know about them.
Liam choked, drawing Mrs.Patterson’s attention.
“Liam, dear.Will you be joining us for book club today?”She looked not a day over eighty-seven in her floral dress buttoned to the neck with a matching pillbox hat set at a jaunty angle on her head.“You didn’t tell me you liked spicy romance novels.Remind me to show you the special section of the library when you get back to the B&B later.”She leaned in close and whispered, “I keep it hidden so the prudes and children don’t find it.”
“Oh, uh.Yes.Sure thing, Mrs.Patterson,” Liam stammered, eyes darting around the room.“That’s kind of you.”
I attempted to smother my laugh with a fist.His red face was killing me.
“Well, that’s settled then,” Mr.Patterson said, taking his wife’s hand.“We’ll see you in there.”
“Oh, no, darn it.I haven’t read the book.Shucks,” Liam blurted out, snapping his fingers.“I guess I’d better sit this one out.”
