Refusing to embarrass herself in such a monumental way, she instead chose to stay back and take it all in. The beautiful kitchen. Maddie’s smile. How incredible Liam was with the naturally curious little girl.
How sweet and protective he’s been with me.
The entire, heartwarming scene was so perfect, she wished it could be captured and framed. It was almost like something out of a sweet, romantic movie. A snapshot of what she’d always wanted for herself and her child.
A life like the one she longed for didn’t include the constant fear of bruises and pain, but rather mornings filled with laughter and love. And everyday messes that didn’t send anyone into a violent, murderous rage.
Maddie’s sweet giggle tore through Allison’s spiraling thoughts, preventing the usual darkness from fully settling in. With a mental shake, she returned her focus to the actual present.
This wasn’t a movie, and as much as she loved the fantasy, Liam wasn’t hers. She was a woman on the run from the man she’d chosen to marry. And Liam was simply doing his job.
No sense wasting time and energy on dreams that will never come true.
It was the reminder she clearly needed, and one she’d do well not to forget.
“Mommy!” Maddie’s ear-to-ear smile matched the wide-eyed excitement when she spotted Allison hovering by the wall. “Look! We’re making pancakes!”
“I can see that.” She forced a smile back, pushing herself off the wall and stepping into the room.
Liam looked up and slid his mahogany gaze to hers as he stood in front of the stove. “Morning.” He flashed her one of his sexy, bearded smiles.
The sight sent a bolt of electricity rushing through her veins, and her belly filled with a thousand tingles.
“Good morning,” Allison slowly made her way further into the room.
Liam motioned toward the half-filled pot on the counter to her left. “Coffee’s ready if you want some. I hope fully loaded is okay. To me, caffeine-free coffee is like non-alcoholic beer.”
“What’s the point?” Allison quipped.
When he said those same words at the exact same time, they both began to laugh.
“Jinx!” Maddie announced with glee. To Liam, she added, “You owe my mommy a Coke.”
“I do, do I?” The attractive man grinned.
“Yep. That’s the rule. Isn’t that right, Mommy?”
“That’s right.” Allison slid a pointed look Liam’s way. “I do believe thatisin the official Jinx rule book.”
Liam’s face dropped in a dramatic fall as he leaned down close to Maddie’s ear. With a look of exaggerated trepidation, he lowered his voice and asked, “What if I don’t have any Coke?”
Allison rolled her lips inward, doing her best not to chuckle again. Her amusing daughter took a moment to consider the man’s question before looking Liam square in the eyes.
“Do you have any Pepsi?”
Liam threw his head back with a laugh as Allison lost her own hard-fought battle. Maddie giggled as Liam tousled the hair on the top of her golden blonde head, and then the two partners in crime got back to work preparing breakfast.
While they finished cooking, she went in search of some much-needed caffeine. A few minutes later, their plates were filled, and the three of them had settled themselves around Liam’s dining room table.
“Wow.” She wiped a drop of syrup from her bottom lip. “Those are the best pancakes I’veevereaten.”
As planned, Maddie’s face lit up with relief, joy, and some well-deserved pride. “Thanks.” The energetic child swallowed another bite. “Liam did most of the work, but I helped.”
“Come on now, Mads.” Liam stabbed a generous portion with his fork. “Don’t sell yourself short. I’d still be in there slaving over a hot stove if it hadn’t been with your help.”
A smiling Maddie returned her focus to the on the food on her plate. As soon as she did, Liam shot another panty-dropping wink her way.
Nope. Not going there. I will not put my panties and Liam together in the same thought.
