Chapter 25

 

I sat cross-legged on the bed and stared fixedly at the text message I was about to send Liam. I knew he wasn’t at home. Russ had left an hour after I got home to drive him to yet another charity event. After pacing my bedroom for a couple of hours, I had composed, deleted and then composed and deleted a second time before typing the message I was now staring at.

Hi, Liam. Hilda told me that you were purchasing the coffee shop. I wondered if we could get together and talk about it? Let me know. Thanks, Mae.

I sighed and deleted the text message. This was ridiculous. I needed to talk to Liam but I couldn’t send him a damn text message. I would call him tomorrow and ask him to meet with me. I shut the light off and crawled into bed. I stared up at the ceiling, my mind whirling and my heart aching, and tried to sleep.

* * *

 

“MAE!”

I sat straight up in the bed, staring blankly at the door of my bedroom. I blinked sleepily and glanced at the alarm clock. It was just after two and I had been dreaming of Liam. It had been so realistic I had actually thought I heard his voice. I flopped back on the bed. I needed to –

“MAE!”

I nearly fell out of the bed in my hurry to get to the door. There was no doubt that it was Liam’s voice bellowing for me. I ran out of my bedroom and down the hall.

“Mae! Where are you?” Liam hollered. I could hear Russ shushing him frantically as Steve came stumbling out of his and Russ’ bedroom and stared blankly at me.

“What the hell is going on?”

“I have no idea.” I replied.

We entered the living room and I stared in surprise at Russ standing in the middle of the room, supporting a weaving Liam.

“Mae!” Liam grinned boyishly at me. “Hi, honey!”

I walked towards them and gave a surprised grunt when Liam threw his arm around my shoulders and leaned heavily against me. Russ tried to pry him upwards and Liam shook him off before kissing me on the top of the head.

“I’ve missed you.” He smiled again at me and I urged him towards the couch.

“Here, Liam. Come and sit down.”

“Sure!” He staggered towards the couch and nearly knocked me down when he stumbled. Russ and Steve hurried forward and helped him to the couch. He collapsed against it with a loud sigh and patted his leg.

“Sit on my lap, sweet thing.”

Russ and Steve laughed, and I scowled at them. “This isn’t funny! Russ, why did you bring him here?”

Russ shrugged as Liam tugged on my arm. I sat down beside him and shivered when he put his arm around me and nuzzled my neck affectionately. “Liam, just wait a minute.”

He stroked the side of my breast through my tank top and I slapped his hand lightly. “Behave yourself.”

“Yes, Mae.”

He sat back, his fingers tracing circles on my bare upper arm as I stared up at Russ.

“Russ?”

He shrugged again. “He insisted I bring him back here. He came out of the charity event mostly sober, but he had a bottle of whiskey with him. He had me drive him around for an hour or so while he drank most of the bottle, and then he made me drive him here to see you.”

“Made you?” I arched my eyebrow at him.

“Yes.” Russ replied. “He said if I didn’t, he would fire me.”

“Liam! You did not threaten to fire Russ.”

“I totally did.” He said shamelessly. “I wanted to see you, Mae.”

“You could have just called me.” I replied.

“I thought this was more romantic.” He winked at me.

“You thought threatening to fire my friend was romantic?”

He snickered. “I wouldn’t really have fired Russ. It’s not my fault he’s so gullible.”

Russ grinned. “My bad.”

I glared at Russ who held his hands up. “The man wanted to see you, Mae. He said he had something important to tell you.”

“What?” I looked back at Liam.

“Well – “

He hesitated and glanced at Russ and Steve. They were standing in the middle of the room, their arms around each other while they watched us with bright interest.

“Maybe we should go somewhere private.” I muttered.

Liam shook his head. “Nope. I want everyone to know this.”

“Liam – “

He grabbed my arm and turned me to face him. “I bought you a coffee shop today.”

Russ nudged Steve. “Damn, baby. You’ve never bought me a coffee shop.”

“True. But I did take you to Disneyland last year.” Steve replied.

“Good point.” Russ motioned for Liam to continue. “Go on, Mr. Knight.”

“Thank you, Russ.” Liam said with careful dignity.

He cleared his throat and turned to face me. “I bought you a coffee shop.”

“I know, Liam. Hilda told me earlier tonight. You – you shouldn’t have done that, honey.”

Russ made a snort of exasperation. “What the hell, Mae? The man buys you a coffeehouse and all you can say is ‘you shouldn’t have done that’? Seriously, girl.”

“Shut it, Russ.” I gave him a warning look that he completely ignored.

“So why exactly did you buy her a coffee shop, Mr. Knight?” He asked eagerly.

“It’s a wedding gift.” Liam smiled broadly at me before stifling a yawn.

Steve gasped in surprise and Russ gaped at me. “You’re getting married?”

“I – “

“Who the hell are you marrying?” Russ asked.

“She’s marrying me.” Liam said indignantly. “Who else would she be marrying?”

“He asked you to marry him?” Russ and Steve shouted in unison.

“No!” I rubbed my forehead as Liam stared at me in confusion.

“Yes, I did.” He said loudly. “Didn’t I?”

“No, honey. You didn’t.” I replied.

“Really? I’m pretty sure I came over here to tell you that you were marrying me. I mean, ask you to marry me.”

“Oh my God. He is downright adorable when he’s completely wasted.” Steve said to Russ.

“I know, right?” Russ said delightedly.

“I bought you a coffee shop.” Liam said again.

“Liam, you – “

“You don’t believe me?” He gave me a wide-eyed look of dismay before struggling to his feet. “I can prove it. I have a preliminary agreement signed by Hilda and George.” He reached into the pocket of his suit jacket and fumbled out a piece of paper. It fell to the ground and he bent over, nearly braining himself on the coffee table, and scooped it up.

“Steve.” Russ elbowed Steve who was staring with avid interest at Liam’s ass.

“What? The man has a great ass.” Steve replied.

Liam grinned at him. “Thank you. Mae likes my ass too. She says it’s delectable. She likes to spa –“

“Okay! Time to get you into bed!” I interrupted hurriedly. I stood up and took Liam’s arm.

Liam threw his arm around my waist. “Lead me to your bedroom, mistress. I’ll go quietly.”

Russ and Steve snickered loudly and I glared at them. “Help me get him to my bedroom.”

Supporting Liam between them, they helped him weave his way to my room. They sat him carefully on the bed and Liam nodded to them.

“Thanks, boys. We’ll try not to be too loud.”

Steve laughed loudly as I blushed furiously.

“Oh my God, Mae. If you don’t marry him I will kick your ass.” Russ grinned.

I rolled my eyes. “Thanks for helping him. We’ll see you in the morning.”

Russ and Steve left the bedroom, shutting the door softly behind them, and I reached for Liam’s tie. I loosened it and pulled it over his head before helping him out of his suit jacket. I folded it neatly and placed it on the dresser before unbuttoning his shirt.

He put his hands on my hips and smiled at me as he yawned again. I stripped off his shirt and pushed lightly on his chest.

“Lay back, honey.”

He lay back obediently and I quickly pulled his shoes and socks off before unzipping his pants and tugging them down his body.

“Okay, under the covers.” He rolled over and crawled under the sheet and quilt, sighing contently when I joined him.

“Hello, mistress.” He pressed his lips against my neck and I shuddered with pleasure.

“Go to sleep, Liam.” I whispered.

“I’ve missed you.” He said quietly.

“I’ve missed you too.” I kissed him lightly, and he smiled sweetly at me.

“I love you, Mae.”

“You’re drunk, honey.” I smiled at him.

“Drunk on love.” He said so solemnly that I couldn’t help but giggle.

He stroked my face and ran his thumb over my mouth. “Do you love me?”

“Yes.” I said immediately. “I do love you, Liam.”

“I’m sorry I got you fired, and I’m sorry I was so mean to you. I was hurt and angry, and I was a complete asshole.”

“It’s alright.” His hand was cupping my breast through my tank top and I was finding it difficult to concentrate.

“You’re too thin, Mae.” He ran his hand down my side. “I don’t like it.”

I brushed his hair back from his forehead. “Go to sleep, honey.”

“I bought you a coffee shop.” He murmured quietly. “It’s my wedding present to you.”

“Thank you, honey. It’s a very lovely gift.” I rubbed his back as his eyes drifted shut and his body relaxed into the bed.

I thought he had passed out when his eyes suddenly popped open. “I love you, Mae.”

“I love you too.”

“Good. Stay with me?”

“Always. Go to sleep now.”