Liam still hadn’t got a handle on Clover. She was as intensely aware of him as he was of her. He’d caught her staring more than a few times, her expression indefinable. Clover dropped her gaze as soon as he caught hers, but it was enough to register what she thought. Flitting between confusion, wariness, longing, and then something that went much deeper. He couldn’t pin a name to it, didn’t know if he could return it, only knew it was there. He wasn’t sure if Clover was even aware she looked at him the way she did.
It had been a long time any woman had looked at him with anything else other than calculated greed. If they ever had at all. He tried to think back to Tania, but her face was only a watery impression. Not as sharp and as clear as it once was.
He knew there was definite attraction on his behalf. Felt it all the way from his toes to the uncomfortable stirring of his groin. He wanted her physically. Carnally. A kiss was not enough. She was a taste he wanted to explore fully. The thought of his skin sliding over hers, heated and slick with perspiration, resulted in a lurch of his gut and the start of an erection lower down.
He took a gulp of his beer, trying to waylay the line of his thoughts. If he kept thinking like that he would be in a world of pain very quickly. The need to restrain himself was also as great as the need to devour her. That was something new. Something he’d never felt a need to do before.
Connor said something funny only Connor could say and sent Holly and Clover into a series of giggles. He indulged in a smile, more at the enjoyment of seeing Clover so relaxed. Seeing the comparison between the woman sitting opposite him now and the stressed woman he’d come to know was night and day. She appeared younger, relaxed, a ready smile on those luscious lips. There was a light in her eyes that sparkled and drew him in. He liked her this way. Wished she was like this on a daily basis. She should be more carefree, act more like the young lady she was.
Stress with opening a new café couldn’t add so much world-weary weight to her shoulders. She looked like she enjoyed every minute of it. The café was doing exceptionally well, drawing in business suited to established businesses. He knew that for a fact. Upper Crust took months to develop their goodwill. But ‘Four-Leaf Clover’ had a ready, returning crowd. She would be easily paying off any loan she’d taken to start the business.
Opening a new business was exciting. People tended to be pretty tireless when it came to a new endeavour that was starting up. She told him it was something she had always wanted to do. And she was good at it like no other he’d seen. She would definitely be an asset if she worked for Upper Crust.
There was her mother. He couldn’t quite put his finger on it, but she seemed overly concerned for Gloria. Clover took good care of her, and there was no-one else in her family to share the responsibility. He liked that about her. She obviously loved her mother and didn’t hide the way she felt.
Then there was this linked attraction that had them both laying all their defences on the line. Doing their best to ignore it, helpless but to feel it. Finding all the excuses not to act on it.
Why?
She caught him staring, but he didn’t drop his gaze. In that moment he sought the connection that only she could offer him. She offered completion. The smile died on her mouth, but the light stayed in her eyes, questioning.
He laughed off Connor’s joke, said something nondescript, not wanting to end up somewhere serious with her. Not just now. Just now he wanted to enjoy her relaxed and carefree. He wanted to laugh with her, flirt with her. Enjoy the special response that ignited within him. That only she brought out.
That comfort. That completion.
He once thought he’d had that, but now, looking back on Tania, it seemed — wrong. But it was a hurt he’d never gotten over. Was he open for another potential hurt? Especially from Clover, who could so benefit from his money? The way he felt, she could easily manipulate the situation to her benefit. He was ashamed of the thought. Didn’t like that he’d thought it. But there it was. The white elephant in the room.
They’d settled on McCawber’s Tavern for diner, and tonight they had a band. The members started playing an up-beat tune and he needed to move. Spontaneously he grabbed her hand. She looked up at him, startled. His heart raced as he lifted her hand and rose from his seat.
‘Dance?’
She started shaking her head. ‘I don’t think…’
‘Good idea,’ Holly said, and with a smile she rose from her chair and took Connor’s hand. Connor and Holly rushed to the dance floor.
Liam gestured to the couple dancing. ‘Can’t leave them up there by themselves.’
‘I don’t dance…’ Clover said.
‘Everybody dances,’ Liam said.
She looked stricken, eyes darting to the dance floor. ‘I don’t know how to…’
‘Good. That makes two of us.’ He gave her his best grin. The one that was meant to charm. At least that was what he’d been told. She hesitated, then let him lead her to the floor. He couldn’t stop the grin on his face if he wanted to.
As soon as he reached the edge, he turned and spun her on the spot. As she returned to face him, he took her in his arms and moved her into a deep dip. The sound of her laugh was music to his ears. He pressed her against him, moving to the beat.
Her breasts pushed against his chest, her body warm through the fine material of his shirt. Her legs brushed against his, the feel of her inner thigh hot against his outer, then she moved, smooth as silk, brushing against him, sending all sort of sensation zapping through his body.
She felt good against him. Her face flushed and bright, her smile natural and untamed. God, how she should be like this more often. Her enjoyment was infectious. He returned her laughter, free and easy. It was as natural as hers.
They were a good fit.
‘You lied.’ At the look of her crestfallen face, he grinned and added, ‘You are a good dancer.’
She laughed. ‘Maybe that’s because you’re leading every step. I’m not really a dance floor type of girl.’
‘Suits you.’
Her brows rose, as she sent him a humorous look. ‘You too. I can see you just like showing off.’ Her eyes were bright, flashing with excitement. Hell, he loved to see her like that.
He took up her joke. ‘Oh, so you don’t think I’m a good dancer. Let’s try this on for size.’ He stepped back, twirled her again and manoeuvred her into the dip. This time she hung suspended in his arms. Her face was so close to his. He could lean forward, just a little, and take her lips with his.
The urge was there, strong and unrelenting. Desire raced through him. She lifted her head, a ready laugh on her very kissable mouth. ‘That the only move you’ve got?’ She was cocky, now, becoming bolder, teasing him. Flirting.
He lifted a brow. ‘I do have another move. But I’m not sure if you’re ready for it.’
‘Two moves. No way. I can’t believe it.’
‘Careful. Or I’ll have to try it on you.’
‘I do believe you are trying to impress me with your two moves. You’d better try it, otherwise I’ll think you’re a one-move-wonder.’
‘A dare it is.’ He brought her up tight against him, one hand in hers out to the side, the other pressed into the small of her back. This was the first time he was grateful for all those years of ballroom dancing he was made to take a part in at secondary school. He could lead an absolute beginner onto the dance floor and make her look as though she knew every step. Which is exactly what he did.
The song was a fast foxtrot. He led her through dancing couples, who could only step back to let him pass. Surprise crossed Clover’s face as she moved with him. He spun her and she laughed out loud. ‘You weren’t lying,’ she said, her voice breathless.
‘I’d never lie to you,’ he said.
‘How did you learn to dance like this?’
Liam steered her out of the way of a gyrating couple, leading to the middle of the dance floor. ‘School. I did three years of lessons after day classes. Every Tuesday at four in the afternoon.’
‘I’m glad you did,’ Clover said.
The way she looked at him, the wonder and fun on her face, he was glad he took them too. The song ended and he twirled her gently one last time and brought her back against him, his arm wrapped around her waist.
‘I believe we’ve earned a drink.’
She pressed her palm to his chest, held it against his beating heart, making it beat a little faster than what the dancing had produced. ‘Thank you for the dance.’
He tucked a bent finger beneath her chin, drinking in the joy on her face.
‘My pleasure.’ His voice sounded light and carefree, but he meant it much deeper than it sounded. It really was a pleasure to have her in his arms.
Reluctantly he released his arms from her back and led her back to the table. He settled her in her chair, watching as she drank her water. Enjoyment shone on her face. He’d once thought that Tania enjoyed his company, but when he compared, really looked, the difference was obvious.
Tania’s smile never really touched her eyes. She’d told him it was the botox. What a laugh. Against Clover’s liveliness, Tania was a mere lukewarm.
‘Why so serious, Liam?’ Connor slapped his shoulder, a wide grin on his face. That was Connor. Always laughing and smiling. Even through their childhood and lack of parents, he was able to joke through everything. Liam had asked him about their mother dying so young, but Connor had simply shrugged it off, saying he didn’t know what he didn’t have. To him, having no mother and an absent father was just the way it was. Maybe he’d been too young to remember their mother. He’d only been two when she had died, but Liam had been five. He had a handful of precious memories that Connor didn’t. And when he’d needed someone to take him into their arms, hug him tight and tell him it was going to be all right when his mother had died, there had been no-one around. And he’d noticed. Connor didn’t know any better. Maybe that was the difference. In this case, ignorance was bliss.
Liam forced a grin. ‘Nothing. Just enjoying my dinner.’
‘Is your father joining us tonight?’ Clover asked.
‘He had to leave,’ Liam replied.
Clover frowned. ‘I thought he was around for a few days.’
‘So did I, but business is business.’
‘It would have been nice to talk to him.’
Liam wondered who it would have been nice for. But if his father’s scathing comments about her had anything to do with it, he wouldn’t have given her the time. Clover wanting to meet him said more about her than it did of him.
Liam frowned, considering Clover. He hadn’t heard her say one bad thing about anybody. She didn’t complain or whine about anything. It did, however, make his father look very shabby.
‘Earth to Liam.’ It was Clover. He’d been so wrapped up in thoughts he was surprised to find himself still staring at her. There was a slight flush to her cheeks, the tinge of pink highlighting her eyes so that they sparkled in the subdued light of the restaurant.
She was so delicately beautiful. She was raw and openly honest. Nothing she said or did was a lie, or fake. She wore her heart on her sleeve. She hid nothing because there was nothing to hide. She was grounded, and warm and loving. He only had to see the way she cared for her mother, for her house and café to see she cared about things. Important things. She kept her eye on the big picture and wasn’t dissuaded from it.
It would be nice if he were one of those things. Actually — more than nice. He hadn’t noticed the hole inside him until he met her.
The need to draw her in his arms and kiss her made his chest ache. Something he felt so strongly couldn’t possibly be wrong. It was only his head that that was telling him to back off. Everything else, every cell in his body was burning for her. Every sense was attuned to her, every urge was about her.
‘Sorry. Had my mind on…other things,’ was all he offered.
‘I don’t know why Dad left so suddenly today. Didn’t tell me anything about it,’ Connor said.
‘That’s Dad. Always keep you guessing.’ Usually Liam thought of a myriad of excuses why his father would leave. All business related. But now, they escaped him.
‘Doesn’t make much difference. Sort of get used to not having him around,’ Connor said.
‘That’s terrible,’ Holly exclaimed. ‘I can’t imagine not having my parents see me. They call me at least once a day. It’s a pain, but at least I know they’re thinking of me.’
‘Dad’s never been one of those touchy feely parents,’ Connor said.
‘Not that he’s ever been around long enough for us to find out,’ Liam said.
‘When our mum died, he wasn’t around much. I think Mum grounded him and when she wasn’t there – well. He kind of resorted back to his old habits,’ Connor said.
‘But he was still a father to two young boys. He should have been around,’ Clover said.
So Clover did have opinions. And they were about not enough caring and bad parenting. ‘We didn’t know any different,’ Liam said.
‘He had responsibilities,’ Clover frowned. She placed her glass of wine onto the table.
‘It’s not like he went away and left us alone. We had nannies.’
‘Your mother died. He was your only parent.’
‘He had to work and earn money. He had responsibilities.’
‘There’s that word again. Responsibility. Is it more responsible to earn money, or is it more responsible to look after your family when they need you?’ Her cheeks were becoming flushed.
‘It’s okay. We survived,’ Connor said. Always the placator.
‘All in one piece? Or did you miss vital — emotional — things while you grew up because your father was never around to guide you?’
‘He had a business to look after and run. It wouldn’t be the size it is today if he didn’t do what he did all those years ago.’
Clover leaned towards him over the edge of the table. ‘Responsibility means more than providing financially. It means being there while you’re providing financially. Just working — that’s easy. Anyone can do that. Looking after your family — that’s the hard thing. Keeping it together — that’s even harder.’
‘He did the best he could.’ It was a statement. She had a knack of stirring him up. Since he’d been in town he’d never been so emotional. Maybe that was because he’d clamped his emotions up tight.
‘He left you again today. How long did you tell me it was since you’d seen him? Months! That’s neglect, not responsibility.’
‘Why are you getting so upset? It has nothing to do with you.’
‘It…it…why are you protecting him when he treats you so badly?’ She gestured and her hand knocked over her glass of wine. It soaked into the white table cloth, over the edge of the table and onto her skirt. She leapt backwards, but the front of her skirt was saturated. The chair fell to the ground and captured other diners’ attention.
‘Oh,’ Clover uttered. She looked around her for a moment, then ran to the bathroom.
Liam went to go after her, but Holly grabbed his wrist. ‘Let her go. She’ll calm down.’
Liam settled slowly. A waiter came, restored the chair and mopped up the wine.
Holly folded her napkin and placed it on the table. ‘Please don’t blame her too much. She’s been under a hell of a lot of pressure lately.’ Holly regarded him with serious eyes. Gone was the flirty behaviour of before.
‘Opening a new business is stressful,’ Liam agreed. He knew how hard it was, and Clover had to do it on her own.
Holly flipped her hand. ‘Oh, that’s nothing for her. It’s her dream come true. If it were only that, she’d be fine.’
Liam waited for Holly to expand, but he had to prompt. Her eyes went to the bathroom door and slid, worried, back to him. ‘I just wanted to tell you she’s been under some strain lately. That’s all.’
‘Tell me why.’
Clover watched him, her eyes rounded. Moments passed, then, ‘She wouldn’t want you to know. She doesn’t want anyone to know.’ Holly gripped the stem of her wine glass. So tight her knuckles turned white.
He frowned. This was serious. ‘If you think there’s any way I can help, you have to let me know.’
Holly’s bright blue eyes filled with interest and hope. She gnawed her lip. Connor placed his hand over hers. Liam straightened, surprised. ‘You can tell Liam. He’s a good guy. Took care of me all my life and look how I turned out.’ Connor sent Holly a silly grin which relaxed her.
‘You have to promise me you’ll keep this a secret. There’s only four people who know. Me. Clover. Her mum — and the doctor.’
Liam frowned, leaning towards Holly, the mention of a doctor filling him with trepidation. ‘Go on.’
‘Gloria has Parkinson’s. It’s past the first stages, and she’s getting worse every day. She’s going to need to go into a hospice soon, but Clover doesn’t want that for Gloria. Since her father died, Clover has been more of a mother than Gloria is to her. She’s doing everything she can to keep her at home, as well as work the café, save for a hospice, and meet the mortgage.’
Liam raked his fingers through his hair. He had wondered why Gloria had limited physical strength, but it all made sense. Anyone would crumble under such stress, and Clover had no-one to share it with. It illustrated just how strong her reaction had been when they’d been talking about the strength of family.
‘That’s terrible,’ Liam said.
Holly touched his wrist. ‘Remember. You can’t say anything to her. She’ll know I told you.’
Liam nodded, understanding. Holly was obviously torn between helping her friend and acting on her request to keep things quiet. Now he was in the same boat. Clover was a proud woman. Maybe too proud for her own good if she kept secrets like that to herself.
Holly hesitated, then, ‘There’s something else you need to know. You might know a way to help.’
‘I think it’s best if I went home. I’ve made more than a fool of myself tonight.’ He had been concentrating so hard on Holly that Clover seemed to appear from no-where. He glanced up at her, surprised. She stood, hand bag held in two hands in front of her. She didn’t look at anyone, just had her eyes trained carefully on the table.
‘You haven’t. Just sit and relax,’ Liam said.
Clover looked at him with eyes too tired for her age. Her makeup looked a little smudged, as though she’d been crying. She looked totally wiped-out. He knew how she felt. So drained and weary even your bones were tired. The world was heavy when you wore it on your shoulders.
He’d never felt protective before, but now it rose up within as naturally as eating and drinking. She was hurting and she needed help. But she was a woman who wouldn’t take it. He wondered why she was so fiercely private, but was also awed by the independence of it. She had been shaped by her past and he wanted to know what had happened because it was evident it had scarred her. Deeply.
‘Thank you for a lovely evening.’ She took some money and left it on the table. He noted it was too much. ‘Nice to meet you, Connor. I’ll probably see you before you leave. Holly, would you like to come with me?’
‘I’ll be fine. Why don’t you stay a little longer?’
‘I’d like to get back to Mum.’ Clover faced Liam and inclined her head. ‘Liam.’ She turned and walked towards the door.
She wasn’t leaving his side until he found out what the problem was. Not waiting to speak to Connor or Holly, Liam chased after her and caught her outside of the restaurant. ‘You can’t just up and leave like that!’
Clover turned, surprise evident on her face. ‘Why are you out here?’
Liam stopped walking, equally surprised that she should ask. ‘I’ve come to take you home.’
A faint smile touched her mouth. ‘I don’t need help. Really. I’m okay to catch a taxi. Go back in and enjoy your dinner. I don’t want to interrupt your evening.’ She wasn’t angry, or edgy, just — tired and resigned. As though there was no wind in her sails.
‘I know you don’t need help,’ he replied. That was clear. A woman refusing him. Imagine that! Looking back on it now, Tania had that sort of thing honed to a fine art. He wondered if she had done that to make him feel more protective over her. He hadn’t noticed it then, but now…he snapped back to the present. ‘I thought you might like some.’
She blinked, caught off guard. It took her some moments to find her voice. ‘I don’t think…’
‘Then don’t.’ He intentionally cut her off, knowing she would try and shake him off, and that was something that wasn’t going to happen. ‘I’m coming with you. End of story.’
He simply watched as she struggled with that information, took her elbow and walked her to the row of taxis, settled her in the backseat and stretched in beside her. He gave the address to the driver and watched as finally anger settled on her stunning features. He leant close and murmured in her ear, ‘If you keep that look on your face, I’ll just try and kiss it away.’
He settled back, pleased that he was able to render her speechless.