He leaned forward to kiss her over and over again. “You have the best lips I’ve ever kissed. That’s a definite bonus.”
Smiling with bashful delight, Molly said, “Really?”
“Oh, honey. Yes. You’re a very beautiful woman. And the fact that you don’t flaunt it to every guy who walks in the door like Gina and her friends do? Dead sexy.” He kissed her again, unable to help himself. She tasted like the bacon he couldn’t get enough of, mixed with a hint of florally goodness. Her legs wrapped around him drove his kisses to drag along her skin as they both grew more intoxicated with each other. “And your exit strategy? Brilliant. You’ve never been more attractive than when you talked about that. I just wish you’d let me help somehow.”
“Um, flying across the country just to watch me bid at an auction is the most support I’ve ever had in my whole life on anything. I wouldn’t worry you’re not helping more. That’s plenty.”
“I know it’s your thing, but I can’t help it. I want to be a part of it because it’s so incredible. I want to be able to say I know someone who’s capable of all this.” He leaned against the head of the bed when she moved off his lap to sit next to him. He rested his chin atop her hair, his gaze trailing off as he spoke. “My life is so… cold. I mean, don’t get me wrong, it’s great sometimes. I like sitting courtside and working out with the best of the best. But I go home to a hotel most nights. I don’t even have an apartment because I’m always on the road. When I have a decent amount of time off, I just crash at my friend’s.”
Molly caught his melancholy, her heart attaching itself to his in bits and layers of unveiled intimacy. “That sounds lonely.”
Liam closed his eyes as he ran his fingers through her hair. “It is. I am.”
“If you need a place to crash when you’re in town, you can always stay at my orange grove.” She stiffened next to him and shook her head, twisting her body so she could see his face. “I didn’t mean it like that. I know there’s no strings attached to this. I’m really not trying to trap you or anything. I know we’re just friends. I only meant –”
Liam leaned down and kissed her, chuckling into her lips. “I’d love to stay at your orange grove when I’m in town. Thanks for the offer. That’s what a good friend would do.” He kissed her again. “You don’t have to be so perfect. I won’t freak out on you.”
Molly relaxed in his arms. “Oh, good. I didn’t mean anything weird by the offer. Just the thought of you living out of a suitcase rubs me the wrong way.”
“Thanks, Moll.” He kissed her neck as he massaged her hip with the hand that draped around her. “What do you have going today?”
“Saturday? Errands for the week, and then I have a shift at the hospital at eleven.”
Liam frowned. “It was ten o’clock before we started making out, sweetheart.”
Molly stiffened. “What? Are you serious?” Liam nodded, and Molly detached herself from him, standing and climbing out of the bed as gracefully as she could. “I’m so sorry, Liam. I have to go to work. I can’t miss a shift. It’s part of the master plan. I need every shift from now till then, and then some.” She apologized for parting from their cozy bliss so abruptly, but Liam only laughed. “What? I’m not trying to be a jerk. I’m really not.”
“What hospital are you headed to? St. Martin’s General?”
“Yeah. They try to schedule all the routine hearing impaired appointments two Saturdays a month so I can get them all in one day.”
“I’m headed that way today to see my mom.”
“Oh, Liam!” She slapped her forehead. “Your poor mother, and I’m all like ‘please make out with me’. I’m so sorry! Stupid!”
Liam only laughed harder as he stood and stretched. “Visiting hours aren’t until noon, so you’re off the hook. And don’t ever think for a second that I didn’t want to be doing exactly that all morning long. Wouldn’t mind a repeat if you’re up for it later tonight.”
“Oh, I’ll be up for it,” she assured him, and then blushed at her brazen behavior. “But I’ll let it be your call. See how you feel tonight after being with your family all day.”
He ran his hand over the slope of her hip. “I’ve got big plans for you.”
She leaned up and kissed him, breaking from her panic over being only five minutes early for work instead of the usual fifteen. “I look forward to it.”