Deceiving The Groom (11 page)

Liam leaned down and pressed his cheek against hers in a quick hug. “Thank you, Claire.”

He pulled away and paid for the coffee, then led her to her car and opened the door. “So can I pick you up after I collect Lexi from school?”

Claire buckled her seatbelt and gazed up at him. “No, I’ll come see you once I’m finished at the store.”

Claire pulled the door shut, and started the car. Liam stood on the pavement, hands in his pockets watching her drive away. Claire’s gaze kept retreating to the rear view mirror, seeing Liam’s figure shrink, becoming smaller and smaller, yet still occupying every inch of space in her mind.

Chapter Thirteen

The door loomed on the front porch like a monster’s open mouth, beckoning yet terrifying her. She shouldn’t have come. Her right hand rested on the top of the railing, her left weighed down by a bag of groceries. She should go, stay away from them both, especially Lexi. She took a step backwards, her foot sliding down to the step below.

Lights flickered on and Claire froze. The door swung open and Liam stepped onto the porch, casually dressed in shorts that left his long, lean jogger’s muscles exposed. The saliva in her mouth increased. God this man’s thighs were just plain sinful.

“Claire, I thought I heard your car.” Liam’s gaze travelled to the bag in her hand and he padded to her side, plucking it out of her hand.

“Sorry, I’m late. I hope Lexi’s not too hungry.”

Liam smiled. “She’s fine, I gave her a snack.”

Claire glanced over her shoulder. Light from the streetlamp bounced off the silver paint of her car. Her keys were in her handbag. She could go anytime, get in her car and leave without hesitation.

Liam guided her up the stairs and she walked into the kitchen. Lexi sat at the kitchen table, head bent over school books. She jumped up when she saw Claire and ran for her hug. “Are we cooking again?”

Claire stroked Lexi’s curls. “Yep, your Uncle Liam told me one of your favorites, so I brought a few things.”

Lexi stepped back. “What?”

Liam placed the shopping on the bench and Lexi climbed onto a stool. Claire pulled out all the ingredients. “What do you think all these things might make?”

Lexi’s eyes roamed over the meat and vegetables, and she pulled the hamburger buns closer. She looked back at the meat then up at Claire. “Is this sloppy joes?”

Claire grinned and nodded. Lexi looked back at the groceries and pushed the buns away, sitting back on her stool. “That’s what Mom makes.”

A bitter grief filled Claire’s lungs. She remembered Lexi’s reaction all too well, having experienced it herself many times. What was she doing here with this girl, making her remember things, feel things. She shouldn’t be here. 

Liam stepped forward, placing his hand on Lexi’s shoulder. “Wouldn’t it be nice if you could have them again? We could call them ‘Mom’s Sloppy Joes’ and make them like she did.”

Claire watched the exchange between Liam and his niece. He tried so hard for her. So few people would be able to rise to meet this kind of challenge the way he had, she couldn’t refute that. Did having wonderful qualities cancel out a person’s bad? 

Lexi looked up at Liam and chewed her lips. “Alright.”

Claire divided up the ingredients and allocated responsibilities, talking Liam and Lexi through each step. Soon the meat filling bubbled on the stove in a rich mouthwatering aroma that hung heavy in the air. Liam put dishes on the table and Lexi stood at Claire’s side.

“Ready for a taste test?”

Lexi nodded eagerly and Claire blew on the wooden spoon, then lowered it to Lexi. The little girl tasted the meaty gravy on the spoon. “Mmm, that’s yummy.”

Claire winked at Lexi then turned off the heat, then pushed the pan off the hot plate.

“You know, Claire, you would be a good mom.”

Every fiber in Claire’s body froze. She caught herself and turned to Lexi, then slumped to a crouch in front of her. Her gaze darted over her shoulder to Liam laying out the cutlery. Claire lowered her voice to a whisper. “What do you mean Lexi?”

Lexi just blinked. “I mean one day when you have kids, you’ll be a good mom. You’re good at teaching things.”

All the breath she’d been holding rushed out. Thank God. The worst thing she could imagine was Lexi adopting her as some kind of mother figure. Not when she still didn’t know where things were going with Liam. She patted Lexi’s arm. “Thanks, that is very sweet of you to say.”

Claire stood again and pulled the buns out of the grill. She began spooning out the filling and glanced up. Liam stood at the counter watching her. Just watching her scoop sloppy joes like she were performing some kind of delicate surgery.

Liam took the empty pan from her when she was finished, brushing up a little too close to her before he filled it with water and put it aside to soak. They took the plates to the table and sat opposite Lexi who had taken her seat the moment the buns touched the plates. “I tasted it already, Uncle Liam. It’s yum like Mom’s.”

Liam picked up his fork. “Let me see…” He scooped a fork full and took a giant bite. He wiggled his eyebrows at Lexi as he chewed. His gaze flickered to Claire, a devious gleam in his eye. “Delicious.”

Claire returned his look and took a bite of her own. The food was as good as it smelled. Better yet was watching Lexi and Liam enjoy it. Joking casually, acting like a family. Something it hurt for her even to remember.

They finished eating, but not before Liam’s phone rang. Lexi swayed as though she might fall asleep in her plate. Claire helped her upstairs and into her pajamas.  Lexi didn’t even make it to a story, crawling into bed as soon as she was changed. Claire kissed the top of her head and pulled the door shut then went back downstairs.

Claire cleared the table and scrapped the plates into the bin, then set them in the sink. Large arms surrounded her, drawing her back into a waiting embrace. Liam’s lips pressed against her neck briefly. Her body shivered in anticipation.

“You had better let me do this. I don’t want you drowning in my sink again.” He teased and slid her to the side.

Claire gave him a little bump with her hip. “Fine, then I’ll dry.”

Liam handed her a cloth. “You know, now that you’ve taught us to make sloppy joes, I’m going to be eating nothing but for the rest of my life…”

Claire laughed throatily. “Lexi was happy, wasn’t she?”

Liam’s movements slowed. “Yes, she was.”

They worked together washing and drying and putting away. She’d slid right into his evening like she belonged there, like this was where she was meant to be. Claire put away the last dish and hung up the cloth. Lexi was settled in bed and it was time to go before things became even more complicated. Claire went to the counter and picked up her handbag.

Liam turned, a frown deepening the light lines on his forehead. “You’re not thinking of leaving me already are you?”

Claire shrugged. “I had a wonderful night, but I have some designing I need to finish at home.”

Liam tugged her bag off her shoulder and dumped it back on the counter, then placed his hands on her waist. “Do it here. Spend the night.”

He pulled her hips against his.

“But I don’t have my things. I don’t even have a toothbrush.” Claire protested as his face bent to the crook of her neck. His breath tickled her skin and she giggled.

“I’ll get you one. Stay.”

His lips moved against her neck. Claire closed her eyes, her head lolling back. Her back bumped into the counter as Liam shifted against her. Her body came to life, every erogenous zone ultra-sensitive, longing for his attention.

“I’ll stay for a little while longer, but then I’m leaving alright?” She said breathlessly.

Liam just made a grunting noise against her neck and scooped her up. His mouth captured hers and he carried her to his bed.

Claire rushed across the pavement in a semi-jog. If the store weren’t so close she’d drive this morning. She was late opening up the store. It may have had something to do with the fact that it was three in the morning by the time she managed to drag herself from Liam’s bed, and his protests.

The three inch point of her heel caught on the lip of the curb, jerking her shoe from her foot, and propelling her onto the road. She gave a squeal, falling to her hands and knees on bitumen. The massive blunt nose of a van rushed towards her. Claire’s arm flung up and she rolled sideways into the gutter. Wheels screeched. The choking fumes of burnt rubber filled her lungs. The white panel van swerved violently—a rush of air to blowing hair into her face.

The vehicle veered back onto the correct side of the road, not slowing. Claire scrambled back onto the side walk. Her blood thrummed like she was on the inside of a paint shaking machine. She reached for her shoe and stood unsteadily on her other foot, leaning on an electricity pole.

She glanced in the direction the van fled, it turned the corner towards Mrs. Rose’s. Claire drew up her knee and tried to slide the trouble-making shoe back onto her foot. Her ankle screamed in protest when she flexed but she placed her foot back on the ground. Pain grated from her ankle up her calf.

This was not a great start to the day. She brushed her hands over her clothes. Her palms stung where they touched the fabric and her knee hurt. Claire took a calming breath and stuck her hand in her bag for her car keys. There was no way was walking to the store like this.

She hobbled around the corner to the B&B where her Nissan was parked, and stopped. The white van that almost ran her down was parked opposite Mrs. Rose’s. The little hairs on her arms crept to standing but she brushed aside the feeling. She opened the car door and glanced across the street as she slid inside.

She buckled herself into the driver’s seat and started the engine. She moved the gear stick into drive and rolled forward slowly. Her heart began its pounding again. She peered down the driveway of the B&B.

No lights were on, nothing appeared different than it should be. She was being stupid. The near miss had shaken her up. It’d been her own clumsy fault, it wasn’t as though the van had targeted her, even if the driver was an ass who had not stopped to see if she was okay. Claire pulled herself together and slid her sunglass over her nose, then pulled into the street.

Chapter Fourteen

Liam saw the silver Nissan slide into the parking space in front of the bridal store and his back relaxed against his chair. It was twenty minutes past opening time and not like Claire to be tardy. He excused himself from his phone conversation and strode through reception to the front door. He leaned in the doorway and enjoyed the view of Claire’s delectable calves swinging out of the car.

She hoisted herself out of the seat, leaning on one foot with the other slightly bent. Her delicate nose scrunched underneath her dark frames. Liam straightened. She was hurt. He looked both ways at the traffic and crossed the street.

He reached the open car door and snuck his hand around her waist. Her back stiffened for a moment, then she glanced over her shoulder.

“Liam.”

She turned into him and accepted the soft brush of his lips against hers. He resisted the urge to try for another.

“You’re hurt?”

Claire pushed her sunglasses over her eyes and into her hair. “Yeah, I fell. Some damn van nearly ran me down. But I’m fine, just twisted my ankle.”

“What?” A bolt of red hot energy surged through him.

“It’s fine, it was my fault. I stumbled into the street.”

Liam’s gaze traveled from her ankle to her knee. “Your knee is bleeding.”

She glanced down. “Just a little scrape. I hadn’t even noticed.”

Liam shut the car door. He bent his knees and lifted her, carrying her to the store.

“What are you doing?”

“You need to look after yourself, and if you don’t then I’m going to have to do it for you.”

“Really, Liam, I can walk.”

“No.” He held her close to the door handle so she could slide in the key and unlock it, and carried her to the small couch in her dressing room.

“Let me see what you’ve done.” He slid to his knees in front of the couch and lifted her ankle onto his lap. His fingers slid down her calf, luxuriating in the feel of her skin. He lifted her ankle. “It’s a little swollen. But your knee is only grazed.” He looked up at her. “I’ll take care of it. First aid kit?”

“On top of the fridge.”

Liam left and returned with the white first aid kit and a can of cola. He opened the kit and pulled out a swab. Claire cringed at the swab against her wound. Liam peered up at her from under the dark hood of his lashes. He blew gently against the graze.

Claire’s expression heated, her bottom lip caught sexily between her teeth. He swiftly smoothed a plaster bandage on her knee.

“You’re very good at this, Liam.”

“I’ve had practice.” He sat on the couch next to her and drew her foot onto his lap, holding the cool can to her ankle. His fingers moved back and forth across her skin. He fought the urge to follow the path of skin under her skirt.

“Lexi?”

“I’ve had to learn all kinds of things since she came into my life.”

Claire’s gaze floated up to the ceiling and her features slumped.

“You mentioned you have a little sister. You’ve never spoken of her, or your family.”

The muscle in her calf twitched against him.

Claire’s chest rose and caught there. “It’s complicated.”

“I know all about complicated. Does your sister live with your parents?”

Her leg went stiff and her chest seemed to shudder slightly.

“No. Our parents both passed away shortly after she was born. She lives with our aunt.”

“I’m sorry. I lost my mother when I was young also.” He watched the play of her features. “You don’t seem happy about the living arrangements.”

“Not at all. My aunt is…a hard, difficult woman. And she would never give up custody of Penny.”

“You don’t feel Penny is safe with your aunt?”

Her face hardened, and seemed to age, showing him a side of her he hadn’t seen before—a side that could be fierce.

“She’s
safe
enough, in the physical sense. Do I think it is the best place for her? No way. Kids need love, that’s what Penny doesn’t have. That’s why she needs me.”

A swell of horror gushed through him. He couldn’t imagine if Lexi had gone to someone else, someone who didn’t adore her. “What about legal action? Aren’t you her next of kin?”

Claire avoided his gaze, her lips pursed together. He wondered how hard it was for her to keep it together.

“It’s not that simple. My aunt is wealthy, and influential… I don’t have the resources to go against her.” Something snapped and she looked at him, her eyes large and a little desperate. “I love her so much. I can’t stand this. Every year that passes with her in that cold, horrible house kills me a little bit more.”

Liam shifted and drew her against him. Her face pressed into his neck.

“You know, when I lost my mother, it was just me and my sister Sarah. So I know how you feel. When I lost her too…” He sighed. “If it wasn’t for Lexi…”

Her arms slipped around him and she squeezed him tight.

“You and Penny deserve better than this. Let me see if I can talk to my lawyers about it. See what they say.”

Claire’s stilled, she breathed like she was in pain. “How is it you keep amazing me, Liam?”

He pulled away a fraction and tilted her face up to him. He stroked the hollows on her cheeks before he lowered his lips to hers.

A cough rang through the room and Claire jerked away.

Geoff stood in the doorway, leaning against the frame. Just how long had he been watching?

Liam frowned, and glanced back to Claire’s pinched face. Geoff was a family attorney, why wouldn’t Geoff help Claire? Unless this aunt was his own mother? But still, there was a child’s best interest at stake, and wasn’t that the most important thing? He knew there was something he didn’t like about Geoff.

The blare of sirens screeched past.

Geoff’s expression shifted. “There’s been an accident.”

Claire swung her legs onto the floor. “What’s happened?”

“A water pipe exploded in the roof at the B&B. The whole place is flooded.”

“Oh my God.” Claire’s fingers flew to her lips.

“The fire-fighters are on their way to try and secure the pipe. We should go.”

Claire nodded dumbly. “Of course.”

“I’ll take her. She’s had a bit of her own accident already today.” Liam said, and helped Claire to her feet and escorted her to his car.

The B&B was blocked off by safety tape. Claire rubbed her arms. Liam’s words about her own accident had snaked an ugly path of dread across her heart. An image of the white panel van welled in her mind. It’d been right outside the B&B when she left in her car.

Something wasn’t right…

Her gaze flickered to Geoff. He had that lawyer face on.

He couldn’t have done this. What reason could he have to want to destroy the B&B?

Geoff glanced at her. “I guess we need to look for somewhere else to stay.”

Liam’s arm surrounded her. “You can both stay with me until you figure it out.”

Geoff turned to Liam but his gaze flickered to Claire.

“Thank you, Liam. I have a friend in the city I can stay with. Claire, I’m sure would be grateful.”

Realization shot through her like a bullet. Her mouth gaped.

No. He wouldn’t.

He just wouldn’t go so far—and he’d promised it was over.

Liam squeezed her shoulder. “It’s going to be fine. I’m sure your things can be saved, and if not, we’ll get new things.”

Claire blinked rapidly, her words catching. “I—It’s. I don’t want to be a nuisance.”

Liam grasped her chin. “That is something you could never be.”

His lips touched hers and she had the sensation she was one wave away from drowning completely. He pulled back and Claire leaned into him. Did he really want her to stay with him? No man had ever offered her as much commitment. She’d never wanted one to so badly.

Liam drove Claire back to the store and saw her inside with another kiss, promising to be back to collect her after picking Lexi up from school.

The moment his office door closed across the road, she hobbled to Geoff’s office. She tugged the door open and stormed inside to where Geoff sat behind his desk.

She slammed her hands down on the desk. “Tell me what you did. Do you really have no limits?”

“What on earth are you talking about?”

“I’m talking about the B&B getting flooded. Tell me Geoff, was it you?”

His neck reddened. “Is that really what you think of me? Of course I had nothing to do with it.”

“You swore to me this was over. You said you were going to end this.”

Geoff leaned back. “And I am. There’s nothing to worry about. Soon it’ll all be over and you and lover-boy can have your happily ever after like nothing ever happened.”

Her chest went still. Is that what she wanted? Liam had given her a clean slate, was acting like he might want this for real. So why was she still scared shitless?

Guilty conscience?

She scanned his gaze, but the truth as always was impossible to decipher from his eyes. “So where are you staying anyway?”

Geoff smiled. “I put a deposit on an apartment a few days ago. “

“Always prepared aren’t you, Geoff?”

“You know me. The B&B was never meant to be long term.”

Claire made a sound, half hum and not quite agreement, then stepped back with a wince. She shot Geoff one last look and hobbled back to her store.

Claire leaned over her counter and watched Geoff’s car pull away, then tugged her cell phone from her bag, calling Liam almost without looking.

“Hello.” His low voice rumbled.

“Um, I was wondering, do you mind picking me up a little later? I’m just a bit snowed under and need some more time at the store.”

“Sure. I wanted to talk to Lexi first anyway, about your staying with us. What about your things, when will you be able to collect them? Do you need anything?”

Claire rubbed her temple. That was an issue unto itself. “I don’t know. The floor has been compromised upstairs, no one is allowed up. I guess I’ll just have to wash what I’m wearing and go shopping tomorrow.”

“Okay, let me know if there is anything I can do.”

“Thank you, Liam.”

Claire hung up the phone and took a breath. Must he make it his mission to be sweet all the time? How could he be the same man she had seen rob someone of their home without an ounce of sympathy? Maybe like her, he just tended to go wrong every now and then. But she couldn’t think about that now.

She closed up the store and locked the door, double checking all the curtains were shut tight. Claire took the flashlight from her sewing room and made the painful walk to Geoff’s office. She unlocked the door with her emergency key then shut the door behind her. The light from the flashlight flickered across the sparse space. One thing she’d learned about Geoff is that he liked a stockade to stash his goods. He’d always had a loose floorboard and a locked box, ever since he was a kid.

He’d have it here, in the office he’d had custom fitted, she could almost smell his secrets in here. She glanced across the desk. Its glass surface left nowhere to hide. Claire went to the book shelf and tapped the panels and inspected a few of the books, finding nothing. The cupboards below held stationary, paper, recordable discs and other completely innocuous items. She tried the heavy tin filing cabinet, yanking on the draws. They were all locked. Her heart sped up. He wouldn’t keep anything important in there would he? No, not like him. There was nothing else in the room. She ran the flashlight light over the walls and the roof and found no anomalies. She followed the architraves around the floor and paused when her light touched the wheels under the filing cabinet.

Her brow scrunched. She tucked the flashlight under her arm and leant against the cabinet. It moved an inch. Claire shone the flashlight behind it. A large white plastic grate caught her eye.
Bingo
. Heating ducts behind filing cabinets are a little redundant. Claire pushed all her weight against the cabinet. Even with wheels she was only able to move the cabinet enough to just squeeze behind it.

She hooked her finger in a hole in the grate and tugged. It popped off like the lid of a takeaway container. She picked up her flashlight again and shone it into the space. A black safe, the exact same brand of safe he’d installed in the back room of the store for her. Thank God, because she wasn’t a safe cracker.

Claire leaned closer and touched the dial. If she knew Geoff at all this would be the easiest part. She turned the dial to the right, then to the left, and once more to the right, following in order the series of numbers also printed in the date on the ornately framed college degree hanging proudly above his desk. Yes, no man was quite so proud of his profession than Geoff. It helped she had also seen him use the number before to unlock his cell phone.

Claire tugged the dial and the door opened. She scanned the contents. A few manila files. She flipped open the top one, the file on Liam. The receipts from their sham wedding rested on top. She brushed papers aside and a photo caught her eye. She slid it out and held it to her face. To anyone else it looked like a picture of a happy couple.