Liam's Bride: BBW Werebear Romance (Clan Conroy Brides Book 1) (6 page)

She’d escaped into her office, walking fast. Considered texting Brick a quick message to abandon ship while Liam was unaware. Her thumbs hovered over the cell before she slid it back into her pocket with a sigh. It would probably be worse to have to explain to her future boss why she had snuck away. Better to just ride out this attraction until its end. He might imply his Bear was prodding him towards her, but Meredith wasn’t quite sure she believed it. He'd seen her for the first time, what, three days ago? Meredith didn't believe in instalove, or even instalust. Though her previously dormant body was doing its best to convince her otherwise.

Instead she texted Tamar, asking if she thought it was a good idea to go to Liam’s house. Her friend pinged her back almost immediately.

:Be careful. The Alpha’s are even more controlling than the rank and file. I’ll text you when I get off.:

Picking up her notebooks and planner, she left the office, running into Sheane on the way out. The Director was dressed in leggings and a loose t-shirt, hair pulled back.

"Workout?" Meredith asked. Sunday was the quietest day to use the equipment in the basement.

Sheane smiled. "More out than work, but I made myself do sixty minutes on the bike."

"Gardening is my cardio."

"And speaking of, have you spoken with Mr. Conroy yet?"

Meredith realized she hadn't updated Sheane on any of the events of the previous few days. She chalked it up to the distraction of dealing with her father and Liam at the same time. They began walking towards the doors.

"Yes, and he's going to let us stay, with some conditions."

"That's excellent news. What are the conditions?"

"He wants me to absorb his students and co-teach a class. I guess good chefs grow their own produce."

"Clever." Sheane glanced at her, frowning. "Meredith, does he know who your father is?"

Meredith stopped, mouth firming. "No. And I’m not going to tell him. Neither are you."

"Is that smart? This is a small town."

"I know- but even if he figures it out, by that time he'll know I’m not my father." Meredith chewed on her bottom lip. "Besides, I’m
tired
of that one horrible day hanging over me."

Sheane’s eyes were steady. "You still haven’t dealt with it. All your friends have left this town- but you've stayed behind. There’s a reason for that."

"I- the kids-"

"Are an excuse. I think you should tell him. You will never be able to move on until you confront your issues."

Meredith closed her eyes. "I still feel guilty. I was such a spoiled brat. If I hadn't been so demanding, my father wouldn't have snapped when he lost the farm to Liam's dad."

"That's bullshit. All little girls are demanding. They want fancy clothes, makeup, dance lessons.” She took Meredith’s hand, squeezing. “It's the parent’s job to either provide it or teach the children to do without. You didn’t make your father confront Kyle Conroy.”

“But-”

The Director glared. “You didn’t make your father bring a loaded shotgun to the confrontation. You didn’t make him start a physical altercation and cause the trigger to go off."

Intellectually Meredith knew Sheane was right. If one of her teenagers had come to her with similar issues, Meredith’s temper would have burst. A child wasn't to blame for the actions of an adult. But that didn’t stop her from feeling emotionally responsible. It didn’t stop her from feeling shame.

"Tell him, Meredith,” Sheane said, releasing her. “He isn't a bitter, stupid man. He might be upset at first- that's normal- but no one in their right mind would hold something like that against you."

"I’ll think about it.”

“Tell me what?” Liam asked when the red head Meredith turned the corner.

He’d caught the tail end of the conversation, more curious than suspicious. He couldn’t imagine this lush little human had many deep, dark secrets to divulge.

The curvy beauty stopped short, verdant green eyes widening. He leaned against a wall, affecting a stern expression, crossing his arms. Poor woman looked… spooked. He felt a little bad for scaring her- but not that bad. The vivid expressions crossing her face were adorable. A word he never thought he’d use to describe
any
female, much less a human one.

“Uh- uh, well, see-” she stammered. It amused him, how terrible a liar she was. He supposed he should work up the concern to care what it was the director thought Meredith should tell him- but it didn’t matter.

“Meredith?” He took a step forward. She backed away, an instinctive reaction that
did
bother him. A little feminine discomfort… excited him. True fear was nothing better than an insult. He would never hurt her.

Liam shifted, bracketing her against the wall in the cage of his arms. “Don’t back away from me,” he growled, then deliberately pitched his tone to a low croon. “I’ll only hurt you if you ask me. Nicely.”

Her heart lurched. He heard the rapid beat, saw the pulse in her graceful neck and wanted to sink his teeth into the hollow, brand her, mark her. The desire shook him, the strength of the Bear’s demand that he make her his. Permanently. Liam’s cock, always at half-mast around her, swelled, rubbing painfully against the fabric of his jeans.

He gritted his teeth and indulged himself, lowering his head into her hair and inhaling the earthy floral scent of nervous, nubile woman. Young, lush, vibrant woman. Enough innocence to allow for blushing, enough experience to heat her eyes to knowing pools of dark jade. His woman, damnit.

“Well, Meredith? What is it you needed to tell me?”

Feminine fingers pushed at his chest. He wanted to laugh. Did she think she could move him if he didn't want to be moved?

“Only that I intend to fight to keep you from kicking us out,” she growled.

Hmm. “Well, if you plan to do that you should get in good with the owner.”

She stopped pushing at him. “What?”

Liam’s head rose. He shifted his hips, ensuring he didn’t frighten her with his want. His mouth brushed the line of her jaw.

“What are you doing?” she squeaked.

“Helping you get in good with the owner.”

He took her lips in a kiss, tasting the brown sugar gloss on her skin. Her mouth opened beneath his, body softening. Triumph surged, satisfaction. She wanted him though she probably told herself she didn't. But her soft flesh didn't lie. The barest arch of her back as she pressed against him didn't lie. She shuddered, and tried to hide the telltale movement.

Liam couldn't help himself; his hands slid around her waist to her buttocks, palming the plush globes and pulling her tight against him. He wanted to tear away her pants, wrap her legs around his waist and plunge into that little pussy, fuck her senseless right there against the wall of
his
building. Hear her scream his name as she bounced on his hips, fire hair covering them both.

He tore his mouth away, backing off. He had to get a grip of himself. The Bear roared in fury, protest. It wanted the woman. The woman belonged to them. Take the woman. Take the-

Liam whirled away. “I’ll wait for you outside.

“You’re not supposed to be texting at work.”

Tamar jumped, shrieking. Her fingers scrambled not the drop the cell phone. Lord knew she couldn't afford to replace it.

Whirling around, she glared at Alphonso standing behind her, muscled arms crossed. She wished he’d put on a shirt with sleeves. Damn showoff.

“Stop sneaking up on me, Al,” she demanded. “That shit is creepy.” The Bear didn’t make a damn sound, and he wore biker boots. In the middle of summer.

“I wasn’t sneaking. You were busy texting.”

She shoved the cell into her snug denim pocket, longing a brief moment for her comfy sweats at home. Couldn't wear those here. Maximizing tip potential meant giving the men who came in here- Bear and human- something to watch when she passed by. And with baby enhanced breasts, hips and ass like hers, there was plenty to watch.

Tamar glared. Why did he always stand so close? “Most people get breaks, you know.”

“The same people who are unemployed?”

She pushed past him, trying to bump him into the wall. Bastard didn’t budge. “You’re such a jerk.”

He muttered something under his breath. She stopped. “What?”

“You heard me. Get back on the damn floor.” Alphonso brushed by her, not bothering to avoid rubbing up against her body.

“It’s not even busy on Sunday,” she yelled after him. It’s why she’d been able to take a break. Fucking sexual harassment, side touching her like that. Except that when his arm and hip brushed hers, her body shivered. Damn, if she’d been her old self, she would have given that man a ride of his life. She’d always been selective, but the ones she selected never regretted it.

Especially the ones who said things such as, “You know you like it” under their breath

CHAPTER

6

Meredith saw evidence of love in the freshly restored porch and attempt at landscaping. The house needed painting, though, and only about half the windows were new. She wondered at the gradual restoration because she knew for a fact the man wasn't cash poor.

"Do you like it?" Liam asked, reading her expression as she took in the newly planted shrubs and wildflowers lining the walkway. "It's my off day project."

She looked around, shading her eyes with her hand, avoiding his face. Her entire body felt… shaky. When she’d emerged from the building after an escape to the ladies room, he’d been waiting for her in the parking lot as if nothing had even happened. Ignoring that he’d almost ravished her in the middle of the hall.

"You’ve been doing this all by yourself?" Brick asked.

He led them around back. "Yeah. I like to work with my hands. It's satisfying to see it come to life bit by bit- hiring a contractor seems like cheating."

It made an odd kind of sense. He was a man who constructed flavors for a living; both a science and an art. He would need the control that came along with handling the work by himself.

Liam opened the tall wooden gate and gestured for them to precede him. Meredith stepped inside the yard. He did, indeed, have a basic kitchen garden. A few rows of carrots, a tall tomato plant, and several varieties of herbs. A lawn set was laid out in front of a fireplace.

The kitchen was about what she expected from a professional chef. Granite counter tops and some kind of rough stone she couldn’t identify on the floor. White cabinets and appliances that looked as if they were designed by NASA.

"Do you have a taste for anything?" he asked, peering into his fridge. "Take a seat, be comfortable."

"I could go for grilled cheese," Brick said as the girls sat down on stools surrounding an island.

"I can make a grilled cheese unlike any you've ever had," he promised.

"With mushrooms."

"A woman after my own heart."

"Oh yeah?" Brick leaned her elbow on the counter. "Maybe we can get wild and crazy and add, I dunno, grilled onions."

Liam grinned. "Wild and crazy it is. What about you?"

Meredith met his eyes, finally. The warmth in them caressed her. For a moment she allowed herself to pretend they were just a small family relaxing on a Sunday afternoon, having lunch.

"I'll have whatever you want me to have," she replied, softly. His brow rose.

"Well, in that case..."

Meredith blushed, cursing herself. Remembering the dark promise on his face when he’d kissed her. Brick's face screwed up. "Gross. I'll pretend I didn't hear the blatant innuendo in that.”

"I have no idea what you're talking about," Liam said, pulling out a cutting board, knife and several vegetables. And a hunk of cheese that didn't look like it came from the average Super Saver. “There’s a pitcher of tea in the fridge.”

He sliced a pepper lengthwise. Meredith didn’t move, watching the skill he displayed with fascination. Turned on by the grace and power of his hands. If he could handle a fruit like that...

"Earth to Meredith," Brick said in her ear.

"What?"

She shook her head, sliding off her stool to go to the fridge. Meredith managed to not blush, mostly because she avoided all eyes. Her thighs pressed together, blood between her legs causing her flesh to throb. Liam's chopping increased in speed.

The sandwiches he grilled were delicious, especially when paired with an orange sorbet he pulled from the freezer.

"You mind if I go outside?" Brick asked Liam when they finished eating.

"No, make yourself at home."

Silence descended once the teen left. Meredith cleared her throat. "You cooked. I should clean up."

He leaned against the counter, folding his arms. "I didn’t make much of a mess."

"No."

They stared at each other. "Come here," he said, voice lowering. A command, not a request, his eyes heated pools of ore. 

Meredith slid off the stool, caught in his gaze, walking around the island to stand in front of him. He reached out, sliding hands around her waist and pulling her against him.

"You've had time to think," he said, and kissed her.

Her hands buried in his hair, gripping the strands with a sudden wild desperation. They tried to slide through her fingers, rough silk. Again his kiss dominate her senses, a wildness inside him she couldn’t hope to handle- only hang on for the ride.

"There are so many reasons why this isn't a good idea," Meredith said, tearing her mouth away.

Liam's hand slid around the back of her neck, pinning her as a growl slipped from between his teeth.

"Too late. My house, my food- my woman."

Her core melted, a shiver of need throughout her body. Her breasts tightened, nipples hardening in reaction or anticipation, she couldn’t tell. Liam lowered his head, tongue plunging into her mouth in a rhythm that echoed the intent of the hard length pulsing against her middle. She wanted to wrap her legs around his waist and just... rub all over him, a growing desperation that sent all rational thought fleeing.

His mouth trailed down the side of her throat, strong teeth nipping her delicate skin, not quite gentle.

"Liam," she gasped, arching against him as breath tickled the inside of her ear. "Oh!"

"We have to stop," he said, arm tightening around her waist in a conflicting message. "Or I'm going to fuck you right here."

Which- wouldn't be a good idea. Right? He was as hard as a rock, as hard as a-

"Shit." Meredith rarely cursed, but the word translated from thought to speech. She made herself pull away, mostly because Liam was already letting her go. "Brick."

He smirked. "That's a smart kid. I'm pretty sure she's still outside."

"Liam- what are we doing?"

"What do you want to be doing?" His eyes shut for a moment, a shudder racking the tall, strong body. When he opened them, some of the heat banked, ruthlessly pushed aside though she could tell his cock wasn't cooperating.

Meredith inhaled, steadying her nerves and resolve. "I- there's something you should know." She stepped out of his arms. Several feet, returning to her stool, but not sitting down. After a moment, he might not want her in his house at all.

Liam watched her. "What's wrong, sweetheart? I told you you could talk about it if you wanted."

"There’s something you should know about my... family."

He leaned back, folding his arms. "Are you all convicts?"

When she failed to respond, his brow rose. "Oookaay. Well, I know you're a licensed teacher, so I'm pretty sure
you
don't have a criminal record. Meredith, you aren't your family."

She stared at him, stony. "Do you really believe that? Don’t we teach our students that you're defined by who your friends are?"

Liam frowned. "You can pick your friends. You can’t pick your relatives."

"That's an excuse."

His gaze was steady. "Is that what you would tell Brick? That she can't rise above the poor choices of her relatives?"

Meredith opened her mouth, closed it. Looked down at her feet. She didn't hear him move, but a long finger tapped her chin, raising her head to meet his eyes.

"I know
you
, Meredith. A woman who works hard, cares about other people and tries to make a difference. A woman who places her fears aside for the greater good."

She blinked rapidly. "You make me sound like a good person. I’m not. I’m spoiled and selfish-"

Liam laughed.

"Is something funny?" she demanded, rubbing her eye furiously. She must have gotten a lash stuck in it.

"You are. I haven’t seen a speck of selfishness in you yet." He grinned down at her. "But then, we have yet to fight over the last slice of chocolate cake."

Meredith sniffed. "Chocolate cake is overdone. It will take something far more exotic to impress me."

He lowered his face to hers. "Is that a challenge?"

She shrugged with one shoulder. "You can take it however you want. But I still need to tell you-"

He placed a finger over her lips. Firmly. "I don't want to hear it," he said.

Her jaw firmed as she glared. "But-"

His expression hardened, a picture of obstinacy. "I don’t want to hear it, Meredith. Unless you're about to confess you have a stable of nubile youths waiting to do your every naked deed..."

She gasped. "Liam!"

Oh, the cruelty in the knowing, sensual curve of his lips. "Well then, whatever you think you need to tell me isn’t as bad as that, so I don’t want to hear it. If it really is a problem, I’m sure I'll find out the hard way."

Meredith bit her lip, frustrated. "You like the hard way?" she snapped, irritated by his, just,
blasé
attitude.

"I love the hard way.” He stepped towards her, lumbering grace. “I insist on the hard way. I will show you the hard way-"

"Oh my God, teenager incoming," Brick said loudly, stomping through the back door. "Protect my innocent ears. I beg you."

Meredith sighed, turning around. "Your timing is perfect anyway. I was just about to give him a piece of my mind."

Brick snorted. "Sure you were."

As much as Meredith wanted to stay, she couldn’t. Liam seemed willing to have them hang out at his place all day, but she insisted on getting Brick home.

“I know you have homework that you put off to the last minute,” she said firmly, directing the girl to the door. And she still had her father to deal with. She couldn’t decide if she should press her confession with Liam, or let it ride. At least she could always say she’d tried, if he ever accused her of withholding.

They turned the corner of the house, bickering good-naturedly. Liam noticed the disturbance first. Meredith pulled up short at his sudden, vicious cursing.

“Liam!” Her head whipped towards him as he strode past her. Her eyes followed him and she gasped, hurrying forward.

All four of his tires sat on the rims, slashed.

“Who would do something like this?” Meredith exclaimed, crouching down. He inhaled, drawing air deep into his lungs. Grabbed her arm and pulled her away as he scanned the street.

“I don’t know,” he growled after a moment. “But when I scent him, I will find out.”

He glanced at Meredith, attention moving briefly to Brick. Paused, turned to face the teenager fully, eyes suddenly keen.

“Brick?” He said her name softly.

Meredith turned, taking in the teenager’s white, set expression and grim eyes.

"Brick, do you know something about this?"

The girl’s expression said everything. Meredith rushed towards her and enveloped the stiff teenager in a hug. For a moment, a familiar dread lurked behind young-old eyes. A dread Meredith was all too familiar with.

"It's okay, whatever it is."

"Honey, is there something going on you want to tell me about?" Liam asked. Meredith partially released her student, turning so her arm was still slung around Brick's slender shoulders. Liam looked down at them both, incredulous anger gone.

Brick looked down. "The family I live with. They have a son around my age."

"Yes?"

"We... don't get along. He does little things to try and get me in trouble. He said he was going to do something big."

"Why?" Liam asked, still. Not even a strand of hair moved.

"He- before I lived in his house. We kinda knew each other from school. He's one of the more popular kids. Not too much, just average. But more popular than me, you know? He said he liked me a little."

A ball of sickness unfurled in Meredith’s stomach. And anger, welling up from somewhere deep and ugly. "Has he tried to hurt you, Brick?"

The girl said nothing.

"I'll
kill
him." Fury bubbled over. "Is he the one you were in a 'fight' with? Did he hit you?"

"It was self-defense," Brick snapped. "And I almost broke his pussy ass arm. That's why he's been doing bullshit stuff. He probably figured you'd blame me for this cause of my vandalism record." She paused. "He’s a little stupid."

"That means he followed you, Brick," Liam said. Meredith glanced back up at Liam, froze. A small, relaxed smile played around his mouth. His eyes looked... happy, crinkled at the edges. White teeth gleaming. "Tell you what, why don't you tell me where he likes to hang out, and I'll go have a little chat, hmm? Nice and friendly."

Meredith licked her lips. "I'm coming with you." No, no. That was the wrong thing to say. She'd meant to tell Liam to not do anything foolish. To be calm and mature. The smiling expression didn't fool her for one second. But instead, a part of her reveled at the violence lurking beneath the facade. Approved and wanted to participate.