Drew [The Texas Senator's Sons 2] (Siren Publishing Classic) (18 page)

Liv groaned. She wasn’t looking forward to a birthday celebration. “No big deal, really, I—”

Drew put his finger to her lips stopping her from talking. “No big deal, I promise.”

Liv looked up at Drew, knowing she couldn’t say no. She was just worried that when she got to the ranch, she wouldn’t want to leave again.

* * * *

Drew had left Liv’s apartment that morning. Liv had told him that she needed to take care of some business, and she knew he had to take care of his morning chores at the ranch. She walked around her small apartment and sighed, knowing that she was at a turning point in her life. She was in love with Drew Radcliff. It was scary as hell to her. She never expected to love again, but she did, and it was more intense with Drew than with Brock. She supposed that she loved Brock because he had helped her out of a very dark place. Now she was giddy. She felt alive and excited about the future, but she worried. Would telling Drew how she truly felt scare him?

Liv didn’t expect a marriage proposal or anything like that. She just wanted to know that he felt the same or could feel the same at some point in time. Falling in love was terrifying for Liv and not because she thought she might get hurt but because the not knowing if Drew felt the same weighed on her. She sighed because her mind was her worst enemy.

The best thing to do now was take care of the bills that needed to be paid that had been sitting for a week. She smiled and thought after she took care of a tiny bit of business, she’d do a little shopping. After all, it was certain that she’d be staying at Drew’s tonight. Closing her eyes, she thought about how wonderful it felt to have him hold her while she slept and how wonderful it was to wake up to him smiling down on her. Feeling her heart beat steady and fast, her nervous fingers went to work on her laptop. She was ready to head to the ranch.

* * * *

Drew had left Liv’s apartment in search of a couple of items. First and foremost, he wanted to find a cake for Liv. After hearing her admission last night, he was sure that she had never had a birthday worth remembering. It bothered him a lot that anyone could be so cruel to her. His heart ached thinking about her being beat by her own father and losing her mother to suicide. He thought he’d had it bad. It was in the past, though, and Liv had pushed through the hard times and seemed at peace with it now. It didn’t matter. He still wanted to show her that there were people that cared, especially him.

With a cake purchased, Drew thought and thought about what kind of gift to give her. He had already called Regan, letting her in on his plan. She had squealed with excitement and was already planning a dinner. Drew’s heart led the way as he drove through the weekend traffic. The bumper-to-bumper mess didn’t even seem to bother him. He just wished they’d get out of his way because he was a man on a mission.

* * * *

Regan sat with Damon at the kitchen table while sipping a glass of sweet tea. She was overwhelmed with happy emotions, and Damon wiped a tear that fell. “You women, I swear. Your emotions are so messed up,” he said and smiled.

“I know it’s silly to be happy and cry at the same time, but Liv has broken through with Drew, and he called. Gosh, he was on cloud nine talking about giving her a birthday party. It was so sweet!” Regan gushed out quickly.

“I’ll be damned.” Damon smiled.

“I know, it’s surreal! I had hoped that Drew would like her, but never in my wildest dreams did I think he’d fall in love with her, but I know he has. I heard it in his voice!” Regan continued to ramble.

“Thank you, baby,” Damon said and kissed Regan softly. “You made this happen.”

Regan cried harder. “Damon, just think. We have Drew back, and I might end up with a sister! Can you imagine how wonderful it would be?”

Damon smiled. Yeah, he could imagine all right. He thought back to the first morning Liv had been in their kitchen with Regan. The two were giggling and cooking breakfast for him and Drew. It was wonderful to think that they all could create a happy family together. His parents had let him and Drew down, but he could forgive that and instead build upon what he and Regan had started. “I can’t thank you enough, sweetheart, for giving me my brother back. I never thought this day would come and that it could be any more perfect…for all of us.”

* * * *

Liv packed an overnight bag and smiled. Everything was looking up, life was positive, and the day was shaping up. The only worry she had was the feeling lodged in her heart. She loved Drew and wanted nothing more than to wake up with him every day. She was just scared, scared to offer her heart, not wanting to be the rebound girl.
Stop being so negative
. She glanced over her apartment one last time, turned her living room light off, and locked the door.

In her Jeep, Liv cranked up the radio, hearing an upbeat song. She belted out a verse and was glad she didn’t have an audience. She put on her sunglasses and headed for the interstate.

* * * *

Drew entered the main house with a cake and a gift for Liv. Regan had already started cooking, and the smell made his stomach growl.

Regan came into the dining room and immediately hugged him. “Regan, sweetie, wait. Don’t smash the cake!” Drew hollered.

“Sorry, I’m just excited and happy!” Regan said and kissed Drew on the cheek.

Drew sat down the cake and the present for Liv and pulled Regan in a tight hug. “Thank you, Regan. Thank you for everything.”

Regan fanned her face as Drew released her, trying not to cry. “Stop it. You’re making me emotional, Drew!” she said and looked up at him.

Drew shuffled his feet, nervous about the night to come. “I love her, Regan.”

“I know, and she loves you, too, Drew!” Regan said and hugged him again.

Damon walked in. “Hey, hey, save all that for your woman!” he teased, just looking happy to see his brother back.

Drew let go of Regan and gave Damon a manly hug, slapping him on the back. “Thanks, man.”

Regan excused herself and went back to the kitchen to finish dinner.

* * * *

Liv made a slow turn into the ranch entrance and smiled. She didn’t know if she’d see the sign marking the entrance again. Her stomach somersaulted, knowing that Drew had something planned. But it was actually okay now because if she was going to, in fact, celebrate her birthday, she wanted to do it with people she cared for. She continued down the long dirt road toward the main house and smiled when the only lights that were on were in the kitchen and dining room.

Upon closer inspection she knew that Drew was there, and so were Damon and Regan. Her heart squeezed, and her eyes threatened to spill again. She wanted nothing more than to have a life with those she cared for the most. It still worried her because her relationship with Drew was so new, and she didn’t know if he was as committed to it as she was.
Stop it, Liv
.

Liv parked her Jeep, and, with shaky hands, opened her door. She began to walk toward the back door and smiled. For some reason this was home, and she knew it. When she began to knock on the door, Regan opened it and pulled her into a tight hug.

“Happy birthday, Liv!” Regan squealed.

“Thanks, Regan.” Liv blushed.

Regan pulled her through the threshold, and the scent of pork chops and fried potatoes invaded her senses. She blinked, and Drew was in front her, smiling.

“Happy birthday, sweetheart!” Drew said and kissed her softly.

Liv looked toward Damon, and he smiled. “Happy birthday, Liv!”

“Wow, I didn’t expect a production, but wow, I appreciate it,” Liv said and looked around. There was a banner and balloons. Dinner was ready, by the smell wafting out of the kitchen. Drew pulled her close to his side, and Regan was giddy with excitement, bouncing up and down on her tiptoes.

“Come on, let’s eat!” Regan said and headed for the kitchen.

“I’ll help,” Liv replied and tried to head toward the kitchen, and Drew stopped her.

“Not on your birthday. Sit and allow us, Liv.”

Liv sat down and Damon smiled at her. “They are party hounds, sorry.”

The feeling of happiness overwhelmed Liv as Drew and Regan brought out the platters of food. Her stomach growled, and her heart was about to burst. A real birthday party! A couple of times she had celebrated at a bar when she was of age, but never did anyone go to the trouble that they had.

The dinner was out of this world, and it seemed that Regan had found her happiness through the stomachs of very appreciative dinner guests. The conversation was light and fun during dinner, and Liv couldn’t believe they all cared so much.

Drew had smiled at her all through dinner, as well as Damon and Regan. It was almost as if Liv was outside the circle of a very well-kept secret. But Liv let it go and just enjoyed herself. Who knew that birthdays could be so much fun?

After dinner Liv helped clear the dishes while Drew and Damon talked and laughed together. It made Liv’s heart swell. If she had accomplished anything, it was restoring Drew to the person he was meant to be, fun-loving and happy with a smile on his face.

Drew drummed his hands on the table, and Liv stopped to watch the spectacle. “It’s now time for the opening of presents!” he said and winked at Liv.

Liv felt like she was under a spotlight and wasn’t prepared to accept gifts. She didn’t need anything. All she needed was this perfect night. “Really guys, I don’t need gifts.”

“Sit down, Liv.” Damon smiled, pushing her toward a chair.

“Me, first!” Regan yelled and presented Liv with a present wrapped in pink paper with a shiny, silver bow.

Liv didn’t know what in the world Regan could have got her, but she opened the box with nervous fingers. Inside the box was a ring full of keys. Liv’s eyebrows pulled together, questioning the sentiment.

“Don’t worry. You’ll figure it out!” Regan grinned and looked at Drew.

Drew sat down a large box in front of Liv. He smiled and urged her to open it. Liv smiled and apprehensively opened the gift, feeling trembles rack her body.

Inside was a pair of boots that were blue and brown with intricate scrolling designs up the shaft. She grinned. They were so beautiful.

“You see, Liv…” Drew smiled. “The keys and the boots go together.”

Liv questioned him with a look.

“I don’t want you to be anywhere but here…with me…the keys are to every lock and every gate on the ranch. We all want you to be here with us…you belong here,” Drew said and looked longingly into her eyes.

Liv’s eyes spilled tears as she looked at the people she cared for most. She couldn’t form any words, and her smile couldn’t stretch any wider. What had started out as a simple assignment had changed her life forever. “I don’t know what to say!” Liv said, and she really didn’t.

“Say you’ll stay, Liv…I don’t know where our relationship is heading, but I want you here, and until the day you tire of me, I’ll be here for you always,” Drew said, and his eyes confirmed what he was saying.

“Yes, of course I’ll stay!” Liv said and held the boots to her chest. She looked at her friends and her lover. Life couldn’t get better.

“Hey, Regan, we’ll need that cake!” Drew grinned, and Regan rushed off the kitchen to get it.

Drew wrapped his arm around Liv’s waist, and Regan handed him the cake. “I apologize for not sharing the cake, but you understand.” He winked, and Regan and Damon laughed while he directed Liv toward the door.

“Don’t do anything we wouldn’t do!” Regan chimed in.

“Don’t worry, we will,” Drew muttered, causing Liv to giggle.

Drew opened the back door to his small ranch house for Liv. She walked in and took a deep breath. This was going to be home. Never in her wildest dreams would she have believed one week could totally change her life. And never did she believe she could be as happy as she was right now.

“Penny for your thoughts.” Drew smiled and set the cake down.

“No thoughts, just happy!” Liv walked over and wrapped her arms around Drew’s neck. “Kiss me, Drew.”

“With pleasure.” Drew growled. His lips were hot and demanding entrance.

Liv opened, and Drew swept his tongue inside her mouth. The rhythm was intense and hungry. Drew’s hands slid down her back to her ass and squeezed her tight against him. Liv giggled, feeling his cock press tightly to her stomach, causing a rush of excitement to stir deep inside her. His arms made her feel safe and cherished while his mouth made his intentions clear.

Drew pulled her legs around his waist and continued to kiss Liv while he walked to the bedroom. Liv kissed his neck, nipping lightly. Drew bucked his hips against her pussy, and she giggled. “Mmm, Drew, you’re such a tease.”

“I’m not teasing, darlin’,” Drew said and threw her on the bed. He looked down at her. “You have too many clothes on,” he continued and began removing her clothes with a wicked grin.

“I guess you have plans,” Liv teased and watched how the light twinkled in his eyes. The man was absolutely gorgeous.