Know When to Hold Him (20 page)

“Are you talking to the press?”

“I don’t see any reason to.” She switched her attention from Liam to Troy and tried to sound friendly. “You’re either the baby’s father or you’re not. I hope you understand that this was only about securing a name and a future for Dalynn’s child. Everyone wants to see you succeed.”

Troy still looked skeptical at Spencer’s reassurances. “Can I see you out in the hall?” Liam asked her, more curt than she would like.

Liam shut the door to Troy’s room behind them. In a flash, Spencer was nervous. It was a rare experience. She could count on one hand the number of times that had happened to her in the past five years. And at least three of them were due to Liam.

Liam stayed quiet, as well.

“Are we okay?” she asked, wishing she sounded more confident.

He nodded. Again, she wondered if he was nervous, too, or too mad to speak. The cool, calm, and collected Spencer had disappeared. In her place was the trembling, tortured, and tense Spencer. Not her style.

“Okay.” She knew it was the lamest way ever to end a conversation. Then she proved herself wrong by adding, “See you later.” Spencer gave him another second to say something-anything. Anything would be good. But he just lanced her with a blue gaze and a tight, tense jaw. Before she did something really embarrassing, she nodded and backed away.

Chapter Thirty

Seeing Troy with the cotton swab in his mouth, Liam had been wracked with doubt. He’d failed Troy. He hadn’t stood up for his client. He’d surrendered to the enemy.

Liam jerked the minibar door and twisted a beer bottle open.
No
. He made the best decision with the information he had at the time. He protected Troy’s chances at the Draft, got rid of a pesky legal issue, and arranged complete confidentiality. It was a good deal, just like all the deals he brokered for his client. There was nothing to regret.

He had it all, everything he’d ever wanted, plus something he’d never known he had. A connection with someone like Spencer Hightower, a woman who had done the unthinkable and made him think that
forever
sounded pretty good.

The dark thoughts swirling at the edge of his mind were going to go away, if he just ignored them. She’d never sleep with him, just to soften him up. The idea made him take another drag on his beer. If she were that kind of woman, she’d have given in a hell of a lot earlier. Too many years of suspicions and lies were making him think this way.

When there was a knock at the door, he knew he had made the right decisions. For all the right reasons. When he opened the door and found Spencer, he was gutted. She was smart, beautiful, fierce, and, when he pulled her into his arms, she was his.

…

Wrapped up in a large male body and twisted sheets, both exhausted and exhilarated, Spencer declared it was the best morning ever. All she needed was coffee and she would want nothing more out of life. And then, her man picked up the phone and ordered coffee from room service.

Spencer sighed and snuggled up to Liam, who she had discovered during the night had a delightful endurance. When she’d complimented him on it, he’d assured her it was due to years of athletic training. Which had made her laugh because that was a team she needed to see. The laughter warmed her heart as much as his skills warmed her body.

A few minutes later, a knock sounded on the door. “Mr. Connelly, room service.”

Liam got out of bed, stepped into his jeans and answered the door. Carrying the tray, Liam gave her a wink. “Sugar and creamer?”

“Yes, please.”

Liam poured the coffee, doctored it just the way she liked it, and even stirred. Spencer sighed as Liam brought her a cup. Best. Morning. Ever.

Liam nuzzled her shoulder as she leaned against him in the bed. She knew the cuddling wouldn’t last. Most men started off strong and eventually got to a point where they stopped trying, rolled over, and went to sleep. But, hey, by that point, she wouldn’t mind it. She would enjoy the Liam she had now and worry about the rest later.

Later. The fact that there could be a
later
was blowing her mind. After Troy’s test, she wasn’t sure they had successfully navigated the awkward ground rules they’d agreed on after sleeping together. Liam had been tense and distant and she’d feared the worst. But when she’d knocked on his door, all doubts vanished. All thoughts of Troy and Dalynn and paternity tests melted away as they stripped each other down and focused on getting to know each other again. And again. And again.

Spencer smiled to herself even as he reached for the remote. It showed how relaxed she was, how utterly content she was that she didn’t even mind him reaching for the remote. After all, he had gotten her coffee. How could she resist?

He stopped when he saw her eyes on the remote. “I just need to check on…work.” He had the grace to pause, at least, but she understood his excuse. Work crept up on you then demanded your attention. It wasn’t personal.

“Go for it,” she offered before taking another sip of coffee. For hotel room service, it wasn’t bad.

The television flicked on, and it took Spencer a second to realize they were watching ESPN. Of course he was. She figured she’d better get used to it, being with a jock and a sports agent to boot. Surely, it would be more entertaining than the CSPAN that one of her exes used to enjoy.

It was a testament to Spencer’s relaxed contentment that it took another few seconds before she realized what was on ESPN. The coffee cup kept her from jumping up faster. “LIAM!” She glared at him. “What are you doing here?”

Liam tried looking innocent as though he didn’t have a clue what she was talking about. He lifted an arm and brushed his fingers through his hair, only exaggerating his messy bed head. “What?”

Spencer sighed and put the coffee cup on the bedside table. She needed both hands for this. And then she shoved him. “Get down there. What are you doing up here?”

“Nothing yet.” His eyebrows waggled a suggestion as he looked at her, naked in the bed sheets.

Spencer made an exasperated noise and pointed at the TV. “The Draft is about to start. You have work to do.”

Liam didn’t move. “It’s all done. We have other agents downstairs. Troy has his people. The Pastor and his mom flew in yesterday. They’ll call if they have something important.” He reached out for her. “I want to be here.”

Spencer glanced at the ceiling and counted to five. Deep breaths. Stupid men. She let a long breath out and then glared at the idiot in her bed. “I’m not going anywhere. And I don’t care if you go to work. Lord knows, I jump out of bed occasionally when work calls.”

He still didn’t look convinced. And he still wasn’t moving. Lord help her.

“You have five minutes. Or I’m leaving.”

That made him frown. “Over this?”

She threw her legs off the side of the bed, threatening to leave. “Someone needs to represent Troy.”

“Fine,” He huffed as he threw his legs out of the bed and headed to the shower. “Who knows what kind of deal you’d have him agreeing to.”

Spencer stared at the really nice example of a male ass as he strolled to the bathroom. No doubt he knew she was watching. “I think I’d get him a great deal,” she called out as the sound of water came from the bathroom.

Liam poked his head out, his invitation plain. Spencer bit her lip and jumped out of the bed in a second, ready to see wet, hot tattoos again.

It took more than five minutes, and Liam’s hair was still damp when he ran out the door after Spencer sent him off with a kiss. She truly didn’t mind him going. No one understood better than she. And it wasn’t like he wasn’t coming back to her. It was in her bones. Liam Connelly was hers.

If she wanted him.

And vice-versa
. It was terrifying and electrifying, in the best ways.

She took her time getting ready. Although Liam had made sure she was thoroughly clean in the shower, she still had hair to dry and makeup to apply. The TV was tuned to ESPN and the first round Draft pick was Troy Duncan, to the San Antonio Renegades.

Spencer had selected a red and black silk dress before Troy had his picture taken with a red and black Renegades jersey, a brand new Renegades baseball cap perched at an awkward angle on his head.

Chapter Thirty-One

As is appropriate for a billionaire owner of a sports franchise, Franklin Mahoney had a two-story New York penthouse with breathtaking views, priceless antiques, and lots of beautiful women.

Liam only had eyes for one of them.

Spencer wore the kind of dress that would drive a man crazy, if he allowed himself to get close. Silky and light, hugging her body in all the right places. Damn, Liam wanted to take her here and now. By some sort of tacit agreement, he and Spencer had kept their distance during the party. Liam hadn’t been surprised when he’d seen her show up. According to his sources, she had a long time personal and professional relationship with Mahoney, and it showed.

The old man put his hands on Spencer more often than Liam liked. Mahoney winked at her and beckoned her over to private conversations. It seemed harmless, but that didn’t help matters. He wanted to claim her, put an arm around her waist, keep her at his side. She’d compared him to a caveman last time he had behaved that way, so Liam kept himself on a leash. And kept watching her.

She watched him, too. Their eyes would meet. Secret smiles were exchanged. No one noticed and it made him want to find one of the five bathrooms in the place, drag her into it, and find out what she was wearing under that dress that didn’t show panty lines.

Yeah, he looked.

What man could resist?

Troy was the big man tonight, celebrated and surrounded by the new team management, OPM agents, and friends and family. He deserved it. Troy had the talent and personality to have a long, lucrative career, and Liam was excited to celebrate with him.

Troy interacted with one of Mahoney’s harem. He was a healthy, red-blooded young man, and it was clear he was interested in the young lady. Liam hadn’t cared about Troy’s claims of virginity. Yeah, they were unlikely, but he didn’t get involved in what people did in their bedrooms. He only cared about what happened in his. Which made him search for Spencer again.

There she was, in a conversation with the Renegades’ offensive coordinator. He was a good guy, with a wife and three healthy boys. Still, he bit down the caveman impulse.

Cool it, Connelly.

Troy puffed with pride as he shook hands and received thumps on the back. It had been a close call, but in the end, the right one had been made. The paternity test had been a reasonable compromise between George’s suggestion to pay Dalynn off and Pastor Langford’s advice to ignore it completely.

Spencer had been right. The paternity test was fair.
And when the results come back…
Liam shifted his weight from side to side. What then? How would the paternity results affect him and Spencer?

Mahoney joined Spencer and the offensive coordinator. Another flutter of unease flashed through him as he remembered that she hadn’t shared the extent of her relationship with Mahoney with him. What else was she not telling him? How many other friends did she have in the NFL? And most importantly, was any of this going to come back and bite Liam in the ass?

On the one hand, Spencer had only shown herself to be fair and forthright. On the other hand, she declared herself a ruthless competitor. George Clayton had confirmed that Spencer would win at all costs, even if she had to play dirty.

He made his way to Mahoney and Spencer, resisting the urge to place a hand on the small of her back. It took more self-control than he imagined. He barely processed what Mahoney said to him, because he wanted to lean over and smell her lily-scented shoulder.

“We’re really looking forward to it,” Liam replied, knowing that would probably answer whatever Mahoney had asked.

“Grand,” Mahoney said. “We’ll see you at the airport at nine, then. Do you need a ride?” He directed the question to Spencer.

“Actually, since Mr. Connelly and I are in the same hotel, maybe we can catch a cab together?” She raised an eyebrow at Liam, who nodded.

Mahoney waved his highball at someone behind Liam. “Fucking lawyers,” he muttered. “Pardon my French.” He winked at Spencer, who beamed pleasantly at her host, even when he was being a dirty old man.

Keep a leash on it, Connelly.

Mahoney left, presumably to deal with a fucking lawyer. Then they were alone.

“At last,” Spencer murmured.

It had been a long day. Liam hoped it would be a longer night. “Let’s blow this joint,” he said in voice meant only for her.

“Will anyone notice?” she asked, hiding her face behind her glass.

“Who fucking cares?” he growled.

“You want to share a cab?”

“I thought you’d never ask.”

…

In the end, Mahoney insisted on them taking his limo, which suited Liam to a tee. It took about two seconds after the privacy window closed for Liam to have his hands on Spencer.

Pure attraction. Lust. Spencer’s body called him like a magnet. He had to touch, to taste, to possess.

Just through her existence, she called to him. A pull. A demand.
Touch me.
He did. Liam placed his hands on Spencer’s slim waist and pulled her to him, loving her tight body, coiled and controlled. He wanted to make her lose control, he realized, as he kissed her there, on the sensitive side of her neck. She sighed with pleasure, but he wanted to hear more sighs. More cries. More.

Liam pressed her into him, and she responded, her back arching, her arms wrapping around his neck and pulling his face closer. His lips moved up her neck, tasting, licking, over the strong jawbone and to her lush and waiting lips.

Spencer’s mouth opened for him, and it nearly drove him over the edge. The taste of her, soft and wet against his demanding mouth. She made him hard and demanding as he pulled her to him again, his fingers digging into her hips.

Their kisses picked up an insistent rhythm,
yes, yes, more, more,
imitating an act that his body was more than ready for. Her breast was in his palm, small and perfect. He brushed a hard nipple with his thumb, and Spencer cried loud and ragged as if a jolt of electricity shot through her.

He wanted to hear that cry again. When they were naked and hot and sliding in sync, he wanted to make her lose control, lose her voice. She called to him. He’d never known another woman to demand his attention so fully, so elementally. This was her. His mate. His other half. His woman.

They went to his room at the hotel. Every minute spent clothed and apart was unnecessary. Another door slammed behind them and Liam had her against the wall.

Liam lifted her skirt, his hand quickly discovering she’d worn nothing under the flimsy dress.

All
day. Waiting for him.

He almost exploded. And he wanted to return the favor. Stroking her sleek, wet slit made her tremble. Liam slipped a finger deep inside her, and she welcomed him with a cry. In response, his thumb circled her sensitive nub, eager and plump. Spencer clutched at his back, arched her own, thrust into his hand before she fell apart completely, clinging to him like a life raft. “I got you,” Liam whispered. “Let go.”

Spencer’s legs were about to give, so Liam lifted her and carried her straight to the bed. Passing Go. Not giving a crap about two hundred dollars. He wasn’t stopping for anything or anyone.

Spencer studied him with hooded eyes as he slipped off his new jacket and unbuckled his pants. Shameless and brazen, she watched while he rolled the latex over his cock. “I can’t wait,” he groaned. “I need you.”

Liam knelt over her and pushed her dress up against her waist. She spread her legs for him, a silky, hot invitation. This wasn’t going to be gentle and slow. This was going to be conquering and claiming. Grabbing his woman, pushing her into the cave, and both of them knowing it was inescapable. Inarguable. Like a force of nature.

Upon sheathing himself deep inside her, her response was delicious, heavy with need. “Again.”

Obeying her demand, he withdrew almost all the way and then slammed into her again. “Yes.” Liam echoed the word. “Yes.” He pushed again and then withdrew, increasing the tempo. Spencer wrapped her legs around his waist, allowing him to go deeper, claiming more.

“Yes, baby,” Spencer moaned. Liam touched her again, a reverent caress, just to hear her say it again.

“Yes.”

Liam watched her face as she reached her climax, and it was his undoing. He crashed completely, losing control, and collapsing as Spencer looped her arms around his back.

They lay together for a long time. It could have been hours, Liam wasn’t sure. There was nothing else in the world-just this woman, her breath and her fire. He needed nothing else.