Meant To Be (Heaven Hill Series) (21 page)

“I’ll call her and let you know what she says. Why don’t you go home and try to get some sleep. By the time we put all of this together, Dad will be out – hopefully. Denise why don’t you go with him? I’ll get the kids to help me clean up the clubhouse. Ya know, keep them outta your hair for a while.”

Liam couldn’t help the shit eating grin that broke across his face. Reaching down, he grabbed Denise’s hand and pulled her up beside him “Let’s go.”

Hours later, they lay in what had become her favorite place at Liam’s house, the screened-in porch. A blanket covered them as they lounged just enjoying the quiet and each other’s company. She could hear his deep, even breathing which told her that he slept soundly. It was the first time she’d seen him sleep since she’d moved in. It seemed like he was always on the go, always doing something for the club.

When she wondered what he liked to do for fun, what his favorite foods were, and what he normally wore to bed at night, she realized just how little they knew about one another. It made her want to know everything about him. He sighed deeply, snuggling her up in his arms.

“Hey,” she greeted, smiling softly. “Did you sleep good?”

It surprised him, but he had. “Yeah, I did. I guess I needed it.” Stretching, he leaned forward, kissing her lightly. “Has my pre-pay rang?”

“I didn’t hear it, but I fell asleep for a little while myself.”

He reached over the side of the chaise, where he had thrown his jeans and pulled the cell out of the pocket. “Shit,” he breathed when he saw three missed calls and a voice mail.

“Everything okay?”

Putting the cell to his ear, he help up a finger and pressed the buttons to listen to the voicemail. After a few moments he put the phone back in his pocket and leaned back against the bed.

“Dad’s out of jail, and Roni’s interrogating Lauren as we speak. She’s taken the kids over there, hoping to soften the old witch up, then she’s taking them for the night. Darlin’, looks like we have a night to ourselves. What should we do?”

Lying back down, she bit her bottom lip between her teeth. She knew what she wanted to do but wasn’t sure if he would go for it. Inspired, she sat up, pulling the blanket tighter around her body. “I have an idea.”

“I’m all ears, I need a relaxing night.”

“One of the many things I’ve had to put off because of my kids has been dating. I haven’t been on a date in years. Do you think we could have one?” she asked, biting her nail nervously.

“Will you dress up for me and do your hair and makeup and all that shit? Ya know, look like you did the other day when you did that job for us?”

He seemed so excited, she couldn’t help but laugh. “Sure.”

“Then I’m giving you an hour. You better be down here ready to go. You want a date, baby, you got yourself a date.”

Gifting him with a gorgeous smile, she got up, holding the cover around her and leaving him in the nude. As she stepped over and around his body, his hand smacked her ass and she shrieked playfully.

“Is that a preview?”

Eyes darkening, he chuckled. As she ran up the stairs, he called after her. “It can be.”

Chapter Twenty-Three

T
he smell of hairspray caused Denise to cough as she finished her hair. She was trying desperately to make it look how the hairstylist had made it look. Taking her hands to it, she artfully mussed it, smiling at the end result. She had never been good at hair or cosmetics, but tonight she wanted to be. Unlike most nights, she had also taken great care with her makeup, hoping that Liam took notice.

Walking over to the bed, she glanced at the outfit she’d laid out for herself. Sparkles had convinced her she was wearing clothes two sizes too big, and she had to admit Sparkles had been right. Smoothing her hands down the shirt she wore, she blew out a nervous breath.

“What the hell, Denise. You only live once right?” she whispered to herself. This was the time to make the changes she had wanted to make for years. Liam was giving her that option, and she knew that she’d be crazy not to take this opportunity and run with it.

Liam sat on the couch in his living room, twiddling his thumbs. He didn’t think he had ever been so keyed up in his life. Excited didn’t even begin to describe his feelings at this moment. He felt special. This wasn’t some woman who was a friend of the club, she wasn’t a hanger-on just looking for a good time. A quick fuck in his dorm room so that she could go back and tell all the other women how big his dick was. This woman was actually upstairs trying to look cute for him. In all his years, he’d never had what one would consider a girlfriend, much less an old lady. He’d just had a couple women here and there in his life who had warmed his bed, and that was never for long. He always got out before it got too serious, before they started demanding his time and requesting words he didn’t want to say. This was just as new for him as it was for her.

When he heard the click of heels against the hardwood of the stairs, he glanced up. A low whistle sounded from his lips as he got a good look at her. She blushed, smiling softly as she descended.

“Look at you,” he admired appreciatively, the low rasp of his voice showing just how much he liked what she wore and the care she’d taken with her appearance.

Turning in a circle, she spread her arms out so that he could get a decent look at her. It was unusual, to feel on display like she was. She watched as his eyes roamed her body, from the top of her hair to the stiletto boots that encased her feet.

“You, Denise Cunningham, are lookin’ like sex on a silver platter right now. Believe that.”

It was true, his eyes had almost popped out of his head when he first caught sight of her. A pink tank top hugged her curves while a pair of boot cut jeans showed off toned legs. She wasn’t what one would call tall, but the jeans and shoes made it look like her legs went on forever. It was amazing how confident she’d become in the days they’d known each other. He was watching her blossom, and he loved it. In the back of his mind, he wondered if he was hindering her as much as helping her. Once she got in too deep with the club, there would be no getting out. Shaking those thoughts from his mind, he smiled at her.

“Thanks, I do feel kinda good about myself in this,” she admitted, walking over to where she had laid out a black leather jacket.

She put it on and looked at him for approval. “Do I pass biker bitch inspection?”

The grin on her face showed that she was teasing. He liked this playful side of her. When they’d first met, he wouldn’t have known she had such a sense of humor or such a bangin’ body. Both were
very
pleasant surprises.

“You pass
old lady
inspection,” he clarified.

“What does that mean?”

He forgot that she wasn’t familiar with biker lingo. She hadn’t been born into the culture, and many things were still foreign to her. At that moment, he realized just how much he
wanted
her to be a part of this culture.

“It means kind of like a wife without the ring. I can get you a ‘property of’ patch, which means you’re my property and no one messes with you without facing my wrath.”

“Can I think about that?” She wasn’t really sure what all this entailed, even though he’d just explained it to her. She would need to speak to Roni about what he had just proposed.

“Of course,” he answered, even though it hurt his pride to know that she couldn’t make a snap decision like that. “You ready to go?”

Excitement danced in her eyes and bounced off her body in waves. “Yes. Where are you taking me?”

Her excitement fueled his. He’d never felt this way about taking a woman out before. “Out to dinner, then we’re taking a nighttime ride. It’s beautiful to ride at night.

“Awesome, I can’t wait.”

An hour later, they arrived at a local steakhouse and were seated. She couldn’t help but notice that people watched Liam as they walked by. There seemed to be many different schools of thought about this man that had come to mean so much to her. Some looked at him with thinly veiled fear, some looked at him with a glaring respect, and the women looked at him with undisguised lust. Her mind raced. She wasn’t sure if it was because of him personally or because of the club and outlaw life he represented. Either way, it made her uncomfortable to see other women look at him that way. Scooting closer to where he sat, she made sure their legs touched and that everyone could see it.

“Would you like to sit on my lap and feed me?” he joked as she slid over one more time. Accommodating her, he moved his arm up on the booth and put it around her neck, pulling her closer to him.

Denise had the decency to blush. “These women looking at you just pisses me off.”

A deep chuckle sounded in his throat. That was great to hear. “You got nothin’ to worry about,” he reassured her.

The two of them had put in their order and now sat talking softly over their drinks, a bottle of beer for him, a margarita for her. Out of the blue, she blurted, “What’s your favorite color?”

“I’d have to say whatever color your underwear is,” he flirted, taking a pull off his beer.

She preened prettily, huffing at the same time. “I’m serious here. We know nothing about each other, but we’re living together and you’ve asked me to be your old lady. Do you not see anything wrong with this?”