More Than Scars (31 page)

I blinked, unsure of what he meant. “Offered what?”

“The masquerade is in seventeen days.”

I nodded.

“Do you have a dress?”

I dropped my spoon and shook my head.

He grinned and nodded. “Yes, you do.”

Again I blinked.

“I’ve seen it…
its beautiful.” His blue eyes danced. “Liam wanted to make sure I saw…so I could…not make you look bad by showing up looking like a scrub.”

I was speechless.

“You’re to try it on…the seamstress will make adjustments..”

“How did he know my…my size…my…”

“Your Mom.”

“My Mom?”

“Yeah, I guess we aren’t the only two who share secrets.”

I blushed. “How did he know I hadn’t gotten a dress or…or…”

“Your Mom,” Ian chuckled.

My heart skittered about in my chest.

“So, to get back to my point…if my brother thought I was at all interested…why is he buying you a dress?” His brow lifted. “Something happened and you are not telling me about it my friend.”

I turned back to my coffee. “Let’s just say…I took your advice and talked to someone about what I went through with my Dad. You were right…it helped, and that is all I can say about it.” I looked over my shoulder at him. “It really truly is all I can say.”

He smiled his smile. “I’m impressed.”

I laughed. “What?”

“Nothing…I couldn’t get one thing from either of you! And I worked on my brother all morning! Then you cut me to the quick earlier and I was just pissed off…”

“Ian!”

“All forgiven!” He raised his hands and came to me, pressing a quick kiss to my forehead. “You bonded somehow though…and I’m happy. Not happy you aren’t speaking freely yet but you have bonded.” He crossed his arms. “You still want to keep up our rouse?”

I blinked at him. “What rouse? We are friends aren’t we? I
am loving sucking at learning the guitar aren’t I?”

“You are pretty bad,” he teased.

I smacked his arm hard.

“This isn’t about making Liam jealous now Ian. You’re my friend.”

He smiled. “You need some girls in your life Rissa…and not my pint sized nieces. I am more than happy to be your friend…but I can’t be an all faceted friend to you.”

I nodded. “I know.”

“There are plenty of maids.”

“They hate me…cause of you,” I teased.

He grinned proudly so I smacked him again. “Rissa, all this abuse and I may have to end this friendship,” he laughed, rubbing his arm.

I rubbed the spot and pushed him toward the door. “See you tonight?”

He threw a kiss and hurried from the room.

I finished my coffee, squared my shoulders, and went up to the girl’s rooms. I thanked Mary and prepared the girls for their art lesson. Their teacher came later in the afternoon. Brianne had a lesson free day today. Her school lessons were always Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. I explained to the teachers our plans for Liam and she was more than happy to help out. So as they set into their project, I wandered into my own room.

I had imagined, since Ian had seen it today…it would be waiting for me. There was a long black box sitting on my bed. I closed my door behind me and moved slowly toward it…as if a hasty approach would scare it away.

It was tied with a long silken black bow…entwined in the bow was a long stemmed white rose and a silver masquerade mask etched in black details. There were onyx jewels encrusted into the mask and the tie itself was pure black silk. It was one of the most beautiful things I had ever seen! I laid it gently on the bed, along with the rose.

I unfolded the note that was underneath the mask.

Nerissa,

Please accept this gift as a thank you. Without your quick mind this party would not be taking place. This is in appreciation.

Liam

I smiled, untied the bow, and pulled off the top lid to the box. My fingers shook, as I drew back the tissue that covered what I knew to be my dress beneath. My breath was catching already at first sight. I lifted it tenderly from the box and shook it to its full length. It wasn’t traditional black or the reds or greens of Christmas…my dress was silver…covered in tiny crystals at the bodice and waist and then in a tiny waive along the skirt that made it sparkle. Soft and pretty like a dream. There was only one shoulder to the dress held together by a crystal broach. The waist was empire and the dress was built to conform to the figure. I couldn’t imagine wearing it with confidence. My eyes fell on the mask. The beauty of the masquerade…anonymity.

I smiled now and hugged it to me doing a little turn. It was the prettiest thing I’d ever owned! My eyes caught something else in the box and I made another sound of girlish delight at the shoes resting amongst the tissue paper. I would certainly fall on my face in such beautiful monstrosities but they were lovely and silver and strappy and every girls fantasy shoe! I felt overwhelmed when I saw the brand and wondered how much this all actually cost! And for one night!

I turned to the mirror, holding the lovely gown up and suddenly didn’t care. I couldn’t wait to wear it! And I hoped it was worth all the trouble Liam Byrne had taken to give it!

Chapter 16
So I had a day off

             
So I had a day off, and this was a good thing. Ian had the girls swimming in the indoor pool I still couldn’t believe had existed in this place and I had failed to take advantage of! I found myself wondering if Liam had ever taken advantage. How would he look in a pair of swim trunks? Probably fantastic…scars and all.

He was…well, a pretty fantastic specimen. In my room where the almost kiss had happened, it was so dark I couldn’t see a thing! I had felt though…the strong muscles of that chest, the ragged stripe that ran across those muscles. I had not even spent time the night of my nightmare to explore. There were more pressing matters…like the unveiling of secrets. But I had no doubt it was a wonderful thing…Liam’s form.

He worked so hard now on his body to be a greater weapon. It broke my heart. He felt like he had not been enough then!

Didn’t he know he hadn’t brought it on himself? He hadn’t caused Jade to cheat or that crazy man to come after them! He’d been surprised by the attack, overtaken, knocked out and nearly killed himself. The attacker had intended brutality. He could have come at them with a gun and finished the job cleanly. He had brought a knife to cause suffering. I was thankful for the knife. If it had been a gun, Liam would not be here.

Well, enough of that…today, like the last few weeks, would be Liam free! This was not as exciting as I tried to convince myself it was. I had been miserable avoiding him. The only contact I had was making an occasional text to touch base about the girls and his coffee every morning. Even during the girls good night, I closed the door anymore. It was too much to have to hear him and avoid him.

Ian had done a good job keeping me busy. He did it to stir Liam’s jealousy, but he also did it to keep me from over thinking. He liked knowing his brother and I had bonded over something…even if neither of us would reveal what!

We were less than two weeks from the masquerade…only a few days away from his birthday. We had been working hard on his birthday plans. I hoped it would mean as much to him as it meant to us!

“You will join us,” Ian kept insisting. “I don’t care how much space you said you’d give him! You are going to be blatant with your care for him. Do you want him finding some gold digger who wants him for his money? You want him settling for her because he’s lonely and thinks that is all he deserves?”

I knew he said these things just to stir me up but the last thing I wanted was Liam getting cozy with a gold digger because it was easier to not question what her motives were!

I chewed my lip, hoping my birthday gift would come out as beautifully as I imagined. Maybe if he saw what I saw…he would consider himself worth more!

“God he’s such a beautiful person,” I whispered. “I just want to be around him and protect him and love him. Please open his heart…and help me guard mine. I want him but not at the expense of losing my heart.” I grabbed a book from my shelf and flopped on my couch.

I’d read this story before. It was like many stories I’d read. I usually liked this kind of story. Boy meets girl…boy chases girl…girl resists…boy backs off…girl pursues…and bam…love. I sighed and tossed the book. If that was how it worked I was hopeless because I was awful at pursuit!

My phone buzzed at that precise moment and I reached for it, expecting a text from Al. It was from Liam.

Would you come to my office?

What? My heart leapt! I stared down at my clothes. I was wearing my favorite old worn jeans and a ratty v necked tee shirt.

Now?

Yes Please. Stewart had to leave. I have an emergency.

I saw emergency and that is all that mattered. I threw on my sneakers, pulled my hair back and hurried out the door. I made it to his office in record time. I had to calm my breathing as I knocked and lowered my head at the same time. My heart accelerated knowing I was going to get to see him! Well…not literally, but I would be in his presence.

The door opened slowly. “Come on in,” he said softly.

That voice! I walked in, brushing past him, and drawing in his scent.

“What’s wrong?” I asked gently.

He cleared his throat. “It’s Sunday.”

I nodded.

“I would have called someone else but…I seem to have given everyone but security the day off…even Mary. Stewart is usually here but he had a family emergency and had to leave. He suggested you help me.” He straightened his tie.

“You are very dressed up for Sunday,” I said softly. For someone who never meet with clients, Liam was very religious about dressing to the nines on work days. This is why Ian had taken over with the girls today!

“I met with my father this morning.”

My eyes very nearly lifted to his.

“He’s in town?” I bit my lip against asking why he hadn’t seen his granddaughters.

“You will meet him tomorrow morning,” he answered my unasked question gently. “He will be having breakfast here. He wants to see the girls and Ian has said so much about you…he can hardly wait.” He cleared his throat. “But this is not why I have asked your assistance. I have forgotten that I have one more meeting and I should have someone here with me. Stewart usually stands in with me.”

“What about Ian?”

“He’s with the girls and I don’t need his distraction…” he cleared his throat. “Not that you aren’t…a distraction.” I heard the smile in his voice. “You won’t distract my guest.”

I frowned and then caught myself not breathing. He was close now…I felt him. His lips were to my ear.
“Just me.”

Okay, there was the shiver I missed.

“What kind of appointment?” Yes, I heard the tremble in my voice!

“I have a Doctor’s appointment.”

I frowned again.

“I don’t exactly go to the office,” he chuckled. “She comes here to do my physical, takes some blood.
The same with the girl’s pediatrician. We’ve done it this way for the last couple years…but I always have someone here with me. Someone I trust.”

My tummy fluttered.

“And since Stewart isn’t around you will settle for me?”

“
Nerissa,” he whispered in chastisement.

“I’m sorry.”

“Can you help me with this please?”

I gave a nod.
“Of course.” I glanced down at myself. ‘I’m a little under dressed,” I sighed, glancing at his impossibly beautiful suit.

“You are perfect.” He held out his hand. “Come.” He ushered me through a door on the right side of the office that I had never noticed before. It
lead to a meeting like room. A conference room that looked like it hadn’t been used in a while with a long table and chairs. It had a separate entrance to the hall as well. “We usually do it in here. Just basic checkup…she’ll take some blood. You aren’t squeamish are you?”

I shook my head and watched him shrug out of his well-cut jacket. He held it out to me. I took it tentatively, folding it over my arm.

“Don’t worry. Just the shirt…everything else is staying place.” His voice was gentle and teasing. “I will wait to remove most until she gets here.” He took down his tie.

My heart was going every which way.
To go from not seeing him to attending a physical?

“I appreciate this.”

I adjusted his jacket in my arms. It smelled wonderful of course. “What do you wear?” The second it was past my lips I regretted it. I blushed.

He cleared his throat. “I honestly don’t know. It’s whatever Stewart buys for me.” He handed me the tie.

It was then that the door opened to the conference room and I thought I had distraction. I lifted the collar of his coat to my nose and breathed in happily.