More Than Scars (39 page)

             
I frowned at Jensen and turned back to the man.

Jensen shrugged.
“Next dance beautiful.” He flashed a smile.

I turned to the older gentleman who had swept me away. “Do I know you?”

              His dark eyes were narrowed behind his mask.

             
I felt a clammy sickness at his stare. There was a definite creep factor here. I knew nothing of Liam’s clients. I now wished I had rethought my boldness.

             
“You are a beautiful woman Nerissa.”

             
I frowned at him now. “Thank you?”

             
“You must have been a beautiful child.”

             
Okay definite creep factor!

             
“Your Mother and Father must have kept you hidden away…”

             
“There you are…” and I was swept up into my brothers arms. I was never so happy to see those familiar green eyes. “Pardon us sir.” He pulled me further away until the creepy man disappeared.

             
“Oh thank God Al…that guy was a creeper!” I cried.

             
Al chuckled. “I got the vibe from the horrified look on your face! Are you okay?”

             
I nodded. “I am never ever going to try to make a man jealous again ever,” I teased.

             
He grinned. “Liam?”

             
I nodded. “Is he still with that red headed…”

             
“He slipped away.”

             
I sighed. Had my act pushed him over the edge? I sure hoped not! I smiled up at my brother now. “Are you having fun?”

             
“In this monkey suit?”

             
I shook my head at him.

             
“Moms having fun and that is all that matters. I’m glad we could be here for you! Besides…the Byrne family is a nice bunch for pompous billionaires,” he teased. “I knew this meant a lot for you…so of course I had to be here.” He squeezed my hand. “I know this guy means a lot to you too Rissa and I should probably get used to affairs like this.”

             
I smiled. “A girl can dream.”

             
He chuckled. “He cares about you sister.”

             
I gave a nod. “I know he does. It’s just complicated Al.”

             
“Let’s not talk about it tonight then. Just enjoy yourself! You look beautiful by the way!”

             
“Not bad yourself brother…monkey suit and all!”

             
After the dance I went in pursuit of my Mom and kept my eye out for Liam. I really hoped he hadn’t left the party. I was done playing the jealousy game. It wasn’t even a little fun. I knew he hadn’t put himself in Dr. Linda’s path. I was a possessive woman and I had let that rise up in me. But he was mine!

             
After searching for her, I decided she was having too much fun…she must not want to be found! I contemplated going and checking on the girls. I already missed them! I turned down a hall just behind the stair and my wrist was snagged roughly.

             
I gasped and my first though was creepy dance guy. But creepy dance guy didn’t smell like heaven. I willingly went into these arms. I didn’t chastise him for the rough manhandling as I was pulled into the bathroom, or pressed against the door.

             
I didn’t argue when my mask was pulled away and his other hand tugged my hair so I looked up at him. No…he could have done far worse and I still would have allowed it. He was angry and his brown eyes were not warm…they were possessive. I liked that.

             
“Anymore suitors on your dance card tonight Miss Meadows?”

             
I shook my head.

             
“You want a list of my old college buddies out there? Ones who might want a turn? I can give it to you if you want to see blood shed!” His voice was deep and dark.

             
“Liam don’t,” I whispered.

             
“Don’t what?” he growled. His muscles were bunching and releasing with the turmoil that rolled through him.

             
“Don’t be jealous. It’s you I want.”

             
His eyes held mine.

             
“I’m sorry,” I whispered.

             
“You can’t say things like that to me.” He tilted his head and his lips traced the line of my jaw straight to my ear and then walk away like that and expect me to be in control. And then you sidle up to Jensen M…” his words cut off when I let my hands on him.

             
I slid my hands beneath his jacket and soothed him with a gentle touch. My fingers played against his spine. “I’m sorry…I shouldn’t have done that.” His forehead came to rest against mine.

             
“You have to know why I reverted to trying the jealousy card,” I whispered. “When I saw that woman touch you I saw red. She was touching you and she doesn’t have the right.”

             
“And you do?”

             
I nodded without hesitation.

             
He smiled and then laughed softly.

             
“I do,” I growled.

             
“And what gives you the right?”

             
“You’ve given me flowers.”

             
“It is a courtesy…a kind act,” he teased.

             
I frowned.

             
“What else?”

             
“You’ve been in my bed,” I murmured and loved seeing a flush cover the portion of his face that I could see.

             
“We barely touched that night…it was a comforting between friends,” he whispered hoarsely. He cleared his throat. “What else?”

             
I smiled. “You’ve said you love me.”

             
He smiled. “I do love you but it does not mean it gives you the right to t…” my fingers tugged at his shirt tails. “To touch…” he pulled in a breath when I pulled him closer. ”To touch me,” he whispered, cupping my face. “Nerissa,” he chastised gently.

             
“If I’m not bold with you…you will not know how much I want you,” I whispered. “I am not a bold person except when it comes to you! I turn into a different woman! I know what I want…and I want you Liam! You just don’t want to believe…”

             
“What do you want me to do?” he whispered. “How do I take the lead from you?” His eyes wandered my face and came to rest on my mouth.

             
“You start to…and then you relinquish power like you think I am this delicate little flower. Just a little bit a go when you grabbed me and threw me up against the door…I liked that.” I blushed. “I like business Liam…like when you are on the phone and someone gives you lip…you take charge. Take charge Liam…I will follow you. I’m not going to break.”

             
His gaze darkened. His thumb brushed my bottom lip. “I want to kiss you,” he whispered.

             
I pulled air into my lungs.

             
“But not here in the bathroom…with party goers outside the door.”

             
I felt acute disappointment.

             
He smiled down on me and leaned in to set his lips to my forehead. “Let’s go outside for a bit. I want to take a walk with you. And I need the cold air.”

             
My heart faltered. I was so happy I wasn’t losing my time with him!

             
He led me out of the bathroom and down the hall undetected. We slipped into the kitchen and into the servant’s entrance where my coat was hanging. He helped me into it and then took one down that he kept there for emergencies.

             
From there we walked hand in hand to the stables…stopped once by security, who right away recognized Liam. It was cold out, so the stables warmth was welcomed.

             
I threw aside my coat as did Liam and hurried to Zosimo who was calling out a greeting. I didn’t care one bit about the dress at this moment. I let the beast bury his beautiful head into my chest.

             
“Beautiful,” Liam sighed, leaning against the gate.

             
I smiled at him.

             
I petted the great neck and turned back to Liam. “I used that adjective on you tonight.” I walked slowly to him.

             
He tilted his head.

             
“Do not say it was a kindness for the poor scarred man,” I said softly but firmly. “You are so beautiful to me Liam. More so now that I have seen those eyes!” I stared up into them now boldly. “To think they have been the eyes that have been on me this whole time? It can do things to a girl!”

             
He reached out and snaked an arm around my waist and pulled me to him roughly and then he gentled instantly. He pushed a curl from my cheek. His fingers trailed from my cheek to my neck and then up around to my nape. His fingers gently delved into my hair. “May I kiss you?”

             
I pulled in a breath. “You have to ask?”

             
He chuckled softly and shook his head.

“You like me bold?” he asked and his voice was rough and lovely.

I nodded.

“You like business Liam?”

I again nodded looking up into the warmth of his eyes.

“Then let’s make a deal. You hold up your end…I will hold up mine.” His voice had deepened now to that register I recognized as no nonsense.

“I’m going to kiss you.”

My heart raced.

He smiled and tipped my chin. “But you are going to ask me to kiss you…because I like you bold too Nerissa.”

I shivered and bit down on my lip, nodding.

His dark browns rose as he waited and there has never been a handsomer sight.

“Will you please kiss m…” and his mouth fell upon mine before the words were even out of my mouth. I almost gasped in shock it was so sudden, Liam Byrne was kissing me!

His lips were so tender yet so much in control. I felt warmth in my veins and my arms lifted around his neck so I could get closer. He tasted so sweet.

He made a soft sound of pleasure in the back of his throat when I tugged his hair and his teeth grazed my lower lip. I whimpered. His tongue touched where his teeth had been to soothe the action and the sensation made me lose my breath. I lost myself in him for a moment.

              He sighed when my lips parted gently for him and he kissed me deeper now. The softness of his assault made my mind fuzzy and I pushed to get closer to him. I think I was actually taking his jacket off…yes, his jacket was on the floor now. When his tongue touched mine I melted and had to rely on the strength of his arms that were now around me.

             
He lifted me in his arms, holding me to his body, his mouth overtaking mine again. The feelings he was stirring up in me was beyond anything I could control…and this was just a kiss. Lord what could this man do to me in other ways?

             
“Liam,” I whispered.

             
He turned with me in his arms and pressed me into the gate. The weight of him was wonderful and overwhelming. His hands were in my hair. His hips pressed to mine. “Just tell me you love me,” he murmured softly against my lips. “Tell me you love me!”

             
I held onto his shoulders and fought for a thought. I lifted my eyes to his and they were pleading with me. I hadn’t said I love you yet? How was this so? Oh yes…that mask was still in place.

             
“Show me you trust me.” My hands reached to cup his beautiful face. I love you was on the tip of my tongue because I did love him. With every fiber of my being I loved him. My body…my soul…my mind…everything about me loved Liam. “I need your trust.”

             
He closed his eyes.

             
I pulled his face down to mine and kissed him tenderly. My fingers trembled as they reached for the tie of his mask.

             
He nipped my lower lip…an act of passion and defense of the vulnerability he felt.

             
Zosimo let out a fearsome whinny and we both broke apart with a gasp.

             
“Sir! Emergency at the house! Instance with a guest! Security needs you!”