“I kept it. The toothbrush.” She patted her purse. “It was better than the one I have at home, and it’s not like you’re going to give it to someone else.”
“Well, if you approve of my taste in dental sundries, you’re going to love my selection of caffeinated beverages.” He whisked in the chocolate powder, added the milk and finally, the froth. Then he created a swirly leaf pattern before setting the cup on a saucer in front of her. “Try this.”
She picked up the steaming cup and blew across the top of it. He couldn’t tear his eyes away from the little O her mouth formed. She made the most innocent gestures erotic. His body tensed.
“Mmm...” She pulled the cup from her lips, her eyes closed. He shuddered a little. “This is good. I’m impressed.”
Oh, I haven’t even begun to impress you.
“Excellent.” He turned back to the machine and made a café Americano for himself.
They sat at the breakfast bar drinking their coffee. Liam cleared his throat and shifted on the bar stool. “What do you think of breakfast?”
“Is that an invitation, or are you asking my opinion on the benefits of breakfast in general?” She took another sip of her mocha latte.
He laughed. “You’re not going to make this easy for me, are you?”
“No,” she said. “I don’t think I am.”
* * *
“It’s an invitation,” he said. “I was just about to order breakfast. Brunch, actually. You’re welcome to... I mean, I’d like it very much if you’d stay.”
She bit her lip, her heart beating faster as she searched his eyes. They enjoyed each other’s company last night. After she turned him down, he’d shown her his jazz collection. He was a purist who collected the classics on vinyl like her dad. She’d thumbed through the album covers that were so familiar to her. Miles Davis. Charlie Parker. Dave Brubeck. John Coltrane. Ella Fitzgerald. They listened to some of their favorites on his high-tech wireless record player while sharing fruit, cheese and an unbelievably good bottle of wine. Even then, she’d been reluctant to finally say good-night. Still, maybe it was better for both of them if she didn’t stay.
“C’mon. You won’t regret it.” The man was charming and slightly irresistible. Besides, what did she have to do that was more important? Without the girls, her weekend plans consisted of doing laundry, some neglected dusting and cooking a meal for one.
She took another sip of her mocha latte and raised her eyes to his.
“Brunch would be nice.”
Liam ordered a selection of brunch items from the restaurant downstairs. Fluffy, delicious waffles served with a side of mixed berries and whipped cream, scrambled eggs, crispy bacon, and freshly squeezed orange and grapefruit juice.
It was a beautiful morning, so he suggested they eat on the upstairs terrace. He was right. The daytime view of the Atlantic Ocean was stunning. She’d moved to Pleasure Cove following her divorce, to be near her half sister and as far away from her ex as possible. Even if that meant moving away from her parents and grandmother. Rarely had she taken a moment like this to truly appreciate the view as the gentle breeze tickled her skin.
“If I had a view like this, I’d eat out here every day. Breakfast, lunch and dinner. Even in winter.” She sipped her grapefruit juice as the waves rolled onto the shore.
“You’d change your tune once you had icicles hanging from that adorable nose of yours.” His eyes crinkled. “Besides, it’s like anything else. No matter how shiny and amazing it is at first, after a while, the newness wears off.”
“Is that why you prefer no-strings-attached relationships? Because you get bored?” She could feel the heat of his stare as she surveyed the horizon.
He cleared his throat. “Don’t like complications. Had enough of those in my life.”
“Fair enough.” She returned her gaze to his and smiled. “Thank you for brunch, Liam. It was wonderful. I hate to eat and run—”
“Then don’t. Stay.” His dark eyes were insistent.
Maya’s stomach was tied in knots. She wanted to stay and live out the vivid fantasies that had been dancing in her head since their kiss, but no good could come of it.
So why is it so hard to say no?
She set down her glass and stood, her eyes not meeting his. “I can’t.”
“I don’t believe you.”
She picked up her coffee mug and headed back inside. “Well, it’s true.”
* * *
Liam followed her down the stairs and into the kitchen. Normally, he was much more direct, but Maya had been so reluctant that he hadn’t taken that approach with her. Now she was prepared to walk out the door. This was his final shot.
Time to turn up the heat.
He wrapped one arm around her waist and kissed her ear. “Stay.”
“This was a mistake. I’m not who you think I am.” Her breath hitched as he swept her hair aside and pressed his lips to the base of her neck. She smelled of soap, her skin freshly scrubbed. The floral scent, which had intoxicated him all night, was gone, yet it lingered in his senses.
“You’re not Maya Alvarez?”
“Of course I am.” Her voice trembled as he planted soft kisses at the spot where her neck and shoulder met.
“The incredibly sexy NGO coordinator with an amazing smile and wicked sense of humor?”
She paused a beat before responding, her chest heaving as her breath came in quick bursts. “Yes.”
Liam pulled her closer. Maya didn’t object or pull away. She inhaled deeply, then released a small sigh as her bottom nestled against the growing ridge beneath his slacks.
He hadn’t misread her cues. Maya wanted to stay. She only needed a little encouragement.
His hand drifted up her body, across her trembling belly, to the swell of her full breasts. He pressed his lips to her ear and lowered the timbre of his voice.
“Then I know exactly who you are, and unless I’m gravely mistaken, this is precisely what you want. What I can’t understand is why you’re so determined to fight it.”
She turned to face him, her breath ragged as she lightly pressed her fingertips to his biceps. “I’m not this girl. I don’t do things like this. I’m a m—”
He pulled her into his arms and kissed her, cutting off her protests. Gripping the back of her neck, he kissed her hard. She melted into him as she kissed him back, fisting handfuls of his shirt.
Liam broke their kiss and placed his hands on either side of her face. His eyes locked with hers. “I want you, Maya. You want me, too, or you wouldn’t be standing here with me now. But I need to hear the words. Tell me what you want.”
She stared at him in silence, her body trembling as she caught her breath. Her mouth opened without sound. Finally, she whispered, “I want this, to be with you.”
He wanted to shag her right there in the kitchen. Hitch that hot little number up over her hips, rip off the silky knickers he’d had the briefest encounter with the night before and bend her over the sink. A shiver ran down his spine at the thought of taking her from behind, buried to the hilt in that sweet little slit.
Yet, she was as skittish as a rabbit. Frightened by her own desires. He needed to take things slow or she’d be scared off, just as she’d been the