Maya scraped her teeth over her lower lip. The muscles in her abdomen tightened.
Liam held one hand up, palm facing her. “Not to worry. We’ll grab a cab, and I’ll escort you back to your car.”
She walked toward him, her hand out, fingers wriggling until he handed over the bag of peas. “These aren’t cold anymore.” She didn’t acknowledge his offer. Instead, she went to the kitchen, tossed the bag inside the freezer and retrieved a bag of brussels sprouts. Maya stepped close enough to position the bag on his face. He watched her without comment.
“Your head is pounding. I can see it in your eyes.” She nodded toward the couch. “Stay here and lie down. I can take a cab back on my own.”
“Unescorted? At this time of the morning?” He lowered the bag and stared at her in disbelief. “Surely you’re joking. I would never forgive myself if something were to happen to you.”
“I’m a big girl.” She stepped toward him. “I’ll be fine.”
“If you don’t want me in the cab with you, that’s fine. I’ll follow in another to make sure you get off safely.”
“You need to sit and rest.” She guided his hand so that the frozen vegetables were on his cheek again. “And keep this on your face if you want the rest of that swelling to go down.”
“Either we both go or... Never mind.”
“Or what?” She was almost afraid to ask, but something inside her wanted to know.
“You’re welcome to spend the night in my guest suite.” He raised his free hand in response to the objection forming on her face. “The door locks internally, and there isn’t a key from the outside. You’ll be completely safe, I assure you.”
Maya studied his dark eyes. The usual levity gone, his offer felt sincere. “I’ll stay under one condition. You need to understand this doesn’t change anything between us.”
“Duly noted.” The look of mild amusement returned to his handsome face. “I’ll show you to your room whenever you’re ready.”
Maya’s eyes fluttered open. Her cell phone blared, each note a rubber mallet hammering her skull.
Heavy drapes filtered the light coming in through the large windows of what clearly wasn’t her tiny, dark apartment bedroom. She lay tangled in a soft blanket, cashmere maybe. Her dress lay neatly across a chair in the corner, and she was wearing an oversize T-shirt.
Maya rolled toward the sound of Kendra’s ringtone. Her cell phone—perched on the nightstand—stopped ringing, giving her pounding head a reprieve. She’d had a lot to drink. No wonder she felt like hell. Probably looked it, too.
Shrugging off the cover, Maya pressed a palm to her forehead and grunted. Kendra called again. She pulled herself upright and reached for the phone.
“Yeah?” was all she could manage.
“Maya, I’ve been calling you all morning.” Kendra was in full panic mode.
“Sorry. Lost track of time,” she mumbled, pulling the phone away from her ear. Asking Kendra to tone it down would have the same effect as poking a bear in the eye. “What time is it?”
“After noon. You were supposed to call two hours ago. I was one more unanswered call away from sending the cops to see your friend, Liam. That’s where you are, I assume.”
“Yes.” I think so. Maya opened her eyes again and glanced around the room. “It’s not what you’re thinking. I didn’t sleep with him.”
“I’m not angry because you spent the night.” Kendra drew in a deep breath. “I’m upset because you promised to call so I’d know you were okay, but then you didn’t. It’s not like you. I was worried.”
“I overslept, that’s all. I promise you, everything is fine. All right?”
Kendra huffed in relief. “As long as you’re...wait, what do you mean you didn’t sleep with him? You’re just camping out at his house having a slumber party?”
“Something like that.” Maya glanced toward the door. Footsteps approached. “Look, I gotta go. I’ll call you when I get home, okay?”
“And exactly when will that be?” Kendra prodded.
There was a knock at the door. “Hold on a sec,” Maya whispered into the phone, and then pressed it to her chest. “Yes?”
“Is it okay if I come in?” Liam’s voice sounded huskier than it had the night before.
Maya ran a hand through her hair and wiped her face. Hopefully, she didn’t look half as bad as she felt. She opened the door and let him in.
He stepped inside, hovering inside the doorway. The ice had worked. His cheek looked better. The fitted T-shirt and slim navy khakis he wore accentuated his athletic build. “Wanted to check on you. Did you sleep okay?”
“Yes, thank you. Can’t believe I slept so late.”
“You probably don’t usually have a night like last night either.”
“A night like what?” Maya could hear Kendra’s muffled voice coming from the phone.
“Oh geez.” She held up a finger. Liam nodded. “Kendra, I’ll call when I’m back home.”
“What did he mean by—”
Maya ended the call and tossed the phone onto the bed. “That was my sister. I was supposed to call this morning.”
“She must’ve been worried.”
“She was, but everything is fine now. Sorry I slept so long. I’ll be out of here in a few minutes. Mind if I use your restroom?”
“Of course not. I left fresh towels for you. In the meantime, I’ll make some espresso. That always makes me feel better after a late night out.” He turned to leave, calling over his shoulder, “Let me know if you need anything else.”
Maya cleared her throat. “You wouldn’t have an extra toothbrush, would you?”
He grinned. “Already on the counter. See you in a bit.”
“Thanks for understanding about last night, and for not taking advantage of the situation. I don’t do my best thinking after a night of drinking.” She cringed at the rhyme, hoping he didn’t think she was trying to be funny.
He nodded and closed the door behind him.
* * *
What did she think he was, an ill-bred barbarian? He wanted her, certainly. But he’d never take advantage of any woman. He was pretty straightforward about what he wanted.
Well, not always.
He hadn’t been forthcoming regarding his real objective in bringing her back to his place last night, but she was no naive teenager. He hadn’t minced words where his desire for her was concerned. After that kiss they shared on the dance floor, it was clear she wanted him, too.
Liam grabbed the coffee filter and ground his favorite organic espresso roast. He locked the filter into place and watched as the thick, fragrant espresso streamed into two shot glasses. The kiss they shared on his sofa replayed in his mind nearly as vividly as when it happened.
“Smells fantastic.” Her voice startled him out of his daze.
“Wait until you have a sip.” He turned to face her. Stripped down to a hint of lip gloss, her face was still luminous and her skin was practically flawless. “What can I get