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“I might take you up on that,” she mumbled into her drink, and heat seared her face and chest with a blush.
Liam rubbed the back of his neck again. Setting her cup on the wicker table between them, she gathered herself, stood, and made her way around the table.
Liam’s gaze scanned up to hers. “Hey.” The deep, rich tone of his voice sent a small tingle of expectation through her stomach and then lower. She clenched her legs together to stop the growing warmth but staring into his eyes only encouraged the sensation.
“I … I was wondering if I could see … I mean … I’ve been told I give pretty good massages. Can I give your neck a little rub?”
He nodded without a word.
She rubbed her hands together to warm them up, but even so, he jumped a little when she touched him. “Sorry, it’s kinda cold in here.”
“No, it wasn’t that.”
He tipped his head forward as she ran her thumbs from the base of his neck up into his hairline. Her fingertips tingled with every caress of his soft blond hair. She hadn’t read his age in Meg’s report, but he had to be over thirty, but probably not more than thirty-five. Not a lick of grey in the blond, but she could imagine him with salt and pepper hair. He’d age handsomely.
She dipped her fingers into the neck of his t-shirt and gently kneaded the tight muscles of his shoulders. “You are tense. Deep breath.”
He slowly inhaled.
“Now exhale slowly.” She watched his shoulders fall a little and the muscles under her fingertips slackened. Being uptight was her M.O. Callie experienced tension headaches on a regular basis, so she knew what might help him.
Leaning down to his ear, she watched his eyes close. She whispered, “I’ll be right back. Just keep breathing deep and slow.”
Callie walked to the front desk, and in minutes she had what she needed. A small cloth bag filled with dry rice, heated in a microwave. Humid warmth saturated her hands as she rocked it back and forth to make sure there weren’t any hot spots.
Liam’s eyes were lax and heavy when she got back. “I might have to go to bed now.”
“I made you this.” She held out the improvised hot pack. “Whenever you need, heat it for about a minute in the microwave, lightly shake it to distribute the heat and place it on your neck.”
He stood quickly, and their bodies were as close as in the hangar. “That was really sweet of you.”
“It’s Hera Aviation’s commitment to making your flight and now subsequent stay comfortable and memorable. We care for our passengers like family.”
“This trip’s been nothing but memorable.” Liam’s gaze held to her lips. “Who takes care of you, Callie?”
She stepped back, shoving her hands in her jacket. “I’m quite capable of taking care of myself.”
He matched her step-for-step. “But what if someone wanted to take care of you?”
“Counting on someone ends up badly. I’ve learned that lesson.”
“I’m sorry to hear that. Unfortunately, I know what you mean.” He raised his hand, and his fingers brushed a long piece of hair that had fallen out of her signature bun over her shoulder. “But maybe, we could count on each other for a night.”
Her heart pounded, taking in what he was saying.
He stepped closer. Her mind said go slow, but her body betrayed her and was ready for take-off.
8
Liam
His fingers brushed her shoulder, and she closed her eyes. Her lips softened, and a whimper rose from her chest. Since she wasn’t responding verbally, he wouldn’t go any further.
“I’ll walk you back to your room.”
Her eyes popped open, and she nodded.
Without a word, they walked down the long hallway. Shoulder-to-shoulder they brushed against each other. Long zips of courage rocketed through his body. But after a couple more touches, she slowed her gait. He walked with her following him, and he missed her in a way he hadn’t imagined he would.
