"Liam..."
"I have something that I have to do. She's staying with me. Just watch her, I'll be right back."
Liam turned away and hurried into the house. He climbed the stairs; the music became louder as he went. Making it to the attic, he flung the door open to a packed room that shook with music and reeked of alcohol.
He moved rapidly through the crowd as he searched for Michelle. Kathleen found him first. "Where is Sera?" she demanded, her hands on her round hips.
"Outside," he answered as he peered over her head through the crowd.
"Is she all right?"
"She's fine. Where's Michelle?"
"She was on the dance floor. I'm going to see her."
He grabbed Kathleen's arm and halted her in place. "Not right now, okay?"
Kathleen glared up at him. "She's my best friend!" she protested.
"I need to do something first. Let me do this Kathleen. I promise it will be worth it."
Kathleen relaxed in his grasp. "All right, but you tell her that I love her, and I'll talk to her soon."
"I will, I promise."
"I'll help you find Michelle."
He found her first though. She was surrounded by a group of men by the back wall. He moved through the group and leaned against the wall beside her. He took her drink out of her hand and sipped from it.
"Did I say you could have that?" she asked coldly.
"I'm used to taking what I want." He smiled at her as he handed her cup back.
"Where's the wife?"
"Who?"
"The little wifey. Where is she tonight?"
"I don't know and don't care."
"Did you two have a lover's quarrel last night?" Her voice was husky and seductive.
Anger blazed through him at the reminder but he managed to keep it under control. "Can't quarrel with a lover unless they are your lover."
Michelle glanced through the crowd, and he followed her eyes. Kathleen was standing off to the side watching them. Doug stood beside her, his mouth hanging open. Kathleen grabbed his arm and pulled him away as she shot Liam a look over her shoulder. Liam didn't know if Kathleen had done it on purpose, or if she was really pissed, but the look she gave him could have frozen Hell.
"Is that why you're here?" Michelle inquired through lowered lashes. "Need a little relief?"
Revulsion washed through him at the thought, but he managed to keep his face impassive as he turned back to her. "Thought we could both use a little relief."
Her eyes flew to his as she smiled slyly. "That may be true, but I don't plan on going there again, not after the way you treated me last time."
"We both know we only wanted one thing that night."
"Maybe so," she whispered huskily. "But you didn't have to be so mean to me after."
"Ah, but I had to."
