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He tips my chin. “Like I said, I couldn’t wait any longer.”
Thankfully, my general sweatiness caused by cleaning the bathroom also masks the reaction to Liam’s arrival. The shaking isn’t as well hidden.
Liam misreads my confusion. “Didn’t you want to see me?”
“Yes, I did. I just didn’t expect you, so allow me time for some shock.” I head into the kitchen to find something suitable for the flowers. Liam watches as I move things around inside the cupboard, and the best I can find is a large, glass jug.
“Hmm. The manual never said anything about how to deal with girls who don’t fall into your arms when you bring her flowers. I’d better leave and re-read the book in case I missed that section.”
I sigh and tiptoe to kiss his mouth. When I step back, he touches his lips in surprise. “Was that for the flowers?”
“No, that’s for making me feel squishy inside.”
Liam wrinkles his nose. “Squishy? I’m not sure that’s healthy.”
The teenage Cerys who’s overwhelmed by rock star Liam Oliver needs shutting away. I’m twenty-two years old and a mother. “You do know I can’t go on a date with you just because you turn up here?”
“I know, Ella, school, mum stuff.” He mock-yawns. “We could still go for lunch, if you like?”
“I have an hour, tops, Ella only goes in the mornings.”
“Oh. Okay. I didn’t know.”
“And Ella has plans for you next time she sees you, so I’d make yourself scarce before she comes home.”
He snorts. “Plans? Oh, crap, I can only imagine the nefarious intentions of a five year old girl.”
“Oh, you might laugh but the hair braiding at Christmas was just the start of your torture.” I grin at the dawning look on his face. “I think she has ribbons picked out this time. When poor Jordan comes over he’s forced to wear a princess dress.” I arch an eyebrow. “Feel lucky you’re too tall.”
Liam steps closer and draws my head toward him. “Be quiet.” His soft mouth touches mine, and a buzz of connection tingles across my cheeks as he gently kisses me. “Much as I like her, I don’t want to talk about Ella,” he says. “You. Change your clothes and I’ll take you somewhere until it’s time to collect her.”
I gape at him. “Are you trying to boss me around?”
Liam winds a finger through my hair. “Yes. Do you have a problem with that?”
No, I don’t, because he’s bloody hot and how I always imagined he would be before he blew that apart with his sweet behaviour around Ella. I’m secretly thrilled by the prospect that Liam hides a different side—someone who does and gets what he wants.
I make a fake disgruntled humph sound and head toward the stairs because if he had the slightest clue how hard my heart beats and the effect of the arousal from the one kiss, he wouldn’t wait downstairs. If Liam knew, he’d be upstairs telling me what to do. I shake my head, as images of the things I’d like Liam to tell me to do sneak in.
* * *
Liam choosesthe smart café close to Ella’s school. I’ve visited once but the price of the coffee didn’t justify a return visit. The school mums sometimes gather here but if I go to the McDonalds in the next street, I can afford to stay longer. Phoebe occasionally joins me, sometimes with our kids too.
We sit upstairs on the mezzanine that overlooks the relaxed surroundings downstairs. With plush sofas and wooden tables, the place is more like someone’s house than a café. No wonder people don’t bring kids here.
A young girl with glossy black hair scraped back in a ponytail brings our drinks and her attempt to figure out who Liam is clearly reflects on her face. She smiles sweetly and runs her hands across her white apron before heading off with a glance over her shoulder.
Liam slides his glass tumbler toward him and stirs the cream into the hot chocolate, oblivious.
“Do you think she guessed who you are?” I ask him.
Liam shrugs. “Maybe. If we were in London, I reckon she’d realise but here, who knows? Do you want to be seen with me?”
“No.”
“Okay, I’ll go then.”
I open my mouth to protest and the twinkling eyed Liam grins at me. I kick him under the table. “ImeantI don’t want attention.”
