Wild Irish Dreamer - Tricia O'Malley Page 0,22
down the lane as if he didn’t even notice the sheets of rain that pummeled him. Sighing, she pulled the car up alongside him and rolled down the window.
“Having a nice stroll, are you?” Fi shouted over the rain.
“It’s a lovely day for it.” His teeth flashed white in his face and Fi’s stomach did a funny little bounce.
“Would you like a ride?”
“I’ll get your car wet.”
“There’s a wool blanket in the back. Hold on.” Fi reached over and pulled a thick old blanket over the front seat. “Go on then, rain’s getting in the window.”
“I just fancied a walk to clear me head,” Liam grumbled, rivulets of water streaming down his face.
“Oh? And what does your head need clearing of?” Fi asked. She had pulled the car back out onto the road and toward town before realizing she had no idea where Liam was staying.
“You.”
Fi’s foot hit the brake and Liam slapped his palm on the dashboard before quickly securing the safety belt over his shoulder and shooting her a look.
“Don’t give me that look. You can’t say stuff like that and not expect me to react.”
“Did you want me to lie then?”
“No, I don’t want you to lie.But you can’t say…that…and not expect a reaction.”
“What’s driven you out into the rain?” Liam asked, ignoring her comment.
Fi glanced at him to see a heated look in his eyes. “Hmmm,” she said, putting her eyes firmly back on the road instead of on the man who suddenly seemed to fill the car with his presence. His nearness was making her… something, Fi thought, and firmly steered her mind away from where those thoughts wanted to go.
“Hmmm, she says. And here I thought you were the honest sort, Fi,” Liam said, his voice husky.
“I went to see Grace,” Fi said, dancing around his question. It wasn’t a lie, and she could live with that.
“You left the pub in a bit of a hurry.”
“Sure, and I didn’t want to get stuck with the lunch rush. I’m not on the till there, you know.”
“I suspect you’d work any shift your mum asked of you.”
“Where am I taking you, Liam?” Fi asked, approaching a small roundabout in the center of town.
“Where do you want to go, Fi?”
“Are you purposely being difficult?”
“Do you find me difficult? Interesting.”
“Is it?”
“You know what else I find interesting?”
“I’m sure I can live without knowing,” Fi ground out. She continued to drive, taking a right on a whim since he’d given her no destination.
“I find it interesting that you didn’t answer my question. I also find it interesting that you think I’m being difficult. I find it interesting that your cheeks flush a particular shade of pink when I’m around.”
“They most certainly do not,” Fi exclaimed, shooting a quick glare at Liam.
“Oh, they most certainly do. Particularly after I’ve had my mouth on you,” Liam said.
Fi let out a little yelp. “Must you bring that up?”
“Of course. It’s a memory I’m quite fond of.”
“Great – is this where you need me to thank you for your services? Build your ego up and tell you what a stud you are?”
“It certainly wouldn’t hurt,” Liam decided.
Despite her discomfort, Fi laughed. “Thank you for your services, good sir.”
“You’re welcome,” Liam said.
“Where am I taking you?”
“Why don’t we go for a drive?”
“Because I have things to do.”
“Like what?”
“Like fix things at this new building my dad has insanely gifted me. There’s loads of projects. I’m busy, Liam.”
“Projects, did you say? I’m a project manager, you know.”
“And I’m sure you’re well paid. Which is where you should be. Managing your projects.”
“I took the day off.”
“Must be nice your boss doesn’t fire you.”
“He trusts me.”
“That’s grand for you and all… but seriously, where am I taking you?”
“To look at your projects. I like projects. Let me help, Fi.”
“I don’t need help. I need to be away from you,” Fi burst out. A smile stretched wide on Liam’s face. “Oh, don’t look like the cat who ate the canary.”
“I’m not. Just wondering why you can’t be around me. I thought we were mates.”
“Mates don’t do… what we did.”
“Sure they do. If they’re good mates,” Liam decided.
“Liam.”
“Fi.”
“Where am I taking you?”
“I told you.”
“Goddess save me from stubborn men,” Fi griped and turned the car toward her new flat.
Chapter 12
“It’s got good bones,” Liam said, standing in the middle of what Fi already considered ‘her’ flat. He turned in a circle. “And it’s fairly updated. What are you thinking you’d like to see done here?”
“I’m not sure yet. I