Infinite Possibilities (The Secret Life of Amy Bensen #2)(7)

Swallowing hard, I start walking toward him, certain he will have a plan to prevent me running anyway. He tracks my approach with those intense aqua-blue eyes of his, his neatly trimmed goatee somehow giving him a worldly, dangerous air, his cool stare turning hotter the closer I get to him. And terrifyingly, just as easily, my body burns in reaction, warning me I cannot touch him without losing myself in the process. That is the power of this man over me and knowing this, accepting it, is my only defense.

But my plan, like the one to stay off the radar, is lost on Liam. The instant I stop at Liam’s table, he angles toward me, gently shackling my wrist, pulling me to him, my bare legs pressing to his jean-clad knees. The heat of moments before becomes downright fire and I am weak and aching for this man as I have never ached for another.

“How did you find me?” I demand, and somehow my hand is on his shoulder, but I do not push him away. Why am I not pushing him away?

“The same way someone else will if you keep living like this. The CB circuit is broad and truckers like money. And damn it, Amy, what if one of them had raped you? Or worse, killed you?”

“You think I didn’t worry about those things?” I demand, angry that the control I’d thought I’d had was nothing but a fa?ade he’d destroyed with his money. “I did what I had to.”

“You ran when you overheard me talking to Derek. And, yes, I know. I saw the security footage. What I don’t know is what you assumed it meant. All I’m guilty of is trying to protect you.”

“I can’t trust you, Liam. I don’t trust you.”

“You think I’m involved in whatever you’re running from, don’t you?”

“I don’t know what I think.”

“Would I be here, in a public place with you, if I meant to hurt you? I could have waited until you were alone and cornered you.”

“You weren’t afraid to be seen with me in Denver.”

“Exactly.” He settles his free hand on my hip, and it is a branding, a claiming that sets my heart racing. “Because I have nothing to hide. And you have nothing to fear from me. Not from me. I would never hurt you.”

Not from him. There are so many ways to translate that. “Liam--”

“Do you know how good it is to hear you say my name again?” His tone is rough, affected. And I am affected by the emotion I sense in him.

“Let me go,” I whisper, telling myself I mean it, but I do not sound convincing, not even to my own ears.

“What do I have to do to convince you I’m the one you run to, not away from? Tell me and I’ll do it.”

“You put a camera in my computer. Nothing is going to convince me you are my hero whisking me away to safety. Nothing.”

“I didn’t put the camera in the computer. I found the one your ‘boss’ installed.”

I blink at the unexpected answer. Found it? Is he saying my handler put it there? That makes no sense. “Why would you even look for a camera if you didn’t know it was there?”

“Because nothing added up about your new boss.”

“You promised I could tell you what was wrong when I was ready, so either you lied about that or you’re lying about this.”

“You couldn’t tell me what you didn’t know was a problem. I won’t apologize for protecting you, Amy. Not then and not now.” He softens his voice. “Run to me. Not from me. Let’s get out of here before someone else finds you.”

Run to him. If only it were so simple. If only I could just say yes. “And if I say no? Will you walk away?”

“Don’t. Don’t say no.”

“If I do,” I repeat, “will you let me walk away?”

“Raw and honest, baby, no matter what. So, no. Not now. Not when I fear for your safety. I won’t let you walk away.”

“So you’re telling me you came here to kidnap me.”

“Call it what you want, but I’m not leaving here without you.”

“Amy? Is everything okay?”

I stiffen at Katy’s unexpected interruption and I try to pull my hand from Liam’s, but he holds on to it. “Think before you act,” he orders softly. “You’re already on too many people’s radar.”

“Including yours.” My lips tighten. “But I know.” And I do. It seems just about everyone can be bought, even the police, I suspect. They certainly document everything and have their own radio system.

“Amy,” Katy snaps, and her concern now rings more like irritation than anything else.

“Liam,” I say softly.

“Be careful,” he says, and with obvious hesitation, releases me.

I turn to Katy, acutely aware of Liam standing up behind me and stepping to my side, his shoulder brushing mine. “Sorry, Katy,” I manage, despite my struggle to think of anything but Liam. “I was catching up with--”

“An old friend,” Liam supplies, clearly avoiding the use of his name and this hits a nerve for me. I thought he was fine with being seen with me, but he’s not fine with anyone knowing who he is here?

Katy focuses on me. “We have customers. Some of yours are pretty angry. You need to get back to work.”

“Actually,” Liam says, reaching across me and dropping a stack of money on the table, “Amy’s resigning, effective immediately.” He straightens again, still standing protectively by my side as he adds, “That should pay for all of her tables tonight and leave a generous tip for you taking over on such short notice.”