Wired (Buchanan-Renard #13)(42)

When there was a lull in the conversation, she looked around. It was night and the river was dark, the only light coming from the moon’s reflection off the water and a distant streetlight on the path. She glanced down at her watch. It was almost eleven. They had been talking for three hours. She had been so caught up in their conversation she had completely lost track of time. She had forgotten about her worries for a while, but unfortunately they came rushing back when, as they were walking back to his car, Liam asked her if she had gotten bad news in the messages she had checked earlier.

“Why would you think . . .”

“You’re easy to read,” he said. “You checked your messages and you were upset.”

“Not upset,” she corrected. “Irritated.”

He hadn’t started the engine yet and turned toward her. “Tell me.”

She knew he wouldn’t let up until she explained, so she quickly told him about both messages.

He didn’t hide his disgust. “Your aunt thought she could sign your name to your check and deposit it in her account?”

“She’s done it before.”

“But you’re not going to let her do it again.”

“No, I’m not.”

“Why do you think your uncle was sitting in front of your house? The money?”

“I don’t know. Maybe to try to get me back under his thumb. He’s got a bad temper,” she added. “And when he drinks, he can be . . . unreasonable.”

Frowning, he asked, “Has he ever hit you?”

“Almost. Once. Will stopped him and told him to leave me alone,” she answered. “From then on I pretty much stayed out of his way. For the most part we ignored each other . . . that is, until he needed the money I could bring in.”

“You had a hell of a time growing up, didn’t you?”

She stiffened. “Don’t feel sorry for me. It wasn’t all bad, and I got away with a lot. As long as I didn’t bother them and I stayed out of trouble, I could do whatever I wanted. And as long as my sister was around, I was okay.”

“What about when she wasn’t around?” he asked quietly.

“I was more cautious,” she said. “I took care of myself,” she added before abruptly changing the subject. “How soon will my aunt and uncle find out that Will is going to get probation?”

“Tomorrow or the day after. What happens when he screws up again, Allison?”

“You’ve already asked me that question.”

“I’m asking again.”

She knew he wanted to make sure she wouldn’t waver. “He’s on his own if he messes up. I haven’t changed my mind. I’m done. I promise.”

They were just a couple of blocks from her house when Liam said, “If your uncle is still sitting out front, I’m going to talk to him.”

“No, I’ll handle him. You don’t need to fight my wars for me.”

“Yeah, well, I’m talking to him,” he insisted. “And if he’s behind the wheel and has been drinking, he’s going to be spending the night in lockup.”

The set of his jaw indicated he was going to be stubborn, and when they turned the corner to her street, she was relieved. Fortunately her uncle had left. She was thankful there wouldn’t be a confrontation.

Liam walked her to the door and once again held most of the contents of her purse while she searched for her house key. As soon as she got the key in the lock, he turned to leave.

“I’ll pick you up at eight,” he said.

“I can drive myself. I have GPS. I won’t get lost.”

“I’m still picking you up at eight.”

Thoroughly confused, she asked, “Why?”

He walked back to her. “Because I want to.”

The mood changed the closer he got to her. They stood in the shadows staring at each other, and Allison wondered if he would kiss her again.

Liam was wondering how he was going to keep away from her. Did she have any idea how seductive she was? He couldn’t stop staring at her mouth, remembering how soft her lips were and how sweet she tasted.

“Thank you for dinner,” she said without taking her eyes away from his.

“You’re welcome.” His voice was gruff.

He told himself to turn around and walk away, but he couldn’t make himself do it. What was happening to him? He’d never had any problems with women before. Allison was different, though. She was messing with his head, and he doubted she even realized it.

“Are you going to kiss me?”

“No.”

His abrupt answer should have embarrassed her, but it didn’t. “You looked like you were about to kiss me.”

“No.”

“Why not?” She sounded disgruntled.

The blunt question made him smile. “I’m trying to keep my distance.”

“And I’m making that difficult for you.”

“Yes.”

“In my defense, you’re making it difficult for me, too.”

“Yeah? How’s that?”

“Mixed signals,” she said, nodding. “You say you don’t want to get involved, and the next minute you’re grabbing me and kissing me crazy.”

She had a point there. The last time he had brought her home, he was bouncing back and forth between doing the right thing and acting like a teenager with out-of-control hormones. “You’re right. From now on we keep this on a professional level. Understand?”