Crazy Love (32 page)

“Nothing,” Liv and Sierra said in unison, their body language mirroring each other: folded arms, deep frowns and tightly compressed lips.

A pack of mules had nothing on these two.

Flo stood, crossed to the sink and rinsed her cup. “Fine. Carry on whining about the men in your life, I’m going to bed. ‘Night.”

“Thanks for letting me stay, Flo. I appreciate it,” Liv said and she grunted in response.

If her friends hadn’t sorted out their woes by the morning she’d take matters into her hands, starting with a visit to Hank and a phone call to her previous tenant.

As Flo headed down the hallway, someone started pounding on her front door and glancing through the window she spied Hank. Good, that saved her a phone call at best, a trip out to the farm tomorrow at worst.

“Liv, you get the door. I’m going to bed. Sierra, can you help me choose an outfit for tomorrow?”

“Sure,” Sierra said, grabbing another brownie and biting into it. “Not like I’ve got anything better to do.”

Flo grabbed Sierra’s arm and dragged her up the stairs as Liv opened the door.

“Uh-oh,” Sierra whispered.

Flo would’ve loved to stand at the top of the stairs and eavesdrop but by Hank’s intense frown she decided to leave the two old farts to sort things out in private.

“Come on. You can let rip about that young man of yours.”

“I thought you didn’t want to hear any more?”

“I don’t. I’ve got earplugs in my bedside drawer.”

Sierra grinned and followed her into the bedroom while Flo sent a silent prayer heavenward for Hank and Liv.

“What are you doing here?”

Olivia folded her arms and glared at the man she loved, trying to ignore the flutter of excitement deep in her belly.

What was wrong with her? How could she get a rush at a time like this? Must be repressed sexuality for the last umpteenth years. Nothing to do with his familiar weatherworn face, the laugh lines imbedded in his tanned skin, the slight bump in his nose she’d traced many times with her fingertip, the clear intent in eyes she’d seen cobalt in laughter, gentian in passion.

“I’m here to apologize.” Hank swept his Stetson off and cleared his throat. “I made a mistake, a big one, and I’m hoping you’ll hear me out.”

“Why should I? You lied to me.”

She didn’t budge an inch, even when he shuffled his feet, begging an invitation inside.

“I should’ve told you everything right from the start but I wanted to make sure we were the real deal.”

Smart man. He didn’t contradict her by saying he hadn’t lied or try to sweet talk his way out of the situation by saying he’d omitted the truth. He said what he thought, straight up, one of the many things she loved about him.

A love he’d threatened with his lies, a love she now doubted because of it, drat the man.

He stood in front of her like a wounded puppy, wary eyes, down turned mouth, and despite every self-preservation mechanism screaming to tread carefully she had to give him a chance to explain. After all they’d shared, she owed him that much.

Taking her silence as acquiesce, he shifted his hat to the other hand. “I love you, Liv. You’re everything to me. When you first came here I couldn’t believe someone like you would be interested in an old fella like me. I wanted to make sure you loved me for me, wanted to marry me for me, not my money.”

She laughed, despite the seriousness of the situation. Marc had rushed into town in a panic, convinced Hank was after her money when all along Hank had it twisted the other way around?

“I don’t know what to think.”

“Then don’t.” Flinging his hat away, he crossed the threshold, a determined man who wouldn’t take no for an answer.

“Don’t you dare—”

“Do this?”

His calloused hands cupped her face, his forehead resting on hers, his lips a tantalizing few inches from hers.

“I let you down, Liv, I get it. Never again.”

Her heart clenched in fear, in hope.

“I’m scared,” she said, desperate to close those few inches and touch her lips to his, petrified there’d be no turning back once she did.

“I know, love. That makes two of us.”

His breath fanned her lips, making them tingle with need and her soft, resigned sigh was all the encouragement he needed to ease forward, his mouth touching hers in a butterfly kiss, a barely-there glide of his lips across hers, teasing her to want more, taunting her to want it all.

Her lips clung to his, needy, hopeful, and when he didn’t deepen the kiss, didn’t push, her heart fractured.

He was giving her the power to make or break them. Not bullying, not demanding, not pushing.

A noble man, like she’d always known. What was she going to do about it? Wasn’t like she’d never taken a risk before. She’d had the sense to divorce George and follow her heart to this town, this man.

She’d followed her heart
.

The words resounded and as Hank released her face and stepped back with a half-expectant, half-fearful expression, she knew what she had to do.

“You love me?”

He nodded, the wariness clouding his eyes fading. “Sure do.”

“Full disclosure from now on?”

His eyes crinkled in delight, his smile triumphant. “Full disclosure, right down to the last penny I earn.”

“Still want to marry me?”

His smile widened as he held his arms open. “Sure do.”

“In that case, what are we waiting for? Let’s go home.”

As Liv slid into his welcoming arms, she knew she’d already arrived.

Marc slammed down the phone, cursing his PA. He hated ineptitude and though the woman had the capacity to juggle ten things at once most days it looked like today wasn’t one of them.

Nothing had been the same since he’d returned to A-Corp two weeks ago. Though Rob’s departure had breathed new life into the place and his staff showed renewed enthusiasm, he hadn’t slotted into the routine as easily as expected.

Sure, business was booming and the Tech file had finally gone through after many late nights and tension-fraught meetings to find a company to replace Love Byte on the hit list, but securing the number one spot in the state hadn’t lived up to expectations.

Seeing George squirm when questioned by the media on losing top spot to his son had been a watershed moment but once the news had sunk in he’d achieved his goal, it didn’t seem important any more.

A month ago, beating the bastard had been his primary focus and now he’d achieved his goal, what next? Acquire a few more companies? Make a few more million?

Then why the relentless emptiness, like he’d lost something valuable and had no idea how to recover it?

Since he’d left that kooky town his life was one giant hole, like a vital part of him had been ripped. He could’ve put it down to any number of things: spending time with his mom, laughing with Flo, even sharing a cognac or two with Hank. But he wasn’t a complete idiot.

He missed Sierra more than he could’ve ever dreamed possible, a constant ache gnawing at his heart.

It could only mean one thing.

He’d succumbed.

Gone the whole way.

Done the unthinkable.

He’d fallen in love.

As soon as he’d admitted it he’d known he was in trouble. He didn’t handle emotions well.

Business, yeah. Feelings, no frigging way.

As for love, he’d never known the meaning of the word.

Until now.

A knock on the den door made him sit up and reach for a pen. William had caught him staring into space once too often and he didn’t need another of those pitying looks.

His butler had tried broaching the subject of Sierra a few times but he’d cut him off. What was the point? She’d made her feelings clear and if she’d felt half of what he felt for her, she’d have contacted him by now.

“I’ve brought the mail.”

“Thanks. Leave it on my desk. I’ll get to it later.”

He didn’t look up in case William made eye contact and wanted to strike up a conversation. He wasn’t in the mood to talk. In fact, he wasn’t in the mood for anything these days.

“You might want to take a look at it now. There’s a letter postmarked Love.”

Marc’s head jerked up and he scanned the pile eagerly before realizing William hadn’t moved.

“Is there anything else?”

He expected a polite nod before William withdrew. Today, even his butler wanted to give him grief.

“I visited Flo yesterday and she sends her regards.”

Marc smiled despite his foul mood, his affection for the Aussie waitress one of the perks of spending time in the land of heart break.

“How is she?”

“Loud and brash as ever.”

Funny, William could’ve been describing Sierra too. She’d never been backward in coming forward. It was one of the things that had grabbed his interest right from the start.

“She’s looking forward to seeing you at the wedding.”

“Same here.”

Thankfully, there was going to be a wedding. For a while it had looked doubtful after he’d botched another Love relationship.

His mom hadn’t known about Hank’s real identity as he’d assumed and after the shortest separation on record—a few hours—the couple had sorted out their differences and would tie the knot on Christmas Eve.

Pity he couldn’t resolve his problems with Sierra before then. It would be damn hard facing her at the wedding, knowing she hated his guts yet having to pretend otherwise for the sake of the bride and groom.

This Christmas promised to be one big happy family. Yeah, right.

“I saw Sierra,” William said, standing as stiff as one of the Queen’s guards yet fidgeting with his cuffs.

William never fidgeted and Marc knew it must’ve been an effort for him to bring up Sierra’s name at the risk of incurring his wrath.

“How is she?”

He instilled the right amount of cool into his voice while flipping through the rest of the mail, trying not to stare at the envelope bearing Love’s postmark. The address had been typed so he had no idea who sent it and he’d be damned if he opened what could potentially be the first contact from the woman he loved in front of his butler.

“As lovely as ever, though she did look a touch harried.”

Harried? Who used words like that in the twenty-first century?

“Uh-huh.”

Marc didn’t ask anything else despite wanting to know how she wore her hair these days, how she sounded, how she looked.

How she felt
…

Fourteen long, drawn-out, excruciating days away from the woman he loved. Damn, he missed her. It wasn’t about the amazing sex. He missed the closeness, the way she’d snuggle into him, the way they’d talk quietly as the sun came up, two people at ease with one another.

He’d never had that before and the way things stood he’d never have it period. It king-hit him again, a knock-out punch slugging him in the head, making his ears ring with the knowledge he’d messed up the best thing to ever happen to him.

“Lots of work to do, so if you don’t mind?”

“Certainly, Sir.”

Marc sent William a pointed stare when his butler didn’t move, his fidgeting increasing.

“Flo says she misses you.”

“I miss her too but I’m sure you’re keeping her company when you visit.”

William colored, shook his head. “Not Flo, Sir. Sierra. Flo says Sierra misses you.”

What would Flo know? Probably playing matchmaker again. Look where her meddling had landed him last time.

In Sierra’s bed, where he belonged
.

He ignored the thought, quashed the urge to grab his keys and floor it like a Formula One driver direct to Love. “I’ll see everyone Christmas Eve. We’ll catch up then.”

William cleared his throat. “Perhaps a gesture toward the young lady before then is in order? Something like—”

“That’ll be all,” he cut in, surprised by William’s persistence in a personal matter yet touched by his concern.

William was more than the hired help and Marc usually valued his input. Today wasn’t one of those days.

“Very well, Sir. If you need anything else, ring.”

Marc nodded and managed a tense smile, waiting until the door closed before tearing open the letter from Love. All it would take was one word from Sierra and he’d do anything to reach her side pronto. Just one word.

The letter wasn’t quite what he’d hoped for.

Hey Matey,

This bonza sheila needs some advice. Christmas is coming up, what do you think I should get Will? I have no idea what to get a man like him. Any suggestions? I appreciate your help in this delicate matter. (And don’t tell his lordship!)

Looking forward to seeing you at the wedding where I will return your money. Shame on you, leaving all that cash lying around.

Anyway, must go. Looks like Sierra has company, I need to check him out.

Forever yours, (worth hedging my bets just in case things with Will don’t pan out)

Flo. x

His smile faded as one word leapt out from Flo’s missive.

Him
?

Sierra had company. Male company?

He crushed the letter before taking a breath, smoothing it out and managing a rueful chuckle. Flo was up to her old tricks. She knew a throwaway comment like that would make him jealous. It would’ve been her intention, and despite the urge to pick up the phone and hear it first-hand he folded the letter and tucked it into the top drawer of the desk.

Flo needed his help in choosing a gift for William? He’d give it to her. Personally.

As for Sierra, it was time he took a stand. No use moping around. He’d lost his enthusiasm for business, for food, for everything. For a guy at the cutting edge he’d lost his focus and it was time to reclaim it.

So what if she’d told him to go to hell? He’d been there the last few weeks and it wasn’t pretty.

Words wouldn’t convince a woman like her. It would take a grand gesture and as he spied the newspaper lying on his desk, he knew what he had to do.

Sierra adored Christmas. The twinkling fairy lights strung across the shop-fronts, the nativity scenes in neighborhood gardens, the squeal of delighted children as they spied the inflatable Santa perched on the town hall spire, all of it.