“Sorry, love. Give me a minute.” I hate to leave her, but this is my place and I still have to keep it running smoothly. I’m not a billionaire like her son, but I can give her a very comfortable life as the wife of a millionaire. Although not if I ruin the few businesses I own.
“Do what you have to do.” She waves me off with a smile over her drink, taking another sip from the next glass. She will be my wife one day—one day soon.
Chapter Two
Esperanza
My heart races to the point I’m afraid that I need Doc to see me. I steal glances up from my drink at Liam as he moves around the bar, serving others while attempting to give me a moment or two of his time.
His eyes land on me every chance they can, making me feel like a schoolgirl. I nervously duck my head, letting my hair fall over my face to hide my blush. It’s quite silly and it makes me hate how naïve I’m behaving because I’m practically an old woman, for heaven’s sake. At forty-four, almost forty-five and with a grown son, I should know how to act in front of a handsome man, but the truth is that I’ve never felt this intensity before.
“Ms. Martin, are you okay?” I tilt my head and see Anthony looking down at me. Feeling a slight buzz from the drinks or maybe from Liam himself, I nearly tip off my seat, but he lightly grips my arm and quickly releases it after looking toward Liam behind the bar. I follow his eyes and stare at the sexy man. How is it that men get hotter as they get older? It’s a crying shame.
“Yes, Anthony, take a seat,” I say, patting the stool next to me.
“Are you lonely?” he says with a smooth charm and a wink. He’s really laying it on thick just to work Liam’s nerves. It’s clear he’s hoping to test him and see if he’s interested in me.
“Are you hitting on me?” I tease, knowing full well what the man is up to.
“He sure as fuck better not be.” And there it is. My body lights up with all the pleasure I never thought possible.
“Hey, I backed off and you left her all alone. She looked bored.” He’s asking for trouble, and so am I. Why am I? I’m practically rubbing my hands together with an evil laugh building at the back of my throat at the idea of Liam fighting for me. It’s silly, but the idea still has merit to me.
“I’m sorry,” Liam apologizes with the deepest contrition in his eyes that actually makes me feel remorse for playing with his emotions. Well, maybe just a little, since I was truly getting bored sitting by myself. I know Blade was being polite to give us some space to talk privately, but I spent more time alone than with Liam that it became pointless and frustrating.
“No. It’s fine. You’re clearly working, and I’m in the way. Actually, I’m a bit exhausted.”
“I’ll take you home now,” Anthony says, grabbing my coat and handing it to me.
“Thanks.” I slip it on and give Liam a gentle smile. Grabbing my purse, I reach for my wallet when Anthony stops me.
“Your money’s no good here, my beauty,” Liam says. I look at him again and know that he’s serious. “I’m sorry I had to leave you alone, babe.” He does seem upset, but I should have some time away from the handsome man before I do something dumb. I was only dumb one other time in my life, and it nearly cost me everything. I trusted a man well over double my age, thinking he was trying to help me.
Luckily, I raised a man who became a great person and a wonderful human being. He’s the best thing to come from that one terrible time in my life, and I’ll never regret him even if I regret my choices.
“It’s for the best. Goodnight.” I walk away just as he reaches out for my hand. I can’t let him touch me because I know that I’ll only want more of it. Tomorrow, I’ll head back to Vegas and prepare for the wedding for Emiliano and Roxie, who’s absolutely perfect.
“Goodnight, Esperanza.” Anthony leads me toward the exit when Liam comes back from around the bar, stopping us.
“Don’t let anything happen to her, or I’ll forget that you mean anything to me and destroy you, understood?”
“Yes, sir.”
“And you? Don’t go falling in love with anyone else.” I believe he’s joking until I catch it in the lighting, and his face is stone-cold serious.
“I won’t.” I’m not saying that I’ll fall in love with him either, but I haven’t been in love before. Crazily infatuated like a fool, but never lovesick, never achingly lost without someone.