Enticing Liam (Big Sky Royal 2)

Liam’s sitting on the front porch.

I don’t care one bit if he gets wet. I’m cross with him.

“Well, Natasha and I are,” Monica says as she pours more salsa into a bowl. “We’ve been friends since we were small.”

“I moved here about two years ago,” Aspen adds. “I’m originally from Tennessee.”

“That’s rather far away,” I say in surprise. “What brought you to Montana?”

“I was tired of being sad, and I wanted a fresh start,” she says with a smile. “And that’s all I’ll say about that because we’re having fun. This is not the time for sad stories.”

“I’ll drink to that,” Natasha says and sips her margarita.

“Aspen was right,” I say. “You make the best margaritas I’ve ever had.”

“It’s a secret recipe,” she says and winks.

Natasha is stunning with long, curly, dark hair and brown eyes. She’s tall and lean and looks as if she could be on the cover of a magazine.

Monica is just as beautiful but the exact opposite in features. With blond hair, blue eyes, and a figure that would make the Greek Gods weep, she’s a stunner.

And don’t even get me started on how gorgeous Aspen is. I’ve never seen red hair like hers before, and her green eyes are just so lovely.

“Ellie, I don’t mean to be too forward, and I wouldn’t say this if I was stone-cold sober—which I’m not because this is my third ‘rita—but your bodyguard is kinda hot.”

Aspen and Monica nod at Natasha’s proclamation, and I scowl.

“On any normal day, I would agree with you. But I’m mad at him today.”

“Why?” Aspen asks. “Did he come on to you?”

I chew on my mostly numb lip, wondering how much I should say. I don’t know these women well. What if I tell them our secret and then they run off and tell the press?

“You don’t have to tell us,” Monica says. “Honest. It’s none of our business anyway.”

“It’s not that he’s been inappropriate,” I say, choosing my words carefully. “I received a weird text a few days ago, and then another one today. I didn’t recognize the number. Sometimes, if someone finds my digits somehow, they send me ridiculous messages. I usually just block them and get on with my life, no problem.

“But Liam saw today’s message and got really angry with me because I didn’t show it to him sooner. He called me stupid.”

I feel my cheeks heat at the thought of what he said.

“Well, that seems uncalled for,” Aspen says and frowns. “I don’t know Liam very well, or at all now that I think of it, but that seems harsh.”

“You should tell him that he’s not allowed to speak to you like that,” Natasha says. “You’re his boss, Ellie. You don’t have to take that.”

“It took me by such surprise, but you’re right.” I pull my phone out of my handbag and pull up Liam’s number. “I’ll text him.”

“He’s right outside,” Aspen says with a snort. “Just go and tell him off.”

“If I go out there, I’ll just want to kiss him again.” I slap my hand over my mouth and stare in shock at my three new friends.

“I knew it,” Natasha says and pumps the air with her fist. “He looks at you like you’re the most delicious thing he’s ever seen.”

“Well, I…he does?”

“Oh, yeah,” Monica agrees. “I wish my husband looked at me like that.”

“He does,” Aspen says and rolls her eyes. “Rich is completely in love with you.”

“We’re talking about Ellie,” Natasha reminds us. “And Monica and I do know Liam from when we were younger. He was friends with Monica’s brother, Sam.”

“They’re still good friends,” Monica says. “And Liam’s a nice guy. A little tortured, I think, but super nice.”

“He calls princesses stupid,” I remind her. “And I’m gonna give him a piece of my mind.”

I type vigorously on my phone and say the words aloud as I slowly type them.

“You were mean today. I’m not accustomed to allowing bullies to kiss me. In fact, I’ve avoided it like the plague. Consider this my resignation from our agreement.”

“I want to know what the agreement was,” Monica mutters and shoves a chip loaded with guac into her mouth.

I set the phone aside with a decisive nod. “There. That’ll show him.”

“Is he a good kisser?” Aspen asks.

“So bloody good,” I admit with a sigh and take a drink. “Why does he have to be so good at that? And why do I want him to do…things to me?”

“Because he’s a hot man,” Natasha reminds me. “Of course, you want him to do things.”

“What kinds of things?” Aspen asks, leaning in closer. “Give us details.”

“Well, that’s not really something—”

“None of our business,” Monica reminds the room, but Aspen waves her off.

“Come on. I haven’t had a man interested in me in way longer than I care to admit. Give us some details. This is girls’ night, Ellie. We’re in the vault.”