My One And Only (Very Irresistible Bachelors 5)

“Don’t chastise him, Ellen. He was too worried not to check on you personally. Especially since you didn’t want to go to the hospital,” Tess said.

Gran scoffed. “I didn’t even scratch my knee. You don’t go to the hospital for a fall.”

“If you’re eighty, you do,” I said, losing my patience.

Tess winced. Gran narrowed her eyes.

“Liam Harrington! You don’t get to lecture me.”

I shook my head. “Okay, that was uncalled for. I apologize.”

Gran softened immediately, looking between Tess and me.

“Ellen, I have a family friend who is a doctor. Liam was so worried about you that I offered to ask her to come over. Is that okay?” Tess asked.

Ellen waved her hand. “Fine, fine. I can’t fight both of you.”

Tess smiled. “She’ll be very quick, and that way, you don’t have to go to a hospital and your tyrannical grandson will be appeased. It’s a win-win.”

“She’s coming here at this hour?”

“Yes. I told her it’s for a very good friend of mine.”

There she went with that label again.

I could barely keep from smiling. Tess was good at this, wording everything as if she was asking for permission. I’d forgotten that Tess’s friend was on her way. I could only imagine Gran’s reaction if a doctor appeared at her door out of the blue.

“I’m going to check on my friend,” Tess continued.

“Make yourself at home. I’m sorry I can’t get you a drink—”

“I’m on it, Gran.”

Putting an arm around Tess’s shoulders, I guided her to the dining area. It was a separate room around the corner, where we were out of earshot. My grandma kept a bar here.

“What would you have done if she said no?” I teased.

Tess laughed. “I’m sure you could have convinced her...or just played your tyrant card.”

“I don’t have your ability to sweet-talk everyone.”

Tess placed a hand on her hip, batting her eyelashes. “I have four siblings and a cousin. Mastering family politics was a vital skill.”

I moved my hand down her back, then up again, wrapping it in her hair. I traced her lower lip with my tongue, kissing the corner of her mouth. Tess sighed deliciously. I barely kept myself from pinning her against the bar and kissing her senseless. I was so damn happy she was here. Just being near her filled me with this sense of calm that was foreign to me. She was balancing me out. I gripped her waist with both hands, skimming my mouth from one corner of her lips to the other. She held on to my shoulders, digging her nails in the fabric to my skin. Her breath turned shaky.

“Kiss me,” she whispered.

“I can’t. I’m afraid I won’t stop. I just want to hold you like this.”

“And torture me?”

I smiled against her mouth. “Possibly.”

“You have no qualms about being in your grandmother’s home, huh?”

“Tess, I’ve kissed you against walls in public. Nearly had you on my desk. I think I’m actually on my best behavior right now.”

She laughed, glancing down at my hand. It was on her ass. I must have slipped it down unconsciously.