Enticing Liam (Big Sky Royal 2)

He pulls a handgun out of a holster, shocking me. He checks the magazine, then pushes the weapon back into its cradle.

He glances my way. “Why do you look surprised?”

“I never see your weapon.”

He loops his arms through the holster and secures it around him, then slips his jacket on over it.

“I’m always armed,” he replies. His voice is cold now, his body tight, his face devoid of emotion.

“How do you turn it off so quickly?”

“Turn what off?” He’s staring out the window now, his broad back to me.

“The emotions. We were having an incredibly intimate moment. I was about to explode beneath you, and thirty seconds later, you’re just…”

“Just what?”

“Cold.”

He turns and looks at me for a long moment.

“What I’m feeling for you is anything but cold. But this is my job, Ellie. Your life may be at risk. I was hired to protect you.”

“It’s fascinating,” I admit with a sigh. “Watching you work, after having shared other things with you. It’s interesting.”

Liam’s phone rings again. He has it answered and pressed to his ear before I can blink.

“Report.”

He listens carefully, and then his body sags in relief. “Good. I was about to call Hull in for backup. Thanks, Baxter.”

He hangs up and holsters his weapon.

“All clear?”

Liam nods. “It was a jogger, and he took the path by accident. Tripped on the camera. Baxter did a quick background check. He’s clean.”

“Good.”

He walks to me and tips my chin up with his finger. “Are you okay?”

“I’ve been sexually frustrated my whole life.” I shrug. “I’m fine.”

“I’m sorry.” He kisses my lips gently. “Next time, we won’t be interrupted.”

I nod, confident that what he says is true. Liam’s not the type to offer hollow promises.

“I suspect you have to go to headquarters.”

“I do.” He takes a deep breath. “But I won’t be too long.”

An idea has been working its way through my head for a couple of days.

“Actually, take all the time you need. I’m going up to the main house for the day.”

“I’ll wait and escort you.”

I hop out of bed, change my clothes, and rather than waste time showering and primping here, I gather the things I’ll need.

I can do all that once I’m in the main house.

“I’m ready.”

* * *

“Thanks for coming on such short notice.” I smile at Natasha and Monica, who are currently sitting in the living room, enjoying the view of the lake. “I’m sorry Aspen couldn’t join us.”

“She practically lives at the coffee shop,” Natasha says. “It’s her passion.”

“I admit, it feels odd to talk about this with you both now that I’m sober.”

“Oh, this is going to be good.” Natasha leans in, ignoring Monica’s rolling eyes. “What’s up?”

“I want to go to the cinema with Liam.”

Both of them just continue staring at me as if waiting for a punch line.

“We have a movie theater in town,” Monica says at last.

“I can’t go out to the movies,” I reply. “I’m trying to stay relatively discreet.”

“Well then, that rules out movies in the park,” Natasha says.

“What is that? It sounds lovely.”

“On Friday evenings during the summer, we have movies in the park,” Monica replies. “They’re usually films that have been out for a while, but it’s a chance for people to go and hang out in the nice weather, doing something fun. Our summers are so short, we tend to try and enjoy every moment.”

“As much as I would love that, I’m afraid it’s out. And I’d like to do this today. There’s a movie theater here in this house. I just want your ideas for things I should do for it. I’ve never been to a traditional theater to see a movie.”

“You haven’t?” they ask in unison, both taken aback.

“We have a theater in the palace,” I say quietly. “And, sometimes, we’re invited to premieres. I’ve been to a few of those, but I don’t think they count as a normal cinema experience.”

“Definitely not,” Natasha says just as Monica’s phone rings.

“Sorry, guys, it’s my brother.” She quickly answers. “I’m busy, what do you want? Uh-huh. Okay. Yeah, I can.”

Natasha and I share an amused glance. Monica’s face is so expressive.

“Right. Got it. I got it. I won’t forget. Gotta go. Bye.” She sighs and tucks her phone into her pocket. “Sorry.”

“What’s Sam up to?” Natasha asks, trying to sound nonchalant, but it’s not working.

“I don’t know,” Monica says. “He wants me to take something somewhere. Oh! He needs me to take his boots to the fire station.”

“He forgot his boots?” Natasha asks.

“Different boots. I don’t ask a lot of questions,” Monica says with a shrug.

“Is your brother a firefighter?” I ask.

“Yeah, he used to be an EMT, but he recently moved into a firefighter position. He’s pretty badass. We’re all proud of him.”

“You should see him in his gear,” Natasha adds, waggling her eyebrows. “Hello, hotness.”