“Well, this is elegant,” I say, my chin pressing into my chest while my knees point to the ceiling.
He looks at me for a moment. “You’re making it work. But then again, you’d look good in full traction, so . . .” He smiles at me, and I smile back, and it makes me crazy that I can miss him so painfully even when he’s sitting right beside me.
After a few seconds, his smile fades and he glances at the door. “Well, I’d better get going. Angel is waiting.”
“Yeah.” I want to take his hand, but that’s not how we are now. Instead, I give him a smile. “Thanks for the lift. Both up the stairs and with the pillow.”
“No problem. Next time we go to dinner, I’ll try to make sure my lifestyle doesn’t damage you.” He gives me a final smile, then gets up and heads to the door.
I struggle to stand, and follow him. When he notices, he holds out his hand. “Hey, stop. I can see myself out. Back onto the couch, lady.”
I wave him off. “I’m going to bed. If I have to have my ass in the air, I’m at least going to be in the appropriate setting.”
Oh.
Shit.
Liam’s eyebrows just about disappear into his hairline. “And on that note—”
“Okay. So, ignore that. Wow.”
I put my hand over my face, but he gently takes my wrist and pulls it away. “I love it when you blush around me. Always have. Always will.” I look up at him, and his thumb brushes over my pulse. “You sure you’ll be okay?”
I nod. “I’ve had worse. Once a twenty-pound light fell on my head. I ended up calling the show with a concussion. I’m a tough nut. You should know that.”
“Yeah. I should.” I open the door for him and he steps onto the landing before turning back to me. “You know, apart from the last part, I really enjoyed tonight.”
I lean on the door. “Me, too. I think for our first venture as sort-of friends, it went well.”
“It did. Except for your dancing. at sucked.” He smiles and moves a bit closer. “See you at rehearsal Monday.”
He touches my shoulder and runs his hand down to my wrist. I try to keep my expression neutral, but I think my eyelids flutter. “See you then.”
On a whim, I move forward and hug him. He freezes for a moment, then tightens his arms and sighs. When our bodies press fully against each other, the contact makes me gasp.
Liam’s hard.
Very hard.
He must realize I notice, because he quickly pulls back. “Shit. Sorry. My . . . uh . . . body hasn’t gotten the memo about us being friends yet. Mind you, you’re not helping matters by wearing that dress. Give a guy a break, Liss.” He runs his hands through his hair and exhales. “Okay. Now I’m blushing. Good night.”
After he disappears down the stairs, I close the door behind him and lean back on it. Josh comes out of his bedroom and heads into the kitchen. He’s wearing his favorite Captain Kirk pajamas. He grabs a bag of frozen peas from the fridge and comes over to swap them for the barely cold ice pack in my hands.
He gives me a smug look. “You gave him a boner, didn’t you?”
I press the peas to my hip and hobble toward my room. “Good night, Joshua.”
“Okay, fine. My ‘told you so’ can wait until morning. Oops. Look at that. Seems it can’t.”
I smile as I shut my bedroom door and op onto the bed. My hip may be aching, but I’m kind of thrilled I can still make Liam Quinn’s body dance to my short, curvy-girl tune.
TEN
A VERY BAD PLAN
Monday morning, I have a killer bruise on my hip and a slight limp, but other than that, I have no lasting damage from Saturday night. Well, apart from the memory of Liam’s erection pressing into my stomach.
“Morning, sweet friend,” Angel says, as she comes over and hugs me. “Present for you.” She lays a copy of Dancing for Dummies wrapped in a big red bow on the production desk.
I give her a deadpan look. “I hate you.”
“Impossible. I’m adorable.” She laughs and heads off to prepare for rehearsal.
Beside me, Josh sighs in frustration. “Screw her and her perfect sense of humor.” He points to his computer. “By the way, have you seen this?”
I lean down and examine the screen. It’s a gossip site, and they have dozens of pictures of all of us leaving the restaurant Saturday night. Of course, the main focus is the series of shots of Liam shoving people aside, his face contorted and angry. I roll my eyes at the headline—DOES THIS RAGEHEART STAR NEED ANGER MANAGEMENT?—and the accompanying article: “Tough guy Liam Quinn allegedly assaulted innocent bystanders while out and about with friends on Saturday night. At this stage, it’s not certain if charges will be brought.”