Anything for You: An O'Brien Brothers Novel Page 3

  “I’ll get it,” he said and let go.

  Suppressing the urge to rub her wrist, she said, “That’s not necessary.”

  “But I want to. It’s the gentlemanly thing to do.”

  Somehow, she didn’t think gentlemanly was a fitting description for Kent. He’d seemed polite at first, but now she wondered if she’d read him wrong. Rather than sit and argue over the bill, she said, “Thank you.”

  “Anytime,” he said.

  McKayla nodded, and she had started to walk away when Kent called, “Enjoy the rest of your evening.”

  He’d said it loud enough that several heads turned her way, but instead of responding, she gave him a backward wave and hurried out of the restaurant. She didn’t feel safe until she was in her Volkswagen Beetle and was driving away.

  “Men!” she huffed. First, Dylan had stood her up, and then Kent had manhandled her. What is it with these guys? But she realized that not all men were scum. There was Finn, who treated her sister like a queen, and Connor, who was a loving dad and a sweet boyfriend to Julia. And then there was Liam.

  He’d hate it if he knew how Kent had behaved at the bar, even though it hadn’t been anything she couldn’t handle. But like his brothers, Liam was the protective type. If he thought for a minute that Kent or anyone else had harassed her, he wouldn’t hesitate to get right in the guy’s face. Just like he had at the bachelor party.

  Well, she just wouldn’t tell him. Kent was one of the O’Briens’ biggest clients, and she didn’t want them to lose business because of her. Besides, Kent hadn’t done anything so wrong. So, he’d flirted with her a little. It wasn’t like she hadn’t been flirted with before. The only thing she hadn’t liked was when he’d grabbed her wrist. It had felt like he’d been sending her a message about how strong he was and how he could easily overpower her.

  Call it women’s intuition, but something about it just hadn’t felt right. Hopefully, she wouldn’t have any more run-ins with him outside of the office. As long as one of the O’Brien brothers was around, she’d be safe.

  Fifteen minutes later, McKayla pulled under the carport at her apartment complex and shut off the car. But she didn’t get out until she’d scanned the area and assured herself that no one was lurking nearby. As a single woman living alone, she’d made it a habit to check every time she came home at night. There hadn’t been any incidents around the complex that she knew of, but she was still cautious. Throwing her purse over her shoulder, she let herself in the main door of the building and then climbed the flight of stairs to her apartment.

  Once she was inside and had locked the deadbolt behind her, she felt relieved. It wasn’t until she’d changed into her pajamas and crawled into bed that Dylan called. With all that had transpired at the bar, she’d almost forgotten about him, and she considered not answering. But her curiosity got the best of her, and she picked up.

  “Hello,” she answered, her voice cool but polite.

  “Hey. It’s me, Dylan. I’m really sorry about tonight. I was helping a buddy of mine build his deck, and I lost track of time. Once I realized how late it was, I figured you’d left the bar.”

  Hmm. Do I believe him or not? “You were building a deck in the dark?”

  “There were outdoor lights.”

  “Oh.”

  “Can I make it up to you?”

  “That depends. What do you have in mind?”

  “Dinner tomorrow night. I could pick you up from work. Say, five-fifteen?”

  McKayla hesitated, feeling justified in letting him sweat it out. “Okay, but don’t stand me up this time.”

  “Not a chance!” he said, sounding relieved.

  She gave him her work address and hung up. At least he’d called. Some guys wouldn’t have bothered. Although she couldn’t picture Liam standing anybody up. He seemed too polite and conscientious for that.

  “Ugh. Stop thinking about your boss!” she growled and then punched her pillow a few times. Ever since she’d known Liam, which was over a year now, she’d been comparing other guys to him. It was maddening, and it had to stop.

  Maybe it was a good thing that Dylan had stood her up tonight. If he hadn’t, they probably wouldn’t be going out to dinner tomorrow. This way, Liam would see Dylan pick her up, and he’d get the hint that she wasn’t available. It was perfect, really.

  She should have known that nothing in this world is perfect.

  Chapter Four

  Liam rumbled into the parking lot and pulled his motorcycle into the empty parking space next to McKayla’s bright-orange VW Beetle. He smiled every time he saw her car, not because it was a cute little thing like her, but because it meant she was there.

  It was just before five o’clock, and he’d figured she’d be getting ready to leave for the day, which was part of the plan. He’d been out on a job with his brothers all afternoon, but he’d cut out early so he could make it there before she left. It looked like he’d made it just in time.

  Tucking his motorcycle helmet underneath his arm, he sauntered into the office.

  McKayla was busy tidying up her desk, but her head popped up when the bell over the door rang.

  She gave him the once-over and then narrowed her eyes suspiciously.

  “Hi,” Liam said.

  “Hi.”

  “You seem surprised to see me.”

  “I guess I am. It’s five o’clock.”

  He laughed. “I’m not here for work.”

  “Oh.”

  She licked her lips nervously, which caused him to look straight at them. Her lips were full and pink, and she usually wore some sort of gloss on them that smelled like strawberries. He loved strawberries.

  “Thought you might like to take a ride with me,” he said, shooting her his best smile.

  Her eyes went wide, and then he realized what that had sounded like.

  “I meant on my motorcycle.”

  “Oh. Well…I…”

  “I know what you’re going to say.”

  “You do?”

  “You’re going to say you’re scared of motorcycles and you don’t have a helmet.”

  “I…”

  “But I’m a really safe driver, and I have an extra helmet on the back of my bike.”

  “But…”

  “Look at that,” he said, glancing down at his watch. “It’s after five now, so you’re officially off the clock. I’m no longer your boss. I’m just Liam, and I’d like to take you for a ride.”

  A few different emotions flickered across her pretty face as she considered the offer. C’mon Kay. I know you want to.

  Her mouth turned down, and she said, “You know what? It sounds like fun. It really does, but Dylan is on his way to pick me up. We’re going out to dinner.”

  His jaw clenched, and he struggled not to show his disappointment. He’d almost had her. It was the closest he’d come to a yes. “Dylan, huh? Is that the guy you’ve been seeing?”

  “Well, yeah. Sort of.”

  Eyebrows raised, he said, “Sort of?”

  “It’s a long, boring story,” she said, flapping her hands around, her bracelets jangling.

  How she worked with all those things on her wrists, he had no idea.

  “Maybe some other time, then?”

  “Yeah,” she said and gave him a slight smile.

  It was better than a no any day.

  “Since I’m here, I might as well get a few things done in my office,” he said, moving toward her.

  “Right. I left a few messages on your desk.”

  “Okay. Thanks.”

  As he passed her, he caught a whiff of her perfume, the same scent she’d worn the other night when they’d been at Finn’s house. He also noticed she was wearing a flowy black jumpsuit that was cinched in at the waist by a wide white belt. Glancing down at her feet, he saw her pretty, red-polished toes sticking out of her sandals. She looked gorgeous, and it killed him that she’d dressed like that for another man—for this Dylan character.

  His phone messages could have waited until tomorrow, but his curiosity kept him there. He wanted to see this Dylan for himself—to size up the competition, as it were. So, he’d make a few calls and then step out of his office when Dylan arrived, pretending like he needed something from the front desk.

  Twenty minutes later, there was no sign of the guy. Had he stood her up? If so, he was a class-A jerk! Having taken care of the phone calls, Liam came out of his office to see McKayla standing by the front window, looking out.

  “Not here yet?” Liam said.

  She whirled around, an unreadable expression on her face. “Maybe I got the time mixed up.”

  He doubted it. She was extremely organized at the office, and he couldn’t imagine she’d forgotten the time of her date.

  “Hmm. Well, if he doesn’t show up, my offer still stands,” Liam said.

  “He’ll show,” she replied, but she didn’t sound very confident.

  Deciding to wait it out with her, Liam slipped back into his office. Besides, he hated to leave her alone looking the way she did. Something about her posture while she was standing at the window made her appear vulnerable, and his protective nature had kicked in.

  Whoever this guy was, Liam disliked him more by the minute. While he didn’t relish the idea of McKayla dating someone else, he at least wanted the dude to be a decent guy. Look at me being all mature. Yeah, right!

  A few minutes later, he heard the bell over the door ding. Finally, he thought as he came out of his office again. But there was nobody there, not even McKayla. Hurrying to the door, he stepped outside and saw her sitting in her car with her head bent over the steering wheel and her hands fisted in anger.

  Shit. Rushing over to the car, he knocked on her window. When she looked up, her ey
es were misty, like she was on the verge of tears. Instead of rolling down the window, she made a motion for him to move back, and then she stepped out of the car.

  “It won’t start,” she said, her voice wobbly.

  Suppressing the urge to wrap his arms around her, he said, “Let me try.”

  “Why would it start for you and not me?” she said, planting her hands on her hips.

  “Just give me the keys.”

  She practically slapped the keys into his hand and took another step back so he could get into the car.

  When he turned the key, the engine made a weak, whirring noise and conked out. “When’s the last time you checked the battery?” he said, getting back out of the car.

  “Let’s see. Never?”

  Smiling, he shook his head at her. He’d rather see her irritated with him than sad any day. Moving around to the front of the car, he propped open the hood and peered inside while she stood nearby.

  “Yep. It’s the battery,” he said, closing the hood again.

  “Well, now what?” she asked.

  “Now we take that ride, unless Dylan’s on his way to pick you up.”

  She shook her head. “I don’t think he’s coming.”

  Tamping down his enthusiasm, he said, “Okay. So, we ride to my house, get my truck, and then come back and give your car a jump.”

  “All that?”

  “Unless you have a better idea.”

  She shook her head again.

  “Don’t look so glum. I know it’s not an ideal way to spend the evening, but I’m not that bad, am I? Wait. Don’t answer that.”

  And with that, she laughed, the sound of it like music to his ears. This hadn’t been part of the plan, but he was still getting to spend time with her, and he was glad for the opportunity.

  “Let me run back in and grab my helmet, and then we’ll go,” he said.

  A few minutes later, they stood next to his bike while he fitted the extra helmet on her head.

  “Ouch. Watch the earrings,” she said.

  “Why do you have to wear those huge things anyway?” he asked as he maneuvered the helmet on more carefully.

  “Because they’re fun,” she said.

  Just like you.

  “Okay. Now, all you have to do is hang on tight and lean into the curves when I do.”

  “So, you’re not going to go all Evil Knievel on me?” she teased.

  “I’m impressed that you know that name.”

  “Everyone knows that name.”

  “Let me help you on,” Liam said, reaching for her.

  She flinched. “I can do it.”

  “Okay,” he said, taking a step back.

  Swinging a leg over the seat, she started to hoist herself up, but her bracelets got caught on something, and she lost her balance.

  “Let me help,” he demanded, and this time, he didn’t take no for an answer. Placing one arm around her waist and the other under her leg, he hoisted her up in one swift movement. “There.”

  He would have stood there longer and admired how beautiful she looked on the back of his bike if it wouldn’t have been so obvious. So instead, he hopped onto the bike and started the engine.

  “Remember to hold on tight,” he called over his shoulder as he backed out of the parking space.

  She wrapped her arms around his waist, and her chest came up against his back. Since it was summertime, he was wearing a T-shirt, and she had on that silky jumpsuit, so he could feel her curves nestle against him. Damn if he wasn’t getting turned on.

  Down boy. Now that he had her on his bike, he needed to concentrate on the road and make sure he gave her a smooth ride. Smooth ride. Oh God, I’m doomed.

  The ten-minute ride to his house took almost twenty because of how slow he went. Plus, he’d wanted to prolong this feeling for as long as possible. He glanced down at her hands, which were clasped just above his belt, and admired their gracefulness. She kept her nails trimmed to a reasonable length, unlike some women he’d dated who’d practically had claws. Oh, how he’d love it if her hands would dip a little lower.

  “Liam?” she called over his shoulder. They were at a four-way stop sign, so he was able to hear her.

  “Yeah?”

  “There’s no car in any direction. I think it’s safe to turn now.”

  He’d been too busy thinking about her hands to pay attention. “Just being extra careful,” he called over his shoulder, wondering if she believed him.

  A couple of minutes later, he pulled into his driveway and shut off the engine. Lifting off his helmet, he got off the bike and then held out a hand to McKayla. She didn’t argue that time. Placing her delicate hand in his, he helped her off and then carefully removed her helmet.

  “How’d you like it?” he asked.

  She looked much more relaxed than she had at the office, and he was glad to see her smiling again. “It was fine,” she said.

  “Just fine?”

  “It would have been more fun if you’d gone a little faster.”

  Liam tipped back his head and laughed. She never failed to surprise him. “I was going slow on purpose—for you.”

  “I’m not a china doll, you know? I could have handled it if you’d at least gone the speed limit!”

  Laughing some more, he said, “Come on in for a minute while I get my truck keys.”

  She followed him up the porch steps, but when he unlocked the front door and swung it open, she stayed on the stoop.

  “What’s wrong?” he said.

  “I’ll just wait out here.”

  He hated that she’d become guarded again. He’d been so careful not to spook her. He thought he’d been a perfect gentleman even though his thoughts had veered down the naughty path a few times. But how could she have known?

  “C’mon, Kay. I don’t bite.”

  He waited for her to scold him for calling her Kay again, but she didn’t. She just stared at him for a moment, and then finally, she stepped inside.

  Chapter Five

  McKayla stood inside his house and glanced around. It was a small bungalow-style home, so she could see most of it in one pass. There wasn’t much in the way of furniture, but it was neat and clean. That shouldn’t have surprised her since Liam was neat at the office too.

  “I’ll just grab my truck keys, and we’ll be on our way,” he said, and then he disappeared through an arched doorway into the kitchen.

  Taking a step into the living room, she noticed an array of men’s magazines fanned out on the coffee table on hunting, fishing, and men’s fitness. There was only one framed picture in the room, and it was of his entire family on vacation somewhere. There were mountains in the background, and she wondered where the photo had been taken.

  “That was taken in Denver a few years ago,” Liam said, coming up behind her.

  “Oh. Sorry for being nosy,” she said, setting the picture back down.

  Smiling wide, he said, “No worries. I’ve got nothing to hide.”

  She wondered if that were true. Didn’t everyone have something to hide? His brothers certainly had. Finn had hidden his feelings for Harper for months before they’d gotten together, and Connor had hidden his baby from Julia. Liam must have his secrets too.

  “It’s kind of sparse in here, but it’s just a rental place. This won’t be my permanent home.”

  “Ah. Kind of like me with my apartment.”

  “How much space does one person need, right?”

  “Right.”

  “You ready to go?”

  She nodded and followed him back outside to where his truck was parked.

  “What is it about men and trucks?” she asked as he gave her a boost up.

  Liam chuckled. “It’s mostly a matter of practicality,” he said. “They’re good for hauling things.”

  A few minutes later, when they were back on the road leading to the office, he said, “Since your dinner plans got canceled, what do you say we grab a bite?”

  She started to protest but then changed her mind. He was helping her out with her car, so the least she could do was have dinner with him. Besides, she was hungry.

  “Okay.”

  Eyebrows raised, he said, “Wow. That was almost too easy.”

  “Don’t push it.”

  He laughed. They’d just pulled up to an intersection in Ortonville, where an old-fashioned drive-up restaurant still operated. “This okay?” he asked.