Page 21 of A Tangled Web

She pushed at his hands, nearly twisting her ankle as she jumped off the counter and reached, stumbling, for her T-shirt. “Wow. I’m so drunk.”

The word you’re looking for is obvious. You’re so obvious.

Liam was moving toward her and trying to zip up his pants at the same time. “Dani, wait.”

She didn’t want to see the pity. The small mark seemed huge now that he’d touched it. Seen it. With anyone else she could lie about how she got it, but Liam knew. At this moment that fact seemed insurmountable.

He would always know.

He swore again when she avoided his grasp. “Damn it, stop acting like I’ve ever given you a reason to run away from me. It’s insulting to us both. At least let me help you before you fall down.”

“No,” she said sharply, causing him to freeze in place. She started her slow methodical climb up the stairs. “I’m fine. I’ll be fine. But I do want to be alone for this next part of the drinking experience. You’ve seen me throw up before. You don’t need a refresher course.”

“Please don’t leave like this.”

She forced herself not to cry. “I’m only going to bed, Liam. I’ll see you in the morning.”

When she finally left the bathroom, feeling empty and aching, and unfortunately more clearheaded, she saw that Liam had turned down her sheets, leaving a glass of water and some aspirin on her nightstand.

Why did he always do the right thing? It threw her off and it always had. Men didn’t behave like that. If they didn’t get what they wanted, they left. Or worse, stayed and refused to accept rejection. Forced themselves on you. Hurt you.

But not Liam. Even though she’d gotten drunk, thrown herself at him and then freaked out, he still did what he’d always done. Made sure she was okay.

How could anyone in their right mind resist that?

Dani took the aspirin, drank the water and slid gratefully into her bed. Part of her would have rather seen Liam waiting in her bedroom, demanding to talk it out, even though she was grateful he’d respected her enough to give her space.

He really was too good for her. He would be better off with strawberry tarts. At least Gillian was consistent and not as obviously broken.

She went to sleep with a pillow at her back, imagining he was beside her.

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