Page 52 of The Reno
“What?”
“Liam. Look at it. It’s like, from a film. It’s ridiculous.”
“I googled some ideas and picked it. Do you want to have a look? I’ll grab your bags.”
He just ‘googled some ideas’. It looked like a mini version of the cottage fromThe Holiday, for fuck’s sake.
I shook my head. “You are too chill about this.”
Liam leaned to take the mug of tea from my hands. Our fingers brushed, and that familiar shiver trailed up my arm. I glanced upto see Liam looking intently at my hands, his brow furrowed.
“Your hands are cold, Red,” he murmured. He placed our mugs on the sidetable beside the sofa and drew my hands between his.
“I’m always cold,” I explained, my voice going a bit hoarse. It was true. I was always cold, my hands and feet especially.
Liam frowned as if personally offended by the temperature of my hands. He continued to hold them between his much warmer, calloused ones.
“There,” he said, glancing down at me again, and I realised how close we were standing. Our eyes met, and time slowed. Liam’s face softened, and I swore that, momentarily, he felt it, too—the electricity. His eyes darted down to my lips, and he leaned forward slightly, like he couldn’t help himself.
He blinked, and it was gone.
My cheeks heated. I needed to pull myself together. It was pathetic pining for some man who basically hated me less than twenty-four hours ago.
Liam cleared his throat. “I need to check the heating is on. It gets cold in there.”
Liam led the way down the stone path to the house. Solar lights were dotted about either side of the path, making it easy to find in the dark. I stood at the door, not knowing what to do next. Liam reached up to the door frame; his shirt lifted, revealing a line of toned skin across his lower back.
“There is a spare key. You can just leave it here if you like; it’s a pretty safe area.”
He unlocked the door, and we stepped into the annexe, thesmell of pine in the air. The cosy room had a small kitchenette on the left, with a dining table and two chairs. Two well-worn armchairs sat in front of an electric fireplace with floor-to-ceiling shelves filled with books on either side. It was homely and sweet but also had that well-worn look, which differed from the modern appliances and furniture in Liam’s house.
“It should have everything you need for a few weeks.” Liam dropped my bags onto one of the armchairs and strode to the back of the little cabin, oblivious to my gaping mouth. “It’s a small bedroom, but it has an en suite, too, so you won’t need to walk into the main house for the loo.”
“Liam.” He turned around. “I just—I don’t know what to say. Thank you. Really, this is amazing. I mean, I can’t imagine camping now.”
Liam raised an eyebrow as if to say,Most people wouldn’t be stupid enough to camp outside in February in Manchester. He turned on the lights, and I peeked around his shoulders into the bedroom. I saw a small double bed with brushed cotton bedding and a sliding barn door leading to the en suite.
“Towels are just in the airing cupboard in the bathroom,” Liam said, turning his head towards mine. I stepped back when I realised how close we stood.
“Perfect. Thank you.” I nodded.
“No problem.”
He turned around, and I smiled up at him, wanting to show how much I appreciated this. A friendly smile, nothing more. The corners of his lips turned up. We stood like this for a beat until he stepped closer, and the smile slipped off my face, andI avoided eye contact. Blood rushed to my head, making me lightheaded as his cedar scent filled my senses. I could feel the heat radiating off his body. I didn’t dare look up at his face. I couldn’t help but stare at his chest, hidden behind a black tee.
“Kat,” Liam rumbled.
“Yes?” I murmured, still refusing to look up. He had a really nice chest.
Liam coughed, which suspiciously sounded like a laugh.
“I need to get past.”
Oh.
I met his gaze and found his eyes twinkling.
“Oh. Sorry.” I turned and shuffled awkwardly into the kitchen.
