Page 56 of Outback Secrets
‘You’re more than welcome.’
‘I missed our surfing lesson this morning.’
‘I didn’t want to wake you because you looked so comfy, but I had something I had to do. Sorry, I probably should have left a note but I’m still getting used to this whole relationship thing.’
She smiled. ‘You and me both. And it’s fine. Glad everything was okay.’
‘Of course.’ He nodded slowly, his eyes trained on hers, telling her he too was referring to their conversation last night.
The knowledge that she hadn’t ruined things between them relaxed her.
‘Planning on watching more Christmas movies tonight?’ he asked.
‘Don’t start that again. Unless you like being a loser, because I’m prepared to argue to the death!’
Liam’s lips flickered upwards. ‘Well, don’t fall asleep on the couch, because I’ll be a little later than usual and I don’t want to wake you when I come in.’
‘Oh? What are you up to?’ Her ridiculous heart wondered if he was meeting someone—a female someone—not that it was any of her business. Unless he wasn’t discreet and someone in town saw him with someone else. The situation was already complicated enough without people jumping to the conclusion that Liam had two women on the go.
He lowered his voice. ‘I’m going to deliver Dolce’s rocking chair.’
‘I’ll help you,’ she offered. ‘That rocking chair must be pretty heavy.’
‘It’s fine. I’m used to lifting heavy stuff on my own.’
‘It doesn’t mean you have to.’ Granted, Liam was a big, muscly guy but it still wouldn’t be easy to move that masterpiece around on his own. Especially not in the dark, while trying to be all stealth-like. It was the least she could do considering all he was doing for her.
‘Okay. If you insist. I might close up slightly earlier than usual anyway, because it’s quietened down now.’
As if fate wanted to prove him a liar, at that exact moment, there was a shout from the corner near the pool table. ‘You fucking bastard!’
Even before she’d turned to see Jaxon Bird’s hands wrapped around Brad McDonald’s neck as he slammed him onto the table, Liam charged around the bar. Sheila, who’d been dead to the world moments earlier, was right behind him, baring her teeth. Liam launched himself at the boys, dragging Jaxon off his so-called friend and holding them both at arm’s length as Sheila stood between them all. Even from the bar, you could hear her growling. Although Jaxon looked to have made the first move, Brad bounced up and down on the spot like a caged beast ready to strike, and Henri worried that Liam might become collateral damage.
‘That’s enough. Calm the hell down or you’re both banned from the pub till next year,’ he ordered.
Although Henri stilled at the authority in Liam’s voice, it was like neither of the boys actually heard him.
‘What the hell, man! She’s my ex-girlfriend,’ Jaxon shouted.
‘You two were just kids when you were together,’ Brad retorted. ‘I’m showing her what it’s like to be with a man!’
‘Fuck you!’ Henri flinched as Jaxon shoved Liam out of his way as he laid into Brad again. ‘You hurt her, and I’ll fucking kill you!’
Dylan ditched the bottle of wine he’d been holding and ran to offer assistance.
Liam grabbed both offenders by the scruff of their necks. ‘I’ll kill the both of you if you don’t stop disturbing the peace!’
He started to drag them towards the door, shoving Brad at Dylan. The tall Welsh bartender caught him as if he were a rugby ball.
‘They’ll be right,’ Sexy Rexy said as Liam and Dylan escorted the boys from the building.
Henri had almost forgotten he was here. Nerves pulsed from her belly up to her throat. ‘I hope so.’
‘Liam can handle those two babies. I’ve seen him deal with a lot worse.’
She prayed they’d do as they were told as she took another sip of her cocktail. ‘By the way, I’m Henri Forward. Not sure we’ve ever been properly introduced. You work for the shire, right?’
Sexy Rexy nodded and thrust out his hand, which she shook firmly despite the fact it was warm and sticky. ‘Rex Carter. I’m the chief executive officer of the Bunyip Bay Waste Recovery Park.’