More Than Scars (38 page)

             
The brown eyes that met mine warmed me like a shot of whiskey. I literally could not find my voice. Even seeing his picture had not done them justice. They were not simply brown but there were flecks of gold and sienna throughout and they were on me as if simply looking at me was sustaining his life. They were questioning me and measuring my reaction.

             
His mouth was also in view. The black mask was just low enough to cover where the scar veered from his lips. There was an edge visible there though…just the hint of the marring. I wanted to reach up and touch it now. My heart fluttered and I smiled…he was smiling back.

             
“Hello Nerissa,” he said softly. That fantastic smile was only for me. The hands he still held were to his lips now and he kissed each reverently. I didn’t have to look away from the act and that sheer fact had me wondering where the feeling in my legs went.

             
I swallowed. “Beautiful,” I sighed. My tongue had run away with itself.

             
His mouth turned up on one side in an amused grin. “You certainly are.” He smiled again and my heart thundered in my chest. It was like being in a parallel universe looking up at him. It almost felt wrong.

             
“I think she meant you brother,” Ian teased.

             
I would have scowled at him over my shoulder if I had been able to look away from Liam.

             
Liam’s hands contracted around mine when the orchestra ended their final song and the DJ began to set up for his first song.

             
“Would you dance with me Nerissa?” His voice dipped low.

             
“You have guests,” I said softly. “They are more important.”

“I would like to dance with you,” he whispered. “They can wait. I have all night with them.”

I smiled up at him…not quite over the warmth in his eyes. “I live here…remember? You can see me every day.”

             
His eyes softened and I nearly melted under the gaze. “It’s not every day I get an excuse to dance with you.” His voice trembled. “And I requested this song.” The first chords of a song began. It was familiar and my heart hammered.

             
“You’ve heard it before?”

             
I nodded. Kiss me by Ed Sheeran.

             
He tipped my face. “It reminds me of us.”

             
I forgot how to breathe for an instant.

             
He leaned down and his lips were to my ear. “Please don’t make me beg in front of all of my guests.” His lips brushed my temple. “But I will if that’s what it takes. I’ll get down on my knees…”

             
I laughed and looked up into his now smiling eyes. “You don’t have to beg Liam. I’ll dance with you.” I took his hand and he led me to where others were now dancing.

             
“Why this song?” I whispered as he pulled me into his arms.

             
“It’s fitting don’t you think?”

             
I nodded and pulled in a breath as I set my hand to his shoulder…his quite massive shoulder. The warmth that came over me couldn’t have been just from his nearness. It was a little overwhelming and I prayed I wouldn’t faint. How mortifying would that be? That very prayer became even more fervent as his hand rested at the small of my back to draw me nearer.

             
He smelled so wonderful! So…Liam! I had to ask Stewart what it was and invest in it…heavily! It did things to the senses…made me want to do things I normally wouldn’t do…especially here in public. I wanted to bury my face in his neck. I wanted to press in close to him but I had to keep myself in control! I took in a breath and stared at the chest in front of me and heard a soft chuckle above me.

             
“You can look up you know.”

             
I blushed.

             
“Please,” he whispered. “I need you to look at me.”

             
I lifted my eyes to his and willed my knees strength. My eyes dipped just for a fraction, feeling overwhelmed and then lifted to his again. “I love your flower.” I indicated the rose on his lapel.

             
His beautiful smile flashed and he bent down to press his cheek to mine, so his lips were to my ear. “I love the woman who gave it to me.”

             
My feet would have faltered if his arms hadn’t been so strong about me.

             
His eyes darkened with sincerity. “You look exquisite Nerissa.”

             
I smiled weakly. “I never thanked you for my dress. I’m sorry for that.”

             
His fingers at the small of my back pressed me closer. “Seeing you in it is thank you enough.”

             
He was intoxicating me. It wasn’t the one glass of champagne…it was just one hit of Liam Byrne. I was so overwhelmed, I ducked my head.

             
“Please don’t look away from me,” he said softly. “Not tonight…not when you can…”

             
“You love me?”

             
He nodded slowly. His dark lashes lowered as he studied me. “Why do you ask?”

             
His lashes were impossibly dark, rimming those beautiful eyes. It took me a moment to find my words again. “Then I should be able to look at you always Liam.”

             
He swallowed. “But you see me Nerissa…”

             
“It all sounds really poetic when you say that,” I interrupted gently. “That I can see you on the inside.” I lowered my voice, though I knew we were the only ones hearing this conversation. We were getting a lot of attention with our nearness though. “I would rather be seeing all of you.” My heart stumbled when his eyes shadowed. “Not that I am not loving your eyes.” I squeezed his hand. “They are the loveliest eyes I’ve ever seen.” I blushed. “I just want to see all of you.”

             
He frowned.

             
A sigh escaped me and I shook my head. “I want so much to be open with you Liam…to give to you what you are offering me…but I can’t if you don’t trust me.”

             
His eyes lowered and I felt the loss of contact.

             
“Please don’t look away from me,” I repeated his words. I lifted my hand from his shoulder and tenderly touched the edge of his jaw with my fingertips and he returned that wonderful stare. Butterflies broke through my system. “What do you think I feel for you Liam?”

             
He looked up into the flicker of the candle lights above us, exposing his throat and it was tight with nerves as he swallowed.

             
“You can see I am attracted to you.” I said this as a statement.

             
His eyes lowered and they were darker now. They were beautiful and uncertain. “Yes,” he said huskily. “I just don’t know why.”

             
I wanted to laugh. He didn’t know why? “Liam…your very presence affects me. Can’t you see how I react to you?” My heart picked up tempo. “Your voice alone…” I swallowed hard. “But it’s not just that…it’s you. You are beautiful in so many ways.”

             
“I have a beautiful soul,” he said sarcastically. “Too bad about everything else.”

             
I lifted my brows and anger sparked in me. “Yes, too bad you have a fantastic body, a beautiful smile, hair I want to run my fingers through, and bedroom eyes…what girl could possibly want any of that?”

             
My words shocked him and he stopped mid step. I walked right into his chest.

             
Even his frown warmed my body. I stared back at him defiantly.

             
“Oh excuse us,” someone cried, as they crashed into our still frames. Once they realized it was Liam…I lost him. He was swept away in the chatter. He was polite to answer the question he was asked, but his eyes remained on mine.

             
I was ticked though and lifted my chin, giving him a slight curtsy before turning my back to return to Ian. I added a little more swish to my hips as I did and hoped he noticed. He could eat his heart out. I was so tired of him tearing down the man I loved so much!

             
Ian frowned when I rejoined him. “What the hell? It was like a fairytale dance until the end there! What just happened?”

             
I shook my head. I didn’t want to talk about it. “He doesn’t want to believe…” I shrugged. “He thinks I just want him for his beautiful soul so I told him otherwise!”

             
Ian laughed and gave me a quick hug.

             
“I ruin things by talking,” I sighed.

             
“He needs a shake up Riss. He knows you’ve been hanging around waiting for him…well shake him up a bit. Go dance with someone!”

             
I lifted a brow to him.

             
“Not me…I don’t work anymore! He knows my game! But I do know someone who would work to make him so mad he wouldn’t be able to see straight!” The blue eyes danced.

             
I shook my head. “I don’t want to make him jealous! It’s not about that. I just…” Ian took my shoulders and turned me slightly toward the dance floor. I bit back a gasp that turned into a growl.

             
“What now Rissa?”

             
The red headed tramp also known as Dr. Linda was in my man’s arms. How had this happened so quickly? Why was she here?

             
“You didn’t know he invited her?”

             
I shook my head and I was sure my green eyes had sparked fire. “Who am I supposed to dance with?” I crossed my arms.

             
Ian chuckled. “Do you see that tall Viking like man there?”

             
Standing near the buffet was a tall man…taller than even Liam! He was blonde and broad and his jaw was cut handsomely. He could do! “Who is he?”

             
“His name is Jensen Mason. He and Liam grew up together…went to the same school…played on the same teams in sports. Always competed,” Ian chuckled. ‘Always and it’s been a tumultuous friendship.”

             
“They fought over girls?”

             
Ian shook his head. “But this could be a first.”

             
I glared at him. “I am not going to be the straw that broke the camel’s back!”

             
He rolled his eyes. “They were never best friends. Besides, look.” He nodded his head toward Liam again.

             
I peered back and almost bit through my tongue. STOP TOUCHING HIM! I drew in a breath. “Fine!”

Ian grinned.

I squared my shoulders and made my way to Jensen. He straightened immediately when he saw me heading his way. He adjusted his mask and smiled broadly.

             
I tried to keep from panicking. I was not the bold type. I was the outgoing type but never the bold type. “Hello,” I greeted and held out my hand. “Nerissa Meadows.”

“Jenson Mason…you my dear are a vision. I have been watching you all night.”

I blushed and tilted my head in a friendly manner. “My friend Ian told me you knew Liam growing up?”

             
Jensen gave a nod. “I saw you dancing with him.”

I looked over my shoulder. He was still with Linda…but his eyes had found me. He was not happy. Those eyes!

Jensen cleared his throat to get my attention. “Yes I know Liam…you…you know him how?”

             
I gave a shrug. “We are friends. I..I just want to know him better so…”

             
“You are friends with Liam Byrne?” His blue eyes were mischievous.

             
I blushed.

             
“I will promise you information if you would grace me with a dance?”

             
I was surprised at his request and pleased. This had worked better than I thought. I wouldn’t have to ask myself. “Sure,” I said softly…now a little nervous as the big man took a step toward me.

             
I allowed him to take my hand and lead me to the floor, keeping my eyes lowered. Before we could even start though, someone cut in. It was not Liam…it was not Ian…it was not even Al. It was an older man with silver at his temples.

             
“Sorry young man…I am stealing this dance,” he said in a low voice and pulled me amongst the dancers.