CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Miranda glanced at her watch for the third time within the last minute. Her cab was 15 minutes late, which wouldn’t have been a big deal if it wasn’t for the fact that she had to pick Elise up from day care in the next 10 minutes. As a single mother, Miranda knew that her parenting would be judged a lot harder than a two parent household. She knew she had to work twice as hard to make sure that Elise was getting all the support, attention, and love all the other kids got. And one of those things that single parents were judged on a lot more harshly than other parents was being on time for their kids’ appointments.
“Where is that cab!” Miranda yelled to herself. This really was the last straw to an awful day. She nearly got ran over this morning by Harrison, her car was totaled, and she just found out that 30 minutes ago students had been circling around a photo of her crotch, and now she was going to be late picking up her daughter from school. Miranda felt quick hot tears pour down her face. She quickly buried her face into her hands. She took some deep steading breathes into her hands, hoping that it would calm her nerves enough to get through the rest of the day. She would hate to pick up Elise crying, she wouldn’t want her daughter to see her like this.
“Miranda, are you alright?”
Miranda jumped about a foot in a half. She hadn’t heard anybody approach, but in her defense, she was sobbing pretty loudly. She looked up to see Liam staring down at her and her mascara and tear stained cheeks. She knew she looked a mess and she knew that her day had just gotten worse. Of course, Liam was the one she would run into as she had a total and complete melt down. It seemed like he was always the one to walk by as she was having an ugly break down. For once, she would love for him to see her when she wasn’t just a puddle of tears and cheap mascara. “I’m fine, just had a bit of a rough day. But I’m fine though.” Miranda tried to desperately reassure him.
Liam looked incredulously at her and then around the parking lot. “Where’s your little white car?”
Miranda was surprised and slightly flattered that he knew what kind of car she drove. But Miranda without thinking looked at her feet. She had no idea how to answer Liam’s question. My crazy ex husband slashed the tires this morning and then proceeded in trying to run me over. Yeah, that wouldn’t sound insane at all. Miranda chuckled to herself a little.
“What are you laughing at?” Liam was looking at her quizzically. His head tilted his eyes searching.
She could tell he wasn’t only confused by her, but also trying to figure out what her deal was. “I got into to a little accident this morning, and now am waiting for a cab that seems like it will never come!” she blurted out.
A flash of worry crossed his eyes. “I can give you a ride,” Liam said matter of factly.
Without even releasing what she was doing, Miranda began frantically waving her hands in front of her face. “No, no. Don’t worry about it. You’re too kind, but I also need to pick up my daughter, and it would just be a huge hassle for you,” she rambled while she flailed. Why was she making such a big fool of herself?
Liam raised one eyebrow skeptically. He reached into his pocket and pulled out his car keys. Without breaking eye contact with her, he unlocked his red sports car. “Come on Miranda, I’d be happy to give you and your daughter a ride.” He reached out his hand to her.
Miranda was overwhelmed. This seemed like something out of her desk daydreams. She took a step forward and took his hand. A last left over tear rolled over her cheek. She watched, as Liam’s other hand came up and cradled her face. His thumb quickly brushing the tear away. Liam’s brown eyes bore into Miranda’s hazel ones. Their bodies were very close now. Thank goodness, most of the staff and students had gone home at this point, She couldn’t imagine what they would write on the wall if they saw her this close to Liam. Miranda felt a heat emanating from both of their bodies. She tried to restrain herself from letting her body lean in any closer to his. She was scared if she did that she would kiss him right here in this parking lot. She felt their breath mingle and for a moment, she thought. What if she kissed him? What if for once in her life she did exactly what she wanted to do without fear of Harrison or what anyone thought of her.
So she did. She kissed him.
Right there in the parking lot. Miranda reached out to the black leather lapels of Liam’s jacket and crushed her soft pink lips into his, placing a searing kiss onto his mouth. She felt his body tense in shock and then slowly relax. His solid muscular frame slowly pressed into hers. His two rough and strong hands gently cradled her face as he kissed her passionately back. For a moment, time seemed to stop as Miranda found herself kissing Liam deeper and deeper her body slowly being enveloped by his. She wanted more of this. More of him. Her kiss grew faster more desperate, he kept up with her, his mouth moving from her mouth to her neck.
“Liam,” she moaned. Somehow hearing his name out loud snapped both Miranda and Liam out of their moment of passion. She stepped back abruptly. She was panting a little. Her cheeks and her body were flushed. She was shocked. What had come over? She looked over at Liam who was looking just as shocked back at her. Had she totally crossed a line? But he kissed her back. And it had felt good. Almost scary good. Like she’d become a different person when kissing him. A more confident, wilder, fearless person. The kind of person she wanted to be.
Miranda looked at her watch. Crap. She had to leave right now if she had any chance of picking Elise up in time. “Can I still get that ride?” she asked a stunned looking Liam.
“Most definitely,” he murmured. A grin tugged at the corner of his lips as he walked to the passenger door and opened it for her.
Miranda slid in and watched as his head sharply turned up as if he saw someone looking down at him from the window. His grin instantly slid off his face and his mind clouded in thoughts. Miranda tried to adjust her position in his car to possibly get a view of what he saw, but she couldn’t manage to see anything or anyone.
Liam got into the driver’s seat and caught Miranda looking at her watch. “Worried about time,” he asked his brow furrowed.
She again gazed at her watch. There was no way that they would make it to Central School Elementary by 6pm to pick up her daughter. “I’m just worried about making it in time to pick up my daughter.”
“Does she go to Central Elementary?”
“Yes.”
“What time do we need to be there by?”
“6pm.” Miranda said.
Liam looked at the car’s clock. It was 5:50pm. “We’ll make it on time,” he said without hesitation. “Buckle up.”
Miranda quickly did and Liam peeled out of the high school parking lot.
Miranda was shocked. He could probably be a professional race car driver if he wanted to. He somehow managed to not only speed way above the speed limit but also continued to keep control over the entire car. He was also taking a way that Miranda had never used before, including weird side streets she didn’t even know about it.
“It’s a short cut,” he explained, as she looked concerned as he turned down a particularly narrow side street.
“How do you know this town so well?” Miranda asked somewhat incredulously.
“I grew up here,” Liam said casually although Miranda detected a hint of hollowness in his voice that hadn’t been there before. Now that he mentioned it, she did remember Rachel, Caroline’s secretary, mentioning something along those lines. Miranda couldn’t help but wonder what Liam was like in high school. She would assume by his athleticism and good looks that he would be wildly popular, but the new edge in his voice suggested otherwise.
Liam took a quick right turn, causing Miranda’s seatbelt to strangle her slightly.
“Sorry about that.” He glanced over apologetically.
Miranda’s eyes were bugging out, but not because of that tight turn but because they were there, in front of Central Elementary school. He must have found some magical worm hole to drive through because they were a few minutes early even.
“Oh, my god we’re here! And we’re early?!” Miranda almost leaned over and kissed him again, she was so thankful and surprised, but she resisted.
Liam pulled up in front of the school.
She hopped out of the car and walked to the front entrance were some other moms were waiting. They all nodded at each other. Soon Elise was running into her arms and all was well and perfect in Miranda’s world. For that moment, she’d forgotten about the insanity of her day and was solely present with her daughter.
“Mommy, today we did water colors and I made this for you.” Elise held up a water color picture of a sunset.
“The sun is green.” Miranda laughed as Elise beamed proudly. They slowly made their way back to Liam red sports car.
“Did you get a new car Mommy?” Elise looked excitedly at the shiny, sleek red car.
“No Mommy’s car broke, so Mommy’s friend at work, Liam has kindly offered to drive us home today.” Miranda explained.
Elise looked hesitantly as Liam got out of the car, opened the door and pushed the seat forwarded so Miranda and Elise could sit in the back. Elise turned towards Miranda and hid in her hair.
“Elise, don’t worry, Liam is a very nice man and he has a very fun car, you’ll like it I promise.” Miranda grew nervous. Not only was it going to be hard to get Elise into this car, but she could tell that she was also on the verge of a tantrum. She glanced at Liam seeing if any of this was making him regret helping them in the first place. She already thought that it was somewhat of a stretch for someone as handsome as Liam to even like a flustered school teacher like her, and it would be a really big stretch for someone like Liam to like a flustered single Mom. “I’m sorry, she’s just a little nervous,” Miranda apologized as she gripped Elise, who she was still carrying, and who was growing heavier by the minute.
“No worries,” Liam said casually.
Miranda thought she saw a flicker of mischievousness creep into his smile.
“Elise probably isn’t brave enough to drive in this car. Only the bravest of the bravest people can handle the speed of my car.”
Elise looked up from her Mom’s hair, curious. “I’m brave,” she said tentatively.
“I don’t know, you have to be really, really brave if you want to ride in my car. You have to be fearless,” Liam said very seriously.
“I am fearless. I can do it,” Elise said facing him.
“Alright then. You can ride in my car. I can tell that you’re brave enough,” Liam said very matter of factly as if Elise was one of his privates in the army.
Miranda couldn’t help but grin. Liam was really good with kids. And really good with Elise. The way he navigated around that tantrum was flawless. She couldn’t help but think that maybe Liam could possibly be a more permanent fixture in her and Elise’s life. She knew it was a long shot. There were so many obstacles in their way, Harrison, the fact that Liam was only on leave, but despite all this, just for this moment anyway, Miranda let herself daydream about creating a new life with Liam because who knew when she would have to wake up from it.
* * * *
Miranda tucked Elise into her tiny pink bed. She sat on the end of it and listened to the comforting sound of Elise’s even breathing as she soundly slept. She sighed contently and reflected over her night so far.
It had been perfect. Absolutely perfect. As soon as Liam dropped them off, before they could even step out of the car, Elise had invited Liam to join them for dinner. Much to Miranda’s surprise, he had accepted instantly. All three of them made a makeshift dinner with the sparse contents of Miranda’s fridge and it had turned out to be surprisingly delicious. Liam kept doing these funny voices that made Elise giggle non-stop. Miranda found herself wishing the night would never end.
As she walked down the stairs after tucking Elise in, she found Liam doing the dishes from their dinner. Miranda felt a flutter in her chest. This was too good to be true. It’d been so long since she’d felt a peace like this. She felt as if she didn’t deserve it.
“Liam you don’t have to do the dishes,” she exclaimed as she walked over to him in the kitchen.
“It’s the least I can do. I’m not sure how else I can repay you for such a wonderful evening,” he said as he put the final dish into the washer. He toweled off his hands and just looked at Miranda.
His warm brown eyes caused Miranda’s cheeks to grow flush. She all of a sudden became very aware of her body, how she was standing, how close they were together, how quick her breathing had become. “I should be the one repaying you after you were so kind in chauffeuring us, then making dinner, and now cleaning up.” Miranda said her eyes downcast, partially ashamed at how much she’d relied on Liam who was still very much a stranger to her. Although after today, he didn’t feel like a stranger. No, he felt more like a friend she’d known forever. She twisted on the balls of her feet slightly. Liam was like a friend. A friend that she wanted to kiss. All the time.
“I can’t remember an evening where I’ve laughed as much as I have tonight. So consider your debt payed. Elise is a very special girl,” Liam said softly.
Miranda looked up, surprised at his vulnerability. A smile spread across her face and she let a little laugh out. “She’s a handful, but I wouldn’t trade her for anything in the world. She’s the most precious gift I’ve ever been given and the reason I wake up every day,” the words tumbled out of Miranda’s mouth. She blushed at their sincerity. Surely, she must have made Liam uncomfortable with her candor. Yet, when she looked into his eyes, she didn’t see discomfort she saw…curiosity, tenderness, and maybe…desire? Could it be that after everything that happened today that Liam could be interested in her? His look made her bold. A flame of confidence shot through her. She tussled with her long blonde hair ever so slightly and leaned against the kitchen counter. She watched as Liam unconsciously shifted his weight closer to her.
“This maybe over stepping Miranda,” Liam spoke. “But what actually happened to your car?”
Miranda felt the confidence instantly rush out of her. She felt immediately exhausted, her magical fantasy with Liam in a bubble popped. Should she tell him? Surely, when he heard how messed up her life was he would leave. Drained, she found that her feet were taking her to her soft floral couch where sat down and put her face in her hands.
Liam crossed quickly after her and tentatively sat down next to her. “I’m sorry if I crossed a line Miranda.” There was concern in his voice that softened her a little.
“No it’s alright, it's just embarrassing.” She sighed and leaned back into the couch. “Today, when I dropped Elise off at school I came back to find that all four of my tires were slashed and the word “slut” was keyed into the door of my car.” Miranda noticed that Liam’s entire body seemed to tense up, he was gripping the arm of the couch very tightly.
Miranda hesitated. She wasn’t sure if she should continue, knowing it would probably upset Liam further.
But they were friends now and he deserved to know the truth, so she kept going, “I knew in my gut that it had been Harrison who vandalized my car, so I decided to look for him and…I don’t know…confront him about all this crap that he’s been putting me through.” Miranda took a shuddering breath as tears sprung up in the corners of her eyes. She tried to push them back. She didn’t want to seem weak in front of Liam. “I was searching the parking lot for his car when I heard a loud engine rev up behind me. I turned around just in time to dive out its way before it tried to run me over. Although I didn’t see the driver, I knew that it was Harrison. I would recognized his car from anywhere.” She took in another long deep breath. It felt good to be able to be honest with someone, to really let someone know what was going on, instead of trying to hold it inside.
She looked over at Liam. He seemed to be seething. She could tell that he was trying to hold in his rage. One fist was clutched and the other one was gripping the couch arm tightly. “Liam, are you all right?”
“He can’t be allowed to do this.” Liam growled out through gritted teeth. “I’ll find a way to stop him.”
“Harrison is so good at covering his tracks. I don’t know how you could.” Miranda looked sadly into Liam’s eyes. She knew that he meant well, but her situation was hopeless and soon he would realize that too and leave her. A warm tear rolled down her cheek.
Liam reached out to her face and quickly brushed it away. But his strong hand remained on her face cradling it. His warm brown eyes swept over her face with concern. But there was something else in them too. Miranda watched as Liam licked his lips. A flicker of desire seemed to dash across his eyes. The bottoms of Miranda’s feet and palms prickled with longing. She felt an ache of need deep inside her. She wanted this man. She needed him.
“Liam,” Miranda whispered begging him with her eyes. It seemed that was all the encouragement he needed. He leaned forward instantly closing the space between them. With his other hand he grasped her face and pressed into his, crushing her mouth with a searing kiss. His lips moved desperately, hungrily, passionately over hers. She melted into his hard chiseled body.
Liam’s arms wrapped around her waist pulling her hips towards him. Miranda let her curious hand wander down to his very large hardened masculinity. She gasped in shock, he was large. Very large. Her mind grew foggy with passion as she thought what it would be like to have him inside of her. She moaned with pleasure as Liam’s lips found their way down to her neck.
“I need more of you,” he growled into her neck.
Miranda felt herself straddling him on the couch as Liam grinded his hips into her. She felt herself arching instinctually.
“Everything about you is perfect,” he murmured into her skin. Liam’s lips rolled along her collarbone, tracing the edge of the fabric of her wrap dress. “Your laugh, the way you walk, your smile, your body,” And with that Liam bit the hem of her fabric playfully pulling it down and exposing her left breast.
She felt his mouth around her nipple sucking it until it hardened into a little bud. A moan of ecstasy escaped from her mouth as Liam flicked his tongue quickly over her nipples as his other hand began to massage her other breast. Waves of pleasure ran over Miranda, warmth blooming between her legs. A deep insatiable hot ache seared her between her thighs.
“Liam,” Miranda’s whispered her voice thick with passion, she moaned as he continued to tease and torture her nipples. Liam slowly stood up and grabbed her by the hips wrapping her legs around him. He lifted Miranda up like she was lighter than a feather and turned around placing her on the couch so she was lying down. He straddled her and Miranda watched as he just took her in.
Her first immediate response was to hide her face, but she resisted. It’d been so long since she’d made love with someone and even longer since, she felt beautiful. She deserved this and she was going to let it happen.
Liam reached for the sash of her green wrap dress and slowly untied and flung each side of the dress away so Miranda was in nothing but her sheer panties lying underneath him.
Her breath quickened with anticipation as she watched him drink in every inch of her body. Miranda seductively spread her legs for him as a way to welcome him in. It was scandalous of her, out of character for her, and she loved it. She loved the way that Liam made her feel. Completely unleashed, free, and confident. She wanted to further embrace this boldness growing within her. She propped herself up onto her elbows and looked at him. Her eyes dripping with desire. She reached out to undress him and he surprised her by pulling her hips down so she was directly under him and quickly grabbing her wrists and pinning them above her head.
A gasp escaped her at Liam’s sudden movement and strength.
Liam seem to register her shock. His face immediately contorted into a troubled, alarmed expression. He stood up abruptly from the couch. “Miranda, I’m sorry…I…” He couldn’t seem to finish his sentence.
Miranda could see thousands of thoughts in his eyes.
“I should go…I crossed a line…I didn’t meant to—”
“Liam it’s ok. You just took me by surprise,” she tried to reassure him as she quickly wrapped her dress back around herself, but Liam wasn’t even listening he was too busy wrapped up in his own thoughts.
He quickly gathered his things and headed for the door. “I’m sorry Miranda. You deserve better than me. I don’t want to be a danger to you. Thank you and Elise for the wonderful time, again I’m sorry,” he mumbled as he slipped out the door.
Miranda threw open the door and watched as he slid into his car and drove away. But that’s not what made her heart suddenly drop.
It was the black Cherokee as its lights suddenly flicked off when she’d opened the door. Miranda slammed the door. Locked it and threw on the chain. Frantic, she ran to her bay window and closed the curtains then bolted up the stairs. Crept into Elise’s room closed the door and locked as she tried to control her breathing.
Harrison had been sitting in his car outside her home. The whole time. He’d probably seen most everything. Including Liam.