Free Alone with Liam by Jessica Jarman Page A

I’ll just settle in. What room do you have?” She pulled away, inched around him and lifted her bags.
    “I haven’t brought my stuff in yet. You choose.”
    Why was he staring at her like that? She thought she was behaving admirably all things considered. Of course, she had just been butt side up on the floor minutes before, so that might be it.
    “I’ll take the front room then.” She hurried through the living room and, once in the bedroom, all but slammed the door behind her. Leaning against the wood, she let out a shaky breath.
    Oh, Penny was really in trouble now. Not only had she abandoned her best friend, but somehow, Erin had ended up stranded in a snowstorm with Penny’s brother-in-law. This wouldn’t be a problem aside from the fact Erin had made an idiotic move on the man several months ago, and he’d turned her down flat. Yes, ma’am, Penny had better hide her skinny self far, far way.
    * * * *
    Liam Donovan flopped down onto the sofa. The last thing he’d expected when he’d settled in his brother’s cabin was for Erin Harrison to come breezing in. Okay, so her entrance wasn’t exactly “breezy”, but still, it was unexpected.
    The woman had avoided him for months now, which wasn’t easy. His brother was married to her best friend, and they found themselves in each other’s company often enough. At least, until three months ago. Now, he was lucky to catch a glimpse of her in a crowd.
    He closed his eyes and thought of the night it’d all changed. God, he could still feel her soft body pressed against him, her lips on his, her hands gripping his shoulders. His groin tightened at the memory. He had wanted nothing more than to sweep her away and tap into the heat her kiss hinted at, but his mama had raised a gentlemen. Poor girl had been drunk off her pretty ass, and he wasn’t going to take advantage of her, no matter how tempting.
    The last thing Liam wanted, or needed, this weekend was a perpetual hard on. Especially when his only companionship was a woman who had avoided him like the plague. He sighed and ran his hands through his hair. Oh well, he’d make the best of it. Erin would likely spend her time in the bedroom pecking away at her computer, and she was sure to keep up the avoiding act. So he’d end up on his own, which had been the plan in the first place.
    * * * *
    Erin stared at the blank screen. Damn Liam for distracting her. Damn Penny for inviting her then bailing. Damn herself for coming on to the man in the first place.
    After several more pathetic attempts get some words on the page, she gave up and reached for the phone beside the bed. It was time her friend got an earful for ruining her weekend.
    “Hello?”
    “Hey, Ryan, is Penny around?” She set the laptop next to her on the mattress and leaned back again the pillows.
    “Sure, hang on.”
    “Erin, hey, girl.”
    “Don’t ‘hey, girl’ me. I’m sitting here in your cabin in a freaking snowstorm while you are cuddled up with your hubby. Wench.”
    “What?” Penny exclaimed. “You drove up there in this weather? Oh my God, what were you thinking?”
    Erin growled into the receiver before responding, “I drove up here because you convinced me to!”
    “Didn’t you get my messages?”
    “What messages?”
    Penny’s sigh traveled into her ear. “I left you messages on your cell and at home.”
    Erin closed her eyes and counted to ten again. “I haven’t been home, and I don’t get a signal for the cell up here.”
    “Man, I’m sorry, Erin. At least, you made it there safe; though the weather’s supposed to be crap for the next day or two. You should stay put. There’s plenty of canned food in the pantry, so you’ll be fine,” Penny said cheerfully. “Hey, you can get some writing done.”
    She rolled her eyes. “Well that would be true, except—” She heard a click then silence. “Hello? Penny? She hung up on me?”
    Frowning, she hit the call button and held it to her ear. Nothing. Just her