Free Shades of Darkness (Redemption Series) by Melynda Price

accused after she left, his tone lightly amused.
    “Am not,” Olivia denied. “It’s just rude. Whether I feel sorry for her or not, she still shouldn’t be looking at you like that. You’re not a piece of meat.”
    “She can’t help it, Olivia. I have something she wants.”
    “Oh, I’m sure you do,” she countered. “And she’s being very obvious about wanting your something.”
    He chuckled. Despite her ire, the smooth, deep cadence of his voice made her pulse quicken.
    “It’s not that.”
    Her brows arched doubtfully, and he laughed harder. “All right, maybe it’s that, too. But really, it’s my light. The lost are drawn to it.” He studied her a moment. “Why won’t you just admit you’re jealous? You can’t lie to me, Olivia. I feel your emotions, remember?” When she didn’t answer, he asked pointedly, “How do you think I’ve felt for the last three years?”
    Surprised, she opened her mouth to reply and gasped when words failed her. How could she possibly respond to that? She wasn’t used to him being so…direct. Before she could speak, he said, “I’m sorry, Olivia. It wasn’t fair of me to say that to you. I’m supposed to be above all this…above these human emotions.”
    Reaching up, she grasped the heart-shaped stone that hung around her neck, something she often did when she was nervous or upset.  “You don’t have to apologize,” she murmured softly. “It’s not like I haven’t thought about it a million times.”
    “Still, it was uncalled for. I apologize—”
    “Please don’t,” she interrupted, feeling even worse than she already did.
    They ate in silence, neither of them making the first move to break the awkward tension hanging between them. Shit, this was a first.
    Finally, Liam cleared his throat and said, “We’d better get going. We have a long drive ahead of us.”
    The waitress was back and handed Liam the bill. “Thanks for stopping by.”
    She turned to leave, and Liam called after her, sliding out of the booth. The girl stopped and waited for him to approach. On his feet, he towered over her small willowy frame. A warm smile touched her face as she tipped her head back to look up at him.
    Olivia watched as Liam dug into his pocket and pulled out a wad of cash. He took the girl’s hand and pressed the money into her palm. “For you and the baby,” she heard him say softly. “It’ll help you get started. God has not forgotten you, Aimee.”
     The young girl looked up at Liam in surprise and then broke into tears, throwing herself into his arms. He held her a moment, as a parent might comfort their child, letting her cry. Tears began to fill Olivia’s eyes as she watched the young girl start to glow with a radiant light only she was gifted to see. After a moment, the girl released Liam and wiped her eyes, thanking him before she walked into the back room.
    As Liam returned to the table and sat down, Olivia stared at him in awe. “You’re amazing, you know that, right? No wonder I love you so much.” The words spilled from her lips before she realized what she’d said.
    Liam’s dark violet gaze locked on her—hard and unwavering.
    “What?” she grumbled defensively. “Why do you look so surprised? You know I love you. You can feel my emotions, remember?”
    “Feeling it and hearing you say it, are two different things.”
    The scrutiny of his gaze made her uncomfortable. She broke eye contact, fidgeting with the napkin in her lap. “Yeah, well, I didn’t think I’d ever get the chance to say it again, either. After so many years one begins to give up hope.” If he could feel her emotions, and there was no doubt that he could, then he fully knew she was more than ready for this conversation to be over. The only thing that could come from laying her heart out here like some sacrificial lamb was to get it torched in the flames of regret.
    Liam nodded curtly. Apparently, he wasn’t in any hurry to go there, either. “Are you ready