Free When We Kiss by Darcy Burke Page B

Whitney and her dad were crazies when he’d taken up with her. “What makes you think they don’t know?”
    â€œBecause you’re secretive, and you keep your women separate from your family. I’m not stupid, Liam.” She took a deep breath. “I don’t want to fight with you. If you don’t want to date, fine. I’d be game for the drinking and sex, too. Anytime. And remember, I’d be happy to talk to my dad.” She raked him with a lustful stare. “Think about it on your ride home.” She turned and walked across the parking lot.
    Gritting his teeth, Liam fastened his helmet and climbed onto his bike. All he had to do was sleep with Whitney Parker, and this entire zoning mess could potentially go away. He started up his bike and rode out of the lot onto the highway.
    Maybe he should consider it. One night wouldn’t do any harm, and it wasn’t like he was seeing someone. Hell, he hadn’t even had sex since . . . shit November ? With Aubrey.
    No, he couldn’t do it. He couldn’t bone Whitney. Furthermore, he didn’t have to. Aubrey was going to kick that high-powered attorney’s ass. Even as he thought that, a voice in the back of his head said that Aubrey was relatively green compared to the Parkers’ bulldog.
    Shit, they’d better win. He couldn’t imagine Alex’s dream not coming to fruition. No, he wouldn’t let that happen.

Chapter Five
    A UBREY TRUDGED BACK to her house from the next door neighbors’ and scowled at her car parked in the driveway. Her brand-new TV was trapped in the back because she couldn’t lift it into the house by herself. Uncle Dave was out of town, Stuart was busy for the weekend, and her neighbors, whose door she’d just knocked on, weren’t home.
    The next name that popped into her head was bad news: Liam.
    He was probably busy feeding his extreme-sports habit. Which she’d told Emily she’d talk to him about. She pulled her phone from her back pocket and pulled up his contact information. Before she could change her mind, she texted him and was surprised when his response came immediately.
    Sure, I’ll be there in about fifteen minutes.
    He was coming here. To her house. Where they’d had sex on more than one occasion. Smart move, Tallinger.
    Why hadn’t she texted any of the other Archer men? Dylan would’ve come over in a heartbeat. As would’ve Derek. Or Sean. Or Kyle. But no, she’d texted Liam. So she could talk to him about his extreme sports.
    Yeah, right.
    Aubrey went inside to wait and further deride her foolish choice. A short while later, the sound of a motorcycle drew her to the front bay window. Liam parked his bike in the driveway and whipped off his helmet. His dark hair was tousled in an impossibly sexy way. No one’s hair had a right to look that good without effort.
    Aubrey crossed through the entryway and did a quick check of her own hair in the mirror in the dining room. A basic high ponytail was hard to screw up, but it was good to see she didn’t look as anxious as she felt. What had she been thinking inviting Liam Archer to her house? Alone.
    She heard his boots on the porch. Too late to do anything about her panic now, except swallow it. She pasted a smile on her face and opened the door. “Thanks for coming on such short notice.”
    He pulled his lightweight leather jacket off. “It’s no problem. Glad I could help.” He flashed her his trademark smile that never failed to melt her knees—as well as points north of them. “Where’s this new TV?” he asked.
    â€œIt’s, uh, in the back of my car.”
    He dropped his coat on the teak loveseat her aunt and uncle had bought her as a housewarming present two years ago. Aunt Cyndi had said the porch needed a loveseat and hadn’t wanted Aubrey to have to wait until she could afford one.
    Liam walked to the end of the porch. The