Read Online High Maintenance by Lia Fairchild - Free Book Online Page B

the candle glow. “And, I get to pet her sometimes.”
    “I can take care of all the petting just fine.”
    “Mmm. Can I watch?”
    “Stop!” She giggled. “And, you want to start drinking?”
    “What, you don’t trust me? Or, is it yourself that you don’t trust?”
    “I can handle my liquor, no problem.” Lexy lifted Cupcake and set her in the box next to Tate. “Watch my baby.” She took one of the candles into the kitchen, set it on the counter, and pulled a couple of glasses and the Cuervo bottle from the cupboard. She startled when she felt Tate behind her.
    “Need some help?” he said softly in her ear.
    Lexy’s lower abdomen quivered, and it was all she could do not to lean back into his solid build. “Yeah, take these glasses.”
    Tate set them on the counter and then took hold of her shoulders, turned her to face him. “Look, I’ve tried to mind my own business, but I need to ask you…are you okay?”
    Even in the dim candlelight she could see the concern in his eyes. With his gaze locked on hers, she also saw something more and couldn’t look away. “Yes…mostly.”
    “All joking aside, you know I’m here for you, right?”
    Lexy nodded.
    “I’m here…however you want me.”
    She looked down at her hands to escape his penetrating eyes. “I appreciate that. It means a lot.” Then, she caught sight of something that made her tuck her hands quickly under her arms.
    Tate’s sturdy hands clasped onto each of her wrists and gently pulled them out. Her breath grew shallow as he discovered what she’d hidden when he unfolded the fingers on her right hand. “ Tate ?” he said, reading the word on her palm. His thumb caressed tiny circles around his name that had Lexy’s temperature shooting to a new high.
    She swallowed past her dry throat. “Don’t read into this,” she said, pulling her hand away. “It was only…to remind me to thank you for the plants…and for Cupcake.” She looked up and found a set of gleaming white teeth on display. “So wipe that stupid smile off your face, Tate.” She grabbed the candle and the bottle and headed back over.
    “Oh, God, say my name again. That’s even better than writing it.” Tate followed with the glasses.
    “You’re impossible.” She allowed herself to laugh, though she was still embarrassed.
    “C’mon, just let me enjoy the ego stroke,” he chuckled.
    “I’m sure you have no problem stroking your own ego.”
    “Kitten, not in front of the baby.”
    When they were both seated, Tate took the bottle and poured them each a short glass. “A toast,” he said, holding up his glass. “To the writing on the…hand.” He laughed and shot his back.
    Lexy did hers as well. “Whoa, that’s rough.” She took a drink of water and welcomed the little warm sensation already working its way through her.
    “Nice job, Kitten. Now let me take another look at that hand.” He slipped his arm around her waist and pulled her onto his lap.
    Lexy squirmed and laughed. “Stop,” she said, unconvincingly.
    Tate held her firm with one arm still around her waist, causing her heart to flutter and heat to rush to her face. His other hand smoothed down her hair and brushed it behind her shoulder where his chin landed. “Your hair smells so damn good.”
    Goosebumps danced across her skin. She turned her head to the side, their faces so close she imagined his stubble dragging on her cheek. His eyes darted down to her lips, hers doing the same to his, both breathed to the same heavy rhythm. It wasn’t the first time she’d thought about those lips touching hers. Once they started, they wouldn’t be able to stop. She was sure of that, so she turned her head. “Let’s have another,” she said, popping off his lap.
    “Okay, but if you start dancing on the countertop I may have to cut you off.”
    Tate poured out two more drinks and handed one to Lexy. “To…what’s the name of your shop?”
    “Still undecided.”
    “To the soon-to-be-named