Relinquishing Liberty by Maureen Mayer Read Free Book Online Page A

at ease now. He reached across the table and brushed his thumb lightly across the now yellowing bruise. It reminded me of when Brett had ever so gently inspected the damage he caused that day on the beach, but there was something different about Shayne’s touch. I looked up, and it wasn’t concern that I saw in Shayne’s eyes; there was an intensity there that I couldn’t quite read. The tenderness that poured through his touch was much more intimate and had me responding in ways I never had before. A shiver spread throughout my body; from the fire I could see reflecting in those emerald eyes, I think he felt it too. His thumb brushed across my cheek, grazing along my jaw until it ended at my chin before his hand returned to his lap.
    I wasn’t sure how long we had been sitting there like that, but when I broke eye contact to check my watch, my break had already ended about five minutes ago.
    “Shit, I have to get back now. Your dinner should be done by now so I’ll bring that out for you. I’m sorry we didn’t really get to talk more.”
    “Don’t worry about it. I enjoyed having you here with me, even if it was for a little while. I’m sure I’ll get another chance to talk to you again, Liberty.”
    Wait, how did he… “How did you know my name? I never…”
    He let out the sexiest full-body laugh I had ever heard. “Your nametag, sweetheart.” He brushed my hair over my shoulder uncovering the black nametag with my name printed in gold lettering. God, I didn’t know what was sexier, his laugh or that gorgeous smile that now lit up his whole face.
    “Right.” I felt like such an idiot.
    “Well I’m Shayne. Shayne Thompson.” He extended his hand to me, and I accepted it eagerly. It seemed silly at this point to be making such proper introductions, but my tiny hand was a perfect fit for his. I had felt it before that day on the beach, but the electricity flowing between us was even stronger now, and I didn’t want to let go. Unfortunately, I was now ten minutes late coming back from my break; surely the poor guy was starving by now.
    After Shayne finished eating, he paid his bill (which he happened to write his number on!) and left me a tip that was far too generous. I almost felt guilty accepting it, but hey, I needed the money now that I had rent to pay. Maddie would be so pissed she gave up this customer tonight!
    I finished taking care of the rest of my customers, clearing off their tables and dropping off the dishes in the kitchen. When I looked over at Brett, he appeared to be in a foul mood. Someone must have royally pissed him off to put that look on his face.
    “What’s with the face, Brett? You look like someone just ran over your dog. Did you have a nasty customer?”
    He continued to wipe down the bar counters, not bothering to respond to me. His eyes remained fixated on what he was doing.
    “ Oookay . So…Shayne gave me his number…”
    His head sprung up, and I swore I thought his eyes were going to pop out of his skull. Well that clearly got his attention.
    “Liberty…” He paused like he was trying to find the right words. “I know we don’t really know each other that well, so my opinion probably doesn’t matter, but…just be careful around Shayne. Like I said, he used to be a bit of a player. I don’t know if that’s still the case; we don’t really talk to each other that much anymore, but I’d hate to see you get hurt. You’re a sweet girl and deserve better than a guy like that.”
    Wow, I wasn’t expecting that from Brett. Then again, maybe I should have. I’d been getting mixed signals from him since day one. “Um, Brett, it’s not like I’m marrying him. He just gave me his number. I don’t even know if I’m going to call him.”
    His shoulders slumped, and a gentle smile slowly replaced the gloomy look on his face. Well that response seemed to appease Brett…for now.

 
     
    I had been living in Savannah for about a week and everything seemed to be