"Myra, Love. Just say it."
She raised worried eyes to his, and everything inside him wanted to reach out, gather her up and hold her, but he didn't. He forced himself to remain steady on his feet, waiting for her.
"Liam," She started with a slight tremble in her voice. "Will you still love me? After..." she trailed off, her eyes dropping to stare at nothing on the bed. "If it's not good, if I’m not good, I mean. Will you still love me then?"
With a deep breath, Liam did climb onto the bed then, gathered her into his arms, and stroked her hair gently. "Tell me." He urged her quietly. “Why in the world would you think you wouldn’t be good?”
Myra felt him take a deep breath, was just about to answer when he spoke. “It’s because I’m such a big oaf. Isn’t it?”
Chapter 12
Myra burst out laughing. All the anxiety she’d been feeling washed away on a tide of giggles.
“I love you too.” She told him when she could take a breath. “Thank you for making me laugh.”
He kissed the top of her head and she sighed.
“I don’t know how to have the sex talk.” She told him reluctantly.
“Ah, because we’ve been friends for a while. I’ve told you my big secret and now it feels a little awkward?” He asked slowly.
“Awkward. Yeah.” She buried her head in his chest, blowing out a heavy breath.
“Well, I’ve learned the best way to deal with the uncomfortable thing is to just get to it. Head-on. So, my sweet Myra. What would you like to know? Ask me anything.”
He was being so sweet, melting her heart with every word. He just wasn’t getting it though. Head-on, he said. Ok then.
“Liam.” She groaned to herself. “I’ve never had sex before, much less the kind of sex you’re into.” She felt the pause of his hand on her head, then he was pulling her into himself, rolling, bringing her with him so she lay sprawled on top of him.
“Myra.” Her name fell from his lips with a gruffness that made her insides melt. “I would be your first?”
She swallowed hard, nodding against his chest.
“Tell me something, Love.”
He rolled in a single smooth motion, putting her on her back, resting over her on his elbows, his massive frame exquisitely heavy on her body. “Can I be your first?” His dark eyes bored into her with an intensity that made her heart pause. “Can I be your first, Myra? Your Last? Can I be that and everything in between? Will you give me that honor?”
Myra didn’t even realize tears were rolling from her eyes until he reached up to wipe them away. She simply nodded at him, not trusting her voice.
“You know what I want Myra.” Those dark eyes never left hers. It was like he stared into her very soul. “If you say yes, we’re doing this and we’re doing it forever. If you say yes, you’re saying you’re mine. You’re mine and I’m yours, until death parts us. I asked you to marry me, but I meant it, Myra.” His voice was rough, dark and urgent “Say you’ll marry me. Tell me you’re mine.”
“I’m yours.” She responded on a shallow exhale.
Chapter 13
“I thought we were going to have sex.” Myra pouted as Liam pulled her closer to his side on the sofa and stroked her arm.
“Oh, Love, we will be doing that. Don’t you worry.”
She turned back to the movie they were watching. A chick flick that he’d selected. She was so confused, she couldn’t have said what movie it was or who was in it. After she’d told Liam she was his, she’d expected to be ravished, taken passionately by the man who’d claimed her. It looked promising from the way he’d kissed her until she was breathless, moaning beneath him, her hips moving in a rhythm all their own. She’d been on the verge of begging him for more when he pulled back, looked at her pensively, brushed a final, chaste kiss across her lips, then pulled her up. “Let’s watch a movie and cuddle.” He’d said, carrying her to the main living room. Myra was floored.
Cuddle? Did he really say he wanted to cuddle? Something must be terribly wrong with her. So, here she sat. The fire crackled happily in the fireplace, the couple on screen were getting everything they ever wanted, and she and Liam were cuddling.
What. The. Hell?
“The rest of the family will be here tomorrow.” She reminded him, hoping he would want to take advantage of the time they still had alone.
“Yes.” He answered smoothly. “Are you looking forward to seeing them?”
“Um. Yeah, I guess I am.” She stammered, feeling completely out of touch with whatever reality this was. “You know, it’s Christmas. The day after tomorrow. We’re going home the day after Christmas, you know that, right?”
“We should talk about that.” He told her, his eyes not leaving the movie.
“Okay?”
“I want you to move in with me.”
Wait. What?
“Liam.” She scooted away from him, staring incredulously with her mouth agape. “We haven’t even had sex, and you want me to move in with you?”
“Do we have to have sex first?” He asked with a smirk. “Because we will be doing that. We’ll also be getting married. I want you to live with me. I happen to know that your lease is up at the end of this month, so it’s perfect timing.”
What the what?
“How do you know my lease is up?” She asked, peering at him skeptically.
“Your dad told me.”
“My dad told you.”
“Yep.”
“Why did my dad tell you?”
“I told him I wanted to marry you.”
“And he just up and told you about my lease.”
“Yep.”
This was getting ridiculous. Myra was just about to tell him exactly how ridiculous it was when he spoke up.
“Love, I know this seems fast, but we’ve known each other for ten years. I don’t want to spend another night, another day, another hour, without you here beside me. I want to go to sleep loving you, and I want to wake with your beautiful face being the first thing I see. I’m a selfish bastard and I don’t want to wait. I want it now. I want you forever. Starting now.”
Well, what was she supposed to say to that?
“I need some time to think about it.” She told him cautiously.
He kissed the top of her head and murmured, “Don’t take too long.”
Chapter 14
The next morning, Myra emerged from a steaming shower feeling a strange mixture of excitement and disbelief. Excitement because Liam wanted to marry her. In her wildest dreams, she never imagined he would jump in so wholeheartedly and completely. Disbelief because Liam didn’t want to have sex with her. Well, that wasn’t totally accurate. She was sure he wanted to. She’d felt the evidence of that when they were making out on the couch the night before. She just didn’t know what was holding him back.
Myra relieved the ache within her own body while thinking of Liam in the shower, but she wanted him. It was giving her a complex, rolling over and over in her mind all the reasons he might hold back from her. She was just about to take her barely clothed self into the kitchen, hoping a little skin would accomplished what she hadn't yet been able to achieve, when low-toned whispers stopped her in her tracks.
Ugh! She groaned, threw her hands up and rolled her eyes. Now her family was here and it would be days before she had him alone again. She hadn't given him an answer about moving in, but maybe she should do it. At least then, he wouldn't be able to avoid her. What was his deal anyway? Was it because she was a virgin, both physically and to his kinky side?
Every guy she'd dated in high school and college - all three of them - were more than eager to get her into bed. She'd been the one to put on the brakes. Now, the tables were turned and she was feeling the frustration.
"Myra!" Her mom exclaimed when she entered the kitchen, clothed in more suitable attire. "You look so fresh and lovely this morning."
Myra smiled and let Brenda wrap her up in one of those long hugs she was famous for.
"Good morning, mom. How was your drive? And where is everybody?"
The kitchen was empty. The cabin felt empty even though she knew she'd heard voices in the hall.
"The drive was no problem at all. The roads were clear for us. Liam is out back, chopping some wood. Your dad and the others went into town for supplies.”
“Oh.” Myra tried to hide her disappointment. She loved going into town with her sisters on Christmas Eve. It was one of the things she looked forward to, almost more than Christmas day itself.
“Will you help me wrap some of the gifts?” Her mom asked expectantly.
“You want me to help you?” Myra replied, eyebrows raised in question.
Her mom laughed and waved for Myra to follow her.
“Don’t worry baby, I won’t give you the scissors, but you can definitely wrap.”
It wasn’t until Brenda put the finishing bow on the last package, that Myra realized how much time had actually passed.
“Should we call daddy?” Myra glanced at the clock on the nightstand beside her parents’ bed. She and her mom had been wrapping gifts in the master bedroom for more than four hours and no one had even peeked in to say hello.
“I’m sure they’re fine.” Her mom replied with a wave of her hand. “Help me carry these packages down to the Living room.”
Myra and Brenda made four trips, carting armfuls of brightly wrapped gifts down the stairs. When Myra asked about the Christmas tree, her mom told her that father didn’t want to worry about one this year, so the gifts would be placed to the side of the fireplace to be opened after Christmas breakfast. This Christmas was turning out to be more and more disappointing. So far, the only high point had been Liam’s profession of love and the small amount of time they’d had alone. Her family knew that Christmas was her favorite time of year, that having a tree with its shiny ornaments and twinkling lights was second only to having the family gathered around it. So, why was this Christmas, the one that should be the best one of all, turning into such a disappointment? And now Liam was nowhere to be found.
“I’m really tired, mom.” Myra sighed on a yawn.
The two had just shared two cups of hot chocolate, Myra trying to keep her disappointment from showing, while her mom chatted on about something that Myra couldn’t make heads or tails of. Her eyes felt so heavy all of a sudden. She just wanted to close them.
“I’m going to take a nap. Wake me up when daddy and the others get back?”
“Sure, honey.” Her mom gave her a hug and kiss on the cheek and Myra shuffled to her bedroom, fighting tears of disappointment as she threw herself on her bed.
Chapter 15
“Myra.” Her sister’s soft voice broke through the darkness of slumber.
Myra rolled to her back, blinking her eyes. She felt like she’d been asleep for days. Her mouth was dry, her eyes feeling like weights were tied to her eyelids.
“Rhonda?” She croaked. “What time is it? How long have I been asleep?”
“It’s Christmas morning, baby sister. You slept through the night.”
Myra groaned when Rhonda helped her sit up, handing her a glass of water. “Drink this, you’ll feel better.”
Myra took the glass, gratefully swallowing the cool liquid.
“Today is going to be the best Christmas ever.” Rhonda whispered, affectionately brushing Myra’s hair off her forehead. Rhonda sounded thoroughly convinced. Myra hoped she was right, because so far, she’d had nothing but disappointments this season.
“Why are you waking me up so early?” She groaned.
“It’s not that early, just not very bright outside. Come on, get up and get a shower, wash your hair, shave your legs. Today’s a big day.”
Myra’s eyes still weren’t fully open, but she knew Rhonda was barely containing her excitement. She could feel the energy drifting off her older sister in waves.
“Okay. Give me about forty minutes.”
“Perfect.” Rhonda bounced off the bed, rubbing her hands together in excitement as she exited Myra’s room.
Forty-five minutes later, Myra walked into the kitchen, her breath catching, eyes going wide at the scene before her.
One long side of the mahogany dining table was lined with ten slim vases, each containing a single rose of its own unique color, with a small note hanging from its stem. Across from the vases, various pastries and fruits filled sparkling crystal platers. Myra turned abruptly when a deep voice she didn’t recognize spoke from behind her.
“Good morning, Myra.”
Two women and a man, none of whom she recognized, stood at the entry to the kitchen. The two women grinned at her with twinkling eyes, while the man smiled at her with a soft, kind expression that gentled his handsome features.
“My name is Garret.” He announced, putting his hand to his chest. “These lovely ladies are my assistants. Nina,” Garret gestured to the woman on his left who gave a small wave. “And Simone.” He gestured to the woman on his right, who smiled broadly at Myra.
“I don’t mean to be rude,” Myra spoke hesitantly. “But why are you here? What is all this?”
Garrett chuckled softly, his eyes never leaving hers. “My dear, today is a very special day, all for you. Think of us as your fairy godparents.” He walked to one of the chairs at the table, gesturing for her to sit. “I have instructions that I will follow to the letter. Please just follow our lead and enjoy everything this is bringing you. Starting with breakfast.”
Garret reached into the breast pocket of his charcoal grey blazer and pulled out a slim envelope. With a smile, he handed it to her.
“This is the first thing you are to read today. We’ll give you forty-five minutes, then be back to collect you for stage two.”
He turned and strode out of the kitchen, Nina and Simone silently following, like this was a well-practiced ceremony.
Myra stared after the trio, feeling perplexed and insanely curious. Careful not to cut herself, but moving as quickly as she could, she tore open the envelope Garret had handed her. The paper felt expensive, heavy, exquisitely textured. The words were painted on the page in the most beautiful calligraphy Myra had ever seen, but it was what those words said that brought a tear to her eye.
“My dearest Myra,
For a decade I’ve watched you, seen you grow, been privileged to learn about you and know you in ways few people do. You constantly surprise and amaze me just by being you.
Today, it’s my turn to surprise you. I know waking up the way you did this morning, having strangers sit you down and tell you to eat, now reading this note, your head is spinning. Please relax and know that you are with a group handpicked by me to make today as special and unforgettable as you are. You’ll be given a series of instructions. Follow each one and it will lead to the next.
Today is your day, beautiful. I’ll see you soon.
All my Love,
Liam
The roses on the table before you are symbolic. Read each note at your leisure during breakfast, but start with the light pink one.”
Myra swiped the tear rolling down her cheek, reached for the light pink rose in its slender vase, and carefully pulled the note from it. The writing was penned in the same style as the letter. No way, she thought. No way Liam wrote like that and she was just now finding out.
“If you are reading this note before the others, you’ve followed my instructions perfectly so far. Let’s keep going.
Ten roses represent the ten years I’ve known you. This light pink rose represents your gentleness.
When we met, that first night at your parents’ house. When you held me while I wept over the loss of my own parents, it was your gentleness that soothed my aching heart. Your gentleness is like an oasis in this cruel world.
I love your gentleness, Myra. The white rose is next.”
Myra took a shaky breath and a sip of hot chocolate before reaching for the frosted glass vase of the white rose.
“The white rose symbolizes innocen
ce.
You were so young when I met you, Myra. I attributed the innocent nature you embody to age. But you’ve proven me wrong. I don’t often admit to being wrong, but your innocence has nothing to do with age. You see the world through a lens most can only hope for. You see good and beauty where others cannot. You bring goodness and beauty to everyone around you without even trying.
I love your innocence, Myra. Go to the yellow rose.”
Two roses in, and the tears were streaming down her face. Someone knew this would happen, because there was a small box of tissues at the corner of the table. She grabbed a couple and wiped her nose, then pulled the yellow rose, perched in a rainbow swirled vase towards her, untying the note.
“Yellow for friendship.
Myra, I don’t think you even realize how much of a friend you’ve been to me through the years. I don’t get along with many people. If you haven’t noticed (being sarcastic here), I don’t have many friends, and the time you spend with me, not caring who I am or what I have in my bank account, means more than you know. I’m going to work hard to show you just how much you, how much your friendship, means to me. For now though, know that I love your friendship, Myra. Read peach’s next.”
Food forgotten, Myra gently grabbed the slender glass containing the soft peach rose.
“Myra, you are the most beautiful woman I know. I know you take care of yourself and work hard to look your best. I also know you don’t flaunt what most women would. Maybe you’re insecure in your beauty. If that’s the case, you can bet I’ll be showing you how beautiful you are at every turn. Maybe you don’t want to deal with the idiots who hit on you because they just can’t cope with beauty like yours, or maybe you learned from your mother, who is a classy woman herself. Whatever the case, the way you present yourself, always with modesty and so much class, is refreshing. This peach rose speaks of modesty.
All I Want: A Valentine Family Novella (The Valentine Family Book 1) Page 6