by Julia Bright
He took a bite of pizza and watched as she struggled since her hand was damaged. She was very independent, but she needed help. Maybe he should have chosen a different meal. Next time, he’d make something she could eat on her own. He took her piece of pizza and lifted it, letting her take a bite.
“Thank you,” she said after she finished chewing.
“You know, it will only be a short while before you’re healed.”
She tried to look happy but he saw the fear and doubt in her eyes.
“I know, I just don’t like being totally dependent on someone else.”
He understood exactly what she meant. “I get that. When my mom died I tried to stay strong and never ask for help. It didn’t work out. I can help you.”
“I’m sorry that happened to you.”
He shrugged as pain from that time slid through him. “I’m fine now, but it changed me. You might have noticed I don’t talk much.”
“Maybe.” Her lips quirked up.
“Because of my family situation and being moved from one family member to another, I had to take on more than I should have. I had to do everything by myself. Maybe I could have asked for help, I don’t know. Maybe I’ve lost track of what I was saying. It’s just that I get that you want to do it all on your own, really, I do. One thing the guys showed me is sometimes you need to lean on others. It doesn’t make you weaker, it makes you stronger. So please, let me help you, because I know there will be times I need you to help me.”
Her eyes stayed on him as she gave a short nod. He lifted the pizza so she could take another bite. When they finished eating, he helped her wash with a rag before he carried her to bed. Before he joined her, he checked the doors again. When he slipped into the bedroom, he didn’t like the look in her eyes, but he wasn’t sure how to help her.
He settled in bed and pulled the covers up. She rolled to him and rested her head on his chest. Her injured hand was across his stomach. His heart was close to shattering by how sad she seemed. He’d joined up in the Army so things like this didn’t happen where he lived, but he couldn’t stop stupid. People were jerks. They did dumb things and hurt people. The idiots who’d robbed the bank weren’t like most people here. He just had to remember that.
Lorelei let loose a sob and he wrapped his arms tighter and kissed the top of her head. He held her until her crying quieted.
“I’ll make sure you’re safe,” he whispered.
She pulled away a little. “You can’t be with me all the time.”
“No, I guess I can’t, but I can make sure this house is safe.”
She sniffled and settled on his chest again. “It’s so old.”
“We can get different doors. We should also get the garage door fixed.”
She sniffled again. “It hasn’t worked in years.”
“I’ll figure something out. I don’t want you to fear coming home.”
Lorelei yawned and stretched. “I swear Rayne said something about taking me to the shooting range.”
He chuckled. “She’s feisty. Yeah, she’s going to take you to the range. And then she’ll probably get you to enroll into a self-defense class.”
“After today, I’m ready to take anything that could help me.”
He kissed her forehead, and they both settled. It took a long time for him to fall asleep. There was no chance anyone would break in again, but every sound made him jump. He’d made sure their alarms were off before he drifted off so they both woke in the morning after the sun was up.
Lorelei rolled over and groaned. He helped her up and into the bathroom. She looked like hell. The pain had to be high this morning. After she finished in the bathroom, he carried her to the couch and went in search of pain pills for her. She didn’t want to take one, and he understood her hesitancy, but she needed something. He cut the pill in half and she agreed to take another half if the pain didn’t ease.
After he made sure Lorelei had everything she needed, he headed out to the garage to see what could be done. First, he’d have to clean out the space, then he’d need to fix the roll up door and the rails. He looked through a few of the boxes and determined they were items Lorelei would have to go through. He should rent space at a short-term storage facility and then empty the garage. Once she felt better, she could go through the items.
He checked on her again, finding her asleep. He called around for prices on storage, finding a place not too far away. After talking to the woman who owned the storage company, he put down a security deposit on a unit. Then he started researching garage doors and tracks for them. He made a decision on a high-tech opener that alerted her each time the garage door was active. He also bought a security system that would operate with an application on her phone.
If she was angry about him doing all this, he would figure out a way to make her happy, but he couldn’t allow her to live here without some safety measures in place. She may not like all the alarms and new locks, but he would ease her into the idea if that’s what it took.
After he finished purchasing the security items, he checked on her again. She was still asleep. She slept for another thirty minutes, and when she stirred, he was there beside her. She looked so out of it when she woke his heart squeezed.
“What time is it?” Lorelei asked as she rubbed her eyes.
She was too cute, and he wanted to wrap his arms around her and never let go. He clicked the button on the side of his phone to check the time. “It’s almost noon.”
“Ugh, no more of those pain pills.”
He leaned in and kissed her forehead. “How about a pit stop and then I can fix you something to eat?”
“Sure. I guess I need something to eat.”
She was trying to keep her spirits up, but she’d been through a traumatic experience. He felt for her. Being attacked and injured was hard on the psyche. The first time he’d been in close-contact combat it had left him shaking. What she went through was so much more devastating because it had happened at her home.
After she washed her hands, he set her on the bathroom counter and pushed her hair behind her ears. She spread her knees, and he moved into her space, loving her warmth. He cupped the back of her head and buried his hand in her hair. He moved in close and slid his lips over hers. She moaned as her fingers flitted over his chest to his waist, sending electricity along his nerves.
Lorelei ended the kiss and leaned back a little. “Thank you for helping me so much.”
Being this close was intoxicating, but she was injured so he pushed away thoughts of sex. “I’m happy to help.”
“It’s nice having you here.”
He needed to tell her about the things he’d done. “While you were asleep, I did some stuff.”
She lifted her brows and her eyes went wide. “Stuff? Like what stuff?”
He prayed she wouldn’t be mad. “I bought an alarm for your house, arranged to have the things in your garage put into storage, and I started pricing out garage doors and openers. I haven’t made a decision on that—well, I have, but I wanted to talk to you about it.”
Her eyes got a faraway look. Worry filled him, and he was about to say something when she lifted her hand, silencing him.
“I’ve been meaning to go through the boxes in the garage. And the door out there, how can we fix it?”
He’d noticed the 'we' on fixing the garage door. She wouldn’t be able to help with much for a while, but he liked that she wanted to help him.
Her eyelids narrowed, and her frown deepened. “Why are you smiling, do I have drool?”
“No, I’m just glad you want to do stuff with me, it’s like we’re a team.”
A smile lit her face. “A team, I like that. I like being a part of a team.”
“So you’re okay with everything I’ve done?”
“Why wouldn’t I be?”
“Well, this is your house and—”
She placed her fingers on his lips, stopping his words. “It’s been a long time since I’ve had anyone care for
me.”
“I like caring for you,” he said as her fingers dropped to his chest where she toyed with the collar of his shirt.
“I’ve been on my own, and I know I’m strong and can do it myself, but I like having you with me. I like you being on my team. What you said earlier, it’s true. I’ve been independent for so long, but you being in my life is good.” Her eyes brightened as she spoke, and he leaned in and brushed his lips over hers in a slow kiss that left him wanting more.
“You know, later, we could snuggle in bed,” Lorelei whispered.
Her suggestion made him immediately hard. She chuckled and reached down, her hand sliding over his length. A shiver ripped through him as she stroked him. He took a step back.
“You’re injured.”
She reached for the front of his shirt and drew him close. “You can do all the work, and I can just lie there.”
Her proposal was tempting. “How about after lunch, if you want?”
She sighed. “I need this now. I need to feel something other than the fear. I want to feel life again.”
The words sunk in, twisting around his heart and his head, making him desperate to help her get over the bad those two guys had created.
“I don’t want to hurt you.”
She shook her head. “I’ll tell you if it hurts. Even if it’s you jerking off beside me while I watch, I need it. I need some image in my head that isn’t that guy standing over me as he explained how he would rape me.”
Anger for Lorelei filled him, and he wanted her to have peace too. He scooped her up off the counter and carried her to the bed. After setting her on the mattress, he helped her undress, making sure not to hurt her.
Every inch of skin revealed ramped his desire even higher. He tugged off his clothes, shoving his pants to the floor. Her good hand reached for him and he stretched out beside her. He didn’t think this would work with her on her back, so he helped her to her side, making sure she was comfortable and that her injured hand was resting on a pillow. He moved behind her, thinking he was the luckiest man in the world. When his dick brushed over her flesh, he shivered. Being with this woman was better than any relationship he’d ever had.
The desire to protect her grew. He wanted her safe, and he wanted her happy. He hoped he could bring some order to the chaos she’d experienced. Mostly, he wanted to be a guy she loved, because she was the only woman for him. His heart filled with emotions so strong he shook. Lorelei was too good for him, and he would do everything he could to make her know she was cherished.
14
Pain still radiated from her hand, but her ankle was feeling a little better. Flashes of the day before hit out of nowhere and she had no clue how to stop them. Then Liam was there, his hands on her and she felt safe. The memories of the asshole standing over her, threatening her disappeared.
When Liam picked her up and carried her to the bathroom, all she could think about was getting him into bed. She needed to feel his love.
Desire filled his eyes, but he was being so nice, too nice. It was obvious he didn’t want to injure her.
“You’re injured.” His eyes flicked over her body and she could see the desire plain as day on his face.
She reached for the front of his shirt and drew him closer, needing the connection. “You can do all the work, and I can just lie there.”
Liam’s tongue darted out and he licked his lips. “How about after lunch, if you want?”
Desperation filled her. “I need this now. I need to feel something other than the fear. I want to feel life again.”
“I don’t want to hurt you.”
Her heart squeezed, and she cupped his cheek, thinking she was the luckiest woman alive. “I’ll tell you if it hurts. Even if it’s you jerking off beside me while I watch, I need it. I need some image in my head that isn’t that guy standing over me as he explained how he would rape me.”
His face scrunched up, and he gave her a sharp nod before he picked her up and carried her into the bedroom. He helped her undress before he tugged off his clothes. Her body heated as she drank in the sight of him. The bad was melting away. This image of Liam unbuttoning his jeans, pushing them low, shoved away the other images.
He dropped to the bed beside her and she sighed. The stress dissipated. When he spooned her, she relaxed a little more. Every touch Liam branded her with his love, vanquishing the demons from the day before.
He slid his hand over her belly, setting off a firestorm of desire. Then his fingers were on her clit and fire consumed her. Little kisses on her neck and shoulder were like bursts of love, blowing away all the bad. He moved, positioning his cockhead at her opening. She knew he didn’t have a condom and she didn’t care. She just wanted him.
When he slid in, it felt like life. Her body shook and he moved closer. His body plastered against her, driving her wild. Making love with Liam stripped away the bad.
His fingers were like magic on her body, taking her higher. Liam pressed against her clit, sending a shudder through her. He did it again and she bucked her hips. He chuckled, his breath a warm tickle on her skin.
“That’s it, babe, come for me.”
Her muscles clenched, time stood still as everything in her being was brought to the brink then released as her orgasm ripped through her. She cried out his name as she came. Bliss blanked her brain and finally she relaxed.
Liam tightened his hold on her as he stroked in. Being with him felt so good. When he grunted her name, everything felt right. For a moment, everything fell in line and life was as it should be. No bad memories, just the two of them together, loving each other.
They drifted back to earth, peace filling her. He slid out but didn’t move away. She turned her head and smiled. “Thank you, you pushed away the bad.”
His eyes softened, and he moved to kiss her. She opened for him, allowing him to lead the kiss. When he pulled back, his eyes were filled with wonder. She couldn’t believe this man was hers.
“You’re an amazing woman.”
“I love you,” she said.
“Every day, Lorelei, I’m going to work to make sure you know you’re loved.”
She adjusted, careful with her injured hand. With her good hand, she reached over and cupped his face. “And I’m going to make sure you know you’re appreciated and loved.”
“I can’t believe someone as wonderful as you wants a guy like me.”
With some effort, she sat up and turned to face him. “Don’t discount yourself, you’re amazing.”
He shook his head. “I know I’m just average. I just…the first time I saw you, I felt something so pure. I wasn’t sure you would want me too.”
“Liam, why wouldn’t I want you? You make my heart sing. I’m not just saying I love you when I say those words, I’m saying that you changed me for the better. You made my life wonderful. You changed everything.”
His eyes grew bright, and he moved to pick her up, placing her in his lap. His arms around her were reminders of love, bringing her so much happiness it was crazy. “And you changed everything for me.”
She laughed and moved so she could look into his eyes. Her breath caught as emotions filled her. Love was such a strange thing. It filled her, but she couldn’t measure it. Every part of her was drawn to him. She knew life with Liam would be amazing.
His lips turned up in a smile and she felt a bubble burst as laughter trickled up. “Forever?” Lorelei asked.
“Forever, my love.”
His lips on hers were warm like home. His hands were kind, not possessive, and his love was perfect. She couldn’t ask for anything more. Liam had brought happiness to her life she hadn’t known she’d been lacking.
Epilogue
Liam pulled into the driveway and hit the button opening the garage door. Lorelei’s car was in its place. He blew out a breath, trying to calm his racing heart. It had taken him hours to make this decision. He thought he’d made the right one.
The dresses hung at the back of her close
t had been a huge clue in what she’d want. In the end, he had asked Rayne to help him. She’d told him the vintage white gold ring with a four-leaf motif and a sparkling emerald was perfect. Now, he worried she’d think it was cheesy.
She opened the door from the house and stared out into the garage, one eyebrow cocked up, her lips twisted in a smirk.
“You going to sit there all day?”
He smiled and popped open the door to his truck, grabbing his rucksack on the way out. “I was thinking of it.”
“Dinner is almost ready.”
He stepped into the house and pulled her close, staring into her eyes for a moment before dropping a kiss on her lips. When he stood tall again, he noticed her eyes were a little dilated. He chuckled before he kicked off his shoes and headed into the laundry room to dump his dirty clothes in the bin.
At the bottom of his rucksack was the ring box. He held it in his hand, staring at the blue box before stuffing it into his pocket. Lorelei stepped in and her nose wrinkled.
“Goodness. What did they have you all doing this week? That smells awful.”
He chuckled. “You’re lucky I showered before I came home. It was bad.”
“Ugh, you’re going to have to do a pre-wash and an extra rinse. That stuff is bad.”
He smiled, knowing she was right. They’d worked outside most of the day on one of the obstacle courses. All the guys were dirty and stinky. He started a load of clothes and pulled the towels out of the dryer, folding them before putting them away.
“Dinner is done,” Lorelei called out.
His heart was racing again. She wasn’t just the most beautiful woman in the world, she was the kindest too. He wouldn’t survive if she didn’t say yes. He almost didn’t want to ask for fear of being rejected, but that was crazy.
When he stepped into the kitchen and saw the spread she’d laid out, his stomach growled. She’d made his favorites. It was six months after their first date, and she’d said she wanted this to be special.
He moved close and held out his hands. The one that had been broken had healed though she’d had to have surgery. The scar was still visible, but it didn’t look too bad. He kissed her scar and then kissed her other hand.