by Sharon Coady
Chapter Thirteen
Liam
Liam pushed up on his elbow and looked down into her eyes. He saw trust as well as other emotions passing through them. He’d been so caught up in the moment that he’d forgotten to use a condom. That had never happened to him before. He was sure she was clean and he knew he was, but damn, he could have just put them into a very serious situation. She hadn’t figured it out yet, and he wondered if she’d explode on him when she did.
“I didn’t use any protection,” he said, clearing his throat slightly because it seemed to be getting tight.
She just stared at him for a moment before shaking her head slightly. “It’s okay. Please, don’t beat yourself up about it.” She took his face in her hands and pulled her to him for another kiss. “I’m a big girl. You didn’t force me.”
He relaxed and pulled her against him as he rolled over. Well okay. She’s all right about it. Maybe she’s on the pill. Okay, that must be it. Still, he wasn’t willing to risk it a second time. Yeah, he’d be sure to use the condom from here on out. “It won’t happen again.”
She wiggled closer. “We are staying in for the rest of the day and tonight?”
“That’s what we decided, why?”
“Good. I’m getting out of this dress. If I am going to be in bed with you, I prefer skin-on-skin contact.” She winked as she pulled the dress over her head and tossed it at his chair where it landed half on and half off.
“Maybe I want to stay in my clothes.” He playfully swatted her ass as he stood and made his way to the bathroom. He glanced over his shoulder to see her brows drawn and her mouth in a little pout. “I’m just kidding. I’ll be right back.” He chuckled as he closed the door and went to the bathroom. He washed his hands before opening the door then stripped as he walked to the bed. He loved the look on Sophie’s face. She grinned broadly when he started doing a sexy strip tease. Yep, he’d watched the moves the male dancers used when they had a review at his club. The band usually had to play after the male review was over so he had seen it enough to get some pointers.
Sophie clapped when he stopped. “That was damn sexy. Where’d you get those moves?”
He narrowed his eyes and saw the playful smile cross her lips. “So, you like what you see?”
“I do.” She shrieked as he started doing some more dancing, turning and shaking his ass at her. “Liam stop.”
“Am I too sexy for you?” He waggled his brows.
“No, I’m afraid you’ll hurt yourself.” She fell back onto the bed in a fit of laughter.
“Hurt myself?” He jumped onto the bed and pulled her on top of him. “I promise not to hurt myself before I finish pleasing you over and over and over again.”
She stopped moving and studied his face. “I don’t want you to ever hurt yourself.” She kissed him softly. “But I wouldn’t mind another dance show later tonight if you are up to it.”
LIAM WOKE UP TO SOPHIE snuggled in his arms. He sighed as he stared at the ceiling, wondering what the hell he was doing to himself. He wanted her again, the desire hitting him just as hard as it had hit him the first time he saw her. He didn’t know if he’d ever get enough of her. His phone started ringing on the bedside table, ruining the mood completely. “Shit.” He pushed his hair back and snatched it up to see who was calling.
Sophie stretched and pulled away from him. “Who’s calling?” She pushed her hair back and yawned.
“It’s Daniel. Let me take this or he’ll show up wondering why I didn’t answer.” He slid the phone on. “Hey what’s up?” He nodded and glanced at Sophie and motioned for her to slide back into his arms.
“I thought you were going to call me so we could talk?”
He paused and kissed Sophie’s head. “No. I just want to stay home tonight. I thought you were going to ask Chelsea out.”
“I did. We’re going to the movies tonight. Chelsea said Sophie packed some clothes and left her a text saying she was going to stay at your place.”
Liam put his arm over his eyes and groaned. “Yes, she’s here with me.”
“I thought we were keeping this a casual, short term thing.”
It wasn’t a question. “I know Daniel. I know.” Liam pulled his arm out from under Sophie and sat up. “ Just do what you’re doing and leave me to my own devices, please. I know what I’m getting into.”
“You sure, Liam? When was the last time you had a woman stay with you for more than a few hours? Seems to me you’re getting involved.”
He glanced over his shoulder to see her sitting up with a look of puzzlement on her face. Liam nodded and smiled at her, raising his finger before walking out of the room. “No, I’m not getting involved. I like her, I asked her to stay for the couple of days. I’m off so we can enjoy each other. Isn’t that what you wanted me to do?” He walked into the kitchen and grabbed two bottles of water out of the fridge. “I said I would call you if it started getting out of hand. Jesus, man. I’ll call if I need you. Go back to your date. I’ll talk to you later.”
He hung up and tossed the phone on the counter, knowing he shouldn’t be mad at Daniel. The man was just watching out for him, but damn it to hell. He was doing what they had rode him about for the last year and a half, and now he wants to check up on him to make sure he is okay? I guess I should be grateful someone gives a shit.
He strode back to the room to find her missing from the bed and the bathroom door closed. He knocked on the door. “You okay?” Way to cockblock your friend, Daniel.
“Yes. I’ll be out in a moment.” He heard the water running.
“I’m going to make us something to eat, okay?”
“Yes please! Do you have any fruit?”
He heard the door click and stepped back quickly so she wouldn’t run into him.
“Oh!” She squealed. “You startled me.” She leaned against the doorframe. “Third time this week.”
“What?” He tucked her hair behind her ear. “When did I startle you before?”
“Oh, not you. Brice.” She took his hand. “Is it okay if I eat in just my robe?” She opened her suitcase and pulled it out, slid it on, and tied the sash around her waist.
“When did Brice startle you?” He didn’t like the sound of this.
“Oh, he and Troy walked the girls home the first night we were here. I opened the door to my bedroom and ran into Brice on his way down the hall. Scared the hell out of me. Then when I was in the living room talking to Troy and the girls, he scared me when he walked up behind me and cleared his throat.” She shook her head. “He’s really quiet for a big guy.”
“Yeah he is. Likes sneaking up on people.” He took her hand and walked with her to the kitchen. “It’s going to be hard to concentrate on fixing something to eat with you sitting there naked under your robe.”
“It’s going to be fun watching you fix something since you are naked. Brings an entirely new image to mind about naked cooking.” Sophie giggled, liking this new playful side of herself.
Liam raised a brow.
“Naked cooking is when you use fresh and organic ingredients in your food without adding heavy sauces and things.” She winked and swatted his ass.
“I think I’m about as fresh and organic as you can get.” He grabbed her, undoing her robe before lifting her up onto the counter. He moved her legs apart so he could situate himself right where he wanted to be then pulled her into another mind-blowing kiss. Liam didn’t think he would ever tire of kissing her. He reached into the drawer to his right and took out a condom. He kept them stashed everywhere in his house, once he’d become a man whore. He sheathed himself and slowly entered her, pulling her almost off the edge so he could penetrate her deeply.
Sophie moaned and wrapped her legs around his waist. He smiled against her lips.
“Feels good?”
She nodded and let her head fall back so he could kiss the tender skin of her neck. His hands slid up her back as he pulled her closer.
“You feel so goo
d,” he whispered as his hand roved down to cup her ass before he drove himself in farther. She bit his neck as he pumped harder and faster. As he went over the edge, he felt her tighten around him as she screamed his name against his neck.
“I’m so sorry, Liam.” She put her hand over his neck. “You’re bleeding.” She tried to wiggle herself off him but he held her tight.
“Don’t move. Wait.” He wanted the sensation of her spasms to finish milking him before he let her go. “It’s all right. It doesn’t hurt,” he whispered. “You feel so good.”
“It did feel good, but I bit your neck.”
He pulled back to find her looking horrified at what she’d done. He couldn’t help the smile that formed on his lips. “I’m guessing this was your first time doing it this way?”
“Yes it was.” She narrowed her eyes for just a moment. “Oh.” A cute blush covered her entire body as it made its way to her face. “Oh, I guess this wasn’t your first time?” She tried to push him away.
“No, it wasn’t. But I can tell you it was by far the best.”
Sophie tensed and tugged at her robe.
“What’s wrong?” He stepped back and helped her down.
“I don’t like that you’ve done this before and find the need to tell me that.” She crossed her arms and glared at him.
“I didn’t find the need to tell you. I asked you if this was your first time doing it in the kitchen. You are the one who asked me back. Why are you upset about the answer? This is a no-strings-attached relationship, right?” He hated himself the moment the words left his mouth, and he saw the sting of them in her eyes. It was the response the dick in him would have said to a one-night stand.
“You’re right. No strings attached. Doesn’t matter what either of us have done in our past. Got it.” She pushed past him, grabbed a coffee mug and a pod of coffee, took a deep breath, and turned around with a fake smile plastered on her face. “No problem. You’re right. I am sorry I asked. I should be grateful I’m your best fuck so far. Got it.” She sat down. “So Liam. Am I sleeping around with the town gigolo?”
“Hey, it’s not like that Sophie. I told you that Leah burned me. I haven’t had the desire to be drawn into a relationship since it happened. I don’t want to be drawn in just to have my heart ripped out again. So my usual thing is to have just a one-night stand, up front, no strings attached, it’s just a sex thing. After that, I never see the woman again. But you’re different.” He stepped toward her but stopped when she held up her hand.
“Why am I different?” She looked at him with eyes full of hurt.
“Because you are Sophie. You’re the first woman I have wanted to get to know or to be with more than one time in the last two years. It scares the shit out of me. I’ve been the local bad boy since the breakup. I wanted to keep it up, but I find I can’t do that with you. The thought of you leaving me in two weeks makes my heart hurt. You’re the sweetest, most wonderful woman I think I’ve ever met.” He held his breath waiting on her to respond.
Chapter Fourteen
Sophie
“I’m not what you think I am, Liam. You don’t know me. I’m an illusion of the person you are describing, and it breaks my heart to hear you describe me that way.”
Liam sat down hard. “I don’t believe that for a second. You’ve gotten through to me. You’ve touched me in a way no one else has.” He ran his hand through his hair. “You’ve been open and honest, I can see it in your eyes.”
“You’re wrong. We agreed no-strings-attached, remember? You don’t know me.” She didn’t want to do this with him right now. She was worried it would ruin what time they had left.
“Tell me what I don’t know.” He wiped a hand over his face.
She took a deep breath. “My fiancé going missing isn’t what I have been struggling with.”
Liam looked over at her. “What do you mean?”
“I’ve got a secret I’ve carried around. I’ve never told anyone. You have to promise not to interrupt me if you really want to hear it.” She waited, seeing a range of emotions going through his eyes. When he finally nodded, she continued, “I never felt about him, how I already feel about you. We were engaged when he joined the Army. My friend Tarin introduced us. Nathan was her cousin. They all loved him, but he dictated every part of my life. He was so slick about it that I didn’t even realize it at first. When I finally did, I made up my mind that I was ready to break it off with him, but I found out I was pregnant. I didn’t want the baby.” She dropped her head into her hands. “I told him about the baby, and he acted so happy about it. When he finally stopped talking, I told him I didn’t want it, and he became very upset.”
She stood and walked to the window. “I had to meet up with Bailee and Tarin to discuss the surprise party we were throwing for Chelsea so I left, telling him we’d talk more the next morning. They chose to meet in this stupid bar, some place Chelsea would never show up. There was a mechanical bull. Tarin goaded me into riding it. Everything was going okay until it wasn’t.” She felt the shaking start as the feeling of loss hit her all over again. “I got thrown off and knocked out. They took me home. I told Chelsea not to say anything because I didn’t want to upset Nathan. I was having some cramps, which I thought were just from the scare”
Sophie sighed and leaned her head against the windowpane. “He was asleep when I got home and I was so relieved. I went into the bathroom to get undressed and was hit with a terrible pain over my lower abdomen. When I looked, I was bleeding. God forgive me, part of me was relieved for just a few seconds. I would lose the baby, and I could break it off with him without guilt. But Tarin called to check on me and told him what happened. He got angry at me for taking a chance with the baby. I blurted out I was losing the baby, and he accused me of doing it on purpose. He called me horrible names and said I would have to live with what I did for the rest of my life.”
She heard him push his chair back and raised her hand to stop him. “I know a good seated pregnancy can’t be hurt from something like that fall. Hell, I didn’t even have a bump on my head. But maybe it was my punishment for not really loving him, for not wanting my child. I don’t know. He took me to the hospital. When everything was over, I felt such loss over the baby I thought I hadn’t wanted. He left early that morning, and I never told any of the girls about the baby. I told them we had a fight. He went missing a couple of weeks later, and they all assumed I was heartbroken. How could I tell them? They’d think I was some kind of monster. I haven’t let myself get attached to another man.” She turned around slowly. “Until you. You’ve chipped through the wall I’ve built around my heart. But I don’t know if I can let myself feel again. I’m afraid. And now you probably think less of me.” Nathan’s words grew louder in her mind as she held Liam’s eyes, searching for the truth of how he saw her now.
“No Sophie, I don’t.” He stood and walked to her. “You probably felt like you didn’t want the baby because you weren’t in love. It’s not your fault you lost it. It’s not your fault he went missing either.”
“I know all that.” She threw her hands in the air, her voice sounding shrill to her ears. “But I lied to my friends. I lied to everyone. I’ve carried this secret and it’s grown and grown until I feel like I’ve lost myself because of it.” She squared her shoulders and looked him in the eyes. “I’m not the person you think I am.”
“Nope, you’re not.” He cupped her face with his hands. “You’re much more. You’re more complex than I ever dreamed. You’ve carried this secret around for so long, taking to heart the words he said to you. You’ve lost your way by being so hard on yourself. If those women are truly your friends, they will understand everything.” Liam pulled her against him. “Sophie, my guess is that they’ll cry with you and be a little pissed you didn’t tell them sooner. They’ll probably tell you they knew all along something was off, but they didn’t want to push you.”
Sophie tilted her head and looked up at him. “Do you really believe
that? I’d like to think they can forgive me for not telling them.”
“They will. Plus, if they don’t then they aren’t as wonderful as you’ve been telling me they are.” He picked her up and set her down on the counter. “Look at me.” He searched her face. “So, I’ve gotten through to your heart?”
She nodded and watched as his beautiful smile spread over his face. “What?”
Liam put his hand over his heart. “I think you just cracked the last of the wall I had around mine. Jesus, Sophie. How can I feel this much for you when we’ve only known each other for such a short time?”
She cracked a huge smile and for the first time in so long, she felt joy and hope. “Liam, I don’t know the answer to that question, but I feel the same damn way.” She tugged him closer. “You make me feel safe and whole again. You make me feel like maybe, just maybe I can move on and put that chapter of my life behind me.”
“I feel the same way. Now, I’m going to take you back to the bedroom and make love to you slowly and gently over and over again.”
Sophie tossed her head back and laughed. Her heart soared and Nathan’s voice ceased in her head.
Hours later, Sophie and Liam crawled out of bed and made their way into his kitchen. “I’m starving!” She smiled up at him. “Can we make something quick?”
“We can. I’ll make us a veggie omelet.” He took her hand. “I know everything with us has been a mad rush. I know it’s not been easy for either of us, but I’d like you to spend the rest of your vacation with me. I have to work over the weekend, but I have the rest of this week free until then.” He leaned against the counter, arms crossed over his chest while he waited for her response.
“Are you sure? I’d like that very much. I want to spend as much time with you as I can before we have to go back to Maryland.” She felt tears pool in her eyes. “I’m going to miss you when I leave.”
Liam shoved his hands into his pockets. “You’re really going to leave me?”