by Opal Carew
“Thank you.”
He retrieved her bag from the master bedroom and carried it into her room and set it on the love seat.
As soon as he left the room, she closed the door behind him.
* * *
Abi couldn’t sleep. She’d tossed and turned for hours, but now she just lay there staring at the ceiling. The talk with Liam about losing the baby had her dwelling on her fear of losing this baby, too. She stroked her stomach, thinking of the life growing inside her.
Finally, she pushed back the covers and got out of bed. The soft illumination of moonlight on the carpet drew her to the window and she gazed outside. The water on the lake glittered with the silvery light. The sky was clear and deep, inky blue.
She opened the French doors that led from her bedroom onto the deck and stepped outside, breathing in the fresh, warm summer air. She walked from the wooden deck to the stone patio, then to the pool and sat on the edge, dangling her feet in the water.
She loved the water. She swished her feet around, watching the rippling circles cascading across the surface.
She glanced toward the dark house, turning to the window of the room where Liam was sleeping. She remembered that night so clearly. She’d woken up in the middle of the night to sharp cramps. The pain had caused her to double over. Liam had woken up and called an ambulance, but they were going to take too long, so he’d carried her to the car and had held her hand all the way to the hospital.
But the doctors hadn’t been able to do anything. When they’d told her that she’d lost the baby …
A sob shuddered from her throat. She drew her legs from the water and hugged her knees tight to her body, tears flooding from her eyes. Her body shivered. She sat there, cocooned in her pain. Letting it wash through her body and soul.
“Abi, are you okay?”
At Liam’s words, she lifted her head from her knees. She drew in a deep breath and tried to keep her voice even.
“Yes. I’m just enjoying the view.”
The lake, silvery and smooth as glass, lay beyond the pool, and leaves in the tall trees between here and there rustled in the soft breeze.
“Really? It looks to me like you could use someone to talk to.”
He held out his hand and she stared at it for a moment, considering whether to tell him she wanted some time to herself.
But he was right. She did want to talk to someone.
Even if that someone was him.
Maybe especially because it was him.
She took his hand and let him pull her to her feet. He didn’t release her hand as he led her to the rattan sofa on the patio. He sat down, drawing her beside him, then he turned to her and took her other hand.
She might lose this baby, too, and she didn’t know how she’d endure that pain again.
“Liam, you never talk about the fact that if we were to get back together again, you’d never have the family you’ve always dreamed of. I know how badly you want to have a child of your own.”
“Abi, being with you—”
“No, please. Let me get this out.” She squeezed his hands, staring into his concerned eyes. “What you really want is for us to be married … and for me to get pregnant. That’s what you really want. Right?”
“Of course. I would love that. But I know we can’t have that. That doesn’t mean I want you less.”
“If we could have that, though. If that magically happened for us…”
His brown eyes … deep and somber … seemed to fill with hope. Her chest tightened.
What the hell was she doing? But the words had started tumbling from her and she couldn’t stop now.
“Wouldn’t you be terrified?”
He shook his head. “Why, Abi?”
Her hands clenched tight, squeezing his fingers.
“Because of what happened last time. Because we’d be terrified that we’d lose the baby again. Would you really be able to go through that a second time?”
“If we were given a miraculous gift like that, I would believe that we were being given a second chance at happiness.”
She shook her head and it drooped forward.
“Why are you asking about this? Has your situation changed?”
Oh, God, she’d said too much. She couldn’t let him suspect … Not yet.
“I’ve been thinking about the baby … our baby … about how painful it was…” Her voice caught and she sucked in a deep breath, tears welling in her eyes again.
“Aw, kitten.” He pulled her to him, his arms tightening around her. “I’m so sorry.”
His hand cupped her head, holding it tight against his solid chest. She could hear his heartbeat against her ear. Regular. Soothing.
His hand stroked up and down her back. She was a bundle of tight muscles nestled against him. Barely able to catch her breath.
He rocked her back and forth. “I’m so sorry, baby. I’m so sorry.”
Oh, God, she needed this.
She’d needed it even more in that long, terrible time after she’d lost the baby.
She wrapped her arms around him tightly and held on. Clinging to him. Soaking in the comfort he was offering her.
His lips brushed the top of her head and he rested his cheek against it. The warmth of him … all around her … was so sweet … so deeply moving …
She turned her head and gazed up at him.
His deep, penetrating gaze locked with hers. She could see her pain reflected there. See his struggle to stay strong for her.
* * *
Liam’s heart ached at the pain tearing at Abi right now. Which dragged forth the pain he’d buried away deep inside.
He should have been there for her like this when it happened … and the long months after when instead he’d thrown himself into his work to hide from his own pain.
As he stared into her desolate blue eyes, reeling from their shared emotions, she tipped up her face, her lips parting in invitation.
An invitation he couldn’t ignore.
He swooped down and captured her lips. The sweet comfort of her mouth on his filled him with a need so deep he thought he’d lose himself. He pulled her tighter to him, deepening the kiss. His tongue swept inside her mouth, tasting her sweetness. Her delightful womanly comfort curled around him, seeping through to his very bones. Her tongue glided along his and stroked. He groaned and suckled on it.
He tucked his arm under her knees and lifted her in his arms, then carried her toward the house. He pulled open the outside door to his bedroom and carried her inside. Her arms clung to his neck like he was a lifeline.
He laid her on the bed and snuggled in next to her, finding her lips again.
His heart pounded. He wanted her. He needed her. She was his everything, and right now she seemed to need him just as much.
Liam grasped the hem of her T-shirt and pulled it over her head. She wore only panties under the shirt. He leaned back and gazed at her body in the moonlight, blown away by how incredible she looked. Her breasts were firm and fuller than he remembered. Her skin smooth and creamy.
His gaze shifted back to her face. And despite her puffy eyes, she almost seemed to glow.
“God, you are more beautiful than ever.”
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Abi lay there, mesmerized by the frank admiration in Liam’s eyes. His gentle fingers stroked her cheek, then glided down her neck to her chest.
Then he cupped her breast. She arched against his big, warm hand. Her nipple peaked, pressing into his palm.
Oh, God, she wanted more. She wanted to be close to him. So close there was nothing between them. Their bodies naked and touching from head to toe.
She wanted him inside her. Filling her so deep he became a part of her. The two of them becoming one.
“Liam,” she whispered, stroking his raspy cheek.
Seeing the deep need in her eyes, he leaned forward and brushed his lips to hers in a tender kiss. She wrapped her arms around him and pulled him closer. She pressed her ton
gue to his lips and pushed inside, then stroked, tasting sweet spearmint.
She wanted him to take her. Slowly. Penetrating deeply. Her body was ready for him. Wet with need. Aching for him inside her.
He stroked her face, cupping it between his hands.
“Abi,” he murmured softly, then kissed her again.
Then he kissed down her neck to her chest. When his lips found her breast, then wrapped around her hard nipple, she moaned, pulling him tighter to her. He suckled and she moaned. Her fingers coiled in his hair, the thick waves wrapping around them.
He continued downward, his lips brushing against her belly, then lightly past her hips.
When she felt the first stroke of his tongue against her dampness, seeking her hidden button, she arched. It was heaven being with him. Here in his arms, he would help her find release. She would forget her fear … her pain … for a little while.
His fingers opened her folds and he licked. Pleasure jolted through her and she moaned again.
But a tiny thought nudged through the delightful sensations like a seedling pushing through the soil … She’d promised herself … A lightning flash of realization careened through her. She’d promised Del … that she wouldn’t succumb to Liam.
His tongue glided over her and he suckled.
She moaned at the intense pleasure.
“Liam,” she cried, then grasped his head and tugged, urging him upward.
His tongue slipped away and he prowled upward until he was facing her again. His lips turned up in a smile.
“I thought you were enjoying that.”
“I was but … I can’t.”
The light of amusement seeped from his eyes and he surged forward, covering her mouth with his and consuming it with passion. His insistent tongue found hers and curled around it, urging it into an ardent dance.
When he released her lips, she was breathless. He continued his onslaught, brushing his lips against the base of her neck, sending tingles dancing through her as he found that special spot that weakened her knees and drove her wild.
She clung to him, her heart pounding against his. He slid his hand down her back, drawing her tighter to him as it moved. When his hand reached her ass, she could feel his thick erection against her. She squirmed. Her damp folds were pressed tight against his hard shaft and the movement sent dizzying need through her.
Oh, God, she wanted that big cock inside her. Deep. Thrusting hard and fast.
But she had to cling to sanity and stop this.
“Liam, please,” she murmured.
“Yeah, baby.” He rolled her under him and pushed her panties down enough to allow his cock to brush against her intimate flesh. His hard shaft stroked against her and she could barely cling to her resolve.
“Liam, no,” she begged.
He stopped moving and gazed down at her. He’d clearly thought she was begging for him to fuck her. But she gazed up at him … his cock still cradled against her soft, wet flesh … and she whimpered. She wanted this so much, but … she knew it was a very bad idea.
“Please, Liam. I need you to help me.”
“Of course, baby. Anything. What do you need?”
“I need you to stop. I need you to be the strong one.” She grasped his shoulders. “We both know if you want to, you can convince me to give myself to you. But I promised myself … and I promised Del … that I would not have sex with you.”
His gaze turned dark.
“We both know you can have me right now if that’s what you set your mind to,” she continued. “But please … if you really care about me … help me walk away.”
* * *
Liam stared at Abi in shock. He thought she’d been begging for him to be inside her. To slide into her depths and take them both to heaven. His cock was still nestled against her soft, wet folds. At the tiniest movement, it would glide inside her.
The fierce need in Liam turned cold in his belly. She’d promised Del she wouldn’t be with Liam this weekend. And even though she clearly wanted him … even admitted that she would give herself to him … she was asking him to stop.
Fuck!
He would do anything for Abi. This was not playing fair. He wanted her and she wanted him. That should be all that mattered.
Even when she denied her need for him, he could always persuade her. He knew that wouldn’t work if she didn’t really love him. That’s why he pushed his edge at every opportunity. Hoping she would finally admit it. To herself. And to him.
But she had turned it back on him.
Asked for his help.
And, fuck … he couldn’t refuse her, no matter how potent his need for her was right this moment.
He sucked in a deep breath. Then slowly he drew his cock from the sweetness of her warm flesh and fell back on the bed. He sucked in a few more breaths.
Before he could change his mind, he stood up and scooped her into his arms, then carried her out the door. Moments later, he set her down in her room, just inside the door.
She stared up at him. He kept this gaze on her eyes, not her delectable naked breasts.
“Thank you, Liam.”
He gave her a curt nod and turned to go, then stopped and turned back to her.
“Abi, I’m human. I’ve made mistakes. But the last one cost me you.” He tipped up her chin and his solemn gaze locked on hers. “I won’t let that happen again.”
She nodded, her eyes glistening.
He stepped through the doorway.
“But I am human, so lock the fucking door behind me in case I change my mind.”
* * *
Liam walked into the kitchen to find Abi preparing breakfast.
“Something smells good.”
“Probably the coffee,” she said, her back turned to him as she stood at the stove, flipping something in one of the two pans in front of her.
She wore a colorful, loose flowing shirt and snug black pants. He would love to wrap his hands around her waist and draw her close to his body, then press his lips to her soft neck. But instead, he turned to the cupboard, grabbed two mugs and set them beside the coffeemaker.
The coffee was still trickling into the pot. He leaned back against the counter, waiting. The pot wasn’t very full, so it would be another few minutes.
“Do you want me to set the table?” he asked.
He knew offering to help make breakfast was pointless. She didn’t like anyone in the way when she was cooking.
“Nope. Already done.”
Liquid stopped flowing into the pot and he glanced at it. It only looked like enough for about two cups.
“That’s not very much coffee. I’ll put some more on.”
“Only if you want it,” she said. “I’m having tea.”
“Really?”
That wasn’t like Abi. She loved her morning coffee. She’d often grumbled in the morning when she’d been pregnant, unhappy at not being able to have her morning kick start.
He poured himself a cup and took a sip.
Abi placed an omelet on one of the plates stacked beside the stove. She handed it to him and placed another omelet on the remaining plate.
“Did you sleep well?” he asked as he followed her to the dining table.
“Um … yeah, fine.”
When she sat down, she poured herself a cup of fragrant herbal tea. As they ate, they talked about how sunny it was outside, how high the temperature would go today, and various other mundane things. He didn’t want to push her by talking about feelings or anything to do with the divorce. Not so soon after what happened last night.
But he didn’t intend to let her get away without more discussion this weekend. He intended to convince her they should be together. Last night had been very positive. They’d actually shared their feelings about losing the baby. She’d opened up to him about it more than she ever had before.
And he’d opened up to her, expressing feelings he’d never spoken about before. He was sure this was a good thing.
Afte
r the meal, he helped her clear the table and put the dishes in the dishwasher. It felt so good doing these ordinary things together. Like when they’d been living together as husband and wife.
“How about we go for a swim, then relax in the hot tub after?” he asked.
“A swim would be great.”
She walked back to the table to scoop up the two empty mugs, then returned to the kitchen. As she walked toward the sink, she tripped, seeming to catch her foot on the side of the island, and tumbled forward. He grabbed her, stopping her from falling, but one of the mugs fell from her hand and landed on the tile floor, shattering.
“Oh, no. I’m so sorry.”
“It’s okay, Abi. It’s just a mug.”
But her eyes seemed to be gleaming. She crouched down and started to pick up the larger pieces, then squeaked in pain. He glanced down to see blood dribbling down her hand.
“Here, Abi, let me see.”
He drew her up and carefully took the large chunk of broken mug from her other hand. He guided her around the broken ceramic shards and put her hand under the water. The water ran red, then pink and finally went clear.
The cut wasn’t too bad. He turned off the water and pressed a hand towel against the wound.
“You’re okay, baby. I’ll get a bandage.”
But when he glanced at her face, he realized tears were welling from her eyes.
“Abi?”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to break the mug. I’m such a klutz.” She stared at the towel against her hand. “And now I’ve gotten blood on your towel.”
He glanced down to see a small red stain had formed on the white towel.
“It’s okay. I don’t care about the towel. Or the mug.”
But tears now streamed freely down her cheeks.
“Abi, this isn’t like you. Tell me what’s wrong.”
She shook her head, wiping her eyes. “Nothing. I’m sorry. I’m just feeling a little emotional today.”
He frowned, staring at her. A little emotional?
Abi never cried about trivial things like this. Except when she was pregnant. In the first trimester, she used to cry at the drop of a hat. He remembered how she’d hated being so emotional.
He remembered her turning down the lasagna last night and her favorite wine. Then the decaf tea rather than coffee. And she seemed to be avoiding the hot tub.