I drag my teeth across my lower lip. “I’ll allow it.”
“Why are you here, Peaches? What happened to Paris?”
“What do you mean?”
“It was your home. I would have come.”
“Oh. Well. You see. It’s funny. One of the things I learned in the past few months is that home isn’t exactly a place for me. It’s a person. It always has been. Nana filled that role for so long. That’s why I felt so untethered when she passed. That’s why nothing ever fit, not here, not Paris. But with you, I finally feel like I’m home again. That warm comfort I’ve craved since I was twelve, that’s here.” I point to his chest. “You’re my home. And maybe, knowing that, I thought about my brother, and about how being an aunt and spoiling his kids sounds pretty fantastic, and maybe I thought about this town a lot while I was away, and want to explore it with you, or wherever you want to go. I don’t care as long as it’s with you.”
The tips of Liam’s ears turn red, and his throat bobs.
“Too much?” I smirk. “Because I really think I should tell you that I’m in love with you, with how sweet, and thoughtful, and patient you are—”
Liam grabs my face and presses a hungry kiss on my lips, silencing me instantly. His hand falls to my back and pulls me hard against his chest.
J’ai eu un coup de foudre.I have had a lightning strike. That’s what it’s like when Liam kisses me. That love-at-first-sight, lightning strike moment, over and over and over.
If he won’t let me tell him with my words how much I love him, then I’ll have to do it with my lips.
I don’t want anyone else but you.
My right hand reaches up, and I thread my fingers through the hair on the back of his head.
You’re my forever.
My other hand falls to the side of his face, shamelessly running over his flawless stubble.
You are everything.
You are enough.
Liam wraps his arms around my waist and slowly picks me up, pressing my body firmly into his. Electricity floods my veins as he sweeps over my mouth with his tongue, reminding me of what I am to him.
He releases from our kiss and rests his forehead on mine, his breath heavy and erratic. “I didn’t know if I’d ever get to do that again.”
I smile, whispering back, “You don’t have to worry about that now, I’m here, and I’m sorry.” I lean back in, kissing him slow and deliberate.
I’m going to love you forever.
Liam lowers me to the ground, holding my stare with a twinkling gaze that’s shining brighter than the sun itself. “Where are you staying?” he asks hoarsely.
“I’m in a hotel up the street while I try to find an apartment.”
“Hmm. I might know of a place pretty close with decent accommodations if that’s not too fast for you.”
“You sure you wouldn’t get sick of me? That’s a lot of Evie time.”
“Good thing, I can’t get enough of you, baby.” He winks.
“So cheesy.” I shake my head.
“I don’t know. I thought it was pretty gouda.” He shrugs, wrapping me up and pressing a kiss to the side of my lips. “Let me take you home and show you how much I swissed you, Peaches.”
“Oh, you know actually I left a load of laundry in the washer, and I have to change it. So I think I’ll have to raincheck.”
“Yeah, bullshit.” He laughs.
“I’m serious. I’m sorry if that hurts your ego but I need to keep my priorities straight.”
