Her body relaxed with each breath, and with that, her eyelids grew heavier and heavier until she couldn’t fight it anymore. She’d used the last bit of her energy fighting the panic attack, and she couldn’t manage to stay awake.
Sam breathed in the smells of citrus and sage like she was standing in an orange grove. Except she wasn’t. She was cradled against something warm and firm.
Her head rose and fell with the inhales and exhales of Liam breathing beneath her. His heartbeat steady against her ear. Was this what a real relationship felt like?
Liam’s arms tightened around her. “It’s okay. You’re safe.” His voice was gravelly.
They were still in the SUV. Liam had pushed the front seat all the way back and held her in his lap. His seat was leaned slightly back.
She tried to move to get out, but he held her tight against him.
“Slow down, would ya? Your elbow in my chest isn’t that comfortable, and my legs are asleep.”
“Oh, I’m sorry.” She covered her face with her hands as heat crept up her neck.
He gently grasped her fingers and pulled them away so that he could make eye contact. “Are you okay now?”
The compassionate concern in his gaze set flutters in motion in her stomach. This wasn’t good. Unable to speak for fear her voice would betray her, she nodded.
“Good. I was worried.” He brushed the hair from her face.
Her breath hitched as his fingers lingered on her cheek. She closed her eyes and relished the moment. She’d never felt more cared for than she did right now.
“Sam.” Liam’s voice was a husky whisper.
She opened her eyes. He stared at her like he felt something too.
It wouldn’t take much. Just lean up a couple inches, touch her lips to his.
He cradled her face like he could read her thoughts.
Another time, another place, and she might do it. Throw caution to the wind, lose control inwhat could be. But this wasn’t just about her. So she pulled back. “We should go inside.”
Liam blinked. The warmth in his face was replaced by the serious marshal she was used to. “Right.”
He opened the door. She maneuvered to climb out of the SUV.
“Oof.” He grunted as her elbow slipped and jabbed him in the chest.
“I’m sorry.” She jerked and hit him in the face with her forearm. “Oh no.”
He wrapped his arms around her. “Will you stop moving?” His breath whispered against her cheek, raising goosebumps along her neck. She needed to get as far away from this man as she could.
He helped her out of the vehicle before rotating until his legs hung outside.
“Do you need some help?” He’d sat for however long with her in his lap.
“No. I’ll be fine, just a minute.” He flexed his feet and rotated his ankles, then bent his knees.
She grimaced. “How long was I out?”
“About thirty minutes.”
Her heart raced. He’d held her the whole time. “I’m sorry.”
He smiled. “I wish you’d quit saying that.”
“Well, I am. I’m such a wreck.” She rubbed her forehead with the palm of her hand.
