"By the time that my father realized there had been no car accidents reported that night, and that people had seen me leave with Jacob, it was too late. The damage had been done. I hated them for not believing in me, for not trusting me. The only person that always believed me was my grandmother. I moved to Cape Cod to spend the rest of my senior year with her. It took some finagling, but she managed to get me a residential tuition rate here."
He squeezed her chin gently, and she finally managed to lift her eyes to his. She was scared that she would find disgust, or pity, in his gaze. Instead, she found a startling wealth of warmth, and caring. The sight of it was enough to steal her breath away. "I'm sorry about what happened to you, and I wish that I could take it away. It never should have happened to someone like you. But the worst things always happen to the best people. I think you realize that."
He bent his head and dropped a kiss on her trembling lower lip. He pulled away and wiped the tears from her face. "I don't know why I told you all of this," she whispered. "I barely know you. You must think I'm an idiot."
"You're not an idiot Sera, and no matter what people said, or did, you did not deserve what happened, and you didn't ask for it."
It had taken her a long time to believe that, and there were times that she still doubted it. She had always thought that she had done something wrong, that she had encouraged it, but to have Liam say that she hadn't made her feel better, stronger. For once, someone beside her grandmother believed in her, and was on her side.
He lay back on the bed, pulling her down with him. She didn't fight against him as she lay down on top of him. His hands were relaxing as they rubbed her back and hair. She nestled closer, his warmth and security pushing the remains of her fright away.
Liam stared at the ceiling as she cuddled against him. He couldn't get over how small and delicate she was. Protective instincts he never knew he possessed raced through him. The anger was still radiating just beneath the surface, but he refused to let her see it. He didn't want to frighten her with it.
"What do you say we order some pizza, rent some movies, and stay in tonight?" he inquired.
"What about the party?"
He knew that the last thing she felt like doing was going to a party right now, and neither did he. "I'd rather stay here, with you."
She lifted her head to look at him. Her eyes were bloodshot from crying, but she was still exquisitely lovely. "I'd like that."
He smiled as he pushed back some of her glorious hair from her face. "Good."
She curled up against his chest, and within minutes fell asleep again.
CHAPTER 5
Sera leaned against the doorjamb. The frat house was packed with people, more people than she had ever imagined it could hold. They bumped and jostled her as they made their way through the crowd. Kathleen stood by her side, swaying with the music as she surveyed the dance floor. It was so packed that there was no room for them.
Danielle reappeared, slightly flushed and harried looking as she handed Kathleen another beer. "God it's packed in here!" she cried.
Sera agreed as she studied the swarm of bodies. Kathleen ran a hand through her tussled, short bob. Even though they weren't dancing, the heat of the room was enough to make them sweat. She cast Sera a small smile as she stood on her tiptoes trying to look over the sea of heads.
Sera was still amazed that Kathleen wasn't mad at her for not telling her about Jacob sooner, and for telling Liam first. At first she'd been upset, more by the fact that Sera had told Liam first, but she had said that she understood. Sera had been even more astonished by the fact that Kathleen had stated that she'd known something had happened to Sera, she just wasn't exactly sure what. She knew Kathleen, and patience was definitely not one of her virtues. Kathleen loved gossip, and hated being kept in the dark about anything, but although she had noticed it, she had never questioned Sera about her hesitancy around men or the fact that she had never dated. She had simply tried to help Sera get over it, in her own way, by forcing her to go to parties and to interact with other people. Kathleen waited for Sera to tell her in her own time, and in her own way. Sera loved her even more for her consideration, and understanding. She had been concerned that Kathleen might have just said that she wasn't upset with her while in truth she really was, but over the past three weeks, her best friend had shown no signs of resentment.
Sera returned her smile as she turned to scan the crowd again. She spotted Liam's dark head above the crowd as he wound his way toward them. Her heart immediately began to beat a little faster and a small smile curved her mouth. She had spent every night of the past three weeks with him. They had spent a few nights hanging out in his room, watching movies, and talking. A few other nights had been spent hanging out with Kathleen, Danielle, Mike, Jack, and Doug. Other times they had gone out to dinner, to the movies, and one absolutely ridiculous night of bowling where they had both made fools of themselves and vowed never to do it again.
They had gone to parties, where every girl there hit on him, but he paid no attention to them as he stayed by her side, dancing with her, and never failing to make her feel as if she was the only woman in the room. He also never failed to make her feel safe and protected. When men leered at her, and made rude comments, one look from him was enough to silence them, and send them on their way.
Sera had never been so happy in her life, never had she felt this wonderful, this blissful, and this secure. He never pressured her, never forced her to do anything that she didn't want to. When she stiffened involuntarily, he comforted her. When panic seized her for no reason, he understood and helped to set her at ease.
She knew that she was falling in love with him, and it scared the hell out of her. She hadn't thought it was possible to fall in love with someone in three weeks, but she knew now that she was wrong. With each day that passed, she found herself more and more scared of losing him. There was only so much that a man could take before he got tired of being patient. Although he showed no signs of that happening, she was certain that it was only a matter of time. She just hoped she could get over her apprehension by then.
He stepped out of the crowd, flashing his dazzling grin as he handed her a beer. Sera took it and sipped it as she studied him through lowered lashes. "Hey guys," Jack greeted as he appeared at his side. "This place is a mad house tonight!"
"That's for sure!" Kathleen agreed.
Jack was bumped forward causing beer to slosh out of his cup. "Hey watch it!" he yelled over his shoulder before turning back to Liam. "Can I talk to you for a minute?"
"Yeah," Liam replied. He turned back to Sera and kissed her. "I'll be right back."
She turned and followed Jack back into the crowd. "Well now, wasn't that sweet."
Sera turned at the voice in her ear. Michelle stood behind her, leaning casually against the wall as she surveyed her through narrowed eyes. Her long hair was lose and flowing around her elegant face. Despite the heat of the house, she somehow managed to look cool and refreshed.
Sera stared at her as she tried to sort through the jumbled rush of feelings that rolled through her at the sight of Michelle. She hadn't seen her since the night she'd left her dorm room. She didn't know what to say to her now, or why Michelle suddenly seemed to hate her so much. She felt betrayed by her, and she was hurt, but she was also mad and getting madder.
"Hello Michelle," she replied coldly.
