We collapse together onto the sheets, breathing raggedly. Then, a giggle bubbles up in my chest, turning into full-blown laughter.
Liam shifts beside me, his hand stroking my damp back. “What is it?”
I roll onto my side to face him, still catching my breath. “I haven’t had that much fun in ages.” I shake my head, a wide, silly grin on my face. “I had no idea what a turn-on that whole ridiculous role-play thing would be.”
A smile spreads across his face. He leans in and kisses my shoulder. “Yeah? Well, in that case…” His eyes glint with mischief. “Maybe next time, I can be the doctor and you can be the nurse.”
I laugh again, swatting his chest, but the idea sends a fresh, thrilling jolt straight through my spent body.
We're quiet for a moment, and then Liam speaks. “We have a game in Toronto on Sunday.”
“I know.”
“Come with me.”
I lift my head to look at him, anxiety coming over me. The thought of being in a foreign city with Liam is so tempting.
“I know what you’re thinking,” Liam says. “It won't be suspicious. Jennifer will think you're keeping an eye on me. Making sure I don't do anything stupid on the road.”
“That's actually not a terrible cover story.”
“See? I can be smart sometimes.” He tucks a strand of hair behind my ear. “Plus, we could stay an extra day and have some actual time alone.”
I inhale deeply. A whole day where we don't have to hide, where we can just be together without worrying about who might see us.
“That's incredibly risky,” I say, there’s weakness in my voice.
“I know. But I want it anyway. I want you anyway.” His hand cups my face. “Please?”
Fuck it. I’m going to live, for once. “Okay.”
“Yeah?” Liam says in a disbelieving tone.
“Yeah. But we need to be careful. Very careful.”
“I can do careful.” He kisses me. “For you, I can do anything.”
We lie there in comfortable silence for a while longer. Then I remember something. “Did you decide which puppies you're keeping?”
He groans. “No. I can't decide. Every time I think I've made a choice, one of them does something cute and I change my mind.”
“You're keeping two, Liam. We agreed.”
“I know.” He looks genuinely distressed. “How am I supposed to choose? They're all perfect.”
I laugh at how cute he looks. “After the game, we'll go to your place and decide together. Deal?”
“Deal.” He pulls me closer, pressing a kiss to my forehead. “Stay tonight?”
“I am in my own apartment,” I point out.
“You know what I mean. Don't kick me out.”
I should. I have work in the morning, and sleeping next to him is just asking for trouble. But I'm tired and comfortable and he's warm and solid beside me.
“Okay,” I whisper. “You can stay.”
He grins. “Best news I've heard all week.”
