Are all the parts of him I got to know true? Is it just his motivations at the beginning that were insincere? I want to believe that.
Liam studies me intently as I stare at the picture, lost in my thoughts. When the photo comes back into focus, I gasp.
“Oh my God, let me down. I don’t want to damage her.”
I try to slide down, but he steps between my legs. Returning his phone to his pocket, he cages me with his hands on each side of me. “You, Little Thunder, belong right here.”
He’s talking about the car—which is significant by itself. I know how sacred they are to peoplewho care.
But that’s secondary. Liam is also talking about my belonging to his world. To his space. To his life.
He doesn’t need to spell it out for me to understand. It’s the set jaw, the intense gaze, the flexed fingers beside me.
It’s his entire being radiating with something that isn’t just the plain heat we’ve been feeling until now.
I don’t know what to do with his trust. I’m not ready to forget and just believe that this version of him is honest. My instincts betrayed me before.
Part of me questions his motivations. Is this about our child? Or is he still hoping to get closer to my father and get the intel he’s been seeking?
I don’t want to believe that, but I’m too scared to explore what that would mean. So instead of responding, I seize his lips.
He kisses me back, but it’s with a restraint. Perhaps due to my lack of response. Can’t we just avoid talking for a bit longer?
“So, Corm called you,” he says, his hands running up and down my thighs.
“Oh, yes, that.” I reluctantly let go and drop my hands behind me, not really leaning on them because I don’t want to dent the hood. “You gave up the partnership.”
“It was never mine to begin with.” He unbuttons my shirt.
“So you begged them to give it to me?”
His fingers trail between my breasts, down my now-exposed stomach. I sigh with pleasure.
“I didn’t need to beg them, and you know it.” He kisses the swell of my breast, and I arch my back to get more of him.
“Thank you.” I practically whimper as his tongue grazes dangerously close to my nipple.
He straightens up. “You have nothing to thank me for.” He drops to his knees in front of me. “I’m sorry I delayed the process. You should have been a partner already.”
I stare down at him, and it hits me. This man has always treated me as his equal. Even when we competed, when we worked together, even when he was domineering me in the bedroom.
“Don’t be ridiculous. Stand up, Liam.”
“I need you to understand how sorry I am about it all.”
I close my eyes for a brief, steadying moment. “I think I believe that. But I’m not sure I can believe you won’t do it again.”
“Fair enough. I only ask your forgiveness for the crimes I committed. I will work on earning your trust, Thunder.”
Jesus, this man will be the death of me.
I brought the formidable Liam Stone to his knees, but the image is still wrong. “Get up.” I scowl.
He pushes to stand in front of me and disarms me with his cocky smirk. “I was hoping to lift your skirt.”
“The angle is wrong,” I tease, grateful we can escape the realness of the moment. “Besides, we’re not having sex on this car.”
“I disagree.” He slides his hands up my thighs.
