Any part of my heart not broken for him before, shatters now. The things he missed out on because of a woman he deserved to have love from makes my chest hurt. A tear falls from the corner of my eye, but I don’t dare swipe at it for fear of him seeing it and thinking they’re tears of pity. They aren’t. My heart is only deeply distraught for the young boy he was, and the man he grew up to be that didn’t get all the things he should have.
“It was her loss,” I whisper once I’m sure my voice won’t betray my emotions.
Liam’s head turns to the side, his eyes finding mine, brows furrowed as if I’m speaking a foreign language.
“She’s the one who missed out,” I tell him quietly but firmly. Pushing myself up onto my elbow, I half roll, my body pressing into the side of his. “Look at the incredible man you turned into despite her not being around. Look at all the amazing things you’ve accomplished despite her. Think of all the people you’ve saved with your career, and the families you’ve kept together because of the man you’ve become. Despite her.”
I bow my head to press a kiss over his heart. “You deserved a mother’s love. You should have had it, and my heart aches for that little boy who didn’t get it. But despite it, he’s become this caring, respectful, protector of a man.” Lifting my head, I smile softly at him. “A man that I am so grateful to have in my life.”
He offers me a wobbly smile. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him look so insecure and unsure of himself.
I add, with conviction, “You may not believe any of that, and that’s okay. I can believe it enough for the both of us.”
Without warning both of his hands are in my hair, and he’s using his strength to roll us over until he’s hovering over me, his lips crashing down to claim mine. I gasp at the suddenness, but let his mouth move over mine without protest.
Sex and alcohol. The best therapy out there as per Liam. And after the major confession that’s been locked away for more than twenty years, I imagine he needs therapy. I don’t begrudge him that. In fact, I’m happy to help.
But first…
Gripping his face with my hands, I gently urge him to take a breath and break the kiss. As I knew he would, he complies, his eyes opening to gaze down at me as he settles between my legs.
“Thank you,” I whisper softly. “Thank you for trusting me.”
His forehead touches mine briefly in response. I know it’s his way of saying you’re welcome without words. Or maybe his own thank you for giving him the space and safety to tell his story.
Then the normal Liam is back, grinning his half smirk at me before offering me a warning. “This is going to get rough.”
“I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
Because even though he may act like the normal Liam, I know the last ten minutes weren’t easy for him to face. And if I can alleviate any of his pain through the pleasure of my own, I’ll do it. Every damn time.
Chapter 14
Liam
Nate: Drop by our room ASAP if you’re ready
Puttingmywatchon,I glance down at my unlocked phone on the bathroom counter. He sent that text five minutes ago, and it’s sitting unsettled in my stomach.
It’s my guilt talking.
I’ve jumped between it and euphoria all day.
Anytime I’ve been in the vicinity of Nate today, my conscience has come out to play which I think has to do with overhearing him last night. I already knew I was betraying Nate, but knowing he’s been legitimately worried about Jordan around me hit a nerve.
But fuck, anytime I’ve caught a mere glimpse of Jordan, everything, except her, seems to disappear. I’m generally a pretty happy guy, full of shits and giggles, but even Quinn thought I was over the top at the pool today. She asked what the hell had me bouncing off the walls, and where she could get some.
If Quinn knew, she’d run as far and fast as she could. In a lot of ways I think she’s worse off when it comes to relationships than I’ve ever been. Which says a lot.
Not that what’s going on with Jordan is a relationship. Definitely not. It’s a fuck fest. One that ends in less than forty-eighthours.
Am I going home the same man as when I got here? No. There’s no way I can. Not after last night. Letting someone in—Jordan, specifically—has me feeling lighter than I’ve ever felt in my life. Sharing the burden that I’ve carried all these years lifted a weight from my chest and shoulders, and I found myself breathing in a way I’ve never experienced.
All that extra oxygen is probably contributing significantly to the high I’ve been walking around on since I snuck back to my room this morning.
This fucking text has me a bit freaked out, though. Did Nate notice something at the pool? Did he catch me eyeing his sister one too many times? Did he notice the couple of touches we exchanged when we thought no one was looking? Or did he catch us when we hid behind the waterfall and our tongues fucked for a good thirty seconds?
Worse—did someone else catch us and tell him?
