“Sav, I am begging you,” I say, my words rushed, emotion starting to clog my throat. There are already too many dreams and fantasies in my head, I don’t need her urging them on and giving me hope that my brother would somehow approve. She wasn’t there all those years ago. She didn’t see how devastated he was.
Besides, Liam is Liam. He doesn’t want it.
And that is the real place my hope can’t live. Because Savannais probably right. Nate probably would get used to the idea. He might not like it to begin with, but maybe he could learn to live with it.
I squeeze her hand, then let it go. “Please. Because as much as I want to believe every single word I heard last night, it was pretend. It was fake. And I need it to stay that way. For my own sanity and for my…”
The words trail off, but her eyes flit to my chest where I’m clutching my satin robe tightly together. Over my heart. Realization dawns in her gray eyes which dart back to mine, and she bites down on her lip. For a second, I think she’s going to let it go, but then she takes both of our mimosas and sets them down, taking both my hands in hers.
“I think, if you gave him a chance, he’d surprise you even more than Nate would. The other night when you left after the show and we all went to the club, the man was distraught.”
I blink at her, my eyebrows furrowing. “What?”
Savanna nods. “Wouldn’t look at another girl. Let everyone give him shit about it. And he couldn’t stop checking his phone. I’m guessing he was talking to you.”
Shaking my head, I chew on my lower lip. Probably screwing up my lipstick, but I don’t care. “No. I… I wasn’t answering him.”
Her eyes widen. “So, he just kept checking his phone. Probably because you weren’t answering him. Oh, Liam.”
Before I have a chance to answer her, a knock sounds at the suite door, drawing our attention. Probably room service with snacks we ordered, or maybe housekeeping to see if there’s anything we need. Leaving Savanna with the mimosas, my mind reeling at the thought of Liam being distraught the other night, I go answer the door.
And come face to face with the man himself.
“Fuck me, Fireball.”
A low whistle sounds, his eyes sliding down the length of my body to take all of me in. Savanna got us all silver satin robes to wear today, and I know Liam is appreciating every inch of my body beneath the thin fabric, along with my legs on display. But I’m not watching him look at me, I’m busy getting my fill of him.
The man is so sexy he has to be a sin. One arm raised above his head, propped against the doorframe, leaning in now that the door is open. He’s dressed for the brunch all the boys were going to, in a pair of jeans that hug his hips perfectly, and a black dress shirt with the sleeves rolled up to the elbows.
I stifle a whimper at those forearms.
“Later,” I answer, my need reflected in the breathiness of the word.
He catches it, his eyes darting up to meet mine, and it takes the air out of my lungs to be faced with this man looking like he does, when he looks at me like he is. If I didn’t know any better, I’d think he was a man starved for a woman’s affection, but I do know better. I know all the things he did to me last night.
Damn him. Iamthinking of last night, and it’s going to make me wet, just like he wanted. So much for sitting down in my robe after this.
Stepping forward, his knuckles skim across my cheek as he leans in and dips his head near my ear. “Mmm, that’s my girl. Thinkin’ ’bout last night.”
“Liam,” Savanna says, startling me from behind.
I take a step backwards as he rises to his full height, and like it didn’t happen, the seduction and lust radiating from him disappears. It’s like a switch flipped, and while the charmer remains, some part of him turns softer while he gazes at Savanna like a big brother glowing with pride.
“Sav,” he nods, giving her his signature smirk. “He’s going to hit his knees the second he sees you later. Don’t worry, I’ll be prepared.”
Savanna steps up beside me, a blush staining her cheeks as she grins at him. “I hope so. You’re not here to tell me he’s gotten cold feet then?”
Liam snorts. “Are you kidding me? He’s chomping at the bit. You two should have gotten married at six this morning. He can’t wait.”
“Why are you here then?” I inquire, lifting an eyebrow.
Liam’s attention darts to me before he looks back at Savanna. “I come bearing a gift. A letter, actually. For you, Sav.” I didn’t notice it before now, but he’s holding an envelope in one hand, and offers it to Savanna beside me. “From your groom. While I haven’t read it, I’m cautioning you not to read it without tissues because I have a feeling it’s going to make you cry. Mind the makeup. We hoped you weren’t done yet.”
We. The word sticks out, because he says it like him and Nate both thought about it. Talked about it. It reminds me of the first night in Vegas when I told Liam that Paul was getting married. He had said, “I thought we were over him.” We. Because Liam is always in it with his friends. Me included. No matter what.
Before I have a chance to examine that, and how it makes me feel, Savanna squeaks, and a quick glance in her direction tells me the makeup will need to be redone, even before she’s read the letter.
“He wrote me something? Oh god, I love him. I can’t wait to marry him. Tell him I can’t wait, okay? Please.” She snatches the envelope from his hand, holding it to her chest as the first tear slides down her cheek. “I don’t have anything to give him back.”
