Page 31 of Liam

They were taking things incredibly slowly, and that was as much him as it was her. He wanted her more than he had ever wanted anything in his life, each night ended with him jerking off in the shower as he thought about varying scenarios featuring the woman who drove him crazy. But he wanted her to be sure before she gave him something she couldn’t get back.

Her being a virgin was something he both loved and hated, loved because he wanted to be her first, hated because of the responsibility it gave him. They hadn’t discussed it, but it also went against her traditions to have sex before marriage, and although he knew Taamira wasn’t as led by her culture as some were, he knew she still struggled with the guilt from her very strict upbringing.

Perhaps being away would allow him some relief from the constant desire she awoke in him. Then maybe they should have a conversation before the kisses and make-out sessions went too far.

As he climbed the steps to the private jet he would be taking, Liam glanced at the pilot and hated that he missed Gunner. The man had been beside him for many missions, and not having him as the pilot still irked. The man had kept his word so far though and was feeding back small titbits of information that while meant nothing in isolation, put together they began to form a picture they all hoped would help them find the real threat behind the masks.

He slid into the seat and buckled his seatbelt but glanced up as he saw movement on the steps. His gaze locked with Alex, who also paused. The two hadn’t had a chance to work through their differences, although to call it that was unfair to Alex. The blame lay squarely at Liam’s feet.

Alex came to sit beside him, the atmosphere awkward at best as he secured his belt. The engine came to life, and before long, they were in the air. Not wanting it to continue any longer and knowing he had to make the first move to fix what he had broken, Liam angled towards, Alex.

“I reckon I owe you an apology.”

Alex looked him dead in the eyes and said nothing; he was obviously going to make Liam work for his forgiveness.

“You were right. I’ve behaved like a complete asshole. I was making Ambrose’s death about me when it wasn’t. We all lost him, and I failed to recognise that. I’m sorry, you’re the only person who could’ve stepped into his shoes, and you filled them. I guess in part that’s what hurt. Life went on, and I didn’t.”

Alex nodded, and grinned. “You’re off the hook, mate.”

Liam sighed. “Thank God.”

Alex chuckled, then sobered. “For what it’s worth, I do get it. You had a history we never did, and it was always going to be harder for you. But I truly believe he wouldn’t want this for you.”

“Ambrose would’ve kicked my sorry ass.”

“He would, and then we would’ve headed to the Red Lion and he’d have bought us all a pint.”

“Yeah, he would.”

Alex rested his hands on the armrest and leaned back. “For what it’s worth, I never meant that Taamira was too good for you. I was worried it might be fun for you, but now, after a butt-kicking from my fiancée for meddling, I can see it’s way more than that.”

“Siren beat you up?”

Liam smirked, knowing that the love between Alex and Evelyn, aka Siren, was immeasurable. He adored her and she adored him and any ass-kicking was metaphorical.

“Let’s just say she showed me the error of my ways.” Alex grinned, and it hid a thousand secrets that Liam had no interest in knowing, but it did make him smile inwardly.

Alex having Evelyn had strengthened his friend he saw that, it was the same with Blake and Pax. Each couple seemed to round each other out, accentuate their strengths and bolster their weaknesses. Is that what he could expect from Taamira if they moved forward and by some miracle she didn’t come to her senses and see him for what he was?

Liam sobered as he thought of Alex’s words. It was easy to see why people would think he wasn’t serious and only wanted a hook-up. Before her, that would have been true, it would have been about mutual satisfaction. Now though, he knew he had a precious treasure in his hands and there was no way he would fumble it.

“You’re right, though, she is too good for me, but by some strange act of fate she doesn’t think so.”

“See, just that sentence shows how worthy you are. When you love someone, especially a woman, you spend every day feeling as if you’re not good enough, because she makes you want to be better than before in every single way and that never ends.”

“Is that how Evelyn makes you feel?” Liam asked, knowing he was perhaps overstepping.

Alex chuckled. “Every day of my life I wonder what I did to deserve her, and I still have no fucking clue.”

“Sounds like I’m in good company.”

“Does she know how you feel about her?”

Liam shrugged. “We talked, said we were going to take it day by day, but honestly, I’m not sure where it’s headed. I’ve never really thought long term before.”

“And now you are?”

“I guess. I don’t know. I mean, how could it work? She’s a damn princess, and I’m a nobody.”