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“And what you were wearing. I loved you in that. You know, the long skirt and that top, the one that looks like somebody shrank it.”
She laughed softly and snuggled closer. “You must have emptied out that gift shop.”
Liam took her hand from his chest and brought it to his lips. “Did I buy the right size? If there’s anything you don’t like—”
“Everything was perfect, but I can’t let you spend so much money on me.”
“I’d give you the world, if you’d let me.”
Jessie lifted her head from his shoulder and kissed his mouth. “Thank you,” she said softly. “But even if the cards have been good to you lately—”
“Aha.” Liam grinned. “So, Bill told, and the deep, dark secret’s out, huh? That I used to be a gambler?”
“Uh-huh. Give you a deck of cards and you’re…used to be?”
“That’s right, sweetheart.” He rolled over, gently eased her onto her back. “I’ve reformed.”
“A reformed rogue.” Jessie touched the tip of her finger to his mouth. “William will be pleased to…I mean, that’s nice to hear.” She smiled, though the smile was wobbly. “But I can’t see you working nine to five.”
“People change.” A muscle knotted in his jaw. “You think you know exactly who you are and what you want out of life. Then, I don’t know, you walk down a street or read a book…” He cleared his throat. “Or you agree to be the best man at an old friend’s wedding, and—”
“Don’t.” Jessie put her hand over Liam’s mouth. “Please,” she whispered, “not yet.”
“We have to talk about it. You know that.”
“Yes. But—”
“I love you with all my heart, Jess.” His voice was deep, his words a whisper. “I want you to know I’ve never said those words to another woman, and I never will.”
“Liam. Oh, God, Liam—” Her voice broke. “What are we going to do? I thought—I thought this was just a—a…. I don’t know what I thought. When I first saw you—”
“I know. It was the same for me.”
“It terrified me but I told myself it was only—that it was only—”
“Sex,” Liam said softly. “Yeah, so did I. A couple of hours in bed.” He pulled Jessie into his arms and held her close. “Then I got on that plane and saw the way you looked at me. Or maybe it was when I undressed you and you went into my arms so trustingly. I only know that I love you, that I’ll always love—”
Jessie pressed her mouth to his. He could taste her tears in her kiss.
“I’ll always love you, too,” she whispered. “But—but you know that this is all we can ever have.”
“No! Don’t say that.” He sat up. “I want to marry you, Jessie. I want to do all those things I never believed in. Buy a house. Have kids. Live happily ever after. Sweetheart, don’t you understand? Without you—”
“My life will be empty, too.” The words shuddered from her lips. “I tried to tell myself we could make a life together, Liam. But we can’t. William will always be between us.” She began to weep. “You know what we have to do.”
He did know. Each beat of his heart reminded him of his promise to Bill. “I’ll do the right thing,” he’d said. But the right thing had changed. The world had changed. Right was wrong, and promises were pain.
“I’m not giving you up,” Liam said fiercely.
“You love William as much as I do, and he adores you.” She took an unsteady breath. “You’re his hero.”
“God.” He let go of her, sat up and raked his fingers through his hair. “Some hero I turned out to be.”
“He told me once that you and I are the two most important people in his life.” Jessie knelt beside Liam and took his hand. “It would be bad enough if one of us let him down, but if—if we betray him—”
Liam couldn’t listen to any more. She was right but he wouldn’t admit it, not to her, not to himself. Instead, he sprang to his feet.
“There’s got to be a way!” He grabbed his jeans and stepped into them. “My mind’s going in circles. I have to take a walk.” He stopped and took Jessie’s hands. “I’ll come up with something. I’m not going to lose you, Jess. Not after I spent my life looking for you.”
