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Liam’s dark eyes soften, melt like chocolate. “I love you, too, Annie Jacobs. More than my words could ever say.”
He opens his arms to me and I step in. I trace the white scar on his cheek, delighting in the way he shivers at my touch. Then, I nuzzle my head onto his shoulder, press my hand to his chest, and spread my palm across his heart. His inked skin is warm, soft above hard muscle. I feel that sweet heart pulse beneath my touch.
“Did you really get a new tattoo?” I ask.
His chest vibrates as he chuckles. “No, but I’m going to have to soon.”
“What do you mean?”
“Well… I started getting tattoos after my mom died. It was hard to talk, to communicate, so I used them to tell a story. My story.”
I move my head back so I can study the beautiful ink on his body. “And you need a new one soon because…?”
Liam smiles that devastating smile. “A whole new chapter of my story has just begun.”
Tears prick the back of my eyes, and I pull him towards me. Everything he shared with me tonight broke my heart. I’m so sad that he had to go through what he did, but so grateful for the person he is.
“I might have to get a tattoo too, then,” I say in a small voice.
He hugs me tighter. I’ve never felt as safe as I do right here, right now, in his arms.
“Do you want to stay here tonight, Annie?” he murmurs, holding onto me like he never wants to let go.
I nod.
Without another word, I climb into his bed. Without another word, he gently pulls the covers up over me, leans across to tuck me in. Then, he pushes a stray lock of hair off my forehead before sliding into bed behind me, drawing my body close and enveloping it with his.
His bare chest is hot against my back, and one of his big hands splays across my stomach as he holds me to him.
Before long, his breathing slows, gets heavy with sleep.
I, on the other hand, stay awake as long as I can, trying to savor every moment of this beautiful night.
44
LIAM
A sliver of sunlight streams through a crack in the curtains and dances over my eyes, pulling me from sleep.
I’m so warm, so comfortable… and Annie is in my arms.
I smile into her shoulder, dropping a kiss on the nape of her neck as I breathe her in. Her sweet ocean smell is a scent I would recognize anywhere, would be able to pick out of a crowd of thousands if I had to.
This is the second time I’ve held her all night, but waking up couldn’t feel more different.
She loves me. And I love her.
Before, I was filled with panic, fear and uncertainty—about her, about myself, about the entire situation. But this morning, I have the most achingly perfect sense of calm imaginable.
Crazy that her run-in with an ex-boyfriend would put in motion the most incredible series of events. Events that I wouldn’t change for the world.
I lie still a little longer, soaking in the moment.
Up until now, this thing growing between us has been a rocky road, filled with external obstacles, but that’s all about to change. We both deserve better. Both deserve a proper chance at real happiness, real love… because that’s what I’m feeling right now. Nothing but love.
I’ve heard that love can make a man do crazy things. But what I want to do, it’s not so crazy, is it? What’s crazy about stopping at nothing to be with the woman you adore?
I’m sure we can explain our relationship to Wiseman in a reasonable way. And if I have to choose between Annie and work, I choose her. I’ll always choose her. Every single time.
