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Orin’s already cooking, whistling away, and gives me a wave as Liam sits me down at the kitchen table, pours me some coffee, gives me the paper, and starts to rub my shoulders.
“Relax,” he says, kneading away the knots.
Where the hell did this man come from, and why does he have fingers like a professional musician?
“I’m working hard to understand why you’re suddenly acting like you want to spoil me,” I say, trying to swat his hands away halfheartedly.
“My pregnant wife was put in danger yesterday.”
“Are you feeling guilty? I didn’t realize you were capable.”
“I didn’t either,” he mutters.
“You shouldn’t let it worry you. I made that decision. I don’t blame you one bit.”
“That’s good, but I blame myself regardless.”
Food comes. Bacon, eggs, toast. I nibble at the edges, eat a strip of bacon. Liam clearly doesn’t approve and wants me to eat more, but my appetite isn’t good in the mornings. I suspect it’s thanks to the baby.
“Are you staying here today?” I ask him once he’s settled across from me at the table and eating his own breakfast. “Normally, you’d be hustling out the door.”
“I’m taking the day off, yes.”
“You take days off?”
“I can leave if that’s what you’d prefer.”
“No, no, stay. It’s nice. I mean… stay. I’d like that.”
He watches me with a blank expression and only nods as he turns back to his half of the paper.
It’s normal. Strangely normal. We work out together, both of us sneaking glances at the other, and we end up fucking on the gym floor, unable to keep our hands off each other for long. That turns into another shower, and more sex, and soon we’re cuddling on the couch watching a movie.
I never imagined I’d have a day like this with Liam. We’re laughing, bantering, teasing, having some of the best sex of my life. He’s kind, attentive, gentle. It’s like if he could be this man every day, I might actually consider staying with him. This is the Liam I want, the Liam that isn’t obsessed with controlling me, but willing to lighten up slightly, able to let his guard down even a touch. His walls are normally as high as the sky—but today, I’m getting a glimpse of what’s behind them.
I like what I’m feeling.
But all the while there’s a voice in the back of my head: it’s an illusion, it’s not going to last, he wants something.
I keep thinking this is only a manifestation of his guilt and his need to keep me safe—and once that wears off, he’ll return to his usual self.
This is only temporary.
Later that night, after dinner, we sit out back as the sun sets. I lean my head against his shoulder. “I’m going to admit something, okay?” I glance at him, trying to read his face, but he gives me nothing. “I’m being vulnerable here, so don’t make me regret it.”
“Go ahead. I’ll behave.”
“I liked today. I liked it a lot.”
“I did too.” He kisses my neck. “We can have this more often, you know.”
“Can we? Before today, I thought all you wanted was to stomp around looking pissed off. I wasn’t sure you could be… I don’t know. Normal.”
“I didn’t either,” he admits, staring up at the sky. “But when we’re back in Boston, things will be easier.”
I blink at him for a moment, trying to process. “Back in Boston? That’s twice now you’ve mentioned that today. We don’t live in Boston.”
“For now.”
I shift away, putting some space between us. “What are you talking about?”
“My family’s home is in Boston. Even if we manage to win this war, that’s where we belong. That’s where our child will be raised, surrounded by cousins and uncles and aunts. By real family.”
“Liam, I never agreed to moving across the country. We’ve never even discussed it.”
“I understand. I know it’s sudden—”
“What happened to equals?”
“I never said we were equals.” His tone hardens. “I’m sending you back in a few days. Keely’s coming to pick you up. She’ll help you transition to the Crowley mansion until I can return and we can move into our own place. We’ll have the baby there in Boston surrounded by the best doctors in the world and my family, then we can discuss returning to Portland periodically to run the business.”
I can barely hear him. My ears are ringing, and I’m stuck on that first part, the bit about sending me back in a few days. This is the first time I’m hearing about it, and he’s talking like all of this is a done deal.
“Hold on,” I say, forcing myself to my feet. I pace away from him, shaking with adrenaline. “You’re sending me to Boston… in a few days? Do you really think I’m going to go?”
“That’s why Keely’s coming. I think she’ll help you transition—”
Anger explodes into me. I knew this day couldn’t last.
