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In my room, I let my imagination run wild. My pencil slid across the paper, capturing the five-o’clock shadow on Liam’s chin. I didn’t have many of him, and I wanted to change that. There were pictures online I used for inspiration—I may have made the team shirt a little tighter than it actually was, but I didn’t want to assume how he looked without it. For a true shirtless sketch, I wanted a firsthand shot to capture the moment. When I drifted to sleep, my night was consumed with dreams starring those two sexy men.
For most of the next day, I went out to the same paddock I’d been in before and tried to finish the landscape, but my mind kept drifting to Duke and Liam. Duke hadn’t woken me up last night with a nightmare, and Liam wasn’t in the kitchen this morning when I had a cup of coffee.
Were they avoiding me? Were they mad I didn’t hang out with them last night?I hated second guessing everything. Maybe my experience with Jeff wasn’t a one off, and maybe they were tired of me already.
By the time lunch rolled around, it was too hot for me to stay outside any longer. I hurried to the house as quickly as I could, with Jax right by my side. I desperately wanted a shower after I had a bite to eat. There were still leftovers from taco night the guys said I could have for lunch. The thought instantly made my fingers itch to sketch Liam. I’d done one of him prepping food, but I hadn’t paid enough attention that night and the details were off. I grinned. Maybe I could imagine him shirtless with an apron on. Now that would be a drawing I’d take out time after time to look at.
When I reached the house, Liam was on the couch in the living room reading a book.
“I see you have a habit of stealing my dog.” Liam didn’t look up from his paperback.
“I’m sorry. He just kind of follows me,” I whispered, afraid I’d made him angry at me.
He tilted his book and glanced at me over the top.
I sucked in a breath when I saw his face. He was wearing glasses. Why did I just now realize I had a thing for a guy in glasses?
“It’s fine. I’m just kidding. It’s good he found someone to spend his days with. Otherwise, he’d be running around this place, causing all kinds of trouble.” He chuckled.
“Are you sure you don’t mind? I can do my best to sneak out without him.” I honestly hated the idea. I loved having Jax by my side, but I didn’t want Liam angry.
“Dulcinée, it’s fine. As long as he isn’t bothering you.” I had no clue whatdulcinéemeant, but he kept calling me it, and I liked it. Not because it was French, but because it seemed like it was just for me. It sounded like an endearment, but I was afraid to ask the meaning again and shatter the sweet thoughts I had about it.
“Okay. Well, I’m going to heat some tacos, and then take a shower. Do you want any?”
“No, but thank you for asking. Enjoy your tacos and your shower.” He looked at his book.
If the warmth spreading throughout my chest, face, and ears was any indication, I was turning bright red at him mentioning enjoying a shower. Why did I tell him I was going to do that?
After heating two tacos, I took a quick shower, feeling refreshed and satisfied. I wandered into the living room to discover Liam fully stretched out on the couch, fast asleep. His book had fallen on his chest and his glasses were still perched on his face. He looked so handsome and sweet while asleep.
I hurried to my room and retrieved my sketchbook. I had to capture him in this moment. As soon as my pencil hit the paper, I couldn’t stop. He was basically modeling for me. I didn’t have to work off a memory or make something up. My hand flew across the page as I captured every line, every curve, every shadow. I lingered on the shading of his lips.
His perfect lips—the ones that smiled and had my panties soaked. They looked so kissable, especially now, all relaxed and slightly parted. I couldn’t do that. I couldn’t just kiss a guy, could I?
I shook that thought out of my head and continued my shading. The picture was complete, but the itch to draw hadn’t eased. I wanted to paint so I could capture all the colors of Liam, but I didn’t have that luxury. Although, I could take advantage of having his profile so close to me. I flipped the page and started another of just his face.
My fingers flew fast and furious with each stroke until I had to stop. Something was off. I pursed my lips and tapped the pencil against the page. What was it?
As much as I loved him in his glasses, this sketch demanded a closeup of him without. The way I’d first seen him. Setting my pencil and book down, I carefully extracted the paperback from Liam’s hands and put it on the coffee table, making sure to bookmark his page so he could pick up where he left off. Slowly, I removed his glasses and set them down as well.
I was amazed I didn’t wake him, but I guess whatever he had done during the morning had exhausted him into a hard nap. My eyes wandered over his face—the face of the man who had been so kind to me, so sweet and patient.
His hair was mussed perfectly except for a stray lock I wanted to fix before beginning my work again. Leaning over him, I swept his dirty-blond hair so it curled slightly over his forehead.
Perfect. Just like him.
My gaze landed on his lips. I’d imagined feeling those lips against mine more times than I could count. I was suddenly aware of how close I had drifted to him. Without thinking, I lightly grazed my lips on his. I felt my skin tingle, and butterflies threatened to erupt from within.
This close, I could smell his cedar soap—the same soap I had in my bathroom but didn’t use. I inhaled sharply when I saw Liam’s eyes wide open, staring at me.
Oh God. I kissed him. What have I done?
“Oh, no you don’t.” His words hit me as he grabbed my hands before I could push away. “You can’t kiss me and run away.”
I tried to stand, but he shot up on the couch and pulled me toward him. Instinctively, I opened my legs as he pulled me on top of his lap to straddle him.
“Dulcinée, embrasse moi encore,” Liam whispered.
