We collapse together onto the bed, a tangle of slick skin, frantic heartbeats and breathless gasps.
And even then—even spent and ruined—he doesn’t let me go.
He pulls me into his arms, tucking my body against his, his hand splayed over my belly, his mouth pressing lazy, tender kisses to my shoulder. Like he’s still trying to merge us together completely. Like he’ll never be done.
And the thing is, neither will I.
We lie there for as long as we can, tangled together, the room thick with the scent of sweat, sex, and something so much deeper I can barely breathe around it.
I could stay like this forever.
But eventually, reality knocks.
I sigh, nuzzling into Liam’s chest before pulling back slightly.
“We need to get dressed,” I murmur, even though my body is screaming in protest. “And we should probably talk about how we didn’t use protection.”
“Fuck getting dressed,” Liam mutters into my hair, his voice low and rumbling with sleepy satisfaction. “I’m gonna call Teddy and tell him we’re sick. Then we’re gonna stay right here for the rest of the night.”
I laugh, the sound soft, rolling through me like sunlight.
“Wow,” I tease. “How romantic.”
“As for the protection, I’m clean.”
I nod. “I am, too.”
He’s silent for a moment. “You’re the only woman I’ve ever gone bare in. The only one I’d ever consider it with.”
Something pulls deep inside of me at what he’s not saying. Liam’s told me he doesn’t want kids because of his own childhood. That he’s afraid he’ll be a bad father just like his own.”
I say, “I’m glad.”
He pulls back just enough to look at me, eyes sparkling with mischief and something softer, something that roots deep inside my chest.
“Wait,” he says, like he's just had the best idea in the world. “This is our third date, right?”
I blink at him, bemused. “Yeah?”
He smirks, gesturing between us lazily.
“And look where you’re at.”
I burst out laughing, burying my face against his shoulder.
“Hey, I said I didn’t fall into bed on the second date. I never said anything about the third.”
He chuckles, deep and warm and so goddamn full of joy I feel it vibrate through my whole body.
“Third date's the magic one, huh?” he teases, pressing a kiss to the tip of my nose, ridiculously sweet for a man who just wrecked me in three different rooms.
I smile up at him, my heart tripping over itself.
“Guess so,” I whisper, the words hanging heavy and sweet between us.
I sigh, pushing myself up, using Liam’s broad, sweaty chest for leverage. He moves too, grinning wickedly, and before I can escape, he leans forward and captures one of my nipples in his mouth, sucking gently.
A startled gasp punches from my lungs as heat licks down my spine.
