I blink, my laugh dying in my throat.
He steps closer, his eyes never leaving mine. “Don’t get me wrong,” he continues, softer now. “I won’t force you into anything. It’s been a long day. You can just…” A faint smile tugs at his lips. “Be the little spoon tonight.”
Heat creeps up my neck, and I hate how my stomach flutters at the thought.
“I’ve got to run to my old place first,” he shares. “Your lovely friends were super helpful with your belongings, but my friends suck. I’ve got to go pack a few things. I also need to catch up with my brother on a few issues. Youcouldcome with me.” He gives me a soft smile as he offers me the choice. “But, I have a feeling you might want to get settled in here first. That you might want a little space. I’m afraid an hour or so is all I’m willing to give you.”
I clear my throat. “I want to start unpacking. I guess we can go grocery shopping tomorrow?”
I sound so domestic. Geez. It occurs to me that I don’t even know what he likes to eat. Or drink. Or, how we’ll pay for anything. I mean, I used to take money from my parents. But, I’m a married woman now. Surely, I shouldn’t be relying on my father anymore, right? All my savings are tied up in some scandalous investment account. Does Liam have any of his own money? How would he? He doesn’t work that I know of. Wait. Does he work? I take a deep breath before I can spiral. I assure myself I’m fine. Absolutely fine.
“I’m not sure what’s going through that thick skull of yours”—Liam grins—“but whatever it is, know that we’ll figure it out together. I promise you we will have the refrigerator stocked. Okay?”
How can he possibly be smiling again? “Do you have a personality disorder?” I blurt the words. My hand flies to cover my mouth. I cannot believe I asked that.
Liam throws back his head and roars with laughter. It’s a deep, rich sound that gets under my skin. It goes on for what feels like a minute before he pauses to wipe at his eyes. “You’re perfect,” he tells me before chuckling again. “And, yeah. I’m sure I do. I can’t think ofanyoneat this college who doesn’t have a personality disorder of some sort.”
Wait a minute. “Hey!Igo to this college.”
He chuckles again. “You’re quick tonight. Yes, Taryn Kathleen, I was referring to you as well.”
“Did you just middle name me?” I scoff at him.
Liam’s grin is wide. “Beauty, it may have escaped your notice, but I just last named you as well.”
When my mouth drops open at his reference to our marriage, he saunters over to put his arms around me. Hugs me to him. “It’s okay, Mrs. McGuiness. I know it’ll take a while to get used to.”
I sigh against him. Maybe I won’t unpack. Maybe I’ll go straight to bed. Curl up under the new bedding and go to sleep. But, then, I feel it.
“Uh, Liam.”
“Yes, beauty?”
“Does my new last name excite you?” I can feel his hard length against my stomach.
He kisses the top of my head. “Pretty much everything about you excites me. But, yes, at the moment, I’m finding out I have a kink regarding calling you my wife. Part of my personality disorder, I’m sure.” He shrugs. “I don’t hate it.”
I don’t know what to say to that, but I find I don’t want to let go of him. I’ve never been a clingy person, but I grip him tighter. I feel like, if he leaves right now, I’ll fall apart despite my best efforts to pretend this is all no big deal.
Liam is quiet for a long moment as we hold each other, his hand moving slow and steady over my back. Finally, he lowers his mouth to my hair and murmurs, “I want this, Taryn.”
“What?” My voice is hushed, barely audible. I pull back to look at him.
“You. Us. This life.” His eyes search mine. “I know it’s not normal. We barely know each other. But somehow—” He pauses, swallowing thickly. “Somehow, in just a couple weeks, I’ve been more myself with you than I’ve been with anyone in my entire life.”
He brushes his knuckles down my cheek. “People like me. They always have. But it’s surface. It’s easy. I don’t think I ever realized how much I was performing—until I didn’t have to with you. You’ve seen everything. The pressure. The darkness. You’ve seen me angry, jealous, reckless—and you didn’t flinch.”
He pauses and his breath hitches, just once. “You make me feel…whole, Taryn. Not because you fix me. But because when I’m with you, I don’t feel broken.”
My throat tightens. One tear slips free before I can stop it, and Liam gently swipes it away with his thumb.
“I’m not used to this,” I whisper. “Talking about feelings. Letting someoneseeme. I don’t even know how to explain it. I wasn’t raised to hide exactly. I was always free to be myself—as long as that version of me fit inside a perfectly curated little box.”
His hand stills against my cheek.
“But with you?” I continue, voice shaking. “I don’t have to work so hard. I can say the wrong thing or fall apart a little, and you won’t use it against me. You listen to me. And even though it makes no sense, I’m having a very hard time with that. You’re not what I expected. I’ve spent so long thinking about escaping this life that it’s hard for me to focus on something else. Someone else. But, I’m not going to lie to you. I want to try.”
His brows pull together, like my words have stunned him.
