“I don’t know. I thought ...” Liam looks at me knowingly as we enter the kitchen and sets the grocery bags on the counter. My favorite chips peek out.
“You must know by now that the only place I love to be is where you are.” I smile as he kisses my forehead softly. “Josh is gonna have to do a hell of a lot more to keep me from you,love.” He pulls me in, my grin growing wider.
“What about your ca—”
He interrupts, “Parked it at the little park.” I nod and he smiles. “I missed you,” he says as if we haven’t seen each other in forever.
I grin and hug him once more, whispering a small, “I missed you too.”
He then pulls back and our faces are close together, but I see hesitation in his expression. “Bianca, can—”
I don’t let him finish. I wrap my arms around his neck, pressing my lips to his, and after a moment, he reciprocates, pulling me in closer by my waist. Our mouths move with ease as if they know they’re right where they belong. There are no awkward pauses, but a smooth and continuous rhythm.
I pull back, his lips slightly pink, color flushing my cheeks, a small smile coming onto his face.
“You are gorgeous, Bianca Harrison.” Not knowing what to say, I kiss his nose. He sneaks a chaste kiss once again. “Where’s Ms. Kate?”
“With Josh, dropping Olivia at the airport,” I respond, and he sighs almost in relief. I stifle a giggle. He starts taking out my favorite snacks and I look at him in surprise as he has that cute little smirk on his face.
“How about a chill Friday with a movie? Maybe our all-time favorite?” His eyebrows raise and I look at him, confused, but then understanding comes over me.
“Cinderella?”
He nods at that, and I smile at how, after all this time, he remembers my favorite movie.
“Yep. Years later, and I still hate the guy,” he confesses, and I slap his shoulder, giggling. It’s been about an hour or so, and we’re in my room on my bed. He’s lying behind me as I lean against hischest, his heart beating softly under me. And like before, this is the time where Liam grumbles the most, while I’m fantasizing about Prince Charming.
Just like old times.
As Cinderella and Prince Charming sway to the music, he chuckles, sneaking a hand into the popcorn. “You’re such a hater,” I say, looking up as he looks down at me. He sticks his tongue out, making me return the gesture.
“I don’t get why you like him so much. Prince Eric, I get. Prince Phillip? Great choice. Buthim? The guy most likely had a foot fetish and could have done something else besides sending his guards to try aglass shoeon every woman in the kingdom.” I giggle, and he nuzzles my neck, muttering, “Yeah, not really at the top of my prince list.”
“I love the fact that you have a prince list.”
He raises his head, his lips tickling my ear. “Well, I had to research my competition. Make sure I was better.” I roll my eyes, and he gives me a kiss on the side of my neck.
“You never had any competition.”
“Neither have you,” he retorts, and I smile at him. He starts to rub my cheekbone, bending down to rub his nose against mine in the most adoring gesture. He pulls back and my eyebrows furrow. “You’re the most gorgeous woman I know, inside and out,” he mumbles dreamily, and I roll my eyes, returning my focus to the movie. Every time I’m with Liam, I’m at peace with thenow. The future is tomorrow’s gamble, and I know I’m safe in his arms.
I eventually feel bad as I subjected him to his usual torture, so we watch one of his favorite action movies. He digs his hand into the cheesy popcorn as I trace the tattoos on his neck. I look over and seeanotherbeautiful set of tulips over his pulse point, and I have the most brilliant idea.
“Liam?”
He stops the movie, turning to give me his full attention. “Yes, Freckles?” A blush warms my cheeks, but I shake my head, trying not to be distracted.
“I wanna ask something, and if you don’t want to, you can say n—”
He puts a finger over my lips. “Just ask, love.”
“I wanted to ask if I could color in your tattoos.” I take a deep breath as he raises a questioning eyebrow. “I thought the work you have done isbeautiful, but it’s all black outlines, and I don’t know ...”
He smiles. “Color them how?”
I shrug before I think. “With markers?” Something crosses his face before he looks at me, giving me the gentlest smile.
“Go get ’em, love.” I squeal in excitement, and he lets out a deep chuckle as I get my washable markers. Grabbing my desk chair, I put it next to the bed, but Liam has other plans. He lifts me easily as if I weigh no more than a feather and sets me on his lap. He takes off his shirt and kisses the tip of my nose. “Color away, Freckles.” I giggle again and start on the ones on his neck while he presses play on his movie. He doesn’t move a single inch while I shift around trying to find which ones to continue with. His skin ripples under my touch, a couple of goose bumps arise, and I give him a raised eyebrow.
