Sophia wiggles, and Franklin’s eyes capture every movement.
“You have a beautiful home, by the way. I didn’t say anything earlier. I was far too overwhelmed.”
“Thanks.” She looks around. “It’s a bit heavy for me, but I have my own spaces. There’s a library upstairs. Check it out when you want. Liam pretends he doesn’t care, but books disappear and reappear in there at will. Magic. Now, are you going to tell me how you got that black eye?”
Saved by the bell. Liam walks back inside, scraping his fingers through his beard, gathering it on repeat. “How much would you hate me if you had more company?”
Ayla pops up from her seat and claps with a bounce. “Hate you? No, I’d love it.”
“Cian, Sariah, and the kids are on their way. They’ve seen more traffic outside their house. More of the same couple of cars passing today. Enough that it was noticeable.”
53
gooey center
Lorien
Their house is nice. As innice.
I saw the library. I saw the movie room, though I left Ayla, Cian, and Renée to it on some movie marathon. Sariah and Wills went to bed.
I did, too, only to find the sheet still smelled like Liam. Poe must like that, because she’s curled up on his pillow and hisses at my intrusion.
I was the one who wanted a cat. I suggested it to be outrageous, but it’s something I’ve wanted, though the time was never right. This little thing isn’t soft or cuddly. She doesn’t care if I exist. In fact, she seems annoyed that I exist.
My hair is a mess and my pajamas, which were appropriate for Liam’s house, are less so in a house full of children. And male adults.
But something is better than nothing, I change and slide under the covers, messing with my new phone and enjoying its newness. The bedroom door opens and Liam’s eyes hit mine. “I need to shower and I’ll be right there.”
“Okay.” My voice is soft. I can feel the exhaustion written all over him, can see the pain that rests on his features. “Liam?”
“Yeah, baby?”
“Did you take your pain meds?”
He shakes his head. “I forgot them at home.”
“Want me to see if Ayla has something?”
“You don’t have to do that.” His words say one thing. His face says another. He pushes open the bathroom door and the sound of water hitting tile meets my ears.
Me: Do you have any pain meds? Liam forgot his and I think he’s hurting.
Ayla: Yes. I’ll bring something up.
Ayla: I’m glad he has you. I don’t know what’s... shifted. But he needs someone to take care of him. If you ever repeat that I said that, I’ll deny, deny, deny.
I don’t respond. I don’t know what shifted either. I hope it’s not the sex. I really hope it’s not me.
I promised him uncomplicated. I promised myself I could walk away with no strings.
But I never counted on Liam Murphy.
I never counted on the gruff exterior with the gooey center.
I never counted on falling in love.
I slide out of bed to the knock and another hiss. The cat hates me.
