Chapter Thirteen
Cora woke slowly. She was pressed up against a warm blanket. She burrowed closer to it but realized it wasn’t as soft as her down comforter. This blanket also had a heartbeat. Cora’s eyes popped open and saw a chest. A very male chest. The memories came flooding back. She had been upset about leaving, and Liam had been staring at her from her doorway. At that moment shehad been tired of fighting a losing battle with him. She wanted him, and she was tired of denying herself, and so they made love. She remembered when he told her that once he was inside her, there would be no going back. So, were they a couple again? She guessed so. Hannah would be so thrilled when she told her later. Oh my God. Hannah. Liam was going on a mission today, and she would be stayingwith Hannah for a few days. She had to finish packing. Cora started scooting out of bed, but an arm wrapped around her and pulled her back.
“Where do you think you’re going?”Liamasked her drowsily.
“I need to finish getting packed.”
Liamcracked one eye open and glanced at his wrist watch and groaned. “It’s only six in the morning woman. I think packing can wait.”
“But we need to leavesoon.”
“We still have some time.” He settled her tighter against his chest and breathed in her cinnamon scent. His erection bobbed, begging for attention.
“Well now that we’re both up what do you suggest we do since you won’t let me pack?” Cora glanced down and saw the comforter beginning to tent.
“I can think of a few things?”Liamhusked as he pulled Cora over his chest.
“Only a few?How disappointing.” Cora smiled as she straddled him and slid up and down his erection.
“You won’t be disappointed here in a minute.” He promised as he placed his hands on her hips and thrust up into her. This was already turning into a fantastic morning.
An hour later Cora was finished showering and packing.Liamhad left when she went to shower so he could go for a run. He said if he stayedany longer he might take her in the shower. As tempting as it was if they went another round they would be late to Aaron’s and then late for the plane to take them to God knew where. So, Cora used her quiet time to finish packing. Cora looked around her house and felt a sense of melancholy come over her. It was just a house but it meant so much more to her. Her grandparents had built on the landwhen they first married in 1948 and built everything by hand. She could see her grandmother’s personal touches in every room. When her grandmother willed it to her ten years ago, she had been shocked. Her grandmother knew Cora needed her own space, and a place she could finally put down roots, but couldn’t afford anything. This house was perfect for her. It made her feel closer to her grandmother,and gave her the freedom to do the work she loved. She hated leaving it, even if it was for a few days or weeks.
“What’s that look for?”Liamasked her from the doorway.
Cora jumped at his sudden appearance. “I was just thinking how much I’ll miss this house.”
Liamwalked up to her and enfolded her in his arms. “It’s only for a short time. As soon as I get back, you can move back in. Justremember it’s temporary.”
“I know It’s foolish. It’s only a house, but it means so much more to me.”
“And it will be here when you get back. I’ll grab a quick shower, and we’ll go. I’m sure Hannah’s dying to see you.”Liamkissed her on the forehead, and went upstairs.
Cora didn’t feel so certain about that. Once Hannah knew of her connection to Alejandro, Hannah might wish for Cora to goback to her house. Then again Hannah never ceased to amaze her. She was glad to get some alone time with Hannah while the boys were gone. She had never had a girlfriend until Hannah, and they had become fast friends. Cora valued her friendship. Hannah was always honest with her. It would give Cora a chance to really think about her situation with Liam. While she loved him, she didn’t know if hecould ever love her in return. In all their time together, he had never once told her. Sharing his secret meant a lot to her, but it didn’t honestly mean that he loved her. She didn’t know if she was strong enough to carry both their love. She had a lot to think about while Liam was gone.
Before Cora knew it,Liamwas showered and dressed, and they were headed for Aaron’s. He lived a few milesaway from the base on several acres that he kept closely monitored. High stone walls surrounded the property and Aaron had security cameras on every corner.Liampulled in front of the gate and had to punch in a code and do a retinal scan. As the gate opened a snort escaped Cora.
“What’s so funny?”Liamasked as they pulled up the long driveway.
“I was just seeing the poor deliveryman havingto deliver packages here and having to go through all that.”
Liamchuckled at the thought. “I guess it’s a good thing then that he picks up everything he needs on base and things that do need to be shipped end up in front of the gate.
“Doesn’t he worry about people stealing stuff?”
“Look where he lives, sweetheart. No one lives out here, and he has so many security cameras that if someonedid steal from him, he would find them quickly.”
Good point.
They got out of the car, andLiamcarried Cora’s duffel and took her hand as they walked up the steps to his two-story house. The house itself wasn’t much to look at. Chipped and faded white paint with blue shutters. The front porch was missing a few floorboards. It was a far cry from her home.
Liamleaned down to whisper in herear. “Just remember, it’s only for a few days.” He said, as if reading her thoughts.
Cora smiled and turned to faceLiam. How had he known what she was thinking? She gave him a brief kiss beforeLiamrang the doorbell. Aaron answered immediately as if he had been waiting for them. He probably had been watching them on the security cameras he had located all over the property.
“Glad you madeit, Cora. Come on it. I’ll give you a quick tour then we have to go.”
“I don’t want you to have to rush,” Cora assured him. “I’m sure Hannah can tell me where everything is if you need to get going.” Cora didn’t think they had been running late, but she didn’t want to keep them from their mission.
