Allison woketo the sound of giggles and the smell of freshly brewed coffee. She smiled, inhaling deeply before ever opening her eyes.
For a moment, her half-awake mind was convinced she was back in the little apartment in Nebraska. A cruel second later, the memory of her purposely trashed hotel made itself known, viciously ripping the lovely dream away.
She peeled her lids open, confirming they were no longer in Nebraska. This was Chicago. She was in Liam Cutler’s house. And not only that, but Allison also suddenly remembered…
I slept in Liam’s bed.
With a soft groan, she shifted from her side to her back. The movement carried with it Liam’s woodsy scent. As she’d done a few minutes before when she’d first smelled the coffee, Allison couldn’t resist the temptation to fill her lungs again.
The man smelled as good as he looked.
Not that Liam’s appearance or enticing scent mattered to her in the least, because it didn’t. Itcouldn’t.For a multitude ofreasons. The fact that she and her baby girl were on the run from her monster of a husband was at the top of that list.
Allison stared blinking at the fan mounted high above her, listening to the sounds coming from the other room. There was more Maddie’s adorable, six-year-old laughter mixed with Liam’s deep, sexy-as-sin voice.
Her pulse quickened as she lay beneath the covers, mesmerized by the fan’s steadily spinning blades . Taking advantage of the safest, most normal moment she’d had in a very,verylong time, Allison allowed herself a few more moments of peace.
Her attention moved slowly around the room. Liam’s walls were painted a rich navy blue, their trim a crisp, clean white. A few pictures she assumed were from the man’s military days hung in a well-organized cluster between the en-suite bath and the closet door.
A chest of drawers stained the color of walnut was against the wall directly across from where she lay. Above it was a silver-framed rectangular mirror.
Allison smiled to herself as she imagined Liam standing in front of the dresser, studying his own reflection as he got himself ready for the day. That led to the acknowledgement thatsheneeded to get up and around, and that made the smile she’d been wearing fall.
She had no idea what this newest day would bring, and the unknown was what she’d come to fear most. Because when it came to Tommy, it wasn’t a matter ofif.
It’s down to a matter of when.
With a frustrated breath, Allison threw the covers to the side. Doing her best to ignore the renewed wave of Liam’s tempting scent, she padded across the carpeted room to the private bathroom a few feet away.
It wasn’t until she caught sight of herself in the massive mirror to her left that she remembered Liam had given her one of his old shirts so she’d have something to wear to bed. The faded gray t-shirt hung down to her knees. Bold, black lettering spelled out “Army” across the front.
She looked so normal. Like a woman who’d fallen asleep in her man’s favorite shirt.
For that brief, stolen moment, Allison wondered what it would be like. To be Liam’s woman waking up every day in his shirt. In his bed.
Laughter sounded from the other side of the wall, shutting down the useless fantasy. Liam was her bodyguard, and that was all he’d ever be. With that in mind, she picked up the pace and got busy preparing to face the day.
She helped herself to the shower, making quick work of the shampoo and soap. Hating how much she liked the fact that she now smelled just like him, Allison got out, dried herself off, and redressed in the same clothes she’d worn the day before.
She spotted Liam’s brush on the counter next to the sink. Picking it up, she ran it through her towel-dried strands several times before calling it as good.
Out of habit, Allison got to work making Liam’s bed. A chore that Tommy had insisted she tend to. And if it wasn’t done perfectly…
Don’t think about that now.
Out of habit, she assessed her work, taking note of how well she’d arranged the bedding. Deciding she’d done an acceptable job, Allison went in search of her daughter and Liam.
The closer she got to the kitchen, the clearer their voices became. A moment later, she was standing in the archway separating the living room and kitchen.
She leaned her shoulder against the edge of the curved opening, crossing her arms loosely at her front. With one anklecasually resting over the other, Allison watched Maddie and Liam working together in the kitchen.
They were talking and laughing, teasing one another while Liam patiently assisted Maddie with cracking open an egg. Maddie was dressed in the same leggings and t-shirt she’d worn the day before, but Liam had definitely changed.
His hair appeared slightly damp, as if he’d showered immediately before the pair got started in the kitchen. The brown strands on top swept back in an almost haphazard way.
Liam’s Army green, long-sleeve t-shirt fit him like the best kind of glove, the soft material showcasing his firm and chiseled form. Allison’s gaze lowered to the jeans hanging low from the man’s narrow hips.
Faded denim stretched perfectly over his mouthwatering backside and taut, muscular thighs. Her fingers twitched with the urge to reach out and touch.
