I imagine Liam a few years ago: newly back in town to help his younger sister and baby nephew, then his mother when she got sick. Putting everyone before himself and probably keeping all his grief, worry, and pain hidden under the surface so he wouldn’t burden anyone else. I conjure up an image of this strong, beautiful man finding solace in a stranger, pouring all of himself into a night of passion that probably rocked the woman’s world. The thought makes me swallow convulsively and clench my hands behind my back so they won’t be tempted to reach for him.
“Did it work?” I ask.
One side of his mouth lifts. “It didn’t change anything in the long run, but for that one night? Yeah, it made a difference.” His gaze sweeps over my face and hair, studying me intently. “Casual isn’t really my style, though, you know? Mae has always said I’m made for loving.”
I laugh under my breath, despite the fact there’s no humor in it. I can hear Mae saying that, and she’s obviously right. A man like Liam wouldn’t want one night with a woman; he’d want to build a life with her, take care of her, be a partner to her. He’d be the type to make a woman feel wanted, cherished. I bet anyone he was with would never feel the doubts I did with Alan. Would never wonder what I have for years: did Alan ever really love me or was our relationship simply convenient? Or worse, an elaborate publicity stunt?
Needing to put some space between us, I take a step back and start to turn away. Liam’s hand catches mine. The innocent touch sends a rush of heat coursing through me. Clearly what I need right now is a cold shower. And maybe the little purple battery-operated boyfriend Natalie sent in her care package.
“I’d be willing to make an exception.” Liam’s low voice is pure sex. The implication of his words takes a second to reach my brain. When it does, a throbbing ache starts up between my thighs.
“Wh-what?”
“I’d be willing to make an exception,” he repeats, even though we both know I heard him the first time. “For you. And who says it has to be just one night? You’re in town for at least the next month, right?”
I nod, suddenly forgetting what words are and how to use them.
“So…” He takes a step forward, all but closing the already-small distance between us. “What do you say? Do you want to put your friend’s theory to the test? I bet I can help you forget everything that’s been weighing on your mind.”
“I bet you could make me forget my own name,” I say breathlessly.
He gives another of those quiet, rumbly chuckles that makes my legs wobble. “I bet I could.”
With shaky fingers, I reach up and touch his face. I love the feeling of his rough stubble. I can’t help wondering what it would feel like scraping over the sensitive skin of my torso and inner thighs. I run my fingers down his short sideburns; I’ve always had a thing for guys with sideburns. Blame Mark Darcy inBridget Jones’s Diary. Or, earlier than that even, Harvey Kinkle fromSabrina the Teenage Witch. The thought makes me bite my lip to hold in a laugh. Liam would likely think I’m nuts if I started giggling right now for seemingly no reason.
Our eyes meet as my fingers thread through his hair. Just like I’ve always had a thing for sideburns, I’ve also always loved good hair. Liam’s is thick and silky, the kind of hair that begs to be touched. When I give a gentle tug, his dark eyes flash with a mixture of surprise and desire.
I stare into his eyes as I move my hands down to grip the front of his shirt. He must sense my hesitation because he hasn’t made a move other than to rest his hands on my hips. What if this is a mistake? What if having sex with Liam complicates things further? My brain is already working overtime these days, so I probably shouldn’t add to the endless stream of thoughts by complicating things with sex.
Liam’s breath is warm on my face as he leans closer, his hands sliding from my hips to the curve of my waist. He tilts his head, his lips hovering close to mine, giving me a chance to pull away. Rather than putting me at ease, the thoughtful gesture has me seizing with panic and ducking my face into his shoulder.
He remains still for a beat and then he dips down, his lips meeting my neck. I’m sure he can feel the erratic jumping of my pulse.
What iswrongwith me? Iwantto kiss Liam. Those full lips were made for kissing. So why am I suddenly channeling Julia Roberts’ character inPretty Womanand not allowing him to kiss me?
I’ve become desensitized to kissing over the years; most of the movies I’m in are PG-rated and the kissing is far from passionate. When Alan and I were first together, I remember thinking he was a good kisser, but our kisses became fewer and farther between as time went on. It’s been ages since I felt what I do right now underneath the nerves: a spark of longing that could easily turn into a flame if I was only able to get out of my own damn head and allow it.
Liam’s lips trail over my neck, pressing gentle kisses against my skin. “Is this okay?”
“Mm, yes.” A sigh escapes as his lips continue to inch up my neck. His mouth leaves my skin for the briefest of moments before he catches my earlobe in his teeth, eliciting a gasp from me.
His low chuckle directly in my ear has me closing my eyes tightly and swallowing a moan. I pull back to meet his hooded gaze. Instead of trying to kiss me again like I expect, he reaches for my hair and slowly begins pulling the pins free from my updo. My eyes remain on his face as he works, his fingers gently removing the pins and letting them clatter to the kitchen counter. When the last one is free, he buries his hands in my hair, massaging my scalp until my eyes slip closed and I’m practically purring.
Feeling his breath on my face once more, my eyes fly open. I fist my hands in his shirt again and pull him forward, making a soft, satisfied noise when our lips finally meet. After a second, I find myself thinkingthis is the sort of kiss I’ve shared with dozens of actors over the years. Chaste. Low heat. But then Liam tilts his head and cups my face, brushing his mouth over mine in a slow, deliberate back and forth. My lips part on a sigh and he nips at my bottom lip before gliding his tongue over it. In the next instant, his mouth covers mine and our tongues meet and entwine.
Nowthisis a kiss. The kind I haven’t shared with anyone in way too long. The kind that makes my body somehow feel heavy and light at the same time. Heat pools in my center and tingles through my limbs. Liam alternates gentle pressure with deep, delving exploration until I’m breathless and boneless. This man could teach a master class in the art of kissing.
He pulls back, his arms circling tighter around me. I wonder if he can feel how unsteady I am. Sucking in a deep breath and wanting to regain my composure—and at least a modicum of control—I ease myself out of his arms, keeping us connected by gripping his hand.
“Are we really doing this?” I ask.
“That’s completely up to you, Joss. I’m here for…whatever you need.” One eyebrow quirks over eyes that twinkle devilishly. I shut down the part of my brain wanting to fire more ‘what ifs’ at me and instead listen to the voice saying ‘with that much skill at kissing, just imagine what else he can do’.
Tightening my grip on his hand, I swivel around and pull him out of the kitchen. His free hand goes to my waist as we maneuver through the dark house and upstairs to my bedroom. The minute we step inside my room, Liam spins me around and covers my mouth with his again. I let out a quiet moan as his body moulds to mine and I feel the hard ridge of his erection through our clothes.
As he backs me toward the bed, I’m finally able to shut off the stream of thoughts and allow sensation to take over. My heart thunders in my ears as Liam’s warm hands slide under my shirt. His touch is gentle despite his rough fingers as he caresses my stomach, inching upward until his hands cup my breasts through my bra. His mouth leaves mine so he can watch my face as he dips his fingers into the demi cups to stroke my nipples.
His light, explorative touch causes the spark I felt earlier to catch, surging into an inferno that blazes through my body. I pull back enough to whip my shirt over my head and free the clasp on my bra, letting them both fall to the floor. Liam doesn’t need any more encouragement than that to lavish my bare breasts with attention. His mouth soon joins his hands, working me into a near frenzy with his tongue and teeth.
