“I may have to see for myself.”

“I can arrange that.”

I press my lips on his and he carries me out of the kitchen. I keep kissing him as he moves with me in his arms. A tiny pang of stage fright hits me again as I realize this will be the first time Liam has ever been in my bed. The bed I shared with my husband.

He slowly lowers me as we get to my door. “I don’t have to stay,” he somehow reads my mind.

“Don’t be stupid. I want you here.” I take his hand and open the door. He holds my hand as we enter my bedroom.

There are a lot of memories in this room, but I want to make new ones. I deserve new ones. Corolla was beautiful, but this is where our life is. We need to be a couple in our real life.

Liam holds my hand as I pull him to the bed. I look around at the room and am grateful for my tirade. It allowed it so there aren’t any pictures other than of Aarabelle. I didn’t want to look at him after I found out about Brittany. I sure as hell don’t want to feel like he’s looking at me now.

His hand holds my face as he slowly inches close before he kisses me. I lie back on the bed and pull him on top of me. Pushing the beanie off his head, my fingers slide through his hair. The scruff I love so much is back and it scratches my neck as he begins to move his mouth there. I could fall apart so easily in his arms. He gives me such comfort and security.

“I hate the idea of leaving you,” he says against my skin.

I hate it too, but I focus on the words floating around before speaking them. I have to tread carefully before I say things. I’m in the tiptoe stage where I have to guard his heart and my own.

“It’ll be okay.”

Of course I don’t know that. Our lives are constantly hanging on a precipice, ready to tip over the edge and shatter. He could die at any point. I could decide it’s too much stress. But if we can love each other enough, we have a chance.

Liam pulls my shirt over my head and holds me close. It’s like he’s holding on to more than just this moment. Unease begins to build and I start to question what we’re doing. If he’s dreading it already, do we even have a chance?

His lips trail down my collarbone and I try to alleviate my worries. I want to stay in the moment with him. Give myself over and let him take me from my own mind.

“Stay with me,” he orders in his deep, husky voice.

I close my eyes as his mouth wraps around my nipple. He sucks and nips at it as I writhe beneath him. His hand travels down my body beneath my shorts. He moves slowly, and I catalog each movement he makes. The way his finger brushes against my hip. Each swipe across my clit as he toys with me.

Liam strips me of my defenses so I’m open and exposed to him. He can see through my layers of bullshit and straight to my heart. “Liam, kiss me.” I want to hide back behind my walls.

“Let me love you. Let me in.” His voice leaves no room for question. He knows I’m scared. He knows me. I close my eyes and he pushes his finger inside me. “I’ve got you. I won’t let you fall.”

“Feels so good,” I moan as he uses his thumb against my clit.

Suddenly his hand retreats and I’m left feeling empty. My eyes fly open and I whimper. He gazes at me as he removes his clothes.

I sit up and push his hands away, “Let me.”

My fingers gently pull at his shirt. I go slow, savoring him and knowing what lies beneath his clothing. A man too beautiful for words. I trail down his now bare chest and use my nails to scrape at his skin. He hisses as I run my finger across his stomach.

“No other man has my heart,” I murmur. “No other man has my body.” My eyes lock on his as I remove his pants. They slide down and he moves me back beneath him.

“And no other man will ever have them again.”

His lips crash against mine and his tongue presses into my mouth. I kiss him with everything I am. He commands my body and I allow him. Liam is claiming me and I’m claiming him. We are each other’s and no matter what happens, I can’t go back.

I don’t want to go back.

He pulls my pants off completely and hovers above me.

“I love you.” My voice is strong and I need him to know. “I’m yours.”

He enters me in one push and I nearly cry out from the feeling. His eyes stay trained on mine and he rears back and slowly pushes forward.

“Liam!” I cry out as emotions and physical sensations become too much.

“No other man will be inside of you,” he says aloud but I can’t tell if he’s trying to convince himself or me.

“No one . . . only you,” I say.

“No other woman will have my heart,” Liam assures me. “No one else ever had my heart. Only you, Natalie.” His eyes close as he slides back and forth.

From the words and the feelings, it’s too much. Liam has stolen every resolve I had to keep something for myself. He knows what I need and he gives it to me. With his body and with his words.

I soar high as he flips me onto my stomach. His hand wraps around and he applies pressure on the bundle of nerves. He pounds me from behind as I push back against him. I need him to lose it. I want to drive him so hard that he can’t think of anything but how good this feels.

“Fuck me,” I cry out as I push myself back to meet his thrusts.

He nearly loses it as he grips the back of my neck and the sound of skin slapping overtakes the room. Heavy breathing, moaning, and our love making echoes. I close my eyes as he grips me tight and fucks me relentlessly. It’s heaven and hell. I fight my orgasm off, as I want to go over the edge together.

“Let go, goddamnit,” he says angrily. “Let me feel you lose it.”

He swirls his hips and circles my clit and I’m gone.

I moan and let myself go. Liam kisses my back and follows me over the edge a minute later. I fall flat on the bed, sated and exhausted.

“You’re incredible,” Liam says as he rubs my back.

I roll over and smile lazily. “You’re pretty incredible yourself. I’ll be right back.”

I sit up and head into the bathroom. I wrap my robe around me and look at the left side of the sink. Aaron’s old razor and toothbrush. They’ve been a part of the house and I forgot to get rid of them. I pick them up and hold them in my hand. I don’t feel anything though. No sadness, no anger just resignation.

Liam opens the door and sees me. He looks at my hand and then closes the door.

“Liam!” I call out and rush toward him.

“I’m going to go.”

“No! Please, it’s not like that,” I try to explain. I wasn’t mourning or anything, I saw it and picked it up. “Please, stop. Let me explain.”

He’s throwing his clothes on and tears start to form in my eyes. “I’m sorry. I need to go.”

“Stop!” I cry out and he turns. “I wasn’t upset. I wasn’t crying over his razor. I just saw it and I don’t know . . . I picked it up. It wasn’t like that.”

“What was it like?” He looks away, but I see the hurt in his eyes.

“I don’t know. I can’t explain it.”

Liam grabs my hand and I look up. “Try.”

“I saw it there, but I didn’t feel anything. I won’t feel bad though. You can’t expect me to be so unfeeling. You’re the first man to be in my bed other than him. You have to have some sympathy for that.” I wait for him to fully register what I’ve said.