I deepened the kiss before retreating. “Move, please move.”
Liam did as I asked. At first, the movements were slow. The ridges of his cock dragging against my inner walls, stoking the flames higher. Liam picked up his pace, each thrust sending me closer to the edge. My core tightened, and Liam cursed, his thrusts reaching a frenzied pace. He reached between our bodies and thumbed my clit.
That was all it took. I tipped over the edge in a cascade of sensations. My core gripped him so tightly, I had the fleeting thought that it must have been painful. Liam thrust deep, one more time, and released into me.
He collapsed on the bed, rolling so that I was on top of him. We lay there. Silent. Slick with sweat. Heat rolling off our bodies in waves. Liam pressed his lips to my temple.
I listened to the rapid drumming of Liam’s heart. So strong. So fierce. “I didn’t know it could be like that.” Tears pricked at my eyes. “That I could feel that much.”
Liam’s arms wrapped tighter around me, his lips ghosting across my brow. “Tessa, I am going to make it my mission for you to feel that much as often as possible.”
My body relaxed, soaking up Liam’s warmth, his words. His love.
* * *
I sat cuddledbetween Liam’s thighs, Trouble on my lap. We’d showered, eaten breakfast, and now were back in bed.
Liam kissed the top of my head. “We need to talk about what’s next.” I stiffened. Liam wrapped his arms more tightly around me. “We’re going to figure this out, it’ll be okay.”
I took a deep breath. “I think I need to talk to Walker and see if I can file a restraining order.” It scared me to death, the idea that Garrett would know where to find me. The knowledge that legal action would cause a rage in him that no one would be able to control. But if I wanted a shot at this beautiful life with Liam, I had to take a chance. I couldn’t live in the shadows anymore.
Liam kissed my temple, and then his lips traveled down to my ear. “I’ll be with you every step of the way. We can get security up here if you want. Whatever you need to feel safe.”
I shuddered, knowing I’d never be able to trust a stranger tasked with my safety. And it would feel too much like the jail of my past, being constantly watched and studied. “I’d rather not have security. Just having you by my side makes me feel safe.”
Liam smiled against the side of my face. “I’m going to be stuck to you like glue. You’ll probably get sick of me.”
I wiggled my butt against him. “I don’t know, you have some handy uses.”
Liam groaned in my ear. “Please don’t make me hard before we go talk to Walker.”
I laughed. “All right, I’ll wait till we’re home.”
Liam nipped at my ear lobe. “I like the sound of that.” He nuzzled my neck. “You want to go now?”
I pressed my lips together and nodded. “Yeah, I just need to let Jensen know what I’m doing. She said she was going to get Taylor to help out downstairs for a few days so I could lay low, but I don’t want to hide anymore.”
Liam squeezed me tighter. “You never have to hide again.”
I kissed the bottom of Liam’s jaw, and he released me. I pushed off the mattress, keeping Trouble cradled in one arm and then depositing him on his kitty climbing tree. I turned to face Liam, who was studying me as he put on his boots. “I just need to check one thing.”
Liam’s brow furrowed. “Okay.”
I found my bag in its usual spot by the door, ready to be grabbed at a moment’s notice. I wouldn’t need that anymore, I was standing my ground. For the first time in a long time, I was fighting back. But I did need something from inside.
I stuck my hand in, feeling around until my fingers found the envelope I needed. I pulled it out, nausea sweeping over me at the idea of anyone seeing the photos. I clutched them to my chest, breathing deeply, waiting for the roiling in my stomach to pass.
A hand touched my shoulder, and I jumped. Liam’s concerned eyes filled my gaze. “Are you sure you’re ready for this? We can wait.”
I straightened my shoulders. “Two years ago, my life was a broken mess. I’ve been slowly putting it back together piece by piece, but I haven’t let myself have the things that truly make life worth living. I’m ready now.”
Liam pressed his lips to my forehead. “Sometimes, it takes life breaking apart for it to get you where you’re truly meant to be.” His eyes bored into mine, emotion filling them.
“I wouldn’t change any of it. It was hell on Earth while it was happening, but it made me who I am today. And I like that person. She’s not perfect, but she’s strong and kind and she’s the woman you fell in love with. I wouldn’t want to be anyone else.”
Liam tugged me to him. “You’re everything to me.”
I tipped up my head so that my chin rested on his sternum. “Let’s go reclaim my life.”
