I soaked in the feel of his lips on my skin. “I promise.” I checked my watch. “I need to shower and get ready if we’re going to dinner.” I drummed my fingers on his chest. “Actually, do you mind if I take a bath?” The master bathroom had the tub of my dreams, and a little soak sounded heavenly.
“Of course. Use whatever you want. You don’t have to ask.”
“Thank you.” I pushed up to standing and then bent over to give Liam a quick kiss. His eyes zeroed in on the opening in my shirt and the bra he could see peeking out. I grinned. Maybe Liam just needed a little encouragement. “Well, I’ll just be in the bath. Naked. And wet.”
Liam groaned. “You don’t play fair.”
I laughed as I headed for the bedroom suite. I started the water for a bath. The Cole family had even stocked the cabinets with all sorts of bubble bath and bath salts. I opted for bubbles after sniffing something that smelled amazing. I poured it into the water.
I piled my hair on top of my head and then stripped off my clothes and tossed them in the hamper. Stepping into the foamy water, I moaned. This was heaven. I submerged myself up to my neck. Perfection. I wanted to live in this tub forever.
I rested my head against the edge of the porcelain and let my mind go blank. I didn’t allow myself to dwell on Garrett or photographers or even if Liam would ever touch me again. I just let it all go. My body didn’t want to let go, though. I was wound so tight. The stress of the past week, the fact that I’d been sleeping next to Liam without really touching him had me in knots.
I needed release, and Liam hadn’t taken my hint to follow me into the bathroom. I fisted the water in frustration and squeezed my thighs together. The action sent little sparks through my core. I closed my eyes, imagined what it had felt like when Liam touched me.
I trailed my hands up my inner thighs, remembering Liam kissing, sucking, biting that skin. Heat swept through me. I ran a finger over my core, lazily exploring, trying to find the spots that Liam had. It wasn’t as good, but at least it was something. I dipped a single finger inside and let out a little moan.
“What are you picturing right now?”
My eyes flew open at the sound of Liam’s rough voice. I bit my bottom lip, refusing to be embarrassed for giving myself what I needed. “I was remembering you. The way you touched me.”
Liam dropped to the side of the tub. “I could reenact that for you.”
Heat pooled low in my belly. “So now you can touch me?”
Liam’s eyes flared. “You’ve just been through so much—”
I put a finger to his lips. “I told you. Your touch erases all the bad.”
Liam closed his eyes as if in pain. “I’ve been fucking this up at every turn.”
I gripped Liam’s neck, and his eyes opened. “No, you haven’t, but we need to talk to each other. And listen. I miss feeling close to you.”
Heat filled Liam’s gaze. “I think you deserve an apology.” A wicked grin spread over his face, and his hands dipped below the bubbles, cupping my breasts.
My nipples beaded under his touch. “Now this is an apology I can get behind.”
Liam chuckled. “Just you wait. You’re going to want me to fuck up all the time.” He rolled my nipples, giving them a little pinch. I sucked in a harsh breath. “Good?”
I nodded, having suddenly lost my ability for words. One of Liam’s hands stayed on my breast, carrying out a delicious assault on my nipple, while the other trailed lower, down my stomach and through my small triangle of curls. He paused to pull on them. “I love this,” he whispered in my ear. “So damn sexy.” Another tug, sending a jolt deep inside.
A single finger circled my clit. I gasped. The pad of Liam’s finger with its roughened skin wreaked havoc on my nerve endings.
Liam’s finger kept trailing down. It slipped inside, and I pushed my hips against him, needing more. He added another finger, creating a delicious stretch, pumping in and out of me. He slowly picked up his pace until I was panting.
All at once, he pressed his palm down on my clit and twisted my nipple. My back arched, and I broke apart in a million spasms of sparking nerves.
Breathing heavily, I slowly opened my eyes. Liam stared down at me. “My favorite sight in the world, watching you come apart at the seams.”
I smiled a grin that was lazy and sated. I reached over the tub, going for the waistband on Liam’s jeans. “My turn.”
Liam stilled my hand and took my mouth in a slow kiss. “That was just for you. My amends.”
My smile grew. “You have my permission to screw up anytime you want.”
Liam chuckled and pulled me to my feet. “Time to get ready.” His eyes traveled the length of my body, catching on the cluster of bubbles on my breasts and at the juncture of my thighs. The muscle in his cheek ticked.
I leaned forward and touched my mouth to his, whispering against his lips, “Tonight.”
