He nods. “Let’s go home.”
I love when he calls it home like it’s ours to share, but it’s not, and I can’t let myself believe it ever will be.
Chapter 13
Axes & Moans
? Rooms on Fire - Stevie Nicks
Ruby
After another near miss at the bonfire, I’ve mostly kept to myself. I refuse to sit around and wait for a man to get his head out of his ass, so I’m channeling my frustrations—sexual and otherwise—into my music.
My stomach grumbles. I’ve been at it for hours, and I haven’t stopped for lunch. I put my guitar back in its case and make my way downstairs.
With Aiden out for the day, the house is eerily quiet. I miss the laughter that usually drifts through the rooms and the smile that greets me every time I see him. Never in a million years could I have imagined becoming so attached to a child that isn't related to me, but Aiden makes it easy.
I’ll never understand how his mom could abandon him like that. There’s a special place in hell reserved just for Breanna.
I pad into the kitchen and reach for the family-sized box of cereal before thinking better of it. Liam is home, and it might be nice to have lunch together, even if I have been avoiding him. He was in the backyard earlier—I spotted him just outside my bedroom window. Not that I’d been looking or anything.
Before I can talk myself out of it, I turn the corner and head for the back door. When I step outside, I don’t immediately see him, so I head toward Aiden’s hideaway.
A loud thwack reaches my ears, followed by a low grunt. Acting of their own accord, my feet carry me toward the sounds. Leaves and branches crunch underfoot as the repeated snaps, thuds, and heavy breathing grow in volume. I had a suspicion of what I’d find when I got there, but nothing could’ve fully prepared me for the sight.
Liam is standing in a small clearing with a massive log placed in the center, a stack of firewood nearby, and an axe on the ground at his feet. A sweat-soaked tee strains against his muscles, and a pair of suspenders is attached to his cuffed Carhartts.
He threads one arm through his suspenders, then the other until they’re hanging loosely at his sides. It’s like he’s moving in slow motion when he pulls his shirt off over his head. He takes the balled-up fabric and wipes his face before tossing it aside.
And there go my panties right along with it.
RIP. You didn’t stand a chance.
Liam picks up his axe and adjusts his grip. My gaze narrows on his hands flexing with the movement, and I swear my knees buckle a little. Every inch of Liam’s upper body is on display, and I’m not just hungry anymore. I’m fucking ravenous.
His chest is covered in black ink from the set of phoenix wings spread across his pecks, to the tail feathers trailing downthe center of his abs, and what looks like a compass and a tree line on his ribs.
He takes one deliberate swing and hits the log dead center, repeating the motion over and over. My heartbeat picks up with each labored breath and heavy grunt, not unlike the sounds he made before he came down my throat last week.
The log cracks down the center, splintering in half. Liam slams the axe into the nearby tree stump and wipes his forearm over his face. “Enjoying the view?”
His eyes meet mine, and his lips tip up at one corner.
Words would be good right about now, Ruby. You’re a fucking songwriter for god sake. Say something.
“Uh.”
Not that.
“Lunch?” I add.
That’s no better.
Liam’s brow wrinkles. “Are you ok?”
“Yep. Fantastic. Never better. I… um… was gonna make some lunch. You hungry?”
“I’m good. Just gonna finish up here then hit the shower. Thanks, though.”
