The Do Over (42 page)

"Hmmm, what could this be?" Biting her lower lip, she struggled to suppress the excitement that danced in her eyes.

"It seems that Santa thought you were really good this year." I kissed the top of her head.

Like a little girl, she started shaking the box, bringing it to her ear. She watched my eyes for a reaction.

"Open it."

She pulled and tugged on the ribbon. Frustrated, she ripped off the paper and released the box from its confinement. When her delicate fingers opened it, her mouth dropped, and her eyes filled with tears. She squealed, "Oh my god, this is beautiful, Liam. Oh my god." Her arms came around my neck, and she kissed me frantically. "Thank you. Oh my god."

"Remember how you asked me if the key I gave you was the key to my heart?" I couldn't take my eyes off of her.

She was grinning from ear to ear. "Yeah." She nodded. Her big brown eyes glued to mine. "That was an incredible night."

As her cheeks turned a nice shade of red, I placed a soft kiss on her lips.

"I love you, baby. You don't need a key because you own my heart." I ran my fingers over the diamond heart-shaped pendant. "I want you to wear it, so you'll always know that my heart belongs next to yours."

A tear escaped her eye. "Why are you so good to me?"

I brought my lips to her face and kissed her tear away. "Why do you even have to ask?" I shook my head.

I knew Dani had been hurt. We'd since moved from her thinking that I was going to be a douchebag to her feeling undeserving. Moments like these made me want to kick that asshole from here to kingdom come.
Damn him for doing this to her.

"I could ask you the same thing," I said.

When she sat up, I took the necklace from her hands as she pulled her hair to the side.

"You're kidding me, right? You're the most amazing man I've ever known. No one has ever loved me the way you do. There's no doubt about that." She turned to face me, cupping my face with her hands. "I've never loved anyone the way I love you. You need to know that. I love
you
."

"I know you do." I gave her a quick peck on the lips. "I'm not going anywhere." I clasped the necklace, and the heart fell perfectly on her chest. My fingers played with the pendant. "This is the proof. Whenever you worry, just remember that what's laying right here next to your heart is
mine
."

She placed her hand over mine, bringing it closer to her heart. She gazed into my eyes. "Merry Christmas. Thank you, babe."

"This right here," I said, pressing my hand gently against her chest, "this is mine. Your heart's safe with me. You can trust me. I'll never let anyone, including me, break this again."

She brought her arms around my neck, her face mere inches from mine. "How is it possible…" She breathed softly. "That the man who let me leave without my phone number would say the most poetically beautiful things?"

"You inspire me." My lips grazed her smile. "Merry Christmas."

My head rested in the crook of Liam's arm. With my leg flung over his, my arm stretched across his chest as we lay in the darkened room. This was my favorite sleeping position. I could feel his heart beating as his warmth enveloped me. I slipped my other leg out from under the covers to find a cool spot on the bed. I heard the buzz of the alarm, but my body was in a complete state of relaxation. He gingerly peeled himself out from under me. I turned on my side and wrapped my arms around his pillow, inhaling his scent. Within minutes, I heard the shower running.

Liam and I had spent the last three days cocooned together. It was exactly what I'd needed. What we had wasn't an illusion.

My eyes were heavy with sleep, but my ears were tuned into everything around me. The shower stopped. I could hear Liam moving about, and my body felt his presence around me. The smell of coffee filled the room. I knew he'd be leaving soon. I'd sleep for five more minutes while he finished getting ready. As long as I was sleeping, we were still in our post-Christmas glory.

"Mmm," I hummed, feeling Liam's lips against my forehead. They brought me out of my morning haze. I opened my eyes. "Think you're getting out of here ninja-style?"

He sat down next to me. "I'm not slipping out. I'm just waking up my Sleeping Beauty with a kiss."

Wearing his gray standard-issued county polo and black cargo pants, he was ready for work. He looked down at me with eyes full of love. His lips curled into a smile as his fingers combed through my hair.

"So, that makes you Prince Charming, huh? I like that. It's much better than you using stealth skills to sneak out," I said, pulling myself up.

He wrapped his arms around me, dragging me into his body.

"Anyway, you would've failed. I always feel it when you're not next to me. It's one of my superpowers."

"Really? A bomb could go off in here, and you'd sleep through it."

He laughed as I straddled over him, causing my T-shirt to inch up.

"A bomb, I'd sleep through." I laced my arms around his neck. "You slipping out, I feel."

His eyes darkened with desire as his hands slid under my shirt, resting on my waist. "Are you sure those are superpowers? Or is it just the fact that you can't get enough of me?" he asked, his voice husky.

My heart fluttered at his touch and words. It was a potent concoction that rendered me helpless. "It's a combination," I whispered into his ear. "My superpowers are fueled by my insatiable hunger for you." My teeth gently nipped his lobe. "I'm going to miss you. You've spoiled me these last few days."

"Just these last few days? Shit, I'm slacking." He raised an eyebrow. "What are your plans for today?" His sparkling blue eyes captivated me while his hands slid up my shirt. His fingers began squeezing and pinching my nipples.

I whimpered softly as I felt the heat and throbbing between my legs. My hips were grinding against his growing erection. "I'm thinking of going to yoga in a little while, stopping by my townhouse to make sure my plants are alive, and then having my girls' night out," I panted, reaching my arms around his neck. "Promise me you'll be safe."

As he laid me on my back, he whispered, "I promise." After he lowered his pants, his tip teased me. "I'm all yours, baby. Always and forever, I'm yours." His lips grazed mine as he entered me.

"I like the sound of that." I kissed him, gingerly grazing my lips along the side of his face.

Sex with Liam—whether slow, passionate lovemaking, or hot-and-steamy fucking, or the quickie before work—had one thing in common. We were connected and complete as we became one with each other.

We held on to each other for the few minutes we had left before he had to go.

"I feel bad that you're giving up so much because I'm neurotic. At the same time, I love it, but I don't want you to resent me for it," I admitted.

His tongue moistened his lower lip. "I'm not giving up anything. I'm gaining everything. I have the best of both worlds." He tilted his mouth toward mine and softly sucked on my lower lip. "I don't want you to worry about me. I'm not going anywhere."

"And you know this for a fact?" I said, half-teasing. I buried my face in his neck, so he couldn't see the concern in my eyes. I had to get over this nagging feeling I had in my gut.

"I have psychic abilities." His fingers traced the outline of my necklace. "What I see is you and me for a very long time. We're going to have a life filled with love, family, and half a dozen kids. The last thing I'm going to see before I leave this earth is your beautiful smile."

"I don't want to think of you leaving this earth now or then, and we really need to talk about your expectations. Half a dozen kids is not happening, bud."

I couldn't help myself from smiling though. He talked about a long life and a family. Both were things I wanted with him.

After I walked Liam to the door, wishing him a good and safe shift with a kiss, I looked around the living room. My stamp had been left all over the place. It was mostly subtle touches, like the arrangement of pillows on the couch or the throw draped over the corner of the arm. It was also my Kindle plugged into the outlet and magazines splayed across the coffee table. I realized I was playing house
again
. Although, this time, it was different. Now, I was home.

I had a busy day ahead, and I was excited to have some girlfriend time.

My first stop was yoga. Pulling into the parking lot, I saw Madison's car. I hadn't done yoga in almost a week, and I was actually looking forward to seeing her. Even though she was rough around the edges, there was something about her that I really liked.

I walked in and found an empty spot next to Madison's mat. After I set up, I began stretching. The class was intense. I marveled at Madison's flexibility and tone. She did amazing things with her body. Her movements were fluid, strong, and focused, but most of all, she was graceful. I tried to imitate her poses, but no matter how limber I'd become over the past several weeks, I still had a long way to go before I was at her level.

When the class ended, I thought I was going to pass out. I sat on the floor, staring into space, when a hand appeared before me. On her wrist was a beautiful bracelet I'd never seen her wear before. Madison smiled mildly. She looked uncharacteristically delicate. I took her small hand as she helped me up.

"Thank you. I feel like an old lady." I laughed.

"Come on, let's go get some wheatgrass. You'll feel young in no time." After she grabbed her bag, she tightened her ponytail. Adjusting the strap of her bag on her shoulder, she shook her wrist, causing the bracelet to slide down her arm a bit.

As we crossed the street, Madison's mood changed, and the delicate woman who had reached down to help me up was gone. She was now replaced with the tough badass who walked with her head up high, her eyes steeled, and her heart hidden behind a fortress. I looked around, wondering if there was something that had set her off, but there was nothing out of the ordinary.

We entered the familiar juice bar. I eyed our table that sat next to the plate-glass window.

"I love your bracelet. Is it new?" I asked, trying to strike up a conversation.

"It was a gift," she said, staring at the well-known menu on the bright green wall. "Just leave it alone." She was impassive and detached.

I'd never had to work so hard at making a friend, and I had to ask myself why I bothered. We could simply be acquaintances, discuss health and nutrition, and go on our merry ways. I was such a sucker for a project. She just seemed like she needed a friend.

I patted her on the shoulder. "Okay, I will."

After I ordered my wheatgrass with a mango chaser and a green smoothie, we made our way to the table. I set up my drinks, mentally preparing myself for them. When I looked up at her, I saw a tiny opening. She was sitting there with her eyes slightly downcast. She tilted her head ever so softly.

I offered my last ditch effort to welcome her into the sisterhood. "My friends and I are having a girls' night out. We're going to Breathe. I'd love for you to join us." I threw back the shot and winced. It never got easy. "Ugh, gross."

"Give it time." She shook her head and laughed. "I have to work tonight, but thanks for thinking of me," she answered politely.