Page 44 of Curvy Wives of Willow Creek 5-8

At this, Kate's eyes widen, and a shy smile blossoms on her face. It's a sight to behold, especially now as the rising sun paints a warm, golden glow onto her skin through the car window.

My heartbeat quickens, a mixture of nerves and anticipation settling in.

"I should get going. I need a few hours of sleep before my next shift. But I can't wait to see you again," I admit, holding out my phone. "Can I have your number?"

She nods, keying in her digits.

"I'll be waiting for your call," she says, handing the device back to me.

Feeling the weight of our pending separation, I unbuckle my seatbelt and open the car door. But before I leave, I turn back to Kate. Leaning in, I frame her face gently with my hands, pressing my lips against hers in a fervent kiss. When we break apart, both of us breathless, I whisper, "I'll be thinking about you, Kate."

Her smile, so genuine and warm, is the last thing I see before I step out of the car - jacket under my arm, embarking on my shirtless walk home under the breaking dawn.

Quietly, I slip inside the house, easing the door shut behind me. I'm careful to tread lightly, removing my shoes to remain unnoticed. But as I edge my way toward my bedroom, I hear a soft voice from down the hall.

"Liam?"

I groan internally, of all the times for Chloe to be awake. But my sister or not, I can't avoid the confrontation. With a resigned sigh, I knock lightly on her door, asking if I can come in.

"Yeah," she says, sounding just as surprised as I am.

I step inside her room, the soft glow of her bedside lamp illuminating the concerned look on her face.

"What's got you up this early, Chloe?"

She sighs and reveals her concern - her high school is planning a 10th-year reunion party. My mind jumps to the obvious conclusion, "Is this about Chris?"

She nods, her hands cradling her face, "I can't believe I'm still hung up on him. He left Willow Creek to work with his dad, and it's been so long...”

Crossing the room, I sit at the edge of her bed. I tell her that Chris has no idea what he missed out on, that she's fantastic, and any man would be lucky to have her.

Chloe smiles, thanking me before her gaze travels to my lack of attire. An eyebrow raises, "So, why are you coming home at dawn and...shirtless?"

I laugh, the sound echoing in the quiet room, "I might have just met the woman of my dreams, but I'm too tired now. I promise I'll spill all the details later."

Her confusion deepens, but after a moment, she just shakes her head, telling me to get some sleep.

As I rise to leave, I glance back at her, "Maybe Chris has changed, or maybe he hasn't. Either way, he doesn't deserve to steal your peace of mind."

With that, I head to my room. I collapse onto my bed and stare at the ceiling, thoughts of Kate running through my mind. I can still feel the warmth of her skin, the taste of her lips.

Despite the fatigue tugging at my eyelids, my heart is wide awake, pulsing with the rhythm of a newfound desire.

And now, in the stillness of my room, a silent promise echoes within me - to prove to Kate that love, real love, is worth the risk. I drift off to sleep with her name on my lips, her image etched into my mind, dreaming of a future with a woman who has quickly become my everything.

Chapter 11 - Kate

It’s been 24 hours, and I’m sitting at my kitchen table, staring blankly at the wall, hands wrapped around a mug of cooling coffee. Frustration pricks at my skin like invisible needles.

It's been a full day since I last saw Liam, since I felt his hands on my body, heard his soft voice whispering against my ear, and I can't get him out of my head.

Damn it, he was good. Better than good. He was perfect. The way he moved, the way he touched me...it's enough to make me salivate just thinking about it. I should be happy and giddy with the memory of that night, but there's a heaviness in my heart.

He hasn't called. Not even a text. I know, logically, that he must have returned home, fallen asleep, and then gone to work at the hospital. But my emotions don't run on logic.

Was it just a one-night stand for him? Was I just another conquest? The thought stings, yet the fear of it being true is what really gnaws at me. Doubts, like insidious little demons, creep into the recesses of my mind. I can't stand the waiting, the wondering, the constant expectation of a call that never comes.

Finally, I snap. I can't take it anymore. I need to see him, to talk to him. I need to know if he felt the same connection, if it wasn't all in my head. Luckily, I have an excuse to see him. His lost and forgotten shirt that I found when I arrived home.

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