Page 79 of Burned By the Broken Doctor

Liam stares out at the darkened orchard, his brow furrowed in thought. Ever since his phone call, a veil of worry has settled over him. I bite my lip, resisting the urge to pry. There will be a time for it, but not right now.

With a final flourish, I hang the last lantern on the swaying branch. It casts a warm glow on Liam's face, highlighting the worry lines etched around his eyes. “There,” I say with a sigh of satisfaction, stepping back to admire our handiwork. Fairy lights twinkle like constellations, casting an ethereal glow over the blossoming trees. The dance floor, crafted from reclaimed wood, reflects the soft light, promising a night of celebration.

“It's beautiful,” Liam says softly, his voice tinged with a distant echo.

“It is, isn't it?” I agree, a smile playing on my lips. “June and Damon are going to love it.”

We stand in comfortable silence for a moment, the only sound the chirping crickets serenading the night. Glancing at my watch, I gasp. “Oh my gosh, it's almost midnight! Where did the time go?”

Liam shrugs. “Lost in the fairy lights, I guess.”

A chuckle escapes my lips. “Well, we did manage to get everything done.” I survey the transformed orchard, a sense of accomplishment washing over me. “You know what? I'm beat. How about you? You up for driving all the way back to town at this hour?”

He hesitates, then shakes his head. “Honestly, I don't think so. That drive back in the dark wouldn't be very relaxing.”

A mischievous glint flashes in my eyes. “There's always another option.”

Raising an eyebrow in question, he follows my gaze as I point across the orchard toward a small, charming cottage nestled amongst the trees. A warm yellow glow emanates from the windows, creating a picture of welcoming comfort.

“June rented out a guest cottage for whoever's helping with the last-minute details,” I explain. “Technically, it's for anyone who needs a place to stay.”

“Really?” he asks, surprise lacing his voice.

“Really,” I confirm with a wink. “So, what do you say? Crash here for the night and save yourself the drive?”

He considers it for a moment, then nods slowly. “Alright, why not? Sounds better than battling the highway after all this work.”

Following a meandering path bathed in moonlight, we reach the cottage. It is a picture-perfect fairytale dwelling, complete with a weathered wooden door and a climbing rose clinging to the side. Opening the door, I usher Liam inside.

Warm light from a crackling fire bathes the room in a cozy glow. A plush sofa sits invitingly in front of the fireplace, and a basket filled with firewood sits next to it. The air is heavy with the inviting scent of pine and cinnamon.

Liam walks further into the room, his eyes taking in the details. “This is nice,” he says, a soft smile gracing his lips.

“It is, isn't it?” I reply, pleased with his reaction. “June has a knack for finding these hidden gems.”

I motion for him to make himself at home while I go to get some glasses. A moment later, I return with two crystal wine goblets and a bottle of red wine.

“I figured we could celebrate our accomplishment,” I say, uncorking the bottle. “What do you say?”

He extends his glass, and I pour a generous amount of wine. “Cheers,” he says, his gaze meeting mine. “To a successful setup, and a beautiful wedding.”

“Cheers,” I echo, clinking my glass against his.

We take a sip of the wine, a comfortable silence settling between us once again. We sit by the fireplace, the gentle crackle of the fire filling the quiet space. The moon casts a bright glow through the window, bathing the room in an ethereal light.

“It's hard to believe,” I muse, swirling the wine in my glass, “that a few months ago, we were practically enemies who hated each other.”

Liam chuckles. “Yeah, those were some…interesting times,” he says, his voice laced with a hint of amusement.

“Interesting is one way to put it,” I reply with a playful smile. “I was this close to kicking you off the wedding train.”

“And I was this close to questioning your sanity,” he counters, his eyes twinkling. “But hey, at least it makes for a good story now, right?”

“The best,” I agree, raising my glass to him in a toast.

We share a smile, the playful banter charged with a spark of something more. “What are you thinking about?”

I grin, reaching out to flick out a strand of Liam’s hair off his face. I stare at his face, and all I can think about is having those lips on me, kissing me, sucking on my nipple, buried between my legs…just before he sinks his cock inside me.

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