Page 49 of Tomorrow's Never Promised

“Thanks,” I say powering off my elliptical. I move over to the weights and set up the barbell to do some squats. His eyes watch me through the mirror as I start to do my reps. He slows to a walk and then shuts the treadmill off. I watch him through the mirror as he makes his way over to me, determination written all over his face.

His hand grabs the barbell, gripping it firmly so I can’t lower it. “You really should have a spotter when you are doing this.” The muscle in his jaw ticks.

“It’s barely any weight. I’ll be fine.” I brush him off and he releases his grip on the bar.

“I’ll spot you.” His lips curve into a delicious smile. He walks over to face me and runs a strong hand over my waist. “Your form is off too.” With a clink, he places the barbell back in place. “Here…” he manipulates my body, “open your legs more like this.” He nudges his knee between my thighs, opening them wider. “Good.” He lifts the barbell, handing it back to me. “Go ahead. Now, let me see you squat,” he commands in his thick, raspy voice.

I do as I’m told, yet he comes closer to me, gripping my waist with both hands and pushing me lower. “Ya gotta get lower, baby,” he smirks as I get eye-level with his crotch.This man is infuriating.My nipples harden and I feel him staring at me. His hands grip my waist tighter, making me inhale sharply.

“I think I’ve got the hang of it. Thanks,” I say in a breathy voice. He shoots me a wink and then watches me continue my reps.

I finish the last one, realizing I may have been doing squats wrong my whole life. My legs are on fire and shaking. I take a sip of my water and decide I need to get out of here.I am way too turned on right now. “I’m gonna go shower—class starts soon.” I scramble away, leaving him smiling at my awkwardness.

* * *

Lexiand I are in the hot tub on the rooftop patio. We’ve each got a glass of red wine in our hands. This water feels heavenly on my sore muscles. My legs still are so achy from my workout with Liam. Speaking of Liam, he hasn’t been around all day. Maybe he’s been avoiding me like I’ve been trying to do with him.

“What are you going to do about Liam?” Lexi takes a sip of her wine.

“Nothing. We obviously never expected to be in this situation. I’m with Killian now, and he’s so good to me. We have great sex. He always makes me feel loved and cherished. I have nothing to complain about.” I shrug, take a sip of my wine and sigh.

“I feel like there is abut,” Lexi pokes for more information.

“But…what I feel towards Liam is still very much there. It doesn’t help that he knows this too. I can’t explain it really…it’s just this feeling that makes all the cells in my body vibrate every time he’s near me. I do my best to control it but Ican’t.It’s like asking someone to hold their breath. They can only hold it for so long before they take a breath.”

“I think that you need to figure out what you really want, Maddy. I know how you felt about Liam before he left. You’ve always been attracted to him. But is it an attraction or is thissomething more?”

As I am about to respond, Liam comes out the sliding doors with another bottle of wine tucked under his arm and a platter of cheese, crackers, and fruit. Lexi looks at him and then back to me. “It’s something more,” I whisper.

Lexi pats my shoulder. “I think so too. From what you’ve told me and what I’ve seen—that man is in love with you.”

I let what she said sink in as Liam approaches us. He places the platter and the bottle of wine on the pavers next to us. “Hey, Lexi. Good to see you again.”

“You too, Liam. You should join us.”Lexi. What the hell are you doing?

“I don’t want to ruin your girls’ night.” His warm eyes focus on me. I take another sip of wine and pop a grape in my mouth.

“It’s fine. Maybe you should grab Conor too. Make it a whole party,” I say sarcastically, narrowing my eyes at Lexi. She starts to blush.

“That’s a great idea. I’ll berightback.” Liam practically jogs back to the doors.

I turn to my best friend. “Lexi!What the hell?” She just giggles and sinks her head under the water.

* * *

Liam and Conorreturn in their bathing suit trunks with a bucket of beers and some towels. They each crack one open. Liam gets in and sits next to me. He wraps an arm around my head to grab a piece of cheese, popping it in his mouth. Just when I was worried he was going to keep his arm there, he does just that. He snakes his arm back around me, resting it on the pavers.

Conor cuddles up next to Lexi and she places her legs on his lap. He starts to massage her calves. I hope no one else is watching this.It looks like a goddamn double date. Killian would lose his shit if he saw this. I look around for cameras but don’t see any.

“Calm down.” Liam gives my neck a gentle squeeze. “Therearecameras up here but I don’t think Killian has time to be monitoring them. Even if he did—what we are doing is completely fine. He told me I need to watch you and I am.”He is definitely taking this whole ‘bodyguard’ thing a little too literally.

I nod my head. “Lex, when do you head back to Arizona?”

“Beginning of February,” she sighs.

“What are you studying?” Liam asks, taking a swig of his beer.

“I’ll be graduating with my Health Science Degree in May. After that, I start my Physician Assistant program.

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