Page 20 of A Promise For Tomorrow

Releasing a frustrated sigh, I run my hands through my hair and lean back against the headboard.

“Lain, we never really discussed what we were. I know we’ve been moving in the direction of a relationship, but I think we haven’t crossed that line because, yeah…Truthfully I’ve not been able to fully let go of Madison. I’m working through all of these emotions. I was so close to embracing this connection between us. Madison coming back today definitely derailed me a bit. It hurts. Seeing her and seeing her withhimis stirring up some ugly shit. Shit I thought I moved past.” My hands come up over my face and drag back down as a frustrated sigh leaves my lips.

Lainey turns back to face me, laying her cheek on her hand pressed to the pillow. Red-rimmed eyes and fresh tears greet me. Those jade eyes of hers shine with so much hurt. I feel like such a dick for ever getting involved with her before I was truly ready.

“Do you want to stop seeing each other, Liam? I know you loved her, I know it takes time to recover from those emotions, and seeing her tonight stirred up old feelings… but I am asking you what you want from me? How do you feel aboutme?”

Sliding down the bed, I get under the covers and pull her into me, cradling her head and twining my fingers through her soft curls. My chin rests on her head as I let out a massive breath. The one I feel like I’ve been holding since Madison got off that plane.

“I am starting to fall for you, Lainey. Hard. You are kind and sweet and always know how to brighten up my days. You’re always encouraging me to do better with my health and my anger. Spending these last few months with you has been so healthy and healing. I found solace in your arms and my heart started to mend. But I’d be lying to you if I said I no longer felt anything toward Madison. That’s not fair to you, Lovely. You deserve a man?—”

She stops me by lifting her chin and pressing her soft trembling lips to mine.

“I don’t want other men. I wantyou. I know what you’re capable of giving in love. I’ve seen it. You would do anything for the woman you love. I can only hope that one day you will feel that way about me too. I thought…maybe…you already did. But, I see that I was wrong. I love you, Liam. I think I always have since we were kids. I’m willing to wait. I’ll give you the space you need to process this. I don’t want to hear about what you’re doing behind closed doors. I don’t want to see it blatantly in my face. Just promise me you’ll try to work through how you’re feeling and let me know when you figure it out.”

Fuck. I couldn’t ask for a better possible outcome. She’s an angel, this one here in my arms. The damn organ in my chest beats harder as my lips crush hers.

“I hope I don’t hurt you through all of this, Lain. You don’t deserve that. I feel like I am already letting you down.”

“You’re not,” she promises between kisses. “This way gives you closure that I am not sure you ever had. I know you’ll be back in my arms when the time is right.”

She finds her confidence again as she slides her hand down my chest. Her fingers glide down further until they wrap around my cock, pumping it until it's throbbing.

I deepen our kiss. Our tongues dance as our hands roam and explore each other’s skin like it was our first time. Lainey moans her approval as my fingers slip through her wet folds.

“Do you want me to stop?” I ask as I nip and suck at the base of her neck. I roll us until I am above her, adding pressure to the hand between us.

“No. Show me what I’ve been missing. Give me what you’ve given her,” she pleads.

Replacing my hand with my cock, I shove my hips forward, entering her in one swift move. Her head leans back against the pillow in bliss. My hips swivel, grinding down my pelvis to rub her clit while fucking her. Her legs widen inviting me to go deeper.

Our lips meet again as I show her what it could be like to be mine. I had been holding out. This kind of intimacy is what I wasn’t giving Lainey.

So, I spend the rest of the night showing her and myself what this could really be like if I just let go of the past. All while trying not to think of what this means for tomorrow.

Single.

How celebrities areable to wear sky high heels to every event, even to just grab a coffee, is beyond me. I’ve only had these bad boys on for a few hours and my feet are already throbbing. The little toe on my right foot may even end up with a nice blister tomorrow.Fanfuckingtastic.

“I can’t believe you are sleeping in Diego’s bed tonight. All my bets were on Liam…but I see now that he’s a bit…pre…preoccupied,” Lexi hiccups.

A giggle escapes me at how cute she is leaning against her man for support. Con shoots me a look letting me know he’s about to steal my friend away for the night. Well, practically morning.

It’s 3 AM.

We all collectively spent the night enjoying the live band, dancing, even doing some karaoke. I had a few too many shots, which I will regret in the morning.Oh well.There is a lot to celebrate. For one, my dad is going to be okay. And my best fucking friend is getting married to a man who is literally perfect for her.

I catch Diego studying me from his seat at the bar. Thecorner of his lip lifts as he notices me staring back. He needs to stop looking at me like that.God, he’s gorgeous.

“Yeah. Well, he deserves to be happy. It’s not like I gave him any reason to wait for me.”

I mean those words, but I’d be a damn liar if I said it didn’t bother me seeing him with Lainey. Conor pulls me into him by the back of my neck and kisses the top of my head. It’s brotherly, and the first time he’s shown me this much affection. Shifting me over, he snuggles Lexi in closer to him.

“You lot are the most compassionate and selfless women I have ever met in my life. Mad, I’m not saying this because Liam is my boss or because he’s my best friend. Give him some time. I don’t think that Lainey and him are official. He hasn’t been right since you left. Healing? Sure. Complete? Not at all. I know Diego is going to try and get back under your skin like he did in Greece—and if that’s who you want I’ll always support ya. Promise me you’ll at least be open to seeing what Liam still feels for ya.”

I snuggle in closer to Con, embracing him and my bestie whose eyes are shut with a huge smile plastered on her face.Plasteredbeing the key word here. She’s such a cute happy drunk.

“I’ll do my best, Con. I wasn’t expecting to come home and end up right back where I left off, but here we are. I have been planning on coming back for some time now. The process was just going to take a bit longer. Dad needing surgery expedited that. So let’s rip this bandaid off and find out where my heart is leading me.”

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