Page 24 of Love Me

My alarm goesoff before I’ve even had a chance to fall asleep. I spent the entire night staring at the ceiling thinking about the state of my life and knowing I need to make some decisions to move forward on the path that’s right for me and my daughter. Levi and my parents be damned.

Tying my hair up into a messy bun, I take a quick shower, knowing I need to get my ass moving. Throwing on a pair of ripped denim jeans, a Goo Goo Dolls concert T-shirt, brown ankle booties, and my pleather jacket, I walk into the living room to find Liam sleeping sprawled out on my couch.

His large body is way too big for the tiny space, and without thought, I take out my phone and snap a quick picture. His face is calm and relaxed, his breathing extremely shallow. Actually, it’s hard to tell that he is breathing at all. Suddenly, nerves skate down my spine, I move to the side of the couch and watch his chest and the lack of normal rising and falling. What the fuck? His arm falls off the edge, dangling lifelessly, body way too relaxed.

Standing to face him, panic starts to take over. Leaningover his body, I rest my hand on his chest, my face less than a foot away from his. I hold my breath, focusing on feeling his pulse. After thirty seconds or so, I feel his strong, steady heart beating beneath my hands, and his chest starts to rise slightly.

“For fuck’s sake,” I huff.

Just as I start to pull my hand away, his snaps out, coiling around my wrist and holding it there. The quick reaction scares the fuck out of me, my scream echoing through the small room in an ear-piercing startle.

“Morning, beauty. Coping a feel? All you had to do is ask. I am yours now,” he says with a wink, his voice steady and wide awake.

“You asshole, you were already awake!”

“Got ya.”

“Ugh! You’re so annoying! Payback is gonna be a bitch, big boy. Sleep with one eye open,” I reply, trying to pull my wrist free and stand up straight. Instead, he pulls me harder, causing my body weight to slam down on top of his.

My eyes go wide as his squint heavily, both of our breaths coming in quick pants now.

“Wh-what are you doing?”

“Saying good morning to my fiancée, what’s it look like?”

“Bear, don’t call me that.”

“Why’s that, beauty? That’s what you are.” His voice is a breathy whisper as he leans forward, dragging his nose along my jaw, causing goosebumps to break out over my skin. My eyes flutter closed as I suck in a quick breath.

For fuck’s sake why does that feel so good? His free hand moves to my waist, barely touching my body, but enough that an electric zap shoots through me. My body jerks slightly at the sensation, and what I feel next has me jumping off of him and pulling away. Standing up straight, I brush my hair out of my face, trying to compose myself.

“Put that,” I whisper yell while pointing at the steel rod that’s in his pants, “away. Right now. What the fuck is in there? A tree trunk?”

“Why don’t you come find out for yourself?”

“Ha! You’re such a dink.” I pick up one of the throw pillows and drop it over his lap with a little force, causing him to wince and grab his junk with both hands. Shit, you’d need both hands to handle that thing.

“Quit messing with me, or next time I’ll be sure to make it hurt,” I threaten. “Now, Charlie already knows you’re going to take her to school today but I’m going to close Bean Haven and take care of some things.”

Liam sits up on the couch, his forehead creased in confusion, and looking at me like I’ve grown horns.

“What?” I spit. “What’s the problem?”

“I don’t think you’ve ever closed Bean Haven before.”

“Yeah, well, I also have never had my boyfriend-slash-baby daddy have a secret life in another city before, or fake date my best friend either, so, looks like I’m just all about new things now!”

“Han, don’t say it like that.”

“It’s the truth. And I need to see it for myself. Glutton for punishment and all that. So if there is any way you could please get her from school today, there will be no chance I will be able to drive back before two to do it myself.”

“Let me call Dallas or Sawyer, or hell, even Carter, I’m going with you.” Liam stands, tossing the blanket off to the side and pulling on his jeans that were thrown haphazardly on the chair next to us. I watch his strong, muscular legs disappear into them as he pulls the denim over his hips and zips up. My hair bounces around my face as I shake my head clear of the thoughts. I need to get my shit together.

“Love you for it, but that’s gonna be a hard no. I’ve got to do this myself.”

He looks at me, stoney and resolute, but he knows I won’t back down from this.

“You’re right. You’ve got this. Call me if you get arrested again. Don’t need your dad pissed off when I have to tell him I’m marrying you.”

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