Page 86 of The Savior

Chelsea closed her eyes and listened to the sound of Liam’s heartbeat. “Sorry it played out that way.”

“I was headed to see you,” he said.

She was surprised but let him continue.

“The lights were on in Julia’s window.” He shook his head as if remembering the moment he’d driven up. “And I couldn’t wrap my head around… anything.” He let the word hang then added, “I lost my shit.”

“I would’ve, too, probably.”

He shrugged.

“Even though we made the best of it,” Chelsea said. “My head had been killing me since we started packing.” But since Liam had charged into Julia’s condo, Chelsea had forgotten about the headache. It thumped back into place once she recalled how the steady thud of pain had been with her all day.

“Maybe you shouldn’t drink.” Liam pretended to take her beer but chuckled. “There’s ibuprofen in the kitchen if you want it.”

That wasn’t a bad idea. She stood. “Thanks.”

He pulled his legs back for her to walk by, and it struck her as funny. She could’ve walked the two feet around the other side of the coffee table. He didn’t have to move. He hadn’t had to before. And they were cuddling! All of that should be weird. She tried to read his mind when he grabbed a handful of popcorn but couldn’t. “Is this weird?”

He glanced up. “Us?”

“Yes,” she said, raising her eyebrows. He knew exactly what she’d meant.

Liam threw the popcorn into his mouth, took his time to chew, then pushed the bowl farther onto the coffee table and stood to face her. Inches separated them. Their closenesswasweird. But somehow, it was very muchnot. The lack of space was delicious. It made her nipples perk.

When he took a step closer, Chelsea had to angle her chin up to meet his eye.

“Why do you think it feels weird?” he asked.

“Well—” Her mind scattered. Seconds ago, she could’ve listed the reasons. But now she couldn’t articulate a single one.

“Because of earlier at Julia’s? Or because we had sex?”

Chelsea blushed. “Both,” she answered quietly.

His jaw ticked, and after a contemplative moment, he asked, “Weird’s bad?”

“Is it?”

He shook his head. “I don’t think so.”

Nothing was bad when they were so close.

His body heat quickened her pulse even though they weren’t touching. Arousal pooled deep in her core. Touching Liam wasn’t required to turn her on. All Chelsea needed was to see the rise and fall of his chest, to recall their time on the couch, how he made her climax over and over, and understand they shouldn’t feel guilty.

Whateverthiswas, it was okay.

“All right then,” she whispered, unable to remember why she’d stood up.

“Want me to get it?” he asked.

The ibuprofen!“No, I’ll get it. Back to your movie.”

Her heartbeat slowed as she walked away, and Chelsea checked the kitchen cabinets, deciding he could use a quick lesson in organization.

“Maybe they’re in a closet or something?” she asked then went in search of a hallway or linen closet when he muttered maybe.

She found towels, towels, and more towels. Liam seemed to have enough towels to avoid regularly doing laundry. But the search didn’t turn up pain relievers.

She turned for the bathroom.

“Hey, Chelsea,” Liam called, but the rest was garbled as explosions rang out in the movie.

“What?” She pulled open a drawer but found nothing helpful. Then she pulled open the cabinet mirror door—

Liam came up behind her. “Wait—”

Startled, she jumped and laughed. “You scared me to death!”

The mirror door swung open, and he cursed. In the corner of the top shelf, an open ring box displayed a velvet pillow and a flawless solitaire diamond engagement ring.

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