Chapter Eleven
Glory
Laying in the bed,I turned on my side and watched Liam gather the papers from the hall. He was wearing only his boxers, and I couldn't stop myself from just staring as his muscles flexed with each movement he made.
He dipped down and my eyes traveled across the lean contours, he swayed to his left, and my eyes followed the sharp bulges at his neck. He was a god, forged from stone and meticulously built to please.
Twisting around, he closed the door, tapping the papers against his firm abs to make them even. “You never signed these,” he said, thumbing the thin edges as his strong legs brought him back to the bed.
“It's a little late for that, isn't it?” Lifting my head, I rested it in my hands as he sat down beside me. “They're signed, there's nothing I can do about it now. It's probably for the best anyway.”
Flicking his head over his shoulder, his eyes thinned. “Don't say that. You love that place, it's yours, not my company's.” Holding the papers up, he tore them in half and dropped them into the trash. “You never signed these papers.” Drawing out his words, he wriggled his brows and smiled.
“But what about everything else? Your brother—”
“My brother is an asshole.” Pushing his palms into his knees, his back stiffened. “Don't worry about him, I'm going to fix this, I promise.”
“Liam,” I said, popping up and wrapping my arms around his shoulders. “He said—”
Not letting me finish, Liam twisted his torso and curled his arms around my body, pulling me onto his lap. “I don't want you to worry about him, I don't even want you to think about him. I told you I'm going to fix this and I will.”
Liam kissed my forehead, pressing my cheek against his chest as he stroked the side of my face. I let him hold me, I let him cradle me and tell me everything would be alright.
I wanted to believe him so badly, forcing myself into this fake feeling of trust.
But deep inside, it didn't feel like I would ever get out from under this.
Tipping my head up, I asked, “So what now? What do I need to do?”
Pinching a piece of my hair between his fingertips, he twisted it softly. “I don't want you doing anything, this is on me. He's my brother, and he might be a dick, but I know him better than he knows himself.” Letting the ringlet go, it slid over my face, coming to rest on the delicate tips of my lashes. “He's not a horrible person, he's just misguided.”
Peering up, Liam's face changed as his mind turned with whatever plan he had brewing inside. I could see the disappointment and anger in his eyes. Liam had to make a choice, and he had chosen me over his own brother.
That had to hurt on some level, regardless of what was happening. I was certain that he felt a broken loyalty. Blood was suppose to be thicker than water, until that blood ran so thin it dried up.
Tracing his fingers up and down my arm, Liam smiled. “Come on, let's go shopping.”
“Shopping?” Drawing circles over the center of his chest, I played with the small hairs. “What are we going shopping for?”
“You'll see.” Sitting me up, he stood up off the bed and grabbed his pants off the floor.
“So, I take it you're not leaving then?” Glancing at his luggage, I let my eyes shift back to his.
Smirking, he chuckled. “No, I'm not leaving. I don't even think I would have actually gotten on the plane to begin with.” Unzipping his bag, he pulled out a clean shirt and slipped it over his head. “Well,” he said, rolling his hand. “Get dressed.”
Eyeing him curiously, I picked up my clothes. “Where are we going?”
“I told you, we're going shopping. Do you not like shopping?”
“No, I like shopping, I just don't like surprises.” Shimmying my jeans over my hips, I buttoned them. “At least tell me what we're shopping for.”
“Nope.” Grabbing his phone and wallet, he stuffed them into his back pockets.
“This isn't fair.”
“Fair is a debatable word.” Standing at the door, he waited for me to finish getting my clothes on and brush my hair with my fingers. “You ready?”
“As ready as I can be.”