Page 125 of The Reno
I didn’t need to be told twice. I lowered myself onto him, making us both moan again. Using the headboard for support, I rode him, and it felt so fucking good that I couldn’t help but close my eyes and throw my head back. Liam used this angle as an excuse to touch my breasts, then drew them into his mouth, intensifying the feeling up, up and up.
“I’m close.”
“Come for me. Please.” Liam reached between us and gently rubbed my clit in circles, somehow at the perfect pace. It threw me over the edge, and I moaned as I came in waves. I could feel Liam come with me as he held my hips down, thrusting into me hard, before we both came to a stop, panting. I fell forward onto his chest and felt his heart still racing.
“Christ,” he said.
“Yeah.” I was smiling, boneless. Eventually, I dismounted with a fair amount of grace, all things considered, and Liam took care of the condom before joining me back in bed, pulling me against him. He was so fucking warm, and he smelt so fucking good. He kissed the top of my head.
“I love you,” Liam murmured intomy skin.
I wanted to open my mouth, to say the words back, but I couldn’t. Time, I just needed some time, and Liam was willing to give it to me. I didn’t feel suffocated. Liam’s breath was evening out, and his heart rate was slowing.
Then the overthinking kicked in.
It always got worse at night.
I thought of Mum’s disappointed face when I told her about another career change. I thought about the stress line between Willa’s eyes when she recruited another graphic designer. Or worse, the relief she’d feel that I’d gone of my own accord. Where would I live here? I could move into my dad’s house, so Liam and I weren’t moving too fast. I could enrol on the interior design course while doing some freelance work for Willa to keep afloat. Mum and Graham would think I was losing my mind.
Liam’s breath hitched in his sleep, and he pulled me tighter.
What was I doing? I had Liam. Liam, who loved me. Liam, who wanted me to stay. Liam, who looked after me when I was spiralling. Together, we’d be okay.
I sunk deeper under the covers.
Tonight, I was going to enjoy this.
Tomorrow, I would worry about the rest.
THIRTY-FIVE
Kat’s To-Do List
Do not spiral
Do not overthink
Do not bolt
The sunlight streamed through the blinds, throwing patterns and shades all over the room and the bed. Something hot as a furnace was behind me.
Liam.
I smiled. He was pressed against my back, his head buried into the back of my neck and my hair. I could feel a soreness between my legs, reminding me of last night—his teeth and tongue and the weight of him on top of me. It made me shiver slightly, making Liam move. I tensed, wondering if I’d woken him.
My brain was up, even if my body was still tired. I started to imagine my life in Everly Heath, now I was going to stay. I couldsee it in technicolour—Liam and I waking up in bed together, in my house or his. He’d make breakfast, and we’d listen to the radio with coffee cups in our hands, kissing now and then between songs. Then, I realised the family I’d always imagined buying my dad’s house no longer had blank faces.
