Page 52 of Love in the Darkness

He seemed shocked as he opened the door. “Hey, baby, what–”

“Are you leaving me?” I squeaked.

From the horrified expression as his tanned face turned pale, I may as well have slapped him. In a heartbeat I was in his arms as he carried me to the couch, holding me in his lap.

“No, Kayla. Oh my god, no. I wanted to give you a night alone. I thought I was crowding you.” He held me so tightly I could barely breathe, but it felt so good. “I was about to call you,” he murmured into my hair. “Sweetheart, I’m so sorry.”

“Why did you take your shaving stuff home then?” I choked. I knew I sounded hysterical. I couldn’t help it.

“No, it’s still there,” he said gently, rubbing my back in slow circles. “I picked up a little bin to put my stuff under the sink so that I wasn’t taking up your counter space.”

“I’m sorry,” I sniffed, “You were gone, and your stuff was gone, and I just… freaked out, I guess.”

“I’m the one that’s sorry, baby,” he murmured. “I’ve been invading your space and taking over your entire life.” Picking up my hand, he kissed the back of it, then held my palm to his chest. “I know you’re quiet, and need some alone time. Or should I say, I know now. Gwen informed me that I’m an ass.”

I laughed, relaxing a bit as I curled into his shoulder.

“I wanted to care for you,” he said softly. “I want to do everything for you. But I don’t want to make you unhappy.” He gave me a tiny shake. “I’m going to have to pay more attention, and you’re going to have to tell me when I’m being an ass.”

I nodded, then slipped my hands around his shoulders, turning so that I could kiss him properly. Feeling his breath hitch as our lips met filled me with a rush of lust that shot through me like lightning.

“Are we okay?” he whispered, curling me against his massive chest.

“Yes,” I said, feeling much more grounded. “But in the morning, I’m going to go work at my place for the day, and you work here. Then we’ll have dinner together. Does that sound reasonable?”

“Absolutely.” His lips brushed against the edge of my ear as he breathed, “I know it’s hard, baby, but if we ever need to change something, just tell me. Please. I know this is new for both of us, and we’re flying blind here.” He paused, giving his head a shake. “Sorry. We need to be open. Okay?”

I nodded, running my hand across his chest in the way that always made him shiver. “I’ll do my very best.”

“I’m sorry I scared you. We’re forever, Kayla. Even when I do things wrong, you’re going to be right here to kick my butt. Right?”

“Yes,” I murmured, stretching up to kiss him. “Forever,” I whispered against his lips, before cuddling into his arms to melt against his chest. Resting with his huge body wrapped around mine was the only time my mind truly shut off, letting me recharge completely.

It felt like my big hunk of a man was replenishing me somehow, helping me heal from the inside out. Then I started to laugh. Liam held me, stroking my back until he realized I wasn’t stopping.

“Baby, what’s so funny?”

“I…” I could hardly breathe. “I just realized that I need to send a thank you note to the jerk who doored Gwen when she was on her

bike.”

Liam burst into howling laughter with me. When he could finally speak, he said, “Remind me to work that into our wedding toast someday.”

“Perfect.”

EPILOGUE #1

* Kayla *

* Four Months Later *

Liam still cared for me every chance he got, from moving me into his condo to adding blinds at every window and dimmers to every lighting fixture. He kept extra sunglasses in his car, his backpack, everywhere.

He was overbearing, overprotective, and often behaved like a caveman protecting his property.

I loved it.

Now that we had a few boundaries in place, I was confident when I needed to draw a line. He was instinctively learning when to back away before I even told him.

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