Page 40 of Sugarloaf Ridge Lies

Chapter Eleven

Jerry

When I walk into Liv’sflat and angle out of my boots, the bright light that comes on is like a dose of reality smacking me in the face. Our hands were all over each other on the way here, but now, as much as I want to get Liv naked and experience her soft skin against mine, there’s something holding me back.

I don’t want to fuck this up. I can’t. I’ve never had feelings like this where I hang on a woman’s every word, crave her smile, her laugh, her touch.

Liv turns on a column oil heater beside the lounge and switches on a side lamp. She turns off the main lights so that the room is dimly lit.

I sit on the lounge as Liv pulls a rainbow striped blanket from the corner and wraps it around her shoulders.

“Um, so do you want something to drink?” Her voice is high pitched, leading me to believe she’s as nervous as I am.

“Nope.” I reach out to her. “Come ’ere.”

Liv’s small hand slips into mine. I bring her close, pushing my knees farther apart so she stands between them. “I haven’t been happy for a long time, Liv.” I swallow hard. “I’ve sat back and watched others have that luxury.”

She looks down at me with those innocent eyes that have a way of seeing right through me. “It doesn’t have to be that way. You deserve to be happy.”

I need to be raw with her, but that’s something I can’t rush. I motion my hand between us. “I don’t want to fuck this up.”

Liv leans over me and cups my stubbled cheeks in her hands. “Oh, Jerry.”

As I brush my hands up her toned calves, drawing invisible circles on her skin, she presses her lips to mine. The blanket drops from her shoulders, and in an instant that undeniable draw between us is back with a vengeance.

I flick my tongue against her lips and she opens for me, her tongue rolling against mine. Teeth tugging at my lip, my heart thumps as the kiss intensifies. Liv hitches her skirt to her knees and straddles my waist.

Fuckin’ hell.

My cock hardens against the seam of my pants as her sweet floral smell envelops me. I grip the curves of her arse with both hands. A soft moan vibrates from her mouth as I pull her close, our lips locked. Liv grinds her pelvis against me, her heat against my cock that’s straining to get free. I’m gonna embarrass myself here if I don’t slow it down...

“Can’t get enough of your mouth,” I say against her lips.

She moans again, and I swear I’m close to blowing my load.

I release a long breath through my nose and run my hands up the sides of Liv’s thighs. She flinches and pulls her lips from mine. Eyes wide, she rolls onto the couch to sit beside me, her eyes focused on the floor.

Whoa. It’s as if someone tossed an invisible bucket of cold water on us. What did I do?

“You okay?” I ask.

She slowly nods. “Yeah. Sorry, I kinda got carried away there.”

“Hey, I’m guilty too.” But that doesn’t explain the sudden halt.

She weaves her fingers in my closest hand and leans her head against my shoulder. “I have scars, Jerry. Sometimes I forget they’re there, but when I remember, it’s...”

We all have scars, sugar. I shuffle to the end of the couch, pull a pillow onto my lap, and motion for her to rest her head. She sniffs back and wipes at the side of her eyes. She told me she wanted to take it slow. Did I push too fast?

“Sugar,” I say, breathing out. “It’s okay.”

“Inside and out,” she whispers and rubs at her right thigh.

Jesus. What in the hell happened to her? To her family? Whatever it is, it’s big, and this beautiful woman is traumatised by it. I need her to know I’m here for her. What we have... I won’t ruin by pushing her when she’s not ready.

“Whenever you want to talk, Liv, I’ll be here to listen.”

“Thank you.”

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