Page 124 of Begin Again, Part 1

They stopped outside her place. Eden seemed reluctant to leave, and he was in no hurry to let her go.

"I meant every word earlier," he said, brushing her hair away from her face. "I'm not giving up on us, Princess. I'll give you enough time to think and decide, but letting you go is not an option."

"It's late," Eden said in a small voice, ignoring his impassioned promise as she took off her seat belt. He grabbed her before she could bolt out of the car and kissed her until they were both breathless.

He promised he wouldn't rush her, but he wished she could hurry up already and get on board. He wanted her in his bed and in his arms every day. He'd never get enough of her lips or tire of her body.

"Christ, Princess," Liam whispered as he held her face close to his, their foreheads touching lightly, their laboured breaths mingling. "I can't wait to make you mine. Hurry up and come to me!"

"I told you that's never going to happen," she moaned when he finally let go, her eyes heavy with lust. "And this is it. No more kissing, touching, or ogling. No more."

"Let's make this last one count then." Liam smiled on her lips and kissed her again, lazily this time, loving how her tongue entwined with his and the soft whimpering sounds she made while he ran his hands through her hair.

"I have to go. Aiden's probably worried," Eden said, and they reluctantly pulled apart.

"What's he like?" Liam asked. His curiosity about her boy was back. "He sounds like a happy kid."

"He is." Eden smiled. "He's learning to talk now, and he runs everywhere."

"Can I see his photos? Does he look like you?"

She shook her head. "He looks like his father. Same hair, same eyes, you'd swear he made him all on his own. But he has my sparkling personality."

"Poor baby," he laughed.

Eden punched his arm playfully. "Watch it! I'm like a unicorn; I spread joy everywhere I go."

"Sure you do," he agreed, kissing her hand.

"Liam," she said after some time.

"Yeah?"

"About Aiden—"

He waited, convinced this was what he'd been waiting for, the long-overdue confirmation of his suspicions.

"What about Kool-Aid?" he asked, taking her hand in his.

She frowned at him. "Do you have a pet name for everyone?"

"Only for special people," he replied. "What about Aiden? Is something wrong?"

A kaleidoscope of emotions flickered across Eden's face as she gazed up at him with her wondrous eyes. She seemed conflicted, like she had a lot on her mind, and she wanted to unburden herself. But then she smiled, and she was again the woman he knew, ready to give him hell and challenge him every chance she got.

"Never mind, it doesn't matter," she said as she scrammed out of the car and ran to her front door.

Liam watched her slip inside and close the door behind her. Seconds later, a light came on in what he assumed was the entrance hall.

"Damn!" He whispered under his breath as he pulled away. He missed her already. Tomorrow couldn't come soon enough.

The digital display on the dash said it was 8:15 PM. It was late. But not late enough for Linda to have gone home already. Their appointment was scheduled for the day after tomorrow, but he couldn't wait that long. He had to chat with her ASAP.

She didn't sound too impressed when he called her, but she agreed to a thirty-minute chat. The building was nearly empty, and he wasn't likely to run into anyone, so he took the public elevator to Linda's floor.

"Couldn't this wait? Our appointment is in two days," she said as she showed him inside.

"Nice to see you too, Linda." Liam smiled and headed straight to the couch. "And no, it couldn't wait. I have news!"

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