Page 28 of Begin Again, Part 2

"Open it."

She reluctantly took off the lid and placed it on the counter. Her hands worked nimbly as she pushed the tissue paper aside to reveal the contents.

"My dress and—" she said softly, her voice trailing off when she saw the second item in the box.

"You have a thing for pink underwear." Liam smiled roguishly. He'd buy her plenty of pink lacy things he'd have no problem taking off.

"I don't!" Eden hid her face in her hands. "It's just a coincidence I'm wearing pink today."

"Sure, Princess," he laughed as he took the box back and snapped the lid in place. "I believe you owe me a shirt. You'll get your panties back when you return the shirt."

"You are unbelievable!" Eden frowned and shook her small fists at him.

"What?" Liam smirked innocently. "It's a fair exchange, don't you think? That was my favourite shirt."

"And that's my favourite—"

"Panties?" He chuckled when she blushed again. His Princess! Her shyness was refreshing. He'd have a lot of fun with her.

"I have to go," Eden said and snatched her purse from the counter.

"I'll take you home." Liam pushed her out of the door before she could protest.

Chapter

Ten

ONCE IN A LIFETIME LOVE

Eden stood with her back against the door, willing her heart to stop beating so wildly in her chest. She felt lightheaded and weak-kneed. Probably a normal sensation after being thoroughly ravished by the only man she was convinced was her once in a lifetime love—a revelation that came to her at some point between leaving home last night and waking up in Liam's arms this morning. The whole night was full of revelations, starting with catching Liam in a very compromising position with his ex.

Eden knew Laura had goaded her when she jumped Liam as soon as she saw her come out of the restaurant. But she'd at least expected him to immediately push his ex away if he felt nothing for her, like he kept saying. When he didn't, it was like Simon and Olive all over again, and the memory of being cheated on had reared its ugly head.

Seeing Laura so comfortable with Liam had made her realise something she'd tried hard to ignore for two years. There were things from her past she hadn't dealt with, trust issues she'd have to work through. When her engagement ended, she threw herself into one bad situation after another. She never took a moment to reflect and acknowledge that she was that girl—the one who got cheated on—and because of that, she had a lot of baggage she'd likely carry into her next relationship.

Eden took off her shoes and hung her blazer on the coat rack in the entrance hall, thinking about her baggage. Maybe it was time she set it down, and maybe Liam would help her work through her trust issues.

She winced a little with each step she took as she softly padded to Brenda's room. Liam had made good on his promise to fuck her until she couldn't walk.

She blushed at the memory of all the things he'd done to her and all the filthy words he'd said. Her stomach clenched, and heat rose between her thighs as a soft moan shot out of her lips when she remembered how good he'd felt inside her. Liam was already her weakness before last night, but now that she'd had a taste of him again, she didn't think she'd be able to stay away from him—

Her son, babbling to himself on the other side of the door, sobered her up instantly. Sighing, she pushed down the handle and stepped inside the room, slipping into mommy mode with ease, thoughts of Liam and his delicious cock set aside for the moment.

Brenda was still out, but Aiden was sitting in his crib, playing with his PAW Patrol plushie.

"Mommy!" He giggled as he held out his arms, and Eden gladly picked him up and took him to the bathroom.

"How was your night, Aid?" She removed his diaper and settled him on the potty chair.

"Aid is a good boy," he announced, his little face beaming with delight as she watched him do his business.

Brimming with pride at the realisation that her son was now trying to speak in full sentences, Eden crouched down and kissed the top of his head, not in the least put off by the poo smell filling up the bathroom.

"Of course, you're a good boy. You're my son!" She smothered him with kisses, while she wiped him off and cleaned his bum quickly before slipping on his training underwear.

He ran out of the room while she got rid of his mess and washed her hands. Moments later, she joined him in the kitchen and whipped him up a bowl of oats.

"Mommy!" He touched her cheek gently as he ate his cereal.

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