Page 70 of Montana Silence

“I just really want him to stay there.”

I leaned into Liam. “And I’m with you. I’ll see you next week.”

“Okay.” Her voice was a little shaky. She was still nervous. “I’ll send you the details now.”

“Thank you.”

I’d barely ended the call before Liam’s mouth was on mine. Laughter bubbled up out of me. “Lena’s going to kill you if you use me to smudge the windows.”

“I can take it,” he whispered.

Another laugh turned into a moan when he tilted my head and kissed me deeper. I pulled back. “Liam, if you’re going to kiss me like that, you can’t do it in public.”

He raised an eyebrow. “Oh?”

“I know I’m new to this whole sex thing, but even I know I’m not allowed to strip you down and let you have your way with me on the Main Street sidewalk.”

Liam burst out laughing before hugging me so tightly my feet lifted off the ground. “I’m just so proud of you,” he said. “The whole phone call. You did all the talking, you didn’t hesitate, and you stood up for yourself. It was incredible, sweetheart.”

“I did do that, didn’t I?” Closing my eyes, I enjoyed the combined warmth of both him and the late-summer sun. “I guess it helps when I’m spending all my time with someone who makes talking easy.”

We went back inside, Liam tugging me down beside him. “I’m glad you can talk with me. And I’m glad you feel it’s easier. But it makes me a little sad too.”

“Why?”

He brushed a piece of hair behind my ear. “Because if I hadn’t waited so long, maybe it could have been easier sooner.”

I let the words sink through me as I took another sip of my coffee. “I don’t know. Maybe it would have, and maybe it wouldn’t have. Today is a good day. But it’s still not easy.”

“I know.”

“You and I,” I said and gestured between us, “we already have too many things in our past to worry about with adding another one.”

“Hey, Liam!” Lena called. “You want coffee?”

“No thanks,” he called back. Then lower, he added, “There’s something else I want so much more than coffee.”

I blushed and looked away. It was a whole new world with him like this. Who knew if I would ever get used to comments like that one, or if my body would stop reacting by turning my whole face and chest bright red. But as I told him, we already had too many things to worry about. The amazing thing happening between us? No reason to add anything to it.

“Take me home?” I asked.

“Absolutely.”

I waved to Brynn, and she smiled, though she still looked at Liam with wariness.

His truck was parked a little down the street. “I’m sorry we have to go again,” I said. “To Phoenix. If you’re coming with me.”

“Sweetheart, there’s no way I’m staying here for that. I want to see you kick some ass.”

“I don’t know about that. I’m still nervous, despite what I said to Claire. It feels good, though, too, and I think I can do it.”

“You can.” He boosted me up into the truck and made his way to the other side. “I know you can.”

One breath in and one breath out. I was glad I would have a second chance. Malcolm was the last person I wanted to face again, but he needed to be in jail, and I was grateful I had another opportunity to keep him there.

Chapter22

Liam

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