Page 40 of Lexi Lets Go

"So, yes,” he continued. “If you google me, you will see all kinds of pictures of me making out in Vegas, all kinds of articles questioning my sexuality. All kinds of people asking very personal questions that they don't have a right to ask just because I make music for them. That is why I decided after everything happened there that I couldn't be in another relationship until I was ready to call it quits. I can manage this life, but I don't expect anyone else to put up with it. It's just not worth it."

There was a long pause while she rubbed small circles on his leg waiting for him to finish. Eventually she cleared her throat.

"That's shitty," she said plainly.

He gave a rough chuckle and swept his hand through his hair. "You can say that again."

"It's shitty," she said. "That's not fair to you, Liam. You deserve love and if you find someone willing to figure it out with you, I hope you let them. You spend so much time making everyone happy. I just hope you can find someone that makes you happy."

"Even if I could find them, which is hard to do, how could I ask someone to take on that burden?"

"Because you’re worth it."

She said it so simply, like it was easy to believe. Like the heaviness of his life was something he could get help with from another. He wanted that, craved it. Yes, he loved sex. He was very open with his body and his attraction. But this, what was happening right now, was something he hadn’t experienced before. The level of connection and intimacy he felt in this moment was more than he’d ever felt.

He gave a weak nod to her words, not certain he agreed.

"Hey," she moved his face until their eyes met. "You are worth it. If you find someone who you connect with and they are willing to push everything aside, I hope you let them."

"Would you welcome all of this into your life? Paparazzi? Public Opinion? More NDAs? Who in their right mind would want those things?"

"I can't answer that right now. I’d need to think about it. But I can definitely say I think you’re worth it. And I think if you really thought someone was worth it, you should let them make that decision.”

Those words gave him way more hope than he should let himself have, but it was there, nonetheless. Maybe they could figure something out, but the crushing weight of the what ifs and the fear of causing someone else pain wasn't a fair fight for that weak glimmer of hope.

He leaned over and pressed a kiss to her lips. "Well, you let me know if you think it's worth it, because you’re the first person I've connected with in a long time."

He said it as a joke, but it wasn’t. The words lingered there in the air. He couldn't take it anymore. "Tell me your most embarrassing moment," he said, popping another cookie into his mouth.

And the night went on like that. They laughed and shared secrets. Then they fell into bed shortly after midnight and made love again and again. The last time he looked at the clock it was three. He had Lexi wrapped in his arms holding her soft body to his. Soon after he drifted off to sleep.

The next morning, he woke up and the sun was already streaming through the windows. Lexi was still there in his bed snuggled into him giving soft snores. It was so fucking cute. He looked at the clock and saw that it was already after nine. Holy fuck, he hadn't slept for more than a handful of hours in longer than he cared to remember. He snuggled her one last time then rolled himself away from her. Quietly, he called down to room service and ordered almost everything on the menu that morning so she could have her pick.

He wasn’t ready for this to be over. They had one more night together, but he was hoping he could turn it into two if she was interested. He slid back into bed with her, and she snuggled into him. They fit so perfectly, and he wasn't sure how or why they had ended up together like this, but he was so thankful. He didn't want it to end.

Chapter16

Lexi

There was a knock at the door and Lexi woke up. It took her a moment to realize where she was. She was in the inn with Liam James snuggled behind her.

"Room service."

"Be right there," Liam called as he swept her hair from her face and pressed a kiss to her temple. "Morning gorgeous, do you want breakfast?"

She sat up and pulled the blankets around her, she was still naked from the night before. Liam went to the door and kept it as closed as he could so they couldn’t see in.

"Did you order the whole menu?" she asked with a yawn.

"I just wanted to make sure you had your favorite. Let's see what we have." He began lifting the lids off of plates. "We have an omelet, French toast, eggs Benedict, blueberry pancakes, a veggie frittata, and of course toast with an assortment of jams."

"Blueberry Pancakes!" she said immediately.

"You got it," he said, bringing her the pancakes and cup of coffee. "Cream sugar?"

"Nope, black is good for me," she said, taking the plate from him. He got himself a cup of tea, grabbed the veggie frittata for himself, and joined her back in bed.

"I must say, this inn is top notch," she quipped.

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