He was.
When it came to Scarlett, what wasn’t to love? She was sweet, smart, kind, a beautiful woman, not to mention her curvy, bigger body. Scarlett wasn’t embarrassed by her curves, and Liam, well, he loved to feel them against him at night, or at any time. It was night when he got to feel her, and know he wanted her for a lot more than just a quick fuck. She had soft, large hips that were just designed for a man to hold onto as he took her hard, claiming her as his. Her tits were nice and full, and he imagined them in his hands most days of the week. She had a body designed to be loved, to be protected, and he’d made the vow to be that man.
He wanted a long-lasting relationship with a man and a woman. Yeah, there was his other lie. He wanted to live an unconventional relationship. Since meeting Scarlett, he’d not been with another woman or man.
He’d tried. There had been the occasional date, but nothing had progressed. He couldn’t even bring himself to kiss another woman or man. The nights he spent in the apartment in the city were because he needed a break.
Sharing a bed with Scarlett was pleasure and torture all at the same time. He got to spend hours with her in his arms. Whenever she fell asleep, she was like the dead. He’d watch her sleep, hoping that one day, he could turn his lies around with her.
He loved how comfortable she was with him. The way he could hold her, touch her, love her, and she didn’t mind, and she wasn’t afraid of him. He couldn’t stand for her to ever be afraid of him.
Easton.
The kid’s father.
Could it really be possible for him to get what he always wanted? A family. He loved Scarlett and he was willing to give anything a go, but Easton, he needed to meet the man that had once owned a piece of her heart. He had to see if there was a chance of a future. If there was, he could work with it, help their feelings grow to include him. He wasn’t ashamed to be a manipulative bastard. He didn’t get where he was today by being the good guy all the time. He’d even warned Scarlett a few times over the years that he wasn’t what he seemed.
He just couldn’t break her heart or her trust.
Each time he promised himself he’d tell her the truth, she’d enter their bedroom, snuggle down, and he’d hold her, resting a hand on her hip, and he just couldn’t bring himself to lose that. He knew it made him an asshole, and so many other words, but he could live with that.
For five years he’d given her time. He’d given her the chance to get over her last relationship, to build her fragile heart and to find herself again.
The woman he met five years ago had been close to shattering underneath the weight of expectation. Of being a mother. Her family had turned their back on her all those years ago, and he’d promised to never do that.
After she finally repaired herself, there was just never a time to explore what could be. Part of it was fear of what she’d think and feel. He wanted everything with her, but not if it came with a price. There were only so many things Liam was willing to gamble, and Scarlett’s feelings wasn’t one of them.
****
The following day, Easton paced his office. He still didn’t get her full fucking name. He’d even called his PI to try to get the details of the woman who booked the birthday party, but again, all those details were private and the people at the restaurant wouldn’t budge. Even when money was being offered to bribe them. They wouldn’t give any information away.
“You’re still pacing,” Romeo said.
“That I am still doing. Can’t you tell?”
“You have a bad attitude, all because of this woman.”
Karson entered the room. “And we didn’t even get to know her.”
“Yeah, and I think it’s time that you spilled the details,” Axton said, entering his office.
All of his friends sat in the chairs, waiting.
“I didn’t call a meeting, and I don’t want to share. This is not a sharing occasion.”
“I don’t care if it’s share-worthy, we still want to know. You’re pacing like a crazy person,” Romeo said.
“I’ve not touched a drop of alcohol. I’m still clean,” Easton said.
Axton sighed. “None of us said you did or are going to. Why do you think we think the worst of you?”
“That is a tongue twister,” Karson said.
“Look, guys, I know I screwed up. I did so big time, but that doesn’t mean I’m going to do it again. Of course I’m not. I’m not that big of a screw-up. I’m not that big of anything.” He groaned. “I hate this. I really do. Scarlett and I, we have a history.”