Left (Left 1)

“Me. I didn't know when it happened or how we missed it, but I know I’d slaughter any many that so much as stared at you too long. I know this is scary. I won’t lie and tell you I don’t have my own worries and demons I’m battling.”

“Then why?”

“Because you're worth it, and I think we owe it to ourselves to try.”

She toys with the nape of my hair. “So sure.”

“I know what I want, and you know better than most once I have my mind set on something. I don’t stop until I get it.”

“This could be a huge mistake.’

“It’s not.”

“How do you know?”

“There’s no one else on this earth who knows me better. I’d trust you not only with my life but that of my children. I’m no

t granting anyone else that privilege, ever.” We could sit here and debate this back and forth, but the proof is in her reaction to me. Liv is anything, but a push over, but she melts in my arms like butter.

“Let me show you until you’re confident that you’re mine.”

I cup her ass, and she wraps her legs around my waist to stay in position.

“This is how I know.” I nibble my way down her neck. She tilts her head, giving me access. “And this.” Her skin is salty sweet. I suck it into my mouth, marking her.

“I can’t lose you,” she croaks.

“You won’t.”

“You can’t promise me that.”

I rest my forehead against hers. “Have I ever broken a promise to you.”

“No.”

“Why would I start now?” I ask.

“Cause me and love don’t mix. As much as I want to do this with you—.”

“Shh.” I peck her lips. “You’re not ready yet. I get it. We can go as slow as you want, but this thing between us is going to happen. We already opened the door. There’s no closing it and pretending to be blind.”

She rests her head on my chest, and I allow myself a few more moments to enjoy her like this, soft and pliant. She’s a force to be reckoned with. It’s humbling to hold the hell cat in my arms like this. The back door opens, and I lower her to the ground. She steps away from me and straightens her clothing. I quickly adjust my dick. I’m getting intimately reacquainted with a constant erection. I might as well be a high school teen the way she keeps me ready to blow my load.

“Dishes are done. You coming into play a few rounds of board games before we head to our place?” Braedon asks.

“Yeah, we’re coming.” I place my hand on the small of her back and guide her toward the house the rightness of this pushes me further away from my apprehension. I’m done letting my past determine my future.

Chapter Three

Liv

“Hold still,” Efia says as she smooths down the wax strips over my eyes. There are a number of perks to having a best friend who's a makeup artist and licensed and esthetician. I close my eyes and try to force my muscles to relax. We’re doing our monthly spa day. A habit we started in college. I think it’s more to make me presentable to be seen around town with her. With her, insanely high cheek bones wide-set light brown eyes, full lips, and maple colored flawless skin, she looks like the models she often works with. The dimples in both cheeks take her beauty over the top. There was a time I envied her before I was comfortable in my own skin.

Now I admire her dedication to her craft, and herself. She rips off the strip making me wince. There’s no other person I’d trust my eyebrows to.

“You’re incredibly tense right now. Is work still running you ragged.”

“They are. We’re this close to finishing our current project, though, so I’m counting down the days.”