"Don’t be. You deserve every single, last compliment and more. You’re the bravest, boldest, gutsiest, most stubborn, exquisite, bewitching, beautiful woman I’ve had the privilege of knowing.
“I’ve spent so much of my life angry with what happened to me when I was still a teenager. I’ve spent so much of my life trying to compensate for the hubris of my youth.
“I focused my efforts on my father’s company over everything else, trying to prove myself to the world. I told myself if I had more power, more money, and more influence, it would fill that gaping need inside of me. But then, I met you, and that part that had been so dead inside of me burst to life, and it was a shock. All of those feelings, those emotions I’d refused to contend with, came to the fore. It’s what made me so angry at you. It’s why I thought I’d fuck you out of my system. But one taste of you, and I knew."
He leans in closer until his eyelashes brush mine. "I knew I was trapped. I knew I wanted to be trapped. I knew even one more second without you in my life would be like the earth without rain—parched, dry, thirsty, waiting for your touch, your scent, the feel of your lips on mine, your skin against mine, your body curved into mine, your breath fluttering on my cheek, your arms entwined about my neck, your thighs cradling me as I bury myself in you.
“You are mine, LadyBird. Mine. I hate what I am without you. I’m amazed at what I become when I’m with you. You make me the kind of person I never thought I’d have the opportunity to be. You’re my other half, my better half, the twin to my consciousness, the reflection of my soul, my match, my mate, my partner. Every day we’re together is the best fucking day of my life because I spend it with you."
That feeling of floating picks up speed. I’m flying through the air, soaring to the top, drawing in oxygen so rarified I feel lightheaded.
I lean back in the circle of his arms and look up into those features which are as familiar as my own. "Liam."
"Yes, LadyBird."
"Shut up and kiss me again."
47
Liam
So I kiss her, again and again. I kiss her until we’re both breathless, and she makes that little noise at the back of her throat that tells me she’s close to coming—and just from me kissing her—until she squirms around in my lap and the fabric covering my crotch is so tight, I’m sure my cock is going to burst through my zipper.
Someone clears their throat behind us, and I realize there’s no putting off the upcoming inquisition. I pull away and push my forehead into hers. "You ready for this?"
"What do you think?" She grumbles.
"I think you’re as aroused as I am, and that we’re both going to have to get through the battle line that is our mothers and the Lymington Knitting Club before we can go home and feast on each other."
She groans. "Stop, please, or I’m going to have to ask you to ravish me right here, not caring that we’ll scandalize our family and their friends."
It’s my turn to groan. "Don’t tempt me."
She laughs. "You deserve the pain, by the way. It’s your wicked tongue that’s gotten us in this situation, after all."
The pattering of paws reaches us, and Tiny pushes his cold nose between us.
"Hey, you." She rubs him behind his ear, and I swear, the Great Dane groans in ecstasy.I know how you feel, boy.He wags his tail with such gusto, his entire body shakes.
"Liam? Isla?" my mother calls out. "Are you coming in to join us?" It’s framed as a question, but it’s very much a dictate.
"Time to face the hordes," I murmur.
"You decent?" She teases me.
"I might have to use Tiny to hide my Tiny," I admit.
She laughs. "Is that going to be our code? I can just tell you that I want Tiny and you’ll know what I mean…"
"Not sure how I feel about that, but if that’s what you want." I raise a shoulder.
This time she gapes. "Who are you, and what have you done to my alphahole?"
"Oh, he’s very much here, and he wants to do all manner of naughty things to you, but the man I am when I’m with you also knows it’s time for propriety."
Tiny whines. She smiles. I resist the urge to kiss her once more because it’s going to take me down the Tiny hole—pun intended. I lift her off my lap and set her on the ground. Tiny instantly plops his head in my lap. I scratch him behind his ears and he moans. I laugh, and so does she. I play with him for a few more seconds, using the time to get myself under control, then I rise to my feet. I take her hand in mine, then turn to face the rest of the group that’s been growing restless by the second.
They instantly spill onto the porch. My mother comes up to us. She takes Isla by her shoulders and kisses her on both cheeks. "You’re too good for him."