“I hope she sticks to her end of the deal because I really don’t like the idea of kissing a married man,” I say, half-teasing. “Which, speaking of…” I push back. “I should really slap you for kissing me two days before you brought her here and blindsided me.”
Liam smirks, nodding. “And I’d deserve it.”
“You get redemption points, though, considering you went back to face them the second they put a target on me.” I smile at him.
He leans in, brushing his fingers over my jaw. “I’d die trying to keep you safe, Mads. I was stupid to think I could hide from them, but if I had any idea what they were capable of, I would’ve never risked it. I’ve made a lot of stupid fucking decisions, and I’m paying for them now.”
I close the gap between us and press my mouth to his for a slow, soft kiss. “We all make dumb choices, Hulk. But now that I’ve heard the truth, I can be here for you so you don’t have to go through this alone.”
“I don’t deserve you, Mads. I’ve known that since I met you.”
“Is that why you slept with everyone except me?”
He moves back, placing his hand over his heart. “Ouch, woman.”
“Oh, sorry.” I feign sincerity. “Did the truth of your reputation hurt?”
He cocks his head with a grin. “That damn sassy mouth of yours. Always running.” Liam wraps his hand around my neck and pulls us together, but I stop him right before our lips collide.
“Wait.” I place my palms against his chest. “Have you slept with Victoria?”
His eyes widen as he jerks back. “What?”
I narrow my gaze, leaning away. “You heard me. Did you have sex with her?”
When he doesn’t look at me, it’s all the answer I need. “Are you just bullshitting me? All the sweet Liam gestures just for show so you can keep me and your wife both happy?”
“It’s not like that,” he blurts out. “We hooked up once months ago before any of this shit went down,” he confirms, and my chest physically hurts. I swallow hard and look at the ceiling to keep the tears from falling.
“That was the only time?” I ask when I fill my lungs with air. Again, he looks away. “Goddammit, Liam.”
I’m an idiot.
Victoria is gorgeous, rich, and probably well experienced in the bedroom. Of course he’s slept her with more than once.
I push off the bed, wiping my face, and when I stalk toward the door, he grabs my wrist and pulls me back.
“I didn’t have a choice,” he grits between his teeth. “She knew Sophie wasn’t buying our story and wanted to make sure no one was suspicious. The more questions Soph asks, the higher the risk. I’m not sure of the extent of what her father is capable of, but as I said, if he’s watching me, he’s watching them. If your sister or Mason knew about the O’Learys, Johnny wouldn’t think twice about ending them. Victoria knows that and uses my friendships against me to get what she wants.”
I turn and face him, my cheeks heating with anger. “Oh, so she forced you to have sex with her?” I yank my wrist from his grip and cross my arms. “That’s the story you’re going with?”
His nostrils flare as his head falls back. “She wanted to make sure Sophie was convinced.” He shrugs. “I told her no, but she refused to allow it.”
“Right. I bet it was a real hardship.” Tears fall freely, and I don’t bother catching them this time. Of course he’s slept with a lot of women, but to know he fucked her days after our kiss pisses me off to a level I’ve never felt before.
Spinning around again, I’m ready to leave and pretend this conversation never happened. But before I can grab the knob, Liam latches onto my waist, twisting me toward him and pushes me against the door. His palm slams loudly on the wood next to my head as his other hand cups my jaw.
“It was a fuckin’ hardship, Maddie. I hated every goddamn second of it. Knowing how much pain her being here was causing you, I hate myself for what I did. When I said you were all that was on my mind when I thought I had seconds left to live, I wasn’t exaggerating. I have made bad choices and am getting bitten in the ass for them now. Giving in to Victoria’s demands are nothing compared to how I feel about betraying you. But I’ll be damned if I let you walk out of here because you believe I want her over you.” His eyes darken and grow more intense as he cages me in. “I’m constantly lost in my head thinking about you while simultaneously trying not to think about you. You’re way too good for me, and I’m man enough to admit that. You deserve better. A man who can give you everything I can’t, but let me make one thing crystal clear. If I were capable of falling in love, I have no doubt you’d be the person I’d fall for.”