Chapter 19 Liam
NINETEEN
LIAM
Juniper falling apart in my arms is becoming a regular occurrence. And I love it.
I want this woman in every way possible, and in this moment, it feels like a reality where she’s mine is becoming even more inevitable.
She’s trembling, tucked against my chest like she’s trying to disappear into me. Her breath catches, and I kiss her temple, hoping she can feel how hard I’m trying not to fall to my knees and beg her to be mine in every damn way.
I keep my hand on her lower back, holding her steady as I slowly ease my fingers out of her and right her clothing. I’d be an idiot not to lick her off my fingers—to taste how sweet she is—so that’s exactly what I do.
She pulls back, smoothing her hair, while her eyes are still stormy from what we just did. Finally, she looks up at me with a cautious smile. “Try not to look so smug.”
I lean forward, dropping my voice low. “I’m the man who just felt exactly how wet your sweet little cunt gets for me. I’m going to be the smuggest bastard you’ve ever known.”
She huffs, but there’s a flicker of heat in her gaze that she doesn’t hide fast enough.
And I can’t stop watching her. Not as she straightens her shoulders. Not as she wraps herself back up in calm sarcasm, pretending like I don’t already know how she tastes, how she sounds when she comes on my hand.
I hold the curtain open for her, and she moves past me into the hallway. Seeing all the doctors and nurses moving around, the patients being admitted, makes it even more real how wrapped up in each other we’d been a moment ago.
At the checkout desk we run into Jasper.
If he’s shocked to see Juniper, he doesn’t show it. He gives her a hug, then leans in and squeezes me on the shoulder.
“How’s the forehead?” He nods toward my bandage.
“All stitched up.”
“Good. I squared up with the liability insurance at the snowmobile company.”
“Thanks for dealing with that.”
“I’m glad Juni was here to hold your hand. I know how much of a big baby you can be with needles.”
“Hey. I fainted once during a blood draw and that was because I hadn’t eaten anything. Low blood sugar is not a joke.”
Beside me Juniper laughs, a real genuine laugh, and I feel the pride in my bones.
“You want a ride?” Jasper asks, motioning toward the direction his car must be parked.
“I’m going to go with Juniper, if that’s okay?”
He gives me a knowing glance, huffing out a laugh before nodding. “You bet.”
“See you later tonight?” I ask.
“Yeah.”
After saying our goodbyes to Jasper, Juniper guides me to where her car is parked askew in the lot.
The observation has me tossing her a curious look.
“Don’t even say it.”
“What?” I ask innocently, opening the door for her before making my way to the passenger side.
I like the way she looks behind the driver’s seat. Hands on the wheel, hair still a little mussed, cheeks pink from the cold.
She fiddles with the heat and mumbles, “Don’t bleed on the seat, okay?”
“I didn’t realize getting five stitches made me a liability.”
A memory sneaks up on me.
Last year, me driving Juniper home from the liquor store.
She’d laughed at something I said. Her cheeks were flushed, eyes shining.
I remember the grip I had on the wheel, the way my knuckles turned white with the effort of not reaching for her.
I’d been so caught off guard by my reaction to her, I’d fought it with everything in my body.
Now she’s beside me again.
And this time, I’ve touched her.
Kissed her.
Wrecked her behind a hospital curtain and I want more.
I open my mouth to tell her something when my phone buzzes in my pocket.
I pull it out, glance at the screen and sigh.
“It’s Beck.”
“Beck? As in your brother?” she asks, glancing over.
“Yeah.” I swipe to answer, bracing myself. “Hey, what’s going on?”
Beck’s voice crackles through the speaker. “I’m about five minutes from Cedar Hollow and I need a place to stay.”
“What? Why? I thought you were skiing with friends.”
“Got kicked out of the cabin rental in Park City. Don’t ask.”
“Of course you did.” I close my eyes and pinch the bridge of my nose. That’s Beck. Charming enough to talk himself into trouble and just reckless enough to never bother talking himself out of it.
Beside me, Juniper hums along with “Last Christmas” playing softly through the speakers, blissfully unaware of the storm about to roll in…my brother.
“Is that Juniper?” Beck perks up, his grin practically radiating through the line. “Tell her I said hi. And that if you screw this up again, I’m taking my shot.”
My grip on the phone tightens until my knuckles crack. Beck’s always had a way of pushing my buttons. It’s practically a sibling sport for him. But tossing out jokes about Juniper while I’m trying to win her back? Not funny. Not for me.
“Over my dead body.”
I catch Juniper glancing at me, brows raised in that soft, curious way she has.
She doesn’t know how many times Beck has managed to wedge himself between my plans just because he can.
And she definitely doesn’t know how many times I’ve had to clean up his messes without letting him see it bothered me.
“Everything okay?” she asks gently.
“Just peachy.” I force a smile that doesn’t reach my eyes.
Beck chuckles on the other end, clearly delighted by my reaction. “Save me a beer, big brother. And tell Juniper I think she’s too good for you.”
I hang up on him mid-laugh, my jaw clenching tight. She is too good for me but she’s still mine. And Beck’s timing could not be worse.