Chapter 37
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Audrey
I’m staring at my phone, re-reading Liam’s last text for the hundredth time, a huge grin plastered on my face. I’m not sure when he’ll leave Boston or when he’ll be here, but I’ll definitely be ready for him. I hate to have to leave my place to Max, but I wouldn’t want to be here with Liam while my brother is around.
As I’m about to tease him back or maybe insinuate something like sex in a limo after I pick him up from the airport, a loud knock at the door startles me out of my concentration.
“Did you order something? Like food since you think I suck as a cook,” I ask Max, my eyebrow raised in a challenging manner. I don’t remember either of us mentioning anything about food delivery. But just yesterday, he ordered fish tacos because, apparently, I can’t make those.
I’m pretty sure it was out of pettiness since I didn’t love his lasagna. It was dry, but I ate it. Isn’t that what matters?
I love my brother, but living with him is not my idea of fun. Hopefully, Liam will be here soon to take over the San Diego branch and send my brother packing back home.
“Nope,” he answers, his eyes never leaving the pot he’s stirring on the stove. “Would you mind getting that? I’m cooking.”
I roll my eyes, a huff of annoyance escaping me. “You’re on the phone. That’s not cooking,” I mutter, but I’m already pushing myself off the couch, my bare feet padding across the hardwood floor.
I reach the door, my hand on the knob, and take a deep breath. I don’t know why, but there’s a fluttering sensation in my stomach, a mix of anticipation and nervousness. I swing the door open, and my heart nearly stops.
There, standing on the other side, is Liam. His hair is tousled, his eyes bright, and his smile . . . God, that smile. It’s the kind of smile that makes the world stop spinning, that makes everything else fade away.
“Liam,” I breathe, my voice barely above a whisper. “You’re here.”
He doesn’t answer. Instead, he steps forward, his arms outstretched, and pulls me into a hug. I melt into his embrace, my face buried in the crook of his neck, breathing in his scent. He smells like home, like safety, like everything I’ve ever wanted.
And then, without warning, he’s lifting me off the ground, twirling me around in a circle. A laugh bubbles up from my chest, pure joy coursing through my veins. I cling to him, my arms wrapped tightly around his neck, never wanting to let go.
He sets me back down, his hands still on my waist, his forehead pressed against mine. “I missed you,” he murmurs, his breath warm against my skin.
“I missed you, too,” I whisper back, my heart so full it feels like it might burst.
He leans closer and claims my mouth urgently, his lips demanding and passionate. My skin tingles everywhere we touch, my nerves alive and sparking. I slide my hands under his shirt, craving the feel of his bare skin. He groans into the kiss, his fingers digging into my hips.
Max clears his throat behind us, breaking the spell. “Uh, I hate to interrupt, but what the fuck, dude? Hands off my sister.”
Liam pulls back, his eyes dark with desire, a smirk playing on his lips. “Would you mind packing a bag, beautiful?” he asks, placing a tender kiss on my temple. “I’m dragging you with me so your brother stops acting up.”
“When are you leaving?” I ask Max, trying to figure out how many days I should pack for.
“He’s staying for at least a month,” Liam answers for him. “He’s running some?—”
“It’s classified,” Max interjects, his arms crossed over his chest, a scowl on his face.
“I was going to say errands.” Liam rolls his eyes, his arm tightening around my waist. “In any case, get ready so we can go home. It’s Friday, and if I’m lucky, we’ll be in bed until Monday morning.”
“Monday morning, it is,” I say, a giddy smile on my face as I head to my room to pack for at least a week so I don’t need to come here often. On my way out, I warn Max, my eyes narrowed in a playful glare, “Don’t you be fucking any of my neighbors. I live here. ”
“Sure.” He salutes me, but his grin says he’s up to no good.
As I walk away, my heart is pounding with excitement and anticipation—a whole weekend with Liam, just the two of us, no interruptions. I hope he has plenty of condoms because I’m sure we might run out of them.