Chapter 44
Kendall
When I wake up, I’m cuddled into Liam’s chest, his arms wrapped around me.
This is my favorite way to wake up: being held by Liam, feeling so cozy and content.
I glance up at him, taking in his handsome sleeping face. There’s a thick sheet of golden stubble along his cheeks and jaw. My mouth waters. How can a human being look so hot while sleeping?
When I think about last night, my chest tingles. We’ve had a lot of filthy sex together. But it’s never felt like that.
That tingling feeling spreads all over. My heart beats faster just thinking about how intense last night felt. How it felt more special, more intimate.
I glance up at Liam, sleeping soundly. Emotion bubbles up inside of me.
I know the reason why it felt different. Because Liam is different from every other guy I’ve been with.
He makes me feel safe and cherished and cared for. He gives me everything I want in the bedroom, and then some. He makes me laugh the hardest. He’s the sweetest, most thoughtful person I’ve ever met…
And I can feel myself falling head over heels in love with him.
The realization hits me like a jolt of electricity, but then I pull it back.
I can’t love Liam. It’s too soon. We’ve only been friends with benefits for the past month. You can’t fall in love that fast.
Doubt lingers in the back of my mind at the words I’ve silently spoken to myself. A second later, I push it all aside. No more thinking about that.
Liam starts to stir. He lets out a sleepy groan. Before he even opens his eyes, he hugs me tighter in his arms and kisses my forehead. It’s so sweet and romantic and loving, I could cry.
When he opens his eyes and looks at me, he smiles.
“Morning, firecracker.”
“Morning.” I blink up at him.
He cups my face and kisses me in that slow, teasing way I love. When we break apart, he gazes at me, the affection in his eyes as clear and bold as their blue color.
“Want some coffee?” he asks.
I smile, grateful he can’t see all the things I’m wrestling with in my head right now.
“Coffee sounds perfect.”
“Remind me never to go against you in an eating contest.”
Liam laughs with his mouth full. He drains his cup of coffee. The server at the diner we’re at stops by and tops him off.
He tells her thanks and looks at me. “There are two things in life I know I’m good at: hockey and eating shit tons of food.”
I burst out laughing. He shovels more corned beef hash into his mouth.
He chews and swallows, then leans closer to me. “I’m pretty good at eating other stuff too.” He glances down at my lap.
I roll my eyes and shove his shoulder. “You’re filthy.”
“You love it.”
I bite back a smile. “Yeah. I do.”
It’s a few hours after we woke up. We decided to check out a diner a half-mile from Liam’s place that we’ve never tried before.
He finishes his last bite of hash and nods at my stack of half-eaten blueberry pancakes. “You’re full already?”
I nod and offer the plate to him. He smiles at me and devours the rest the stack. We finish and pay, then head out of the diner back toward his place. He scoops his hand in mine as we walk. I smile.
His phone buzzes and he pulls it out of his pocket.
“Damn.”
I look up at him frowning at his phone. “What is it?”
He stops walking. “I just got an email from my landlord. He’s selling the building at the end of this year. I’ll have to move when my lease ends.”
“Oh no. Liam, I’m sorry.”
“Yeah. Me too. I really like that place.” He lets out a breath and starts walking again. He’s quiet for awhile.
“Maybe this is a good thing,” he says suddenly.
“You think so?”
“Yeah.” He starts to smile. “Maybe it’s a sign that I should finally buy my own place. I just renewed my contract with the Wolves at the end of last season. I’ll be in Nashville for the next five years. I should probably start thinking about planting some roots.”
I squeeze his hand, happy that he seems to be happy.
“That’s a really good point,” I say. “I bet you could find another townhome that’s just as nice as the one you have now.”
He glances at me. “I was thinking something bigger. Like a house.”
“Really? That’s exciting.”
“Yeah. A house that’s bigger than my current place would be nice. I’d like more bedrooms too.”
“All that space just for you sounds pretty luxurious,” I tease.
He clears his throat. “Well, I mean, it would be for you too.”
“What?”
He hesitates for a second, the look in his eyes shy. “I know we’re not serious right now, but if someday things get serious, I want to have enough room for you to move in. And your aunt too.”