CHAPTER THIRTY
JESSIE
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The past month has been a mixture of healing and finding my feet in this new city.
And sad.
Living with the girls is working out okay.
They are much more social than me so almost every weekend the house is filled with people.
Their friends are all struggling actors, so we have things in common, which is at least something.
Melanie and I both got a part in the show we auditioned for, but Sarah missed out. She’s waitressing.
I’ve also started therapy.
It’s confronting and horrible, but I can see it will help long term. I’ve spoken to Mom about it and she’s been supportive. Dad keeps saying stupid things about how I shouldn’t have put myself in the situation and that I need to be more careful.
Translation: it was my fault.
Jayden invited me over for dinner at his new house a few nights ago. We tried not to talk about Liam, but he came up a few times.
“He wants me to join BHS,” Jay said.
“Yeah? You think you might?”
Jayden sipped his beer. “Thinking about it. Hate my job.”
I laughed. “I can’t believe you’re even working there. Weren’t you a sniper?”
His eyes darkened. “How did you know that?”
“Because I was in love with your best friend for three thousand years and listened to every single word you two said.” I rolled my eyes.
Was.
“Well, that shit you don’t listen to,” he snapped, surprising me.
I studied him, confused by his reaction to what I thought was a pretty straightforward question.
“Why? It’s not classified. Is it?”
Jayden played with the coaster on the table, almost like he didn’t want to talk about it at all. He used to be so excited and proud to be in the Air Force.
“No. It’s just not something we discuss. You know what snipers do right?”
Oh.
Yeah.
They kill people.
“Sorry.”
“It’s fine. Just forget it.” Jayden shook his head. “So, yeah, I might take the job. I’m going to speak to Josh and Aidan soon.”
Which means he’d be working with Liam again.
“So how is he?” I asked. I couldn’t avoid him forever. Liam was a part of our lives and family. I didn’t want to avoid him.
“Like a kid who’s lost his favorite toy.” Jayden sipped his beer, lifting his brows in question.
But what was the question?
Was he really okay with the two of us being together, even if Liam did want me.
Which he clearly doesn’t.
“So, I’m a toy?”
“You know what I mean. Do you love him? Or was it a crush?”
I shrugged.
It didn’t matter. It had been weeks, and Liam had stayed away just as I’d asked. Which was telling. If he really loved me, he would have moved heaven and earth.
I know that man.
“Well, I keep him up to date, letting him know you are doing well,” Jayden shared, as if that was a good enough explanation for not hearing from him for weeks.
“Cool.” I sipped my wine so that my expression was hidden.
My instincts were right. Liam was staying away because my brother was informing him I was safe. That’s all this was. His need to protect.
He never truly loved me.
Except now he’s standing beside his Jeep outside my house.
Do not read into it.
I speed up my steps and pull up my big girl panties. He’s probably just visiting to clear the air.
“Hey.” I smile.
“Jess,” Liam purrs, walking over until he’s only a few feet from me.
“In the neighborhood?” I aim for light and airy even though my heart is pounding.
“Something like that.”
Goddamn this man. He looks so good in his long beige shorts, navy T-shirt and dark sunglasses. His hair is mussed perfectly, and even his sneakers look sexy.
I am crazy.
I chew the inside of my cheek because I don’t know what to say. I’m not inviting him into the house.
“I want to take you to lunch.”
“What?”
“A date.”
“What?”
“A lunch date.”
“I know what that is. Why?” I stumble over my words.
Liam takes a step closer, his hand falls on my lycra clad hips. “Because, Squirt, I am in love with you. You belong with me, and I’m done waiting.”
My mouth falls open as my cheeks heat. His sexy smile steals my heart, all the broken pieces, and it feels like they are flying around us, seeking a place to land.
“Liam...”
“I spent over twenty-five years lying to myself and you about my feelings, Jess. Please don’t do it. You love me. I love you.”
Hope springs but I don’t trust it. I can’t.
So, I make a joke.
“Would’ve been weird asking me on a date when I was five.”
He smirks. “Nothing wrong with a cookie and milk date.”
I blush further.
He used to pour me a glass of milk and share his cookies when Mom wouldn’t give me extra.
“I need you back in my arms, Jess. Back in my bed. I never chose Jayden. I know you think that, but I didn’t. I chose you. And I will choose you every day for the rest of our lives.”
“What if—”
“No ifs.” Liam shakes his head. “Come home. I’m not wasting any more time.”
I blink as tears sneak down my face.
“Are you sure?”
“Do you want me to get down on my knees?” He lifts a brow.
My heart almost explodes out of my chest.
“No!” If this is real, and I’m still unsure, I do not want him to propose on the sidewalk while I’m wearing my sweaty Lycra.
He pulls me into his arms, and my bags fall to the ground. “Then kiss me, Squirt, and tell me you are mine. Let me prove it to you. That my life is not worth living without you.”
Words I’ve dreamed of all my life.
Is this real?
His mouth lands on mine as the entire world gets a thousand times brighter. As our tongues entangle, and I feel my defenses dissolve, all the desire and love I have pushed down flares to life.
I love this man.
I want this man.
I’ve never wanted anything more in my life and don’t think I will.
Patting my bottom, he says, “Get your things.”
“You really need to stop calling me Squirt.” I smile, feeling like maybe this is real and if it is, I am not going to tell him to leave me a second time.
It hits me that any relationship needs a chance. The fact he’s told Jayden he chooses me, that he’s come for me, is a huge, big step. It’s my turn to do the same.
And I do. Twenty minutes later, all belongings are in the back and the Jeep and we are speeding home, holding hands.
“Fucking traffic,” Liam smirks, holding my hand.
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LIAM
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I RARELY PARK in the garage, but I do today. The door lowers, securing the vehicle and everything in it.
Jessie starts to collect her things, but I scoop her up into my arms.
She squeals. “What are you doing?”
“Making love to you like I should have done years ago,” I growl into her hair.
Her eyes dilate, and my cock hardens. Striding down the hall, I kick open my bedroom door, and she giggles.
I can’t hide my smile.
But then she peels her top off and I cup her breasts, and we’re both suddenly serious. Arousal fills the room as Jessie fumbles with my shorts zipper, and it’s a mess of clothes going flying. Both of us start grabbing at one another like crazy people, and we laugh.
I lift her off her feet and climb up over the black linen, placing her on the bed. Then I stare down into her beautiful blue eyes.
“I love you,” I rasp.
“I love you.” She smiles.
“Are you okay to do this?” I ask, aware of what she’s been through.
Jessie nods.
I study her, willing to wait, even though I desperately need to claim her.
“Yes, Lim. Please. I want this.”
Slowly I make my way down her body, kissing her, sucking her nipples, guiding her legs open.
God, she’s beautiful.
I know what she tastes like, and it feels like it’s been an eternity since my mouth was on her pussy. My tongue reaches out and teases her clit.
“Oh, God.”
I do it again, then again, and then finally suck it between my teeth.
“Jesus, Liam,” she cries.
“We’re taking our time, baby.” I palm her thighs. “I am going to have every inch of you so that your body only remembers me.”
Jessie moans as my fingers slide inside her, arching when I move them. Deeper, faster, lapping at her juices as I keep licking her.
She’s so willing.
So tangy and making my cock lurch, wanting to be inside her.
I glance up her body, watching her cup her breasts, playing with her nipples.
“Such a sexy girl,” I growl, moving my tongue fast over her clit, enjoying how it is making her fall apart.
“Liam, oh god. Please. More. Yes. God.”
Arching completely off the bed, Jessie screams as I grip her legs and suck her hard, targeting her g-spot with eagerness.
Holy hell.
There’s so much more I can share with her, but for now, I want her to feel safe. Loved.
As she comes back down to earth, I climb up her body and align my cock at her entrance. “Ready, baby?”
Those blue eyes glisten with pleasure, with need, with a desire for me.
And me only.
“I’m going to marry you,” I announce, and she blinks. “We aren’t using condoms. Not ever. I want to feel you skin on skin. You okay with that?”
She nods.
“I’m clean.”
I know.
“Then,” my head slips in, and we both gasp. “Take every inch of my cock, Jess. Finally.”
I press in again, loving the feeling of her hands gripping my arms and the way her mouth is moving with every inch I go deeper.
“That’s it,”
Christ, I could slam inside her, but we’ve waited a lifetime for this. I need to be patient for a little longer.
“Your pussy is wrapped around my cock...”
“God...”
“Feel how good this is...”
“I’m going to come...” She digs her nails in.
“Again?”
“I mean, maybe.” Jessie’s eyes dance with love, and I laugh. “Keep going.”
I thrust in harder, and then again. Then finally I’m fully sheathed by her tight, hot cunt and ready to explode.
“Fuck.” I cup her face, gliding my fingers through her long blonde waves. “I’m inside you, Jess. Deep inside you.”
“Oh god,” she arches and tightens around my cock.
“Jess, fuck. Do that again.”
My ass retreats and I slam inside her harder. It’s like we’re making love, playing and having the best time of our lives. It’s unlike anything else I’ve ever experienced.
She’s my best friend, and the person I love the most. Our chemistry is off the charts, and I know we are going to have a lifetime exploring one another.
“More, harder, Lim.”
“Oh, you want it harder, baby.”
“Yes, oh Christ.”
I slam in again, palm the wall and with the intention of claiming this woman as mine forever, I rapidly thrust inside her until I can’t hang on a moment longer.
As my orgasm takes over, a roar of pleasure shoots through me, and her pussy sucks every last drop of cum from my cock.
“Yes, yes, yes, oh god,” she cries, clinging to my body. “I’m coming again.”
She’s incredible.
The girl I knew has gone, and before me is a woman who is glowing with sexual abandon. As she climaxes, her cunt gripping my cock, demanding pleasure, I fall even deeper.
Jessie Rogers is the most incredible gift in the world. I’m never losing her.
I’ve wasted so much time.
Now I’m going to make up for it.