Page 98 of Liam

We stirred early the next morning. I started with my water, supplements, and stretches. I peered over my shoulder at Liam as I removed a suppository from my drawer.

"Do you want me to leave?" he asked.

I was aware my brow furrowed. I felt so comfortable with Liam that the idea of him staying didn't make me feel uneasy or embarrassed. "I don't mind if you stay. Thankfully, I didn't injure my right arm, or this might be awkward. I'd be relying on you to do this for me." I slipped on a glove and unwrapped the nub of hardened oils.

"It wouldn't have bothered me."

A slight flush of heat washed over my cheeks and ears. "I know." Liam would have done it without a moment of hesitation. Not thought any worse of me for the fact I needed to do this every morning. He accepted me as I was. He loved everything about me.

I don't think he realized how precious that was.

I lay on my left side, facing Liam, lifted my right leg with my hand and placed it on the mattress between us, then inserted the suppository. The whole time, Liam kept his gaze glued to mine. It was almost sensual, the visual exchange. The thought of him doing it for me, inserting his finger deep into my ass, gave me little shivers.

"Now we wait?" he asked.

I removed the glove. "I'll get you to wheel me into the bathroom when it's time. Help me transfer onto the toilet. Then Iwillneed some privacy. We can have a shower after that."

Liam nodded as he lifted his hand and played with my hair.

"You're so beautiful—inside and out."

More blushing.

"That's what you see when you look at me?" I stroked his skin from shoulder to elbow. I hadn't felt attractive in years—inside or out. It was only now, with Liam, that I was reemerging.

"How could I not," he said. "You're stunning. I'm in awe of you."

I cupped his face. "Sweet man. You make me feel good about myself. For those first two years after my accident, I hated myself. I hated what the universe had done to me. There were so many moments I just wanted to die. By year three, I was starting to accept myself. But I didn't start loving myself again until you came along. You saw things I thought no one ever would."

"Your courage, determination, and perseverance."

I smiled at him. "I felt like you didn't even see my chair or my disability." I exhaled long and slow. "No one has ever made me feel that way before. I love you for that gift."

Liam's chest rocked up and down as he studied my face.

"I was more interested in the man. My desire to know you transcended any disability you might have. I was thrilled to be let in. To connect the way we did."

"What we've formed is strong, isn't it?"

Liam eyebrows dipped as he blinked at me. "So strong I can see a life with you."

The sensation of tears forming swept me up. "Do you honestly mean that?"

"We're in love, we've bonded, and I think we want the same thing. I want to spend every day of my life making you happy. Doing that will fulfill me in a way I've never known before."

A tear rolled across the bridge of my nose and collected a stream of others that streaked down my cheek and into my ear. "I want that too. To make you happy. I want all of it."

Liam looked down at my lips, avoiding my gaze. "You and Richard wanted kids."

"We did, but I shelved the idea after my accident."

He looked up at me. "Is that something you want to revisit someday?"

My heart skipped a few beats. "With the right person."

Liam blinked a few times as he watched me. "Am I the right person?" His voice was low, quiet, and shaky. He had spoken words that were extremely meaningful to him.

I pressed my forehead to his and then kissed him, soft and brief.

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