Page 39 of Ignite
“Stay,” I murmured, wrapping my arm around his waist. “Please…”
He relaxed back onto the mattress, his arm snaking under my pillow. Holding me close, his chest rose and fell with a heavy sigh, and that was how I fell asleep. In his arms. The place where I’d always wanted tobe.
But when I woke in the morning, he wasgone.
17
Liam
Icouldn’tstay.
When the sun rose, I woke, selfishly basking in Ali’s embrace. Her arm was draped over my stomach, her hand resting listlessly against the mattress. Like the asshole I was, I extracted myself gently, trying not to wakeher.
She looked so peaceful, socontent…
But I couldn’t stay knowing that tomorrow night?, I was going into a fight that might be the end of me. Her hating me for walking out on her again… Well, it was better than her losing me to TheUnderground. ?????
Leaving Ali’s, I switched off my phone and headed straight to the gym. I had one last day to prepare, to get my focus back on track, but the entire time I lifted my usual set of weights, I couldn’t stop thinking abouther.
Last night had been better than the first time we’d fucked. I wasn’t even sure I could call it fucking anymore. It felt like more. The moment she came was better than my release spilling inside her tight little body. After all the one nighters I’d had over the years, one thing had always stood out. I’d wanted to get off, and that was it. Now I gave a shit about pleasing her. PleasingAli.
Did that mean I loved her? If it did, then I had a funny way of showingit.
* * *
That night,I went to The Underground to seeFaye.
She was working the bar as usual but was headed out on her break when I found her. Her blonde hair was tied back in a loose ponytail, her tight T-shirt and short shorts doing nothing to draw my attention. Notanymore.
“Faye.”
She glanced up, and when her gaze crossed mine, she glared at me with all the hate I probably deserved. I was more than happy to take the hit. I’d fucked up pretty bad, and even when I knew I was doing the wrong thing, I still went and didit.
I was a completeidiot.
“I’m sorry,” I said. “For everything. I don’t know what the fuck is wrong withme.”
She rolled her eyes. “I can get you started if youlike.”
“Faye.”
Narrowing her eyes, she leaned back against the bar. “The big, macho, cage fighter is apologizing. Never thought I would see the day when hell actually froze the fuckover.”
“I’ve made a mess of everything,” I said, running my hand over my face. “I know I fucked up, and I’msorry.”
“Yeah, you have, but so didI.”
I scowled. “You? What did youdo?”
“I kept sleeping with you when I should’ve said no,” she replied. “I knew Ali was trying to hide her feelings, but I didn’t see it. Not right away. Now she’s…” She trailed off, looking like she was about to burst into tears. I’d never seen Faye upset.Ever.
“Now she’s what?” Iprodded.
“She’s got no one, Liam,” she replied, looking up at me. “No friends, no family, no job. She’s about to loseeverything.”
“No family?” I asked, my heart sinking. Everyone had a mum and dad,right?
“Her parents died when she was a teenager. A truck driver hit their car head on, and they died on impact. Ali never knew her extended family, and they never sought her out. She’s been alone and hurting a long time. More than half her life.” Faye sighed, her shoulders sinking. “No one cared until us, and we both hurt her. I didn’t mean to, but… I feel sorotten.”
