Page 45 of Darkest Game
“I haven’t even had my first kiss yet. So, don’t feel bad.”
“At least you had an excuse. You were being held prisoner by your uncle for the past couple of years. What’s my excuse?”
I shrug, not quite believing that I’m actually having this conversation with a man like Liam. “Maybe you just haven’t found the right woman yet. I’ve read about love in books and sometimes it hits you. When you know, you know. You can’t force it.”
His smile makes my stomach flip around upside down. “Spoken like a hopeless romantic.”
“I want to be in love someday. Who doesn’t?”
“Now you’re stuck with me. Sorry about that.”
Liam is not the sort of man I can fall in love with. Yet, I can see myself falling for him. He’s brave and handsome and makes me feel seen and alive for the first time in my entire life.
It’s probably just the trauma, I remind myself. I feel close to him because of what we went through. Not because I actually like him.
That’s what I just have to keep telling myself. Even though he is my husband.
“I guess we’ll divorce when you bring me back home,” I say.
“Or you’ll become a widow when Nico and Mikhail undoubtably kill me.”
I place my hand on his strong arm. “I won’t let them.”
He stares down at my hand for so long, I remove it from his arm, my face on fire. “Right. So, I spoke to a few of my men. We can hide out at a safehouse of mine for a few days. I need to get word to Nico and Mikhail that I have you and that I’m willing to give you back as long as they don’t kill me.”
“Ok.” For some reason, disappointment enters my chest at the thought of never seeing Liam again.
“We’ll move out in the morning.”
“I guess that means I should try to sleep.”
“Yeah. You should try.”
I nod down at my dress. “It’s uncomfortable. Is there anything else I can wear?”
He thinks on it for a moment before he says, “I can give you my shirt. You could wear it.”
“Your shirt?” I feel lightheaded just thinking of it.
“Yeah. Probably be more comfortable than the wedding dress. And I normally sleep naked anyway.” He chuckles when he sees my eyes widen. “Don’t worry. I’ll sleep with my pants on tonight. What do you say?”
I look at his shirt for a moment before I nod.
He slips his jacket off, then takes his shirt off, exposing his muscular chest covered in tattoos. I almost pass out from the sight. My core throbs between my legs at the sight of him. Never have I had this visceral of a reaction to a man’s body before. It makes me want to touch him.
It makes me want to let him touch me.
He hands me the simple white button down and I go into the bathroom to change. I’m able to get my wedding dress off with no problems before slipping his shirt on. It smells just like Liam. Cinnamon and winter bark and all things masculine.
His shirt falls to the top of my thighs. At least I still have my bra and underwear on, even if I would prefer to sleep without my bra on. I don’t dare take it off though. That’s way too intimate for a man I barely know.
Except, I do know him. I know about his parents and his love life and how brave he’s been in saving me. Liam isn’t a stranger any longer like I want to pretend he is. He’ll never be a stranger to me again.
I exit the bathroom and Liam’s eyes lock right onto my legs. I’m frozen in places as he looks me over. “You shouldn’t do that,” I whisper.
He clears his throat and gives me one more lingering look before turning his head away. “You’re right.”
I hurry into the bed and wrap the cover up around my chin. After a beat, Liam gets under the covers too. Just knowing he’s behind me, shirtless, is doing wild things to me.
