Liam’s POV
I stop in front of the bathroom door and lean my forehead against it, I can hear her soft cries. I knock softly, “Allison, it’s Liam. Can you let me in, sweetheart?”
“Just give me a minute, I’ll be fine,” she chokes out.
“Please,” I whisper.
I hear her shuffling towards the door, and then hear the handle move. When she pulls the door open, her face is blotchy and her eyes are red and swollen. Without even thinking, I step inside and shut the door. I pull her close to me and wrap her in my arms. I kiss the top of her head, and as I do she begins to cry harder. I’m not sure how long we stay like that, but while I am holding her, I lose a piece of myself to Allison Shay Hagan.
She pulls away from me slowly. “Sorry about your shirt,” she whispers.
I pull her chin up with my thumb and forefinger so that she is looking me in the eye. “Are you okay? Do you want to talk about it?”
She shakes her head no. “I feel like such a baby. It was years ago, I should be able to talk about it.”
“Is there something in particular that upset you?” I ask softly as I pull her back into my chest and slowly rub my hand up and down her back.
“Not really, it’s just…” She sniffled.
“What, baby? What happened?
“It’s just family dinners. I miss those. For the last eight years it’s just been Gran and me.”
I can’t find the words through the lump in my throat. My only reply is to pull her tighter. As I do, she in turn wraps her arms tight around my waist. After getting my emotions under control, I pull away from her and cup her face in my hands. I wipe her tears away with my thumbs. “You are amazing, you have so many people who love you, Aiden, his parents, Hailey. My parents adore you.” I swallow back my emotions. “You have me,” I whisper never tearing my eyes from hers.
“Liam,” she murmurs.
Her plea sends me over the edge, I slowly bring her face to mine as I lean down. I stare at her lips and then back to her eyes letting her know my intent. I need to kiss her more than I need my next breath. I wait, as my intentions set in. I can see when understanding flashes across her face and she licks her lips. I lean a little closer, closing the space between us. Hesitating, giving her the opportunity to stop me, she doesn’t.
When my lips touch hers, I feel the tremor in my hands that are gently holding her close to me. She must have felt it to because she places her hands over mine as I continue to caress her cheeks while I kiss her. She opens her mouth and I slip my tongue inside. The taste of her on my tongue causes me to release a deep moan. As I do, Allison slows the kiss and rests her forehead against my chest.
“Liam.”
“Mmm,” I am again at a loss for words. I have kissed my share of girls and not once did any of those kisses elicit this kind of reaction from me. I have never in my life felt this kind of connection with any other human being.
“What are we doing?”
I kiss her forehead as I pull back to look into her eyes. “I was kissing the most amazing girl I have ever met.” I need her to know that she is different.
She blushes. “I want more, Liam. Not that I expect a proposal next week, but you’ve already made it clear that you won’t make a commitment, so what are we doing?”
I shake my head and pull her back to my chest. “I don’t know, baby. All that I can tell you is that kiss was incomparable to anything I have ever felt. You wreck me, you know that?” I ask searching her face for understanding.
“Well, since that was officially my first kiss, I don’t have anything to compare it to, but this feeling.” She grabs my hand and lays it over her heart. “This connection that makes my heart race is uncharted waters for me. I wish that I could hold onto it and never let go.” She sighs, “But I need all of you, Liam. I don’t want to share you, and I can’t just be a fling. My heart can’t take it.” She brushes her hands across my cheek. “If you ever decide that you can give me all of you, you know where to find me.” She lifts up on her tip toes and gives me one last chaste kiss on the lips. “Thank you for listening, and for the kiss,” she says as she turns and walks out of the room.
I stand there trying to regain control of my emotions while her words race through my mind.
Allison POV
I wake up feeling like I am being crushed. I open my eyes and it all comes rushing back to me. Liam. I am lying flat on my back and he is sleeping soundly with his head on my chest, arms around my waist and his leg thrown over mine. I can’t prevent the smile that I know I am sporting. He held me in his arms all night. I glance out the window and it’s still dark outside. Good. This gives me some time to watch him in the shadows. I move my hand to his head and begin running my fingers through his hair. Liam has taken me by storm; body, mind and heart. I was worried that he would want more from me before I am ready, and even that he is “playing me” to get into my pants, but he has treated me with nothing but love and respect. Love? I highly doubt that it’s love but I can tell that he truly cares for me. The way he looks at me, touches me, holds me. He makes me feel wanted.
I can feel myself falling harder and faster by the minute. I’m scared as hell, but I’m going to go with it. I’m going to paint my colors on the canvas of life and see how the picture turns out. My only hope is that Liam and I can continue on this journey together.
I continue running my fingers through his hair, watching him sleep when a loud clap of thunder rumbles through. I jump not expecting it and Liam bolts up. “Allie what’s wrong?” I can’t contain the laugh that escapes me.
“Nothing, the thunder just scared me, I wasn’t expecting it,” I tell him as he pulls me into his arms.
“Did it wake you up baby?” he asks softly as he strokes his fingers across my back.
“No, I was awake,” I reply just as softly.
“What? Why were you awake? Are you okay?” he asks.
I giggle at how concerned he is for me. “Liam, I’m fine. I was…I was watching you sleep.” I reach up and run my hands through his hair. “I was doing this, and memorizing everything that I could about you.” I decide honestly is the best policy. Well almost, I refuse to tell him that I think I’m in love with him. Hell to the no! That would scare him off for sure.
“I thought that I was dreaming but you’re really here,” he speaks softly into my neck.
“Yes, I’m here. You can go back to sleep, I’m sorry that I woke you.” I curl tighter against his chest.
Liam tugs the covers back over us and kisses the top of my head. “Can we spend the day together?” he asks me groggily. I’m not completely sure that he’s not talking in his sleep. I hold in the chuckle that wants to escape me. I don’t want to wake him again if he is sleeping.
“I would want nothing more,” I reply honestly.
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