His admission warmed her as much as his kisses. He hadn’t deserted her as she’d assumed. She needed to let the doubts go and accept him at face value.

  “Olivia, you need to have a little more faith in me. Without trust, this will never work.”

  “I haven’t had much luck in the past to base things on.”

  “Forget about those assholes and don’t assume I’m like them. Time will tell.” Liam captured her lips in a sweltering kiss of possession, pulling her atop him as he leaned across the floor. As he pulled, she settled onto his lap, straddling him. She could feel the weight of his arousal against the heat of her core.

  Her body wanted so desperately to be with him, but she was stiff and sore from her therapy and when she gasped in pain, he gathered her close. “You need meds and a hot bath. A nice massage would help, too.”

  Liam rose, lifting her to her feet after. She settled on the couch, digging through her bag for her pain meds as he moved about his condo. Seconds later, he returned with a glass of water in hand. “Take two; they should relax you.”

  She heard the running of water in the background. Shyness settled over her for a moment. Liam extended his hand for her once she’d taken the pills and he led her to the bathroom. Once there, he turned and began to slowly undress her. Olivia felt heat suffuse her face, the need to cover herself overwhelmed her as he removed one piece of clothing at a time. Liam kissed her once she was completely nude, his hands moving hers away from the spots she hid.

  “Stop. You’re beautiful just as you are.”

  Olivia relaxed a tad, yet still felt uncomfortable in her blatant nudity in the full light above them. She had more curves than what he was used to, she was sure, but she tried to let her body relax, forgetting her misgivings. Warm wisps of steam rolled over her cool skin, making her shiver. Or perhaps it was his gaze roaming over her that caused it. The hungry look in his eyes made her stomach churn, desire swirling within her. He didn’t seem to have a problem with what he saw, from his hooded gaze and lustful stare. Liam lifted her into his arms and lowered her into the tub. She sighed as she instantly felt relief in the hot water’s embrace.

  Liam knelt by the side of the tub and grasped a soft cloth. He soaped it and began to languidly wash her limbs, massaging her as he went. All she could do was sigh and close her eyes to the rapture, his touch healing her sore body. It seemed to work on her soul as well, cleansing away some of the doubts that had plagued her since he’d first shown interest in her.

  She felt the old adage weighing on her, one step forward and two steps back. She’d tried to open herself up, climbed over the walls she’d erected. To then only push him away was foolish. She’d yearned for this man in her life for so many years, wished he’d seen her for the woman she was, or at least the woman she could be, and when he’d finally opened his eyes, she’d hidden away.

  Her fears had choked her, prevented her from enjoying what Liam had to give. If he hadn’t been persistent, she would have lost him to her uncertainty.

  “What are you thinking about? I see your brows wrinkling. You’re supposed to be relaxing, not letting that mind of yours run rampant.”

  Olivia opened her eyes to gaze at him. There was a sadness in his stare, and she knew she’d put it there with her words. “I didn’t mean what I said earlier.”

  Liam wouldn’t look at her as he rinsed out the cloth and continued to rub her arm. She wasn’t even sure he’d heard her until he finally replied.

  “There was truth in what you said.”

  “No, there wasn’t. You made the right choice in having Dr. Peterson perform the surgery if you weren’t able. I’m glad you did.”

  “You’re glad?” Liam’s gaze flew to hers. “I was supposed to perform that surgery.”

  “When will you let it go?”

  “I can’t.”

  “You’re just as broken as I am. Now that I’m fixed, what will it take to save you?”

  Liam was quiet, his stare boring into her. “A pathetic man without the courage to rescue you when I had the chance. My God, I am broken, aren’t I?”

  “It was never your burden to carry. You chose to take this guilt on and you’ve let it rule you for too long. Even if it had been your fault, you ensured I had this surgery that could make my life better. Can’t that be enough?”

  “It’ll have to be, won’t it?” Liam ran a hand through his hair. “Stop looking at me with pity in your eyes, Olivia.”

  “Then let it go. This is the other reason I pushed you away. This guilt you have, it links you to me. Is that the only thing that ties us together? What happens when you realize there’s nothing else?”

  “Nothing else? Do you really feel nothing for me?”

  “Of course I do, but I’ve loved you for too long to watch you walk away from me one day when you finally see the truth.”

  Liam grasped the back of her head in his wide palm, pulling her close, her lips nearly touching his. “I’m not with you out of pity or guilt. Get that through your thick head.”

  His lips descended on hers, quieting her response. Liam grasped one of her breasts with his other hand, fondling her and bringing the tip to a tight peak between his fingers. Once the other nipple was equally distended, he slid his hand down her rounded belly to the apex of her thighs. He slid his fingers through her slit, pressed his thumb to her clit and began to circle it in time to his insistent kisses.

  Olivia arched into his touch, having missed his caresses and the promise of more to come. She suddenly wanted fulfillment, for him to surge within her and claim her fully. She’d always been his in her mind. She now wanted to be his completely.

  “I want…”

  “What is it you want, baby?”

  “You … finish what you started the other night.”

  Without answer, Liam rose and began to shuck his clothing, kicking his shoes across the room with force. He slipped into his bedroom and was back quickly. She saw the shine of a condom covering his fully erect cock as it swung before him. Touched that he’d considered her protection, she smiled at him, shamed that she hadn’t even thought of it herself in her moment of need. Moments later, he crawled into the large tub, sliding beside her and rolling her on top of him.

  Olivia could feel his hardness pressing into her pussy and she rolled her hips, hoping to give him the opening he needed to press forward. Urging her head to the side, he captured her lips again, kissing her as he lifted her slightly, the head of his cock sliding across her slit. They both sighed as the tip nudged inside her and he thrust slowly, sheathing himself halfway.

  He moved his hands to her hips, lifting her and bringing her down farther on his cock. She cried out once he was fully within her, the awareness of his body inside her devastating her senses. She felt stretched to the limit, erotically impaled on his length. He filled her completely, marking her forever.

  “Olivia, you feel amazing,” he said against her lips.

  Liam thrust forward, moving his hips under her, creating a languid tempo. Water sloshed around the edge of the old claw-footed tub as they moved, liquid splashing to the tiled floor below. Olivia didn’t care. She was too absorbed in the motion of their bodies gliding together, pushing toward the pinnacle as one.

  He lifted one of his hands to her left breast, pinching and plumping the flesh as he moved the other to rub her clit in time with his body driving within her. He swallowed her gasps and cries with his mouth, giving her so much pleasure she felt as if she were flying.

  Tingling arcs rushed through her, her body a lightning rod, stiffening to the shocks of his touch. Overwhelmed with emotion, she sensed his feelings for her in his caress, knew he held some of his passion back for her sake. Between her fragile body and lack of experience, she knew he restrained the beast of desire within, his whole body trembling below her.

  Part of her wanted him to unleash it, but she knew it would come later. When she was whole and ready, he would give her all of him. The unyielding weight of her orgasm crashed over her and she cried out against his mouth. Liam soon followed, his cries mingling with her own, the heat of his cum exploding within her, even encapsulated in the condom he wore.

  Olivia fell onto his chest, exhausted by their efforts as well as the extreme day. Liam kissed her forehead and eased out of the tub as she closed her eyes and continued to enjoy the balmy waters.

  She felt herself lifted from the tub sometime after.

  “Falling asleep in the tub? You must be completely worn out.” Liam chuckled as he dried her off. She was too tired to reply, allowing him to care for her. It felt odd to have someone take over such menial tasks, but the intimacy of the action wasn’t lost on her, either.

  Soon after, Liam carried her into his room and laid her down in his bed. As she quickly drifted back to sleep, she felt the bed dip and Liam crawl in behind her, tugging her into his embrace.

  Chapter 17

  Liam watched Olivia fade back into slumber. He wasn’t sure she’d been conscious when he’d hauled her from the tub; the fact she’d yielded to him caring for her was proof she wasn’t completely coherent. Yielding wasn’t something Olivia did. As quiet and unobtrusive as she thought she was, when cornered, she fought with hackles raised. She was a fiery woman hidden underneath layers of self-doubt and fear. He was lucky enough to have seen through them. Olivia was fighting to break through, he knew it, but it was slow going as her true self came to the forefront.

  If he could break through those layers, he was confident there was a woman within who would blossom into something spectacular. He wanted to be the man to see the woman she hid within. Others hadn’t seen it in her, or if they had, they’d not been man enough to stand up and make her see herself for what she was. Perhaps her barbed tongue had pushed any others away as well. Lucky for him, he didn’t scare easily.

  And he knew she was his.

  Tonight, he’d claimed her in the most sensual way, letting her know what he wanted. He’d felt how tight she’d been and knew from her surprised reactions she’d gone over an edge she’d never faced. Liam was glad to have given her that, yet he sensed there was much more where that had come from, enough to quench his need for her and more. She was a passionate woman when she let her guard down. That was the problem, making her drop her walls.

  He had a battle on his hands.

  He was ready.

  * * * *

  Olivia awoke, pleasurably sore, and alone in bed. It was dark outside, a driving rain creating a symphony of pitter-patter as it hit against the windows. Confused, she sat up in a bed that wasn’t her own. Conflicting emotions filled her as she remembered the night before. Awkwardness merged with satiation and she drifted on the line between. Her night with Liam was too incredible to feel guilty about, but she’d never truly experienced a morning after. As dark as the windows were, she wasn’t sure it was quite morning, but it would suffice.

  The scent of coffee brewing hit her nose and she knew then he was up and about. Olivia rose; her body ached from PT and their adventure, but she wouldn’t change it for the world. She spied one of his button-down shirts cast over the arm of a chair and she grasped it as she stood, covering her nudity as she slowly sauntered out into the living area.

  Liam was fixing a cup and looking over the newspaper when she emerged, his gaze transfixed on whatever he was reading as he stirred the coffee with a spoon. He was nude from the waist up, his brown locks disheveled from sleep and their activity. Olivia slowed her speed, taking a moment to stare at him when he was oblivious to her. His body was so well formed, muscles from regular exercise refined to a toned delight. She knew he regularly went to the club to swim laps; she’d spied him on a couple of occasions getting out of the pool and showing off his incredible physique.

  He looked quite the same, but this time was different. A part of him was hers now, their night bonding them in a way. She wasn’t stupid enough to think he was hers after one night but they’d shared an intimacy and she saw him in a different light.

  He was now her lover.

  The thought brought a smile to her face. Liam was kind, intelligent, handsome, and her heart was completely lost to him.

  His eyes lifted and his gaze caught hers, his smile mirroring her own. “Good morning, baby. Did you sleep well?”

  “Is it even morning? And I believe I did sleep well.” Olivia continued walking into the kitchen, rising to sit on one of the tall island stools beside him.

  “It’s dark and gloomy outside, but it is morning. Can I get you some coffee?”

  “Yes, please.”

  He filled a cup and placed it before her, along with the cream and sugar. She fixed her drink as she liked it, feeling the weight of his stare on her. The awkwardness was inching back in. She wasn’t sure how lovers treated one another after a night of passion. Lifting the cup to her lips, she thought about what she should say, the time she spent sipping giving her extra time.

  “I called your family last night and told them you were safe.”

  She jerked in surprise. She hadn’t even thought to call them herself. She’d been exhausted last night and had been dead to the world. “Thank you.”

  “You were fast asleep and I knew Maria would worry about you. I tried to be as tactful as possible with her questions.”

  Her mother was going to have a field day when she finally went home. “Did she play twenty questions?”

  “I was able to shut her down at three.”

  Olivia slurped more coffee. “You’re a champ. I can never get away without at least fifteen.”

  Both settled into silence. She sensed he wanted to speak, but remained quiet. She had no idea what to say, so there was no point in trying to fill the void.

  “I’m off today, but I’m on call. Do you have plans?”

  She had some writing to do and her first batch of edits was supposed to arrive that day. “I have some work that I need to do.”

  “It’s not dark and gloomy inside here. Not with you here with me. Blow it off.”

  His smoky tone rippled across her, lust spiking within. She wanted him more than she’d wanted anything else in the world but she couldn’t stay. “I have work.”

  “Can’t you put it off until tomorrow? It’s just writing, right?”

  His comment made her freeze, her coffee cup halfway to her lips. “Just writing?”

  Liam immediately seemed to realize his mistake based on the look on his face. His eyes grew large and his lips began to move, although no sound came out. He eventually found his voice after a few seconds. “You know I didn’t mean it that way, Olivia. I just meant you could write tomorrow.”

  Olivia was tired of being marginalized. Her new job would hopefully give her freedom. Eventually, her writing could pay the bills if she treated it with the respect due a staid position. No one seemed to take her seriously. That was over. It was time for her to prove she could stand on her own two feet.

  “My writing is just as important to me as medicine is to you.”

  He nodded, his gaze capturing hers. “Yes, I know that. I didn’t mean to make it sound like anything less.”

  She slipped from the bar stool and lowered her cup to the counter. “It’s time for me to go.”

  Liam sighed loudly. “I don’t want you to go. Stay the day with me. I’m sorry for what I said.”

  “I’m not leaving for that. I have work to do. I can’t lie around here when I have to forge my way into this new life you’ve given me.”

  “Have dinner with me later, then.”

  Olivia’s mind went to Bastian’s invite. She’d accepted. Would it be bad form to cancel now? They were two friends having dinner, nothing more. She saw no reason to back out.

  “I have plans.”

  “Plans? What plans?” His eyebrow rose as he asked.

  “A friend … asked me to dinner.”

  “What friend?” He rose off the stool and began to follow her into his bedroom.

  “Why the twenty questions?”

  “Why are you evading answering me?”

  “I’m having dinner with Bastian. As friends.”

  Liam leaned his head back and looked to the ceiling, his jaw tightening for a moment. “Bastian York has slept with half the women in Charlottesville. No one is just friends with him. I shouldn’t have asked that asshole to work with you. I put you in harm’s way. You can’t go to dinner with Bastian.”

  “He’s nice. And I told him I wasn’t interested in more than friendship. Everyone has been pushing me to make more friends and now when I do that, you tell me I can’t? You don’t own me, Liam.”

  “You said for yourself you don’t want to be hurt. Bastian will take advantage of you and leave you in pieces.”

  “He’s a friend. That’s all. It’s dinner. Nothing more.”

  “No one only has dinner with him. He wants you.”

  “You don’t trust me.”

  “I trust you. I don’t trust him.”

  “Then you should trust me to do the right thing. I’m going to dinner with him tonight. As a friend. That’s all.”

  “Don’t.”

  “Or what?” She began dressing as she watched emotions rush across his face. Anger washed through her as she stuffed her legs into her pants.

  Liam watched her from the doorway. “I can’t seem to do anything right by you, can I?”

  She drew her shirt over her head then slowly turned to look at Liam. “I’ll call a cab.”

  “No, I’ll drive you to your car.”

  She nodded to him, not willing to argue further. She had a lot on her mind, specifically, what her future really held for her. He threw on some clothes quickly as she considered if she was once again throwing their chances to the wind. She wouldn’t be controlled and told what she could and couldn’t do. First it was her career and now it was her friends.

  The car ride was silent, the heavy weight of their mutual discomfort suffocating her. There was so much to say. There was nothing to say. As they pulled up to her car in the near-empty lot, snowflakes began to drift down around the car. The dense gray sky above reflected her mood.