Conviction (Consolation Duet #2)(9)

Reanell takes me into her arms and holds tight. “Go. I’m sure he needs you.”

“I don’t know what to say to him,” I admit.

“Just talk to him. How are things at home?”

Reanell and I haven’t been able to talk except through text messages. Aaron hasn’t left my side except to sleep. “I don’t know. Rocky at best. He’s on the couch, which he’s not happy about. He keeps saying he’s going to prove how much we belong together.”

She looks at me with empathy. “I know this is hard. I can’t even imagine what you’re feeling, but I can say I’ve seen you with both men. I know the Natalie you were with Aaron and who you are with Liam. Neither was wrong, but one was definitely happier. I’m here no matter what.” Rea kisses the side of my cheek and swats my ass. “Now, go.”

I turn and head toward the man I’m desperate to see.

As I drive, I debate whether I should let him know I’m on my way. I worry that he won’t want to see me. The pain in his eyes haunts me. The need to see Liam as he was before all this is my only goal.

Guilt over leaving Aaron at home chews at my heart. It wraps around and squeezes me tight. My chest hurts, but I keep heading toward Liam. He’s who I need right now. I miss him, love him, and long to touch him.

I park and check my reflection, already hating the dark circles forming under my eyes. The red, blotchy marks on my skin from all the tears I’ve shed. The acid marks on my skin matching my insides.

I knock twice but he doesn’t answer. It’s the middle of the night and I didn’t call. I shouldn’t be surprised. Regardless, disappointment swells over me. I rest my head against the door, hoping to feel some sort of connection to him. If he can feel me here, he’ll open.

But instead the door shoves forward.

“Liam?” I speak quietly as I enter.

The hinges are broken, but look as if someone rigged the door back up. What the hell happened? I flip the light on in the living room, suddenly unsure if I’m in the right place. It’s a mess. Papers, bottles, and shattered glass is everywhere. There’s a hole in the wall by the television and a bloody towel lying on the floor.

“Liam?” I call out more loudly, but no answer.

When I reach his bedroom, I’m floored at what I find. Liam is passed out in the bed, wearing only his boxers. “Oh, Liam,” I whisper and move toward him. Crouching down by his face, I gently brush his hair back. “I’ve missed you.” He lets out a long, slow breath as if he’s been holding it. “Why haven’t you called me? I don’t want to lose you. I feel so alone, Liam.” My eyes prick as a tear falls. He sleeps as I confess my pain. “The tension is so thick, and I can’t breathe without you. I close my eyes and pretend you’re next to me. I feel your arms wrap around me, but you’re not there. I wish I could be with you and not feel like I’m dying inside. We could be away, making love, holding each other, but you’re passed out, and I’m sobbing on the floor. How did we get here? How do we go back?” My breathing becomes difficult as I let it all out. My fingers rub the side of his face, letting his beard scratch the pads of my fingers.

I need to be closer to him, so I strip down to my t-shirt and climb next to him. I lift his arm and drape it over me, allowing his warmth to blanket me. Tears continue to fall as I cocoon myself into him. I need to be close to him. Liam adjusts onto his side, and pulls me flush against his chest. He’s still asleep, but it’s as if he knows I’m here.

“I miss you, sweetheart,” his deep voice trembles.

My eyes stay trained on his, but he keeps them closed.

“So f*cking much,” he says as his hands move down my back. “I need you, Lee.”

“You have me. Take me,” I murmur and press my lips to his. He kisses me with reverence and tenderness. Liam lets out a moan as his hands glide up my back.

He flips me onto my back while his delicious weight holds me beneath him. I’m where I belong. “Are you real?” he asks then crashes his lips back against mine. Our mouths stay fused as his fingers scrape down my sides. Liam doesn’t break, he doesn’t stop touching me, as if I’m going to vanish. His eyes stay glued shut as he gives me all of him. I breathe in every touch and every moment that I’m here with him. He brings me back to life.

My heart feels light, and it’s as if I’m floating.

He stops and gazes at me with so much emotion in his eyes I can’t move. Words fail. My heart stops. And time doesn’t move. All that exists in this world is us right now.

Liam’s strong hand presses against my face. He gazes lovingly at me as I begin to cry. The connection we share is more than I can explain. It bonds us stronger than ever before. I’m his and he’s mine. This one look has cemented our love and forged an unbreakable bond. Even if we will never be together again, I’ll never be anyone else’s.

His voice is thick and husky as he refuses to break from my eyes. “Tell me you’re real.”

“I’m real.”

“Tell me you’re really here.”

“I’m here with you.” My hand rises, and I press my thumb to his lips. “I’m here for you. I’m here with only you. I need you so much.”

His eyes close as I rub my thumb, savoring the rough feel on my skin.