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We played with Bailey in parks during the day and at night held hands sprawled out on blankets beneath the stars to enjoy outdoor concerts.
When we wanted alone time, Grace and Kalie stepped up. It not only gave us freedom as a new couple, but allowed my cousins the opportunity to get to know Bailey—something my heart rejoiced in.
My favorite was when Liam and I did nothing more than take walks along shell-filled beaches while my cousins offered to cook dinner for all of us. Hand in hand, we’d stop and pocket shells to commemorate each new stop we’d been to as the sun painted the sky with hues of orange and pink. But even as the fiery sun set, it was nothing to the way I’d lose myself in the burning green of Liam’s gaze when he pulled me close to kiss me.
I marveled at the bond we’d created. It was unlike anything I’d ever experienced with my family, even my twin. It was the very essence of life.
Which is why I was quietly terrified.
Every couple of days, I persistently questioned my father about if I was placing them in any danger. “Should I tell Liam, Daddy? He works for you. He won’t say anything.”
“No, Laura. My team has this under control. Do you not trust me?”
“Of course, I trust you. It’s just ...”
“It’s just you’re falling in love with Liam,” my father concluded grimly.
Unable to deny it, I replied, “Yes.”
“Laura,” he pleaded.
“Daddy, I love him and I love Bailey. I will not let them be harmed. I’d sooner die myself.”
His growl did nothing to intimidate me. Flatly, I gave him an ultimatum. “You have two weeks to figure out who is doing this to me or I’m telling him.”
He swore savagely. “I will yank you away from Liam and Bailey so fast, your head will spin. Do not think I won’t hesitate to put you in protective custody.”
“Dad, nothing has happened.” Silence from the other end of the line makes my antennae quiver. “Or has it?”
“We’ll talk about it in person.” Then he hung up without his normal “I loved you first,” setting my mind whirling.
He has three more days before I tell Liam everything. A dark cloud passes over my thoughts, causing me to stir the sauce too fast and fling it all over the counter. The laughter in the air comes to a halt when I let out a weak, “Oops.”
Liam slips his arms around me from behind. “We’re not trying to feed the seagulls this time, sweetheart.”
My head swivels to the side and I shoot him a glare. “They almost took my hand off.” When we went to visit a local lighthouse, I held up a piece of bread to break apart and the next thing I knew, a seagull swooped in and nipped it from my fingers.
Liam nuzzles my ear. “Hmm. Now that’s a good memory.” He presses his lips against the side of my head before murmuring low enough so Bailey can’t hear. “The chocolate.”
My body melts against his when I recall Liam slathering the melted chocolate onto my nipples and feasting on them for a snack before I returned the favor. He presses another kiss in my ear. “Who knows? I may want seconds using your red sauce.”
I spin around, the spoon in my hand, sauce dripping all the way down to my wrist. I accuse, “You’re terrible.”
He lifts my wrist and licks it off. “Hmm. Definitely seconds.”
I blush to the roots of my hair before replying tartly, “If you want firsts, you’ll stop distracting me.”
Liam roars with laughter. He rips the spoon from my hand and hauls me against the length of his body. “Sweetheart, I don’t care if dinner goes up in flames. All I care about is you and Bailey, you know that.”
My breathing quickens. Even though we haven’t said the words, I feel them emanating from him, which is why this subterfuge my father has me engaged in is killing me every minute. “I do.”
His lips quirk. “I like those words.” Then he mutters to himself, “At least coming from you.”
Wait. What? Just as he’s about to move away, I grab the back of his shirt and haul him to me. “What did you say?”
He affixes his work face. God, that expression makes me so damn hot. I want to lick him up and he knows it. My cheeks burn and Liam gives me a potent stare. Grumbling, I mutter, “I blush like a Roma tomato.”
He presses his lips to my forehead before murmuring, “It’s one of the things I love about you, Laura.”