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Genuine surprise littered his features. “What?”

“Like you, I was approached by others who wanted the chance to explore something with me, but I never wanted that. I didn’t leave to find someone else, Liam. Nobody could ever take your place in my heart.”

His eyes glistened as he brought one hand to the center of his chest. “Are you serious?”

“I would never joke about this. It was only ever you.”

I barely got the words out before a sound escaped from the back of his throat and he captured my mouth with his in a brutal, claiming kiss. He shifted his body, rolling to his back, and urging me on top of him. Once I was there, my thighs straddling him, Liam continued to kiss me while his arms wrapped around me like he never wanted to let me go.

With all the emotions we’d experienced throughout the day, it was no surprise we were quickly tearing at each other’s clothes until we were both naked. My hands were touching every part of him I could reach, and his mouth journeyed to more places than I could count.

There’d been such a buildup that by the time Liam finally slid inside, I was already coming apart. He worked me through it, his eyes shining as he looked down at me. When he realized I’d made it to the other side, he took his time with me.

We were hands and legs and teeth and lips. We were moans and whimpers and grunts and groans.

He moved inside me with slow, measured strokes, his hands roaming over my skin. I held on to him, seeking to kiss or lick wherever I could. The reunion went on and on, and I never wanted it to stop.

I could have stayed with him like this forever, making up for all my mistakes and proving to him just how much I adored him.

But no matter how hard I tried to fight it, no matter how long I wanted this to continue, Liam and I were both powerless to resist what was bound to happen.

We came apart together, our breaths and moans mingling. So sweet and warm.

And for a long while afterward, we held one another. If it was anything for Liam like it was for me, he was thinking about how lucky we were to be here like this with one another, fighting our way back to where we should have been all along.

“I love you, Liam.”

He kissed my bare shoulder before moving to my neck, my jaw, and finally, my mouth. “I love you, too.”

“Did you have big plans for dinner, or can we stay here and order room service?”

He smiled against my lips. “Room service it is.”

“Are you sure you don’t mind?”

Laughter spilled out of him, and he buried his face against my throat. “I think, especially if you remain naked, I’ll figure out a way to cope.”

I tipped my head back and allowed the smile to take up my whole face as Liam kissed my throat. Today had been an emotional roller coaster of a day. I had a feeling we’d have more similar days in our future. But as long as we came together like this in the end, I’d suffer through the emotional moments every day for the rest of my life.

28

LIAM

Energized.

Revived.

I couldn’t remember ever feeling so motivated in my life. All week long, I’d been like a machine when it came to everything I did. Despite the substantially higher number of issues in the amusement park than usual, work was a breeze. And when my day was over, I didn’t mosey back to the hotel to shower and feel miserable while carelessly flipping through the channels on the television.

I felt such a renewed sense of determination and inspiration. Like there wasn’t anything I couldn’t do.

In just one week, I felt like a new man.

And tonight, I couldn’t wait to spend some time with Layla. It was Friday evening, and I’d just left work. I’d come back to my hotel suite to get showered and dressed before I was going to head out to pick her up.

We’d talked to one another throughout the week, andI’d stopped over to see her on Tuesday. But beyond that, we hadn’t gotten together. Things were especially busy at the park, and Layla had a lot on her plate with running her mom’s store and getting her to and from her physical therapy appointments.

Though I would have preferred to spend time with her every day, I wasn’t upset about what we did have. Layla and I spoke to each other every night before bed, and it was easily the best part of my day. It seemed like a lifetime ago when I’d crawl into bed, wondering if I could even remember the sound of her voice.