Page 164 of Between Secrets and Obsession

After an hour of pacing in the bedroom and doing some yoga, I try out the bathtub which hopefully helps calm my mind. I’m too worked up to sleep. I won’t be able to rest until Liam’s here, and I can feel his heartbeat and warm skin against mine.

“Maddie?” My eyes bolt open at the sound of Tyler’s voice on the other side of the door.

“Yeah?”

“Doing okay?”

“Yes, I’ll be out in a moment,” I call out and realize how cold the water around me feels. Shit, I must’ve dozed off.

Once I’m dry, I change into my last pair of clean leggings and an off-the-shoulder sweater, then make my way into the living room. If we’re going to be here a while, I’ll need some supplies and a washer and dryer.

Victoria’s bathroom was stocked full of beauty products, and I was able to do my laundry there every few days. Considering I couldn’t bring a lot of things with me, I’ve been limited on my wardrobe.

“Tyler?” I ask when I don’t see him sitting on the couch.

“Kitchen,” he shouts.

“Are you making me your delicious eggs and bacon?” I chuckle though it’s closer to lunch. My nap in the tub was over two hours long and my skin’s all pruney now. “Though, I’m kinda in the mood for?—”

I stop dead in my tracks when I turn the corner and see Liam leaning against the counter. His ankles are crossed with his arms over his chest, looking sexy and confident as hell. Dark bags are under his eyes and his hair is a hot mess, but I love it when it looks like that.

Swallowing hard, I blink a few times to make sure I’m not imagining things.

“Liam?”

“Get your ass over here, woman,” he demands with a boyish smile.

I rush over and leap into his arms. He easily catches me as I wrap my legs around his waist and cling to his neck. Liam holds me tight as I inhale his scent and hold back tears at how happy I am to see him.

Alive.

“How are you here right now?” I ask, pulling back, and he sets me down on my feet. My hands remain on his chest as he holds me close. “I didn’t expect you to come so soon.”

“I couldn’t stay away another fucking day, Mads.” Then he cups my face and brushes his mouth over mine, soft at first, but when I part my lips, he slides his tongue between and dances with mine.

“Third wheel over here.” Tyler groans, and I burst out laughing, breaking the kiss.

Tyler looks at Liam. “Can’t tell you how relieved I was to know Maddie was real after hearing you go on and on about her for weeks. I thought maybe you made her up or she was a figment of your imagination.”

“Dude,” Liam says. “Bro code?”

“You gushed about me, huh?” I tease, smiling so wide I can’t control it.

“How do you think I knew who you were right away?” Tyler snickers. “He painted a very clear visual of what you looked like, how you talked, the way you shake your ass when you walk.”

“Oh my God!” I squeal, playfully swatting Liam’s chest.

Tyler chuckles when Liam shoots him a death glare.

“He’s messing with you. And me.”

Tyler shrugs. “It’s too easy.”

“Real cool, Beanstalk. Now I don’t feel bad you’re sleeping on the sofa.”

Liam’s head falls back with uncontrollable laughter. “Go figure, you’ve known him for two weeks and already given him a freaking nickname.”

I throw my hand toward Tyler who’s mixing pancake batter in a bowl. “Look at him, he’s a giant! It’s a proper one at least.”