Page 64 of Between Secrets and Obsession

Classes finished six weeks ago, so now that I’m always home, we see each other a lot more. Liam still makes overnight trips when he’s working, but he hasn’t gone to Vegas since he bought his expensive new car. Or at least he hasn’t mentioned it. I’m not sure if that means he’s done with gambling, but I like that he’s staying closer to home.

“You’re not outside and the air-conditioning is on,” he states, but I ignore him.

It’s nice and cool in the house, which is why he can see everything through the material. I practice my dance techniquesso I stay fresh and ready for the fall. Wearingclothes that fit like a second skin is the most comfortable when stretching and working on my form.

When I catch him staring, I grin with an eyebrow popped. “Don’t look if it bothers you so much.”

He smirks, shakes his head, and finishes eating.

Grabbing some oatmeal from the pantry, I make it the old-fashioned way on the stove. I halfway wonder if I should cook some for Sophie too because she didn’t feel well this morning and stayed home from work.

While it’s simmering, I open the fridge and take out some bacon. Liam stands and places his empty bowl in the sink, then rinses it. I’m trying my best to ignore him, though it’s impossible when his gaze burns a hole through my temple. Realizing I need a pan too, I try to reach around him to grab one but fail miserably.

“Mads,” he says, his voice cracking as he stands beside me.

“What’s up?” I glance at him, noticing the fire in his eyes—the look that gives away how he feels. Though things have been iffy between us, he’s his old self right now—the man who kissed me on my birthday and who watched me so intently as I danced. Right now,myLiam is standing beside me, close enough to touch.

Turning around, I search his face for answers, but he says nothing. Instead, he carefully pulls me toward him and my heart races at the serious way he’s looking at me.

Liam’s fingertips brush my cheek and my eyes flutter closed as I melt into his gentle touch. Before I can whisper a word, his mouth presses to mine, devouring me as I wrap my arms around his neck. A moan escapes me as he kisses me softly, then rough and hard. I want more of him. I wantallof him. He presses me against the island, dragging his lips across my skin, and hiserection pushes against my stomach. Liam pulls away slightly to catch his breath, but I greedily pull him back to me.

Moments later, he breaks us apart and rests his forehead on mine. “I’m so sorry,” he rasps. “I’m so fucking sorry.”

“For what?” I ask, wanting this to continue even though I’m at war with myself. Liam’s known for these spontaneous moments of affection when it’s convenient for him, and sadly, I live for them even when they don’t go any further.

He pushes away, creating mere inches between us, and when I look up, there’s turmoil in his eyes. Softly, he grips my chin and studies my face as if he’s memorizing the way I look right now. His lips paint across mine again, but this time, he slows his pace. Something about the way he’s touching me feels so final, like a goodbye. The sinking feeling nearly drags me under, and I have so many questions, ones I doubt he’d ever answer. Liam retreats one last time, leaving me longing for more.

When I open my mouth to say something—to ask him what in the hell that was—he stops me by putting a finger over my lips. The intense stare between us is so hot that it’ll burn us alive if we don’t blink soon.

Finally, he swallows. “I have to leave, Mads. I have to pick up a fugitive in Nevada, but we’ll talk when I get back in a couple of days. Okay?”

Nodding, I’m unsure how to respond. I’m a little wary that he’s going back after all this time away. That kiss—whatever it was—has stunned me into silence. Then his lips crash into mine one last time, and he lingers before pushing away.

Following him into the living room, I watch as he grabs his bag, then call out to him before he leaves. “Be careful, Hulk.”

Liam winks and gives me one last look over his shoulder before walking out the door.

My breasts rise and fall, my heart pounds unsteady in my chest, and my lips are swollen. I’m left wondering what the fuckjust happened, but it wouldn’t be the first time he’s done that to me.

I’m not myself for the rest of the day, and Sophie eventually comes downstairs and notices. While she tries to pull me back to reality, it’s impossible because I’m left floating on cloud nine, wondering what Liam wants to discuss.

Two days come and go, and my head is still spinning.

“You sick or something?” Sophie asks as she comes down the stairs. I’ve only been waiting for her and Mason for the past hour.

“Are you? Miss ‘I had sex all morning and didn’t mind keeping my younger sister waiting,’” I say and watch her cheeks flush.

Mason’s still upstairs getting ready, but she knows damn well I’d call him out too. Lennon’s housewarming party is today, and we should’ve left thirty minutes ago to arrive before everyone else does. Our parents are in town, and while I’m happy to visit with them, I’m more excited to see Liam. I thought he’d have already been home by now, and I’m tempted to text him, but I’m giving him his space too so he can work out what he wants to discuss.

Before I can poke at Sophie more, Mason comes down the stairs wearing a shit-eating smirk.

“Guilty as ever,” I say, and all he does is shrug. The proud jerk.

She ignores me, per usual, but this time, I’m not kidding. We need to go. Liam has been on my mind for two days straight. I’ve replayed every scenario—every possible thing he could tell me—in my head. What if he’s ready to confess his true feelings after all this time? The way he kissed me was different from before. So I’m torn and growing antsy.

Finally, we get in the car and get to Lennon’s right on time. As soon as Hunter opens the door, I see him holding my favorite nephew and scoop him into my arms. Hunter frowns, but I ignore it. He can’t be stingy with a baby this cute.

Hunter and Lennon go back and forth, giving each other a hard time, and they have me laughing my ass off, but my attention is stolen when Lennon asks about Liam.