Page 21 of Liam (R.I.S.C. Delta Team #5)

Allison woke with a gasp and a scream for help that was caught in the base of her throat. Her chest heaved with breaths so hard and heavy, it was as if she’d been in a fight for her life.

The truth was, she had been. Only this one had occurred in the sanctity of her dreams. A nightmare created by a collection of memories. Ones that were, unfortunately, very real.

She turned to her left, relieved to find Maddie fast asleep. She looked so sweet and peaceful, she could’ve passed for an angel.

To Allison, that was exactly what her precious baby was. A gift from God she was trying so hard to protect. But she’d also failed her over and over again.

Tears burned the corners of her eyes, but she refused to have Maddie wake up to see her crying. Moving slowly and as quietly as she could, Allison slid out from under the covers and got out of bed.

According to the clock on Liam’s bedside table, it was well-into the middle of the night. She tiptoed across the room, keeping her footfalls as light and silent as possible. The door let out the slightest of creaks as she squeezed her way out into the hall.

The narrow space was dark from the night, but the moonlight shining through the home’s front windows was enough to light the way. Her heartbeat felt heavy as she nervously began to move. Her eyes bounced between the pathway ahead and Liam’s spare room door on her right.

Allison passed by the extra room quickly, relieved when she didn’t hear movement coming from inside. On her way to the kitchen, she mulled over the impromptu plan. She’d get a glass of water, take a few moments to regroup, and then she’d crawl back into bed with none being the wiser.

She stepped over the threshold into the kitchen. Went to the cabinet where Liam kept his glasses. Allison opened the white, wooden door and reached for the nearest one. Her fingertips had barely made contact when a deep voice sounded from somewhere close behind.

“Need some help?”

Allison yelped as she spun around to face him. Her fingers curled around the sink’s porcelain edge with a grip so tight it was painful.

“Liam?” She blew out a breath when she saw him.

He flipped on the light, causing her to momentarily look away with a squint.

“Sorry.” He immediately turned the light back off.

The sound of soft, barefooted steps reached her ears as he walked over to where she stood. He reached over her shoulder to an under-the-counter switch, turning on the soft glow of the canned light above the sink.

“Better?”

Allison dipped her head slowly. “I’m sorry I woke you.”

“You didn’t.”

The response gave her pause, and it was only then that she realized Liam was still fully dressed.

“You haven’t been to bed yet?” Her surprised brows rose into two twin peaks.

“Been doing more research, trying to pinpoint how Tommy knew where to send his men.”

“Any luck?”

He shook his head with regret. “Not yet. But don’t worry…I’m not giving up.”

No, she didn’t suppose he would. Men like Liam Cutler weren’t quitters.

“What about you?” Liam spoke up again after a short stretch of silene. “Why are you up at such an ungodly hour?”

Rather than lie, she told him, “I had a bad dream.”

“Want to talk about it?”

“No.”

She really, really didn’t.

“What do you want?”

You.

Allison didn’t say that, of course. Not that it wasn’t true. But rather than open up that particular can of worms, she began listing all the other things on her imaginary list.

“I want the nightmares to stop,” she whispered softly.

“I want to be able to take my daughter to the park or go for a walk without fear. I want to be able to walk down the sidewalk or sit in a restaurant without feeling as though Tommy is there. Watching me. Waiting. Ready to attack the first chance he gets.”

“He’ll never get the chance.”

“I know you think that’s true, but come on, Liam.” Allison’s shoulders shook with a humorless laugh. “Maddie and I can’t stay locked up inside your house forever. And as sweet as your teammate’s wives are, they can’t drop everything to come be our personal babysitters whenever you have to leave.”

Determination filled Liam’s dark gaze as he took a broad step in her direction, not stopping until he was standing inches from her. “We’re going to stop him,” He vowed.

“What if you can’t?”

He released a slow breath, his expression softening beneath the light’s warm glow. Eyes on hers, Liam returned to the previous conversation by asking, “What else do you want?”

“For my daughter to be happy.” She swallowed. “And safe.”

“What about you?” He inched his way closer. “What dreams do you have for you ?”

Her dreams? Allison nearly laughed at the notion. She’d given up on her own dreams a long damn time ago.

“I always wanted to open a bookstore,” she revealed. “Something small and quaint where people could sit for hours getting lost in a story they love.”

Liam smiled. “That sounds like a really nice goal.”

“Goal.” She huffed out a breath and looked away. “More like a fantasy at this point.”

“Hey.” He cupped one side of her face, gently guiding her eyes back to his. “You would never tell Maddie to give up on her dreams, right?”

“That’s different.”

“Except it’s not.” He gave a firm shake of his head. “Not going after something you want is just another way of letting Tommy win. Or, you can use that same strength and tenacity you’ve shown in your efforts to give Maddie a better life to do the same for yourself.”

“You make it sound so easy.”

Liam’s lips curved into a sideways grin. “Nothing worth fighting for is ever easy. And Maddie isn’t the only one who deserves to be happy.”

“She’s what matters,” Allison whispered shakily. “She’s all that matters.”

She blinked and set her welling tears free.

Emotion filled Liam’s gaze as brought his other hand up and brushed her tears away. “You matter, too, sweetheart.” He leaned in close, letting his lips feather their way across hers. “You matter, Allison Gallo.” He kissed her between words. “You.” Kiss. “Matter.” Kiss.

“Liam—”

“Tell me what you want.”

The rumbled command left her knees weak and her sex aching with desire. “You,” she finally admitted. “I want you.”

One minute, she was confessing the primal need she felt for this man. The next, he was effortlessly scooping her into his arms.

With her arms around Liam’s neck, and her legs wrapped tightly around his waist, Allison was carried from the kitchen, past the table, and down the hall.

His lips never left hers until they’d reached the spare room door. Keeping her steady with one of his arms, he used the other hand to turn the knob.

Liam turned his body slightly, using his hip to push his way into the room. When they crossed the threshold, he started to push the door shut but stopped himself mid-reach.

“Maddie?” he whispered.

“She sleeps like a log.”

Allison chuckled softly at Liam’s muttered, “Thank God”. He shut the door quietly before turning the lock. Then he slammed his mouth to hers.

Liam carried her across the room and laid her gently onto the bed. He followed her down, and all the while the two of them feasted like they were starved. And in truth, she was.

For years, Allison had been starved of a sense of peace and comfort. Of safety and security. Passion and love.

Looking back, Tommy had never truly given her any of those things. Yet in the span of a few days, Liam had shown her a glimpse of the kind of life she deserved.

You matter.

His words were like a mantra in her head. The more she heard them, the stronger, more powerful she felt.

He was right to call her out when he did. To remind her that she was more than the pathetic woman Tommy claimed her to be. And now that Allison could feel her inner strength building strong, she realized…

I’m no longer afraid.

“Liam,” she whispered his name as his mouth moved away from her lips to her chin.

A deep growl filled her ear, his hot breath hitting her skin, as he left a trail of soft, wet kisses running down the side of her neck.

Time vanished and she closed her eyes, letting herself go. Allison lifted her head from the mattress, taking the kiss deeper still. Their tongues swirled in a way that somehow felt familiar.

There was no hint of hesitation. No guilt or regret. In her heart, her marriage to Tommy no longer existed. It hadn’t for a long damn time.

He chose this the minute he decided she wasn’t worth of common decency or respect. Tommy’s violent actions and hateful, hurtful words destroyed any vows she’d taken the day they were wed.

He did this, not her. He chose this, she hadn’t. And despite all she’d been put through, it had worked together to bring her here.

To Chicago. To Liam’s house. And now…Liam’s bed.

It didn’t matter that they barely knew one another, or that he was simply doing his job. In a few short days, fate had already carved a permanent place for him inside her heart.

The connection they shared intensified quickly, and soon they were making quick work of their clothes. His old Army shirt went flying as soon as it was off her shoulders. Her white, silk panties came next.

In a flurry of movements, they removed his clothes together. His t-shirt and jeans. One sock, and then the next. And finally, after what felt like an eternity spent holding her breath, Allison lay naked on Liam’s full-sized guest bed and watched while he removed his dark gray boxer briefs.

The hitch in her breath was audible as his erection bobbed from between his taut thighs. Long and thick, the sight sent a wave of moisture straight to her core.

His generous size was more than a little intimidating, but she didn’t dare consider stopping. Instead, Allison soaked in his deliciously chiseled form and waited for the pleasure she knew this man would give.

The mattress dipped beneath his weight as Liam rejoined her on the bed. He didn’t lay fully on top of her, but rather to her side. His leg slid over one of hers as he leaned in for another kiss.