“You’re so perfect,” he reassures me and rubs back and forth, my nipple pebbling beneath his adept touch.

Needing to touch him, I run my hands under his shirt, pushing it up. Liam uses one hand and rips it off. My fingers delicately press against his skin. I trace the tattoo on his ribs: Dulce bellum inexpertis. I outline the letters and he tenses. “What does that mean?” I ask as he kisses my neck.

He looks up and his blue eyes darken. “It means war is sweet for those who haven’t experienced it.”

My voice is barely audible, “I’m sorry. I know you’ve lost a lot.”

“I’ve gained too. War takes from us. It robs us of so much, but if we let it . . . it can save us. You being here in my arms right now is reminding me that sometimes the victory is worth the battle.”

Liam bows down as each breath passes between us. As much as he’s breathing life into me, I’m doing the same for him. We’ve both lost because of war. Liam’s lost countless friends as well as handling his own demons. “I shouldn’t be feeling this way,” I say as he brushes the hair out of my eyes.

“What do you feel?” his voice is rich and warm. It heats parts of my body that have been forgotten. “Describe it,” he demands.

I close my eyes as his hand floats down my body and back under my shirt. I allow the sensations to overtake my mind and Liam’s touch is what I give myself over to. “Your hands are strong, but when you touch me, it’s tender.” His thumb brushes my nipple and I sigh. “The scraping of your thumb against my skin.” He does it again.

“Does it feel good?” he asks gruffly.

“Yes,” I moan, as his hand cups my breast and he squeezes.

“Do you want me to keep touching you?” he asks.

Keeping my eyes closed, I stay in the moment. “Please,” my voice is low and dripping with need.

His weight shifts and he pulls my shirt over my head. I look at him and his eyes turn to liquid as he appraises me, setting my nerves at ease. Liam groans in approval. “Perfect. Every inch of you is perfection.” He pulls my straps down and waits. I tilt and unhook my bra, but leave it in place.

No other man has seen me like this besides Aaron. Aaron was my first and only. Liam seems to understand my hesitation and then he’s on top of me again. His mouth fuses to mine and he kisses me eagerly. My fingers pull his beanie off and tangle into his hair. I want him so much right now. Every cell feels like it’s on fire and I’ll soon become cinders. Burning with need, I get lost again. No thoughts of anything but him exist.

My hands grip his ass as he grinds down on me. I feel his hardness against my core and I begin to throb. His hands start to drift down my side as he pulls the bra from between us, but keeps me covered with his body.

“I’m going to suck on your breasts, Natalie. Do you want that?” he asks and I practically melt into the couch.

I whimper as he reaches behind my back and pulls me with him. He keeps me shielded with his chest. I’m straddling his legs, feeling the exceedingly large bulge between my legs.

He holds me against him and stares into my eyes, “Do you want my mouth on you, or do you want me to stop?” There’s no anger or hesitation. He wants me, it’s clear, but he’s not wanting to push me too far.

“Don’t stop,” I plead and his hands drift down my back ever so slowly. There’s no hurt in my heart right now. I feel alive and adored. My heart races and my core clenches.

Liam carefully extends me onto my back, keeping his eyes on me. His head drops and his tongue circles my nipple. He lavishes it and caresses me. “Oh, oh God.” My voice is husky and my breath comes in short bursts.

His mouth moves to the other breast and my hips move against him, creating the friction I’m desperate for. “Your skin tastes like heaven.” He sits back and looks at me.

I fight the urge to cover up, and the way his eyes appraise me keeps me still. The tip of my finger slides to the front of him and his head falls back. I rock against him again. It feels too good to stop. “Liam,” I sigh his name.

“Tell me to stop or I’m going to flip you over and not be able to control myself.”

“Kiss me,” I request and he acquiesces. Our mouths come together and my hand rests on his heart. I feel his life beneath my palm. He’s alive, real, and he’s good to me. Liam was there when Aara was sick, when I was sick, and any other time I’ve needed him. Liam’s mouth never touched Brittany. His hands press against my back and he holds me tightly against him. There’s nowhere else I’d rather be than right here in his arms.

We break apart and we stay chest to chest. “I’ll never take you for granted. I’ll never give another woman a piece of me once you’re mine. I’ll only be yours.”

I look up with tears in my eyes. “I’m not ready, but I’m yours now. I want to give myself to you completely when it can be only about us.”

“What makes you think I was offering myself to you?” Liam smirks and the mood shifts from raging desire to playfulness.

“Oh?” I raise my brows in question. “I think if I wanted you, I could have you.”

Liam pulls me closer and I nuzzle into his neck. “Are you calling me an easy lay?”

I laugh and he kisses the side of my face. “Never. There’s nothing easy about you.”

“Well, except my banging hot body . . . I mean, that’s just easy on the eyes.”

“Arrogance is not sexy, darling,” I tease as his finger makes designs on my back.

“I think you’re very sexy,” Liam says as his hands make their way to the sides of my breasts.

“Oh?” I reply as my lips press against his neck.

“Should I show you with my mouth?” he inquires while his scruff grates across my shoulder. It prickles my skin and ignites the lust that had dropped to a low simmer.

My phone chimes, interrupting where we were going. I groan and reach over toward my purse. Liam adjusts himself and sits back, looking at my half naked body with a smug smile.

“Shit,” I say when I read the text. “I gotta go. Aarabelle is being super fussy and Rea has to run out.” I grab my bra and Liam snatches it from my hand. “I need that.”

“I’m thinking you wouldn’t want to leave the house like that.”

I don’t want to leave. God knows I want to stay here with him. It’s the only time I’m whole. There’s no pity in Liam’s eyes. When I see myself in him, I’m desired and beautiful. I lean down and kiss him and grab his t-shirt. I throw it over my head and smile.

“Keep the bra. I can wear your clothes.”

Liam stands before he takes a measured step, slowly drawing me in. “I’m going to take the coldest shower I can manage. I’ll somehow find a way to not think about you in my clothes. Walking around with my shirt clinging to your body and you smelling like my cologne.”

I step back and grab my purse. “You may need to take two showers.” I wink and open the front door. I turn back and glance at him over my shoulder. “You know, I might even sleep in it.” I turn back and hear him groan as I close the door behind me.

Funny, I didn’t think of the pain Aaron caused even once while I was in Liam’s arms.