a breath of relief. I think I see the hint of a smirk on Liam’s face. God, it’s so sexy the way he just handled my dad.
The rest of dinner is fairly benign. Dad asks Liam a lot of questions about the music industry. It’s almost as if he envies him. Mom listens to them and smiles at me. She nods her approval at me. I can tell she’s smitten with him.
Dessert comes, and with it, the question that makes Liam crush my hand like he’s drowning and I’m his life preserver.
“What kind of work does your father do?” Mom asks.
“Liam’s parents aren’t with us anymore. Can we please talk about something else?”
“Oh, I’m sorry,” Mom says to him. “We’re no stranger to loss. I’m sure Ella told you about her twin sister.”
“Mom, that is not not talking about it.”
Liam clears his throat. “Did Ella tell you she created the cover for our next album?”
“She did indeed,” Dad says. “Now that I know how successful you are, I’m even more impressed with her.”
The check comes. Liam reaches for it. “I’d like to get this.”
“Son, I don’t care how fat your bank account is,” Dad says. “We invited you. We tortured you with our questions. We’re paying for the meal.”
“Thank you.”
On our way out, Dad and Liam walk ahead. Mom pulls me close. “You said he was handsome, but I didn’t expect this. Well done, sweetie. I approve.”
“Good. So no more talk about Corey?”
“No.”
I hug my parents at the door. Mom hugs Liam. He looks completely awkward when he pats her on the back. I try not to laugh.
Dad extends his hand. “Liam, it’s been a pleasure. You two don’t be strangers now.”
Liam shakes. “Nice to meet you too, sir, and we won’t.”
They walk away.
Liam rolls up his sleeves and loosens his collar. I don’t think he means for it to be sexy but it totally is. He’s just happy to be done with the third degree.
I slump against the side of the building. “I am so sorry for subjecting you to that.”
His gaze sweeps over me. “Just how sorry are we talking?”
I question him with my eyes.
“I’m only saying, if you think you owe me something, I’m willing to collect.”
My insides tingle. “Let’s go back to my place so I can pay up.”
He takes my hand and leads me away. I love the feeling of his hand holding mine. I glance around. Does anyone recognize him? How long will it be before he can’t stroll down the street without girls chasing him?
“You really stood up to my dad when he was grilling you.”
“Is that not how guys talk to the fathers of the daughters they’re dating?”
I smile. “So we’re dating?”
He doesn’t answer, but he tightens his fingers around mine.
“It was sexy,” I say.
He stops and looks at me sideways. “The way I talked to your father?”
“Corey agreed with everything he said. He was such a kiss-ass.”
“And you don’t want that?”
“No. I want you.”
For a second, I think I see fear in his eyes. Then something changes. Our gazes lock. I wish he could know what I’m thinking. If he did, though, he’d probably run away. Because I love every part of him, the damaged and the good. I want to be with him every day and sleep next to him at night. Love him the way he deserves to be loved.
He runs a finger across my cheek and pulls my bottom lip from between my teeth. “I want you, too.”
Chapter Forty-three
Liam
We’re alone as we ride up in the elevator. I stand behind her and pull her close. I gently wrap a hand around her neck and maneuver her head to the side so I can kiss her along the top of her shoulder. She shudders and presses into me as I work my lips toward her ear. I make sure she can feel my erection through my slacks.
The elevator doors open. Ella tugs me down the hall. The way she wants me is amazing. Other women have wanted me, but only for sex. After they had me and knew how messed up I was, they didn’t want me again. The way Ella wants me is different. She wants my heart. My soul. And I’ll be damned if I don’t want to give it to her.
As soon as we’re inside her apartment, she kicks off her shoes, leads me to the couch, pushes me down, and straddles me. She looks at me with such heat, reverence, and intensity, I almost can’t