CHAPTER 23
CERYS
Several days into the holiday and I’m letting go, gradually. Months of stress are hard to push out of my system so quickly; but in the world of Malibu mansions and lazy days, the stress ebbs away. Liam ensures he’s around as much as possible, but I have days alone with Ella kicking around Liam’s house, being reprimanded for tidying by his housekeeper. Housekeeper.
After a couple of days of wariness, I gave in to my overactive mothering instincts and let Ella spend time with the young woman who is now her new friend. Liam’s right; Emily is lovely. She has a natural calm and the right balance between playful and authoritative with Ella. This and the exuberance for life she has reflect on everyone around her. I can’t let go completely, keeping away from them when Ella is in the pool proves difficult because she can’t swim, but Emily’s teaching her and has lifeguard qualifications. I gritted my teeth when Liam told me, of course she does.
Liam makes a couple of smug comments about how awesome he is finding Emily and making extra time for us, and I have to sigh and agree. The relaxed openness between us grows the more time we spend in each other’s company. He takes me out to restaurants, spoiling me, or we spend quiet evenings at his house or walking along the beach. And having a lot of body and soul-shattering sex.
Realistically, I’ve known Liam for years; but only now, are we learning who we are together. Following years of Craig’s ambivalence toward Ella and me, Liam’s every day attention and concern is both endearing and worrying. There’s still the niggling part of me that’s waiting for everything to cave in.
Ella’s in bed and Liam’s still out, I take advantage of the huge sunken spa bath in the bathroom adjoining the bedroom. The room is surrounded by floor to ceiling windows, including one opposite that leads to a small balcony with views to the ocean. A TV faces the end, but why anyone would want to watch it when the views are so peaceful. A handily placed table next to the bath is the perfect place to rest my glass of wine. As I look out at the sun setting across the ocean, streaking the sky orange on the horizon, the excitement bubbles inside as much as the water around me. This is what the lifestyle I’ve been given an access pass to is all about. I close my eyes, sinking into the water.
“Comfy there?” Water splashes my face and I open an eye. Liam stands at the edge of the bath, dressed in khaki shorts and a black shirt, hair tied into a loose ponytail.
“Yes, thanks,” I say and splash him back.
“Is Ella not around?”
“No, she’s in bed. But you’re not getting in here!”
Liam rubs bubbles down my nose. “Look at my self-control. Isn’t it awesome?”
“Not usually,” I say and grin.
“Well, just to prove a point, I’m going to sit here and show you I can behave.” Liam perches on the edge of the bath
“Sure, Liam,” I reply.
“But if you need help washing anywhere, I’m happy to oblige.” He looks into the water. “Too many bubbles…”
“How was your day?” I ask him before his train of thought leads to him climbing fully clothed into the bath with me.
“Pretty good. Missed you though.”
“That’s sweet.”
Liam inhales. “Don’t start; you’re not in a good position to win. How was your day?”
I sip my wine. “I spent all day in your pool with Ella. She’s going to be sad when we have to go.”
“She’s not the only one.”
“You’re coming back to Wales with us for a while though, aren’t you?”
“Yes, I’ll be around as much as I can, you know that. I hate being away from you. I feel like someone’s cut my arm off.” He wraps his fingers around my wet hand.
“That could prove tricky for a bass player,” I reply with a smile.
“You’re funny when you’re relaxed. You should do it more often.”
I poke my tongue out but I don’t feel relaxed. Why did I bring this subject up? Suddenly the wine is tasteless; and the need to get out and have Liam hold me edges in. I’m getting too used to having him around.
“I know what you mean, though,” I say and squeeze his fingers. “You’re this big force in my life; and when you’re away, it’s as if you pull a part of me with you. I can’t focus because I’m counting the days until you come back again. Even though I’ve waited years for you, this feels sudden and scary but real.”
Liam shuffles along the side of the bath and holds the back of my head gently. I ready myself for a hand slipping into the water and onto my skin, but it doesn’t come. The warm pressure of Liam’s mouth on mine takes me by surprise because his lips are gentle. Liam’s scent washes over me, the understated fragrance of his soap mingles with a sweet taste of mint on his breath. My Liam. He moves his mouth against mine, teasingly soft as he rubs a thumb against my neck.
“I love you, Cerys,” he says, green eyes searching mine as he continues to stroke my neck.
My breath hitches. He hasn’t mentioned how he feels since the day Craig came over, and certainly hasn’t told me. The days of fighting against telling him how I feel seem pointless now. “I thought I’d fallen in love with you years ago, Liam, but I was wrong.” For a moment, his eyes register panic and I shake my head. “Wrong, because now I know how it really feels to love you.”
Liam’s shoulders relax and he shifts forward for another kiss, this time hot and hungry, claiming my mouth. I sit forward and wrap my arms around him, the soapy water soaking his shirt. His words and the kiss dizzy me, pulling me into Liam, the man who dragged me through the blizzard and into something bright and new. My body fires to life; I ache for him everywhere and shift closer. Liam slides a hand across my wet back and then takes my shoulders, holding me away slightly.
“I have to stop; otherwise, I’m going to climb into that bath with you, and I promised I wouldn’t.” His breath warms my sensitive skin and I will him to touch me. “Get dry and we can sit outside.”
He stands; a wet patch against his t-shirt where our bodies met and unmistakable arousal in his shorts. I meet his eyes and he raises an eyebrow. “I told you I’d behave.” He throws a huge, fluffy white towel to me and says with his unmistakable Liam smirk, “I want to sit with you and watch the stars. I read in my romance manual that chicks like that.”
He wanders through the doors and sits in the darkness on the balcony. Taking calming breaths, I grab the towel and stand. As I leave the bathroom to find some clothes, I’m aware of Liam watching my every move.
Dressing in a pale blue sarong style dress, I then return to the balcony where Liam rests against the black rail looking over the ocean. Nothing is said as he winds an arm around my waist, as if this is a years old ritual. He nuzzles my neck and sighs. I snuggle in closer.
“Beautiful, amazing, sexy as f-uck Cerys loves me,” he whispers.
I hug his waist and rest my head on his damp T-shirt, the thud of his heart against my cheek, as the warm breeze sends the smell of the ocean. Snatched moments of pure happiness in life should be locked away, so we can access them when times are bad. Life couldn’t be more beautiful than this.