Page 41 of Liam

“You good with sharing my bed? I won’t expect a single fucking thing from you, but I’m done waking up without you.”

“Can we do some stuff and see how that goes?” she asked, a flutter of nerves hammering at her neck at the excitement the thought of being with this handsome man elicited.

“We can do whatever you want, Princess. You’re in charge.”

Just like that, her nerves were gone and even though she was the novice, the virgin, a heady power surged through her because he gave her that.

Taamira nodded and then went to freshen her make-up, deciding to leave her clothes as they were. If Liam liked what she wore, then that was good enough for her. Plus, Pax had said it was casual.

AS THEY PULLED into the drive of the house Pax and Blake shared, Taamira let a smile tilt her lips. The home was new, as were all the others on the development, but they weren’t on top of each other. Each was detached with its own garage, front garden, and from what Liam said, a sizeable back garden too.

Liam came to her side of the car and opened the door for her. It was easy to forget the threat hanging over her most of the time as he didn’t bring it up. In his home they were cocooned in safety but watching the way he looked around before her ushering her quickly to the door where Pax was standing waiting for them with Blake, reminded her that life was not as perfect as she had been pretending.

“Come in, come in. Let me take your coats,” Pax said as she shoved the coats at Blake who rolled his eyes playfully.

Pax took her arm and guided her towards the living room, which was beautiful and airy but inviting and cosy at the same time. It was classic and timeless, just like the woman who lived there.

Taamira heard Liam behind her talking with Blake, but she concentrated on her new friend as she glanced around the beautiful home.

“Do you want the tour?”

Taamira nodded. “Yes, please.”

She wanted to see the place her friend called home, and as she admired each new room, she loved it more, seeing little touches she would like to add to Liam’s home if they got to that stage and he would allow it. He had taken great pains to renovate his farmhouse, and she loved it, but it did lack a certain softness.

As they ended up back in the kitchen that led to an open plan dining room where a large table was laid with silver wear and candles, she found Liam and Blake easily chatting.

“Did you see the cushions?” Blake asked as he tipped a beer to his lips.

Taamira frowned, unsure what he meant.

“Ignore him,” Pax said with an eyeroll at her man. “He doesn’t understand that cushions on a bed are an aesthetic.”

“They’re a pain in my ass is what they are, woman,” he said as he reached out and pulled her to his side, looking at her with a grin before dropping a kiss on her lips.

The look of love between these two made her feel like she was intruding until Liam pulled her back to his front, resting his chin on her shoulder, his arms around her waist, warm against her body.

Pax cast a look their way and grinned before turning to Blake. “Anything I can do?”

“Nah, babe, you go relax. I just need to give the tempura batter another whisk.” He winked at Pax who looked at Taamira.

“Did you ever think that sentence would sound so sexy?”

Taamira laughed but liked seeing this different side of Blake.

Pax wandered over to the side unit, which held a vast array of bottles of varying varieties.

Pax picked up a blue bottle of liquid, giving it a shake. “Do you like blueberries, Taamira?”

“Yes, very much.”

“Then you’re going to love this Blueberry Mojito mocktail.”

Pax set about mixing the drink for her after she handed Liam a beer. Pax didn’t skimp on presentation, sugaring the edge of the glass for effect. She handed it to Taamira, her hands clasped together in glee as Taamira took a sip and the fresh, minty, fruit flavour burst on her tongue.

“Ohh, that is delicious.”

She saw Liam wince and Blake chuckled as he did and she wondered what she had done to cause that response, but then Blake announced dinner was ready.