“No, Hales will help. We have to get the cake out too,” she replies in a soft voice only I can hear. I turn her in my lap and kiss her slow and sweet, an act that’s quickly becoming my favorite pasttime. When I pull away, her face is flushed. I kiss her on the temple and remove my arms from her waist, so she can get up. Hailey sees her get up and follows suit.
I turn my head and watch her walk out of the room. When I turn back around, I see my four friends doing the same. “Hey, you fuckers, that’s my girl and my little sister, look away.”
Aiden chuckles. “Sorry, man, no can do. Hales is hot, and since I just watched you paw at my sister for the past twenty minutes, I’m not going to turn my head when Hales gets up to walk out of the room.”
I glare at him, but don’t say anything. I know that he’s right. I just don’t want to admit it.
After dinner, which is delicious, we sit around playing our guitars and singing. We end the night watching movies. We start out watching The Hangover and end with Wrong Turn. Allison’s curled up in a ball on my lap with her face buried in my shirt. My night is perfect. Halfway through Wrong Turn I realize she’s fallen asleep. I gently lift her up off the couch and turn to Hales. “Night, Hales.” I then look at Aiden and the rest of the guys and nod as I carry Allison to my bedroom.
I know I can trust the guys with Hales, besides Aiden will protect her, just like I would. I know they were checking her out, Hales is beautiful, but they would never touch her. They know Aiden and I would beat the shit out of them if they did. Aiden and I’ve been inseparable for the past four years, and he has grown close with Hales and my parents in that time. He sees Hales as a little sister, just like he does Allison; at least that’s what he tells me.
Once in my room, I gently lay Allison on the bed before going to close and lock the door. I return to the bed to find Allison curled up in a ball. I retrieve my football jersey out of the closet and begin to slowly undress her. I have her shorts off, and I’m gently lifting her up to remove her top. I want her in my jersey. Caveman, I know, but I still see the images of her wearing Aiden’s. I want to erase that memory from my mind. Allison is my girl. As I lift her up, her eyes open.
“Liam? What time is it?” she asks groggily.
“Shh, baby, it’s late and you fell asleep. I’m just getting you changed for bed.” She sits up and lifts her arms over her head. I gently lift her tank and pull it off. I go to place my jersey over her head, but stop when I hear her soft voice.
“This too.” She’s pulling at the strap of her bra. I nod because speech is not possible. I gently reach behind her and unhook her bra and slide it off her shoulders. Allison bites her lip, and I can tell she’s nervous. Hell, I’m nervous, even after what she shared this afternoon. She lifts her arms, and I slide her into my jersey. Again, I’m too overcome with emotion to speak, instead I tug the covers back and motion for her to slide in.
As soon as she slides under the covers, she curls back up on her side, facing away from me. I stand here for I don’t know how long, just watching her. There’s an ache deep in my chest. I don’t know how it happened or when it happened, but this beautiful girl means the world to me. I’m brought out of my trance when a soft voice whispers, “Are you coming to bed?” Allison’s looking at me over her shoulder with concern written on her face. God, I love this girl…Wait! Holy fuck! Am I in love with her? I love her smile, her voice, the way she takes care of everyone. I love that she’s mine and I’m the one who’ll be holding her tonight, and I’m the one she’ll be waking up to tomorrow. I’m in love with Allison.
Instead of panic, I’m elated. I love her, and even though she may not be ready to hear it, I know it’s true. What a difference embracing your feelings can make. Shit, if I’m being honest, I think I fell in love with her the day we met. There’s no other explanation for the way I was consumed by her from the beginning. Never in my life have I felt this way. I start to wonder if Allison feels the same way. When she looks at me I can see affection, but is it love? I’m not sure, but I’m going to spend every day from here on out telling her how beautiful and amazing she is. Maybe in time she’ll love me, as long as she remains mine, I can deal with anything.
I turn off the light, slide into bed, and tug the covers up over us. I reach for her as she moves back to rest against my chest. I drape my arms around her and kiss her on top of the head. “Goodnight, beautiful girl,” I sigh with content. Finally, she’s where she belongs. We lie here quietly, enjoying being in the moment for quite a while until I can feel her body relax and I know she has fallen back to sleep. “I’m never gonna let you go,” I whisper before sleep claims me.
Chapter 23
Allison
I wake up feeling like I’m being crushed. I open my eyes, and it all comes rushing back to me. Liam. I’m lying flat on my back, and he’s sleeping soundly with his head on my chest, arms around my waist, and his leg thrown over mine. I can’t prevent the smile I know I’m wearing. He held me in his arms all night. I glance out the window and it’s still dark outside, good. This gives me some time to watch him in the shadows. I move my hand to his head and begin running my fingers through his hair. Liam has taken me by storm; body, mind, and heart. I was worried he would want more from me before I’m ready and even that he’s ‘playing me’ to get into my pants, but he’s treated me with nothing but love and respect. Love? I highly doubt it’s love, but I can tell he truly cares for me. The way he looks at me, touches me, holds me. He makes me feel cherished.
I can feel myself falling harder and faster by the minute. I’m scared as hell, but I’m going to go with it. I’m going to paint my colors on the canvas of life and see how the picture turns out. My greatest hope is Liam and I can continue on this journey together.
I continue running my fingers through his hair, watching him sleep, when a loud clap of thunder rumbles through. Not expecting it, I jump, and Liam bolts up. “Allie, what’s wrong?” I can’t contain the laugh that escapes me.
“Nothing, the thunder just scared me, I wasn’t expecting it,” I tell him as he pulls me into his arms.
“Did it wake you up, baby?” he asks softly as he strokes his fingers across my back.
“No, I was awake,” I reply just as softly.
“What? Why were you awake? Are you okay?” he asks.
I giggle at how concerned he is for me. “Liam, I’m fine. I was—I was watching you sleep.” I reach up and run my hands through his hair. “I was doing this, and memorizing everything I can about you.” I decide honesty is the best policy. Well, almost, I refuse to tell him I think I’m in love with him. Hell, to the no. That would scare him off for sure.
“I thought I was dreaming, but you’re really here,” he speaks softly, his breath tickling my neck.
“Yes, I’m here. You can go back to sleep. I’m sorry I woke you.” I curl tight against his chest.
Liam tugs the covers back over us and kisses the top of my head. “Can we spend the day together?” he groggily asks me. I’m not completely sure he’s not talking in his sleep. I hold in the chuckle that wants to escape me. I don’t want to wake him again if he’s sleeping.