Pain still radiated from her hand, but her ankle was feeling a little better. Flashes of the day before hit out of nowhere and she had no clue how to stop them. Then Liam was there, his hands on her and she felt safe. The memories of the asshole standing over her, threatening her disappeared.

When Liam picked her up and carried her to the bathroom, all she could think about was getting him into bed. She needed to feel his love.

Desire filled his eyes, but he was being so nice, too nice. It was obvious he didn’t want to injure her.

“You’re injured.” His eyes flicked over her body and she could see the desire plain as day on his face.

She reached for the front of his shirt and drew him closer, needing the connection. “You can do all the work, and I can just lie there.”

Liam’s tongue darted out and he licked his lips. “How about after lunch, if you want?”

Desperation filled her. “I need this now. I need to feel something other than the fear. I want to feel life again.”

“I don’t want to hurt you.”

Her heart squeezed, and she cupped his cheek, thinking she was the luckiest woman alive. “I’ll tell you if it hurts. Even if it’s you jerking off beside me while I watch, I need it. I need some image in my head that isn’t that guy standing over me as he explained how he would rape me.”

His face scrunched up, and he gave her a sharp nod before he picked her up and carried her into the bedroom. He helped her undress before he tugged off his clothes. Her body heated as she drank in the sight of him. The bad was melting away. This image of Liam unbuttoning his jeans, pushing them low, shoved away the other images.

He dropped to the bed beside her and she sighed. The stress dissipated. When he spooned her, she relaxed a little more. Every touch Liam branded her with his love, vanquishing the demons from the day before.

He slid his hand over her belly, setting off a firestorm of desire. Then his fingers were on her clit and fire consumed her. Little kisses on her neck and shoulder were like bursts of love, blowing away all the bad. He moved, positioning his cockhead at her opening. She knew he didn’t have a condom and she didn’t care. She just wanted him.

When he slid in, it felt like life. Her body shook and he moved closer. His body plastered against her, driving her wild. Making love with Liam stripped away the bad.

His fingers were like magic on her body, taking her higher. Liam pressed against her clit, sending a shudder through her. He did it again and she bucked her hips. He chuckled, his breath a warm tickle on her skin.

“That’s it, babe, come for me.”

Her muscles clenched, time stood still as everything in her being was brought to the brink then released as her orgasm ripped through her. She cried out his name as she came. Bliss blanked her brain and finally she relaxed.

Liam tightened his hold on her as he stroked in. Being with him felt so good. When he grunted her name, everything felt right. For a moment, everything fell in line and life was as it should be. No bad memories, just the two of them together, loving each other.

They drifted back to earth, peace filling her. He slid out but didn’t move away. She turned her head and smiled. “Thank you, you pushed away the bad.”

His eyes softened, and he moved to kiss her. She opened for him, allowing him to lead the kiss. When he pulled back, his eyes were filled with wonder. She couldn’t believe this man was hers.

“You’re an amazing woman.”

“I love you,” she said.

“Every day, Lorelei, I’m going to work to make sure you know you’re loved.”

She adjusted, careful with her injured hand. With her good hand, she reached over and cupped his face. “And I’m going to make sure you know you’re appreciated and loved.”

“I can’t believe someone as wonderful as you wants a guy like me.”

With some effort, she sat up and turned to face him. “Don’t discount yourself, you’re amazing.”

He shook his head. “I know I’m just average. I just…the first time I saw you, I felt something so pure. I wasn’t sure you would want me too.”

“Liam, why wouldn’t I want you? You make my heart sing. I’m not just saying I love you when I say those words, I’m saying that you changed me for the better. You made my life wonderful. You changed everything.”

His eyes grew bright, and he moved to pick her up, placing her in his lap. His arms around her were reminders of love, bringing her so much happiness it was crazy. “And you changed everything for me.”

She laughed and moved so she could look into his eyes. Her breath caught as emotions filled her. Love was such a strange thing. It filled her, but she couldn’t measure it. Every part of her was drawn to him. She knew life with Liam would be amazing.

His lips turned up in a smile and she felt a bubble burst as laughter trickled up. “Forever?” Lorelei asked.

“Forever, my love.”

His lips on hers were warm like home. His hands were kind, not possessive, and his love was perfect. She couldn’t ask for anything more. Liam had brought happiness to her life she hadn’t known she’d been lacking.