My brain is aching, and my eyes are burning. I didn’t sleep at all last night. What I did do to try and control my hurt and fury is something I never do. I drank, and now I’m the idiot paying the price.

Hangovers are why I limit myself to a few glasses of wine when I feel the urge to have something. Which is rare. But this time I felt I had the right to be livid. I took it out on my body by indulging in two bottles and a couple of shots of my dad’s whiskey he left behind.

I rub my temples and close down my laptop. It’s noon, and my work is done for the day. I’m thankful there isn’t much need for me to be in the office now that we are starting the season. It’s not like I won’t go in; I simply didn’t feel like it today.

I’m so damn angry and hurt that hangover or not, I would have torn into Sage or anyone else who crossed my path if I had left my house, and I’ve learned the hard way to keep my personal life away from work. Although, my work is entirely different from my family’s; there aren’t guns going off or punches being thrown to throw a person’s mind off guard. The point being, when you walk out the door in the morning, you leave your personal life behind. Better yet, don’t mix business with pleasure, and that’s what Liam did.

I can’t believe he had the nerve to ask me if I would do such a thing as sleep with Carson. I’m confused and hurt. We never even settled it, and it’s all driving me mad.

We’ve never talked about trust, and that right there is the biggest issue standing in our way.

That, plus I think we were both too caught up in connecting with each other when we should have addressed him not trusting me. Trusts are broken, and deceit leaves a long-lasting bitter taste in a person’s mouth. I get it. I do. But for him to accuse me of sleeping with the one person I know would hurt him stings badly.

I consider myself a good judge of character, and Carson Harrington has none. He’s been fined more times than I can count for taunting the fans after scoring a touchdown. He was arrested several years ago during the offseason for blackening his ex-wife’s eye. Douche was caught on camera and couldn’t fall back on any excuses or high-dollar attorneys. I’m well aware of the man and the things he can do. Not to mention the dirty play he pulled on Liam. The scumbag gives me the creeps.

“Hey.” I look up from the spot on the floor holding my attention. My hands automatically rub up and down my thighs. Liam is standing in my doorway. He looks worse than I feel. Needless to say, the sight of him has my heart chirping.

“Hi,” I mutter, my anger slowly fading, and my hangover is barely clinging on now that he’s here.

“You really should start using the alarm system. It was installed for a reason.”

I blanch on the inside. He’s right.

“I need to write myself a sticky note and leave it on my pillow. Would that make you happy?” I can’t help the snark in my voice. My anger is flaring back up. More like hurt and pain caused by the man I love more than anything.

He has to be telling me that out of concern. It’s impossible for him to know about the lingerie. I haven’t told anyone about it besides Danika, and if I did, I wouldn’t tell Liam unless I absolutely had to. I’d almost forgotten about it until he brought up my odd behavior the other day. It took me several days for a calming to settle in my stomach after receiving that box. I’ve slummed it off when I shouldn’t.

Liam picks up one of the empty wine bottles that haven’t made it to the trashcan and waves it in the air. “Drink a bit too much?”

“Are you going to chew my ass? Accuse me of being an alcoholic? And no, I didn’t get wasted with Carson or any other man last night.” I stand, sway a bit with my head spinning. It’s not spinning from the hangover. It’s rage.

Liam places the bottle back down on the counter and grips the top of his team hat he has on backward. “Jesus. Not what I came over here for.”

“Were you going to check my bed sheets?” I snarl.

“You’re acting childish. Let me talk.”

“Fine.” I cross my arms. “Speak, almighty number eleven. There. Is that childish enough for you?”

“I’ll take every single one of your jabs. I deserve it.” He leans on the counter with his arms relaxed at his sides. “Saying I’m sorry isn’t good enough for the way I acted. I can’t stand here and make up some lame bullshit about not trusting you, because I do.”

“You sure about that? Last night proved otherwise, Liam. I mean, accusing me of fucking a man like him. I’m not that type of woman. Never have been. I respect myself a little too much to go sleeping around. I respect my family. Honor them. And most of all, I care about you and the life I’ve dreamed about us having. We have nothing if there isn’t trust.” I take a step toward him, refusing to bottle in one single emotion coursing through me. I’m not about to keep them tucked away until something is said and done to trigger them. This shit needs to be cleared out. I’ve suffered long enough for my actions, and I’m not about to be persecuted the rest of my life for it.

“I lost my shit last night. Took the hatred I’ve felt for a long time for Carson and dumped it on you. He lit me up the one way he knew how. Lesson learned. I’d take it back if I could. I’m sorry, Justice. Fuck, I’m so damn sorry.”

I snap my mouth shut. It’s then I notice he really does look like hell. He has bags under his eyes indicating a sleepless night. Good. My fingers itch to touch him. I'm not giving in to him that easily. I roll it around in my head. I get it. Pressure does crazy shit to the psyche. But one thing needs to be made clear. I will not be his outlet to dump all of his anger and temper on. I’ll never be anyone’s punching bag in that sense.

I drop my chin onto my chest, closing my eyes and rolling around what I want to say in mind. When I open them, I look him straight in the eye. “I get what you’re saying, Liam. I do. I understand how much stress we’ve been under. The thing is, I’ll never stay in a relationship where snap judgments are made, and I get the brunt of it. You hurt me. Nobody in the world besides you has the power to make me feel the way you did. I said some terrible things, too, and I’m sorry.”

He closes the space between us.

“Do you know how big of a man I felt like last night? A fucking coward. I’d take it all back if I could. What I do know is, I promise to never take out my aggression on you again. I’ll walk away and cool off before I do it again.” I hope he means it. This bottomless feeling inside of me hurts so bad I can barely breathe.

“I don’t know what he said to you, Liam. You need to keep away from him and anyone else who will try to get under your skin. He’s not a nice man. Don’t you dare play me again.” I take the final step toward him with my hands going to his chest. “I’m not going to lie and say it doesn’t still hurt. I’m gone the next time it happens, no matter how much I love you. Without trust and communication, we have nothing, no matter how grand our love is for one another.”

“I do trust you. It’s my reactions I don’t trust, and that’s on me. Something I’ll never let get in the way again.”

“How can you promise that, Liam?” I tilt my head to the side, staring up at him.

“Because there’s no way in hell I’ll ever lose you again. I’d walk through hell before I let that happen.”

“Okay, then, I’m trusting you’ll keep your word,” I whisper, hoping if I put the one word that builds a foundation to many things out there, he’ll grip it tightly in his hands.

Liam reacts by placing his hands on my hips, tugging me to him, leaving no space between us. He drops his forehead to mine. There’s no speaking, no kissing. All we do is take each other in.

The silence of my house wraps around us, promising and coaxing us to fall into each other. Relationships have ups and downs. Lord knows I’ve experienced this firsthand with my parents. The road will always be bumpy. However, my being in this man’s arms will always come above everything else in my life.

I close my eyes. Both of our breaths are shaking. "Thank you," I say barely above a whisper.

"For what?" he replies, voice low and husky.

"For being you." My voice wavers on the verge of tears. I’m elated to be rid of the tension between us.

I lean in and kiss his warm lips softly at first. Soft isn’t good enough for him. He cradles my head in his hands and pulls me into a fiery and passionate kiss while my arms work their way around his neck.

When we pull apart and open our eyes, our gazes are deeper than they ever have been. Mine full of the next chapter in our lives, his full of desire.

I’m lifted off my feet with no warning. My legs dangle and fight to wrap around Liam’s waist. He groans into my mouth, not breaking contact with my lips as my ass lands on the hard surface of my kitchen island. Liam leans in, forcing me back until my spine is pressed against the marble.

He breaks our connection. “Liam,” I moan. I want him so bad I ache in places only he can ignite.

“Shhh, baby. Let me take care of you. I’m going to erase yesterday and cement my promise never to repeat history.” The man stands at full height, towering over me. He tosses his hat to the side and then reaches behind his neck, swiping his shirt off. I hear his zipper go down and lift up enough to see him place his hand down his pants. I lick my lips at the sight of him squeezing his cock. I swear it’s the man’s habit.

“Am I going to be getting a show?” I ask, quirking up an eyebrow.

Something fierce goes up in flames inside of him. With his free hand, he reaches for my booty shorts, yanking them down in one pull. My panties are next. I reach up with my right foot to run it along his bicep as he continues to squeeze and stroke his rock-hard cock, exposing myself to him in the process. “Fucking hell,” he mutters as he glues his eyes to what waits for him between my legs.

God, we must be a sight. One I stock away to memory. I’m dripping wet, he’s stroking his dick, and at this point no one or nothing outside of this house matters. All I care about is that I could explode watching him. My hangover and anger are long forgotten.

His million-dollar hands dig into the flesh of my hips, pulling me to the edge of the counter. My skin tingles when he slides his hands down my legs, grips my ankles, and slings my legs over each of his shoulders, spreading me wide. His head dips low. I feel his warm breath against my heated flesh. I’m dying for him to touch me. The bomb inside of me starts its countdown when he plunges two fingers inside of me, causing me to arch my back off the counter and scream out his name. His tongue glides up and down my wet folds coupled with the vibration from his growls. His fingers work relentlessly inside of me.

“Liam. Oh, my God! Liam.” My hands go to his hair, tugging and pulling. “I’m so close.”

I feel him smile against my pussy for a split second, then his teeth graze my clit, setting me off. I writhe under him, forcing his face further down, riding out every last sensation. My body collapses against the island.

I’m up in the air and slammed against his chest. His ass sits on the edge of the island. This time I do manage to get my legs wrapped around his waist. Feet firmly planted on the sides of his hips. The tip of his cock slowly pushes into my opening. Liam doesn’t go slow. He lifts me up slightly and slams me onto his cock again and again. Fucking like a man who almost lost everything, and it does something to me. It settles deep into the core of my soul, making me fall harder for the raw, honest, and hardworking man.

He flexes his hips working in and out of me. I bury my face in the crook of his neck, biting down on his sensitive skin. It makes him fuck me wild.

“I can’t lose you, baby.” Liam picks up his pace, spinning us around and pressing my back into the wall. “I will fucking show you every single day how much I need you.”

I lift my head and seal my lips to his. His thrusts are grueling, unforgiving, and driving me fucking mad. I feel his dick pulse inside me, a sure sign he’s close.

I pull back and stare at him. The pure concentration and pleasure bathing his features set me off from head to toe. The orgasm is so powerful it makes it hard to get my words out. “Always fall into me. I love you.”

With my last word, the climax of my release crescendos and I scream out his name while he growls deep and rough, digging his fingertips into my flesh, all the while his warm seed coats my insides.

He drops his head to the crook of my neck, our bodies coated in sweat. “Fuck, that was intense.”

“Yes, it was,” I agree.

“We need to do that again, just not the way we got here.” He peppers soft kisses up and down my neck.

“That can be arranged.” I dig my fingers into the back of his broad shoulders.

He chuckles into my neck, takes a step back, balances me in his arms, and strides back to my bedroom. As he rounds the corner, I hear it happen before he cries out in pain. A loud thump, followed by, “Son of a bitch!” as he howls in pain.

I can’t help but laugh.

“Jesus Christ.”

I howl in laughter as he dances around with me in his arms. His toes have always been sensitive, and I have no doubt he just stubbed his toe on the trim outside of my bedroom door. Everything happens so damn fast. He leans forward, fights to steady himself, but forward movement wins out. Liam tumbles with me attached to his front. We sail to the ground, and I brace myself for the impact. But somehow, in a miracle quarterback move, he twists us midair. He lands with a big umph on the carpet, right on his back with me straddling him.

“My toe,” he winces.

I can’t control my laughter. Tears roll down my face at the sight of a monstrous man who rules the turf whining about his toe and nearly taking us both out. My laughter dies down when something hard glides up my ass.

“Seriously?” I wipe away the tears of laughter from my face and plant my hands on his chest.

“All your fault, princess.”

I tilt my head in silent question.

“You made me stub my toe. I was focused on the way your breast were bouncing and how much I wanted to slide my cock in between them, and then you go and land on me with your tight wet pussy. Jesus, I’m as hard as the wood I slammed my toe into. Fix me up.” He shoots me puppy dog eyes.

“How?” I play dumb.

His hands once again go to my hips, lifting me up and thrusting himself inside me.

We fix each other up right there on the carpet. The bed a few feet away remains empty until our sated bodies collapse into it.

I thank God for early Monday morning game film review.