He cocked an eyebrow.
“I was just surprised, but actually, I don’t think it was even the same person.” That was kinda true. Maybe.
“Keep looking.” Liam watched me, his eyes assessing, while I scanned the crowd again. I tried to keep my expression neutral, but I was no match for his super soldier spidey senses. If I saw Snake Eyes, he’d know it.
“He’s not here,” I confirmed.
“What’s going on? What scared you?”
“Nothing. I was just surprised.”
“Jenna,” he murmured, his soft, deep voice both a warning and a promise. With Snake Eyes gone and Liam's arm heavy around my shoulders, my racing pulse settled into a new rhythm. Fear loosened its grip, and that electrified feeling hummed beneath my skin again.
“Really.” I met his intense gaze, letting every emotion show. “I’m good.”
“And now?” His voice dropped even deeper, his hand trailing warmth over my skin. “What are you thinking now?”
“Now I’m thinking that I want you to take me home.”
“Because of him?”
“No. Because of you.”
His eyes darkened and his fingers speared through my hair, gently holding me as his lips touched mine for the briefest of seconds. “Let’s go.” Tucked under his arm, he led me to his car. “Two things you need to know,” he said. “One, if anyone ever bothers you, you tell me right away. I’ll take care of it. And two, the plan was to stay out. When we get to your apartment, we aren’t going to do more than kiss. There’s no pressure.”
I felt a hundred percent safe with him. I’d rather be home safe with him, than here with Snake Eyes. I wasn’t going to let Snake Eyes ruin our night. I buried my face in the little groove where his pecs met his shoulder, the spot that was quickly becoming my favorite part of him, and wrapped my arms around him. Eager to take him home. Eager to kiss him more. Even if kissing led to touching.
My emotions on the way home were like a pinball machine. Flying high with excitement, then plunging with thoughts of how I hated touching and being touched and the memories of why. Wondering how I would do this with Liam. Those feelings and memories threatened to take over, but I pushed them away witha big screw you to Brian and the memories that lived in my head and my body. Like a flick of the lever on a pinball machine, I could send those feelings away, but they kept coming back.
The third time I tried to get the key in the lock, Liam put his hand over mine to stop me.
“I got it,” I said, not looking away from the door.
“You’re a nervous wreck. I’m going to walk you in, kiss you goodnight, and go.”
“No. Please stay.”
“Jenna.” His voice was almost pleading. I shook my head, still not looking at him, and he sighed. “Give me the key.”
He let us in easily. Thor whined and wiggled around us. He jumped up on me for a second before turning to Liam. Thor eyed him carefully, and I was ready to grab his collar, but after a long moment, Thor gave a little tail wag and booped Liam’s hand. Even Thor knew he was trustworthy. I just had to get out of my own head.
“Last time I was growled at, and this time I got welcomed. I’m glad I won your trust so easily,” Liam crooned to Thor, rubbing the side of his neck, before he leaned down and fake-whispered, “Help me with your mom, okay, buddy?”
Thor licked him, like he was agreeing to the conspiracy.
We let Thor out, and when we came back in, Liam sat on the couch, giving me much needed space while I took my time filling up Thor’s water and giving him a treat. I closed him in my bedroom because I had plans for tonight and I didn’t want him getting in our way.
Except, I was all out of things to do, and I wasn’t quite ready to act on those plans just yet. “Do you want water or lemonade? Anything to eat?”
“No thanks. Want to come sit with me?”
I nodded and walked over, giving myself a pep talk on the way.
Fuck Brian. Fuck Snake Eyes. Fuck touchy street vendors. None of you are ruining this. I’m going to go kiss the shit out of Liam, and none of you assholes have anything to do with it.
Yeah, I was so serious, I even cursed.
Like a woman with something to prove, I boldly sat close to Liam, leaning toward him. My hand landed on his knee, and I could see the surprise and desire in his eyes.