A Perfect Love (20 page)

Closing his eyes against his own tears, which mirrored my own, Liam’s voice was rough. “Baby, I’m so bloody sorry. Never again. I promise. I just wanted to make it all go away for you.” Tears balanced on his lashes when he opened his eyes and looked at me. “You think you hide your sadness, your pain…you think I don’t see it, feel it, but I do.”

There was no holding back. A steady stream of tears cascaded down my cheeks. My heart hurt. I hated this. I hated that I felt powerless as well as hated that Liam’s heart broke because of my own heartache.

“You’re so bloody strong, Jo, but I know that mask of yours too well.” He shook his head. “You’re not always honest with me or yourself. It’s my fault this has happened.” I made to speak, but he prevented me with a mirthless smile. “No, baby, it is. It’s my fault I’ve let you get away with it. Pretended that it’s all okay. Don’t get me wrong, I think we both honestly found closure a long time ago, but that doesn’t stop us both from hurting. So, I’m sorry for letting you down.”

Liam had me pegged; there was no denying it. Between my sobs, I managed a genuine smile when I looked through my sore eyes at him. “Okay. No more bullcrap. Deal?”

“No more bullcrap. Deal.” His salt-stained lips brushed against mine, with a tenderness and understanding that set my heart ablaze.

A new sense of rightness settled around my aching heart. I hadn’t realised there was a hollowness hidden away until Liam forced me to re-evaluate and look at it anew. Admitting your own deceptions to yourself was a whole different ballgame, one alien to me, but as thoughts of this fought with my body’s and heart’s desire to give in to the heat and love Liam offered, the reality and the truth of his words hit me.

He was right, something I rarely admitted, and a smile tugged at my lips at the thought. Liam pulled away, feeling me smile. He grinned in question, no doubt at my red, swollen face sporting a smile I was sure reached my eyes.

“I want.” I beamed at him, finally answering his initial question before our freeing talk. I was so pleased I could tell him exactly what I wanted and needed. Hell, there was no way I could survive in a relationship if I pussy-footed around when my needs were at stake. To hell with that.

After taking a moment for my words to register, a face-splitting grin appeared on his lips. He sat up and reached for the unopened packages, ready to get started and show me exactly how sorry he was.

Liam made good on his word and made me scream. I’d always been a tad noisy when orgasming, but with both toys at work simultaneously, my throat was hoarse. It would have been especially perfect if followed up by sex, but I was practically glowing with what I’d received, particularly because I’d pretty much laid on my back, spread my legs and let Liam do all the work.

However, when he pulled out the nipple clamps, I threatened to blacken his eye and attach them to his nuts. My threat, which was very real, had an immediate effect. He turned a funny shade of white and proceeded to hide them away. My breasts were growing rapidly and my nipples were becoming painfully sensitive, which had its pitfalls as well as its bonuses. But squeezing too much was definitely a no-no.

After multiple orgasms, which tasted so much sweeter with a lighter heart, we’d talked some more before drifting to sleep. Surprisingly, I slept soundly, without a single need to pee. Even though my eyes were still a little puffy, and Liam suggested I take the day off, I was keen to get back to our version of normal. While we were still awaiting news of David, I refused to allow myself to be consumed with overthinking his intentions or disappearance. Before Liam and I slept, when we had talked, I told him I was worried. He then told me Mace had someone looking out for me. Despite being fiercely independent, the news reassured me, settling my anxiety. I also wanted to call the station myself to talk to an officer to find out exactly what was going on.

Dumping our dirty breakfast dishes in the dishwasher, we headed out to our car and made our way to the office. Liam’s meeting was at nine, while I had some final designs to put together for another client. As soon as I was settled at my desk, I opened my emails, wanting to get on top of my admin before I got cracking.

Working through the mass of emails, some from accounts, some from potential clients, I half-wished I’d played ignorant and waited for Donna, our PA. She only worked on Wednesdays and Fridays and was crazy efficient. I knew it would only take her half the time it took me to sift through and respond to the emails waiting for answers. Opening one from Marcus O’Brien, a deep frown formed between my brows as I scanned it.

McKenny
.

That butt-monkey.

Once again, the living turd was interfering with one of our contracts. Fortunately, he couldn’t have done his homework properly. If he had, he would have known Marcus was a close friend of my parents and wouldn’t be seduced by whatever it was McKenny was offering.

For some reason, still beyond our knowledge,
McKenny
had taken a personal vendetta against our business. We were still miffed as to what his problem was. Liam had even challenged him about it, but to no avail. While he was a rival business, he was pretty big-time, unlike us. He also targeted different clients, had different specialisms in the industry. Regardless, he was on a mission to drive us out by poaching our clients. We had no idea how he even knew who our clients were; everything was confidential. Nevertheless, he was pissing me the crap off.

Returning an email to Marcus, offering my thanks, I held back from telling Liam until after his meeting. The last thing I needed was for him to be distracted. After the emotional drain of last night, with my emotions still high, a simple email regarding this tosser pushed me over the edge.

Unable to concentrate on my work, since I was all forms of pissed the hell off, I looked up McKenny’s number and dialled before I could overthink how annoyed Liam would be with me. I asked the receptionist to put me through to McKenny, giving my name.

McKenny’s smarmy voice travelled down the line. “Mrs Mason, what a pleasure. This is a surprise call.”

“Enough with the pretence, Marshall. Marcus O’Brien.” I left it at that. Never one to mince words, my pregnancy hormones seemed to ramp up my desire to cut through the BS.

A light chuckle drifted to my ears. “Marcus O’Brien?” He lifted the name into a question. “Am I supposed to know who he is?”

I bit back my desire to call him out and tell him to F off. Instead, I hardened my voice and continued. “Unless you’re willing to share with me what the hell your problem is, McKenny, I’m more than happy for this to be the last conversation we ever have. Truly.” I paused. The line remained silent. “No?”

Still silence.

“In that case, it needs to stop.
Now
. No more cloak and dagger, no more making contact with our clients, and no more trying to screw us over.”

“Now, now, Jo. I’m not quite sure where you’re getting your informa—”

I cut him off. “It stops. I’m not interested in anything you have to say. Just seriously, back off.” I heard Liam exit the conference room. I needed to wrap this conversation up. “Is that clear?”

“Crystal.”

“Fabulous. I really appreciate you taking the time to talk with me.” My heart was pounding quickly in my chest, banging so loudly I heard its beat. “Have a great rest of your day.” I hung up, averting my gaze to Liam, who was pulling out a file and heading back into the meeting room. He used his back to push open the door, sending me a cute wink as he did so.

Immediately, I relaxed. It was amazing how a simple gesture could put me at ease. My breathing steadied, my adrenaline no longer spiking. Looking at my sexy husband, I knew the call had been worth it. I’d do pretty much anything to secure Liam’s happiness, with the exception of nipple clamps, of course.

It didn’t take me much longer after the phone call to finish my admin tasks, and then I worked on some last-minute additions on a design for a client. By the time Liam emerged from the meeting room and said good-bye to his appointment, it was lunchtime and I was famished.

His hands clamped on my shoulders, he massaged gently, forcing a groan between my lips. Dropping my head forward, I enjoyed his firm fingers on my taut muscles.

“How’s your morning been?” he asked.

“Mmm…” Words were a struggle when he was loosening up my shoulders so darn well.

Chuckling, he paused his ministrations. “Come on. Let’s head out to lunch.”

The grumble forming on my lips from his still fingers stopped at the mention of food. “Sounds like a plan.” I hesitated a moment, wondering whether to tell Liam now or later about the email. Reluctantly, I stayed put a moment, opened the email and indicated toward the screen with my head. “You best read this first.”

Hands still on my shoulders, he leaned down and forward a little. “The little bloody shit.”

“I know.”

“This is getting out of hand. I’ve a good mind to—”

“Erm, I may have just called him and spoken to him.”

Liam stepped back and swivelled me around on my chair. “What happened?”

I recounted our conversation and his lips twitched slightly. “You know you shouldn’t have called him, right? He’ll only get on our case for harassment or something equally obnoxious.”

“He can bloody well try.”

Liam smiled at me, affection shining in his eyes. “I love you, woman.”

Standing, Liam held my hand.

“I might talk to Mace about this one. It’s his business, too. Plus, Mace has the contacts to dig around a little.” He pulled his mobile out of his pocket and flicked a quick text off.

It was a great idea, and I mentally berated myself for not thinking of it myself. “Are you texting him now?”

“Yep. No time like the present.”

Smiling at Liam’s swiftness—he was all about immediate action—all thoughts of McKenny were pushed to the back of my mind as we headed for the short walk into town, only pausing to lock up.

A warm breeze surrounded us as we made our way down the street, bringing with it the salty sea air. Autumn was my favourite season in Queensland. After yet another crazy-hot summer, the welcome drop in degrees made the daylight that much sweeter. Rather than chasing me into an air-conditioned building, it was instead bliss when the sun touched my shoulders.

“Can we sit outside to eat?”

“Sure thing,” Liam replied, squeezing my hand lightly. “What do you fancy?”

“Let’s just head to the bakery. That way I can grab a sandwich as well as a slab of cake.” I hesitated. “Or maybe a pastry?”

Laughing, I turned to look at him, loving the warmth of his smile. “How about both?” He glanced my way and winked.

“Sounds like a plan.” My stomach did a little happy dance. Pastry and chocolate, and cake, and ice cream—okay, anything high in calories and delicious—were my vices of late. And the thought of having double intake of yummy goodness was all it took to have me bouncing with excitement.
Oh, how my life has changed.
I marvelled at the thought.

Finishing off the cinnamon swirl, I licked my fingers. Darting out my tongue, Liam’s voice made me freeze. “Stop.” Tongue half out, I raised a brow in question. “Let me.” He grinned.

My heartrate jumped a notch as his lips found mine, and he proceeded to kiss and lightly trace my lips with his tongue. By the end, I grinned like a fool and was horny. Contemplating the man before me, a surge of warmth flooded me, reaching my heart and making it swell. I loved him so bloody much.

His hotness was a help, since he was drop-dead gorgeous, but with all we had been and continued to go through, he was my constant strength. That strength alone was enough to flip the heat levels to inferno between us, my love for him the catalyst beneath every single emotion I held.

“Do you want to make out?” A grin stretched across my face. I was deadly serious. I also knew that a make-out session at the picnic table was not the ideal place. I was desperate to mount and ride him, but I would imagine the locals would have a few choice words to say about that.

Tilting his mouth with a smile, he clasped my hands and stood, tugging me up. “You don’t need to ask me twice, baby. I’m always ready for you.”

He spoke the truth. Just a slight hint of the possibility of sex, and he was hard. Horny teenager didn’t even cover it. It had always been the same. His readiness for me did wonders not only for my own libido, but for my ego, too. Being desired by the man you loved—bumps, lumps, snoring and all—was pretty bloody awesome.