No Holds Barred(20)

“Don’t worry about it.” He slapped her ass on his way past her into the family room.

She jumped and narrowed her eyes at him in a mock glare, but secretly the playful gesture eased the guilt and embarrassment that kept eating at her. He was back to acting like just her buddy again, and for that she was grateful.

When Nathan walked into the kitchen, she kissed him and handed him some coffee. Together they all settled on the couch to watch the news. No one said anything, and neither of the guys seemed to want to talk about what had happened. Which was fine with her. She wasn’t sure what she had to say for herself anyway. The rest of that discussion would take place later, when she and Nathan were alone. She knew she couldn’t hide from it forever.

The last segment of the broadcast showed a report on the latest military casualties in Afghanistan. Cait’s stomach dropped at the thought of Liam heading back there. Aside from his parents and older sister, he’d have no one back home waiting for him when he returned. She wished he did. He deserved to be loved the way she loved Nathan.

When Nathan picked up the remote and turned the TV off, Liam stood and stretched. “Better get going if I want to clear security and make my flight.”

She and Nathan rose while he gathered his bags and coat. When he was at the door Nathan walked up and clapped him on the back, gave him a brief guy hug. “Take care, man. Call us when you can.”

“Will do.” As Nathan took their cups into the kitchen, Liam looked at her expectantly, but she stayed next to the couch and folded her arms over her chest.

God, she didn’t know what to say, what to do. She struggled to find her voice. “Bye. Take care of yourself.”

Liam hesitated another moment, then put on a smile and reached for the doorknob. “Bye.” The flash of hurt in his eyes before he turned away tore at her heart. The door opened.

He was leaving, heading to a warzone. Might never come back.

Fear gripped her. “Wait.” The word burst from her lips.

Before she realized what she was doing, she dodged past him and pushed the door shut. Liam watched her in silence, his eyes full of surprise that she’d stopped him. She couldn’t let him leave like this. Not after what they’d shared together. He deserved better than that. He meant too much to her.

Glancing over her shoulder, she looked at Nathan over by the kitchen sink to gauge his response, silently asking for his consent. She wouldn’t dare touch Liam this way without Nathan’s permission. His lips quirked, and his eyes warmed as he nodded in assent.

Turning back to Liam, she stepped close and wound her arms around his broad shoulders. He immediately put his hands on her waist, but his expression was full of curiosity. Staring into his dark eyes, Cait smiled as she eased her hands into his hair and tugged his head down. This was the goodbye she wanted to give him.

She kissed him tenderly, allowing her lips to part, and touched his tongue with hers. Liam made a low sound and cradled the back of her head with one hand, returning the kiss. It was nothing like the kisses they’d shared last night. This was soft, poignant, lacking the heat it had before. Her wordless thank-you for the pleasure he’d given and a way to mark the end of that link. When she pulled back, she saw the deep affection she felt between them mirrored in his dark gaze.

Cait stroked the back of his hair. “Promise me you’ll come back safe and sound.”

“I will, I promise.” He slid his thumb across her cheek, then looked over at Liam. “You lucky bastard. You better take good care of her.”

“Damn right I will.”

Liam grinned, met her eyes briefly and left.

As the door clicked shut behind him, Cait drew a deep breath and turned to face the man she would spend the rest of her life with.



Nate slowly unclenched his fingers from the edge of the countertop when the door closed and Cait turned around. For some reason watching her kiss Liam goodbye had been a thousand times harder than watching her go down on him last night.

Cait stayed frozen by the door, watching him. Her lower lip was caught between her teeth and her blue eyes were shadowed with worry. “Are you mad?” she asked quietly.

“No.” Not mad.

But he couldn’t deny he’d felt a twinge of jealousy when she’d kissed Liam. He knew he had no right to be jealous when he’d given his consent, especially after what they’d shared together last night, but he couldn’t help how he felt. She was his. He understood she cared about Liam, and that it was the only reason she’d been able to go through with it last night, but the dominant male in him demanded he claim her. Take her right now. Strip her naked right there on the foyer rug, drive his cock into her as deep as he could and remind her exactly who she belonged to. The intense bolt of possessiveness shocked him.