Only One (Ward Sisters Book 2) (20 page)

“I was being rhetorical. Of course I didn't forget. It wasn't forgettable, even after I met Liam. Despite the fact that he's the love of my life and is
my
One.”

“I know what you're saying. I'll never forget it, either. I think everyone must have someone unforgettable like that.”

“Yes, I think they probably do. Thanks.”

“For being yours?” He laughed.

She smiled, though he couldn't see her. “For asking Rick to put Liam on Emily. Did he tell you that he's coming to see me for the Globes? He said he'd come even if he has to take vacation.”

“Really? Wow. That's a first. I'm hoping Emily will still be around then. If she is and she comes to the Globes, then he'll be there for sure. I'll talk to Rick about what we can do for her if that doesn't work out. I want him to come see you if he's willing. This is a big step for him.”

“Don't I know it. So thanks again, for keeping him away from Ally. Don't tell me that wasn't part of the motive.”

“Got me. I'll talk to you tomorrow.”

They hung up and she had to smile. She loved Rob.

**********

When Rob met Emily Ward, it threw Jenna's life into chaos. Her carefully orchestrated social networking machine turned into a circus overnight. The searches became more extensive and her algorithm programming grew progressively more elaborate. She was up for the challenge, but it was a lot of work. Thankfully, she had two of Amy's publicity team employees to help her.

She and Rob had less time to talk than they had in the past. Their daily chats used to be about 1% work and the rest was personal. Now, it was nearly the opposite and often, Emily sat – or, she imagined, lay there naked – beside him.

Rob had been her straight, male confidant for years. That was something she was seriously lacking at the moment while he was distracted in the land of the newly in love.

When Emily returned to Maine for a week after the Globes, things calmed a little. There had been very few pictures of Emily while she was away from Rob, and that meant less new material to handle. Jenna finally had a moment to herself and she figured Rob would be alone. Plus, she wouldn't be interrupting him having sex with his girlfriend. Again.

He answered on the initial ring for the first time in weeks.

“Hey, gorgeous.”

“Good, you're alone.”

He laughed. “How do you know that?”

“Because you only call me that when you're alone or when it's the two of us. You never say it around anyone else because then it would beg answers to questions we both would like to avoid.”

“You got me. Do I hear a little jealousy?”

“Yes you do.” A lot of jealousy, actually.

“You know you'll always be my best girlfriend.”

“I know that. And you know I'm still desperately in love with your best friend. It doesn't mean I don't hate being relegated to the number three spot.”

“Oh, hon, you're far and above Lola. You always were.”

“You didn't like sleeping with her more than me? Because you slept with her a lot more than you slept with me.”

Rob laughed harder. “Because we agreed that we would be friends and not friends with bennies. And then you met Liam.”

“True. At least when I meet your girlfriend, she won't wonder if we're more than friends. I think we hide it well.”

“You mean the fact that we reminisce fondly about sleeping together, despite both being in love with other people?”

“Yes. That. I'm more jealous of Emily because I miss my best guy friend.”

“I thought Christopher was your best guy friend?”

“He doesn't count as a
guy
friend. I can't ask him for objective male advice.”

Rob huffed a laugh. “You sure I'm objective? Liam is my best friend and I've seen you naked. My perspective isn't objective.”

Jenna laughed. “No, but it's at least male. And straight. I know just how straight you are. There is
no
question of that.”

“No. No question. I missed flirting with you. Our daily calls haven't been nearly as fun lately.”

“Sorry about the repeated phone calls that time. I was a little frantic. Not Rob-could-be-dying frantic, but close. Did I really ruin the moment for you?”

“No. I told you then that I was ignoring you. I always answer immediately when I can. It worked out okay. That was some of the best sex I've ever had, actually. It's
insanely
hot when she's distracted.”

“Okay, now I really am jealous.”

She used to be the best he'd ever had. He'd told her that more than once.

“Oh, stop. I've heard you and Liam. You scream for him all the time. I feel bad for him. He's heard us on more than one occasion and I'm sure it made him miss you like crazy.”

“Did it make him miss me so much that he had to have sex with Reggie during the Globes, even though he was supposed to be coming to see me?”

“You know it wasn't his fault that he couldn't see you. He was seriously bummed when I gave him a hard time about the fact that you were really busy. And I don't think he called Reggie. I think she found him when she was at the house getting us ready.”

“Did he sleep with her in our bedroom?”

It made her blood boil to think Reggie had approached Liam – which she'd said she wouldn't do – and had the nerve to sleep with him in the bed she knew he'd shared with only Jenna.

“No, Jen. I meant I think she talked to him then and suggested he come visit her at her place the next day. He barely had time to go to L.A. for a few hours. He'd much rather have had you sleep next to him at the house the whole week.”

“I would've worked from there, but I had four computers running at once and two of them were desktops. The algorithms were too big for the laptops to process simultaneously. It was too much to contemplate packing it all up and dragging it to Malibu, even though I know you have a top-notch system in place.”

“Don't sweat it. He was disappointed, but he survived.”

“Right. Because he screwed Reggie. I'm beginning to wonder if he'll ever commit to me. It has been
three
years. Did you know I've only slept with the two of you in the past six years?”

“No. Why didn't you sleep with anyone between me and Liam?”

“You ruined me. If I kissed a guy and he wasn't as good as you, I didn't bother seeing what else he could do. It wasn't worth my time to have casual sex with anyone who wasn't going to do to me what you did. I knew from past experience that I'd get better results on my own.”

“And Liam was different.”

“Liam is the love of my life. It's a given that he was different. I know he has to admit to himself he's in love with me on his own, but it's wearing on me. It's been months since I last saw him. How can we keep doing this? Now, he's guarding your girlfriend full-time and he'll never be around here. I miss him, and I still love him, but I don't know how much longer I can wait for him.”

“I'll see what I can do. Maybe after Sundance, Em can attend my agency party, and you can see Liam for a few days then.”

“Thanks. For listening and for trying. I'm not sure it's enough anymore. Reggie said she's going to Sundance. They're going to sleep together then. I know it.”

“Just have faith. He'll come around.”

“You've been saying that for three years, Rob. When will it happen?”

Chapter 14

Malibu, California, seven months ago...

It was a month after Christmas before Liam finally saw Jenna again. She was inundated with work after Rob and Emily became a public couple, and she had no time to see him when he went to L.A. for the Globes, despite their plans to the contrary. Instead, he slept with Reggie a couple of times, though it was harder to enjoy it when he'd been hoping to be with Jenna.

Between the Globes and Sundance, Liam went to Maine for a week with Emily and helped her move out of the place she shared with her ex, Josh.

In Park City, he had to watch the Deacon siblings and their partners, who wanted to have sex every chance they got. So, when Reggie arrived, he was glad, if only because there was relief for his blue balls.

But, while he was outwardly bummed when Reggie said she was leaving the team and moving to New York, he was inwardly relieved. It was bittersweet. He cared about her, but he knew it was a blessing in disguise and he said goodbye to Reggie with the intent of never being with her again.

Given that he'd be following Em around, Liam had formally ended things between him and Ally. He'd avoided her since the time she'd made him feel like a prostitute, and he hadn't seen her since, but he wanted to make sure she knew it was over for good.

His mom had said Dana was really serious about someone, might even be getting engaged. Not that Dana would speak to him, since she was pissed about him running out that time. She'd have forgiven him if he'd slept with her when last she suggested it. He'd declined.

Maybe, Liam thought, he could finally stop screwing around and commit to one person. If that one person still wanted him.

Liam was excited when Emily said they'd head to L.A. for a couple of days when they left Utah. She'd invited Jenna for dinner the first night they were there, and he was so thrilled that he could hardly contain himself.

God, had he missed her.

When Jenna walked through the door, the smile that spread across his face was matched by the fact that he couldn't breathe.

She was more beautiful than ever, maybe because he hadn't seen her in a while and he'd forgotten how gorgeous she was. As she hugged him, he couldn't help it, he had to kiss her. Liam had missed her mouth, her lips, her tongue dancing with his. They got lost in the moment until he remembered that they weren't alone. All night, he wanted to touch her, hold her hand, be close to her.

At one point, Jenna disappeared into the house with Emily for wine and blankets, and Liam helped Rob build a fire in the fire pit.

“What's going on with you two?” Rob asked.

“Fuck if I know. I can't stop touching her. I wanted to take her to bed as soon as she walked in the door.”

“You in love with her?”

“I don't know. I really don't. I'm not sure if it's just the sex or if it's more than that. But I miss her. I miss her all the time.”

“I think you're in love with her.”

“I still don't think I'm ready to get married. She has to want that by now. If not with me, with someone.”

“Don't hurt her, okay?”

“I won't. Not on purpose. I ended things with the others.”

“Did you? You going to try to make it work with Jenna?”

“I don't know. I'm not sure what she wants right now. And I don't know how much I can commit. I can be faithful to her, but I don't know if I can give her more than that yet.”

“Here they come. Just be careful with her, okay?”

Liam nodded. He pulled Jenna in for a hug and kiss. They cuddled under the blanket, talking and drinking wine for a few hours. Liam found himself subconsciously putting his hands in Jenna's shirt, caressing her breasts. He loved her breasts.

Finally, she said she was tired and suggested they head to bed. They walked slowly, quietly, hand in hand, upstairs to his bedroom.

When they arrived at the room, he shut the door softly. She shoved him into the door and kissed him, passionately. Around kisses, she said, “I missed you, baby. I missed you so much.”

“I missed you, too. Let's not rush it, okay? I want to get you there more than once and I know it's better for you if we work you up first.” He threaded his hands in her silky hair.

“I've been worked up since you kissed me when I walked in the door.” She trailed her fingers down his chest to his pants.

“Have you, now?” He kissed her lips, her neck.

She moaned. “Yes. I thought I was going to die while you were touching me downstairs. I wanted to climb on your lap and dry hump you, but I didn't think Rob and Emily would appreciate it.”

He looked at her. “You should have said you wanted to come up here sooner.”

“She invited me for dinner. I didn't want to be rude.”

Liam shook his head. “Jenna, they're probably getting naked as we speak. They'd have gladly been alone sooner.”

She ran her hands up his chest and around his neck, pressing her hips into his. “I'll try to remember that for the future. Now take off my clothes and show me that you missed me. My vibrator isn't cutting it anymore.”

Liam laughed. “Jesus, woman, you know how to make a man hard in an instant. Now I'm jealous of your vibrator.”

“Are you? You haven't been with anyone else recently?”

“You know I was with Reggie in Utah. I know she told you.”

“So why would you be jealous of my vibrator, then?”

“You know why. I'm only with other people because I miss you.”

“See, that should sound romantic, but it sounds like a cop-out for cheating on me.”

“Jenna...”

“I know. We weren't exclusive, so it's not cheating. But when you say that, it sounds like you're making excuses for cheating.”

“I don't want you to feel like I'm cheating on you.”

She pulled away. “Then stop sleeping with other people.”

“I'm not.”

“Funny, having sex with Reggie a few days ago sounds like sleeping with other people to me.”

“We're done. She's gone and that's that. I broke things off with Ally before I left Minnesota. And Dana isn't speaking to me because I wouldn't sleep with her the last time I was home.”

“Which was?”

“Last summer.”

“Oh.”

He pulled her back into his arms. “I'm only sleeping with you. No one else. Now, can I show you how much I missed you?”

“Yes, please.”

Despite her insistence that she was revved and ready to go, he took his time touching and tasting her, for himself as much as for her. He'd missed everything about her.

He made love to her slowly, savoring the connection, loving the feel of sliding inside her. Usually, one of them came first and the other followed, but for once, they came together. It was intense, powerful and he found himself whispering, “I love you.”

Jenna darted back and he felt the condom break. His eyes grew wide and she reassured him, “It's okay. Remember, I'm on the pill? Double protection.”

Liam pulled out and helped her fish out the condom, which made her squirm. When he got rid of it, he lay back down on the bed and pulled her into his arms, caressing her back. After a few minutes, without leaning away to look at him, finally she said, “Liam, did you say you love me?”

It freaked him out a little to have finally admitted it, but since he knew she heard him, he couldn't lie. He inhaled deeply, and on the exhale, he said, “Yeah.”

“Do you really love me?”

He sighed, somewhat relieved to be honest. “Yeah.”

“How long have you loved me?”

“I don't know. Maybe since that first night we were together.”

She sat and gaped at him. “Seriously?”

“If not then, shortly after. I was falling then, for sure.”

“Why didn't you tell me before?”

“Why do you think?”

“You weren't ready to settle down?”

“I'm still not, Jenna. I'm still scared of all of it.”

Her shoulders sank. “Then why did you tell me?”

He started playing with her hair again. “I don't know. I guess I felt like you should know.”

She gave him a sad smile. “You know, I've been in love with you for years.”

He shrugged. “I wasn't sure.”

“I haven't even kissed another man since the day you opened the door of this house and thought I was some groupie.”

“I didn't think....okay, I did. You're right. I figured out pretty quickly that you weren't.”

“When I told you who I was! You thought I was a teenager.”

“A hot, smart teenager.” He touched her face.

“I've been in love with you since our first kiss.”

“Oh, God. I've probably been in love with you since then, too. That was some kiss.” He rolled her underneath him. “I've always loved kissing you.”

“Just kissing me?”

“No, all of it. Every single bit. And not just the sex. Those first few months, Jenna...they were the most intense of my life.”

“Even more intense than when you got shot?”

“That's not the same thing. I meant emotionally intense, not psychologically or physically intense. They were the best, most intense sexual experiences of my life.”

“Don't you want that all the time, Liam?”

“Yes, I do. But I'm not ready to make the permanent kind of commitment, white dress, church aisle, sacred vows, all that.”

“Who said anything about getting married? I just wanted you to commit to me and only me.”

“Didn't I say that's what I was doing? There's no one else.”

“You say that now, while we're lying here in bed, naked, and you just told me you love me. But what happens when we've been apart for months and you're lonely? What then?”

“I'm not planning to find someone else. Are you?”

“No. But I can't wait forever, Liam. I want to get married and have a family. I'm thirty-two. I can't wait much longer to have kids or else it'll be too late.”

“I'll be gone for a couple of weeks with Emily. We'll be back after that. Can we talk more about it then? I'm sure by the time I've been without you that long I'll be singing a different tune. I'll call you as soon as I'm back and we'll talk about it, okay?”

She sighed. “Okay.”

“In the meantime, Reggie told me you've been doing yoga. Want to show me what you've learned?”

She giggled. “Oh, I think you'll like it...”

They spent the night wrapped around each other, making love and promises under the cover of darkness, whispering
I love you
. When he woke, she wasn't in the bed and he felt overwhelmingly sad. Liam knew he'd hate every moment without her – not because he didn't have anyone else left to sleep with, but because he really did love her.

**********

It took three years, but Liam had finally said he loved her. Better still, he'd admitted that he'd loved her from the beginning, confirming that she had been right to wait for him to be ready to say it all that time.

But the best news of all was that he'd made a commitment to her, had officially ended things with the other women in his life.

Jenna was fairly certain that Ally and Dana had been non-issues for a while. She'd stopped asking him about them. All it did was make her crazy.

Reggie had promised to stay away from Liam if he ever made a commitment to Jenna. The fact that her friend hadn't stopped sleeping with Liam altogether in the first place didn't make Jenna feel confident, but at least Reggie was on the East Coast now, and hopefully, Liam would keep his word and stay faithful, even if he wasn't ready to get married yet.

Because she knew Catie's history, she expected that some of the same issues applied to Liam, especially since they were twins and had been best friends. Liam's brief time in the CIA surely added to his baggage, and commitment was likely not the only problem he faced. She knew Rob had been right – Liam wanted to settle down and have a family, but something, or maybe it was more than one thing, held him back.

Whatever it was, he'd tell her eventually. She just had to be a little more patient. Or maybe a lot more. It was hard to say.

They made love several more times during the night, slow and sensual at first, then escalating to passionate and intense. It was as if Liam was exploring her body again, the way he had when they'd first met. Every time they whispered
I love you
, her heart squeezed, and those were the best orgasms she'd ever had.

In the morning, Jenna woke to Liam's arms around her and his naked body pressed against hers. She smiled, knowing that he was on duty. Because he loved her, he was breaking his own rules as he always had.

At barely 5 a.m., she woke him one more time in the darkness by kissing down his body until she gave him pleasure the first way she ever had, which she knew he loved. As he came, he said, “I love you, Jenna.”

She lay next to him and he held her close as he recovered, then he returned the favor, as he had the very first time they were together. This time, instead of asking if she was ready, he grabbed a condom and made love to her slowly, erotically until she swore she'd lose her mind.