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  Liam rubbed his hand over his jaw, sure he looked as guilty as he felt. “That’s where things get complicated. I haven’t told her about the interview because she doesn’t know I’m basically out of the Navy.”

  Brian and Andi shared a look.

  “I’m going to tell her,” Liam insisted.

  “Fucking dumbass,” Brian mumbled, head shaking.

  “Liam,” Andi said, “I’m sure you have your reasons for not telling her yet, but if this girl matters to you, you should be honest with her about what’s going on in your life. Especially if there is more than friendship happening. I don’t know Haven, but I know women in general. Getting out of the Navy is a major life change. As your lifelong friend, Haven might be hurt that you didn’t share the information with her, but I’ll also bet she cares about you enough to be supportive of your choice.” She caught his stare and held it, hard. “Life is short enough. Be sure your reasons don’t lead to unnecessary hurt feelings and regrets.”

  Zig walked out of the house, followed by ten-year-old Jeremy. Christ. The kid looked so much Ozzie it made Liam’s chest ache.

  “Hey, Lucky,” Zig called. “Jeremy, Heartbreaker, and I are gonna go shoot some hoops at the park. Wanna come?”

  Andi didn’t move a muscle, but Liam felt the challenge in her stare. She was right. He’d sooner slice off his own arm than hurt Haven. He had to talk to her, as soon as possible.

  “Thanks for the invite, guys. I’m gonna have to pass this time. I need to get home.”

  Andi’s words rang in his ears all the way to the condo. He tried to sort through all the emotions, all the events that had led to his decision, and it was too much. He couldn’t just tell Haven he’d left the Navy. She’d want an explanation—she deserved an explanation—but Liam wasn’t sure he could articulate how losing Ozzie had made him feel.

  Feeling less confident by the minute, Liam went inside the condo. He scanned the kitchen and living room for Haven. Not finding her, he took the stairs two at a time. The spare room was dark. Figuring she must be in the shower, Liam headed toward his bedroom. When he got to the threshold, he sucked in a breath.

  Haven was asleep on his bed.

  Liam leaned his shoulder against the doorjamb and drank her in. She looked good there, her face cradled against his pillow. Her hair shimmered in fiery contrast against his cream-colored sheets. She appeared to be in the same tank top and shorts she’d had on when they’d fallen asleep on the couch the night before.

  Fuck, she was beautiful.

  Her lips were in a slight pout. Her brow was pinched, as if something in her dreams had made her unhappy. Liam hadn’t taken a nap since he was a child, but he wanted nothing more than to crawl in behind her and pull her into his arms. He wanted to chase away the dream and give her a place to feel safe and warm.

  Liam shoved off the doorway. Unable to resist the urge to touch her, he went to the bed. Careful not to jostle her, he leaned over and lightly kissed the side of her head. The lines between her brows smoothed, making him feel ridiculously like a superhero.

  Liam left her sleeping and took a quick shower to knock the sweat, grass, and dirt from his skin. Once clean and dried off, he wrapped a towel around his waist and went into his closet to grab a T-shirt and a pair of shorts.

  And that’s when the ground literally shook beneath his bare feet.

  9

  Haven bolted upright in bed, confused as to what woke her. And then she felt it. The slow, rolling vibration that shook the bed, the floor, the walls.

  “Liam!” Too late she remembered he wasn’t home. Panic unlike any she’d ever known stole over her. A helplessness so complete her lungs sputtered and seized. What was happening?

  Oh, God.

  Haven drew her knees up, squeezed her eyes closed, and fisted the comforter at her sides. She didn’t know what to do, or where she could go to be safe. All she could do was hang on and pray. She did both with a vengeance.

  “I’m here.” Strong arms encircled her and scooped her off the bed. The scent of Liam’s soap hit her nose as he carried her inside the doorframe. He sank to the floor with her cradled on his lap. “Shh. It’s all right. I’m right here. I’ve got you. We’re okay.”

  Haven’s fear-laden brain processed in single syllables.

  Liam. Warm. Safe.

  Haven tossed her leg over to straddle Liam’s hips. She nuzzled into the side of his neck, letting his strength and reassurances seep into her bones.

  The low rumble quieted around them as the ground gave up its tantrum.

  “Breathe, baby. It’s over. I’ve got you.” Liam cupped the back of her head, holding her close and gently swaying as he hummed softly. Haven didn’t know the tune, but its delicate melody soothed her frayed nerves.

  The shock and fear from feeling the earth move were slow to fade. As the panic cleared, Haven became aware of a few things…

  1. She felt like a bit of a dope.

  2. The adrenaline overloading her system immediately melted into liquid fire when…

  3. She realized Liam wasn’t wearing a shirt. His hair was also wet, as though he’d taken a shower.

  Which would explain the damp towel underneath her backside. And the towel wasn’t all Haven was sitting on. The proof of Liam’s desire for her provided a jolt of electricity to the need pooling low in her belly.

  Once she felt calm enough to speak, Haven straightened. “What the feckin’ hell was that?”

  Liam’s eyes closed as she speared her fingers through his wet hair, smoothing it back from his forehead. She followed the momentum down, trailing her fingers down the back of his neck. Once there, she traced along his collarbones, then down the curve of his pecs where she absently circled his flat, copper-colored nipples with the sides of her thumbs.

  The broad expanse of prime real estate bared for her view was overwhelming. His chest was tanned, ripped, and smooth, the only hair being the glistening line under his belly button that darkened before it disappeared behind the towel.

  Liam shackled her wrists in his big, calloused hands and removed hers from his chest. “That was an earthquake. A small one, anyway.” His bright green eyes studied her face. “But still scary if you’ve never been through one before. You okay, pix?”

  “Hmm-mmm.” Haven had read about thrill seekers and had never understood the appeal. She got it now. The high. The exhilaration. The blood pumping, a reminder that the body was made to feel.

  With the danger gone, the need to celebrate survival became a living, breathing thing inside her. Her senses were on high alert. Raw and exposed. Ready for more.

  Haven leaned in and nipped at Liam’s lower lip, delighting in the way his lids slid low in warning. She’d caught glimpses of dominance swirling within his mild-mannered temperament. He made her want to push, to test the limits of his control, and watch with glory as he broke apart.

  She tugged his lip again, brushing her tongue along the edge to taste him. Without the use of her hands, instinct forced Haven’s hips to move, chasing sensation. The flimsy seam of her sleep shorts was no match for the thick erection straining the front of the towel. Every impressive inch sparked and tantalized her sex as she slowly rode his length.

  Liam growled and shoved their joined hands behind her, causing her breasts to lift. She groaned and rolled her shoulders back, silently begging him to put his mouth on her once and for all. Her stomach drew tight as he lowered his head and captured one of her nipples through her thin top with his mouth. As she had with his lip, he nipped and tugged with his teeth until she gasped.

  Liam released her nipple and moved to her other breast. He glanced up at her, his mouth just millimeters from her embarrassingly taut peak. “The earthquake was minor, baby, but I should probably go check the gas line.” He gave the nipple a similar tug that she felt deep in her core. “Check in with the neighbors.”

  “Right now?” Frustration that he would consider leaving her made her thighs flex against his hips. “Can’t that wait a
minute?”

  She tested his hold on her hands, but he didn’t budge. If anything, his grip tightened. Haven was surprised by how much she liked it.

  He chuckled, low and dirty. “Oh, sweetheart, I’m gonna need more than a minute when I finally get my hands on you.”

  “Finally,” Haven huffed. “Does that mean you aren’t going to touch me now?” The whine was uncharacteristic and annoying even to her own ears, but that sounded like the worse plan ever.

  Liam grunted and released her hands. He speared his fingers into her hair, holding her where he wanted as he pressed his mouth to hers. The unrelenting pressure of the contact melted into a sweep of his tongue across her lips. Haven welcomed him in, her tongue dancing with his until they were both breathless.

  Too soon, Liam pulled back. Haven whimpered in protest, fighting back disappointment as he lifted her from his lap and set her on her feet. Unfulfilled lust made her muscles tremble. Logically, she knew they had to stop, but logic had no place here.

  “Liam.”

  His lopsided grin was positively sinful. He curled his fingers to hold the towel in place as he stood. He pressed his fingertips against her belly, the pressure encouraging her to take a step back. “Undress for me.” Oh. “Show me what I’ve been dying to see since the moment you showed up at McP’s.”

  “Are you sure you don’t need to—”

  “I’m right where I need to be, Haven. Where I want to be.” His gaze ran a hot trail over her. He fisted his erection through the towel, squeezed, and then gave his cock a rough tug. Haven’s knees went weak.

  “You’re still dressed,” he reminded her.

  Butterflies exploded in Haven’s stomach as she teased along the hem of her tank. She’d never done a striptease, but as long as she ended up naked, Liam wouldn’t mind if she was awkward and unsexy along the way, right?

  She thought it best not to test the theory.

  Like ripping off a Band-Aid, Haven whipped her shirt over her head. Then without pausing, she shoved her shorts down her legs and kicked them away.

  There. Done.

  Liam recognized the rush of adrenaline in Haven’s eyes. Having jumped from a plane under the cover of night into frigid enemy waters, he knew all about the exhilaration of standing on the delicate precipice between life and death.

  Of course, there’d never been any real danger with the mild earthquake, but Haven’s body didn’t know that. The experience was new and exotic. Intense. All of that frenetic energy bouncing around inside her, searching for an outlet.

  Good thing he knew how to channel that focus, how to heighten and wring every last drop of pleasure to be had before the wave crashed down.

  With her eyes on him, Liam fisted his dick through the towel. He wanted her to see what she’d done. See how hard he’d been since she’d crawled onto his lap. And damn, the pressure of his own hand was a cruel torture when she was standing close enough to pump it for him.

  There’s time for that later.

  “You’re still dressed.” The reminder caused a shudder to ripple over her. Liam barked a surprised laugh at how quickly she’d stripped, but then he got his first look at her gorgeous body and his mouth went bone dry.

  Ho-ly fuck.

  Lean muscle supported her petite frame. Her breasts had the perfect curve for his hands and were topped with the prettiest pink nipples he’d ever seen. Her flat stomach was soft around the edges giving her body a womanly form that made his mouth water.

  “Come closer,” he said, his voice full of gravel. He sat on the edge of the mattress and loosened the towel enough to spread his knees—a clear indication of where he wanted her.

  Haven followed his instruction like a dream. Her skin and nipples pebbled as she stepped into the space he’d provided. Liam slid his hands over her curves, taking his time, memorizing the feel of her.

  “This ass has been tormenting me,” he said and slipped around to squeeze her cheeks. “I’ve been dreaming about getting my hands on it for days.” He spread her open to the cool air of the bedroom and brushed his fingers along her slit. She was so fucking wet it made his head spin.

  Haven gasped and leaned into him, her nails digging into his shoulders. Liam squeezed her again and gave one globe a solid smack.

  “Jesus, Mary, and Joseph,” Haven whispered. “What the hell are you doin’ to me?”

  “You like that, do you?”

  She bit her lip and nodded.

  Fuck, that was hot. He couldn’t wait to learn what other dirty things she liked.

  Abandoning her delicious backside, Liam caressed up her sides. Her nipples grew impossibly hard as his thumbs brushed the curves of her breasts. A temptation too great to resist, Liam leaned in, sucked a tight bud between his lips, first one, then the other.

  Haven squirmed and drove her fingers into his hair as he played. She was so fucking sensitive, so responsive he turned his attentions up a notch.

  Alternating between his mouth and his fingers, Liam teased her with the singular focus of keeping her on edge. He sucked, plumped, and nipped at random, wanting to heighten her senses, keep her guessing.

  Too soon, Liam felt her muscles shift and tighten. He eased off, delaying the orgasm he knew was close. He might be considered generous in other aspects of his life, but when it came to Haven, turned out he was a selfish motherfucker. He wanted to be inside her the first time she came for him, and he wouldn’t have it any other way.

  “Liam.”

  He smiled against her soft flesh and placed a gentle kiss against her sternum. He didn’t think he’d ever heard his name used in protest before, but the complaint was unmistakable.

  “What is it, baby?” He drew the pad of his index finger down the center of her body. Her stomach quivered under his touch as he circled her belly button, teasing them both before heading toward the strip of sunshine that topped her mound.

  His cock was at full attention now, painful and lifting the towel in an obscene manner. The terry cloth rubbed against his already sensitive tip, causing a spark of desire to shoot through his balls.

  “I need…” Haven rolled her hips, trying to direct his movements.

  He knew what she needed, because he needed it, too.

  Liam stood and shucked the towel, ignoring Haven’s gasp. He would appreciate that she liked what she saw later.

  He lifted her against him, held her close as he took her mouth in a hard, wet kiss. They came up for air only so Liam could lay her out on the bed. He came over her before she had a chance to get settled, his mouth back on hers, his hand exploring new territory.

  Impatient now, Liam slid his fingers along the silky ridge of her pussy. God, she was small there, too. Delicate and beautiful, and so damn wet he’d have no trouble sliding inside. Haven arched her back as he dipped between her folds and found her entrance. Fuck, she was tight. Tight and warm and better than he ever could’ve imagined.

  He coated his finger and using the moisture to glide over her clit. Haven’s hips rocked, her breath coming faster as he worked her with his fingers.

  That’s right, baby. Use me. Take what you need.

  She was so fucking beautiful lost in her own desire, he almost forgot his resolve to be inside her the first time.

  Her body stiffened when he pulled away. She clawed at his arm. “What the feck are you doing? If you don’t finish what you started, Liam Patrick Jamison, I swear I’ll do it myself.”

  His cock liked the sound of that. “Now, that’s something I’d like to see.” Liam grabbed her wrist as she dove between her legs. “But not right now. Right now, you’re going to behave while I grab a condom out of the side drawer. Then, that pretty little pussy is all mine.”

  Haven’s hands danced over his abs as he reached for a prophylactic.

  “Put it on me.” He handed her the package. It would take every ounce of his control to keep from blowing the second she touched him, but he had to see her hands on his cock.

  She tore open the wrapper and pulle
d out the condom. Liam hissed and gnashed his teeth as she rolled it down his length. Her fingertips teased his balls as she squeezed his base, hard enough to make him see stars.

  “Enough.” Liam prowled over her. Haven’s legs widened, making room for him to settle in between. Sweat popped on his brow as he ran the head of his cock through her folds. He positioned himself and held steady at her entrance.

  This was going to change everything. The minute he got inside her, Liam knew he’d never want to leave.

  “Tell me you want this,” he demanded.

  “I want this, Liam. I want you.”

  Her words set him on a crash course for destruction, because fuck he wanted her, too. More than he’d ever wanted anyone. Maybe that’s why he hadn’t been able to commit to anyone else. Maybe he’d known it all along, that Haven was the one for him. Now, poised to join their bodies, he had no doubt. He wanted a chance with her.

  Liam thrust his hips and sank into her hot, wet flesh to the hilt. Lust and need and seven months of abstinence made it impossible for him to go slow. He rode her hard. Made her his with every stroke, every kiss, every word of praise he could come up with to convey how good she made him feel.

  Haven screamed his name, her pussy contracting like a vise around him. His climax hit him in an explosion of pleasure that flooded his veins, his limbs, his chest.

  He kept rhythm, slower and slower, easing them both through the final tremors of their orgasms. He rested his forehead against hers as his heart rate slowed.

  Haven glanced up at him, a lazy, contented smile on her face. Her delicate fingers traced his jaw. “That was my first earthquake.”

  Liam kissed the tip of her nose and grinned. “You’re welcome.”

  10

  Who is this man?

  The crowd at McP’s cheered, rowdy and loud. Liam, in his sexy, over-sized glory, managed to lead a packed bar in a raunchy Irish drinking song, all while pouring and serving drinks like he was made for it.