Chapter 23 Going to See Mom
“No, Liam.”
Emma pushed him away, pressing her hands against his burning chest.
Her body trembled slightly, and her breath was ragged.
His glasses couldn’t hide the fiery desire burning in his eyes.
He swallowed hard and gently wiped the fine sweat from her forehead.
“Sorry. I just wanted to kiss you. Nothing else,” he murmured.
She recalled Claire’s words “Take it easy. It won’t hurt the second time.”
In the end, restraint only carried them so far. The heat in his eyes, the way his touch grew surer and more demanding, stripped away what little distance remained between them.
Every movement was threaded with a dark, possessive tenderness that left her nowhere to run and nowhere she’d rather be.
By the time it was over, when her breath finally steadied against his shoulder, she had to admit Claire had been right all along – the second time did not hurt, and Liam’s unhurried skill was terrifyingly unforgettable.
Liam rose slowly and turned his back to her as he fastened the buttons.
“You…” she murmured, sitting up. “Please give me more time…”
“Alright.”
Emma hurriedly adjusted her torn clothing before heading toward the bathroom.
Why are you hesitating with such a perfect man? You’re married now. Isn’t this kind of intimacy expected?
Such thoughts flooded her mind.
Whatever—he’s much better than that jerk, Ben!
She steeled her resolve, undoing the third button of her collar to reveal her collarbone subtly.
Just give it a shot!
Just as she mustered her courage, an untimely warmth surged between her legs—her period started.
She stepped out of the bathroom awkwardly and flipped on the overhead light.
She opened the wardrobe and rummaged through it.
Liam was already in bed, scrolling through his phone.
“What are you looking for?” he asked, putting down his phone.
“I got my period,” she said softly as she closed the wardrobe door.
After two seconds of silence, he snapped out of it and hurriedly got up.
“You got your period?” he asked.
He paused. “I’ll go get some supplies.”
He threw on his coat and rushed out.
He returned in under ten minutes. His face was flushed red from the wind; wisps of white breath were still visible, and snow was still clinging to his hair. His hands, which were clutching a black plastic bag, were slightly numb.
Emma waited at the door. She gently brushed the snow from his hair and framed his icy cheeks in her hands. She took the bag from him and set it aside, then cupped his large hands in hers and blew warm breath onto them.
“Why not wear more?” she murmured, tiptoeing just to reach his chin.
He smiled, bending his upper body.
As the warmth returned to his body, she said, “You go get ready first.”
“Okay,” he said.
After a busy night, the two finally went to bed together.
They both opened their eyes, lying straight and still – very proper and a bit odd.
Because of the jet lag or something else, neither could sleep.
The next morning, they slept until past ten.
He was awake but hadn’t moved. Instead, he quietly inhaled the scent of her hair and gently rubbed her waist.
“Buzz…”
The phone vibrated.
Emma sighed in her sleep and slowly turned to reach for the phone on the nightstand. Half-closing her eyes, she picked up.
“Hello…” Emma mumbled.
There was no response from the other line.
“Huh? Wrong number?” She picked up the phone and rubbed her sleepy eyes.
“Logan Hayes?” The name flashed on the screen.
Stunned, she froze—it wasn’t her phone.
She glanced up at Liam, and their eyes met.
She slowly handed him the phone.
“Dad.” The moment he answered, the call ended. He smirked.
Liam ordered breakfast—just a plain sandwich and hot milk.
After that, they sent a message to Eleanor and then set off.
Before sliding into the car, he disappeared for ten minutes, leaving Emma waiting.
When he returned, he was slightly out of breath.
He closed the door, letting in a wisp of cold air.
“Where did you go?” she asked.
He pulled a packet of heat patches from his pocket.
“For your stomach.” He handed them over.
“…”
“Here,” he said, pushing the patches forward with a stern expression, almost lecturing. “Do I need to apply it for you?”
“My stomach doesn’t hurt,” she murmured as she took them.
“All right…”
She had never experienced period pain, but she obediently applied one to her stomach over her second layer of clothing.
“Don’t wander off on your own next time. While S-Country isn’t unsafe, some people aren’t very friendly to strangers,” she remarked, gazing ahead.
“Okay.” He gave a slight smile.
Liam hadn’t used navigation, and Emma realized he knew the area well.
The car pulled up beside the courtyard. Warm sunlight streamed through the window as he unbuckled her seatbelt.
“Put your coat back on before getting out.” He turned to retrieve the coat from the back seat.
“Mom! I’m home!” She dashed toward the yard the moment she stepped out of the car.
Liam followed behind her, carrying her bag.
“Welcome home! My girl.” Eleanor, with an exquisitely tailored wool coat, was waiting at the garden gate.
Emma whispered something in her ear before rushing into the house.
“Mom.” Liam approached Eleanor.
“Liam, it’s good to see you again!” Eleanor greeted him warmly. “Has Emma been giving you trouble?”
“Unfortunately, she hasn’t had the chance,” he replied with a smile.
The two walked toward the house together.
“Emma’s always rushing around and doesn’t pay much attention to what she says.”
“That’s just fine.”
Lunchtime.
Eleanor and Liam chatted happily the whole time, leaving Emma struggling to find common ground.
“Talk more. Once we’re back in the country, you’ll need an appointment to speak with my husband,” Emma said with envy.
Husband…
Liam turned to look at her.
She playfully stuck out her tongue, licking her lips and leaving an oily smudge.
He frowned slightly, took a tissue, and wiped her mouth.
Eleanor noticed and giggled.
Emma bit her lip and averted her eyes, still feeling a bit awkward.