The Return of Delilah

Chapter 6

LIAM

I watched as Carissa put on one of my shirts. It wasn't typical of her to spend the night on Sunday's because we both worked the next day and it could get a bit chaotic, but today, after the large string of events with Delilah, she felt the need to stay.

I was fucking thankful for that.

"Stop gawking," Carissa said with a shy smile.

"Come here, baby," I replied with a smirk.

Carissa did as I said, straddling me on the bed and leaning down to kiss me. I took her lips hungrily. The long ass day that we'd had was much more difficult than I had anticipated and all I wanted to do was forget. She kissed me back with as much fervor and sure enough, it wasn't long before I was inside her.

That was the thing with Carissa. She was there. Something had always held Delilah back and I never knew what the hell it was. Delilah didn't even know what it was and it always put a strain in our relationship. Carissa was all in. From the day we met, we'd formed a friendship and she was always there when I needed her, as I was there for her.

Women tend to think that men don't need help at times, but that's bullshit. We're not good at saying it, but we do. And Carissa always just knew, without me telling her. She was a wonderful woman.

Her eyes met mine as she found her release and then I let go with her, burying my face in her neck. We laid there like we always did, pulling her close to my chest after removing the condom and throwing it away.

"You need to give her a chance," Carissa said after a while.

I sighed. I hoped she wouldn't bring the damn issue up but I knew her too well. She always tackled issues head on.

"She may suck but it's clear she doesn't know what she's doing. Let her interact with Adrian and you'll see she's going to get the hang of things."

I nodded but didn't say anything. I didn't want to argue over Delilah. I didn't want to think about Delilah. She'd screwed our family over and I wasn't sure that I could forgive that. Apart from that, it was difficult to not think about her a certain way after what happened in the kitchen.

It hadn't been anything more than lust but I felt uncomfortable, especially having Carissa by my side. I wouldn't fuck it up over someone that wasn't worth it. As if sensing my discomfort, Carissa propped herself up on her elbows, her light blue eyes twinkling in the darkness of my bedroom.

"What all are you thinking?"

I cupped her cheek, watching how she smiled at the gesture. "Delilah coming back has thrown me off a bit," I said.

"That's normal. She was – is – a big part of your life, Liam." She paused, leaning into my touch and letting her eyes close. "Are we okay, Liam? Is her coming back going to change things between us?"

The genuine fear in her eyes made instantly regret even thinking about my past with Delilah. I'd be lying if I said that I didn't think or remember any of our past encounters.

"It's just going to take a while to get used to the idea of her being back," I replied, kissing Carissa's forehead.

"Do you still... have feelings for her?" Carissa asked.

Feelings? I was fucking pissed. And sure, seeing her brought back many, many memories. But the bad outweighed any good. Other than possible lust and anger I didn't feel anything else.

Knowing Delilah, though, I knew those two were a dangerous combination.

"I don't love her, if that's what you're asking," I answered as honestly as possible. "Because, I love you," I reassured her.