Cookie

31

Having the attic bedroom means we have the entire floor to ourselves. There are only four rooms, and the bedroom we're using has a bathroom, a study room, and another bathroom down the hall. This is pretty convenient since Liam takes some of his clothes and heads for the other bathroom to shower, leaving me to enjoy the one in our room.

Liam simply saying he will take a shower in the other bathroom without even blinking makes my heart melt. I know he did it because he knew I would have felt embarrassed showering with him just outside the door.

As the hot water runs down my body, I can't stop thinking about the fact that Liam and I will share the same bed for the entire night. My heart literally forgets how to beat at the thought. How am I supposed to not be nervous about this when my skin feels like it’s burning just imagining Liam's incredibly sexy body lying next to mine? If kissing made me feel like I was melting, how will it feel to do more than just kiss? Will we do more?

When I get out of the shower, I look at my body in the mirror, feeling self-conscious. Sure, I look leaner and stronger than I did a few months ago, with some muscle tone and more womanly curves, but I’m still no model. What if he doesn’t find me attractive? He’s had girls who look way better than I do...

"Nat, are you okay?"

Liam's voice calls through the bathroom door, making me realize he must’ve finished his shower and is now waiting for me. Panic strikes. What was I thinking when I agreed to share a room?

"Baby, if you’ve changed your mind, I can always take the couch in the living room. You know that, right?"

Hearing his gentle offer makes me realize how silly I’m being. I take a deep breath, building up my courage before opening the door. Liam stands there, looking... well, incredible. He’s wearing only a black pair of sweatpants, no shirt, allowing me to see his gorgeous, muscular upper body. I thought I was used to seeing Liam shirtless since he rarely wears one when we train, but damn, I could never get used to seeing him like this. His skin and hair are still damp from the shower, making him look even sexier. He smells like rainy days mixed with something fresh and citrusy, intoxicating my senses. The way his eyes light up as he looks at me makes my cheeks flush.

"Seeing something you like, cookie?"

Liam raises an eyebrow, his lips curling into a cocky smile. My body tingles with heat.

"I definitely see something I like..." I say, my voice a little breathless as his gaze roams over me.

Thank God I didn’t bring the one-piece reindeer pajamas my mom suggested, thinking it would make the girls laugh. Instead, I brought my blue long pajamas. The straight pants might not complement my figure, but the spaghetti strap tank top emphasizes my small waist and curves.

Liam’s eyes linger below my neck, and I shiver as they darken with lust. I suddenly realize I’m not wearing a bra and walked out of a hot shower into a much colder room.

I quickly cross my arms over my chest in an attempt to cover myself, my cheeks burning. Liam notices this and his gaze shifts to my eyes.

"Did you change your mind, Nat? If you did, you only have to say the word, and I’m out that door in no time at all."

"What makes you think I changed my mind?"

"You spent over an hour in the shower, and the water stopped running 30 minutes ago."

I hadn’t realized I’d been in there that long. Looking down at my feet, I nervously bite my bottom lip, deciding to be honest.

"I'm nervous!"

The words come out quickly, and I hold my breath, waiting for Liam to laugh or make a joke, but he doesn’t. Instead, he steps closer, placing his hands on either side of my waist and lowering himself to look into my eyes.