Ugh...That...sucked...ass! Seriously...Stop reading. This story is going downhill. No amount of love can save it now. Oh...and uh...I'm fully preprared for the wrath of my readers this chapter...

Chapter 9: Torn Hearts

Ian goraned as he woke. He suddenly remembered why he didn't binge drink on Sunday nights. Monday mornings would only be worse. the shopkeeper felt a warmth hug him clsoer from behind, and his eyes flew open now wide awake. He was naked, in a bed with someone else who was male, naked, and there was an odd linguring pleasure/pain near his prostrate.

God no... He moaned in his mind. Ian closed his eyes and sifted through his cluttered mind to find reasons as to why he had sex with Liam. Trying to think hurt too much, and he gave up with a defeated sigh. He hummed in pleasure as his neck was nuzzled in a way that made his skin tingle with remembering passion.

"Morning, love," Liam said with a smile Ian saw in the corner of his eye. The Aekean looked so happy as he sat up on an arm, hair unrestrained by his headband.

Ian rolled onto his back under Liam, reaching to run delicate fingers through hanging locks. "How long have you been awake?" Ian asked. He couldn't hate Liam, no matter how much he tried, and it frightened him.

A hand stroked his face. "A while." Liam chuckled weakly. "I was enjoying watching you sleep. You looked so at peace...so beautiful...It made me wish I was an artist so I could paint a portrait..."

"Oh..." Ian looked around the cluttered bedroom and could only assume they were at Liam's place. He sighed and sat up, his face nearly bumping into the Aekean's. Liam moved to sit beside Ian. Again the brunette sighed, running a hand through his hair.

Liam gave him a concerned look. "You okay?" He asked.

Ian shrugged. "I...don't know..." He looked at Liam. "I want to be angry at you...I wanted my first time to be with Gino...but..." He looked away from Liam's prying eyes, knowing eyes...loving eyes. "I...can't bring myself to hate you...No matter how hard I try..."

The Aekean smiled and kissed Ian's cheek. "That's a symptom of love, Ian..."

He blinked, his gaze on the sheets. "Love...As in...true love?"

"Yes," Liam said, hugging him gently.

"Oh..." Ian held a hand over Liam's arm, eyes sitll on the bed. He felt numb on the inside, empty, betrayed. I thought...I loved Gino... Ian thought. He closed his eyes. But...I was mad at him for running away to face that assassin alone...And...I'm not mad at Liam for...last night...Does that mean...I love Liam over Gino?

As if sensing Ian's sadness, Liam kissed his cheek and rested his head on Ian's back in a warm hug. "I'm sorry I've hurt you like this..." Liam whispered. "I regret nothing, though...I love you for who you are and I'd change nothing..." He sighed. "Maybe I'd change how I treated you...but that would change too much..."

Ian chuckled. "I didn't realize you had a sensative side."

Liam smiled. "Well, now you know. Seriously though..." His smile faded. "I treated you like shit...manipulated you...I don't deserve this..."

"Nonesense..." Ian touched his cheek with delicate fingers. "Every person deserves a chance at true love and a person to hold..." That's what Gino would say about this...if we were in this situation...

"Thanks..." Liam slid his hand into Ian's and kissed the back of his hand.

Again Ian's skin tingled at the familiar feel of light kisses on his skin. He wanted to remember what happened the night before; he wanted to remember their passion and if it was true. Liam's butterfly kisses followed an invisible trail down Ian's arm and up his neck. The shopkeeper sighed and closed his eyes, tiliting his head to the side for more. Liam smiled, kissing his ear.

"You seem eager for a second round," Liam commented as Ian leaned against him. Ian guided one of Liam's hands to his chest and held it there, eyes closed in pleasure. Liam rubbed his chest a bit, nibbling on the nape of his neck. "Are you sure you want this?"

Ian glanced at Liam over his shoulder at Liam and fully turned in the Aekean's arms. his brown eyes were unsure as they looked in Liam's pitch black. Ian rested a hand on Liam's face and kissed his lips lightly. "I don't know what I truely want..." Ian whispered. "All I know is that I want someone to love me...to hold me...to care for me while I'm sick...and all that...I thought I was in love with Gino..." He shook his head. "But...I don't know anymore..."

"Do what you feel is right," Liam told him. He took Ian's hand in his and held it dearly. "When we made love, you called my name..." Ian's eyes went wide at this, but the Aekean kept speaking. "Part of me was hurt because I know you love Gino..."

"Liam..." Ian shook his head. "I...don't..."

Liam gaved him a shocked look at the condeming words. "Ian...what are you saying?"

"I'm saying...I don't love Gino..." Ian sighed and buried his face in his hands. "I feel...so dirty...I thought I loved him...but I was incomplete...and I became complete when we made love...I realize now...that...I love you..."

"Ian..." Liam touched a lock of his hair. "I...don't know what to say..."

The shopkeeper hugged Liam and buried his face in Liam's neck. Gently, they laid down together on the soft bed. "Don't say anything..." Ian whispered. "And just hold me..."

With a sigh, Liam nodded and closed his eyes. A hand petted Ian's hair and the brunette smiled, snuggling closer to Liam. He felt so at peace in the Aekean's arms and in his presence. Ian closed his eyes as if to fall asleep again and let his hand stroke part of Liam's back. He almost thought he was in a dream that would never end.

Liam watched Ian drift to sleep in his arms, amazed at how the shopkeeper could sleep so much. The Aekean shook his head and pried himself out of the brunette's arms without waking him. He ignored the winter chill of the room as he gathered his clothes and went into the bathroom to shower.

He leaned his forehead on the tile as hot water washed over his body. This isn't right... Liam thought. Ian loves Gino...I just gave him a well-needed fuck...I want him to love me, but this is wrong tearing him from Gino like this...And both will hate me when they learn I lied about the forums and threats...There's no way to be forgiven for this.

Liam got out of the shower at the sound of someone at the door. Quickly, he dried and wrapped a towel around his waist. Again ignoring the cold, he answered the door and suddenly wished he hadn't. An angry Gino was standing in front of him, and Liam knew he couldn't fast-talk his way out of this. "Gino..."

"Liam," Gino returned the greeting. It was obvious he was restraining his anger, clenched fists at his sides. "You...lied to Ian and I..."

He knows... "About what?"

A quick hand struck Liam's face. "You know damn well about what!" Gino roared. "You lied about the forums and threats! You lied so that Ian and I would back off and so you could have sex with Ian!"

"That's not true," Liam lied quickly. He closed the door behind him and stepped closer to Gino. "I lied to be with you...You're the one I love, Gino..." All I can do...is lie...

Gino looked unsure of how to react or reply, tears filling his eyes. His words became choked. "I..." He looked away from Liam. "I don't believe you..." Liam took the blonde into his arms, but Gino didn't struggle; his own body betrayed him as he hugged Liam in return. "I...don't believe you...You told me...you loved Ian..."

"I lied..." Liam whispered in his ear. He kissed Gino's cheek and let go of him. "Ian got drunk last night...I'm taking care of him until he gets better..."

"Okay..." Gino said with a nod. He dried his face with a sleeve. "I'm sorry...I slapped you...I just..."

"It's okay," Liam said with a smile. "It wasn't the first time I've been slapped." This earned a weak laugh from Gino. Liam sighed. "I'll let you know when Ian's feeling better, alright?"

"Alright..." Gino gave Liam's cheek a quick kiss. "Thank you...for everything..." With that, Gino left.

Liam went back inside and smirked to himself. Ah...Now I remember...that's why I enjoy being a player... Whistling to himself, Liam got dressed and began cooking an early lunch for Ian and himself.