Disclaimer: I do not own B&B or its characters. I just like to play with them to escape the reality of my life every once in a while.
Hey, everyone! How are you all?
Thank you for the mobilization last chapter. We almost reached 10 reviews; there was just one missing.
Looking at the numbers, I am so blown away. I never thought when I started writing this story that I would get such a positive response considering how little to no stories there were about Steam at the time. I've almost written 100,000 words and this story has more than 100 reviews! Thank you so much.
HOWEVER, some of you just write "Great update." Well, thank you, but that's not saying anything. What was great about the update? What made it good? Do you like the peace that's settling between Steffy and the Logans? Do you think Hope was right to put Liam back in his place? Idk but BE SPECIFIC. I spend hours hours working on these chapters. Days really! Please, take five minutes to me give me some constructive feedback. I don't mean this for all of you ofc.
No individual replies this chapter. I privately replied to those that I could. Author's Note at the end.
Enjoy!
After about five minutes of hard convincing, Steffy finally got Wyatt to let her have some coffee, decaf, whilst Wyatt himself ordered a vanilla cappuccino double shot.
Although she didn't want to, Steffy felt like she owed him an explanation about what had occurred earlier. She told him her last name and explained to him that she was part of a famous fashion house, to what Wyatt replied he already knew.
Steffy furrowed her brow. "I thought you didn't know who I was." She was confused.
"I didn't, but then I asked about you."
Understanding flashed through her eyes before she looked down.
"I hope you don't mind."
She looked up at Wyatt's concerned voice. She shrugged. "No. that's what happens when you're a celebrity: there's no room for privacy and discretion or even a hint of anonymity."
He looked at her compassionately. "Well, if it makes you feel any better, my coworkers only had kind words for you." He told her.
She arched a curious eyebrow at him.
"They said you were very kind, that you came often with your mother and always left very generous tips. They also mentioned you were always polite, and nice. Brenda said every time you see her, you ask her how she's been."
"Brenda. I like her. She's sweet." She said, picking up her cup of coffee.
"The feeling seems to be mutual." Wyatt commented. "They also said you were crazy beautiful and smoking hot."
Steffy almost spit on her coffee. Putting her drink down, she narrowed her eyes at Wyatt and gave him a quizzical look. "Umm…?"
"Okay, I added that last one." He blurted out in one breath. "But they did say you were crazy beautiful."
"They did, didn't they?"
"Yes! And I agree with them."
Steffy looked up and the intense look in Wyatt's eyes made her mouth go dry. His gaze was profound and searching. He was looking at her as though all the answers to the questions he had about her rested in her eyes.
Steffy eventually broke their visual exchange by looking down then back up at Wyatt. "Thank you." She smiled appreciatively at him, flattered by his compliment. "You're quite handsome yourself." The second the words left her lips, she knew she'd regret it.
Wyatt grinned conceitedly. "Thank you! Finally honest and genuine words out of you!"
She huffed. "I forgot very humble and modest."
"Right. That too!"
They both fell in laughter.
They made small talk as they enjoyed their drinks. Steffy learned quite a bit about Wyatt. She had a feeling he was the adventurer type, a free-spirit as she liked to call herself, although he apparently took it to a whole other level. He seemed to always be on a new adventure, seeking new sensations, discovering new cultures.
Her intuition and his stories told her he was a carefree kind of guy, someone who lived his life day by day, as it came, without worrying about the next day. It was a way of life that had a certain charm to it.
The more they spoke, the more Wyatt reminded Steffy of herself; back in the days when she was wild and free and lived every day as though it were her last. They seemed to be much alike.
"Well, you lead a very interesting life." She said.
Wyatt raised a brow at her. "Are you making fun of me?" He asked, uncertain.
"No!" Steffy frowned. "Not at all. I'm very serious. It must be fun to be able to just pack up and go on new adventures whenever you want."
"It is very fun. It's exciting, thrilling…"
Just like you, Steffy thought to herself, raising a suggestive eyebrow. She mentally slapped herself. What was it about this man that initiated such inappropriate thoughts from her? Well, probably from 99.8% of the female population actually. And there her dirty mind went again! Must be hormones, she concluded.
"What are you thinking about?" Wyatt asked her, pulling her out of thoughts. She raised her head to find the hint of a smirk playing across his lips. He must have noticed her get lost in her thoughts. She could only imagine what he was assuming… And was right to assume.
Shush! She scolded her conscience.
"I was just imagining what it's like."
"And you were blushing because of that?" He asked her, dubious.
Steffy looked down, trying to hide her embarrassment, her crimson cheeks betraying her. Wyatt chuckled.
"I'll take you." He said.
Steffy looked up at him and briefly knit her brows in confusion, shaking her head. "Where?" she asked.
"On my next adventure." Wyatt answered. "Whenever it is wherever it is."
Steffy laughed. "You'll have to take both me and my baby. And Liam."
Wyatt snorted. "You and the baby, I can do with, but your boyfriend? That won't be possible."
She smiled wryly. "I'm not sure how I would fit in one of your scenarios anyway."
"I have a feeling you would be completely in your element."
"You think so?"
"There's no doubt in my mind."
"Well… maybe." She shrugged. "Who knows? I do feel like you and I have a lot in common."
A gentle smile tugged at the corner of Wyatt's mouth.
"Personality-wise, I mean. You're fun, you're fearless. You know how to live. I like to think the same of myself." Steffy explained.
Wyatt's grin widened. That was a pretty accurate description of him.
"Yeah, I get that feeling. Tell me more about you." He asked.
"Ugh." Steffy frowned and looked away. "Just google me, it'll save us both some time." She rested her chin in the palm of her hand. "I'm sure you already have."
"I haven't." He denied. She kept her eyes riveted on the tiled floor as if she saw something particular about it. "Steffy." He waited for her to look at him before he said, "I don't read gossip magazines or websites. I don't believe what they say. I don't care what they wrote about Stephanie Forrester Junior. I want to know you. Steffy."
Steffy felt tears well up in her eyes. This pregnancy made her so emotional. It needed to stop. It was becoming impossible. What the heck was she most almost crying about?!
Wyatt's words truly moved her. Him showing genuine interest in her for her. Not because she was a celebrity or because her family was famous. It meant a lot to Steffy. People caring for her generally did.
"What do you want to know?"
"Everything."
She laughed. "That might take a while."
Wyatt leaned forward and anchored his gaze in Steffy's. "We have our whole lives."
Steffy shook her head. "You're incorrigible."
Wyatt smiled and pulled back. "How about you start by telling me about your parents?"
"My parents?" Steffy repeated, her eyes widened in surprise. "What a weird question."
"What's weird about it? I want to know more about the people who brought such a stunning woman into the world." He replied.
"Well, you've already met my mother…" She started.
"I have. A beautiful, lovely lady."
Steffy smiled. "She is. My dad is -" She paused, trying to find the adequate words. Her father was so many things, but the one thing she wished she could describe him as: fatherly. "My dad is a great man. He's kind and giving. Very inspiring. Extremely talented." Words got caught in her throat as she fought to keep her emotion in check, which Wyatt noticed.
"You don't have to say more." He told her. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have asked. It was very inquisitive of me." He said, genuinely apologetic.
"My dad is a good person. I'm sorry, I –I don't really like talking about him."
"It's okay." Wyatt said.
She wiped the betraying tear that had fallen from her right eye. "He lives in Europe at the moment, so I don't see him often, and when we do talk it's for two minutes." She brought her hands on the table closer to her body. "He and my mom are separated. They've been for a while. As a child, I didn't see him much either. He had another wife. Other children." She sighed, the admission killing her. "Another family." She added, a distant look on her face. There was a reason she didn't like talking about her childhood: it hurt.
Wyatt reached out for Steffy's hand and gently squeezed it as a means of comfort. "Be that as it may, you remain his daughter. And he loves you." He assured her. "I don't see how he couldn't."
Steffy turned her eyes to Wyatt and saw the care and sincerity in his. She didn't understand why he was so nice to her. She shook her head to clear her thoughts and looked away. She heaved a sigh of tiredness. "I don't even know why I'm telling you all this. I barely know you." She frowned.
He removed his hand on top of hers, not wanting to push his luck. She turned her head towards him at the loss of contact. He smiled softly at her. "Maybe, that's why."
She tried to return his smile and although it didn't seem quite as genuine as his, Wyatt appreciated the effort. "And you?" She eventually asked him. "You told me you just moved to L.A. Are your parents with you?"
Wyatt shook his head. He then proceeded to tell Steffy about his rather complicated familial situation. He explained to her that he didn't know who his father was. He had grown up without him and without a paternal figure. As a child, he never asked his mother about his father. He assumed his father wasn't there by choice because he didn't want Wyatt. The man didn't about Wyatt, why should Wyatt care about him?
But recently, he was starting to ask himself certain questions. Like why exactly did his father leave? Why did he abandon him? Why did he never try to come in contact with him? Why did he not even help his mother raise him? So he asked his mother. And she didn't answer him. She said that it was all in the past where it belonged and that there was no point stirring up the past, assuring him no good would come out if it.
Steffy listened to Wyatt, stunned by what he was telling her, almost not wanting to believe him. How could a mother keep his father's identity from her child? As a mother-to-be, she couldn't imagine ever hiding their father from her children. True, the father being Liam, she had no reason to, but the fact was she could not think of a valid reason to do such a thing. Wyatt's mother wasn't only hiding his father's identity from him; she was also hiding part of Wyatt's identity, a whole other part of his family, his origins, where he came from, who he was! Steffy just couldn't conceive it.
"I'm so sorry, Wyatt." She eventually spoke.
"Thanks." He heaved a sigh. "Anyway, although she refused to tell me anything helpful, I know that she used to live here before I was born. I think she may have met my father here."
"Really?"
He nodded. "Yeah. That's partly why I'm here. I'm hoping he's still hanging around. I want to meet hum. I want to get to know him. I just –I have to get some answers."
It was heartbreaking for Steffy to hear this. She didn't know Wyatt well. She'd met him like five seconds before. But his story moved her. She felt bad. Only a few seconds before, she was complaining about her father not being there enough for her as she grew up, when Wyatt's father wasn't there at all. At least, she had a father. Better have a father absent from time to time than to not have one.
Like Wyatt did a few moments before, she reached for his hand and squeezed it comfortingly, fighting once again to ignore the electric discharge at the contact. Wyatt freed his thumb and ran it gently along Steffy's soft skin.
This was what they called sharing a moment. A moment interrupted when Steffy's ringtone broke her out of their bubble.
Wyatt raised an eyebrow as she dug her phone out of her handbag. Judging by the ringtone that he recognized as a slower version of Never Stop, he understood that it was her boyfriend calling. Definitely, he might not have known the guy, but he really didn't hold him dear to his heart.
"I'm sorry, I have to take it." She told him before she answered in a cheerful voice, 'Hellooo'
'Hello, sweetheart. How are you?' Liam inquired.
'Good. Even better the past ten seconds.' She answered and could hear Liam smiling through the phone. 'And you?'
'I'm ok.'
Steffy slightly frowned. 'Are you sure? You don't sound ok.' She could tell something was wrong. Liam didn't reply. 'Did you have your presentation yet?' She inquired.
Liam had a very important presentation to make in front of Spencer Publications' board today. He had an idea to extend the company by establishing a TV channel named Spencer. It would report news of the worlds of fashion and cosmetics and perhaps even about celebrities. It would be an elegant, respectable news channel, nothing like TMZ or all those gossip channels, without any credibility. He had already discussed the idea with Bill weeks ago and the latter had liked it enough to suggest that Liam present it to the board.
Liam had thus done all his research. He had made countless calls, reviewed tons of numbers, spoken to several pros of the world of television… he had even initiated a poll on Spencer Publications' website to have a better idea of the groups of people they were targeting. This project hadn't left his mind in over a month and had occupied most of his time, at Steffy's great detriment. Finally, the big day had arrived. Everything would be decided today.
'No.' He answered.
'Ah.' Explains everything. 'When is the meeting?'
Liam breathed unevenly. 'In ten minutes.'
'And you're stressed out.'
'Nooo'
She cast a glance at Wyatt who was surreptitiously listening in on her conversation. Ooh, he even had his phone out too, pretending to be occupied with it. She felt like she was being rude.
'Steffy?'
Liam's voice brought her attention back to him. 'Uh-huh?'
'Is everything ok? Is this a bad time? Were you -'
'No, no. Don't worry. You can always call me, you know that. There's never a bad time for you.'
'You're not bad at this 'saying all the right things' thing either, you know?'
Steffy chuckled. 'I learn from the best. So are you calling me for reassurance?' She already knew the answer of course.
'No!' He immediately denied. There was a small moment of silence before he added in a small voice, 'Maybe.'
'You will be great. We went over your presentation last night, remember? The board will love it. You master your subject. You will blow their minds away!' She assured him.
Liam sighed. 'You think so?' There was still a little doubt in his voice.
'I know so.' She replied in a self-assured voice, transmitting him the confidence he needed.
She heard Liam breathe in deeply. 'What would I do without you?'
'Oh my God.' She shook her head, eyes closed. 'Let's hope you never find out.' She said in a dramatic voice.
He burst out laughing. Steffy heard Allison's voice, Bill's assistant, from afar: "Liam, the meeting room is filling up. They're waiting for you."
"I'll be right there." She heard him answer before he addressed her again, 'I gotta go, love.'
'You got this, ok? You'll nail it. I'm with you. I love you, babe.' She encouraged one last time.
'I love you too. Thank you.'
'Good luck.'
They hung up and Steffy turned to Wyatt, putting her phone back in her purse. "Sorry about that."
He looked at her. "It's okay."
"That was my fiancé, Liam." She said.
"Yes, I figured at your ringtone." He arched an eyebrow. "Never Stop, really?"
"What? It suits us." She shrugged.
Wyatt smiled. "Are you always so supportive of him?" He asked.
"Of Liam? I try to. I do my best." She nodded. "I'm his no 1 supporter."
"Lucky him."
"Sometimes at my expenses." She added absentmindedly.
Wyatt knit his brows in incomprehension. Steffy raised her gaze back at him after a moment and noticed his intrigued air. "But that's another story for another day." She dismissed his implicit question with a brush of her hand.
"Ah, I knew you'd want to see me again." He smirked.
She laughed. "Ahaha. That's a way of speaking, mister. Don't imagine things." She warned him.
"Imagine things? Like what? The amazing chemistry between you and me? This undeniable attraction?" He asked jokingly, half-jokingly.
"This undeniable attra – oh my God, okay, you know what? This conversation is over." She turned to grab her purse.
"Oh come on!"
"No, I've got to go, Wyatt. I got work to do. We have been here for almost two hours, mister. I know time goes by slowly in my presence, but still!" she joked.
He laughed. She tried to get something in her handbag and accidentally dropped her key ring. Wyatt bent to pick it up. As he did, a necklace with a sword end hung from his neck. Steffy stared at it, narrowing her eyes. She could have sworn it was the same necklace Bill and Liam wore proudly.
"Here." He handed Steffy her key ring.
She took it, still confused. "Thanks."
Wyatt tucked his necklace beneath his shirt before he asked, "You ok?"
She shook her head to clear her thoughts. "Yeah. Yes. Uh, how much is the -" she tried to take a look at the bill, but Wyatt wouldn't let her.
"I got it." He took out one bill of ten dollars and another of five dollars and put them on the table. He stood up. "Let me walk you to your car."
"Oh, you don't have to." Steffy shook her head.
"I insist." He replied and held out his hand for her.
A tight-lipped smile on her face, she took his hand to get up.
As her car appeared in her vision, Steffy slowed her steps, pushing back the inevitable, aware that this was probably the last time she would see Wyatt. Unless she returned to Rivera where he had afternoon shifts Monday, Wednesday and Thursday, and evening shifts Tuesday and Saturday –not that she had paid close attention when Wyatt mentioned that –but that didn't seem like the best of ideas to her.
She heaved a quiet sigh. "Thank you… for the coffee, and for helping me with those paparazzi." She acknowledged.
"You're welcome." Wyatt flashed her a dazzling grin. "Thanks to you." He said in return.
"For what?"
"For accepting my coffee invitation."
They had arrived where she was parked, and Steffy took a couple more steps before turning around to face Wyatt. A small smile played across her face as she nodded. "Well…"
"Is there a chance you'd give me your number?" He bluntly asked.
Steffy's eyes widened a little. Well, he was straightforward to say the least. She opened her mouth, about to say something when he spoke again.
"I promise to use it more effectively than you used mine." He vowed.
She burst out laughing. "Oh my God, Wyatt…"
"Don't tell me you threw it away."
She looked at him. "I didn't."
"So… you forgot how to dial a number?" he asked.
A sorry expression formed on her face. "I didn't."
Wyatt appeared to think. "Ok, then I don't see."
"I didn't see the point in calling you." She responded honestly. Maybe it was harsh, but it had the merit of making things clear. As charming and alluring as Wyatt was, she wasn't available, and that wasn't changing anytime soon.
"Okayyy…"
"To say what, Wyatt?"
He shrugged, disconcerted. "I don't know. What do you usually say to your friends?"
"But we're not friends, Wyatt." She retorted pointedly. "We're not. We just met. Or at least, we had just met when you gave me your number. Spontaneously, without my request." She specified, giving him a meaningful look.
He looked at and listened to her intently. What she was saying was true.
"I didn't have any reason to call you, and if I'm being honest Wyatt, I still don't, and I can't think of a reason why I should give you my phone number either."
"You don't?"
She shook her head.
"Even though we just spent two hours getting to know each other and sharing very personal things about ourselves with one another?" he challenged.
"Yes, we did, and I enjoyed this time together. You are… a very nice guy, Wyatt. That is evident. But I'm spoken for. I'm engaged and pregnant as you can tell by this baby bump." Steffy said, showing her stomach. "I am two hundred percent committed to my fiancé, and out of respect for him, this just can't happen."
"Ok, Steffy? Chill. I'm not asking you to marry me. I'm not asking you to run away with me in a faraway country. I just want to see you again. I"
She interrupted him. "That's not gonna happen…Wyatt. I told you: I'm in a committed relationship. I have a boyfriend. I have a fiancé! I can't give you my number."
"What does that have to do with anything?"
"If the situations were reversed, I would kill Liam for doing it! It would just be so disrespectful towards our relationship. And think about it, if you had a serious girlfriend, you wouldn't want her to hand her number to some guy when she's supposed to be involved with you."
Wyatt took a moment to think about it. "I guess so." He reluctantly admitted. He looked at Steffy intensely. "You really love this guy, don't you?"
"I do." She nodded. "More than anything. And if you knew all that we have been through to get where we are now, you'd understand why I'm so protective of my relationship and why I'm not willing to do anything that could jeopardize it." She explained.
"I understand, and I think…Liam, is it?"
"Yes."
"…is very lucky to have you as his life partner."
Steffy smiled appreciatively. "Anyway…" She sighed. "For what it's worth, I was…" She tried to find the right word.
"Enchanted to meet you." Wyatt completed and stretched his hand towards her.
She took it and shook hands with him. "I was."
"So was I." He reluctantly released her hand.
"I hope you find what you're looking for." She said sincerely.
"Thank you. I wish you all the best with Liam and your baby."
She nodded, smiling warmly. They stared at each other for a brief moment, taking one another in, burning one another into their memory and wondering what to do next.
Steffy eventually leaned forward and Wyatt opened his arms to her. They didn't hug each other like friends but not quite like mere acquaintances either. She laid a quick kiss on his cheek before she pulled away completely.
She opened her car and got in. Smiling, Wyatt closed the door for her. She lowered her window pane.
"Take care of yourself, Steffy."
"You too."
She turned on the engine and sparing Wyatt one last look, drove off.
Maybe in another life, Wyatt thought as he watched her drive away, out of his sight… and out of his life.
/
"So something happened to me today." Steffy said to Liam who was shaving in the bathroom included in their bedroom.
"What?" He asked.
"I had a rather tumultuous encounter with the paparazzi."
"Tumultuous? Tumultuous how?"
"Well, I was leaving La Bonne Boulangère and walking to my car when I ran into half a dozen paparazzi." She elaborated.
Liam slightly cut himself. "Ouch."
"You ok?!" She leaned on the mattress and tried to peak in the bathroom.
"Yeah. I cut myself."
She sat down again normally. "Sorry!"
"I'm sorry." Liam said. "I'm sorry you have to face those people so continually. I wish there was a way to get them to stop harassing you."
Steffy shrugged. "They're doing their job. And what an unpleasant job it must be." She snorted, bringing her lips in a thin line.
Liam came out of the bathroom with just a towel wrapped around his waist. Steffy turned her head in his direction and couldn't help ogling him. She appreciated the strong musculature of his torso with her hungry eyes. A drop of water fell from his still wet hair onto his chest. She followed its way past his chest, then his stomach and further down. Her mouth went dry as she admired that 'V' that extended from his hips to his thighs. Damn!
"You like what you see?"
Steffy's head jerked up at Liam's voice. He was raising an amused eyebrow at her, a mischievous smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. Dang it! Caught in the act of ogling.
Steffy closed her mouth that she had left ajar. "Very much." She answered, trying to contain a laugh.
Liam chuckled.
She smiled and looked down.
"We could always get you a bodyguard." He opened his drawer and retrieved a boxer.
"Come again?" She lent an ear.
"A bodyguard." Liam repeated. "We could get you one."
She frowned and waited for Liam to tell her he was kidding. When he didn't, she asked, "Are you serious?"
"Yes."
Her eyes widened. "Are you crazy?"
"Why?"
"I don't know! Why would you suggest I get a bodyguard?"
"He'd protect you." He responded as though it was obvious.
"From what? The paparazzi? Please, I can still take care of myself. Even your father doesn't have a bodyguard, I'm not going to walk around with one. My life isn't in danger, and I'm no celebrity."
"Fine, it was just an idea. You know Princess Diana did die because of the paparazzi."
Steffy arched an eyebrow. "Well, thank you. That was very thoughtful, but I don't think it will come to that point."
Liam settled next to her on the bed. "Let's hope it doesn't." He kissed her nose, making her instantly close her eyes and smile.
"Sooo I was walking towards my car…" She resumed as Liam planted a kiss on her cheek. "…when I ran into those paparazzi."
"Uh-huh" He left trail of open-mouth kisses along her jawline.
"And I was about to…" His kisses made it hard for her to think and confused her thoughts. "…go back in the Café to wait for them to –Liam!" She hit him lightly on her chest. "Are you listening to me?"
She was trying to tell him something that she didn't really want to tell him but was doing it anyway for the sake of honesty, and he wasn't helping her at all right now.
Liam momentarily paused, but kept his lips close to Steffy's neck. "Yes! I am. You were going to your car, you ran into the paparazzi, and then?" He showed her he was listening without, however, stopping his ministrations.
"I was turning around to go back inside when I bumped into this guy."
Liam stopped short and pulled away enough to be able to look at Steffy. "This guy?" he repeated.
"Yes." Steffy nodded. "I suppose he saw what was going on from afar and approached to intervene."
"So what happened?" he asked.
She ran a hand through her hair, messing it a little. "He intervened. He convinced the paparazzi to go bother someone else and leave me alone. At least for the day."
"Mmh! How nice of him. So you have random benefactors now?" He nudged her elbow with his.
Steffy didn't respond anything. She pursed her lips, wondering how much she should tell Liam. He didn't need the details, right? Why create drama where there wasn't? It wasn't like she was going to see Wyatt again.
"I need to be careful. Men just can't resist you."
Steffy turned her head towards Liam. He smiled at her. "It wasn't like that." She said in a low voice.
"What wasn't how?"
"It wasn't some random rescue." Liam looked at her, puzzled, so she elaborated, "I knew him. We knew each other. From before."
"What do you mean?"
"I met him a few days ago at a restaurant. He's a waiter there." Steffy explained.
"Oh. And do you remember all waiters like that?" He scowled. "We go to a new restaurant at least once a week. Or was he particularly good?"
Steffy pressed her lips together. "He was particularly good and very nice." She answered.
"Very nice? You talked to him?" Liam inquired.
"We exchanged a couple sentences."
"A couple sentences?" he raised an eyebrow. "Clearly, they were long enough for you to get that he's nice." He commented.
Steffy held Liam's unrelenting gaze, without saying anything, not appreciating his tone or the accusation behind his words at all. He wasn't being jealous –in which case, it might have flattered her ego –he was being accusing, and it was slightly annoying Steffy.
"Do you make acquaintances with every waiter you meet?"
"Stop it, Liam." She said to him, diverting her eyes, annoyance dripping from her voice.
She meant to stand up but Liam stopped her. "Hey, I was just kidding. I'm teasing you. What's the matter?" He frowned.
"Nothing." She kept her eyes down.
He cupped her chin and tilted her head up. He waited for her to look at him before he said, "I'm sorry. I was teasing you. I didn't mean to upset you. Sorry."
She shook her head. "Don't be. It's my fault. I'm tired, it makes me super irritable." She pinched the bridge of her nose, eyes closed, and heaved a sigh. "I'm sorry."
Liam gave her a warm, sympathetic smile, and leaned in to peck her. She held the nape of his neck, keeping his mouth close to hers, and reconnected their lips. Her hand snaked into his hair as the kiss deepened.
/
"Mmmhh, it's so good." She moaned.
"It is, isn't it?"
"Don't stooop!"
"I had no intention to."
"God, I could pass out from this." Steffy opened her eyes and met Liam's darkened ones.
"Are you enjoying yourself, my love?"
"Thoroughly."
Liam chuckled and smiled at her mockingly.
She was having the best ice scream she had ever tasted. It was exquisite. Coconut pineapple. Her new favorite. (AN: Ha! Be honest. I got you there, didn't I? What were you thinking this was about?)
He released her feet which he had been massaging and went back to sit next to her at the top of the bed. She fed him a spoonful and put the spoon in her mouth eating what was left. "It's delicious, isn't it?"
Liam licked his lips. "It is, although I know something even more delicious."
"You do?" Steffy asked playfully, raising a suggestive brow at him.
He leaned forward to lavish attention on her neck. "Uh-huh" He answered in between kisses. Steffy laughed.
He planted a last noisy kiss on her cervical vertebrae before he pulled away and smiled at her. She returned his smile. She looked genuinely happy; she seemed blooming. He loved seeing her like this and knowing he was the one to make her smile. But she didn't know the whole truth. If she did…
"I'm gonna put this in the kitchen." Steffy said and got up, the bowl in her hand.
He watched as she left. He closed his eyes and shook his head in despair. Oh God, if she did…
Hope had been right about everything she said to him earlier today. He had been a coward lying to Steffy. He had been protecting himself as much as he had been protecting Steffy, perhaps more.
He didn't want to do this. Really not. But he had to. It was vital; his mental health was on the line. Hiding his kiss with Hope was killing him. He had been keeping it from Steffy for far too long, and he couldn't do it any longer. She deserved better. Much better.
Steffy came back into the bedroom. After slipping under the sheets, she cupped Liam's face and kissed his cheek tenderly.
"Are you okay?" She wiped a crease off his forehead. "You seem a little preoccupied."
Liam tried to smile, but it came out a little forced. "You know me so well." He spoke in a soft voice.
"So do you." Steffy smiled.
He looked down at the sheets at the bottom of the bed, seriously doubting this whole thing. Steffy furrowed her brow. "Liam, you're scaring me. What's going on?" She could tell something serious was on his mind. "It's not work, is it?"
"No, it's not." He looked up to her. There was so much love, adoration and concern mingled in her eyes. All in one look. He didn't feel worthy of such a look. "Listen, there's something I need to tell you."
Steffy drew herself up in a straighter position. "Okay."
"I don't know if I should." Liam shook his head. "I don't know how you're gonna take it, but I know I have to tell you."
Cliffhanger! I know. Sorry.
AN: Some of you seem a little worried about where this is going. If you would all just chill and trust me... I know what I'm doing. Actually I don't, but let's pretend that I do, and bear with me. I realize it is upsetting to still have Hope being on Liam's mind. I do. Trust me, some parts are upsetting to write, but they are necessary. I want this story to be as realistic as possible, and even though I was never really a fan of Lope, I am not delusional to the point where I don't know that Liam and Hope's love was real and true and is not the kind that just dies overnight. Have I given you any reason to believe that Liam was having second thoughts? That he wanted to get back with Hope? I do not think so. Liam being "jealous" about Hope and Oliver does not make him a jerk. It makes him a guy (= a jerk, but...) Guys just have that type of reaction. Just because they're done with somebody doesn't mean they're ready for that person to be done with them. Trust that I know where I'm going with this, okay? I realize Liam is annoying at times, but give him time. He's a work in progress.