As soon as Tim went to bed, my aunt took a bottle of Merlot and two glasses and asked me to accompany her to the terrace.

I grabbed two chairs for us to have somewhere to sit and flopped down on one of them.

Aunt Sam poured some wine into our glasses and gave me one, smiling as she did so. "To our reunion," she said. "I missed you, baby girl."

"I missed you too." I smiled. It'd been a year of Skype calls and texts. I hadn't seen my aunt since I went to Marseille to study. "How's everything at home? How's Michael?"

My aunt smiled. "He's doing great, busy with his TV show and getting used to the normalcy of living in a peaceful place. I think he does miss being a war correspondent, but there's no way he's going back to doing that. Now, he's just as happy looking for issues to cover in his talk show. You should watch the next week's program."

"I won't miss it. Have you seen my mom and dad?"

"Last week. Luke was complaining about his low pay again. I swear, I miss the kind of guy he was before he got bitter. He's my brother, and I love him, but your mom deserves a monument for putting up with his grumpy ass."

"Yeah, she does." I sighed. "I think she's tired of being stuck in that town and not being able to go on vacation or visit me. I know it's because they have to pay for my stay here. It's a big effort."

"And you are their only child, Sky. Don't blame yourself. Luke could've looked for another job, but he chose to stay where he is. We are masters of our destiny, girl. It's all in our hands."

"I guess so." I shrugged. "But it's too late now."

"He's in his early forties, baby. That's still very young. If only your dad would listen to me. Instead, he prefers to say I had it easy. Easy, my ass. I spent months skipping lunches and saving every cent to afford to buy my equipment when I started. Do you know how many rejections I got? A ton of them. Lord, did I want to give up and find a regular job."

"But you didn't."

"I didn't. Abby wouldn't have forgiven me. She was that tiny voice in my head telling me that I could do it." My aunt's eyes glossed over at the mention of her childhood friend, who was no longer alive. "Well, enough of that." Aunt Sam perked up fast. "Tell me how you ended up in Paris. Luke didn't say anything to me."

"That's because he doesn't know," I said, biting my lip. "And if I tell you the truth, you won't be proud of me."

"That's nonsense!" Aunt Sam rolled her eyes. "I will always be proud of you."

"Remember the boyfriend I told you about?"

"The one from that industrial town close to where your parents live?"

I nodded. "I moved to Paris to be with him when he got a job here, but he dumped me in the worst way imaginable. He was already living with someone else. I was such a doormat I am ashamed of myself. I don't know how I could love myself so little that I put up with his crap for almost a year. He mistreated me and let me believe I had issues."

My aunt stopped sipping her wine and focused her eyes on me. "What issues?"

"He said I was cold because when we slept together, I felt nothing."

Aunt Sam raised her glass. "Here's to my baby girl and the first douchebag in her collection."

I giggled. "First? I hope he's the last one."

Sighing, my aunt took a small sip from her glass. "Me too, baby. I had five before Michael. If only I told you what I put up with - those who couldn't handle that the woman is smart, those who wanted me to be their mother, the cheaters, the liars, you name it."

"You never told me."

"You were too little to understand, but you're a young woman now. One bad experience doesn't mean that all men are bad. It's not true. There are lots of good guys, but we need the assholes to recognize those who are not. Learn the lesson and move on. And regarding what he said, don't even entertain the thought. It was his pathetic way to justify his shortcomings."

"The first time was horrible," I muttered.

"So was mine, because I didn't do it with the right guy. I felt nothing. Everything he did seemed pathetic. Scratch that, it was pathetic - sloppy kisses and fumbling with my clothes and not being able to make me want him. How the hell would I like it if I was thinking about my schoolwork while he was sticking it in there?"

I snorted, spilling some wine onto my sweater.

Some would think that what aunt Sam told me was too much, but she had always been my go-to person. When I got my period and wanted to try using tampons, she was the one to go to the store with me and spent ages helping me choose the brand.

She taught me how to take photos and didn't miss a single dance recital of mine, always encouraging me and telling me to go for my dream. While I loved and trusted my mom, there were things I wasn't comfortable telling her. Somehow, with my aunt, I could open up and tell her what I would tell a close friend.

"I'm glad I'm not the only one who wasn't lucky." I smiled.

"You never know what someone else went through, baby. And when it comes to intimacy, people have all kinds of experiences. Some are easier to overcome than others. I'm happy you left that cheating piece of crap. He doesn't deserve to be called a man."

"He sure doesn't. Liam is different. At first, I thought he was too good to be true, you know?"

My aunt's eyes glimmered in the semi-darkness of the terrace that was only lit by the street lights outside. "I knew it! So, you are together."

"Not really, at least not officially," I said. "We decided to try and get to know each other to see where the thing goes. Not even Ellie knows what's going on. I guess I'm too scared to let him in and get burned again, but I like him. I really like him."

"There's nothing wrong with taking it slow. You are both adults. Find out if you are compatible in bed and out of it, and if you think he's worth it, jump right in."

"What if it doesn't work out? He's so handsome and has more experience. Liam is very independent; he's been taking care of his brother since he was fifteen."

Aunt Sam shrugged. "Those are points in his favor. We love independent men who work hard and are caring. Believe me, when I say it, it is way worse to be stuck with a child who only knows how to spend their folks' money. And being handsome is a plus. You are both gorgeous, such a stunning couple. What matters is if he's a good person, baby. A beautiful package means nothing if a ton of crap is inside."

"I guess you're right. I'm just afraid of going too fast. I did it with my ex and regretted it."

My aunt moved her chair closer to mine and drew her arms around my shoulders. "Then, don't go fast. Go at your own pace. A real man will understand. If he doesn't, then he isn't worth the trouble. No matter what, never sell yourself short. You need to know your worth, with or without a guy."

"If only it were easy." I sighed, staring into my glass.

"It's not. That's what youth is about- getting to know yourself and learning to love and accept the person you are, making tons of mistakes and bad choices in the process. Call it a learning curve."

"Thank you," I mumbled. "I wish I hadn't made half of those bad choices and mistakes. Some of them are hard to fix."

"You know you wouldn't make them now, and that's enough. Don't let assholes dull your shine, baby girl. You are too beautiful to suffer because of them."

A tear slid down my cheek. My aunt kissed my forehead and wiped off the moisture. "Hush, don't cry. You know you can tell me anything if you need to talk. If you don't want to do it, shopping is just as therapeutic. How about we go and buy you some things tomorrow?"

"I'd love to, but I have to babysit Tim."

Aunt Sam laughed. "Believe me; I know how to entertain a kid. I'm sure we can find some stores he'd like. We'll take the boy with us so that he doesn't miss his big brother too much. What do you say?"

"Absolutely. Thank you. You're the best." I smiled, resting my head on aunt Sam's shoulder.

"I'm just your aunt who loves you," she said, patting my thigh.

***

Aunt Sam didn't lie when she said we would take advantage of her stay in Paris. The three of us went shopping and did something fun daily. Ellie joined us when she could, but not as much as she wanted - swamped with exams, her free time was almost non-existent.

Tim and aunt Sam got on more than well. She picked him up from his soccer practice and spent time playing with the boy, who took to her fast.

Today, I could barely reign in my excitement. Liam would be back from Marseille at night.

Liam and I talked and texted daily. He called me every night, and we spent at least an hour on the phone, chatting about his training, my studies, my aunt Sam and Tim.

We also talked about us. Liam wanted us to spend more time together when he was back. He said he missed me, and I believed him. The talk with my aunt infused some much-needed confidence in me.

Therapy was helping, too, although I was a sobbing mess during some sessions. Sometimes, Sophia made me recall especially painful events, and talk about them. While I did feel better afterward, the process was not easy.

Somehow, the day passed fast. Sam went to bed, and so did Tim.

After an extra-long shower, I took my time blow-drying my hair. Ditching my usual cotton PJs, I wore a way too short silk nightie and a light robe on top.

The Econ textbooks on my bed were a cover-up. I couldn't focus, waiting for Liam to be back, but didn't want to show him how desperate I was to see him.

I wished I knew what to do. Would he find it weird if I kissed him? Did he expect me to do it? I didn't want to seem ridiculous, showing Liam too much affection.

Failing to think about anything other than him, I grabbed my phone and scrolled through the playlists in the music app, stopping whenever I came across a song that reminded me of Liam.

I was so immersed in the task that I nearly missed the sound of the key turning in the lock.

I rushed to the hallway and halted at the door. It opened, and Liam stepped into the apartment.

His beautiful eyes roamed my body and came to rest on my face.

"Hey," I whispered, afraid to wake up my aunt and Tim.

Liam dropped his bag to the floor and crossed the little distance between us, lifting me and making me wrap my legs around his hips.

Then, his lips- firm, demanding, wet- devoured mine.

I hugged Liam tighter, lost in the sensual movement of his tongue as it licked my lips and slipped into my mouth.

He pressed me up against the hallway wall, kissing me deeply while one of his hands stroked the bare skin of my legs.

"Liam," I moaned against his mouth.

As if he'd just realized what we'd been doing, he stopped kissing me and put me down gently before cupping my face with his palms. "Hey, sweetheart. I'm sorry for kissing you like that. I saw you all beautiful, and I lost my fucking mind."

"I loved it," I whispered, placing a string of kisses on Liam's jaw.

"Say that again, and I'm repeating it."

"I loved it." I giggled, pecking Liam's lips.

"So, you want more?" Liam asked, failing to hide the hopefulness in his voice.

"Yes. You promised me those cuddles and got my hopes up."

Liam chuckled. "Okay. I'm gonna take a shower first. The journey was long."

I blushed as I said, "Take it in my room. You can sleep with me. My aunt isn't much of an early riser. You can go and take the couch in the morning."

"Are you sure, sweetheart?"

Smiling, I nodded. "Come with me."

Liam picked up his bag from the floor and followed me to my bedroom.
I saw him smile at the two scented candles burning slowly and releasing sweet perfume into the air. Then, Liam rummaged in the bag and pulled out a square package, which he then handed to me.

"What's this?" I asked.

"Just some chocolate for you. We didn't even have time to go shopping there, but I wanted to bring you something."

I pecked Liam's lips. "Thank you. Towels are in the cabinet. I'll wait till you're done."

Liam nodded and disappeared into my bathroom. I heard the water running, but it didn't last too long.

Faster than I thought it would, the door to my bedroom opened.

Liam stepped inside with a towel wrapped around his hips, and his hair slightly wet. Tiny droplets clung to the smooth skin of his torso, making me want to dry them with my lips.

"Come here," Liam whispered, and I obliged, taking a tentative step toward him.

He pulled me into his arms immediately. Liam's mouth closed over mine, and he started to kiss me. His hands roamed my body, beginning the slow, sensual caresses through the silk of my robe.

Liam unfastened it and pushed it off my shoulders, making it land on the floor.

My pulse quickened when he grabbed the hem of my nightie and pulled it up, taking it off as well.

I stood in front of Liam in nothing but a pair of lace panties on my hips, feeling self-conscious as I tried to cover my bare chest.

Liam grabbed my wrists and removed my hands from my breasts. Then, his lips landed on mine once again as he walked us to my bed without losing his hold on me.

"I'm going to kiss and caress you, but only where you want it," said Liam, lowering me onto the soft mattress.

"Undress me completely." I heard myself whisper as I lifted my hips to help Liam slide my panties off my legs.

Lit by the candles, his handsome face was even more breathtaking. I loved the blazing fire in his eyes and his slightly parted lips as he looked at me, naked for him for the first time.

Running my fingertips over Liam's stomach, I inched them toward the towel and took it off him without much effort.

Liam's chest rose and fell fast as I let myself get acquainted with the part of his body that was hidden beneath the towel. I touched him slowly, feeling his hardness against my palm and wetness between my legs.

"Sweetheart...please... Don't," he whispered with desperation lacing his voice.

"You don't like it?"

Liam chuckled, placing his palm on my cheek. "Like it? I love it, but I need it to be about you. Let me kiss you."

After a barely perceptible nod of my head, Liam lowered his head to my breast and took one of my nipples in his mouth.

Moaning, I undulated under him, seeking friction when he sucked on it and released it only to restart the caresses.

"Quiet, sweetheart," he whispered. "Suck on my fingers."

What was going on in my candle-lit room was new and better than I could have dreamed of. My body was on fire from Liam's lips and hands. I didn't stop to wonder what we were doing or why I found it so enjoyable to run my tongue over Liam's fingertips, which he then placed on the breast he wasn't kissing, rubbing the moisture over the most sensitive part of it.

Liam's eyes watched me pant and bite my lip when he kissed my stomach and hips, coming dangerously close to my center.

I pulled him to lie on top of me with his hard length pressed to my body, nearly coming undone from his greedy kisses as he took my face between his palms and his sleek tongue thrust into my mouth, making love to it in a way that left me light-headed.

Together, we were explosive, fierce, and passionate, burning for each other as we played with each other's bodies, not quite crossing the lines but coming dangerously close to it. I didn't know any of it existed until this night with Liam. It was the night neither of us would forget, and it was only getting started.

More in the next chapter...hope it was okay!