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Chapter 9 - Confused_2

Hazel's POV

 I was in the vanity, applying sunburn cream to nourish my skin, when I felt his strong hands on my shoulders.

My breath hitched.

I paused immediately, feeling my heart beat spike as he leaned in and ran his nose along the length of my neck, savoring me.

I smiled, sighing softly.

"Hazel," He said softly. Something about his voice sent the shivers down my spine. I opened my eyes and stared back at his reflection in the mirror.

"I've been thinking about you so much lately." He said, "I want you." He added, before his hands began to trail across the edge of my dress.

 There wasn't a single doubt that he really did want me so bad. But I felt a rush of apprehension instead. I was trying so hard to consider his feelings, but I also had to consider mine. As much as I wanted to give in, I knew I couldn't. I needed some rest. We had made love a few days ago, but I didn't think it was the right time again. I sighed again as he continued to deliver the tingling sensations across my body. His strong hands roamed my body, squeezing and kneading.

 "I've been thinking," he moaned quietly, before giving my earlobe a gentle bite. "About us."

 

 My heart skipped at his words, followed by a rush of anticipation. What was he going to say when I told him that I didn't want it? I would rather not see him so disappointed, but I didn't have any other choice. He also had to consider my wants at some point, besides, his behavior lately has been really nice, so I didn't expect him to freak out so bad.

 "I want to feel you again." He said, slowly sneaking his hands through my gown and into my thighs. He moved to my ass, and he kneaded them passionately before burying them in between my legs to stroke my throbbing core.

"Liam." I moaned.

"I-I" The pleasure had me stuttering, I couldn't complete my words.

"What?" He asked, pausing for a while as he observed my face. I took some time to get back my breathing, and then stared at him in the face.

"I'm sorry but… I don't… want it now."

"Why?" He asked, the light died out of his face. "It's not like I'm avoiding you or anything, but I just don't feel like it right now. I like the way you make me feel, but I don't think it's the best time right now… can you be a bit more patient, please?" I asked. He sighed, slightly shaking his head before walking back to the chair behind us.

 He grabbed the chair and walked towards me, then he sat opposite me and took my hands in his.

"I know, I've been…demanding, in the past." He started with an admission, and he sounded as if he did regret it.

"And I understand if you're not ready to be intimate with me now. There's nothing wrong with that. I'll wait, but I don't appreciate being held back for too long." He said, reminding me of his previous habit of sleeping around. To be honest, I was surprised he did really understand me. Had Liam actually said what I thought he had?

"You… understand?" My response came in a shocked whisper. He nodded, smiling as he reached out to caress my cheek. I searched his eyes for any sign of deception, but I found none. He had changed, for good.

"Yes," he said again. "I want you to know that I care about you. And I would rather not pressure you into anything you're not comfortable with."

Without another word, I threw my arms around him and hugged him passionately, shutting my eyes tight. I felt a surge of emotion with his words. 

 

 There was nothing else I could have asked for other than this. A man who really cared, someone who was always looking out for me and making sure that I got the best. I couldn't believe a part of him could be this wonderful.

"Thank you," I whispered, my voice choked with emotion as I leaned into his touch.

"Thank you so much for understanding me." He smiled and even hugged me deeper.

"I love you." He murmured, "and I will do whatever it takes to make you happy and give you everything you deserve. I apologize for the past, for all those times I treated you harshly. I just want to make up for those times in any way I can. You know I love you, right?" The things he said to me were tempting me to give in and let him have his way with me. But I was able to hold off the temptation at last.

 "I love you too." I whispered.

I still remembered last night vividly, and everything I did, I caught myself smiling and staring into the distance. Liam didn't give me butterflies, he gave me bats! As I went about my daily routine, I noticed that my life had undergone some changes. While Liam still harbored a strong desire for intimacy, it had somewhat subsided compared to before. It wasn't always like this.

 

 He used to get mad at me if I dared deny him sex, and most times he would have his way with me whether I wanted it or not. Perhaps my suicide attempt had made him start to value me more, or maybe he was finally beginning to see me as more than just a vessel for his pleasure and a tool to bread heirs. Whatever the reason, I couldn't deny how happy I had gotten recently. My life felt full once again, and it seemed everything was finally falling into place like before.

 I was still walking through the corridors, oblivious of what was going around me, when I heard someone call my name, jeering me out of the thought. I turned sharply to see Colton running towards me. He looked so worried, and his brows furrowed as he approached.

"Hey," he called out before his face suddenly lit up.

"I heard about what happened. And I wanted to make sure you're okay." I beamed,

"I'm fine. Thank you for your concern." Despite my response, it was clear that he was still unconvinced.

"I don't think you should be going around on your own. Don't you have a personal guard? You know, with the recent sightings of rogues around the borders, it's not safe. I'm not saying I don't trust the warrior guards to do their job, but you know,just looking out for you." He chuckled.

I frowned, and he was fast to notice it.

 "What's wrong?" He asked, taking a step towards me, but I lifted my hand to stop him, earning a frown from me.

"I'm perfectly capable of taking care of myself. And besides, I'm not alone. The Alpha is always there for me." I muttered, leaving little room for argument.

"What do you mean, you have the alpha by your side?" He finally looked around, probably thinking that I was only saying that because I feared people hearing the truth. "There's no one around, so you can drop the act," he said, his frown deepening.

 "Liam is here to protect me. I don't know what you're playing at–" I started, but he cut in.

"I'm not playing any games Hazel, so what are you talking about? All I have ever done is protect, and remember I saved you when you almost killed yourself–" he was already repeating the same lies he told me.

"That's what you want me to believe. That you're a savior that came right in time to save me while I trust you wouldn't have been able to save me just right when I was about to jump," I snapped.

 Why did he feel the need to take all the glory? What would he gain from doing this to his brother?

He looked at me in utter disbelief. "What are you talking about? Hazel, I was there to save–" I immediately interjected.

"No, enough with the lies. Why didn't you tell me he was the one who gave you orders to save me that day? I thought it was your doing?" My retort came in a sharp tone, sharper than I had intended.

 I was tired of all the lies and deceit. I wanted a normal life filled with joy, and lately, I had been receiving it. It felt like a dream come true, like all my prayers were answered.

His eyes widened in both confusion and surprise. "What did you say?" He whispered, almost breathless. He clearly was not expecting to get caught.

"You heard me right. Liam told me he was the one who gave the other, and it was funny to think you'd actually save me. Of course, it had to be your brother's intervention," I said with a stern tone.

"My brother?" He asked, still finding it difficult to digest. "Was that what he told you? That he gave me orders to save you?" He asked, taking a step closer, but I lifted my hand to stop him again.

He looked helpless and perplexed.

 "I don't know why you had to lie but whatever the reason is I hope from now on you'd respect the boundaries," I turned to leave, but he held my hand to stop me before I could take another step.

"I don't understand anything you're saying. I just hope you'll allow me to explain to you better. Whatever Liam said to you were all–" I cut him off again.

"What? What do you want to say? That they're all lies? Well, I already know whom to trust in a situation like this. I have been long enough to know his type of person. But you, on the other hand, I barely even know you," I snapped, and he looked surprised and a bit hurt, but his expression softened almost immediately.

 

 "I see," he said as he slowly let go of my hand.

"If you don't mind, I'd like to attend to a few things right now." I said.

He nodded, smiling, before getting out of the way. "Of course, your Grace."

I sighed in relief before making my way towards the gardens. I didn't want to think about the awkward moment I had just faced a few seconds ago. I was more interested in the way things had been falling into place lately. I had saved my brother,gotten my mate back, and most importantly, made my family proud.

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