Lana’s face turned crimson with embarrassment. She hid her face behind her hair and in the pillow to avoid being seen by Liam, who would not leave any chance of teasing her.

“Go to the couch, Liam,” she reminded him. She was still sulky and not in the mood for getting teased. Conflicted about her own emotions, her heart and mind could not simply agree with each other, driving her into opposite directions. They were debating hard. Obviously there was a war between her heart and her mind.

“Let me sleep here, with you, from now on okay. What’s the difference? We already did what a normal husband and wife are doing, so sleeping in one bed is nothing. Don’t worry, I will behave and will do nothing that’s against your will. I really like you Lana and I respect you so if you say stop I will definitely do so. So please don’t push me away.” She heard Liam whisper.

Lana bit her lip. She did not want to push him away, but she was not ready to give her heart away. Because at that point, she knew she was falling for Liam. That was something she was afraid of the most.

She closed her eyes because the flashbacks of their lovemaking were playing back inside her head. His scent was pure seduction, his voice was nascent temptation, and his touch was an open invitation that she could not deny accepting if it continued for over ten minutes.

But she was afraid of herself, her own mind, and she knew that she must not hurt him and his heart in all this. She could not fall in love because she was a woman incapable of handling such a fragile feeling.

“Are you sure you don’t want to eat your favorite cinnamon rolls? I will prepare some tea or coffee. Hmm, it’s still early to sleep. Why don’t we talk first Lana? I need to tell you something important too. Lana I…” Liam insisted, knowing Lana was fully awake, but he paused when Lana abruptly got up from the bed.

“Okay, let’s talk.” She said and walked first to pick up the bread out from the paper bag and put it on the table.

“What do you want with it? Hot milk, chocolate, or tea? No coffee or we both might stay awake the whole evening.” Lana said and walked at the mini pantry of her room to prepare her hot chocolate.

“But it’s the weekend tomorrow. Who cares if we stay up all night? I would rather have coffee than chocolate milk.” Liam complained before he stood up, from the bed.

Liam sat down on the chair and watched Lana with amus.e.m.e.nt as she prepared the hot chocolate and coffee.

“Why do you love this cinnamon bread so much?” Liam asked out of curiosity when Lana handed him the coffee and took a seat on a chair near him.

Lana unconsciously smiled and answered, “Because it smells good, it’s fluffy, soft and doughy, oozing with buttery sweet cinnamon flavor.”

‘Yummy then, just like you…’ Liam’s crazy mind suddenly thought of the yummy buttery softness of Lana that he enjoyed chewing in his mouth making her m.o.a.n and cry in pleasure.

He snapped back to reality and grinned at how his naughty mind was activating again. Tonight he had decided that he would let Lana rest because he was sure she was still sore with their previous lovemaking since last night.

Lana snapped a finger in front of him and asked, “What is it you wanted to talk about?”

Liam was about to drink the coffee first when Lana whispered, “Careful, it’s hot.”

He smiled and blew a bit of air on it. He loved it… Lana showed him how she cared in her own ways but was trying to not make it so obvious.

“I guess you thought I was among the casualties in that collapsed bridge a while ago. But you know what? I feel so happy thinking you did and seeing your tears and worried face for me…

Tears were actually the last thing I ever wanted to see on your beautiful face, but then I feel grateful seeing how deep your concern is for me. Thank you because it really feels nice when someone shows how they genuinely care for someone.” Liam specified before sipping on his coffee.

He looked at Lana with his solemn eyes, making sure he had eye contact with her as he added in a serious tone, “Do you know how I felt when I saw you in that devastated state trapped in that dark, unlit elevator? I felt torn, Lana. I felt so devastated that I want to do everything that could make you feel better at any cost. I wanted to punish everyone, each and every person responsible for bringing you in that state whether intentionally or not. My heart ached hard because I cared for you a lot.”

Lana was speechless. She felt her throat was dry. She did not know what to say, and even though she did, she was not willing to say it to Liam.

Yes, she realized a sharp pain in her heart, something at the thought of Liam getting hurt or her losing him at that moment, but she was not ready to open herself to him emotionally… Not just yet…

She herself did not know why, but something was restraining her to be vocal with Liam. She hoped Liam would not say any more words. She was scared to hear it and was scared as well if he would ask something she could not answer.

Liam chortled and Lana looked at him, confused.

“What I want to say is I care for you too much Lana. But then don’t worry, I will try my best to meet all your expectations. I want to stay with you and be your man, let me just do that and I won’t demand for anything else from your side except to let me stay by your side.” Liam added, trying to ease the atmosphere because he felt Lana’s tension.

He knew she was conflicted, and he did not want to push her hard given that she was facing her own nightmares.

Then he grabbed one cinnamon roll and bit.

“Hmm, this tastes good.” Liam commented with a smile and signaled Lana to eat too. Lana did and Liam then spoke, “Actually, I want to tell you about that elevator incident.”

Lana, without blinking an eye, focussed her stare on him, waiting…

Liam then detailed what happened and told Lana that Gracy was the person responsible for everything.

“That crazy woman!” Lana burst in anger but later tried to calm herself since Liam already gave her what she deserved.

She only hoped Gracy would stop trying to harm her already by this time, or else that woman would face her wrath and that wouldn’t be good for her in any way. She wanted to calm her mind and stood up to get some water, but Liam held her wrist and pulled her down onto his lap.

He hugged her tightly by holding her by her waist and rested and buried his face in her chest, inhaling her natural, pleasing, calming scent.

“As long as I’m here… I will not allow anyone to harm you no matter what. I will always protect you and take good care of you, Lana…” she heard him whisper.