Page 88 of Seeking Stars
Her breathing tightened up; she had to purposefully loosen it. She believed him. She didn't like it, but she believed him.
"For the benefit of complete disclosure," he said, "I kept some pictures for a while, which I used when celibacy was particularly difficult. I've deleted them all already."
"You did?"
He nodded.
"Why is that?" she asked him with a knowing smile.
"I can't think of anyone else but you, Ana Lira."
Saturday
Liam had the first long, well-rested night he'd had in weeks. He woke up slowly the next morning, the warmth of the bed soothing him into a pleasant half-awareness. He didn't know how much time had passed when he felt Ana stir next to him; his brain didn't fully engage with reality until she kissed his shoulder, then his arm. It was a reality worth waking up for. With no words, kissing turned into more, until they were ravenous and spent once again.
They had agreed that Ely would come at 11; Ana and Liam showered and got ready, making coffee, setting things up. Ely arrived only fifteen minutes late, which Ana said fit the standard. When Ana opened the door, all he saw was a flurry of movement as arms surrounded Ana's neck.
"Sorry I'm late." Ely's voice sounded muffled against Ana's shoulder. "I had to stop to buy some stuff."
Liam stood in the middle of the living room, hands in his pockets, more nervous than he'd like to admit. Ely was an important person in Ana's life, and it felt like her approval would be critical for Ana's and his relationship.
Ely finally let go of Ana, who grabbed the bags from Ely's hands and took them to the kitchen. At the same time, Ely gazed around the room until her eyes fixed on him. He smiled to hide his nerves. She toed her shoes off and approached him.
"Hey, you!" she said.
She was pretty. Her gorgeous, almost-black eyes shone as they studied him. Her hair had a slight wave to it and fell to right above her shoulders; aside from that and her darker skin tone, she could be Ana's shorter sister. She wore a blouse with a flowery print and black jeans, and mischief seemed to sparkle all over.
"Hi, Ely. It's nice to finally meet you."
She bumped his shoulder with a fist. "You, too. Can't believe you're real, to be honest."
He laughed. "I'm sorry I'm not shirtless."
"You could fix that if you really wanted," Ely replied, her smile growing wider. The glint in her eye intensified.
"Stop it, you two," Ana said, coming out of the kitchen. "No one's going to be shirtless today for breakfast."
Liam crossed his arms and dropped his head to the side, stealing a long glance at Ana, before returning to Ely.
"Is she possessive, then?" he asked Ely.
"Nah, she just really wants me to stop objectifying you."
"That would make sense. She's had opportunities to be really jealous and she just… hasn't been." He shrugged with only one shoulder.
"She knows what she's worth, that's all."
"Guys. I'm right here," Ana said. "I need food in my stomach before I can cope with the two of you teasing me at the same time."
Ely winked at Liam before turning to the kitchen, much more familiar than him with Ana's place.
"I'll feed you first, then. I'll tease you later."
"I'll make you a deal," Ana said to Liam. "Ely and I will cook, you can do the dishes. All three of us won't fit in my kitchen."
"That's fine," he said. "I'll get some coffee and sit at the breakfast bar."
"I'll get it for you," she replied, before lifting to the balls of her feet to kiss his cheek.
