Tears spilled down her cheeks, and she angrily wiped them away. She was mad at herself for crying, and she was furious at him. "I'm going to be honest with you, about everything."
She laughed and shook her head despairingly. "How am I supposed to know that?"
Her words cut into his heart, and he winced involuntarily. "I deserve that, but it will be the truth, Sera, I promise."
She snorted and looked away; she rubbed her hands along her arms to ward off the chill racking her. "I hope so, Liam, I really hope so."
He stretched his hand out to rub her cheek. She jerked away from his touch, her eyes burned with a resentment bordering on hatred. He dropped his hand away. He was going to lose her; no matter how much she loved him she wouldn't be able to deal with this. She was going to walk out of this room and never look back. But, she was going to hear the truth first. She deserved it, and no matter how much he never wanted her to be, she was involved now.
He stood and walked across the room; he paced as he ran his fingers through his hair. "I told you why I didn't tell you about Michelle, but I didn't tell you about all the circumstances surrounding her—"
"Don't you think you should tell me about last night first?" she cut him off abruptly.
"No. Last night happened because of her. It will be best to explain her first."
"Fine."
"I met Michelle two days before school started. We were throwing an end of summer party here, and she came to it. I didn't pay much attention to her at first, which I don't think made her very happy. But it was a game I was playing. I knew by not paying attention to her, she would want me more. She was a challenge to me. She wasn't as tough to get as she pretended to be. By the end of the night, I'd had too much to drink, and I had her. It was quick, it was over with, and it didn't mean anything, not to me anyway.
"Apparently, she thought it meant more, which I am sorry for. She came by here a couple of times after, but I didn't talk to her. When she confronted me about it, I told her the truth. It was a one-night stand, nothing more, and it was never going to be more. She didn't take it well, and I can't say I blame her. I was a jerk, I know it, but I can't take it back. But I wasn't by myself; she was there too.
"Then, a couple weeks later, you showed up. I saw you before you saw me. Everyone was talking about you, and guys were fluttering around you like moths, but you didn't notice. I didn't know what to make of you. Some said you were stuck up, mainly the girls, but then I saw you with Kathleen and Danielle, and how open and happy you were with them. The guys said pretty much what guys say. They wanted to sleep with you, they wanted this, or they wanted that. Except for Mike. He told me to stay away from you. To leave you alone. For Mike to say something like that... well, it just amazed me and piqued my curiosity. I had to meet you."
"Did I become a challenge too?" she asked as her chin lifted defiantly.
He didn't want to tell her this, but she wanted the truth, and he was going to give it to her. "Yes," he admitted. "You weren't a challenge in the same way Michelle was, but you were a challenge."
"Good to know," she mumbled bitterly.
"You wanted the truth." A jolt of anger made his voice harsh. "I'm giving it all to you, Sera. You were a challenge simply because I had to know more about you, not because I just wanted you in my bed like Michelle—"
"This is just getting better," she muttered.
"Don't do that!" he retorted. Her hands fisted as her chin jutted out but she didn't say anything more. "All I wanted from Michelle was a one night stand. I wanted more from you. Otherwise, I would have gone to any of the many willing girls around here after the first night we met, but I didn't. You were not, and are not, just a stupid conquest; you never have been. That first night, I saw what Mike had been talking about. I saw the vulnerability in you, the fear, and I knew I shouldn't become involved with you, that I should stay away. You’d been hurt, and I could do nothing but bring you more hurt."
"Then why didn't you leave me alone?" she asked.
"I don't know!"
His frustration had come to a boiling point. She jumped in surprise and then winced. Liam took a deep breath and forced himself to calm down. She was scared of him already; he didn't want to frighten her anymore, especially when he hadn't even told her the worst part yet.
"I don't know," he repeated. "You are unlike anyone I ever met, and I wanted to know all about you. The more I learned about you, the more I loved you. I think I've loved you since the first night. No matter what happens, I will always love you, and I will protect you from anyone who tries to injure you. Even if you never speak to me again, I will still protect you."
She stared at him, crying silently as her hands shook in her lap. He walked over to the window and stared out the blinds as he gathered his strength before turning to face her again. "If you decide to leave, I
