Chapter Twenty-Two: A Heart Divided

Liam licked his lips clean, savoring the lingering taste of Charlie on his tongue as he slowly pulled himself up from between her legs. He could still feel the heat radiating off her skin, the soft, rhythmic rise and fall of her chest as she lay back against the pillows, her body trembling from the intensity of what they had just shared. Her scent, sweet and intoxicating, filled the room, wrapping them both in the aftermath of the intimacy that had just unfolded.

But as Liam settled beside her, resting on the bed next to her naked form, he noticed a subtle shift in Charlie. Her breath, once deep and languid, was now short and shallow. A soft flush crept up her neck, coloring her cheeks as her hands instinctively moved to cover herself, a wave of shyness overtaking her. She had been open, vulnerable in a way she’d never been before, and now that the passion between them had ebbed, reality was settling in.

Liam’s heart clenched when he saw her attempt to hide, her arms curling protectively over her chest. Without a word, he reached down and pulled the sheet from the end of the bed, gently draping it over her exposed body, covering her without making a fuss. His fingers lingered on the edge of the sheet for a moment before he leaned forward and pressed a soft kiss to her forehead, his lips warm and comforting.

“I’ll be right back,” Liam whispered softly, his voice low and filled with care. Then, he rose from the bed and disappeared into the bathroom, leaving Charlie alone with her thoughts.

As soon as the door clicked shut behind him, Charlie’s mind whirred with conflicting emotions. The warmth of Liam’s kiss still tingled on her skin, but the embarrassment that had surged through her during the intimate act was hard to shake. Despite how safe she felt with Liam, how carefully he had touched her, she couldn’t help but feel self-conscious now that it was over.

She clutched the sheet tighter around her body, pulling it up to her chin, the weight of her thoughts pressing heavily on her chest. This was new territory—uncharted and overwhelming. She wanted Liam. There was no doubt in her mind about that. His presence soothed her, made her feel cherished in a way she had never known before. But there was something gnawing at the edges of her thoughts—something that had nothing to do with Liam at all.

Luther.

Charlie’s heart ached as she thought back to the moment he had appeared in the doorway. It had all happened so fast. One moment she had been lost in the bliss of Liam’s touch, the next she had caught a glimpse of Luther, standing frozen, his eyes sweeping over her and Liam before he turned and walked away. He hadn’t said a word, he had just… left.

The disappointment that flooded through her at his abrupt departure was confusing and painful. Had he been upset? Shocked? Angry? The expression on his face had been unreadable, and she had no idea what he might be thinking now. A part of her feared that she had hurt him, that by being intimate with Liam, she had somehow pushed Luther away.

She wasn’t sure if she would have wanted him to stay, to join them, but the idea that he had simply left, left her with an uneasy feeling in the pit of her stomach. The thought that Luther might distance himself from her now was almost unbearable. They had only just begun to build something—a fragile bond and the last thing she wanted to do was hurt him.

And yet… she had. Hadn’t she?

Charlie’s mind raced as she replayed the scene over and over again. She couldn’t shake the feeling that things would be different now, that Luther might grow cold toward her again, just as he had been when she first joined the pack. The thought of that made her chest tighten, fear crawling up her throat.

Would he think less of her? Would he be disappointed in her for choosing to be with Liam instead of waiting for… what, exactly? She wasn’t sure. The situation was confusing, the emotions swirling inside her even more so.

Just then, the bathroom door opened, and Liam stepped back into the room, a warm washcloth in his hand. His gaze immediately softened when he saw her, and without a word, he approached the bed and carefully moved the sheet aside. He knelt at the edge of the mattress, his movements slow and gentle as he cleaned the mess between her thighs with the warm cloth.

Charlie’s breath caught in her throat, her cheeks flushing a deep red as she watched him. The act was intimate in a way she hadn’t expected—tender, caring. It embarrassed her, but at the same time, it made her feel more cared for. She squeaked out a quiet “thank you,” her voice barely audible as she pulled the sheet up to cover half of her face, trying to hide her embarrassment.

Liam chuckled softly, his eyes filled with warmth as he tossed the washcloth aside. “You don’t need to thank me,” he said, his voice gentle but firm. “I’d do anything for you.”

He stood up and moved to sit beside her on the bed, his body radiating warmth as he settled next to her. His presence was comforting, steadying, and it helped soothe some of the nervousness still lingering in her chest. Charlie peeked out from beneath the sheet, watching him with wide eyes as he reached out and brushed a stray lock of hair behind her ear.

“Is it okay if I hold you for a bit?” he asked cautiously, his voice low and soft.

Charlie hesitated for a moment, but the weight of her anxiety and the lingering tension from her thoughts about Luther made her crave his touch—crave the comfort and safety that only his arms seemed to provide. She nodded slowly, her voice barely a whisper. “Yes, please.”

Liam smiled gently and lay back down beside her, wrapping his arms around her and pulling her close. His body was warm and solid, and as she nestled against his chest, she felt some of the tension in her body begin to melt away. His hand gently stroked her back, his touch soothing as he let out a quiet sigh of contentment.

For a while, they lay in comfortable silence, the rhythm of his breathing steady and calming against her ear. But Charlie’s mind wouldn’t let her relax completely. She kept replaying Luther’s reaction, his expression as he walked away. The uncertainty gnawed at her, and she couldn’t hold it in any longer.

“I’m worried about Luther,” Charlie admitted quietly, her voice barely above a whisper. She didn’t dare lift her head from Liam’s chest, afraid of seeing his reaction. “Do you think…do you think I upset him? When he saw us?”

Liam’s hand stilled for a moment, but then he continued stroking her back, his touch slow and reassuring. “Don’t worry about Luther,” he said softly, his voice steady and filled with confidence. “He’s not upset with you, Charlie. He cares about you, just like I do.”

“But… I saw him. He looked—”

“He looked surprised,” Liam interrupted gently. “But not upset. Luther’s been through a lot, just like you. He’s not always great at showing his emotions, but I promise you, this isn’t something that’s going to push him away. If anything, it’ll bring us all closer.”

Charlie let out a small sigh, still uncertain, but comforted by Liam’s words. She wanted to believe him, wanted to trust that things wouldn’t change between her and Luther. But the worry still lingered, and she couldn’t quite shake it.

“He’ll come around,” Liam added, his voice warm and reassuring. “Just give him time.”

Charlie nodded slowly, her mind still buzzing with uncertainty, but as Liam held her close, she felt herself beginning to relax until sleep claimed her.