Begin Again novel Chapter 125

She didn't need an explanation or a reason. She already knew.

He needed her.

Desperately wanted her.

But he was terrified.

For whatever reason.

Just like Linda had said.

In theory, Liam's anxiety had sounded ridiculous. Laughable even.

But now that she had just had a front-row seat to his fears and was confronted by his feelings of crushing defeat, failure and self-doubt, Eden couldn't help but want to weep with him and for him.

Knowing she caused this soul-crushing anxiety in him when she left him filled her with guilt and overwhelming helplessness so profound she was so convinced it would drown her the longer she stayed on that couch and listened to the sound of his heartbreak.

He moved away from her, and she tried to reach for him, "Liam?"

"It's late; you should head home," he said as he sat up and threw on his pants.

"Can we talk about this, please?" She asked in a small voice, wishing he wouldn't shut her out.

"What? The fact that I can't fuck you as well? You thought you were different? You thought you were special?" He glared at her as he furiously buttoned up his shirt.

"Stop it," she said as she threw on her clothes as well. "Don't do this, Liam."

"I guess I was wrong about you, Princess. You can't fix me! No one can!" He shot back, his face dark with rage she knew wasn't meant for her but still hurt to see all the same. He was furious, angry and disappointed with himself, and she was the closest person he could take it out on, and she was okay with that, but she just wished he wouldn't shut her out.

"Today wasn't the right day," Eden tried again to get through to him. "You're under a lot of pressure. You just returned from handling the crisis in Port Alfred, and now this tragic incident with the trucks, the drivers we lost, the press conference. It was all too much too soon."

"Stop making excuses for me and leave." He spat at her, his fingers working nimbly while he snapped on his belt and threw on his shoes.

"I'm not making excuses," Eden pleaded with him. "Please don't shut me out."

"You sound like we're in a relationship." He reminded her coldly. "This was only going to be sex! Nothing more."

His words were like a bucket of cold water poured over her head, washing away the cloud of desire she'd been floating on over the past hour, smashing her heart to pieces.

But even so, she couldn't leave him when he was so broken. Walking away from him would just prove his fears right.

She grabbed her phone from the coffee table and sent Brenda a text. The nanny responded immediately and assured her she and Aiden were still very much A-okay, no need for her to stress.

His face still dark with rage, Liam turned from his desk and frowned at her. "Aren't you leaving Ms McBride?"

"No, Liam," Eden held his gaze, challenging him.

"I'm staying right here with you. For as long as you need me." She added, seeing right through him. Every time he tried to put some distance between them, he reverted to honorifics and formalities, the same way she did. They both had to stop.

The moment she sank beside him, Liam pulled her close, his arm coming around her waist.

"I'm sorry." He kissed her hair. "And thank you for not leaving. I don't want to be alone tonight."

Eden closed her eyes, blinking back her tears, glad her gut hadn't led her astray for once.

"Get some sleep," she murmured, tracing soothing circles on the back of his hand. "I won't be here when you wake up. But I'll see you in the morning. I won't leave you. I'll never leave you, and I'll be here for as long as you need me—" She would have carried on with her affirmations if Liam didn't start snoring very loudly.

She smiled, shaking her head, unable to believe he was already out like a light.

With a contented sigh, she snuggled closer to him, promising herself she won't fall asleep.

But when she opened her eyes again, the office was bathed in a soft glow from the desk lamp. Liam wasn't at his desk, though, and his spot beside her was empty.

She reached for her phone and saw the note on the coffee table addressed to her.

Liam had to leave urgently to meet with the detectives working on the case. He couldn't get into too many details, though, because that's all the note said.

Eden sighed and mussed up her hair, trying her damnedest to ignore the thick lump of disappointment lodged in her throat.

"What did you expect?" She muttered under her breath as she grabbed her phone and car keys, somewhat glad to see the deli sandwich and one of the juice bottles was gone.

At least he ate, she thought as she slipped into her shoes and let herself out of his office.