REAWAKENED DESIRE

MORNING AFTER AWKWARDNESS

Liam woke up to Olivia's tangled hair across his pillow. Their legs intertwined, a sheet barely covering them.

"Morning," Liam whispered, his breath tickling her eye.

Olivia stirred, her cheeks flushing. "Morning she replied.

The silence grew, filled with unspoken awkwardness. Liam's hand brushed against hers, sending shivers down her spine.

"Hey, you okay?" Liam asked, his voice soft.

Olivia nodded, avoiding eye contact. Her gaze drifted around the room, eyes coming in contact with scattered clothes and messy bed, and there shyness enveloped her.

Feeling embarrassed, she quickly stood up to get dressed, leaving Liam in deep thoughts.

....

As they dressed, the awkwardness persisted. Liam's mind

raced with questions. Did Olivia regret last night? Has he ruined his chance with her.

He was so deep in thought that he didn't realise Olivia was calling him. Feeling something poked his hand, he jolted back to reality.

"Yes, do you need anything?" he questioned, concern laced in his voice.

"No, just finding it hard to hook my dress," Olivia replied, her gaze avoided Liam's.

Feeling Liam's hands on her dress, she became extremely nervous, as the previous night occurrence came, flooding her mind. She felt so ashamed of herself, realising she has messed up.

She was supposed not to have given in to last night's occurrence, but the desire and lust she felt then blinded her mind. She recalled Liam proclaiming his love for her and right there she knew things were soon going to get complicated.

Liam noticed her discomfort, his heart sinking.

"Hey Liv," he called out, his voice gentle.

Olivia lifted her head, bringing her face right in contact with Liam's.

"Yes?" she replied.

Liam's expression softened. "We're still good right?"

Olivia nodded her head in affirmation.

Liam didn't buy that. He knew their past still lingered, a delicate elephant in the room.

"About last night...," he continued, taking a deep breath.

Olivia's gaze dropped. "I don't know what happened."

Liam's expression remained the way it was from the start. "We both knew what we were doing. No one was under any influence Liv."

Olivia snapped back. " I said I know nothing about what happened, so just let it be,"

Their conversation hung in the balance, uncertain and fragile.

Olivia took a deep breath before making her way towards the door trying to leave, but before she could even think of turning the door knob, Liam's hands instinctively reached out to her, halting her steps.

"Olivia please don't go," he pleaded, his gaze boring hole into Olivia's soul.

Olivia turned back, to look at him, guilt lacing in her emotions. She couldn't deny the fact that she was overly aware of what transpires between them both. But owning up to it in front of a man who she had cut all ties with eight years ago was really embarrassing.

"Olivia, lets talk about this, please," Liam continued.

Olivia slowly nodded her head.

"I'm sorry Liv," Liam said, his voice sincere. "For everything."

Olivia remained quiet, as she just stared at Liam.

"I'm sorry for hurting you and for taking advantage of your love for me," he continued, his hand slowly reaching to down to Olivia's. "I'm sorry for not being the man you deserved.

Unable to convey her emotions, Olivia just nodded her head to everything he had said. She was so stressed about everything.

"Okay, I've heard you," she finally said.

Liam's eyes glimmered with hope.

"So are we good now ?" he asked

"Yes, we are. And perhaps we never had any issues before, so lets just pretend, nothing ever happened." Olivia replied.

This hurt Liam a bit, but he consoled himself, knowing fully well that he has lots of work to do concerning both of them.

"So since we're good, do you still want to stay here or go back home" he asked.

Olivia hesitated, her eyes searching his "I don't know," she replied, her voice more gentle than it was before.

Liam's expression softened. "You can stay here if you want."

Olivia shook her head, her voice firm. "No, I should go."

Liam nodded, understanding etched on his face. "Okay, i'll take you where ever you want. "

Olivia stood, gathering her belongings.

"Your house or Rachel's," Liam asked again.

"Rachel's," Olivia said finally.

Liam nodded, grabbing his keys."I'll drive you."

The silence between them was palpable as they walked to Liam's car. Olivia sat in the passenger seat, gazing out of the window, lost in thought.

Liam's hands gripped the steering wheel tightly, his mind racing. What did last time mean? Was it a one-time mistake or something more?

As they drove, the city sound filled the silence. Liam's thought drifted to their past, memories of laughter and tears.

Olivia's voice broke the silence. "Liam?"

"Yeah?"

"Did you plan last night?" she asked, her voice laced with curiosity.

Liam's gaze met hera briefly. "No Liv, it just happened."

Olivia's eyes searched his. "You're sure?"

Liam nodded. "Positive. I didn't plan... any of it."

Olivia nodded slowly.

They arrive at Rachel's apartment building, and Olivia gathered her belonging, which included her phone, and purse.

"Take care Liv," Liam said, his voice sincere.

As Olivia reached for the door handle, Liam quickly grabbed a piece paper and scribbled his number.

"In case you need anything," Liam said, handing her the paper.

Olivia's eyes locked unto his, a hint of surprise.

"Thanks," she whispered, tucking the paper into her pocket.

"Bye, Liv," Liam said softly.

Olivia nodded and stepped out of the car.

Liam watched her disappeared into Rachel's apartment building, feeling uncertain.

Will she reach out again?

Did last night changed everything?

Just as he shifted into gear, his phone buzzed.

UNKNOWN:

Thank you.

Liam smiled, knowing it was Olivia who had texted him.

He changed the contact from "unknown" to "Livy Love💞💞💞.

Liam:

You're welcome.

Liam's heart swelled with emotions.

He felt a spark of hope.

Maybe last night was just the beginning.

He put the car in gear and drove away.