Chapter Twelve | Jamal

Liam had snuck out before the household awoke. We had agreed I needed to have a conversation with my family about our new relationship status before he became a regular fixture in my bed. Meera had surmised where we were at. Which meant David knew too.

No one was around to help me up the stairs. I had to disassemble my wheelchair and take it up in pieces. I was cooking some scrambled eggs when Mamma came into the kitchen.

She set her hand on my shoulder. "Did Liam enjoy his birthday?"

"I think it meant more to him than he let on."

"He's such a sweet man." She patted my shoulder. "I bet he drives the women crazy."

My eyebrows dipped. This was the perfect opportunity to say something. "He's gay."

"Is he? Did you meet him through Noah?"

"Sort of."

"I've never heard you speak about him before we met him."

"I was aware of him, but I didn't get talking to him until Noah's wedding."

"You've become good friends."

I exhaled. "No, Mamma. Liam isn't my friend. He's my boyfriend."

Mamma crossed her arms. "Oh, Jamal … do you think that's a good idea. "

"Why wouldn't it be?"

"With his looks … he's bound to attract a lot of men's attention."

I crunched up my eyebrows hard. "Do you think he's going to cheat on me?"

Mamma frowned and sighed. "Jamal … you're in a wheelchair."

My jaw clenched so tight; my teeth ached.

I flicked off the heat on the stove, lifted the frying pan, and threw the whole lot in the sink with a clatter. "You said it yourself, Mamma. Liam is a sweet man. He would never hurt me."

This is outrageous.

"Look what happened with Richard."

"What happened with Richard? I drove Richard away, remember? I won't do that with Liam. I've accepted the change in my life. I've made peace with it. I feel blessed I didn't die."

"Well, of course, Jamal, but I'm worried Liam doesn't know what he's signing up for."

I gripped the armrests of my chair. "And what would that be? Having to deal with a cripple?"

"Don't use that word. You know what I mean. He might feel he's missing out over time."

"I am perfectly capable of satisfying him in every way."

Mamma flicked her hand in the air. "I don't want to know about that."

"It's different than with Richard. Liam has never known me without the chair. We're discovering each other from a place unique to us. And he's all in."

"I don't want you to get hurt and I think Liam has the ability to hurt you badly."

"I thought you liked him."

"As your friend."

I frowned. "So, what … now you don't like him? "

"I'll be more wary around him."

Fuck.

Liam was going to be crushed. I could tell he loved feeling like he belonged somewhere, with a family who cared about him. He hadn't had much of that in his life.

I couldn't tell him what Mamma had said.

And I had nothing more to say to her.

Thankfully, I ran into Zahir at the top of the stairs, and he carried my wheelchair down for me. I didn't want to talk to anyone else about Liam. I wanted to talk to Liam.

I slammed my bedroom door closed.

He answered after two rings. He was breathing heavily.

"Are you out for a run?" I asked.

"Just finishing the last kilometre. What's up?"

"Talked to my mom about us."

"How did that go?"

"She's convinced you're too good for me."

"She said that?"

"Not in so many words. But the implication was there." Maybe Mamma was right, and I was setting myself up for heartache. I sucked in a ragged breath as tears ran down my cheeks.

Despite putting up a good fight, I wasn't even sure anymore. Maybe my life would be too different for Liam to exist in. My mind turned into a fuzzy fury of uncertainty. I grabbed a pillow off my bed and hugged it to my chest as more tears escaped my shuddering body.

"Hey, Jamal … are you crying?"

I sniffed. "Are you sure you want to be with me?" I needed to know the truth.

"God, yes. Of course, I do."

"Doesn't the wheelchair scare you? "

"Not going to lie, it's foreign to me, but it's your mind and heart I'm interested in." Liam chuckled. "Although … your body is pretty banging too."

I huffed out a laugh. He'd certainly enjoyed exploring my upper body. He'd paid attention to parts of me I had no idea would turn me on so much. He'd adapted for me.

I breathed in a long settling breath and wiped my damp face with my sleeve.

Liam was special.

Specially made for me.

"I'll see you at the centre later?" he asked.

"Can't wait."

Many hours later, I was in my office and Meera appeared at my door. I waved her in. I had a feeling I knew where this conversation was going to go.

"Good afternoon, brother." Meera sat in a chair in front of my desk.

"What brings you in to see me?"

She reclined in her seat. "Mamma told me what you told her."

"About Liam and me."

"Boyfriends, huh."

"Yes, we discussed it last night."

"He stayed over again?"

"That's what boyfriends do. Have sleepovers."

"You're having sex with him?"

I drummed my fingers on the desk. This was none of her business.

"Again. Boyfriends."

"And he was fine with it … the paralysis."

"I have other body parts aside from my legs, Meera."

"I'm sorry. I just worry. "

"Because my boyfriend is gorgeous. And he could have any man he wants. I've heard all this from Mamma already. Liam isn't like that. Our connection is more than surface deep."

There was a light tapping on my door. Liam poked his head in. I'm not sure how much he heard of what Meera and I had been saying. He didn't wait for me to invite him in.

Liam walked in, stood beside my wheelchair, and put his arm around my shoulders. He turned my face toward him, leaned down, and kissed me. Our lips separated and he straightened up. I leaned my head against his waist. Liam looked at my sister.

"This is the man I want to be with," he said to her.

Meera shook her head slightly. "Don't you dare hurt him."

"Wouldn't dream of it."

My sister huffed, rose to her feet, and left my office. Liam went to the door and pressed it shut. He came back and sat on the edge of my desk. "I have something I want to discuss."

I set my hand on his thigh. "What is it?"

"We had fun last night."

"Understatement."

Liam smirked. "True. But I'm wondering where we go next."

"Sex wise?"

"I didn't want to bring it up when we're in bed. I wanted to have a conversation when we weren't wrapped up in each other. When we had clear heads."

"Are you talking penetration?" I asked.

"Yeah. It's important to me. I know some guys aren't into it, but I am."

I squeezed his thigh. "Me too."

Liam exhaled. "Oh, good. I wasn't sure … because of everything. "

"I think we might have a problem, though. I follow you on social media. I know you're a top based on some of the things you say." I became lost in his curious eyes. "So am I."

His eyebrows dipped. "How? I had to work pretty hard to keep you … hard."

"I'm able to stay fully erect with cock rings."

Liam rose from the desk and walked across the room. "You've never bottomed?"

"It has the potential of being dangerous for me. I have bowel issues because of the paralysis."

Liam turned to face me. "I've never bottomed before. Never even played with my ass."

"So … that's a no ?"

"I never said that." Liam came back and leaned his ass against my desk. "I'm willing to try. But only because it's you." He cupped my face in his hands. "You fill me with a need to try new things. Didn't know that would include bottoming for you, but I'll give it a try."

"We'd take our time."

"I know you wouldn't rush me."

I held his hand. "Give it some more thought. I want you to be sure."

Liam leaned forward and kissed me, then took off to oversee the kids using the weight equipment. The new activity was a big hit made better by Liam's presence. The youth had started raving about him. He was knowledgeable, he was friendly and funny, and he was nice to look at.

Now, he had something to think about. It would be a big step for him, considering he'd never even played with his hole. I had spoken the truth. We'd move at his speed.

In addition to everything else in our relationship, whatever we came up with sexually would be what was best for us. We were open and honest with each other.

In most things.

I still had to tell Liam why Richard had really left me.