Treasured (Embracing Series Book 1) by Delisa Lynn Read Free Book Online

a close bond. We rarely fought as children and he’s always been a great friend. He’s the one that beat the crap out of Will for cheating on me.

 
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    ~Chapter Six~
     
     
    Lila
     
    “Let’s go for a ride,” Liam asks. “Are your parents okay with you staying out all night?”
    “That depends on where I’m going and who I’m with.” I text my mom and tell her I’m okay and will be home in the morning. She’s more understanding than my dad is. “So, where are you taking me?”
    “It’s a surprise.”
    I reach over, grab his hand, and smile at him. God, I can look at this man all day long.
    We drive for what seems like an hour or so, then we reach this huge house.
    “Where are we?”
    “This is my house.”
    “Yours?” I ask.
    “This is the home I grew up in. My parents left it to me to move into after I finished school.”
    “Who’s been taking care of it?”
    “The maid and grounds keeper, but I do come here often. I wanted you to see where I came from and I wanted to tell you about my parents.”
    I can’t believe this is his house. I knew The Ellis’s were a wealthy family, but Ads's house isn’t like this. This house is like the ones you see in Hollywood. Whenever I came to this neighborhood to shop, I always wondered who could afford these houses.
    When I walk in, the first thing I see is a huge foyer. It has a double staircase, all the walls are painted white, and antique furniture is everywhere.
    Liam takes me to a room that has tons of pictures. It reminds me of a study that you see in fancy houses. Most of the pictures are of him and presumably his parents. There are also trophies everywhere: football, track, basketball, and baseball.
    “Are all of these yours?” I ask, running my hand over a trophy shelf.
    “Yes, I was a very active child. My parents had me in every sport I wanted to play.”
    “That’s why you like sports so much? But why'd you stop playing? You could’ve been on any of the teams at Saber.”
    “Yes, I played sports until I left this house; then I just quit. It wasn’t me anymore.”
    “These are awesome.” I can see he’s a little emotional. “Are you okay?”
    “I’m fine, L. It just brings back memories, is all.”
    “Tell me everything about you. I want to know everything.”
    We walk into a large room and sit on a huge couch. This house is so beautiful; It even has its own private beach. I can’t believe no one lives here.
    “I was born here and was an only child. I always wondered why my parents never had more children. I would have loved to have a brother or sister. My dad got really sick when I was fourteen. He had lung cancer. He was a great man.”
    “I’m sure he was. I can tell they loved you very much.”
    I lean in and kiss his cheek. He leans his head on my chest and starts to cry. I’ve never seen a grown man cry the way he does. I just want to hold him and never let him go.
    “What about your mom?” I ask.
    “She'd been sick for years. She had breast cancer. Exactly a year after my father’s death, my mom passed away as well, two weeks before my fifteenth birthday. I was sent to live with my aunt and uncle.”
    “You've been through so much and you seem so strong.” I’m in tears now. I couldn’t hold them back any longer.
    “After my mother passed, I found my birth certificate and found out I was adopted. I haven’t told Addison or Ashton. Hell, you're the first person I’ve told. My aunt and uncle knew already. My mom wasn’t able to conceive. They tried for years before they finally decided to adopt,” he says, running his hand over his face.
    I lay my head in his lap, not knowing how to comfort him. As we lie on the couch together, we continue talking about Liam’s childhood and his parents. I can tell what a terrific man he is. He's been through so much in the last five years. He had to grow up so quick and all alone. Of course, he had his aunt, uncle, and cousins, but that isn’t the same