“I don’t like this,” she whispered.
“Oh, come on, Mom. Daddy is a grown man. You can’t micromanage him. Wouldn’t you rather he learn a new skill?” I asked.
She sighed and went into the living room. It was her habit to ignore the things she couldn’t control. I, on the other hand, was fascinated.
“You play?” I asked Liam.
He shot me a look.
“Of course I play. Where else do you think I am every Sunday night?” he asked, adding. “You hit your head or something?”
My father was so enthralled by the idea of learning how to play poker that he didn’t even notice my blunder. I raised my eyebrows at Liam and he shrugged, turning his attention back to my dad.
“Where did you learn to play?” my father asked him. “Is this some chef thing?”
“No, not really. I met this guy in the States one year. A real heavy metal dude who was on tour. Sat next to him at a poker table and he was the most incredible player I’d ever seen. Told him I’d cook a private dinner for him and the band one night if he taught me how to play. Now that was a night to remember,” he said wistfully.
“Perfect,” I said. “I’m going to go write for a bit.”
I was eager to make my escape, not able to cope with the idea of another night of being tormented by Liam in front of my parents. Liam shot me a look, but I ignored him. He’d clearly wormed his way into my parents’ hearts because they made zero objection over the fact that I was abandoning them with the large, muscled, tattooed man. In fact, it almost seemed as if my father were bonding with him.
I went up to my room, got undressed, and jumped in the shower. I figured it would be a good idea to cool off a little. I wrapped my hair up in a towel, slipped on my robe, then tucked my legs up under me on the armchair and started writing. Using the past few nights as inspiration, I elaborated on my story, adding in texture and details that made it come alive on the page.
I have no idea how much time passed before Liam walked into the room. I didn’t even hear him come in. It was only when he cleared his throat that I started and looked that I saw him watching me with an amused expression on his face.
“In the zone?” he asked.
“Completely,” I answered, turning my attention back to the screen.
“How’s it going?” he asked.
I tried to avert my eyes as he pulled off his pants and pulled on a pair of pajama bottoms. It wasn’t easy. I shifted in my chair.
“It’s been going pretty well,” I said.
“Yeah? Getting that real-life experience you were missing?”
I smiled behind my laptop, peering over to see him strip off his shirt. Holy Jesus. Did pots and pans weigh a hundred pounds each? I quickly looked back down, not wanting to get caught ogling.
“I guess you can say that,” I replied. “You want to read some?”
“I’ve got a better idea,” he said, dropping to the floor at my feet. “Why don’t you read to me?”
He rested his chin on my knee, looking up at me with an irresistible expression on his face. I cleared my throat and started reading.
“He walked me home through the dark streets, close enough that I could smell the faint scent of his cologne. I glanced over at him, the sharp outline of his jaw prominent in the moonlight. The cobblestones were still wet from the rain, and I stumbled as I tried to keep pace.
He reached out, taking me by my elbow and guiding me closer towards him.
‘Wouldn’t want you falling,’ he said.
The feel of his skin against mine was intoxicating. I gazed up at him, staring down at me with his piercing blue eyes, and felt the warmth radiate from the centre of my being. He ran his fingertip along the side of my cheek, stopping to tuck a stray curl behind my ear.”
As I read, Liam’s hand found its way under my robe and was making a slow path up along my thigh. I shifted in the chair.
“He leaned in, so slowly it felt like time had stopped. I closed my eyes, and when his lips touched mine, fireworks exploded in my head.”
“Is that what it was like?” he murmured, dipping his head to kiss my knee.
I let out something akin to a squeak and tried to focus on my reading.
“His arms wrapped around me, pulling me in close so I felt the heat of his body. The blood in my veins turned to fire at his touch, making me bold, making me want him. I deepened the kiss, getting up on my tiptoes and clasping my hands behind his neck.”
Liam had spread apart my robe, exposing me completely. He let out a low whistle.
“Shit, you are a redhead.”
“His hand dropped to my waist, working its way up underneath my top, cupping my breast, testing its weight in his palm.”
“Jesus Christ, look at you,” he murmured, before leaning forward and burying his head between my thighs. I was already so wet from reading to him, from the anticipation of what I knew was coming. The laptop slid from my hand and I heard the soft thunk as it landed on the carpeted floor. I slid down in the chair as Liam raised my legs, resting them on his shoulders as he explored my most intimate parts with his tongue.
“Holy shit,” I groaned.
He glanced up at me, grinning. I reached to take off my glasses and his hand closed around my wrist, stopping me.
“Leave them on,” he commanded, shaking his head from side to side.
The stubble from the day’s growth on his jaw scraped against the tender flesh of my inner thighs. I arched my back, seeking more.
“Good?” he asked.
“Stop talking.”
He laughed and, using his tongue, traced a line from my opening up to my clit, which he coaxed into his mouth, sucking ever so gently. It was a sensation beyond anything I’d ever felt before, and my ass rose off the chair as I tried to keep myself from crying out.
He pulled back and blew on me gently, and an entirely new set of nerve endings awoke. He nipped at the insides of my thighs and I held his head with my hands, grasping at his short hair for traction.
“Fuck,” I cried.
“You want me to stop?” he asked, still smiling.
“No!” I pushed his head back into position and with one hand he reached up to cup my breast, teasing the nipple as he worked his magic on my clit.
“Too much,” I whispered, frantic.
My body was taking me places it had never been before. I was legitimately scared. I sat up in the chair, holding onto him as he relentlessly licked, nipped, sucked, and made love to me with his tongue. His hands slid under my ass, grasping me, grounding me. My hips moved involuntarily and I began to grind into him, riding his face as all rational thought left my body.
“Fuck yeah,” he growled, squeezing my ass.
It was too much. I raised my head and looked down at him, face between my legs, broad shoulders flexing as his hands worked my ass. I had never seen anything so erotic in my life.
“Oh, god.”
I wrapped my legs around his neck, holding on for dear life as the orgasm rushed me, taking complete control of my body. Liam’s hand flew up to cover my mouth and I bit down, riding out the waves as he gently kissed the insides of my thighs. When I finally came down, I looked at him, only to find him gazing at me appreciatively.
“I gotta tell you, Em, when you come, it is truly a sight to behold.”
I blushed.
“I’m just saying,” he continued. “It’s a real shame to deny so many men the pleasure of seeing that.”
He got up on his feet and dropped a kiss on my forehead.
“I won’t bother asking if you enjoyed it,” he said, walking into the bathroom and turning on the shower.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Liam
I went by my apartment on the way to work the next morning. I hadn’t gone by since the contractor called to tell me the work was complete. I walked in the front door and the first thing that struck me was the quiet. Had it always been this quiet?
I walked through the apartment, checking t
he plaster repairs and the bathroom reno. Satisfied, I went back to the living room and dropped down on the couch. I had half an hour before I had to be at the restaurant, and I figured I’d enjoy some alone time, something I’d been without the entire week.
But within a few minutes, I was bored. I picked up my phone and texted Maggie.
How’s your day going?
I quickly got a reply.
It just started. Let me go work.
I’m bored. Entertain me.
I thought you said this arrangement was no strings attached.
Touché. Then I saw the three dots.
Where are you?
I realized I hadn’t told her the apartment was ready.
I’m at my place. Reno is done. Looks great.
Great. Gotta go work. Later.
I shoved my phone back in my pocket and sat there a while longer. A few more days and my life would be mine again. I could get back to working hard and partying harder. For some reason, the thought didn’t thrill me. I decided to head into work and take down a side of beef. That would clear my head.
*
I was well aware of the huddle taking place across the room as I muttered to myself while using my largest santoku knife to part meat from bone. I was standing behind a work table, my apron drenched in blood and a pile of cow parts sitting before me. Adam, Toni, and Bree were all watching me, apprehensive.
“You sure everything is okay?” Toni called.
“Positive,” I grunted, hacking away through a piece of sinew.
“I’ve seen him like this once before, when he was after this blond who wouldn’t give him the time of day,” Adam said in a stage whisper to the other two. The meat separated from the bone. Success.
“This has nothing to do with Maggie,” I said.
“You’re sure?” Bree asked for the millionth time.
I put down the knife and turned to them.
“Her parents leave in two days. After that, it’s done. Finished. Got it?”
I turned back to my work.
*
It was a late night at the restaurant. Toni had been gracious and covered for me most of the week so I could help Maggie out, but once Friday came around and the weekend crowds descended, I had no choice but to stay until closing.
I took advantage of the time away from Maggie to remind myself what my life was all about: the kitchen, the booze, the available women. When the last diners left and Bree started pouring staff drinks, I had no reservations about staying late and drinking my share.
I had zero desire to bump into Maggie’s father in the living room, or her mother in the kitchen preparing a late-night snack, which she wouldn’t fucking need if she ate properly during the day. I’d gotten in the habit of bringing leftovers home and more than once I’d caught her at the fridge, take-out box in hand, a guilty expression on her face. I wanted to scream at her, instead of a meal supplement, eat a fucking meal.
I realized my mood was not conducive to Maggie’s cause, so I made sure it was past one when I walked through the front door. I knew I’d blown my chance of getting any play that night, but I honestly felt it was for the best. For someone who’d subsisted on one-night stands their entire life, this on-the-regular shit was freaking me out.
The house was dark, and I was drunk as fuck. I stumbled through the kitchen towards the stairs, tripping over an area rug that I’d hated from the moment I set foot in the house. It would be good to get home, back to my own shit. I conveniently pushed aside the memory of that empty feeling I’d had that morning, sitting on my couch.
I crept past the guest room and made my way up the stairs, using the flashlight from my phone to find my way. Had there always been this many stairs? I took a break halfway up, sitting down and burying my head in my hands. What the fuck was I doing?
Drinking probably hadn’t been the smartest decision I’d ever made, but agreeing to do this “favour” was pretty high up on that list, too. I sat on that step for a long time, trying to figure a way out of this mess. After a while, I concluded I was far too drunk for serious thought, got up, and stumbled my way up the rest of the stairs.
I pushed open the bedroom door, closed it behind me and slowly made my way through the bedroom to the bathroom. I stripped off my clothes, down to my boxer briefs, and got ready for bed. Flipping off the light, I went back into the bedroom, got down on my hands and knees, and searched for the mattress. Nowhere. I collapsed on the floor for a moment, but the rough nub of the carpet stung my cheek.
I sat up, looked around, and for the life of me couldn’t remember where she kept the damn mattress. I felt around on the floor, under the bed, nothing. I contemplated my options. I could head back to the living room and sleep on the couch, but I had serious doubts about my ability to make it down the stairs. Fuck it. I got up and slid into the bed next to her.
I pulled up the covers quietly, hoping not to wake her. The entire room was spinning, and I closed my eyes and willed it to slow down, even just a little. I almost hit the ceiling when I felt Maggie’s hand on my thigh.
“Sorry,” she murmured sleepily.
“It’s okay,” I said, waiting for my heart to start beating again. “I’m sorry. I had a little too much to drink. Couldn’t find the mattress. Want me to hit the couch?”
She slid over closer to me, draping her arm across my stomach. My muscles clenched, unprepared for this kind of contact. My dick, however, was more than happy at this sudden turn of events. Maggie made a happy little purring sound, tracing the outline of my abs with her fingertip.
“No,” she said. “You can stay.”
I tried to control my breathing, but her proximity was driving me insane. I was drunk, horny, and she was all drowsy, disheveled, and sexy as hell.
“I’ve been thinking,” she said. “It doesn’t seem quite fair that I’ve been having all the fun these past few nights.”
Oh, Christ.
“Don’t worry. I’ve been having plenty of fun,” I assured her, willing my dick to behave.
“That’s not what I meant,” she said. “It just seems unfair that I’m the only one who’s been getting off.”
I turned to her in the dark.
“I’ve been jerking off every night in the bathroom after you fall asleep,” I confessed.
She ran her finger up the inside of my thigh.
“Well that definitely doesn’t seem right.”
I put my hand on hers, stopping her progress.
“I am very, very drunk,” I said, adding, “In case you hadn’t noticed.”
“You’re cute drunk.”
She got up on her elbow and leaned over to kiss me lightly on the mouth. I closed my eyes and let the warmth of her lips wash over me. With my hand on her neck, I rolled her over onto her back, leaning over her and taking the kiss further. We hadn’t done that since that first time. The object of this exercise was to introduce her to new things, not make out with her like a high-school girlfriend. But if she was willing, I was game.
She was completely naked, obviously having planned for this. I cursed myself for staying out so late. I’d over-thought the situation and fucked up a perfectly good night.
“I want to touch you,” she whispered, splaying her fingers across the back of my head as I took one of her magnificent tits in my mouth.
“Be my guest,” I murmured, making small circles around her nipple with my tongue.
She arched her back, pressing my head into her as she moaned softly.
“Show me,” she said. “Like I showed you.”
I lifted my head, gazing at her with a slight smirk.
“I can pretty much guarantee anything you do will be just fine.”
She shook her head.
“Not fair. I’ve never done this. Show me how to please you.”
I took her chin in my hands and kissed her nose.
“Why don’t we do it like this? You experiment, and I’ll guide you if I think you need guidance.”
“Why are yo
u making this so hard?” she asked.
“I’m not trying to. I’m trying to make you comfortable. I think a lot of your past stems from you not having any control. I want you to have complete control.”
She smiled and pulled me down for another kiss. As I teased her lips open with my tongue, I felt her hand slide down the front of my boxer briefs, her fingertips graze the head of my cock. I almost kicked her off the bed.
“I’m sorry!” she said. “You see? I have no clue what I’m doing.”
I laughed.
“Em, it feels great. I promise.”
She wrapped her hand around me, stroking tentatively, and it felt fucking amazing. She leaned over slowly, shyly, and licked my nipple, which once again almost made me hit the ceiling. I couldn’t recall any woman having done that to me before, and I’m pretty sure I’d have said no if they’d asked. But holy shit. I groaned, and she took that as encouragement, taking the nipple in her mouth and sucking gently like I’d done to her.
I reached down and wrapped my hand around hers, guiding her up and over the head of my cock, then back down again. She lifted her head and kissed me again, growing bold as she realized the effect she was having. I let go of her hand, running my fingertips up her side, skimming her breast as I made my way up to her mouth. I traced my thumb along her lower lip, and she opened her mouth, drawing my thumb inside gently with her teeth.
The combined feeling of her hand wrapped around my cock and her mouth wrapped around my thumb was driving me fucking crazy. Endurance was a source of pride with me, but I didn’t think I was going to last another minute like this. From a fucking handjob.
She raised her head and kissed me again, with so much passion I couldn’t believe this was the same woman I’d moved in with five days earlier. She pulled away, bit my earlobe, then whispered, “I want to taste you.”
“Fucking hell,” I groaned, as she slid down the bed and licked the head of my cock with the tip of her tongue.
I grabbed the sheets, not wanting to freak her out by grabbing her head, but fuck did it take restraint. I wanted nothing more than to fuck that beautiful mouth, but I lay still, letting her explore and experiment. She was clearly new at this, but she was also mightily invested.
A Dash of Romance Page 6