Her warm, wet mouth sent me into another dimension. She lightly cupped my balls, running her finger along the base of my cock as she pulled me into her mouth. She tried everything—sucking, licking, a light scraping of the teeth. I clutched the sheets tighter, trying not to blow in her mouth.
When she started moaning, I completely lost it. It was one thing to have her doing this for research, it was totally another to know she was fucking enjoying it. There was nothing hotter than a woman who loved giving head. She got up on all fours, her ass high as she ground against thin air. I slipped a hand between her legs, finding her so fucking wet I growled.
I slipped one finger inside her as my thumb worked her clit. She pumped my hand, and before long I could feel her tensing up. The woman who hated sex was mastering the art of coming rather quickly. She moaned around my cock, making me swell further in her mouth. She gripped the base, sliding her hand up and down in unison with her mouth.
She let out a cry as she came on my hand, her mouth still wrapped around my cock. It was so fucking hot I knew I was going to follow suit at any second. I grabbed her hair, pulling her away from me, not wanting to come in her mouth on her first time out.
“What the—?” she cried.
I took myself in hand, fisting my cock until I came all over her tits. She looked down, awed, and slowly reached up, rubbing my semen into her breasts. Fuck. Who was this woman? I closed my eyes and passed out.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Maggie
When I woke up on Saturday morning, Liam wasn’t in bed and I didn’t hear the shower running. I knew he had a later start this morning, so I figured he was downstairs having breakfast with my parents.
I rolled onto my back, stretched, and smiled at the ceiling. I had one thought on my mind. Tonight, I get laid.
Just the thought of it sent a thrill through my body as I remembered the feel of Liam’s hands between my legs the night before. I shivered, then got up and pulled on some pajamas. I didn’t have to be in until noon, so I had plenty of time to shower and get changed after eating.
Before leaving my room, I pulled the mattress from its hiding place in the closet and replaced it under the bed. Sometimes, a woman had to do what a woman had to do.
*
The smell of frying bacon hit me as I exited my bedroom. I followed the trail to the kitchen and grinned as I saw my parents at the table, Liam by the stove. I walked over to him, wrapped my arms around his waist and kissed the back of his neck.
“Good morning,” I murmured.
He turned his head and gave me a proper kiss. My father cleared his throat and I pulled back, only mildly embarrassed. The whole point had been to put on a show for them. Clearly, it was working. When I glanced at my parents, they both had their noses buried in the paper, amused grins playing on their faces.
“Good morning,” I said.
My father lifted his coffee cup in reply. My mom just smiled. I turned back to Liam, speaking in a quiet voice.
“I’ve been thinking about next steps,” I said.
I saw the corners of his mouth lift as he flipped a pancake.
“Is that so?” he asked.
“Uh huh. Clearly, there’s only one thing left for us to do—”
He planted another kiss on my lips before turning off the stove and carrying the plate of pancakes to the table. I picked up the bacon and followed him.
“I mean,” I continued. “I don’t know what my parents have planned for tonight, but afterwards—”
My mom finally dropped her newspaper.
“Oh, did we forget to tell you? We’ve had a change of plans. We’re going to leave today and spend the weekend with Justin. He got some time off and invited us up. I thought I mentioned it.”
It felt like my world came crashing down. I couldn’t bring myself to look at Liam, not wanting him to see the expression of disappointment I knew was on my face.
“Don’t look so disappointed, love. We’ll swing by to see you again on our way home. Monday. Liam is even off, right?”
I nodded dumbly, still unable to come to grips with the fact that it was over. My parents were leaving. There was no reason for him to stick around. I swallowed and shook myself out of it.
“Right. We’ll see you Monday. That’ll be great. I’m sure Justin will appreciate the time with you.”
We ate breakfast in relative silence, and about halfway through, I risked a glance at Liam. He was sipping his coffee, looking out into space, an indecipherable expression on his face. After a moment, he put down his cup and stood, the sound of his chair scraping against the floor causing my dad to look up.
“I better go,” he said.
I looked down at my lap. He didn’t have to be at work for another two hours. He was probably just thrilled to be able to make an early escape. He came up behind me and planted a kiss on my head.
“Later?” he said, a note of uncertainty in his voice.
I smiled up at him. He turned to say goodbye to my folks, then left the house.
*
I sat patiently through the rest of breakfast with my parents, then said my goodbyes, telling them I had to get to work. I went back upstairs, showered, and got ready, feeling only mildly guilty over the lie. I did have to get to work, just not for another couple of hours.
But I’d hated the way things had just ended with Liam, and I wanted to swing by the restaurant and maybe debrief or something. This had been an arrangement, but it still seemed like kind of an abrupt ending.
I walked over to Cagney’s and spotted Adam as soon as I entered. I walked over to say hello, but he met me halfway across the restaurant floor.
“Maggie. So nice to see you. What can I do for you?” he asked.
“Actually, I’m looking for Liam. Is he in?”
Adam shook his head.
“No, he’s not due for a little while. Should I tell him you came by?”
I nodded and we said our goodbyes. He walked back towards the kitchen and I was on my way out when I decided to stop and use the bathroom.
I was in the stall when I heard the door open and two women walk in. From their voices, and the fact that the restaurant was empty, I knew it was Bree and Toni.
“Whew. Liam is in fine form this morning,” Toni said.
My heart soared. He was here. I smiled to myself, thinking fate had given me a small bladder just so I’d be here when he arrived.
“I know. Think it has to do with Maggie?” Task asked.
My ears perked up. Had he been talking about me? This was about to get interesting.
“No,” Toni said. “I’ve asked him about her a few times. He insists it’s just an arrangement, that as soon as her folks leave, he’s done.”
My heart dropped and my mouth went dry.
“Figures,” Bree said. “Some days I think that man will never grow up.”
They laughed and exited the bathroom. I just sat there, unable to move. He’s done. After a while, I got up, went to wash my hands, then cracked open the door and peered out. The last thing I wanted now was to run into Liam. If he wanted nothing to do with me, I certainly wanted nothing to do with him. He’d paid his debt, and he’d moved on. Fine.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Liam
There was nothing like a Saturday night in the kitchen of a happening restaurant to get your mind off your troubles. The orders were pouring in steadily from five o’clock until closing, leaving me no time to think about anything except plating the next meal.
Toni and I fell into our usual groove, and the line cook was kept on his toes all night. Bree would send back the occasional cocktail to keep us going.
It was close to eleven when we sent the last plate out. I pulled off my apron, glancing around at the kitchen and shooting the dishwasher an apologetic look.
“You can take home the leftover lobster,” I told him. “There’s enough there for a decent meal and there’s nothing we can do with it here.”
He smiled in gratitude and got
back to work. It was a shit job, but it had its perks. Besides, we’d all been there.
“You coming out front?” Toni asked.
“Yeah. Be there in a minute.”
Toni left the kitchen and headed to the bar. As the door closed behind her, I could hear the laughter and loud voices that only came from a crowd having a good time. I pulled out my phone and thought about texting Maggie. We’d left things kind of weirdly, and it wasn’t sitting right with me.
Hey? You there?
I waited a few minutes but got no response, so I shoved the phone back in my pocket and headed to the bar.
*
I was three drinks in when Trish sat down next to me. Trish was a regular and often stuck around after hours to drink with the staff. Her daughter, Desi, was Adam’s nanny/babysitter, and I’d once made the mistake of going home with her. Okay, twice.
She was a good time and everything, but she talked way too fucking much. Normally, I was good with conversation, but she never had anything of interest to say, so I found myself listening to step-by-step reenactments of her day. She ordered a drink from Bree and immediately launched into the killer meeting she’d had at work. The woman could be exhausting.
I nursed my scotch and it wasn’t long before she turned her attention on me.
“What are you up to tonight, Chef?” she asked, a coy smile on her face.
“Sorry, Trish. Got plans tonight.”
She pouted, then slid off the stool and went over to talk to a cluster of women. Toni came up beside me, studying me.
“What plans?”
I turned to her.
“Oh, none. Just not in the mood for that tonight.”
“Since when?” she snorted.
I downed the rest of my drink and signalled Bree for another.
“Can’t I just spend a fun night at work with my colleagues?”
“I guess. I just figured after a week of being caged, you’d be scratching to get out.”
“It’s not all about sex, you know.”
Toni choked on her drink, set down her glass, then reached over to feel my forehead.
“Very funny,” I murmured.
Bree delivered my drink and I pounded it down. I got off the stool, walked over to Trish, and whispered in her ear. She turned to me and smiled and together we left the bar.
*
I woke up the next morning on the living room floor of my apartment, still fully clothed, reeking of sweat and alcohol. I groaned as I rolled over onto my side, desperate to turn away from the window and all its light. I felt like I’d been hit by a truck. What the fuck had happened?
I ran my hand over my face, feeling the drool that had dried on the corner of my mouth. Great. A1, Liam.
“Fuck.”
“Oh, are you awake?”
I sat straight up, banging my head on the coffee table. I simultaneously grunted, grabbed my head, and looked around to see who had spoken.
“Trish,” I said, my head echoing with what sounded like thunder.
“Don’t move. I’ll make some coffee,” she said, getting up off her perch on the couch and heading to the kitchen. “And get some ice.”
“Thanks,” I mumbled, still rubbing my head.
I frantically searched my memory, trying to piece the night together. I remembered working late, staying late, drinking a lot, and then—. Oh, shit. I glanced down, saw I was still in my clothes, and realized that nothing major could’ve happened.
Trish came back and handed me a bag of frozen peas, which I put on my head. Then she passed me two aspirin and a cup of steaming coffee. I’d never been so happy to have another human being around.
“What happened?” I asked.
“You just had too much to drink. By the time you figured out how to open the front door, you were done. One step into the apartment and you crashed. I forgot my purse at the restaurant, so I didn’t have money for a cab. I slept on the couch.”
“Shit. I’m sorry, Trish. Real class act, huh?”
She just smiled.
“That’s okay. Can you spot me a tenner? I’m going to be late for work.”
I reached into my back pocket for my wallet, extracted a twenty-dollar bill, and passed it over. She blew me a kiss and walked out the front door.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Maggie
On Monday morning, I sent a brief text to Liam.
My folks are due back at noon. Can you spare an hour?
I was worried he wouldn’t respond after I’d blown him off the other night when he’d texted me. But after a few minutes, his response came.
Sure. I’ll be there by 11:50.
I briefly wondered how I was going to get through this lunch with my parents. I was grateful Justin would be joining us. He’d make a good buffer, and he wouldn’t be at all confused about the tension.
I put together a quick charcuterie plate. I kept it simple, not wanting to compete with Liam’s culinary skills. My father had already started talking about how nice it was to have someone around who actually knew how to cook a steak. I didn’t need to sit through an hour of “why didn’t you let Liam make lunch?”
At precisely ten to twelve, the door opened and I heard Liam call out.
“In here,” I said.
Seconds later, he was beside me in the kitchen, peering into bowls and dishes.
“Looks good,” he said.
“Thanks,” I answered, not sure what to say.
I knew he didn’t want to be there, and I felt bad about it, but he could’ve refused.
“Listen, thanks a lot for showing up today,” I said.
“Hey, no sweat. Part of the deal, right?”
I looked down.
“Right.” I wasn’t sure what else to say. “Apartment good?”
“Yeah, it’s great. Good to be home.”
Okay, he didn’t have to beat a dead horse. We were done. I got it. I put all the plates on a tray and walked them over to the dining room table. I moved the puzzle box of loose pieces to the side, laying out the food.
“Still working on this, huh?” he asked, fingering one of the pieces.
“I always have a puzzle going when I’m writing.”
He looked at me, curious.
“Why’s that?”
I thought about it for a moment. I’d never tried to articulate it to another human being before.
“It helps me think. There’s a process to doing a puzzle—it involves shapes and colour and I lose myself in it. If I’m stuck on a plot point, I can step away from the computer and escape into the puzzle. Just like the pieces in my hand, the parts come together in my mind.” I paused. “Does that sound weird?”
“No. When did you start?” he asked.
“When I was a teenager. It was my escape from home life.”
“You needed an escape? Even then?”
I nodded.
“Yeah. Justin was the golden child, and I was always being compared to him. It got to me. It affected my confidence in school, with friends…and with boys. I needed a way to transcend that whole experience. Putting those puzzles together gave me that. I know it’s weird.”
“Stop saying that. Everyone needs an out. I’m sorry you grew up like that. I just assumed you had the perfect childhood,” he said. “I guess we’ve all got our shit to transcend.”
“Is it true you don’t speak to your family?” I asked.
“I really don’t. I haven’t spoken to my parents in years. They tried once, but they let me down. I’m not fool enough to let them do that again.”
“You won’t give them another chance?” I asked. “They are your parents. Don’t you want a family?”
He shook his head.
“I’m fine on my own. I’ve got all I need.”
I studied him for a moment, realization dawning on me.
“That’s why you never have a girlfriend. Why you won’t commit. You don’t want to be let down.”
The doorbell rang and I jumped, startled. A look of r
elief passed across Liam’s face. I looked at him, then at the door, just as the bell rang again. I reluctantly walked over and opened it. My parents and Justin came in, chattering away about their weekend. I threw a glance at Liam, but he was busy rearranging the food. The moment was lost.
We sat down to eat, and my father kept nudging my mom not to dally, as he wanted to get back on the road before dark. Justin and Liam caught up, and I got to spend the entire meal in my little bubble, watching it all play out before me. I kept thinking about what Liam had told me, and his whole personality started making sense to me. He’d walled himself off on purpose.
As soon as we were done, my father stood, grabbed his car keys from the counter, and said, “Well, we’re off.”
“Where you headed now, Dad?” I asked, returning to the present.
“We’re going to keep going west, see where the wind takes us. We’ll call you from the road.”
My mother grudgingly got up and walked over to say goodbye. She kissed me on the cheek, then pulled Justin in for a hug. My father hugged me and clapped Justin on the shoulder. But both of them went over to Liam and shook his hand, telling him how nice it had been to meet him.
A strained smile played at his lips and I silently willed my parents to hurry up and leave. As if psychic, my dad slapped my mom on the back and said, “Let’s go.”
And they were gone.
Once we heard the car retreat down the road, Liam grabbed his bag and headed for the door.
“Thanks,” I called out as he turned the handle.
Without even looking back, he said, “No sweat.”
And then he was gone, too.
My brother and I stood in the kitchen, silent for a moment as we recovered from the visit. Finally, he turned to me.
“Well, that certainly went well. Mom and Dad LOVED Liam. I guess you get to stay.”
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