by T. N. King
Miranda looked down at the sleeping Liam, he was just as big as Harrison, if not stronger and a trained high-ranking military official. Miranda couldn’t help but suspect that Liam had willing sacrificed himself and the only reason she could come up with as to why was that he did it to protect her. She reached out, grabbed his hand and stroked it.
“Miranda?” his weak voice croaked.
Miranda almost jumped out of her skin. Liam’s eyes were open. She watched as he tried to sit up and winced. “No, no don’t get up. Let me, adjust your bed for you.” Miranda slowly reclined his bed up with a remote control. “How are you feeling?”
Liam made a facial expression somewhere in between a grin and a grimace. “I’ve been worse.”
“Really?” Miranda asked incredulously.
“I was in the hospital for two months after my jeep in Afghanistan drove over a landmine. We were lucky that it was shoddily put together, we could have lost our lives,” Liam laughed.
“Why are you laughing?” Miranda chided.
“You’re face, you look horrified, and I don’t know, I thought it was funny, and I’m on a lot of vicodin.”
Miranda couldn’t help but smile.
“I like your smile,” he murmured.
“I’m so sorry Liam.” Miranda sighed, “It’s my fault that you're here. That night that you came over, after you left I thought I saw Harrison’s car parked outside my house. I should have warned you right away that he might know about our relationship and that he might do something.”
“Wait…are you the person who beat me until I became unconscious?” Liam asked innocuously.
“No I wasn’t,” Miranda ground out while playfully rolling her eyes.
“Then you have no reason to apologize, you’ve done nothing wrong, you’ve only done right in my book,” he said with a sly boyish grin.
She couldn’t help but notice that the painkillers were making Liam’s mouth looser than normal. He was being goofy and playful, a side that she’d never seen before. He usually seemed so in control of everything almost untouchable, and now, well now he just seemed human, and Miranda liked that.
“I should be the one apologizing,” Liam said quietly. “I’m sorry for the way I acted in in your home. I was aggressive during our…foreplay, and—”
“I liked it,” Miranda interrupted. She could see that Liam had trouble processing what she was saying, so she repeated it, “I liked it Liam. I was surprised at first, but I like rough play. I tried to tell you, but you ran out the door before I got a chance to.”
“Oh…” Was all Liam could manage.
She giggled at his boyish expression.
“Stupid, Liam…shoulda stayed,” he muttered under his breath.
Miranda smiled and played with a corner of the hospital blanket. “Well Liam, we could always try again,” She looked coyly up at him. She stood and slowly walked around Liam’s room. She noticed that Liam swallowed hard as she flaunted herself around him.
“Not for a while, the doctor says that I’ll be awhile until I can participate in vigorous activities again.”
Miranda nodded, but still slowly walked to the door and closed it. She then gave a long seductive look to Liam. She looked at his body then licked her lips…she then locked his hospital room door.
She didn’t know what was making her so bold, maybe it was the fact that Harrison was in jail. Regardless, she couldn’t help but feel wicked at seeing this strong powerful man, helpless in bed and pining for her. She had the power to reward him for his bravery and she knew exactly how to do that. Miranda walked over to the window and closed the blinds as well.
“Miranda, what are you—” but Liam couldn’t finish his sentence because Miranda was standing directly in front of his hospital bed, slowly undressing.
Miranda grinned at the fact that such a simple thing as taking off her clothes could make a completely grown man’s mind go completely blank. It was empowering. She reached behind her back and unhooked her bra, releasing her two full luscious breasts from their binding.
Liam growled from his bed. His erection was growing very visible as it tented up the sheet. He tried to sit up and winced in pain.
“Don’t move. Lie back down. That’s an order Liam.” Much to Miranda’s surprise, he followed her orders. He laid back down looking hungrily at her. She slowly walked towards his bed, her breasts jiggling ever so slightly, torturing him even further. Suddenly a very wicked idea struck her. Normally Miranda would never be this deviant, but something about Liam brought this powerful side out in her. Maybe it had been inside her all along, but being with Harrison had repressed it….suffocated it.
“Raise your hands above your head,” she ordered again.
Liam slowly did. He followed her order again without even questioning it.
Miranda stood by his bed now. She slipped off her panties and bit the material to hold onto them as she pulled down Liam’s sheets. She looked at him seductively as she pushed up his hospital gown, exposing his fully erect cock. Miranda gasped at its size. She gazed up at Liam’s face.
He was smiling devilishly. “You do this to me,” he whispered laden with longing.
Miranda’s hazel eyes locked with his smoldering brown ones. Without breaking eye contact, she slowly crawled onto the bed, careful not to jostle it. She straddled Liam and carefully crawled up his bed. She took the panties from her mouth and with them, tied his wrists together. She felt Liam’s cool breath on her breasts as she leaned over his face to tie his wrists and her nipples harden. “I want you to be completely still,” Miranda instructed. “I don’t want you to move a muscle unless I tell you to.”
“Understood,” Liam said his voice hoarse with need.
Miranda shifted her weight back so she was straddling him; her core hovering just above his hips. She slowly untied her ponytail and tussled her hair. She wanted to completely free herself. She closed her eyes and massaged her soft breasts. She teased her nipples with her fingers until they became hard little buds. Letting out a little moan, a shiver of pleasure ran down her spine. She opened her eyes and gave a wicked look to Liam, wondering if he was enjoying the show, she was putting on for him.
His eyes were fixed on her. He licked his lips in approval.
“Do you like this Liam?”
“Yes,” he said his breathlessly.
“Do you want me touch myself?”
“Yes,” he was practically begging.
Without breaking eye contact, she began to stroke her labia slowly and sensually. She glided her fingers across her folds. She was so wet, wetter than she’d ever been in her life. Passion was dripping from between her legs. She let out a low moan as she looked at Liam. She bit her lip as she slowly lower herself on to him. She gripped his erect cock.
A moan ripped through his throat as she slowly inserted his tip into her wetness.
“Does this feel good?”
“Yes, yes.”
“Do you want more Liam?”
“Please.”
“Then you shall have more,” she whispered as she lowered herself completely onto his full, throbbing cock. She let out of groan of pleasure. Her head rolled back as she felt his entire hard length inside of her. Miranda grabbed her breasts pinching her nipples in her fingers teasing them even more. She began slowly to bounce up and down on Liam’s cock. Easing him in and out of her. Her body felt hot and flustered. She soon felt herself gasping for breath as she moaned. Her body needed him. She ground her hips against his desperately trying to get him further and further inside of her. Pleasure bubbled up within her causing her entire body to tense. She was bouncing up and down even faster now. Her breasts jiggled up and down as her ass slapped against Liam’s thighs.
She opened her eyes and saw pleasure firing in Liam eyes. He let out a moan as his bound hands grabbed each other. Miranda found herself tightening around him. Her breaths were coming out more like soft sobs. She was so close to coming she could feel it. She pounded him harder and harder. S
he felt Liam slightly moving under her grinding back up against her. His breath was coming in pants. He was about to come too. Miranda could feel it inside of her. She clutched her breasts tightly and let out a silent scream as her entire world melted into a sea of warm stars. Liam growled as he spilled inside of her. Her entire body tingled with passion, warmth and peace.
For the first time in forever— Miranda felt free, happy, and strong.
EPILOGUE
Liam zipped up his duffel bag and looked around his barren apartment. He didn’t really consider it his home or a place he looked forward to coming back to. There were no pictures on the walls and not many clothes in the closet. The furnishings in his small apartment were nice, but there was nothing personal about them. They were purely utilitarian.
He looked at himself in the mirror. He was wearing kakis and a white form fitting t-shirt – a typical outfit he often wore. But for some reason, he didn’t quite recognize something in his reflection. There seemed to be something different in his gaze – something softer. Liam sighed, whether he wanted to admit it or not, something about him had changed over these two months. He’d grown not only to love coaching his football team but was finding purpose in it and passion. He still couldn’t get over the fact that these guys not only looked up to him, but also followed his instructions and then improved themselves. Although Liam didn’t want to admit it, he was affecting positive change. And although he’d affected positive change in the army, this time was different. This time, the change was on a more personal level.
And…then there was Miranda.
It was impossible to deny her influence on him. Up until now, Liam had never been in love before, although he wasn’t sure he could admit out loud that he was in love, everything was still so new to him. Something about Miranda had changed him, softened him. He loved that he’d changed her as well. He loved how he made someone feel good and feel empowered. He’d never had that kind of effect on a woman before and it was moving. Although Liam struggled to admit it, the closest thing he’d ever felt to being home was that night at Miranda’s where he and Elise and Miranda had shared a meal and laughter together.
This was why Liam was hesitating about leaving. Not his crumby apartment, but the purpose he’d found coaching the football team and the small bit of home he experienced with Miranda and Elise. He felt like he might just be getting the life he always dreamed of but never thought he deserved, and that was why he had to leave. He felt truly afraid he would somehow find a way to mess it all up.
A knock sounded on the door.
Before Liam even opened it, he knew who it was. There was only one person who knew his current address and that would be Caroline. Liam went to the door and opened it.
Caroline was standing there in well-tailored dark grey skirt suit - her thick silver hair up in high ponytail. “Hello Liam. Can you talk?” she stated more than she asked.
Liam opened the door wider and gestured for her to come in.
“I don’t have much time. I have to be at school for a morning meeting. I just came by to say goodbye. I had a feeling that you might try to sneak out of town without first seeing me.”
Liam looked down at the floor. She was right of course. He’d never been good at goodbyes and thought that he could leave early this morning without having to say any of them.
“I’m also here to offer you an unsolicited order that you can take or leave.”
“What’s the point of issuing an order if I’m allowed to disobey it?” he asked one of his eyebrows arching.
“The point is to offer you a strong suggestion that would affect your overall wellbeing,” Caroline said coolly. Obviously, she had no time for Liam’s smart-ass remarks. Which was too bad because Liam always had a lot of them. “I want to urge you to stay.”
Liam opened his mouth in protest but before he could utter a word Caroline held up a sharp hand silencing him. “Not forever, unless you should choose otherwise,” she said giving Liam a shrewd glance that he had trouble deciphering. “But for another week. The big state championship is this week and the team is struggling not only without Harrison but also without you. They need you to win and I think that you owe them that.”
Liam shifted his weight uncomfortably. “I don’t know if the Marines will let me extend my leave,” he said putting his hands into his pockets. “I’ve kind of already used up my favors with them,” he muttered as he shuffled.
Caroline gave him a knowing look. Clearly, she knew about his string pulling getting the English department that grant and funding. She raised her eyebrows but said nothing.
“Besides, I think I’ve caused enough havoc at E.B. already,” Liam said looking into her icy blue eyes.
“Thanks to you, Harrison is behind bars and awaiting trial and our football team is in the championship. The only way you would truly cause havoc is by leaving now,” Caroline said sharply. Liam could do nothing but shake his head.
“Sorry Caroline, I have to follow the orders of the Army before I follow yours,” Liam said in an act of defiance.
Caroline seemed to shut off as she realized there was no pushing him any further. She nodded. “Fine. You should at least say goodbye to Miranda. You owe her that.” And with that Caroline turned quickly and walked away.
Liam listened until he couldn’t hear the click of her black stilettos. He closed the door and sighed. He ran his hands all through his hair. Of course, Caroline knew exactly what to say to make him change his mind. He looked at his packed duffle bag then picked up the phone and dialed it.
“Hello Jamie, it’s Liam. I have a favor to ask. I need to extend my leave by a week.” Liam heard Jamie sigh on the other side of the phone.
“You’re killing me Stoner.”
Liam smiled at the tone in Jamie’s voice. He knew he was about to get his way.
* * * *
Liam stood on the football field of E.B. High school. The grass was spongy underneath his feet. If felt comforting. So did the bright floodlights spilling onto the field keeping the darkness out. He was filled with a warm alien feeling for him and that was the feeling of peace. He looked around at the empty stands. He remembered when a little less than just an hour ago, they were filled with screaming fans when E.B. quarterback threw the game winning pass in a classic bootleg play for the game winning touchdown. Liam felt his shirt. It was still damp from all the players dumping the water cooler onto him.
He smiled. His team had welcomed him back with cheers and hollers of approval. They even gave him a get-well card, knowing that his broken ribs were still recovering. He crossed his arms feeing pleased. After a game like that many of those guys would be signing with college recruiters and getting full rides to schools. A pang of remorse clenched in his gut as he realized that soon he would be leaving this place. Just when for the first time in his life he was beginning to get comfortable.
He suddenly saw a small figure walk out onto the other side of the field. He slowly walked towards it. It didn’t take Liam long at all to recognize the figures shiny honey blonde hair and bouncy step. It’d been six days since Liam had seen Miranda last at the hospital. He’d had the best sex of his life in that hospital bed. Never in his life had he been so turned on by a woman as he was by Miranda in that moment. She was at the same time exactly what he thought she was, kind beautiful sensitive and also the exact opposite wild, surprising, dominating.
He was scared to see her. Afraid of what he would say and even more what he would do. When it came to Miranda, he was utterly helpless against her big sensitive hazel eyes.
They met right at the 50-yard line.
“Congrats on your big win, Liam,” she said as she wrapped her fuzzy blue cardigan tighter around her body.
Liam took off the letterman jacket that the team had given him and put it around Miranda’s shoulders. “It was the team’s win. They brought the heart and the skill and all I did was stand on the sidelines looking pretty.” Miranda laughed and Liam melted inside a little. He wished he co
uld listen to that musical little laugh of hers all day long. “How Elise?” he asked as he brushed back a golden lock of Miranda’s hair that had fallen on her face.
“She asked about you the other day,” Miranda said. Her hazel eyes lighting up with excitement. “She wanted to know when you would be coming over next.” Miranda then looked down at her feet. Her hips were slightly twisting.
Liam noticed she would this when she was nervous.
“I told her once you were feeling better, but I guess I found myself wondering that too.” Miranda laughed nervously.
Liam reached out with two fingers lifting up her chin so her eyes met with his. He couldn’t bear to have her feeling embarrassed or shy in front of him. Not even for a second. He leaned in and gently pressed his lips against her soft sweet ones. He would kiss away every trace of shyness and embarrassment from her. Finally, after a long moment of breathless kissing, he let go.
“Come over tomorrow night,” Miranda boldly and breathlessly as she nuzzled into Liam’s neck.
Liam felt her body melt into his. Every curve of her warm body met perfectly with his. He wrapped his arms around her and held her close. Trying to make this moment last as long as possible. “I can’t,” he whispered.
Miranda slowly pushed away and looked up into his eyes, questions swirling around in them. “Why not?” She clutched both of his biceps.
“I have to ship out to Afghanistan tomorrow,” Liam said his whole body tensing. He wasn’t sure if he could handle breaking Miranda’s heart. But she sighed knowingly and he felt his body relax.
“Of course, I always knew that your time was limited. When will you be back?”
“At the end of the school year,” Liam said, slowly stroking her soft cheek. “Then I’m going to apply for a job here full time.”
Her eyes lit up. She jumped on Liam as he hugged her close to him and spun her around. Soon, Miranda’s lips were crushing against his. She was devouring him. She grabbed him by the collar of his shirt pulling him into her. He cradled her face in his hands kissing her back. Kissing her was like breathing air. He needed this woman. He needed to have her in his life.