by Kennedy Fox
“A red thong,” he murmurs. “I’m gonna have to keep this.”
I grin. “It was for you anyway.”
Looping his fingers over the thin material that holds the panties to my hips, he tugs and snaps them off my body, causing me to gasp. His hands move down my side, then between my legs until he’s circling my clit. I hang on to him, ready to crumple beneath his touch as he slides a finger inside me. A throaty moan escapes me as he pulls away, and I immediately frown at the loss of his touch.
“Fuck, Mads. You’re soaking wet,” he says, then places his finger between his lips. “You taste better than strawberries.”
Liam grabs the tie and carefully places it over my eyes and wraps it around my head so I can’t see a thing. My breathing is erratic as I feel him drop to his knees. Seconds later, he hooks one of my legs over his shoulder and starts devouring me. His tongue flicks and twirls against my clit, and at any moment, I’ll lose my balance because I feel as if I’m floating. Then, just like that, he pulls away and stops. He pushes me slightly until the back of my legs hit the mattress, and I fall against the mattress. After a moment, he grabs my ass and shifts me closer to the edge of the bed.
“This is much better,” he whispers against my skin, placing light kisses along my inner thighs before he returns to his place of solitude. With my hands in fists, I grab the comforter, knowing the orgasm is building fast and hard. It’s obvious Liam knows it too because when my back arches, he increases his pace, waging war on my pussy with his mouth.
“Yes, yes, yes…Liam,” I breathe out, my entire body seizing as I fall deeper.
“Come on my tongue, baby,” Liam demands. “I can tell you’re close.”
Deep groans release from me as the orgasm nearly catapults me into a different dimension. I feel as if I’m floating before I fall back to reality. My eyes flutter open, exhilaration courses through my veins, and I pull off the makeshift blindfold and peer at him with an insatiable amount of want and need. He stands, then leans over my body, guiding his hand to my breast and playing with my nipple ring. Resting against the mattress as he devours my lips, I can taste my arousal on him.
Straightening up, Liam starts to undress, but I stand to help him, wobbly on my feet. I unclasp and unzip his pants before pushing them down with his boxers. Within moments, he’s completely naked and hard in my palm. Sitting on the edge of the bed, I take his length into my mouth, paying extra close attention to the tip as I gently massage his balls. His head rolls back as he lets out animalistic grunts. My goal is to pleasure him like he’s mother fucking royalty, not leaving an inch of his cock unworshipped.
Liam runs his fingers through my hair, and I push away to look up at him.
“I need to feel you more than I need to breathe,” he growls, tracing my jaw with his thumb. Before he can command me, I move up the bed, giving him space to come to me. Slowly, he enters me, and I adjust my body to take all of him. I finally went and saw my doctor after Sophie and Lennon scolded me about it, which I knew was the smart thing to do. Getting on birth control means we don’t have to frantically find a condom. His width and length nearly break me in two as he takes it slow and steady, making love to me, not fucking me like a weekend pleasure. Though, we’ve shared several of those moments. But right now, it’s different. It’s personal and intense, the pure emotion releasing from my breathless pants. I scratch my fingernails down his back as he pounds into me, giving me everything he has, and though I’ve got all of him, I want more. I need more of him.
“Liam, more,” I whisper. Another orgasm begs to take hold, building, ready to spill over, and then I lose all control, which only encourages him to continue. I’m nearly blinded by passion, by love, by him. It’s so strong, I can barely breathe, but my feelings for Liam have always felt overpowering. With an arched back, I ride the wave, never wanting to lose the high he brings me to.
“I love you,” he says against my neck, and I feel it in his body. He’s close.
“I love you too,” I repeat. The words come straight from the heart, forged from deep within my soul. I dig my heels into his ass, encouraging him to break me in half. It’s as if he momentarily finds his second wind before he sucks in a deep breath and completely unravels inside me. I lift and kiss his jaw, and we both let out a satisfied sigh, like drug addicts who got their fix. We both know it’s only temporary, though.
After we take a shower together, washing each other’s bodies from head to toe, Liam and I crawl into bed. My heart has finally slowed to a steady pace, and I feel myself drift off to sleep.
The next morning, I’m woken to the sound of eggs frying. The little cabin was stocked with food for the weekend, but I didn’t think Liam would make me breakfast. I should’ve, though, because it’s one of our things at home. Hurrying, I slip on one of his T-shirts and walk into the kitchen where he’s cooking with a cup of coffee in one hand and a spatula in the other.
“Sleeping Beauty is awake,” he teases with a grin.
“I feel sex drunk.” I laugh, trying to smooth down my hair. I do the best I can, then decide to just go with it. Liam’s seen the good, the bad, and the ugly when it comes to me, and somehow, he hasn’t run away yet. It’s official. He’s a keeper.
I sit at the small bar, and he hands me a cup of English Breakfast tea. “Fancy,” I murmur before taking a sip. The cracking sounds of the fireplace pop in the background, and I turn around and look at the huge window. Snow is covering everything now, and it’s no longer a light dusting. A smile touches my lips because I know this was Sophie’s wedding wish. Hallmark really ruined her, but hell, it ruined me too because I wouldn’t mind this one bit for mine.
“So…” I look at Liam. “Got the wedding bug yet?”
He turns around and grins, pointing the utensil at me before going back to the stove. “The real question is, do you?”
“I’ve been planning my wedding since I was five years old,” I admit, but back then, it was more of a Disney dream with me being the princess and finding my Prince Charming. “But,” I add, “I don’t want to get married until I graduate. Just one more year.”
Liam plates the eggs and toast and sets them in front of us. He looks at me incredulously. “Is that a hint?”
I quickly shove food in my mouth and shrug.
“Marriage is a big deal,” he says. “I’ve already been divorced once. You sure you want that baggage?”
His phone buzzes on the bar, and I see it’s his dad calling. “Are you going to answer that?” I ask, knowing his dad doesn’t call him very often but has more now since Victoria came into the picture. Liam broke the news to him about the divorce but left out all the dirty details.
Liam silences it. “I’ll call him back later. I’m having breakfast with my girl.”
I take a sip of tea and look at him. Studying his face, I take in the scruff on his chin, the way his bottom lip has an indent, and the way the corners of his mouth naturally turn up. “That divorce wasn’t your fault. That was a business arrangement.”
“So you’re saying I still have a chance for a happily ever after?” He’s joking with me, the mood staying light and playful.
“Maybe a ten percent chance,” I throw out.
“Ten? That’s insanity. I think it’s more at ninety.”
I giggle. “You quite confident, aren’t you? So tell me this…do you want kids?”
Liam stills, and it feels as if all the air has been sucked out of the room. He looks at me, then back at his plate. After a minute, I interrupt his thoughts.
“You don’t have to answer that. Forget I asked.” I reach forward and grab his hand.
“Kids are a big step. I always thought a family wasn’t something I wanted or deserved. After what my mother did to my father and me, I vowed I wouldn’t. I didn’t want to bring a child into this fucked-up world to have their heart broken like mine was. But, when I look at you, for the first time, I can see a future. I imagine the wedding, the house, the dog, the kids. All of it.”
“I don’t want to lose you because I know there’s a future for us, which scares the shit out of me. I’ve never, ever felt this way about anyone in my life. Only you, Maddie.”
Tears swell in my eyes, and when I blink, they trail down my cheeks. “Liam…”
“But that’s not the answer you were looking for.” He clears his throat. “Yes, I’d have kids with you, Mads. They’d be smart-asses like you and hardheaded like me, and all know how to dance or play football.”
I move onto his lap, nearly straddling him in the barstool.
“There’s no rushing forever,” I say, pressing my forehead against his as the emotion takes over. I’m a sopping mess as I kiss him, wishing I could express how much he’s always meant to me, but it’s like my words won’t come out. Once again, he’s left me utterly speechless. His strong arms hold me close to him, and he slides his lips across mine when his cell phone goes off again and silences it. It pings with a voicemail afterward, pulling us both away.
Liam grabs his phone, and he looks confused.
“Who is it?” I ask.
He turns it around and shows me it’s his dad again. “I guess I should see what’s going on. He never calls me like this.”
I nod, and he helps me place both of my feet on the ground. As he listens to his voicemail, I watch Liam’s face contort. He stands with wide eyes, and I know immediately something isn’t right.
“Listen to this.” Liam places the phone on speaker and replays the message.
I cover my mouth with my hands as Liam’s dad speaks frantically. “Liam. There was a house fire, and we lost everything. Your stepmom and I weren’t home when it happened, thankfully, but there’s nothing left.” His dad chokes up, and it nearly destroys me. “I’m okay, but I wanted to let you know what’s going on before you find out some other way. I don’t know what happened. We’re staying at Aunt Ruthie’s house until we can figure out what to do next. Call me when you can.”
He clutches the phone in his palm and begins pacing. “Fuck. Do you think this could be a coincidence? After the Mercedes blew up, I’m not so sure. I don’t trust anything anymore, not since Victoria tracked down my dad.”
“I don’t know. You really think she’d do something that extreme to get back at you for divorcing her?” I go to him, grabbing his hand. “You need to call him back so he knows you’re aware, and we should probably go home. He needs you.”
Liam nods, and I can see the wheels spinning in his head.
“I’m going to pack our stuff. Call your dad,” I tell him, walking toward the bedroom. We had to check out in two hours anyway. My thoughts are scattered as I grab our wedding clothes and toiletries. I change into something warmer before finishing up. Accidents happen all the time and just because the O’Learys are known for shit like this doesn’t mean they’re responsible this time. At least, I hope they’re not.
I can hear Liam talking to his dad, consoling him, explaining everything is replaceable, but he isn’t. It’s exactly what I would’ve said if it happened to my parents, but it doesn’t make it any easier. After Liam ends the call, he comes to me and is slightly distraught. “What if they would’ve been home?”
“You can’t live in the what-ifs, Liam. That’s how you drive yourself crazy.”
He nuzzles my neck. “What would I do without you?”
“Be single forever?” I quip and feel him smile against me. I lean back. “Let’s go home. Seeing him will make you feel better at least.” I grab my phone to text Sophie, then remember they left for their honeymoon already and are more than likely on a plane. They planned it this way so they’d be back before for Christmas. It will be Liam’s and my first Christmas together too, and I can’t wait to spend it with him and start making our own little traditions.
Liam picks up our suitcases and brings them out to his truck, then we make one final sweep before we leave to drop off the keys at the main office. Before we shut the door, I take it in one last time, encapsulating the memories we shared in my heart. When we walk back outside, there’s a tall, lanky man standing by Liam’s truck, which causes him to tense. I glance over at Liam who steps forward in front of me to protect me. My heart races, and I’m not sure what to do.
“What the fuck are you doing here?” Liam barks.
The guy throws a wicked smile. “I want the money you owe me.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Don’t act stupid. You know damn well what money you owe me. The money your sorry ass lost. I had to pay every cent back to my father and just because he ‘forgave’ your debt doesn’t mean I did. So now, you owe me.”
“Did Victoria send you, JJ?” Liam asks.
JJ. My heart stills because this is Victoria’s brother, the one who got Liam into this mess in the first place. I can’t comprehend what’s happening. I want to protect Liam, tell this guy to stop ruining our lives, but he looks crazier than Victoria.
Maniacal laughter releases from him. “This is between you and me. You two split, but I want my fucking money back.”
Liam glares at him, unamused, but cautious nonetheless. “Or what?” He crosses his muscular arms over his chest, not backing down.
“You tell me. Terrible things have happened recently, haven’t they?” He cocks a brow. “And they’ll continue to happen if you don’t give me what I want. You’ll never expect what’s coming your way. And perhaps next time, I’ll make sure the house isn’t empty if you catch my drift.”
In a blink, Liam charges toward JJ, then wraps his hand around his neck as he pushes JJ against the truck, squeezing so hard, JJ can’t even begin to defend himself. “If you hurt anyone I love, I won’t think twice about fucking killing you. Come near me again, and I will,” Liam threatens, sending a cold shiver down my spine.
Instead of trying to push Liam away, JJ smiles as if he finds humor in all of this, and if I don’t do something, Liam will crush his windpipe. I hurry forward, grabbing Liam’s opposite arm to pull him away. “Liam, stop.” He tightens his grip and narrows his eyes at JJ. I start to panic and squeeze my fingers around Liam’s bicep tighter. “Hulk.” I emphasize his nickname through gritted teeth. “He’s not worth it. Drop your hands.”
I finally break through Liam’s anger, and he releases him, pushing away from JJ. Liam takes my hand and creates distance.
JJ clears his throat and grabs his neck, then forces out words. “Better save your energy. You’ll need that rage to fight.”
“What the hell did you say?” Liam spins around, seething.
“You want to pay me back? You want me to disappear?” JJ asks in a taunting tone but doesn’t wait for Liam’s answer before he continues. “One fight in an underground ring. You win, and you’ll be debt free.”
Liam glares at him. “Have you lost your goddamn mind? I’m not fighting for you.”
“Then expect more shit to blow up,” he deadpans. “I’ll make sure there’s more than a cut on your precious girl’s head next time.”
Liam’s jaw clenches, and I squeeze his hand to keep him from charging JJ again. He’s trying to rile up Liam, and it’s working.
“How can I trust you? How do I know this will really be over then?”
With a shrug, JJ stuffs his hands into his pockets. “You have no other choice than to trust me. The fight is on New Year’s Eve. Be ready because you’ll be fighting for your life. Literally. The guys who get inside the ring fight for blood. And if you don’t do it or try to run again…well, you’ll see. You’ll lose things that can’t so easily be replaced.” JJ looks straight at me, and his steel blue eyes feel as if they’re cutting through my flesh. The insinuation is obvious; I’m his next target.
JJ doesn’t wait for an answer from Liam before he walks away. Then over his shoulder, he calls out, “Start training. I’ll be in touch soon.”
Liam
watches him and then once the black BMW peels away, he tells me to stand back as he cranks his truck. We all have PTSD from the G-Wagon exploding. After it’s started, he opens the door for me, and I climb inside, my hands and legs shaking. I’m confused, and I’m riddled with anxiety over all this.
“You can’t do this, Liam.”
He backs out of the driveway, and we go to the main office to turn in the keys to the cabin. “I don’t think I have a choice, baby.”
I shake my head, not wanting any of this to be happening. “No. You could get hurt or…” I can’t even bring myself to say it.
Parking the truck in front of the building, Liam turns to me, anger taking over. “He burned down my parents' house. He’s obviously the one who blew up the G-Wagon. JJ is responsible for it all. If he’s already done that, then what’s he capable of next? I can’t keep living my life in fear, Maddie, or risk more people in my life getting hurt. I can’t worry that every day I leave you, something terrible will happen while I’m gone. You’re my everything, and I want to protect you. I’ll train for this stupid fight if it means keeping you safe, and I’ll be fine.”
“You don’t know that.” A ragged sob escapes me as I cover my mouth, trying to swallow down my fears. He’s trying to reassure me he’ll be okay, but I’m not so sure this time. His life was spared last time, but what if he’s not so lucky next time?
Chapter Sixteen
LIAM
I try to change the subject on our way home, but my mind is reeling. I’m so livid, I’m grasping the steering wheel so tightly, my fingers are going numb. Too many puzzle pieces snap together as I replay everything that’s happened since the divorce. Stupidly, I thought I wouldn’t be connected with the O’Learys, but all bets are off. Victoria wasn’t lying when she said she didn’t blow up the G-Wagon, and I’m half-tempted to call her and let her know it was her idiot brother, but what use would it be? She hates me just as much and would probably only encourage JJ’s behavior to hurt me and the people I love. Maddie was hospitalized because of the explosion, and he probably wouldn’t care if it’d been worse. The rage I felt when I saw him outside of our cabin reappears, and Maddie notices.