“What?”
“Take your jammies off. I want to look at you.”
“What? No!” I said, blushing furiously at the thought of standing naked in front of him.
“You did it at the beach,” he reminded me, a wicked glint in his eye.
“It was dark and you were way behind me. You never even saw the front!”
“We'll start from the back then. Turn around.” He slid his hand around my wrist, spinning me around, pressing his lips to the side of my throat. His hands slipped over the soft cotton, running down my spine and I let out a shuddering breath. “Take your clothes off,” he whispered into my ear, his chest pressing firmly against my back. I was still blushing, my face felt like it was on fire. I thought about arguing or running to switch off the lamp first, but something stopped me. The idea that he wanted to look at me... that he cared. He wasn't just going to throw me on the bed and get straight down to it, he was stretching it out. Savouring the moment.
With trembling fingers, I began to unbutton the shirt. It fell open and I felt the heat of Liam's body leave me as he took a step back, giving me space to take it off. I slipped it over my shoulders, letting it fall to the floor. I took a deep breath, then pushed my thumbs beneath the waistband of my PJ bottoms and underwear, lowering them with one swift movement and kicking them under the bed. I straightened, my back still to him.
“Now, turn around.”
“I can't.”
“Mia.” I heard the smile in his voice. “Turn around.” His hand trailed down my spine, my nipples hardening beneath his touch. I inhaled a juddery breath. Slowly, I turned to face him, my eyes unable to meet his.
“Oh!” I gasped. Liam was completely and utterly naked. My gaze travelled over his body, his hard, perfect abs, the hidden tattoos I had been waiting to discover, his strong thighs. My jaw dropped as I stared at his thick, rock hard cock, my own nakedness completely forgotten.
He shrugged. “I'm not one for double standards.”
“No,” I whispered, dragging my eyes back up to his face. “I don't suppose you are.” The need to touch him was all I could think about now.
He stepped forward, trailing the back of his fingers across the curve of my breasts, down my side, reaching my hip. He towered over me, his dark eyes intense. “You're perfect. Do you realise that?”
I couldn't speak. I swallowed, nervously licking my lips. And then, he moved his hand between my thighs, his fingers pushing into the slick, swollen flesh. My head rolled back as I groaned and he slid two fingers through the wetness, rolling possessively over my clit, dipping inside me, exploring with confident, talented thrusts. His head lowered, his mouth closing over the swollen bud of my nipple and all of a sudden I knew couldn't wait another second. I had to have him inside me. I needed to feel the weight of his body on mine. I ran my hand down his chest, lower and lower, finding the thick, throbbing base of his cock and squeezing it in my palm. It was like I'd flicked a switch. With a low growl, he grabbed the backs of my thighs, lifting me and dropping me onto the bed. I opened my legs wide, ready for him. His eyes met mine, serious for once as he climbed onto the mattress, grabbing my wrists and holding them above my head with one hand. He cupped my breast with the other, his fingers rolling and teasing as he played with my nipple.
“Liam,” I whispered, fighting against his iron hold at my wrists, tilting my hips up in frustrated need. “Liam, please.”
He inclined his head, kissing me slowly until I was breathless and dizzy. Then, in one long, delicious slide he pushed inside me. I moaned into his mouth as he kissed me again, my muscles clenching around the hard, pulsing flesh. If he moved, I would come. He was so big. The pressure against my G-spot was almost painful in its need for release.
I pushed harder against him, his pubic bone grinding against my clit. And then he was pumping into me with hard, deep, dizzying thrusts and I could feel the orgasm building. He grabbed my ass, anchoring me even closer as he moved and I came hard, the pleasure ripping through me in delicious, powerful waves.
My head fell back against the pillow, my whole body satiated, but Liam wasn't done yet. He moved his hips in deep, slow circles, his eyes fixed on my face. I'd never seen him like this before. Powerful, owning me completely, yet there was a kind of vulnerability there too. I could see how close he was to coming and it turned me on beyond belief that it was me doing that to him. Me he wanted. His body rocked against mine, every part of us touching, heat radiating from our skin, his breath hitching in my ear and I gasped, feeling my body building up for a second release. This time, I came with such intensity I thought I would faint. My body clenched hard around his, my legs wrapping around his back as he moved inside me, filling me completely. I was still coming as he groaned, pushing his face into my neck, his cock pulsing, empting inside me. I'd never felt closer to anyone.
We stayed locked together, wrapped in each others arms, breathing hard for a long time. Eventually, he lifted his face to mine, pressing a soft kiss to my mouth. “Just like I said. You're fucking perfect.”
I woke with a start, my eyes flicking to the glowing digital display of the clock on my bedside table. 3 a.m. The world was dark and quiet, but I knew I wasn't alone. I could feel the hard, hairy thigh pushed against my own, hear the soft sounds of breathing. We'd never discussed him staying over. He just hadn't left. And though I would never admit it, I was glad. Tomorrow, everything would be different. Awkward. I didn't know what would be left of the friendship I valued so much. I didn't know if I would even be able to look him in the eye after crossing that line. But, since we'd broken all our rules, I wanted to make it last as long as possible. I wasn't ready to lose him just yet.
Quietly, I rolled over to face him. His face was so peaceful in sleep. So beautiful. His thick, dark eyelashes rested softly against his cheeks, his full lips pouted as he dreamed.
How was I ever going to let him go after what we'd done? How would I cope, watching him flirt and kiss and whisper to other girls? I took a breath, knowing I would have to find a way to deal with it. After the sun rose in a few hours time, Liam would no longer belong to me. But tonight, he was mine. I slipped my hand under the covers, down the smooth expanse of his chest, my fingers finding his pierced nipple, playing with it. Slowly, I pushed back the sheet, needing to look at him, to store up every detail for later. I ran my hands over the curve of his shoulders, down his arms, across his belly.
I froze, realising that the pattern of his breathing had changed. He was awake. I glanced at his face and saw his dark eyes glinting in the near pitch black of the room. For a moment, we were both still, staring at each other in the darkness. Then, he reached a hand up to my face, sliding it through my hair. He rolled me gently onto my back, lowering his mouth to mine, kissing me long and slow as he slid his hand between my thighs, finding the swollen nub of my clitoris and playing with me with torturous, teasing expertise. I ran my hands down his sides, across his back, his stomach, down to the hard length of him, gripping him with my fingers, tugging firm and slow. He made a sound of absolute pleasure and I smiled into the darkness, opening my legs wider, guiding him to my wet, throbbing pussy.
The world seemed to slow down, as if we were in some separate bubble of our very own. His eyes found mine, watching me as he pushed inside me, thrusting in slow, delicious slides, the silence between us intensifying everything. It felt like we were communicating with our bodies, telling each other all the things we needed to say before this night was over. It was an agonising goodbye and a feeling of coming home all wrapped up in one messy, confused package.
I slid my fingers into the back of his cropped hair, pulling his mouth down on mine, kissing him hard as I came, my fingernails digging into his scalp, his back as I tried to bring him even closer to me. With one final thrust, he shuddered, arching his back as he came. Breathing heavily, he inclined his head, kissing me again, sliding out of me and pulling me into his arms, holding me tight in the darkness. Neither of us spoke a word. There were no words that
could adequately describe the depths of what I was feeling in that moment. All I knew was that tomorrow, all of this would be over. And it was going to be hard.
Chapter Fourteen
Liam
The sound of running water pulled me from the deepest sleep I'd had for years and I stretched, opening my eyes to Mia's bedroom ceiling. I couldn't help but smile as the memories of last night flooded back to me. What a fucking night! I'd imagined it so many times that I'd kind of expected the reality to be something of a let down, but it had been anything but. I could hear her in the kitchen, the smell of coffee drifting through to where I lay. I didn't want to get up. Once I did, this... this thing, whatever the fuck I'd sold it as, this one night to get it all out of our systems would be over. What would come next?
With a sigh, I climbed out of bed, the smell of Mia's body still clinging to me, making me hard. I forced my erection into my jeans and yanked on my t-shirt and shoes before walking out to the kitchen. Mia was already fully dressed in a pretty, swishy skirt and a white wrap-around blouse, her tiny feet encased in pink, low heeled shoes. She obviously had no plans to come back to bed with me.
“Morning,” I said, watching her from the doorway.
“Oh, hey.” She didn't meet my eyes. Great. So this was going to be awkward. “Uh, there's coffee. If you want it?”
I shook my head. “No, thanks. I need a smoke.”
“Oh, you can't smoke in here. Landlord's rules.”
I nodded. “No problem.” Was it me or was she blushing? She turned her back to me, busying herself at the sink. “So,” I said, watching her. “I guess I should probably go...”
She nodded, her back still to me. “Okay.”
“I mean, I don't have to just yet – ”
“No, no, it's fine,” she said, turning to face me. “I have a meeting I need to get to and you probably have to get to the studio?” She gave a smile. Polite, controlled. Betraying nothing.
“Okay. So I guess I'll see you later then.”
“Uh hu. Here, don't forget this.” She passed me my wallet. “Must have fallen out of your jeans.” She was definitely blushing.
“Thanks.” She moved to pull her hand back but I grabbed it before she could step away, pulling her close to me.
“Liam...” she breathed softly. “What are you doing?”
“Saying goodbye.”
She sighed, looking up at me with those wide green eyes. She really was beautiful. Angelic almost. She bit down on her bottom lip, determination crossing her features. “We agreed,” she said, still staring up at me. “One night.”
“One night,” I repeated. “I know.” I linked my fingers through hers. Her hands were so soft. So small. I couldn't help but run the pad of my thumb over the back of her knuckles. I was half tempted to try and negotiate for a second night, but I knew she'd never go for it. The Mia who'd been wild and free and mine last night, had been carefully boxed back up and replaced with sensible, friend-zoning Mia once again. But that wouldn't stop me pushing my luck. “So, kiss me goodbye and I'll leave.” She shook her head, pressing her lips tightly together. “Mia,” I lifted her chin, tilting her face up towards mine. “One last kiss. Then I'll go.” She gave a nervous laugh. Then quickly, she raised herself onto her tiptoes, pecked me on the cheek and stepped back, slipping her hand out of mine.
“Goodbye, Liam,” she smiled politely again. I stared at her, unwilling to give voice to just how disappointed I was. I'd wanted to taste her mouth again. To kiss her until I broke through this hard, uber polite shell she'd climbed into and found a way to make her open herself to me again. I realised now, that I'd been so desperate to be inside her in the heat of the moment last night, I'd missed out on so many of the things I'd planned to do. I hadn't kissed my way up her legs, her thighs, opening them wide so I could sink my tongue inside her, tasting her sweetness until she begged for more. I would never get to now. I would never see her beautiful mouth close over my cock, her eyes on mine as she blushed crimson. I'd wasted my opportunity and now it was too late. I nodded slowly, picking up my jacket and heading for the door. “Goodbye, Mia,” I replied over my shoulder.
Shit. One night hadn't been enough. Not by a long shot.
I'd smoked three cigarettes by the time I met Ryan at Hyde park. He strode up to me, two cardboard coffee cups in hand and passed one to me with a grin, his dark blonde hair flopping into his eyes. Despite the fact that he didn't have to be at the club until after lunch, he was dressed in an ocean blue Hugo boss suit, his crisp white shirt open at the collar to reveal his brown, unmarked skin. We couldn't have been more chalk and cheese, I thought, looking down at my black jeans and leather jacket. Ryan had never even considered tattoos. It wasn't his thing at all. He was a complete Ken doll, but I loved him like a brother and our differences on the outside never seemed to matter. “What's up, Brad Pitt?” I teased, as we cut across the path, heading for the lake.
He grinned. “What's up yourself? You look like you just crawled out of bed.”
I shrugged, taking a sip of the coffee. It was strong and black. “Hey, what can I say? I'm a night owl. I definitely need this,” I said, lifting the cup in appreciation. “So how are you settling into London life? Homesick for Manchester yet?”
“Nah. Actually, I'm enjoying myself. I might stay.”
“Seriously?”
“Yep. I've been looking at places. When Kai gets back I might open up a new branch of Loki in Chelsea. Seems like a wasted opportunity not to.”
Wasted opportunities. Yep. I knew all about those. “That's great, man. It'll be good to have you around more. You should look at opening up a couple of branches over in America. It's worked for me.”
“Yeah, hows that going, the LA branch?”
“It's taken off like a dream. We've got an eleven month waiting list and they're literally fighting over each other to get in there. The guy I've got running it is so fucking talented, man. I don't think I've ever been so stressed in my life trying to find the right artists to run the place without me. You want it running like clockwork, don't you? And when you've spent so long building your rep, you don't want sloppy work and bad attitudes to wreck it. It's hard handing over that trust.”
“Tell me about it,” Ryan grimaced. “You know me, man. I'd rather work myself into the ground than hand over control to someone who might fuck it up.”
“Likewise. But I got lucky with the four people I took on. Felix, the guy I hired to run the place, is basically the American version of me. It's like we think the same way. He takes it as seriously as I do, and that's why it works. I'm thinking of opening up another one in New York someday, but I'm not ready to jump into the stress of hiring yet.”
“Take a moment to enjoy the success of the LA branch, then get back in there. You know it will be a success.”
“Yeah. It's next on the list.” I grinned.
“So,” Ryan smiled. “Tell me about Croatia. Did I miss out?”
“It was fun,” I shrugged, instantly feeling my guard go up. I didn't know if he'd had chance to speak to Kai about everything that had gone on and I was not in the mood to get into it all now. “It was pretty standard, nothing crazy.”
“We're you out loads?”
“I wasn't... but the girls were.”
“Oh.” He sipped his coffee. “Did that chick... uh... Saskia... did she hook up with anyone?”
I stopped walking, turning to face him. “No. Not that I saw. Why?”
“Oh, no reason.”
“She mentioned you actually.” Ryan was silent. Uncharacteristically so. “Don't you want to know what she said?”
He grinned. “I'm sure it was good.”
I raised an eyebrow. “Did something happen between you at the wedding?”
“Course not. You'd know about it if it had.” He looked to his left suddenly as if he were just remembering something, and gave a long, low whistle. Before I could ask what he was doing, the tiniest dog I'd ever laid eyes on bolted out of the bushes, comi
ng to rest at his feet. Ryan bent down, scooping up the little white ball of fluff. I stared at him, open mouthed.
“What the fuck is that, man?”
“This would be a dog.”
“Barely. Is it yours?”
“Oh yeah.”
“Dare I ask why the fuck you have a chicks dog? It looks like it might blow away in a stiff breeze!”
“You'll see.” He set the fluff-ball down again, “Hey, Dumbledoor – ”
“You didn't call him Dumbledoor? Oh this just gets better and better.”
“Shut up and watch the magic happen.” He pointed to two girls sitting on a bench about twenty feet ahead of us. “Dumbledoor. Go and say hello.” The dog took off towards the women at speed, its ridiculous tiny legs barely visible beneath its fluffy torso. It was like a flying ball of cotton wool. He came to a sudden halt at their ankles, licking and jumping up their Lycra clad legs, rolling on his back so they could give him a belly rub.
“Dumbledoor!” Ryan yelled. “Come!” The dog continued to throw himself at the women.
“He's not coming,” I said smugly.
“That's because he's not supposed to. He's a well trained dog. Worth his weight in gold.”
“That wouldn't be much by the size of him,” I muttered.
Ryan smirked over his shoulder. He jogged over to the bench where the women were cooing over the dog. “I'm so sorry, ladies, he's just got a thing for pretty girls. Can't help himself, can you Dumbledoor.”
The women stared up at Ryan, practically salivating. “Oh my god, like from Harry Potter?” the brunette squealed. “That's so sweet! I can't believe you called him that.” She flashed him a wide smile. “Can I hold him?”
Ryan looked back towards me, winking. “Of course you can.”
Twenty minutes later we walked away, Ryan in possession of the fluff-ball and the dark haired girl's phone number. “I can't believe you have a pick up dog,” I laughed, shaking my head. “Only you would think of something so insane.”
Damaged: Dare to Decide, Book 2 Page 8