I stare at the note for a long time. I try to ignore the way my eyes are glassed over and the way my chest feels like something's wrapped around it, squeezing the air from my lungs.
I finally stand up and let my instincts take over. And they’re telling me to go to her. To get lost in her touch. I pick up the phone and dial her number before taking a look outside. The phone rings and rings, but she doesn't answer. Her car’s out front. I get her voicemail and decide to wait a minute. Maybe she’s busy.
I run my hands through my hair, but all I can think about is that fucking note. I can practically hear him saying those words. My heart clenches, and I grip the cell phone tighter before calling her again. No answer.
I fucking need her right now. I shove shoes on my feet and swing the door open. I don't bother with a coat.
I need to feel her. I need to kiss her. I need her just as much as she needs me.
Chapter 16
Lizzie
I have my nose buried in a book when there's a knock at the door. I stop reading the dark romance, something I’ve been preoccupying my mind with to keep it off Liam, and get up from the couch. As I walk across the room, I don’t even have to guess who’s there.
Liam.
My heart begins to pound at the thought of seeing him. And I take a second debating on whether I should open the door, or ignore him for as long as I can.
Relax, I tell myself. You can do this. I need to have this talk with him. This needs to stop now.
Still, it takes me several deep breaths to get my pulse to stop racing and for my anxiety to ebb.
A frigid blast of air hits me as soon as I open the door, and I shiver. My mouth goes dry when I see Liam standing there, silhouetted by a sea of white. He’s dressed casually, as if it isn’t below twenty degrees and snowing. He's just in jeans and a t-shirt.
Good God, I think to myself worriedly. He’s got to be freezing!
“Liam, what are you doing out in the snow with no coat on? You could catch a cold,” I say with concern.
“I'm fine,” he replies. He walks past me without asking to come inside.
Anxiety washes over me as I close the door and turn to face him.
Shit. He’s looking at me with that intense gaze of his. Trouble is brewing. I don’t know if I can do this.
“I’ve been calling you, but you haven’t answered,” he says, accusation in his voice.
Ugh. So here it goes. This is going to be rough. “I know. I’ve just been thinking,” I respond slowly.
Anger flashes in his eyes. “Thinking about what?”
“Don’t look at me like that,” I say, getting angry. This is hard for me. “I think we should stop this.”
He clenches his jaw. “You came to me, remember?”
“I’m sorry,” is all I can manage. It’s the only thing I can say. None of this would’ve happened if I didn’t want it in the first place. I used him. I know that now. And I really do feel like shit about it.
Liam asks quietly, “Sorry for what, Elle?”
Unbidden, tears flow from my eyes and down my cheeks. “I can’t do this, Liam,” I choke out. “I’m so sorry.” It's hard to breathe. It feels like my heart's being ripped out of my chest.
Liam walks over to me and grabs me by the arms, forcing me to look into his eyes. Fuck. It hurts to see the pain reflected there. “And why not? You wanted this as much as I did.”
I can’t respond. The lump in my throat is too big to swallow. Why does it hurt so fucking much?
Liam looks at me with disbelief. “You really don’t wanna be with me? Is that it?”
The pain is crushing me. Any more, and I feel my heart will shatter. “I don’t know,” I croak, seconds away from sobbing like a baby.
Liam looks like he’s been stabbed in the heart. It’s a look I can hardly bear. Surprisingly, he’s not giving up. “Well, I don’t give a shit. I still want to be with you, Elle. No matter what you say.” He looks away and I realize he’s trying to keep from crying. “You healed a part of me that I didn’t realize was broken.” His voice is thick with emotion and it threatens to send me over the brink.
“Please!” I cry. Please don’t do this. Not here. Not now.
“Please what?” Liam presses.
“I don’t know,” I sob, shaking my head. “I don’t know what I want from you.”
Liam pulls me into his arms, holding me close. It feels so good to be enveloped by the warmth of his hard body. “Well, what do you feel? What do you feel in your heart for me? 'Cause I can damn sure feel something in mine for you. And I want to hold onto it.”
His words are so powerful. It scares the shit out of me. “But--but it’s so soon. We’re both grieving...and this is just… it just isn’t healthy!”
Liam snorts derisively. “Says who? Who can tell us what’s healthy, and what isn’t? All I know is I feel for you, Elizabeth Turner. And I don’t want it to end.”
I can’t find the words to reply. I feel for Liam, too. Maybe too much. That’s what frightens the fuck out of me. “I’m scared,” I say, finally admitting the truth to him.
Liam bends down and kisses the tears on my jaw, then kisses me on the lips. I taste the salt on them. “It’s okay to be scared. There’s nothing wrong with that. You just have to believe that everything will be alright.” He kisses me again and I melt into him. I’m breathless when he pulls away a moment later. “This doesn’t have to be anything that you don’t want it to be,” he says huskily. “We’re moving fast right now, but I don’t see anything wrong with it. I just need you to stop thinking about tomorrow, and only think about what’s here and now.”
He’s asking a lot from me when I’m so conflicted. So confused. I don’t know what I should do. I don’t know anything. “I don’t know, Liam.”
He kisses me again and I feel my defenses crumbling. “Please don’t deny me, Elle. I want you.” He injects even more feeling into his voice and says, “I need you.”
At those words, and the pleading look in his eyes, my defenses are swept away like a leaf in a hurricane. I can no longer deny this man. I am his. Forever.
I melt into him and let him pull me into a strong, lingering kiss.
His lips crash against mine as he pushes me down on the ground and devours me. He pushes his hand up my shirt and lets his hands roam my body. He owns me, and he knows it.
His demanding touch sends shivers over every inch of me. I have to pull away and breathe in the hot air between us. He continues kissing along every inch of my neck with a desperate need.
“Liam,” I whimper as he pushes my pants down and cups my pussy.
“Yes!” he says before nipping my earlobe. “I want you screaming my name,” he harshly whispers. His words harden my nipples and spike my libido. He pulls my panties down as I take in uneven breaths.
I feel like I’m suffocating. Everything’s going so fast. He pulls my shirt over my head and instantly kneads and sucks on my breasts. I’m caged under him. My senses are overwhelmed. His smell. His touch. My body is on fire with desire.
He pushes his thick fingers into my wet pussy, and my back bows. My neck arches away from him as I scream out his name. “Mine,” he whispers into my neck, continuing his torturous strokes. He doesn’t let up as I try to move away from him. My body is tense and on edge. My release feels heightened and almost like too much as his thumb rubs against my throbbing clit in time with the pumps of his fingers stroking my G-spot.
“Cum for me,” he commands and I obey. Every inch of my skin heats and ignites, and a wave of intense pleasure flows from deep in my belly outward in all directions. My body trembles, and my eyes close as Liam pushes my legs apart and settles between them.
He grabs my ass with both hands and tilts me up so he’s in a better position. I can barely breathe, feeling as though I'm miles away.
My head thrashes wildly as he shoves himself deep into my pussy with one hard thrust. “Fuck!” I scream out.
Liam leans down and bites my should
er, hard, as he pumps in and out of me.
“My name,” he growls. He picks up his pace as he kisses the bite mark and grips my chin in his hand. I stare into his heated gaze as he continues to ruthlessly fuck me. My body jolts with each hard pump. “Scream my name.”
My body heats as he stares into my eyes and continues to pound into my pussy. I can barely breathe as the extreme pleasure intensifies. Each thrust bringing me closer to an edge that seems too steep.
My eyes start to close and I bite down on my bottom lip as the feeling becomes too much. Liam doesn’t stop, he only pushes in deeper and harder. His pace gets faster and I lose myself to the overwhelming pleasure.
“Liam!” I scream out and he captures my voice with his lips on mine. He kisses me with a passion I’ve never felt. He devours my body as every limb feels heavy with a tingling pleasure. My pussy spasms around him as he thrusts deeper into me, making me grip onto his shoulders and scream into the crook of his neck.
His dick pulses, buried to the hilt and our combined cum leaks down my ass as my breath slowly comes back to me. He braces himself on top of me, whispering my name and leaving a trail of kisses down my neck and up my jaw. My chest rises and falls with deep, calming breaths of hot air. I push my hair out of my face and then take his face in my hands.
My heart swells and I start to tell him the words on the tip of my tongue, but he leans down and kisses me. Taking the words and silencing them.
I love you, Liam.
Chapter 17
Ian Dracho
I fucking hate that prick Liam Axton. He thinks he’s so fucking smart. They’re coming up with everything they can to destroy my business. Before him, I had it made. These hot shots come in here, thinking they know it all and how they’re going to be walking out with their pockets full of my money. I snort a laugh. I’m the only one profiting in the deals I make.
Until Liam fucking Axton. My cell rings on the end table and I mute the game on the television. I need to know what Stephen found out there at Liam's new property. Gino’s gone, and I know that fucker’s the one who whacked him. I’m gonna make him pay. They’ll all pay.
“What’d you find out there?” I answer the phone with the one question that matters. What the fuck is Liam doing with a house out in the suburbs? It came up on his report, and I need to know why.
“Elizabeth Turner,” Stephen says, followed by something muffled. He must be outside, judging by the wind blowing against his phone. I can hear the moment he gets back in his car and shuts the door. Everything’s more clear. Except who the fuck Elizabeth Turner is.
“Who?” I lean against the back of my sofa and listen to Stephen a little more closely. He’s supposed to be checking out the house, not talking about some cunt.
“He’s at some broad’s house next door.”
“Liam is?” I ask. My forehead’s pinched with confusion.
“Yeah, I just looked inside,” he bellows a laugh. “Got me rock fucking hard.”
“If this is just some chick next door that he’s banging, I’m gonna be pissed.” Something in me is telling me it’s not though. Things have been off with that asshole recently. Now’s the time to strike. He’s weak. And it must be this bitch that’s getting to him. “What the fuck is he doing with a house out there anyway?”
“Maybe it’s for her?” Stephen sounds a little unsure, but I can’t think of any other reason Liam Axton would be out in the suburbs. No fucking way he bought a house to get close to a woman. Unless she means something to him. A sick smile grows across my face.
“Stake it out and find out everything you can about this chick and what she means to him.” I wanna know everything. I wanna know how bad it’s gonna hurt him when I slit this bitch's throat. I want him to see it. I’ll make this asshole pay. “If she’s valuable, then we’ve got a good way in.”
“You got it, boss.”
Chapter 18
Liam
I can still feel her kiss on my lips as I pull into the parking spot. My chest fills with warmth. It’s a long ass drive from her place to work, but it’s worth it just to wake up next to her. I’ve never had this before. It’s still new and pure. I’m still afraid I’m going to ruin it, but so far she's happy. It’s been almost a month since she’s come back and shoved her way into my life. I don’t know how I ever lived without her.
Every night we lay in bed and she falls asleep in my arms, I wonder if it’s going to be the last night. If she’ll wake up and realize she doesn’t need me. But then I always wake up to her kissing my shoulder and nuzzling her head into the crook of my neck.
Life’s never felt this good. I can’t let it end. She’s been talking about school and I know she’s thinking about what’s going to happen when she has to leave. I am too, but neither of us has said anything. We’re both walking on eggshells, wondering how long this can possibly last. It’s just too good to be true.
As I walk into the elevator a woman in a skimpy black dress gets on with me, looking more like a hooker than an employee of any of the businesses who rent out these spaces. I keep my eyes off her ass even as she bends over to select her floor. She looks back over her shoulder with a small smile as the doors close. She's looking at me like I'm a piece of meat.
A different time, I would’ve stopped the elevator and fucked her right here, right now.
Not now. Rather than feeling desire, I’m pissed. It’s not her fault. She doesn’t know I’m spoken for, but just the fact she’s trying to do something that could cause friction between me and Elle makes me tense.
I give her a tight smile and her eyes fall as she straightens her shoulders and pulls her dress lower over her ass. Good. I feel a little bit like an asshole. But I’m glad the message was received.
I’m still feeling tense and off when I get to the top and walk into our space, although I don't know why.
Everything’s pristine and in order. But it’s quiet. No one’s here. I clear my throat and try to get rid of this tension while I unlock my office.
I stop in my tracks as Zac turns in the seat across from my desk and stares at me. I look around the room. Tyler’s not here.
“I don’t want you to get upset,” Zac says as I take deliberate steps to sit down at my desk. A million things are running through my head, but I have no real concrete idea as to what he’s talking about.
“Spit it out,” I tell him. I don’t like not knowing shit. I don’t like being tense and on edge, and that’s exactly what I am right now.
He slides a photo across the desk. When he pulls his hand away, my blood chills. My heart stops working. It’s just a photograph with a hole in the top. Maybe the size of a finishing nail from where it was hung on something.
It's a picture of us. Elle’s smiling back at me. Her head’s resting on my shoulder and she’s looking up at me even though my eyes are on the television that's not in the picture. It’s from one of our lazy nights together. In her house, and the picture was obviously taken from a window. Clearly someone’s been watching us.
I pick up the photo gently. More carefully than I need to, but I’m afraid my anger is going to make me do something stupid. My entire body slowly heats as my blood fills with adrenaline.
“Tyler’s keeping an eye on her now.” Zac’s words barely do a thing to calm me, but at least he’s a step ahead of me.
“Where was it?” I ask Zac. I finally tear my eyes away from the picture. “In the mailbox like the last one?” I remember the threat from before, and my stomach wants to heave. Elle. I need to get to her.
“Yeah,” he says easily, although it's completely at odds with how on edge he looks. He looks as though he's going to have to defend himself. He’s waiting for me to attack him. But he’s not my target. Maybe he’s just waiting for me to lose it. Yeah, that's probably more accurate.
“You okay?” he asks. But I ignore him. I flip the picture over, looking for a message. But there’s nothing there.
“Anything with it?” I ask him as my thumb rubs ov
er the spot in the picture where her hand’s in mine.
“No,” he answers in a clear, low voice.
She’s so fucking beautiful. That moment was for us. And now it’s tainted. I have to put the picture down as my hands fist and I struggle to fight the urge to break everything around me in this fucking room. I need to hold back this rage.
But I also need to do something.
I’m quick to pick up my phone. Zac’s eyes go wide and he shakes his head as he says, “That’s what he wants, Liam.” I ignore my brother’s warning. I don’t care if I’m giving Ian the reaction he wants.
The phone rings once, twice. Pick up the phone, you fucking coward. On the end of the third ring, the phone clicks and I hear his breathing on the end of the phone.
I stand quickly and make my way to the large window in the room. “Leave her out of this,” I say simply in a dark voice I don’t even recognize.
“You fucked with me, now I fuck with you,” Ian says and then the line goes dead.
My body's shaking with rage. She’s mine. I finally got a life I want. A life I’m afraid is going to slip through my fingers. He’s not going to take that away from me. He’s not going to do a damn thing to her. I’ll fucking kill him first.
My chest heaves with an angry breath as I look my brother in the eyes and say, “I want him dead.”
Chapter 19
Lizzie
Crap, I think as I open the fridge and peer inside. There’s nothing to eat. I have no idea why there’s no food in there. Probably because I’ve been so focused on Liam and forgetting to do normal things, like go grocery shopping. The strange thing is, my appetite is starting to return. What I wouldn’t do for some of Nat’s delicious sugar cookies right now. Or chocolate. Or wine. Or better yet, all three. I need a real meal though.
Tempted: A Bad Boy Next Door Romance Page 11