And orgasms. Those hands are definitely made for pouring up pleasure like fine scotch.
Haven squirmed in her chair, her lady bits heating, turning slick at the memory of how those long, rough fingers had served her.
She sipped at her pint from the corner of the pub, her attention half on the unofficial dart tournament she’d been roped into, and half on the gorgeous man behind the bar.
Liam tossed winks and smiles around as though they were currency at a hungry crowd. And oh, they were hungry. From her vantage point, Haven had watched women toss their hair and flirt. She’d even seen a few who pulled out a pen, wrote something down, and then slipped him the paper. Each time, Liam smiled and tucked the scrap away in his front pocket, polite as you please. He’d move on to the next patron, never lingering with the chits after he delivered their drinks.
Liam moved with the confidence of a man who could do the work blindfolded. He was a natural, his easy-going personality and generous spirit making him perfect for the role. The men wanted to be his best friend, and women wanted to fuck him.
Haven felt a greedy sense of satisfaction that she was the one who had Liam in both capacities.
But did she? Really?
Haven wanted to believe that she did, but Liam was still holding back from her. She’d given him her friendship, and now her body, and he still wasn’t willing to confide in her. What did that say about the bond she thought they had?
Haven watched Liam work, her chest heavy and tight. How easily she could envision him behind the bar at O’Somachain’s told her she was getting in too deep. Every minute she spent with Liam reinforced the sense that she didn’t know him. She might know how he got from Boston to California, but she hadn’t known anything about the intimate, day-to-day things that rounded out his life. Like the fact that he tended bar for free. That he had a routine he liked to follow when he came home from a mission. That he drank a big glass of water between each glass of hard liquor, but not between pints of beer.
Things the friends sitting around her had known long before she had.
“Haven,” Cole, or Joker as he’d told her to address him, called. “You’re up, girl.”
Dragging her gaze from the activity at the bar, Haven palmed the darts and slid from the chair.
She was being silly. Deep down, she knew the wee things didn’t matter. She would take all the wonderful nuggets she’d uncovered about Liam home to Ireland and cherish the time they’ve had.
Hopefully with her heart intact.
“All right, lads,” Haven said as she stepped up to the line. “Who am I beatin’ next?”
“I knew you were amazing, pix, but that shit was epic.”
Haven laughed as Liam spun her under his arm and sent her stumbling through the front door and into the kitchen.
She had been kind of great tonight. Top of her game. “You act as if no one has ever beat your friends at darts.” All of them. Twice. “If Joker is to be believed, you’re the reigning champion of Team Romeo.” She snickered. “Or were, anyway.”
“How do you know our team call name?”
Haven tossed her purse onto the kitchen counter and turned to face him. “One of the guys might’ve mentioned it.” Not to her directly but she’d overheard them talking amongst themselves.
“Is that right?” Something akin to panic crossed Liam’s face before he masked it with a tight grin. “Did you learn any other interesting tidbits you’d like to share?”
Of course, she knew Liam was fishing to see if his friends had given up his secret, and little did he know, they had. Just not tonight. And still flying high from the fun she’d had, Haven refused to think about anything that might dampen the mood.
“Hmm. Let me think…”
She leaned against the counter as he stalked closer. Haven felt each step in her lower belly. Thump. Thump. Thump.
She tapped her chin, pretending to consider his question as he towered over her.
Haven snapped her fingers. “I learned that women love to shove wee bits of paper at you.” Haven shoved her hand into the front pocket of his jeans, doing her own bit of fishing.
Liam’s brows soared. “You diggin’ for gold there, sweetheart?” He rolled his hips. “If so, you’ll need to move to the left.”
Haven’s searched his pocket but found it empty. Almost empty. Following Liam’s instructions, she moved to the left and there was his erection, thickening into the space.
Liam fisted his hand in her hair as she prodded the hard ridge with her fingers. He pulled her head back, the slight pain in her scalp reverberating with a heavy pulse deep in her core.
His laugh was almost cruel. “You think I’d want to keep any of those phone numbers when I have you here with me?” He nipped her bottom lip. “Not a fucking chance.”
Haven opened to his kiss before he got there. Liam stole her breath, kissing her hard and deep until they were both panting.
With a growl, Liam pulled her away from the counter, bent, and scooped her over his shoulder. She cried out his name as the world turned upside down. “What are you doing?” She laughed. “Put me down.” She braced her palms against his nice, firm ass as he took the stairs two at a time. At least she had a good view.
“I’m taking you to bed, and this seemed like the fastest way to get you there.”
“But my bed is in the living room.” Haven gasped as his hand smoothed up the back of her thigh and over the curve of her butt.
“We’ll get around to fucking on the couch, don’t you worry.” He squeezed her cheek then gave it a swat. The sting set her skin on fire. Liquid fire that pooled between her legs. “But you won’t be sleeping there anymore.”
“I won’t?”
“You won’t.” His firm, commanding tone made her shiver. “Starting tonight, or last night rather, you’ll be sleeping with me for as long as you’re here.”
Her heart, the traitor, took off at a gallop.
Easy girl, he isn’t offering you anything except a comfortable place to sleep. And sex. Really good sex.
Haven pretended to yawn. “I am pretty tired, and you do have a comfortable mattress.”
“That’s not all I’ve got.” Without warning, Liam dumped her onto said mattress. Haven wiped the hair out of her eyes in time to see him kick off his shoes. His shirt went next.
Haven thought she’d never seen such a display of masculinity as she watched a shirtless Liam work open the leather band on his wrist. The muscles in his arms and shoulders bunched and rolled with efficiency as he removed the watch and set it on top of the dresser.
So fucking sexy. The desire to be a part of his undressing process drove her from the bed.
“Let me,” she said and pushed his hands away from his belt. His stomach flexed as she released his belt. She popped the button on his jeans and slid the zipper down.
Liam swore an oath as she went to her knees. “Haven.” His tone held a warning she didn’t intend to heed. Much to her surprise, Liam’s caveman persona when they fucked turned her on.
Haven shoved down the waistband of his jeans and boxer briefs. The powerful, angry-looking length of him sprang free of its confines. His erection was thick, full, and heavy. She wanted the weight on her tongue.
Liam fisted the base with one hand and cradled her head with the other. “Is this what you want, baby? You want me in your mouth?”
She nodded and licked her lips, anticipation lighting her veins on fire.
He brushed his head across her lips, teasing her. “I need to hear the words, Haven. Tell me you want to suck me.”
Haven squeezed her knees together, trying to relieve the ache that took root between her thighs. “I want to suck you.” So, she did. No preamble. She opened wide and swallowed him down, as far as she could take him.
“Fuck.” Liam’s fingers tightened in her hair. He rocked his hips, seeming to know how much she could take. She breathed through her nose and took him deep, the sound rumbling from his chest the only encouragemen
t she needed.
She’d only just started to find her rhythm when he pulled away from her. He brushed a thumb over her bottom lip. “God, Haven. Your mouth is a dream, but I need to be inside you. Stand up, baby.”
He clasped onto her arms and helped her to her feet. Then, he spun her, pressed her clothed back to his naked front, and walked her toward the bed.
“Arms up,” he demanded softly when her thighs brushed the edge of the mattress.
She obeyed immediately and was rewarded by his fingertips tickling over her skin as he lifted and removed her shirt. He released the front catch on her bra and peeled it away.
Haven leaned against him as he cupped and squeezed her breasts. His thumbs circled and brushed her nipples.
“That feels good.”
“It’s about to get better.” He chuckled against her neck. His hands slid down to her waist. He worked her pants open, and then pressed between her shoulder blades. “Bend over.”
“Bossy,” she said playfully so he’d know how much she liked it.
He nipped her earlobe. “Do it.”
Haven dropped onto her forearms on the bed. Liam jerked her pants and panties down to her knees. When nothing else happened, Haven glanced over her shoulder. Liam stood behind her, his gaze fixed between her legs.
“Liam?”
“So fucking pretty.”
Haven arched to her toes with a gasp as he ran his finger from her clit to the tight ring of her ass. The sensation when he circled her there was new and dirty and not unpleasant.
A new adventure. As was, it seemed, every day with Liam Jamison. He even made eating ice cream an adventure. He’d given her more in the short time that she’d been there than she’d ever thought possible.
Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. She was not going to survive this man. He would send her home to Ireland a ruined woman. Her only hope was to keep a tight grip on her heart, and right now, her hold was tenuous at best.
“This ass taunted me all night,” he told her. “And if you think I was too busy to notice, you’d be wrong. I was aware of every move you made.”
Haven didn’t know why he seemed so unhappy about it. She wiggled. “Am I in trouble?” she teased.
“Don’t tempt me, baby. I’m skating on the edge as it is.” Liam palmed her cheeks and spread her open. Before Haven realized what he was going to do, Liam kneeled behind her. She cried out his name at the first swipe of his tongue. He held her in an iron grip as he ate at her, making her take what he gave her in the most delicious way. He sucked and licked and teased her until she was light-headed and breathless.
“Fuck. Haven.” Liam surged to his feet. Lust-drunk, Haven was vaguely aware of the crinkle of a condom package being opened. “I could eat your sweet pussy for hours, but I need to feel you.”
“Yes.” Haven arched her back, silently begging. The head of his cock nudged at her entrance. He came over her, his arms caging her on either side. He pressed inside her on a groan. Wet and ready as she was, the angle was different than the night before, and Liam was not a small man.
“Relax, baby. Let me in.”
She was trying, but the fit was tight, and she felt stretched to capacity. Haven pressed her cheek to the mattress and gripped his wrists, needing the connection to ground her. She took a deep breath and focused on loosening her muscles.
Liam rocked against her once, twice, then he surged forward, fully seating himself inside her.
He’d hardly moved, and the orgasm he’d stoked with his mouth came roaring back, stealing her breath and causing her to tense all over again.
Liam pulled from her grip and palmed her shoulders, holding her steady as he picked up the pace. The heavy scent of sweat and sex soon filled the room, and Haven lost track of everything except the building pressure where they were joined.
“Jesus, Haven.” Liam panted. “I could die right now, you feel so fucking good.”
“Please don’t.”
He reached around and found her clit. “Please don’t what, baby?”
He worked the sensitive bud hard, and Haven saw stars. “Don’t die. Don’t stop. Please.” Haven came apart, screaming his name.
She came harder than she ever had in her life, a full body sensation that tingled to the tips of her fingers and toes.
Behind her, Liam groaned, and his cock pulsed as he came. For one selfish moment, Haven wished there was nothing between them. That she could feel the warmth of his release inside her.
Her body was still vibrating and weak when he pulled out of her. Liam helped her out of her pants and into the bed. He went into the bathroom to take care of the condom and returned with a warm, wet towel. Once they are both cleaned up, he slipped into the bed and pulled her close.
The pints and sex had worked her into a languid state of bliss. Haven embraced the feeling and closed her eyes.
“I don’t think I’ll ever get enough of you,” Liam whispered against her hair. “Not ever.”
Something in Haven’s chest unspooled. Quite possibly, the tether on her heart.
11
Liam should’ve trusted his instincts.
His heavy footfalls echoed through the atrium as he all but stormed from the worst interview of his life. Granted, it had been his first, but he damn sure hoped the experience didn’t start a fucking trend.
Bright side? Celebrity bodyguard would join the growing list of potential careers he would not be pursuing.
Down side? He angrily waved his hand around his head. The obnoxious, overpriced perfume lingering around him meant he was going to have to burn his favorite fucking shirt or live with that scent forever.
Bodyguard with benefits, his ass. More like bodyguard arrested for sexing up underaged prima donna, news at eleven, because if that chick was a day over eighteen, he would eat his Trident. Liam snorted at the thought, and then choked on more perfume. Which pissed him off all over again.
No way in hell would he work for an entitled, bratty, oversexed, as yet not famous, underaged popstar, no matter how obscene the pay. He had some fucking self-respect. Not to mention that his dick was already spoken for by someone who wouldn’t get him arrested.
And wasn’t that some shit?
Liam had fallen for his best friend. There was no use even trying to deny it.
The last week had been the best of his life. Being inside Haven lit him up from the inside out. God, she was beautiful. But watching her come with his name on her lips?
Fucking perfection.
He wanted the right to claim every orgasm she had for the rest of her life, and for her to claim his.
And it wasn’t just the sex, although Haven ranked as the best he’d ever had. She was gorgeous, smart, funny, and had that Irish sass he loved. She had a kind heart and a soft spot for animals. Nothing he hadn’t already known, but the traits were somehow enhanced by the intimacy they now shared.
In his mind, Haven Somers had been his since the day they’d met. It had just taken him twenty years to figure it out.
They had a lifetime of friendship as a foundation on which to build, if she’d have him. Haven’s life was in Ireland, but Liam could work with that. Other than his family, there was nothing to keep him stateside. Of course, he’d have to break the news to his dad that he wouldn’t be moving back to Boston, but Colin would just have to grow up and pick up the reins in his stead.
Liam shoved the door open and stepped outside. The intense California sun temporarily blinded him, and he stopped to take a breath.
He and Haven were going to have a serious talk when he got back to the condo. Liam couldn’t build a future with Haven, in Ireland or anywhere else, until she had all the facts, knew all the possibilities.
Being with Haven the last few days had proven what a dumbass he’d been. She wouldn’t be disappointed in him because he’d left the Navy. She’d been his biggest cheerleader when he’d joined, yes, but because she wanted for him what he wanted for himself. Which was what he wanted for her, as well. Happiness. That
basic principle of their friendship hadn’t changed over the years. You’d think a guy with his IQ would’ve figured that out before now.
Liam shoved his hands in his pockets and walked toward the parking lot where he’d left his truck.
Once his cards were on the table, he and Haven could figure some stuff out. Starting with all the places in his condo where he wanted to fuck her over the next three weeks while he convinced her to take him home to Ireland.
Liam’s cell phone rang as he got to the truck. Sasha. Not ready to be enclosed in the cab with Eau De Popstar, Liam leaned against the side of the truck and answered.
“Hey, Sash. What’s up?”
“You have to come home.”
“Why? What’s going on?” Liam’s blood ran cold. “Are mom and dad all right?”
“They’re safe and unharmed, but I wouldn’t say they are all right. Not after what Colin did.”
Of course. Fucking Colin.
Liam pinched the bridge of his nose. He didn’t have time to deal with his brother’s shit right now. He had his own future to worry about.
“What’s he done now?”
“He started a fight at Tavern J last night.”
“He did what?” Liam erupted. “That stupid motherfucker—”
“Oh, I’m not finished,” Sasha said, her tone disgusted. “As it turns out, he was doing shots behind the bar while on the clock.”
“So, he was drunk.”
“Or well on the way.”
“Tell me what happened.”
“Apparently, there was some girl Colin had been working all night. Flexing his muscles, buying drinks, being his usual dumbass self to get some tail. Turns out, the girl was playing Colin for free drinks. She has a boyfriend. A big one.”
Liam shook his head. His gym rat brother thought big muscles were all it took to win a fight. “Let me guess. Colin was too stupid to figure out the chick didn’t want him, and he challenged the guy.”
“Ding, ding, ding. We have a winner.” Sasha’s laugh was forced and without humor. “According to Dad, the fight was just a lot of posturing, at first. Name calling, threats, you know. Real mature stuff. Dad warned Colin to back the fuck off, but you know Colin. That only made him want to get in the guy’s face more. When Colin wouldn’t shut his mouth, Dad told him to go home, that his shift was officially over, and he needed to leave.”
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