Liam

by Katie Dowe

  *****

  Amani woke up a few minutes later to find a blanket thrown over her. She had been watching something on television and had felt the weariness invading her body. She had been on tenterhooks all day waiting to hear what Liam had in store for her and had blasted him to hell for putting her through this emotional trauma! She had not dusted or done any housework as he had arrogantly ordered her to do, but had spent most of the time examining the paintings on the walls and admiring them. She had told him that his apartment was exorbitant but she admired the richness of the furnishings and the unique design. The only thing she had done was made dinner in that delightfully modern kitchen and had ate at the counter, refusing to wait on him like some wife or his mistress, because she would never be either! She also refused to acknowledge the pang inside her that eventually he would let her go and she would never see him again! He had gotten under her skin, deep underneath and she could not shake him, could not resist him and could not stop herself from feeling what she did about him! Removing the blanket she got to her feet, determined to find out what his decision for her was. She found him in the bedroom and stopped as she stared at his bare chest. He had obviously just taken a shower and had a towel wrapped around his trim waist and one rubbing the moisture from his dark hair. He looked up and saw her standing there. “You are awake,” he said stating the obvious.

  “You did not call me today,” her mouth went dry as he dropped the towel he had been using on the carpeted floor and removed the one from his waist. Her eyes flew to his pubic area and saw when he hardened! Her eyes flew to his face and saw the anger there. She had to just look at him to make him hard and he was furious at his obvious lack of control! “You mean like a lovesick boyfriend?” he jeered as he walked towards her.

  “I meant like someone who has a decision to make.” She backed up a step and stopped as he continued to stalk her.

  “I have made a decision, love.” He reached out and gripped her arms.

  “What is it?” She refused to touch him!

  “I am keeping you.”

  Her eyes widened and she laughed. “You do realize that I am an actual person, don’t you?”

  “I am well aware of that, frustratingly so.” He pulled her closer to him to make his point and Amani could not stop the moan coming from her throat as she felt his bare skin. “But I cannot seem to stop wanting you darling. I cannot seem to get you out of my system and it’s frustrating me to hell! I cannot think about anything else but you!” He stopped talking as he stared down at her. “I want you so damned much that I am aching from it!” He dragged one of her hands down between their bodies and she closed her hand around the thickness of him, her body trembling. “I want you now, I want you all the time darling,” his voice had dropped to a whisper. “What the hell have you done to me?” his voice was almost incoherent as his lips moved closer to hers. “Tell me how to stop wanting you dammit, just tell me.” His mouth closed over hers with a swiftness that took her breath away! She was still holding him, her fingers wrapped around him, her body pressed against his as her mouth opened to his. His words had sent her emotions spinning out of control and as she touched her tongue to his, the passion between them exploded! With a deep tortured groan he deepened the kiss, his fingers digging into her back as he moved his lips over hers, his body shuddering against hers. Without breaking the kiss he lifted her into his arms and took her to the bed!

  Chapter 13

  “I thought you did not want to be seen with me?” she demanded as she got dressed in the outfit he had ordered for her.

  “You have been cooped up in here for almost a week now, so I thought you could use the break,” he told her as he ran the brush over his thick dark hair. He had showered with her and had ended up making love to her against the tiles, his body driving into her with a force that had her clinging to him for support! He had left her earlier to go to the club and had ended up coming back earlier just to be with her.

  “How thoughtful of you!” she said coldly as she turned to look at herself in the mirror! The dress was a turquoise shift that draped over her from breast to ankles and did not leave room for underwear. It sparkled and shimmered each time the lights caught it and she had to admit that it was the loveliest gown she had ever worn! He had given her a slender gold chain with a teardrop diamond suspended, nestling in her cleavage. Her hair had grown somewhat and needed clipping but she had brushed it back from her face and it suited her immensely. Diamond knobs were at her lobes, also a present from him, and her makeup was flawless. Black strappy sandals completed the outfit.

  “You look stunning.” He ignored her comment and turned her to face him. “Anyone looking at you would mistake you for a proper lady and not someone who robbed people for a living.”

  She pushed at him but he refused to budge so she stood in the circle of his arms and stared at him, her eyes blazing.

  “Do you only steal from private homes or are you not discriminate?’

  “Bite me!’ she told him rudely.

  He laughed at that and pulling her into his arms he whispered, “As you wish darling.” And before she realized what he was doing he pulled the bust of her dress down and bit her nipple lightly, causing her to scream! He let her go immediately, a mocking look on his handsome face as she pulled her dress back up and glared at him.

  “Be careful what you wish for,” he told her tritely as he went to get her coat. “Let’s go darling, we are late.”

  *****

  The hotel was already teeming with people who had come out in aid of the cancer support function! Liam kept her hand firmly in his, even though she tried to pull away from him several times. He could see reporters swarming around like parasites and knew that their pictures would be in the papers by tomorrow, but he did not have time to worry about that now. His eyes scanned the crowd and saw members of his club and their wives amidst the crowd and also saw his mother and sister holding court with several people, including the former First Lady who was an avid supporter of the disease. He hesitated briefly and then made his way over to them. Amani tugged at his hand and he stopped and looked down at her, seeing the apprehension on her lovely face. “That’s your mother and sister and that is the former First Lady. I am not going over there.”

  “You are darling. I want to introduce you.”

  “As what?” she hissed. “The woman who stole from you and who you have holed up in your apartment as leverage?”

  “No as the woman who is now my current mistress,” he told her mockingly.

  “You are actually going to say that to them?”

  “No, but seeing us together they will put two and two together and come up with the correct answer,” he said with a sardonic smile.

  “I am not going.”

  “You actually do not have a choice.” He pulled her in his wake and did not stop until they were right in front of the group of people. He greeted the women first and then introduced Amani without going into details.

  “Nice to meet you Amani,” Lillian held out a gracious hand and Amani took it. “That’s quite an unusual name isn’t it?”

  “Is it?” Amani was simmering with resentment and did not have time for trivial conversations. “I have no idea how I got the name considering that it was pinned on my dress when I was left outside a group home at six months old.”

  Amani almost smiled in satisfaction as the group of women stared at her in shock and the man at her side stiffened in anger.

  “I am sorry to hear that my dear,” First Lady Melore Hawkins said in her sympathetic tone as she looked at her. “So many children are abandoned for one reason or the other. Have you ever tried to find them?”

  “I am not interested,” she said shortly. “Now if you will excuse me, I think I see a glass of champagne with my name on it.” She pulled her hand away from Liam’s and walked away with them staring after her.

  “She is quite an unusual woman,” Lillian said staring at her son.

  “That she is,” Liam looked a
t her with a quizzical expression on his handsome face. He turned to eye his sister. “How about dancing with your brother darling?”

  Lorelei waited until they were on the dance floor before she commented. “Who is she Liam?” she asked her brother quietly. She had not missed the way he looked at Amani and wondered about it.

  “She is someone I am seeing,” he told her lightly.

  “I thought you were not seeing anyone.”

  “As it turns out I am.” His head lifted and he searched for her, his mouth tightening as he saw her dancing with an acquaintance of his, the man’s arms tight around her waist.

  “Liam?”

  He forced himself to look at his sister. “Yes?”

  “She is someone special isn’t she?”

  “They all are.” He looked over to where she was and saw when her arms went up and around the man’s shoulders and saw when she laughed at something he said. He was going to kill the bastard and drag her out of here! He thought viciously, his arm tightening around his sister’s waist unwittingly.

  “Liam?”

  “What?” He turned his furious gaze on her and Lorelei hid her shock.

  “You are hurting me.”

  He released her abruptly, a contrite expression on his handsome face. “I am sorry,” he muttered as he led her off the dance floor. “I think I need a strong drink.” He led her back to where his mother was and stalked over to the bar where Adam and Carlos were seated.

  “Bourbon and make it a double,” he told the bartender before turning to the two men. “No wives hovering at your sides?” he asked sardonically as he accepted his drink.

  “They gave us leave to come and have drinks at the bar,” Carlos told him, a faintly amused expression on his darkly handsome face.

  “Something tells me you are not drinking that because you are thirsty.” Adam eyed the man’s surly expression in amusement. “Woman trouble?”

  “I don’t have woman trouble for your information.”

  “Is that so?” Adam’s thick brows lifted and he turned to look at the beautiful woman he had seen Liam walked into the room with. “So I take it that the particular beauty whirling around for the second time in Andrew’s arm has nothing to do with that murderous expression on your face?’

  Liam turned to look at them and his expression became ominous. “That son of a bitch!”

  “I am your best friend and you have not introduced her to me. What gives and where have you been hiding her?” Adam demanded.

  “In my apartment.” He finished the drink and got to his feet. “Excuse me.”

  Both men watched him leave. “Did he say in his apartment?” Adam mused.

  “That’s what I heard,” Carlos told him. “Why?”

  “Liam does not allow the women he is seeing inside his apartment.” Adam looked over to where his friend had interrupted the dance and had pulled the girl into his arms. “This is very interesting.”

  Liam was simmering with anger as he circled the dance floor. He had almost knocked the man out as he refused at first to let go of Amani. “Does the cave man antics work for you?” she asked him furiously, her eyes flashing.

  “Obviously,” he told her tautly. “Did you make plans to meet up with him later?’

  “That’s none of your business! You do not own me.”

  “But I do, darling! I own you until I no longer have the need for you,” he told her coldly. He was jealous and had almost made a fool of himself, all because she had been dancing with another man!

  “Andrew wants to take me to dinner,” she said sweetly. “I find him to be quite attractive.”

  “You will not find him to be so attractive after I am through with him,” he told her viciously, his fingers digging into her waist. “Did you tell him what you did for a living?”

  “I am a reformed thief now, Liam. I am sure he will understand as soon as he gets to know me better.”

  “You think I am letting you go?” His eyes glittered ominously as he stared down at her. “You belong to me as long as I want you.”

  “And I cannot wait for the day when you decide that you do not want me again!” she hissed.

  “I wished it was now,” his tone had dropped as he stared down at her. “I wished I could get you out my life and never see you again. But I can’t.” He released her abruptly and stood there staring at her before he turned and left her standing on the dance floor. Amani went over to grab a drink and watched as he smiled at a willing and eager blonde who melted in his arms. She drank the champagne down furiously and forced herself to look at him as he pulled the bitch into his arms and simmered, as she put her head onto his chest. The bastard! She grabbed another flute of champagne and drank it down quickly, ignoring the warmth stealing through her body! She was on her third glass and he was on the second dance with the bitch when someone came over and stood next to her. She turned with the intention of telling the person that she was not in the mood for company when she realized who he was! Adam Whitmore was almost as darkly handsome as Liam was and very recognizable.

  “I don’t believe we have met.” He held out a hand to her and she took it, charmed by his smile. “I happen to be friends with Liam, the man you are quietly murdering with your eyes.”

  She gave him a wry smile. “Is it that obvious?”

  “It is.” Adam smiled as he admired her classic features. No wonder Liam was hooked! She was a beautiful woman! “But he had the same expression on his face when you were dancing with Andrew.”

  “He thinks I am his property,” she said darkly.

  “I think it is more than that,” Adam murmured as he turned to watch his friend on the dance floor. Liam was obviously trying to pay her back for making him jealous. “Where did you two meet?’

  Amani laughed at that! “You are his friend and he did not tell you?”

  “Obviously not.”

  “You should get him to tell you. It’s pretty interesting.” She grabbed a flute of champagne from a passing waiter and drank it down.

  “And you don’t want to tell me?” He looked at her curiously.

  “I think it would be better coming from him.” She lifted her glass in a toast. “Nice to meet you Adam.” He watched as she walked over to another acquaintance and accepted his hand as he led her onto the dance floor. This was going to be a very interesting evening!

  Liam’s frown darkened as he watched her in another man’s arms on the dance floor. He had been dancing with Amelia to get back at her for making him so murderously jealous but it had backfired on him. He had led the woman back to the group and had ignored the invitation in her eyes to do more than dance. Now he was standing at the dance floor, torturing himself as he watched her dancing and laughing as if she was having the time of her life! He drank the champagne moodily and felt when someone came to stand next to him. “Why don’t you go and drag her out of his arms?” Adam asked mildly.

  “She would probably leave me standing in the middle of the dance floor” he said dryly as he continued to watch her.

  “She told me that there is a very interesting story about how the two of you met.”

  Liam turned to look at him, his glance amused. “And she did not go into details?”

  “She said it would be better coming from you.” His eyes searched his friend’s face. “Care to share?”

  “No,” he said with a shrug. “It’s complicated.”

  “You don’t usually do complicated.”

  “And now I know why.” He turned to look at Amani again and discovered that she was not on the dance floor. He looked around the room and did not see her and neither did he see Andrew. His hands clenched into fists. “Where the hell are they? If he so much as touch her –” Without completing the sentence he walked away from Adam, his stance militant!

  “Good God!” Adam muttered in shock. “I never thought I would live to see the day.”

  She was not in the room! She had found a way to disappear and maybe with Andrew’s help! When he found them he was g
oing to rearrange his face and he was going to chain her to his side! He was making his way out of the room when he came up on her seated on the floor with her head held back and her legs crossed. The relief tunneling through his body was so great that he felt himself trembling! “Amani?”

  She tilted her head up and looked at him. “Hi.”

  He hunkered down in front of her and searched her face. “What’s wrong?”

  “I think I may have imbibed too much bubbly,” she ended with a hiccup and actually giggled. “My head is swimming and I cannot walk straight.”

  “How many glasses did you drink,” his voice was gentle and his expression amused.

  “Five – maybe six. I was pissed at you.”

  “Why?”

  “You seem to bring out the very worst in me and I saw you dancing with that blonde bitch and I wanted to murder you both so I drank instead.”

  Liam felt the surge of pleasure going through him at her words and actually smiled. “I felt the same way when I saw you with Andrew.” His fingers skimmed her cheek. “What am I going to do about you darling?”

  “I don’t know.” She shook her head and closed her eyes. “I want to go home.”

  “Home it is.” He lifted her into his arms and cradled her as she put her head onto his chest. He stood there for a moment before striding off to go and get their coats, ignoring the startled expression of the girl who handed him their coats. He took the keys from the valet and placed her gently inside the vehicle, going still when she wrapped her hands around his neck and bringing his head down to hers, she kissed him with a longing that fired his blood and sent the desire racing through his body! He reluctantly removed her hands from around his neck and went around to his side. Within minutes of driving away she was fast asleep!