Aarabelle is asleep when Paige arrives. This girl saves my life being available on zero notice. I’m not sure what to wear since this is the first time I’m hanging out with everyone. I change over ten times, but finally settle on my favorite jeans and an off-the-shoulder purple top. Cute and comfy is my goal for tonight.
I hear Liam’s car pull in the drive and I give myself a mental pep talk.
I can do this. It’s just friends, and Liam and I aren’t doing anything wrong. Hell, we’re not even sleeping together. Just a lot of kissing. Really, really good kissing. Amazing kissing.
Before he knocks, I open the door. Once again, this man is too good-looking for his own good. How did I never notice this before?
“Hi, sweetheart.” His deep voice is velvety seduction. I melt at the way he draws out the “heart” in “sweetheart” as he appraises me.
“Hi, yourself.” I smile and grab my clutch.
“You ready?”
“As I’ll ever be.” I close the door and reach up to kiss him but he moves away. What the? “Ummm?” I question with my eyes wide.
Liam puts his arm out in a gesture for me to loop mine through, but I stand there waiting for an answer.
“What the hell was that?” My voice is filled with indignation.
“That,” he says, tapping my nose, “Was me keeping my promise. You want me to behave, so you can’t go starting off the night using me for your pleasure,” he informs me, putting his arm back out.
“You’re joking.”
Liam leans down and his lips barely touch my ear as his voice drops lower, “If I touch you now, the rules are off. I want to be able to have my hands on you tonight, but if I start I won’t stop. So you choose. I want you . . . don’t doubt that.” He pulls away and I know this has to be my choice.
Talk about a decision.
I want him and he makes me happy. “And if I want you to kiss me now?”
“Then I get to kiss you later, when I want.”
“What if I don’t want you to kiss me later?”
He laughs and moves his lips so they align with mine, “I think you’ll like me kissing you now, and I know you’ll like me kissing you later.”
“Well, since you put it that way,” I grip his shirt and pull him flush against me. His lips meet mine and I lose myself in his arms. Liam’s hands slide down my body and he cups my ass, lifting me off the ground. Pressed between him and the door, my hands grip his neck and I give him what he wants.
Kissing Liam is unlike anything I’ve felt before. He’s rough, but at the same time tender. His tongue dances with mine as if we’ve been doing this our whole lives. There’s no awkwardness. When he gives, I take, and vice versa. I could spend my entire day kissing him and be completely content.
I moan in his mouth and he grinds his hips against mine. Oh. My. God. My body starts to shake and he does it again. My lips break from his and I’m freaking panting.
“We should go,” he grumbles against my neck.
“I’m going to need a few beers after this.” I shake my head and slide down Liam’s body.
“I need a cold shower.” Liam grabs my hand and we walk to the car. He opens the car door for me. “Seriously, though,” he pauses and waits until our eyes meet, “You’re beautiful.”
My arms wrap around his neck and our lips press together. “Thank you.”
He kisses the top of my head and I climb into his car.
I pray I can make it through tonight without anything exploding.
My God, this woman is killing me. She’s got me wrapped around her finger, but she doesn’t see it. I can’t stay away from her no matter what I do. Running is useless anymore. I wind up thinking about her during any song that comes on. The gym is a joke, every blonde that walks past me I compare to how Natalie’s body is better. I’m growing a fucking vagina.
She looks at me like I’m saving her. I wish she knew how much she is saving me. I’ve always been reckless on missions. There hasn’t been anyone waiting for me at home, so I’d take a bullet for anyone. Now, during our training, I think about how she’d feel. How it would be for her if something happened to me. Not that she loves me . . . yet. But I know she cares. She sure as hell wouldn’t kiss me like that if she didn’t.
“So, what fine establishment are you guys meeting at?” Lee asks as she shifts in her seat. Two of my favorite women are with me right now. Robin and Natalie.
“The Banque,” I reply and wait for her reaction. The Banque is a country line-dancing bar. It’s a little run down, but we get in free thanks to the owner, and there’s never a shortage of women willing to give it up.
Natalie tilts back with a groan.
“What’s the matter, sweetheart?” I ask a little condescendingly. I know she hates that place. All the wives do.
“It’s almost as bad as Hot Tuna. I mean, do you guys even want to try to have some game? Or pick up women who aren’t laying it all out there for you?”
She’s so adorable when she’s like this.
“I’ll let that slide.”