by Geneva Lee
"Pants are a modern oppression on men," he said. "I would wear a kilt every day."
I'd seen Liam's calves before and couldn't help but think if anyone could rock a kilt, he could.
He managed to get us into the complex's stair well within five minutes, and despite running the whole way with me on his back, he wasn't even winded. His stamina was certainly impressive. I wondered briefly if I should test it further. Once we were out of the rain, I shimmied off his back and glanced at my locked apartment door.
"It's late," I said, feeling awkward suddenly. I was use to bringing guys home, but not many had carried me there.
"I should get going while I'm still wet," he said as he twisted his t-shirt, wringing out some of the rain.
"No way. I'm in your debt, remember?" I said. "This storm won't last long and I have a dryer."
My hands shook a little as I unlocked my door and flipped on the light switch. I made a beeline for the cabinet and grabbed for my pill bottle. I had it down before he'd managed to tug his soaked shoes off.
"What's that?" he called.
I stuffed the bottle back behind the plates and grabbed my Chiclets box, popping a few in my mouth. "The greatest gum on Earth."
"That is about the tenth time you have told me that this semester and you still haven't allowed me to try any."
"My bad." I offered him the box and watched as he poured a few into his hands.
"Amazing," he said as he chewed.
"I know."
"No, it's amazing that it's just like chewing little rubber balls."
I smacked him on the shoulder. "I want my Chiclets back."
Before I could even consider what I'd said, his mouth was on mine. I opened my mouth, allowing his tongue to glide across my tongue. Our skin was slick with rain and I could make out the contours of his muscles as I slid my fingers over his clinging t-shirt. His hands seized my ass, pulling me up and around him, as he pressed me against the door to my apartment. Every movement, every slight change in his body mirrored mine in natural, graceful precision. His lips traced secrets down my neck coming to rest at the top of my breasts.
"We should get out of these wet clothes," I breathed into his ear.
Liam set me down on the floor and pulled off his shirt. Without his lips to distract me, I realized the amount of gum in my mouth had doubled.
"Did you just pass off your Chiclets to me?" I asked, popping my shoes off my feet.
"You said you wanted them back." He grinned as he unbuttoned the fly of his jeans.
"If you can't appreciate a thing of beauty..." I yanked my sweater over my head. Liam's eyes drooped lustily to my breasts.
"Believe me, I appreciate beauty."
I dropped the rest of my clothes in a wet pile by the door and raised an eyebrow at Liam. He met my challenge by dropping his jeans, revealing the swell of him in his tight, gray boxer briefs.
"It's true what they say about Scots," I said.
Liam reached for me and I met him with urgency as we stumbled down the hall to my bedroom. His hands wandered like a traveler exploring a new and foreign country—excited and hesitant at the same time. When we tumbled onto my bed, I pulled my lips from his.
“We can stop,” he said, but even as he extended the invitation I knew neither of us could go back.
“I feel scared,” I admitted through pants.
“Look at you using I terms,” he whispered. “Dr. Markson would be proud.”
“Clearly, I deserve an A in that class.” I giggled nervously as his hand trailed along my bare stomach, tracing the outline of my belly button and igniting a ring of fiery longing deep within my core.
“What are you scared of?” he asked.
I nuzzled my face into his neck and held my breath for a moment before I answered. “I’m no good at this. At relationships.”
“I think you’re wrong about that.” His hand stroked my hair from my face.
“I fuck them up. I don’t know how to be a good girl.”
“Exactly what is a good girl?” he asked. “Because you’re smart and passionate and funny, which lands you squarely in good girl territory for me.”
“No.” I shook my head. “I’m mean. You have no idea what you’re getting into.”
“I’ve heard you talking about Jess and Cassie,” he reminded me. “You are good at relationships.”
Except for all the times I’d pushed them away or yelled at them for trying to help me. Liam had no idea how big of a bitch I could be.
“I don’t fuck Jess and Cassie,” I pointed out.
“I need you to understand something, Jillian,” Liam said in a low voice. His words warm against my hair. “You don’t fuck me either. Not anymore. We make love.”
I bit back a laugh at this. “That’s something that I’m definitely not any good at.”
“Lucky for you, I’m an excellent teacher.” He pushed my hair aside and gripped my chin, bringing my lips to meet his. The kiss was soft and deep, slipping into something serious. His hands didn’t waver. Instead he held my face and my belly with gentle strength, forcing me to focus on the press of our lips. His tongue brushed the back of my teeth and I nipped it with my own, causing him to growl lowly and shift his body, but he didn’t bring it in to closer contact with mine. Our tongues massaged into one another’s and he sucked mine tenderly, sending a thrill pulsing between my legs. I could feel myself growing hotter as my body squirmed trying to get closer to him. But he didn’t relent on the kiss and I found myself falling deeper into a haze of lust and longing, eager for his hands to explore my body, ready to press my skin against his.
Liam’s mouth trailed down my jawline and he lingered at the hollow of my neck, breathing life into my chest and setting my heart to race with the anticipation of his trek downwards. But he didn’t continue. Instead he hooked his hand around my head and pulled me gently up to meet his lips, his other hand cradling my back and pulling me against his firm chest. My breasts brushed against his pectorals and a tremor raced down my spine. I needed him like I needed to breathe. He sat up and brought me up to meet him, guiding my legs around his waist. I felt him swelling against my thigh, making my body ache with emptiness. I pushed against him, feeling the length of him, causing my core to stir and pulse with desire.
“Do you—?” he let the question fade away as I reached to my nightstand and pulled a condom from the drawer.
There was no need for more words and a moment later, he slid into me and the ache was replaced with mounting energy. His arms hooked under my shoulders and gripped my back, holding me steady as we moved together rhythmically. Liam’s lips found my breasts and he circled my right nipple with his tongue, loosing a moan from me as I threw my head back so he could have better access and bit my lip as he sucked each nipple with slow, but eager hunger. Drawing me back to him, the cadence of our movements became faster. He pushed deep inside me and I met each thrust with force, wanting him, all of him, as much of him, as I could have.
My body trembled, each muscle contracting, growing tight with anticipated release. I squeezed my eyes shut resting my head against his, our sweat mingling together, my breath stolen from his own.
“I think you’re amazing,” he whispered, the words tickling my earlobe and shivering down my swollen nerves. My body burst into flames, pleasure splintering through me in great, tremulous surges as he held me, pumping deep inside of me. I felt his muscles tense against me, and he groaned as he came in furious thrusts.
I melted against him, wrapping my arms around his neck and counting the beats of his heart as they thumped against my skin. Our breathing slowed and he brought his lips to mine as he withdrew from me, lessening the exquisite agony of emptiness I felt between my legs. He laid me back across the bed and brought his body close, cocooning me in his arms. He hummed something soft in my ear as I felt sleep taking over my body. I wanted to ask him to stay. I wanted him to be there in the morning, but I didn’t know what to say. I’d spent all my energy for the last few we
eks pushing him away. How was I supposed to expect him to stay with me now?
“Liam—”
“Shhhh,” he hushed me, kissing the nape of my neck. “Get some sleep. In the morning, I’m making waffles.”
I settled into my dreams still smiling.`
Chapter 11
I woke to a familiar vanilla scent wafting through my house. I rolled over in my otherwise empty bed and stretched my arms wide to shake off the sleep still lingering in my limbs. And then I realized something.
Liam had stayed. He was making me breakfast. When I got up and walked into the kitchen, he would be there and that didn't scare me. It made me happy. Really and truly happy. I wasn’t sure what had shifted overnight to allow that, but then again, if I was being honest, things had been evolving with Liam for a while now. I had tried to ignore that fact, but I couldn’t anymore.
My bedspread was MIA and pillows were scattered on the floor, so I grabbed the loose top sheet and wrapped it around me. It felt like a very movie star thing to do. Wrap a sheet around my naked body and go out to my boyfriend.
The heady feeling evaporated immediately. Boyfriend? Had I really just mind-bombed myself with that? Liam was many things to me. Friend, class mate, adorably vulgar Scottish boy. But was he my boyfriend? He had used the term making love last night, and I knew he was all in then. That was perfectly obvious since the first day I couldn't get him out of my kitchen.
I didn't know how I felt about it though. I'd managed to avoid boyfriends for years. Not only did they require a lot of maintenance, but it was nearly impossible to keep them from finding out about my condition. And then came the questions, followed by the concern and the nagging, and finally it had always ended with:
"I'm not sure I can handle this."
I could barely handle it myself, but some guy who has known me a few weeks wasn't sure how he could handle it? As Cassie would say, fuck you very much. Being unattached was easier, but then again, Liam came with an expiration date himself. He had to be back In Edinburgh in June. Maybe if I looked at the whole relationship like a short-term lease or a really long vacation, it wouldn't be so bad. In June we could return back to our normal lives.
No harm done. That's what I told myself as I shuffled toward the bathroom as quickly as possible. I brushed my teeth, repeating my doctor's mantra in my head. Today is normal. Today I am strong. Glancing in the mirror, I couldn't help but feel sexy, wrapped in a sheet with a just fucked glow on my face. Don't get cocky, I thought and headed for the kitchen. Liam's face split into a smile when he saw me. His hair was messy and uncombed, and I could almost see where my fingers had clutched it the night before. I admired his bare chest and how his muscles flexed ever so slightly as he grabbed a whisk or reached for the fridge door. He had on jeans, which was a shame, but he wore no belt so they hung low on his hips, displaying the chiseled v that screamed this way down.
I was suddenly very hungry.
"Morning, chicken," he said.
I pretended to glower at him, not quite ready to admit I'd liked how comfortable the nickname sounded coming from his lips, wrapped up in his accent, after last night.
"That smells good." I scooted around him in the kitchen and stealthily grabbed my medication. He opened the fridge and grabbed a carton of eggs, meeting my eyes as I swallowed it with a dry gulp. He didn't say anything, but he turned around and caught me around the waist.
"Good morning," I murmured as his lips brushed over mine, sending a spark of electricity through my body.
"I used your toothbrush," he said. "I hope you don't mind."
I rolled my eyes at him. "I stuck my tongue in your mouth repeatedly last night. I hope you don't mind."
"I do actually, but only because that was last night." Our lips crushed together, our tongues tangling greedily. Liam guided me back toward the fridge and I grabbed his face, pulling him hard against me and crushing the carton of eggs he was still holding into my back.
"We should not make out in the kitchen," he said, his eyes full of laughter.
"It's too dangerous." I took a step forward. "How bad is it?"
"They haven't started to fry yet, but if we keep them on that ass much longer, they won't be able to withstand the heat." I groaned as he tugged at my sheet and gently wiped the broken eggs from my backside.
"And now I'm the one naked in my kitchen," I said.
"Let's hope Jess doesn't come home," he said, tipping his head toward the locked front door.
"Jess has seen me naked before."
Liam cocked his head and nodded. "Tell me more."
"Perv," I said, swatting his shoulder.
"I can't help it. You're standing here naked. I can not be held accountable for my actions." He took a step toward me, a wicked grin creeping over his face, and stepped onto an egg.
I laughed so hard that I snorted.
"That's funny, eh?" Liam reached toward the counter and a moment later a puff of flour blasted over my breasts.
"This is war," I said, but I didn't just grab a handful of flour, I dumped the bag of it over his head. It settled over him like a layer of ash and he wiped his face as he laughed.
"You're cleaning up breakfast," he said.
"We haven't even eaten yet," I said.
He pinned my arms to my sides and kissed me slowly. His lips burning into mine before he pushed open my mouth with his tongue. I sucked it with gentle pressure, and he yanked my body against his. I could feel his erection through his jeans and I slipped my hand down his loose waistline, gripping it firmly.
"Should we go to the bedroom?" he whispered, but I shook my head as I dropped to my knees, barely noticing the egg shells I landed on.
"Jess texted. She's at Brett's. We have the place to ourselves." I wrenched his zipper down. He wasn't wearing any boxers, so he sprang out of the loose confines of his pants at full attention.
"What did you, uh, have in mind?" he asked.
"I thought we should expand our study of communications," I said, pushing him backwards so that his hands gripped the counter behind him.
"That sounds practical. Where should we start?" He looked down at me and I could see the slight quickness to his breath as he anticipated my move. I let my fingers trace the v cutting across his hips and he moaned.
"I was thinking Oral Communications." I slid one hand over his him and brought my mouth to him, stretching my lips over him and taking his length deep into my throat. I held myself steady, one arm wrapped around his hip and the other jerking in rhythm with the plunge of my lips over it. I could feel him struggling to stay still as his breathing became more labored.
"Fuck, Jillian. You are so beautiful." I kept my eyes focused up on him as I blew him. When I saw his eyes shut I urged him with my free hand to grind against my mouth as he came.
A moment later he pulled me to my feet. "Seconds or you want breakfast?"
"I'm starving," I admitted.
"Shite. The waffles!" He turned around and pulled the charred remains of breakfast from the waffle maker. "Let me try that again."
"It's cool. I'm going to throw something on," I said, heading toward my bedroom.
"That is a tragedy," he called after me.
When I came back, a waffle was sitting on the bar. I sat down and started cutting it up while Liam put more batter on the waffle iron.
"So what are your plans today?" he asked.
"I was thinking of doing something novel, like homework."
"You're getting wild this weekend," he said, sliding onto the stool next to me with his plate.
"I know." I forked another piece, but my hands shook as I brought it to my mouth and I dropped it onto my lap.
"Careful there." He laughed, not noticing my embarrassment. "Here."
Liam grabbed the fork and brought the bite to my mouth. I pulled it off with my tooth and chewed it with mock ecstasy. When I opened my eyes, his own mouth was open.
"I could watch you eat waffles all day."
"If you're making them,
" I said.
"I will make you waffles anytime." There was a promise in his words, and I swallowed hard on the bite in my mouth. I took my fork back and focused on finishing my plate.
"So today?"
I knew he was asking me a question, but I didn't know how to answer.
"I'm meeting Jess later," I lied. Well, it wasn't exactly a lie. I would almost certainly see her today. After all, we lived together.
"What if I told you I had a hot tip on a Chiclets stash?" he teased.
"I would want to know how a fine, young Scottish man happened upon such valuable information." I grinned despite myself. He knew me so well already, which is exactly what scared me.
"Tonight then?"
I regarded him for a second and turned my attention to my last few bites. Would it be so bad to say yes? To make plans?
"What did you have in mind?" I asked him.
"Rob a liquor store, hold up a bank, you name it."
"That will certainly get your student visa revoked," I said.
"Only if we get caught," he said. "A movie. I thought we could see a movie."
I almost never went to movies. My budget was too tight to allow much spending money, and I tended to save it for going out.
"I don't know," I hesitated.
"My treat," he said.
"I don't even know what's out."
"Doesn't matter. I say we find the worst sounding movie and then sit in the back and make out."
This plan had potential. I hadn't made out in a movie theater since I was a teenager back when I dated steady guys, one at a time. There were a lot of things I hadn't done since then, and despite all my new and interesting experiences, part of me longed for the idea of something simple like a date at the movies.
"Deal," I said.
"I'll text you the times and you pick one you want to see the most," he said. He stood and gathered my dish. "Do you want seconds?"
"Not this time," I said.
He raised his eyebrows.
"Maybe next time," I added.
Liam leaned down and gave me a swift kiss on the lips. It lingered like fire there and I wanted to pull him down to me, but I didn't trust myself to stop, and I needed space. If I kissed him again, I'd find myself back in bed with him, which was a very tempting proposition, but I needed to think, and I couldn't do that with him there.
