by Katie McCoy
I arched my eyebrows at him. “What exactly are you suggesting?” I wanted to know. “Because that sounds very impulsive. Very risky.”
“Haven’t you heard?” he asked, looping his arms around my waist and bringing me closer. “I’m very impulsive now. A certain someone said that it suits me.”
I laughed. “It does,” I agreed.
Liam—besides his impulsive decision to leave New York and move back to Chicago—had been doing many more unexpected things. Instead of trying to get his old job back, he had gone to another company, one that had been trying to hire him for years. He had been so focused on rising in the ranks at his previous job that he hadn’t wanted to disrupt that for a less established company. But the moment they found out that he was looking for a new job, the new company swooped in and offered him a better salary and better opportunities than he had been given at his previous job—even better than what he’d had in New York.
He led me out of the bar, the two of us sneaking off down the back hallway. Liam pulled me into the office, locking the door behind us.
“I’m pretty sure Emerson wouldn’t be happy to know we’re using his office for a naughty rendezvous,” I observed.
Liam shook his head. “I’m pretty sure both Emerson and Chase have used this office for similar purposes with Alex and Kelsey.”
“I guess that makes it OK then,” I joked.
But Liam seemed to be done joking. He pulled me into his arms and kissed me until I was done with joking as well.
I could lose myself in his kisses, and I completely melted into his arms as he pressed me against the office door. There was a desk and a couch available to us, but this was way, way hotter. Besides, we had to be quick—there was a whole party of people outside who would no doubt notice we were gone if we disappeared for too long.
Liam skated his hands down my hips, gathering the skirt of my newly replaced sparkly blue dress and pulling it up around my waist.
“God, I love this dress,” he commented, before dropping to his knees in front of me.
Then he dragged my panties down my legs, helping me step out of them. Before I could object, he had slipped them into his pocket.
“You can get them back later,” he promised me, before parting my legs and sliding a finger against my wet center.
My head fell back against the door as Liam pressed his mouth to me and licked. I bit my lip to keep from crying out, my hands scrambling for something to hold on to before my legs gave out beneath me. I buried them in Liam’s hair, his own hands gripping my ass and tilting my hips towards him so he could tease me with his tongue.
It was hot against my own heated skin—my body aching with need as he added his fingers to the mix—first one and then another, stretching me and filling me up. His fingers thrust inside of me as his tongue captured my clit.
“Liam . . .” I made a muffled sound.
“Shh,” he whispered, laughing.
My legs began to shake as my orgasm built inside of me. I had to put my own hand over my mouth as I started panting, the sound echoing in the quiet room. This only made Liam speed up his pace, his tongue stroking me with the same rhythm as his fingers.
My hips rolled forward of their own accord as pleasure spread through my entire body, release just within my reach. Closing my eyes, I gave myself up to the sensations spiraling through me as Liam thrust his fingers deep inside of me, pressing his tongue hard against my sensitive clit. It was enough to make me explode, and I muffled my own cries of pleasure as my body shook with the power of my orgasm.
I might have fallen to the floor if Liam hadn’t had such a firm grip on my ass. “Easy there.” He didn’t let go until I stopped shuddering, and then he stood, capturing my mouth with his. I could taste myself on his tongue as he thrust it into my mouth, and already my desire for him was building again.
“I need you. Now,” I whispered, shocking myself with my own demands.
Liam’s eyes flashed darker. “Fuck, Juliet . . .”
“Yes, please,” I teased. “Fuck Juliet.”
Liam laughed. “Minx.” Reaching into his back pocket, he pulled out a condom. I unzipped his pants while he tore open the foil packet, sliding the latex down around his hard cock. I helped him, squeezing as he protected us with the condom. Then, without warning, Liam lifted me up, off the ground.
My legs went around his waist as he pushed me back against the door, his cock pressing against my hot, wet center. He teased me that way as he kissed me, his mouth mimicking the thrusts he was making with his hips. But it wasn’t enough. I wanted him inside of me.
“More,” I moaned against his mouth. “I want more.”
I felt him smile, and then he reached down between us, positioning himself at my opening. Then, with one smooth, hard thrust, he was deep inside of me.
I closed my eyes, savoring the intense sensation of having him inside me. It was pure poetry, the two of us together, and I never wanted it to end. He held himself there, deep inside my body for a moment, his forehead pressed against mine. I could hear his heavy breathing, and I felt a wave of satisfaction over how much power I held over him.
I rocked my hips forward and he sucked in a breath. I smiled and did it again.
Liam lifted his head. “You’re playing with fire,” he warned me.
“Good,” I told him, and I arched my hips so I could take him even deeper.
The look he gave me was pure passion. And before I could even blink, he had taken back control, easing out of me only to thrust hard against me. It was perfect and passionate and everything I wanted. He thrust again, my hips hitting the door behind me, but I didn’t care. It was so hot, and he was so hot.
I loved making him lose control, and I could tell that he was close, that he was hanging on by a thread—his release threatening to overpower him. And I wanted that. I wanted him to lose control—wanted him to lose himself in me, the way I would lose myself in him. I wanted us to be lost in each other.
Behind his back, I hooked my ankles together, pulling him even closer to me. I buried my hands in his hair and kissed him with everything I had, thrusting my tongue against his, the same way he was thrusting his body into mine. I felt him groan against my lips, the sound, the feeling, vibrating through me, and making my own release build in my belly.
Liam thrust again, and again, each time becoming more jagged, more unsteady. He was close, I could feel it. I dug my nails into his shoulders as my orgasm built inside of me, his cock driving into me, long and hard.
“You feel so fucking good.” He pressed his forehead against my shoulder, his breath hot against my skin.
I was lost in sensations, pleasure overwhelming me as he fucked me against the door. It was risky and impulsive and so fucking hot that I couldn’t take it anymore. He thrust again, and I came, biting his shoulder to keep from crying out, my entire body tightening around him.
He thrust once more and found his own release, his forehead pressed against mine, both of us sweaty and panting and happy.
If not for Liam’s strength holding us up, I would have collapsed to the floor, boneless with relief. Instead, he very carefully carried me over to the couch and laid us down together, tucking me neatly against him—or as neatly as he could on a couch that could barely fit him, let alone both of us.
We lay there for a moment, both of us catching our breath. Liam kissed my forehead.
“I love you,” he told me.
“I love you too,” I said, filled with such a sense of love and satisfaction that I wanted to stay in that moment for as long as possible—our own little world. We stayed there for a while, quiet and cozy, until I realized that we had been gone for a good long time.
“We should probably get back to the party,” I told Liam, part of me wishing that I hadn’t.
I felt him nod.
“First, I have something for you,” Liam said, shifting a little.
We were both fully dressed, though both of our outfits were in varying states of disar
ray. Liam got up to get rid of the condom and re-zip his pants. When he returned, I had smoothed my dress down, though I was still sans underwear.
I held out my hand.
“I hope it’s my panties that you have to give me,” I told him, looking pointedly at his pocket.
He patted his pants. “Sorry,” he answered with a smirk. “I think I’ll hold on to these for a while.”
“Fine,” I teased. “You just remember that I’m going to be walking around the party for the rest of night without any underwear on.”
“I know,” he said, winking. “That’s what makes it so hot.”
I laughed.
“But seriously.” Liam reached into his other pocket and handed me something.
When I opened my palm to look at it, I found a set of keys. I stared at it for a moment, knowing what it was but not fully understanding it.
“Keys?” I asked stupidly.
Liam paused. “Will you move in with me?” he asked.
My eyes widened. “Seriously?”
“Very seriously.”
“You don’t want to run a pro-con list?” I checked, only half joking. “Weigh the pluses and minuses?”
“As long as I get to wake up with you every morning, I don’t care about the other stuff. Also, we’re going to break your pull-out couch if we keep this up,” he added with a mischievous grin.
I exhaled slowly. “Yes,” I said, full of excitement. “Yes, I’ll move in.”
He kissed me hard, until I saw stars. “I would have gotten a real bed eventually,” I added.
“I know.” He tucked my loose hair behind my ears. “But this way you don’t have to. Because my bed is your bed. Our bed.”
It was one of the most romantic things I’d ever heard, and I kissed him again as a reward.
“We’d better get back to the party,” he said reluctantly.
I nodded, but I kept staring at the keys in my hand. This was a big step, but I was excited for it, and I could tell that Liam was too. Ever since he had returned from New York, ever since that night on my roof, Mr. Hot and Cold was gone. He was Mr. Hot—all the time. Every day, he proved to me, without a doubt, that I had made the right decision to believe him. To trust him.
Hand in hand, we headed back to the party, where Chase had put on some music and people were getting down on the dance floor. Liam swung me into his arms.
“Care for a dance?” he asked.
I smiled at him. “For you? Any time.”
THE END
Thank you for reading! Keep scrolling to read Chapter One of the next book in the Rascals series, SOULMATE.
Sawyer is about to get a blast from the past… SOULMATE is available to order now!
Soulmate
CHAPTER ONE: GABI
“So…” Emily asked me. “How was it?”
I took a moment, lingering over my cup of coffee before answering her.
“Big,” I said. “Really, really big.”
Her eyes grew round. “How big?”
“Even bigger than I imagined,” I told her.
She let out a low whistle. “Well, it is one of the best libraries in the country. I’d hope it would be big.”
I giggled. It was true. Even though I’d been in the Harold Washington Library hundreds of times, it still astonished me how massive it was. And before I started interviewing there, I’d never been allowed on the tenth floor, which was reserved for library staff and storage. I wouldn’t have been surprised if there were several more secret floors that were hidden from the general public. The whole place seemed as if it went on forever, each room leading into another.
For a girl like me, it was heaven.
And I wanted to work there, desperately.
I’d just moved back to Chicago, after spending a few years in Washington D.C. I’d been working as an event planner mainly on the corporate side, but when I’d seen the open position for the events/fundraising job at the library, I’d known it was my dream job. Being surrounded by books all day? Sign me up.
Now, I was meeting my best friend for a pick-me-up lunch at our favorite old-school diner before yet another round of interviews. I was determined to nail it this time. But then again, I’d said that the last time, too.
“It has to be a good sign, being called back in, right?” I asked, feeling nervous. I tugged at the collar on my best ‘interview’ dress: a cute button-down in navy with a slim red belt to show off my curves.
“What’s this, your third time back?”
“Fourth,” I corrected. “But shouldn’t they have made their minds up by now?”
“It’s a good thing,” she said firmly. “If they weren’t interested, they’d stop calling.”
“Fair enough,” I agreed with a wry grin. “That’s definitely how all of my ex-boyfriends showed their disinterest.”
Emily threw a French fry across the table at me. “That’s because you date man-babies who don’t know how to handle their own lives,” she said. “A trend I’m hoping will stop now that you’re back in town, and I can carefully monitor your love life.”
This time, I was the one throwing the fry.
“Since when are you the expert on anyone’s love life?” I teased. “Last I heard, you were trading in man-babies yourself.”
She sighed and leaned her chin on her hands. “It’s true,” she said, a wistful look in her big blue eyes. “What is it about us that attracts those losers?”
“Maybe we should consider buying new perfume,” I suggested. “Maybe it’s our pheromones.”
Emily laughed. “Single, attractive, smart, and talented women in Chicago change perfumes in order to attract more appropriate suitors.” She said, like she was reading a newspaper article. “Somehow I don’t think that will make any difference.”
“You’re probably right,” I sighed.
“What are we doing wrong?” Emily asked. “Because you’re right – we are smart and talented and hot as hell. Guys should be lining up to date us.”
Both of us were silent for a moment.
“Guess the perfume is worth a shot,” Emily finally quipped.
I laughed and reached over to pat her arm. Being single didn’t bother me that much, but Emily was a romantic at heart. She was eager to settle down with the right guy – I wanted the same thing but I wasn’t in any rush. After all, I was only twenty-seven. And if the last few years had taught me anything, it was that time was precious and I didn’t need to waste it dating guys just for the sake of dating. Or on guys who didn’t deserve my attention or affection.
After all, I had already spent a good chunk of my life in love with someone who was only able to see me as a friend.
I knew what it felt like to have unrequited feelings for someone, that ate you up inside. Walking away from that friendship – from that crush – had been the hardest, and healthiest thing I had ever done.
“At least I’ve got work as an excuse,” Emily poked at her remaining fries. “You have no reason not to be out with a different guy every month.”
“You make it sound like I’ve been unemployed forever,” I protested. “I literally just moved.”
Emily smirked, clearly not willing to let it go. “When was the last time you were involved with anyone?”
I opened my mouth and then closed it. My best friend gave me a triumphant smile.
“I thought so,” she said.
I tossed another fry at her. “What do you want me to say? I’m busy. And if I get this job, I’m going to be even busier.”
Emily looked at me, and then gave me a sympathetic sigh. “Well, I’m still going to try the perfume,” she said.
“Good luck with that.”
I left Emily at Sephora, standing in front of a wall of man-attracting options. A part of me was tempted to pick something new out for myself, but I wanted to get to my interview early and have a chance to prepare. Not that I hadn’t prepared last night, but I was a huge fan of preparing – and then preparing even more.
My heels clicked along the sidewalk as I headed towards the library, enjoying the beautiful fall breeze and the way it kicked leaves up around my ankles. I had missed Chicago. DC had been great for my career, and I didn’t regret moving there for a few years, but I was glad to be home. Glad to be closer to my mom.
I was so wrapped up in watching the wind blow leaves across my path, that I didn’t watch where I was going. I was about to step off the curb into the street when a strong arm yanked me backwards. As I was pulled, I spun in surprise, finding myself plastered against something very tall and hard.
Or rather, someone very tall and hard.
Behind me, I heard a car speed by, and felt the whoosh of air as it came dangerously close to the curb. Whoever had grabbed me, and pulled me out of my daze, had undoubtedly saved my life.
“Thank you,” I said, looking up. “I should have been-.”
But the words died in my throat as my eyes reached the eyes of my rescuer.
No. Fucking. Way.
“Gabi?” Sawyer blinked down at me.
Chicago was a huge city. And still, I had somehow managed to get saved by the one person I had been hoping to avoid.
“Sawyer,” I took a step back, thankful that he had already loosened his grip on me. “Hi.”
It was the dumbest way to greet someone you hadn’t seen in almost five years. Especially when that someone was the whole reason you’d left Chicago in the first place.
Damn, he looked good.
“Holy shit, I can’t believe this. I didn’t know you were back in Chicago,” he said, lighting up with a killer smile. My eyes took him in like I was a starving woman and he was a feast. Which wasn’t very far from the truth. He had always been handsome, but grown-up Sawyer…?
I was literally speechless. Which never happened to me.
His dark hair was rumpled, and just a touch too long, falling into his blue eyes. He was wearing worn, faded jeans and a plaid shirt, and looked deliciously rugged. It made my knees weak to look at him – his broad shoulders doing nice things to the line of that shirt. The wind swirled around us and I shivered a little. He didn’t. He probably didn’t even notice the cold.
