by Lucy Gage
God, did she love kissing him.
After a minute, they pulled apart, their breathing labored, foreheads touching.
“I missed you,” Liam murmured.
Jenna’s heart squeezed in happiness. “I missed you, too,” she whispered.
“You have anything at baggage claim?” he asked, clasping her hand as she lifted her bags. He moved the laptop bag to his shoulder so that she only carried her purse.
“Yeah. I needed warm clothes for October in Minnesota.”
“Right. You lived here, so you know how the weather is. Let’s grab your bag and then we’ll stop at my place before we head to Pat and Anja’s for dinner. We have a few hours.”
“You have plans for that time?” she flirted.
Liam grinned. “Maybe.”
**********
The TSA guard winked at Liam as he walked away with Jenna. Yeah, things were going very well, indeed. God, that kiss was fantastic. He’d missed her so damn much.
He was still nervous, since he’d only ever brought Mary Cate to his place, and even that had been one time. Hosting wasn’t his strong suit. Then again, if things went the way he’d hoped, Jenna wouldn’t care if he was a piss-poor host because she’d be too busy screaming his name in ecstasy.
As they stood in baggage claim, he wrapped his arms around her waist, buried his nose in her hair and smelled her coconut shampoo. Every time he caught a whiff of coconut he thought of her. Then again, he’d thought of her almost constantly the past six months and hadn’t given much thought to anyone else.
Jenna’s body relaxed into his and Liam wished they were at his place. He wanted to show her how much he’d missed her. It wasn’t long before he was hefting her small suitcase off the belt.
“Why didn’t you just bring a big carry on?” he asked.
She held up her laptop case.
“The world still wants a piece of Rob when I leave L.A.”
“Good point. You talked to him? Does he know you’re here?”
She laughed. “Of course he does. We are having dinner with his family. Besides, I talk to him every day. I probably know his schedule better than you do when you’re on duty.”
She had that right. Liam constantly consulted his phone to keep up with Rob. Between the two of them, they stayed on top of things.
“You ready to meet my baby?” he asked. “I just picked her up from Rob’s house yesterday.”
Jenna’s eyes bugged out of her head. “Baby?”
Liam laughed. That was the reaction he’d expected. “My car.”
She relaxed visibly. “Oh. Why, you have something special?”
“You’ll see,” he said.
He loved his car. It was a 1969 Chevy Nova SS, Roman red with dual black racing stripes. He and Pat had restored it a few years ago, when he’d first returned to Minnesota and worked more locally for Deacon. He hated Rachel, Rob’s former fiancée, and refused to guard Rob when she was around unless it was for a movie premiere. His best friend needed Liam to talk him down from anxiety attacks at premieres. Rachel was useless for that.
Once Rob had ended things with Rachel, Liam became Rob’s primary guard so that Rick could have more time at home with his family. Fortunately, his car had been finished right around that same time. Unfortunately, he hardly drove it.
**********
They walked toward a classic car parked in isolation at the airport garage. Jenna was grinning at him and he said, “What?”
“This is your daily driver, huh?” she teased. It was a Chevy Nova – SS, by the badge on the fender – and she’d guess it was a late 60’s or early 70’s model. A classic car fit him so perfectly. He loved classic rock, after all, so it was no surprise that he drove a classic car.
He shrugged. “It’s not like I drive much, anyway. It’s been sitting in Rob’s garage for most of the last year. I probably don’t drive this much more than people who show their cars do. It’ll be fun to drive it with someone else for a change.”
That surprised her. “You don’t drive your girlfriend around in it?” she prodded.
“Ally isn’t my girlfriend. It’s strictly a booty call and only when we’re both in town.” He unlocked her door. No power locks here. “Go ahead and get in. I’ll put your bags in the trunk.”
Jenna sat in the seat and while she had a few seconds, she yanked up her skirt and whipped off her panties. She quickly pulled her skirt back down and hung the lacy red underwear on the blinker arm, where he couldn’t miss them.
Liam slid into the driver’s seat and she could tell the moment he saw the panties because his head darted back.
“Where did those come from?” he asked and looked at her.
She gave him a sly grin. “Where do you think?” she asked, batting her eyelashes.
He swallowed hard. “You just took these off?” He looked like he wanted to eat her for lunch.
Jenna grabbed the panties and shoved them into the pocket of his leather jacket. “Keep them.”
He reached for her and pulled her mouth to his, plunging his tongue between her lips and his fingers between her parted thighs. Oh, God. She’d wanted him to touch her for six long months. As she moaned, he pulled away, panting.
“Jesus, Jenna, you always know how to get me going.”
“Good,” she breathed. “That answers that question.”
“Oh?” he asked as he kissed her neck and slid his fingers in and out. “What question is that?”
“If you still want me as much as I want you.”
“God, yes. I’d take you right here, right now in the front seat, but I think we’d get arrested. We can avoid jail time if we go back to my place.”
He kissed her again. She wanted him so badly.
“Let’s get there quickly, then. How far away is it?”
“If we don’t hit any traffic, about 10 minutes. Think you can wait that long?” he asked as he nibbled her ear.
“I’ve been waiting six months. I’ll manage.”
He looked at her as he removed his fingers. “You’ve been waiting for me?” She nodded. “You didn’t have to wait.”
“I know. My vibrator and I became reacquainted. After last winter, it was lonely.”
He laughed as he put on his seat belt. “You trying to make me jealous of your vibrator?”
“Why would you be jealous? Haven’t you been with anyone recently? You’ve been back a few days. What about Ally?”
He shook his head as he backed out of the space. “I don’t even know if she’s in town. I haven’t called her. And I haven’t been with anyone but myself since I left your apartment in April.”
“Really?” Jenna said, trying to act disinterested.
“Really,” Liam replied, brows raised, smirking.
Jenna had all she could do not to grin ear to ear.
Fifteen minutes later, she followed Liam into the condo – it was in a high-rise building in the heart of Minneapolis – and she was unsurprised by what she saw. It screamed bachelor pad. Stark furnishings, a huge flat screen TV, manly colors everywhere and almost no artwork on the walls. She barely had time to register the fact that there were photos over near the television when Liam shoved her into the closed door.
This was their thing, their way of saying I’m desperate for you without words. He looked at her, and even if she didn’t know what pinning her to the door meant already, there would be no mistaking what his expression said. I want you. Now. Jenna reached into the pocket of her leather jacket and retrieved a condom. At the same time, Liam removed one from the pocket of his jeans.
They both laughed.
“Great minds think alike,” Jenna said.
“You put yours back so we have it for another time. I’m sure while you’re here we’ll need one again later.”
She chuckled. “Confident, aren’t you?”
“You better believe it,” he declared. Then he crushed his mouth to hers as he slid his hand up her skirt and proceeded to show her just how confident he was
.
Later, they lay on the floor of the living room, naked bodies wrapped around one another. Liam kissed her slowly, caressed her hair and her skin. She loved when he showed her how much he cared for her with the gentlest of touches.
“I missed you, baby,” he whispered as they rubbed noses.
“Mmmm,” she sighed. “I got that impression. Could you tell I missed you?” She gently kissed his lips.
Liam chuckled. “Is that what you were trying to say when you were screaming earlier?”
“Very funny. Will you show me around your condo, or shall we lie here naked until it’s time for dinner with Pat and Anja?”
He sat and pulled her with him as he stood. “I think you’re already pretty familiar with the living room,” he said, smirking.
Yes, yes she was. She’d probably never walk into this room again without seeing them against the door or bending her over the back of the sofa, or on their knees on the floor.
“Nice sofa, by the way. However, you do realize sex on a leather sofa is uncomfortable, right?”
“Really? I’ve never had sex on this sofa.”
“What? You’ve never had sex on your own sofa?”
“I’ve never brought a woman here before. Not until you. Except Mary Cate, but I wasn’t about to have sex with her.”
“Old friend from Catholic school?” Jenna teased.
“Uh, no. My sister.”
She laughed, in part because she’d known he meant Catie. “Good to know you weren’t having sex with your sister. So you never brought a woman to your condo before? What about Ally?” Jenna asked as he led her past the dining table toward the kitchen.
Liam turned her so that she leaned against the wooden table. He put his hands on her hips and looked right at her. “We only meet on her terms. She calls me if she wants to see me and I go to her place. She’s hardly around, Jenna. I almost never saw her before I met you. We’re not often here at the same time anymore.”
“If she calls you while I’m here…” God, she’d hate that.
“I won’t answer. Not while you’re here. I want to be with you.” His eyes said that he meant it, but she was unsure.
“Promise?”
He held her face in his hands. “I promise.” He kissed her gently. “I don’t want to be with anyone but you.”
Jenna desperately hoped that he didn’t mean right now, while she was in Minneapolis. That what he meant was that he only ever wanted to be with her. But she wasn’t positive that was true. The best she could do was nod that she understood, even if she wasn’t convinced she was right.
Chapter 10
Minneapolis, Minnesota, two years, nine months ago…
The Stones blared from his iPhone through the living room docking station. Liam bit into his egg roll as Mick sang about getting what you need. He’d rather be eating egg rolls with Jenna in Chinatown, but Jade Palace’s version would have to suffice, since he was in Minnesota. The last time he’d seen Jenna was nearly three months ago, when she’d visited for Homecoming.
The music cut out with the three short rings that meant Ally.
He debated ignoring her, but Mick’s reminder was in the front of his brain. During the last year, he hadn’t slept with anyone but Jenna. Since April, he’d only seen her on one occasion. His hand wasn’t cutting it much anymore.
He sighed and answered. “Ally.”
“Hello, Liam. You up for a round?” She never minced words. Ally knew what she wanted from him and didn’t ask for more.
“Depends on what you’re offering,” he said.
She laughed. “You know what I’m offering. Be here in half an hour.” At that, she was gone.
Liam shook his head. Didn’t even bother to ask if I actually wanted to sleep with her, just assumed the answer was yes.
Might as well, right? Jenna had said they weren’t exclusive. He was still unsure if that was what she wanted, but she hadn’t pushed the issue when she was here in October. Though he wanted to be her boyfriend officially, he was hesitant to make the suggestion. What they had worked. At least for now, it did.
Half an hour later, freshly showered, he knocked on Ally’s door. She answered wearing three-inch, red stilettos and a red dress so tight he could see she wore not a stitch underneath it.
“On time, as always,” she said as she opened the door to let him inside her posh condo. Hers looked like someone really lived there, unlike his own, which was less homey than a hotel room. She handed him his two fingers of Scotch – part of their ritual. They downed their drinks before he responded.
“You know I never leave you waiting.” He reached around her back, feeling for a zipper. Damn, this was one of those side zip things. He’d wanted to get this show on the road before he changed his mind.
“Well, I wasn’t sure, given that you sounded like you might say no. I knew better, of course, but it made me wonder if you have some new girl you like better than me.”
She smirked as if that was a farce.
Liam eyes widened for a split second and betrayed the truth. He furrowed his brow, bracing for her reaction.
“Uh, well, I am seeing someone new,” he said.
Ally’s head darted back and she scoffed. “Really?
She didn’t believe him. He wasn’t surprised. He hadn’t met anyone but Reggie since he started sleeping with Ally five years ago, and he’d met them both around the same time.
His heart clenched when he imagined what Jenna would think about where he was and what he planned to do in just moments.
“Yeah. Rob’s assistant.”
Ally pushed back and stepped away, poured herself another tumbler of Scotch. “Rob? Oh. Deac Roberts. I forget that his name is really Rob. He has an assistant who follows him around?”
Unfortunately, no. “Not that kind of assistant. Doesn’t matter. I’ve been seeing her for the last year. Most of it, anyway.”
“What? You? Seriously?” Yeah, okay, he got it. He wasn’t that kind of guy. Jesus.
“Yes, me. Seriously.”
“She know you like to fuck me when you’re here?” Ally asked, a bitchy smirk on her face. Her tongue ran over her teeth, she sipped her drink, licked her lips. Without his permission, his dick stiffened.
He sighed. “Yes. She knows about you, Reggie and Dana.”
Ally’s lips pursed when Liam mentioned Reggie’s and Dana’s names. She knew about them, too, but she never liked to hear him discuss the other two girls. Or anything, really. Usually, they skipped talking and jumped straight to naked and panting.
“And she doesn’t care?”
“I wouldn’t say that, but we’re not exclusive.” Though I wish we were. He hated that Jenna could be doing exactly this with some other guy. The thought made his dick soften, which was a new sensation. He’d never had that happen before.
Ally liked his answer. She didn’t need to know more. “No, of course you’re not. You don’t do exclusive,” she said.
Apparently, that was enough talking. She grabbed his pants by the waist and yanked him toward her, then shoved her tongue in his mouth. She liked it rough and sometimes kinky.
He used to enjoy that.
His body went through the motions, but his mind focused on the last time he was with Jenna to keep his dick in the game. Ally didn’t notice. She fucked him and claimed her orgasms like she always did, then practically shoved him out the door. For the first time ever, he felt hollow inside.
Why did he still do this with her? Or anyone but Jenna?
**********
Jenna knew she was frantic after three months without him, but she couldn’t help it. She had Liam pressed against the door of his suite at the Malibu house, her hand shoved down his pants and her tongue in his mouth.
“Just let me take you to the bed,” Liam said around kisses.
“Not yet,” she breathed as she pulled it out and stroked.
“Jesus, Jenna, you’re going to make me come in my pants. I’m ready to explode,” Liam panted.
Dropping to her knees, she shoved him in her mouth. He groaned and in moments, he came. She loved doing that for him.
He ran his fingers through her hair as he recovered. “You are amazing, you know that?” he said as he nudged her head to get her to stand. Hugging her tightly, he buried his face in her hair.
“Did you miss me?” she asked.
Liam laughed. “Are you kidding me? I missed you before you reminded me how fantastic you are. Did you miss me?”
“I had to buy a new vibrator because my old one died it got such a workout the last three months. I can’t believe I haven’t seen you since October. How is Ally?”
It made her blood boil to say the woman’s name. She was the one girl Jenna still knew nothing about other than her profession.
“I don’t want to bring other women into our bed, Jenna.”
“Have you slept with her recently?” Her nostrils flared. It irked her that she even needed to have this kind of conversation with him. He supposedly loved her – not that he’d said it, he liked to show her instead – and that should mean there was no one else.
Period.
“Jenna…”
“Have you?”
Liam sighed. “Once since I last saw you.”
“Oh.” It was like a sucker-punch.
She had hoped he’d say no, that after Homecoming, he had decided he didn’t want or need other women anymore.
Apparently not.
“Jenna, I don’t want to talk about her. She’s not important.”
Jenna nodded and looked down. This was casual. That was what she’d agreed to a year ago. She had to remember how she’d reinforced that decision last April, when he left L.A. Why did she keep hoping that he wanted more?
Why did she keep thinking that this was more?
Liam tipped her chin to look at him. “Jenna, I’m here with you because I want to be here with you. Don’t worry about anyone else. I don’t want to be with anyone else.”
That. That was why she kept thinking this was more.
She shook her head. “It’s hard to believe that sometimes.”
