Don't Close Your Eyes

by Hilary Storm

  Chapter Fourteen

  I'm still not sure of all the details, but I know he would never hurt me. I love how he feels and how we are together. I need to trust myself and what's deep in my heart. This is something James always told me to do.

  Liam is respecting my boundaries though. His fingers trace the edge of my pants, but he never crosses the line onto my ass. I can feel him twitching into full size between us, but he isn't pushing for anything beyond this hug.

  "I missed you." The heat from his breath hits my forehead just before his lips land for another long kiss in the same spot. He tightens his hold on me and I let him because right now I want nothing more than to feel the safety I feel in his arms.

  "I've been here the whole time." I place my hands inside his pants and slide my fingers over both of his ass cheeks. He shifts his hips forward and breaks the hold on me only to grab my face with both of his hands, guiding me to his lips for a real kiss. A kiss full of passion, strength, and love. Fuck. Love.

  I push off of him, only to have him capture me with a confused look. Hell, I know the feeling, dude. Back the fuck off so I can breathe a minute.

  He grabs the back of my head and quickly invades my mouth with his tongue. His attack catches me off guard and at first I want to rebel and fight him, but it's mere seconds before I start to attack him back. This is what I fucking want. It doesn't give me the chance to think.

  The force of him coming at me has backed me up against the counter, with my ass up against the edge. I raise my leg instinctively and begin lifting my way up onto the surface. He leans in and lifts both of my legs before I can finish, sitting me on top of the counter making my face at perfect height for his. His hands are fast and furiously making their way up my body as he begins to lift my shirt. I don't fight it, in fact I find myself raising my arms for him.

  He pulls his mouth from mine just long enough to get the material over my head. We're quickly reconnected as he dives back into my mouth. His tongue is forceful and this time he's met with equal energy from me.

  Lucky me, he's only wearing the sweatpants and that's the first thing I go for, running my hands down that gorgeous ass again as far as I can reach. Our mouths finally part as he moves south to my chest. He's impatient and chooses to expose each breast without removing the bra. Hell, the material is still slipping from each when his mouth connects with a nipple. His hands return with strength as he squeezes each hand filled with my flesh.

  "Ohhhhh god." His teeth scrape across my sensitive skin just before he bites the very tip. He repeats the move on the other one and I'm ready to fucking go right now. He pushes me back until I lay flat on the surface behind me.

  His eager hands rip every bit of remaining clothing just before he leans in to send sensation rushing through every part of me. There's no warning before he pushes a finger into me, turning his hand so that more of them are touching the entrance to my ass.

  The relentless attack has my back arching and my hips practically begging for more as I push closer to him. His tongue is tight when he licks me again and I feel his finger pressing harder against my forbidden entrance.

  "Fuckkkk." I barely recognize that sex crazed sound that just escaped my lips.

  "Before we're done... This is mine." The pressure he adds against my ass crack causes me to inhale. I'm not sure if it was out of fear or anticipation, because having both feelings are confusing me. Anal isn't something I love to do. James knew that and never pushed for it, but shit if Liam doesn't have me wanting to try it right now.

  His tongue becomes more determined and I have no choice but to just lay back and let him devour me. The sharp pang of his bite excites me even further and before I know it, I've grabbed the back of his head and I'm holding his face as close to my entrance as possible. With the grinding motion of my hips rubbing his face exactly where I need it, it’s mere seconds before I begin to moan.

  When I remove my hand from his hair, he puts his hands on my ass to lift me and continues to rain pleasure on me, even when I'm so sensitive that I'm trying to pull away. My attempt to crawl away from him by gripping the opposite side of the counter ledge is useless against his strength and determination. I can't explain the torture this is for me. I want it, but I can't stand it at the same time. Squirming through it is my only option.

  "Ohhhh fuckkkkk, LIAM!"

  He doesn't set my ass cheeks back on the counter until I stop fighting it. That comes only after my screams finally stop and my entire body relaxes from the storm of torment he just caused.

  My body is limp when he starts to drag it back to the edge. I hear the sound of foil, but I don't move. I'm completely satisfied in this moment and could seriously fall asleep on the kitchen countertop and not care one bit. His strong arms lift me, bringing me face to face with him. My legs are wrapped around his waist and it's an instant invasion of his cock when my hips meet his.

  The feel of him sliding into me again is perfection. My breasts are smashed up against his chest as I wrap my arms around his neck to kiss him. I have to stop kissing when he begins to thrust because he's so relentless.

  This position is so powerful. He's holding me up like it's nothing as he fucks me exactly like a beast would. Exactly like I want him to and nothing like I ever thought I would.

  He slides his arms between our bodies and holds me from underneath my thighs. My legs are spread open more this way and he can move me on and off of him at a pace that's ruthless and controlled. It's quick and hard .... and fucking fantastic.

  I catch a glimpse of his face only to find tension and focus. A few veins have surfaced from the intensity and his look of determination is what finally puts me over the edge again.

  He moans and his body starts to spasm through his own release. The tension in his body changes the instant he finishes the final few thrusts. He doesn't try to kiss me, but instead sets me on the counter in my own wetness and turns to walk away.

  I watch him turn the corner to disappear from sight and wait for his return, thinking he's getting something to clean us up. When he doesn't return, I slide off the cold surface and go in search of him.

  When I enter his bedroom, I hear the sound of water and it shocks me to see that his ass is in the shower. My mind is a clusterfuck of emotions as I battle with the reasons this pisses me off. I want him like this, but then I don't. I want him to treat this like it's nothing more than fucking and when he does start to act like it's more to him than that, it causes panic in me. When he treats me like I'm just a fuck, my feelings get hurt. What the fuck.

  I don't know what I want? I want him to stop with the fucking games, though. Maybe it's my games that need to stop, but I can't help the overload of emotions that James' death has caused me. I miss him. In fact if I'm being truthful, it's him that I want and that's not fair to Liam. I know I can't have him and that's my struggle.

  Choosing to join him in the shower for no other reason than to wash myself clean, I slide the door open to find him leaning his forehead on his arm, which is propped onto on the shower wall. I notice his eyes are closed as he lets the water run over his body. I pour soap in my hands and run my fingers over his shoulders and back until he starts to relax. The water is scorching hot, but I deal with the burn since it's how he set it.

  He takes the shampoo and washes his own hair, then rinses it just before he moves out of the way of the spray to watch me. His stare as I shower alone is a little weird, but I let him. The silence is harsh. We need to get past whatever this is, if I'm supposed to be trapped here until he deems it safe.

  "What's your problem?" He looks up from my body to look into my eyes.

  "Just enjoying the view."

  "You mean looking at the girl you just fucked and set down like it was nothing?" That sparks a flash of anger to cross his face. He's not responding to me as he runs his hand over his face and head in frustration. It's when he slides the door open and steps out that I can tell he's truly going to avoid my question. I just thought the silence from before was
harsh. This is by far worse than that was.

  The realization that I have no clothes finally hits me. Wrapping a towel around my body, I open the door to the bedroom and see him drying off. The full sight of him naked is an amazing view. His tattoos draw me in as I walk closer to him, hoping to finally be able to see the ink that he felt was important enough to be permanently added to his skin. I stop short of touching him and he stands up straight, knowing I'm taking him in.

  The words 'Only the Brave' run around his side under his right arm. I run my fingers over the letters, tracing them all. I move his arm to see what's written on the inside and begin to trace the words 'Eternal destiny is found within the soul'. I feel such depth and emotion from each tattoo and I even trace 'Stay Strong' on his chest as I explore. 'Restore my soul' and 'Only God can judge me' make my heart hurt. I wonder what his past is like and what would make him want to have those words forever with him.

  His body is like a canvas of art and I cherish every inch of the painting. He watches me as I make my way around his body. He's not in the least bit shy or trying to pull away from me. In fact he pulls me in for a kiss. Soft and slow. His slight touch on my skin sends chills over me, but I can't deal with this kind of kiss. It's too much too soon. I take a step back and watch his face drop when I do. He moves for his pants, and leaves the room.

  I hate that I can't give him that. He just needs to have patience with me and understand that I'm dealing with a lot of things right now.

  I tighten the towel a little just before I leave the room to find him. He needs to let me have some of my own things if he plans to keep me locked in here like a caged animal.

  "Can you have some of my things brought over from my house if you think it'll be days before I get to go home?"

  "I've already called to have some things delivered. Everything should arrive shortly."

  "I need a few personal items as well." He finally looks up at me from the desk he's working from. Liam is so intense today and it's hard to figure out how to take him.

  "Sure, let me know what you need and I'll have them delivered." In all the recent past months, I have dreamed for this scenario. Someone to deliver everything to me and for me not to have to worry about a thing. I could just write and focus on my work and never have to be around people. That was what I craved. Why is it now that I have that, I hate it. I want to shop for my own damn deodorant and shampoos. I shouldn't have to tell him if I need tampons bought or if I want a damn pack of Oreo cookies.

  I know it's a pointless battle so I don't even bother telling him about my resentment toward him about keeping me locked up. His focus is keeping me safe and I have to respect that. My phone in the water catches my eye and I wonder how bad Michael is flipping out about me going silent.

  "Are you going to let me call Michael? I need to tell him that I'm safe."

  "You can't call him. Livi. Promise no matter what, you don't call him until I'm done with this investigation." My mind starts spinning with reasons why he wouldn't want me to talk to Michael. This is the man who has been there for me.

  "I have to let him know that I'm safe."

  "I'll let him know you're with me. Don't you worry about him."

  "Can I borrow a t-shirt or something until my stuff arrives?"

  "You can wear my t-shirts anytime. Get whatever you want out of my closet."

  Chapter Fifteen

  His closet is so massive and it's really hard to find something that actually fits decently. He's a very large guy in the shoulders and everything I try on just swallows me. I finally just pull out a sweatshirt from the shelf. If I'm going to be slouchy, I may as well go all the way.

  When I stretch my arms out to the side to put it on, I bump the lid off a box. The lid lands on the floor so I reach down to get it. I see a few picture frames on the bottom shelf and decide to pull them out.

  The first picture is Liam and his family. I rub my finger over the glass and wish I could have a family like that. You can easily tell they are a tight family. The next picture is on a boat, and it isn't instantly that I see him, because I see Liam first, but my eyes run through the brothers until I see him on the end. How is this possible? Why would James be in a picture with Liam and his family?

  My heart begins to beat so fast. I begin to walk backwards until I reach the back of the closet, but my eyes never move from the picture. James looks so young. He's happy. His hair is a mess and longer than it ever was when he was with me. I guess that's why I didn't notice him right at first. I look closer to make sure it's really him, but I know it is. The tattoo on his leg is barely visible from this angle, but it is there.

  Panic begins to scare me. I've backed into the corner and even find myself standing between two suits as if I'm safe here. Hiding like a child in here hoping no one sees me. Why wouldn't he tell me he knew James?

  Memories of our conversations flood me. He's known who I am all along. Well, at least since he picked me up from my house. He was looking at James' pictures in my house and now my body is filling with rage.

  Liam has been lying to me. What sucks the most is that now that I know this information I can't trust him about anything. The pictures. I need to look at them again. If he has kept this from me, he could very easily be the one who took those pictures of me.

  How in the fuck am I going to get away from him? I stare at James in the picture and try to draw strength from him. Tears fall and I swallow hard, trying to make myself have the strength to find my way out of here. He's got this place so locked up and I have no idea what securities are in place.

  I start to look for anything that could help me escape. The only thing I can find in here is a damn pair of handcuffs. There's no way I can over power him and get them on him. I let my imagination run wild and take one last look at James. I kiss the glass where his face is and replace the frames on the shelf.

  Pulling the sweatshirt back off my body, I let it fall on the floor where it fell. I remove the key from the cuffs and place them in my palm. With a mission and a plan, I take a deep breath before I step out the closet. I take a mental note of everything in the room and run a wet washrag over my face in hopes of erasing the puffiness from my tears.

  I'm not brave enough to do this, but I refuse to lay still and die with a crazy stalker pretending to keep me safe. If I could only be as brave as my female character, I could pull this off. My only hopes are to try to channel her and see if I can get out of here.

  With my head held high and my naked body in full view, I carry the handcuffs in my right hand and the keys hidden in my left. He's still in his office when I pass by the door; luckily he didn't look up. The stereo that links all the speakers to the house is in the living room. I hope he has what I want.

  When I see the song, I push play. The beat isn't loud enough, so I hit the volume button until it's thumping in every corner. It's time to get "Closer," just like the song he played for me the first day I met him.

  His eyes meet mine the instant I walk into his office. He's looking up with his eyes, but his head is still tilted down. He lifts an eyebrow when I walk straight up to his chair and turn it just slightly until he's facing me as I stand at his side.

  His hands begin to roam up my legs and then between. Taking a step back, I reach for his hand in hopes to get him to follow. He does. That's right Olivia. Use your strength to over power his.

  He doesn't follow like I'd like him to. I'd like him to follow at arms length, but instead he follows so close that our bodies connect. His hands are full of me, but I'm numb to it all. There's nothing about his touch that I crave in the slightest.

  I know he'll never let me handcuff him alone, so I'm going to have to play this just right. We get to the edge of the bed and I swallow hard before I turn to face him. Any nerves I had are gone and I decide I have to own this moment. I have no choice. He can read me and if he notices me acting weird, he'll end everything.

  I stand proud and take the cuff and place it on my left wrist. He just watches me. I use both
hands to remove his clothes trying not to look at him directly. Without using words, I push on his chest so that he falls to the bed. He moves the sheets and lays smack in the middle of the bed. He's proud of this. He's already hard and ready for me. The smirk on his face irritates me.

  I toss a condom to him like a boss and he obeys.

  It's time. I have to play this just right and I know exactly how to play it.

  Crawling like a hungry predator toward his body, I bite his side as I approach. His arms begin to try to guide me. I stop and sit up on my knees to look at him.

  "No touching. This is all me this time." That fucking grin gets larger and I want to fucking slap it off his face.

  He sets his arms to his sides and waits for my next move. I need to be sexy and keep his mind on my body and not on my emotions. If I mess up, he'll be quick to catch it.

  I let a finger brush over each of my nipples before licking it and tracing the same path again. His eyes are watching my finger and that's perfect.

  I move to straddle his waist and lift his right arm above his head to connect us around the iron of the head board. He puts his mouth on my nipple and begins to suck and lick like I knew he would. His free hand begins to move my hip toward his cock.

  It's odd how the last time he entered me it felt so good and this time, I have to fight the urge to punch him. I close my eyes to fight through this.

  He pulls my face down to his and attempts to kiss me. I shove his hand off of me and go for a hard kiss.

  "Hold the headboard. I told you this is all me." He does what I order. This power thing is getting easier. I know I'll never get it off of me and on his other hand. I need to be creative and unfortunately there's no way around the sex. If I stop it at anytime, he will suspect something.