by Stella Rhys
“You got this, baby!” Aria cheered as Max and A.J then went at it for a solid minute before Dwyer slapped Max’s ass to cost him the win.
With Liam and A.J up in the final round, I chewed my lip, wishing I could openly root for my man the way Aria was. It actually hurt to hold back the drunken love and pride bursting for him in my chest as I watched Liam dominate the whole three minutes, his bicep flexing desperately against his sleeve, the outline of his muscled lats showing under his shirt. The view sparked the visible lust of even the married girls in the room, and it had me absolutely dying with the need to just jump on Liam’s powerful body and proudly claim him as mine.
When he finally slammed A.J’s hand onto the bar, I burst off my chair to cheer. A victory snarl ripped from his lips before he turned his gleaming eyes to me and grinned. Surrounded by our raucous friends, I tried to convey the millions of emotions I felt for him in with just my eyes, but before I knew it, he was flanked by the single girls in the room, the three of them sidling up, flirting and helping themselves to long strokes of his muscle. Once again, Aria pretended to retch.
“The single ones always turn this place into a petting zoo after enough booze,” she snorted, watching with me as Liam graciously removed one of the girls’ hands as she tried to give him a massage. “Good lord. Even I kind of hate watching this. I don’t know how you do it, girl,” she murmured just before A.J whisked her off somewhere.
* * *
By midnight, we were set to head off to Muse Room, the downtown lounge we continued the party at every year. I excused myself to the bathroom as the guys did their usual dance of calling cars and figuring out who’d go in which. Taking a deep breath, I flipped my hair in the mirror. I needed a minute to cool off, having spent the past four hours dodging Liam’s touch despite craving it like a drug. Resisting him had to qualify as an Olympic sport because it physically tired me like nothing else. My body ached from defying itself, from forcing itself to obey my brain. I had thought that over time, it would get easier for Liam and me to live our lie, but that wasn’t quite since every day, I just wanted him more.
It didn’t help that tonight his attention never left me. I thought that as he drank and hung out with his friends, it would naturally fade. And I wouldn’t be hurt. Booze with your boys was generally an easy recipe for mildly neglected girlfriends.
But not with Liam.
Throughout the night, I kept turning to find his gaze already lingering on me. And whenever I caught him, there was no repentance. He didn’t grin sheepishly or look away. He adjusted his dick or let his eyes dip to my legs or did something to remind me that if it were his choice, he’d have his arms around me – all over me. Right then and there. So many times, I was mid-sentence when I looked over to find myself being stripped naked by those emerald eyes. It pissed me off and it turned me on. In short, it drove me insane.
“I fucking miss you,” Liam murmured in my ear when we found ourselves both at the bar. “The second we’re alone tonight, I’m wrapping those beautiful legs around my neck.”
“Fine,” I smirked. “When we’re alone.”
His response was a wicked grin that I recalled as I fixed my hair in the bathroom mirror. There was a hot little twitch under my skin telling me that right at this second, Liam was outside looking for me. I chewed my lip, both hoping and fearing that he’d find me in the bathroom.
“Alright, first car’s here!”
From the dining room, I heard A.J’s voice start directing our friends into cars. The restaurant was emptying out. I bit my lip. I knew I should go outside, but another part of me feared opening the door.
Because now, I knew in my heart and my bones Liam was waiting behind it.
Only his presence was magnetic enough to be felt through the walls. Only he cast such a spell on me that my body could sense when he was near. I wanted to tell myself I was crazy – that I was overestimating our connection. I wanted to tell myself that Liam wasn’t there at all.
But I knew he was.
“Hurry up, guys! Let’s go, let’s go!”
Fine. Go.
My breath jagged, I opened the door.
A short gasp left my mouth because the second I stepped out, I was pushed back in. Instantly hot, I tasted Liam’s breath. My skin buzzed as his hands twisted my dress, and I exhaled sharply when I felt his tongue on my neck.
“Liam – ”
“Bend over for me.”
There was no hesitation. I gripped the edges of the sink, my eyes rapt on the mirror as I watched Liam position behind me. His bottom lip tucked in a lusty snarl as he lifted my skirt. The jangle of his belt replaced the need for any words. We both knew what we wanted and how much time we had to get it, and that urgency thickened the air like a sauna.
A.J’s voice still calling outside, Liam sunk into me with a groan. My jaw dropped. I’d never felt him this hard or this eager. I moaned as he shoved his hand up my dress, squeezing my tits, driving in and out of me like an animal. I saw pure lust and desire when I met his stare in the mirror, our eyes unblinking as we moved fast, in unison, bringing ourselves to the peak of our pleasure in the shortest time possible. Every second that passed was a second longer than we could afford, and the fact was evident in our bodies as we fucked desperately. Chaotically. The sound of panting and wetness filled the air as my hair fell into my face. When my grip slipped off the sink, Liam’s hands slammed over them, holding me in place as he pounded me from behind. He was wild and unhinged, and I was an inch from my peak when fists hammered outside at the door.
“Hurry the fuck up in there!”
I gasped and slid off Liam’s cock, but growling, he yanked me back down, spreading me apart. Hand over my mouth, he thrust viciously inside me, rubbing his hands all over the front of my body, squeezing everywhere he could. It was filthy and obscene and I loved every second of it. Reaching down, I stroked myself hastily as Liam pinched my nipples through my dress. I closed my eyes, taking in every sensation. But the second the rapping came again, I arched off him. With a grunt, he slammed me down again. I writhed away and made it to the door, but he pinned me against it, rubbing my clit from behind and burying his cock back inside my pussy. With someone just outside the hall, I moaned in fear, in excitement and ecstasy – in a million battling emotions that were quintessentially us.
But one more knock and I pushed off for a last time.
“Don’t fucking leave me like this,” Liam pleaded, caging me in with his arms. In a panting rush, I smoothed my skirt and fixed my bra, tipping my face to him for a kiss. I closed my eyes when he gave it to me.
“We’ll finish later,” I breathed. And as torturous as it was, I slipped out the door.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Somehow, I wound up in a different car than Liam, arriving at Muse Room with a group of the guys I didn’t know quite as well. It wasn’t ideal, but I was just grateful that when I burst out of the bathroom before, no one was in the hall. I knew that Riley had already left at that point, but it would still have been shameful running into anyone looking so freshly and obviously fucked. Sitting in the front seat of the car, I prayed the smell of sex didn’t linger on my skin. Liam hadn’t finished. Neither had I, and I was afraid that my need still bloomed in my cheeks. I wanted so badly to escape into dim lighting, in case the guys could in fact tell that I’d just been a stroke away from coming.
The second the car rolled to a stop, I jumped right out and bolted into the lounge. My eyes immediately caught Liam’s remarkable presence across the room, his long frame leaning against the bar. I made my way eagerly toward him, but suddenly, Riley bounced in front of me.
“I have a surprise for you,” she whispered in song, holding tight onto my wrist.
I blinked at her. “What?”
“It’s coming in three…two…”
“Sasha.”
I jumped and spun around to see Tuck standing before me in a nice plaid dress shirt and jeans. His blue eyes crinkled as he smiled.
“Hope it’s alright that Riley invited me here. She seemed pretty adamant that I come.”
My eyes fluttered as he slipped his hands onto my waist, touching me where Liam had gripped me so tightly barely fifteen minutes ago. “Oh. I, um…”
“She, um, has a giant crush on you and we all know that,” Riley mocked me. “And it’s time for you both to act like adults and do something about it.” She giggled as she leaned into my ear. “Also, I need you distracted in case I decide to make some poor decisions tonight.”
“Riley. Do not.”
“What? Nothing penetrative – how ‘bout that?” she smirked. I shot her a look and she rolled her eyes. “My God, you’re no fun. Tuck – would you please inject some fun into this one? Please?” She laughed when Tuck raised his eyebrows. “I didn’t mean for that to come out so sexual, but take my words as you will.”
With that, she flounced off to catch up with Dwyer, who had reached that point in the night where his shirt and tie were undone. I watched Riley whip the tie off his neck and slap his ass with it. Stunned, I stood there staring till Tuck slipped an arm around me. “My sister’s a handful too,” he laughed, nodding at the bar. “But there’s never really an escape from your own family, so in my experience, the best way to deal with that is a drink. My treat.”
I stiffened as his hand slid down to the small of my back. When I looked up, I saw Liam watching us, his eyes glassy but alert. His shirt stretched against his broad chest as Max held onto a handful of the back, keeping him at bay for me. My pulse picked up.
“I think I’ve actually had enough to drink for tonight. But you go get something. I’ll, um, meet you by the booth,” I said hastily. As I left, Tuck caught my hand and pulled me back.
“Sasha – are you okay?”
“Of course. Why do you ask?”
“Because you keep looking at your stepbrother like you’re about to get in trouble.”
I froze. “What?”
“I don’t know. Tell me I’m imagining things. Tell me I don’t need to save you from someone who might be a bit too possessive.”
I gave a look of confusion despite the panic building in my chest. “I… think you’ve misinterpreted something entirely, because I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
Tuck studied me deeply for a moment. “Good. That’s what I was hoping to hear,” he said before nodding toward everyone. “Sorry if that was out of line. Definitely owe you a drink for that one. I’ll meet you there in a second, okay?”
“Yeah.” I walked away as fast as my heels would go and flashed a warning look as Liam caught up with me, his long, easy strides catching the attention of just about every woman he passed.
“I need a moment alone with you, Sasha.”
“It’s not a good time.”
“It never is, is it?”
“I don’t know, Liam, I can’t think right now. I just – ”
“I’m taking you home.” Liam stopped me with two hands on my waist. I pushed them off.
“Don’t. You can’t touch me like this – not now.”
“Then when? I can’t stand watching that prick put his hands all over you while I stand around waiting for permission. You have to understand how this would drive any man fucking insane.”
“Liam, I can see Riley watching me right now,” I warned.
“For fuck’s sake, I don’t care. I need you, and there’s only so many times I can grit my teeth and bear it as I watch another man touch your body like you don’t belong to me,” Liam growled. “I can’t take another fucking second of it.”
“You drank too much, or you’d be able to control yourself right now.”
He pulled back with irritation. “Yeah. That’s it, Sash. You fucking nailed it.”
“I’m sorry. But don’t make this any harder on me.” I stared back at him hotly. “Trust me, Liam, there is never a time of day when I don’t wish you were touching me and holding me. I swear to God when I ache for you, it hurts a million times worse because I never knew real pleasure before you, and now that I do, it’s all that I want,” I hissed. “But I’m scared right now, okay? I’m nervous, and I’m paranoid I’m being watched, so I just need you to keep your hands away from me till we get out of here – okay? For me. Can you do that?”
The intensity of his stare filled the empty space between us. Finally, with a curl of the lip, Liam stepped back. “Yeah,” he said briskly. “Hands off.”
“Thank you,” I whispered tensely before putting on as normal of a look as I could muster. But when I got to the booth, I could tell from my friends’ faces that they’d just watched every second of my exchange with Liam. Max was tugging his beard. Aria was sitting at the edge of her seat, clearly waiting for a signal that I needed her. Next to her, Riley stared at me as she leaned in to whatever Natalie was giggling in her ear.
“What?” I asked.
Natalie’s lashes fluttered. “Nothing! Hi!” She burst from her seat to come give me a hug. “Damn, girl. Lookin’ good. I thought I’d just pop by ‘cause – oop!” I went stiff as I felt her cold martini slosh onto me. “Shit. Goddamnit!” Natalie pulled away to assess the damage, groaning at herself when we both saw the pink streaking down the front of my sweater dress and onto my boots. “I’ll pay for it,” she blurted before gasping suddenly. “Oh! Club soda! It works for me all the time. Here, let’s find a bathroom first.”
In a flash, she was holding me by the wrist and pulling me upstairs. “I’m pretty sure the bathroom’s downstairs, Nat.”
“Girl, that’s the one for the commoners. I used to cocktail here, I know all the secret spots.”
After climbing a flight of stairs, our heels clicked down a dim hallway, and when we reached a black door, Natalie pushed her way in, pulling me inside. I looked around, impressed and confused. It was indeed a bathroom but it was big and private with tufted walls and red lighting. I felt like I was in the back room of a high-end strip club.
“What the hell is this?”
“The upper area for private parties. Usually rented out by rich Wall Street boys,” Natalie said as I noticed the bowl of condoms next to a leather chaise lounge.
“Wow.”
“I know, right?” she snorted before wetting a wad of paper towels and handing them to me. “Dab the stains. Don’t rub – press,” she said. “I’d do it for you but I have a feeling you don’t want me all up in your boobage.”
“Thanks.”
As I worked on the stain, I felt Natalie staring at me. “Hey, can I ask you a question?” she said out of nowhere. Wary, I lifted my eyes to her.
“Sure.”
She studied me for a moment. “Do I have a shot with Liam?”
I flashed my eyebrows, and my pulse picked right up. My gaze floating away, I tried to think of an answer. “Um… I don’t know, Nat. Maybe.”
“I mean you live with him,” Natalie said, her eyes locked on me. “You spend a lot of time with him. Probably more than any other girl gets. And it’s that time when you’re at home, when you’re comfortable and real. I mean let’s be honest here, you see him at very intimate points in his life, Sasha.” She tilted her head. “Don’t you?”
I wasn’t sure how to respond. I wasn’t sure if I was imagining the accusation in her tone. “I guess,” I finally said.
“Then, yeah. I feel like you should know if I have a chance with him. I mean I’ve tried to be your girl with the whole you and Tuck situation, so I’m just hoping you’ll give me an honest answer.”
I returned my attention to the stain on my dress. I told myself that I was paranoid and imagining whatever suspicion I heard in her voice. “I mean… yeah, Nat. I’ve seen him bring home girls who look like you. I don’t think he has a type, really. As long as they’re pretty. Which you are.”
Natalie smiled. “Thank you.” She heaved a sigh. In half a second, her entire demeanor shifted, and she let her shoulders relax. “I’m so lame. Sorry I dragged you away just to ask that. I was like, planning to ask Ril
ey, but it feels like she’s secretly in love with Liam, so I wasn’t sure if she’d give me an honest answer.”
Oh. I breathed out and let myself crack a half smile. “I see. So you spilled a drink on my dress just to get me alone and ask that?”
“Bitch, I didn’t do that on purpose!” Natalie feigned umbrage as she opened the door. “Anyway, thank you for entertaining my silliness. I’ll be back with club soda.”
“Alright.”
When she left, I locked the door and savored the quiet for a moment. Staring at myself in the mirror, I almost laughed at the massive stain down my front. I barely cared to get rid of it. It was a great representation of what a long and messy night it had been. It started with Liam piquing Riley’s suspicion at home, and it was followed by Riley’s tantrum, Dwyer’s slip of the tongue, another public quickie interrupted, and then Tuck’s surprise appearance. The fact that booze was soaking through the threads of my dress and drying sticky on my skin really felt like a metaphor.
Heaving a sigh, I peeled my dress off and used a paper towel to wipe the remnants of cocktail that had trickled into my bra. I was about to resume the dabbing of my dress when I heard Natalie’s voice outside.
“Hey, girl. I’m back.”
“Hey.” I reached for the door. “I’m gonna open the door a crack for you to just hand it – ”
“Sorry – change of plans!” Natalie shrieked with giggles as she shoved someone in. My heart jumped as the weight of a man crashed onto me and I stumbled back, losing my balance and falling halfway onto the chaise.
“It was Riley’s idea!”
I heard Natalie’s voice again before her heels ran off. My jaw dropped wide open, and I tried to process the juvenile shit that just happened, but I was more focused on the pain of having fallen with two hundred pounds of Tuck Mathis landing on top of me.
“Shit – are you okay?” Tuck still looked confused and shaken as he climbed off of me and found his footing. Stumbling, he helped me onto the chaise, and I saw the exact moment he realized I was undressed because it lit up his eyes like Christmas lights. “Fuck,” he breathed out, staring down at me for a moment, his gaze lingering on my pushed up breasts. “I’m sorry.” He turned away quickly, facing the wall as he asked his question. “Are you hurt at all? Are you cut? I weigh like, one-ninety, so that had to – ”
