by Kaylee Ryan
I shake my head and pick up my fork and start to eat. It isn’t until I look up and see all three of them watching us that I realize Liam and I aren’t only eating off the same plate, we’re even feeding each other. He offers me bites, and I’m doing the same. He still has one arm wrapped tight around me with his fingers splayed over my belly. Needless to say, it’s hard to concentrate on eating. I think that’s why I started feeding him as well, I needed the distraction.
Liam following my gaze, looks up to see everyone watching us. “What?”
The only response we get is laughter, throw your head back, tears streaming laughter. Before long, Liam and I are laughing right along with them. After breakfast we all pitch in to help clean up.
Once we’re done, Liam drives Hales and me back to The Warehouse to get her car. “So, I’ll see you in an hour?” he asks me as he draws me in for a hug. I can’t help but notice we’re a perfect fit as I tuck my head under his chin. Liam gives the best hugs.
I look over at Hailey. “What are your plans for the day?”
“I’m meeting some friends from high school for lunch, and then after that I got nothing.”
“So, can I pick you up at the dorm in an hour? I want to go shopping for a futon, and I thought we could just hang out, spend the day together?” Liam asks me. I had forgotten he said he was buying a futon.
“What the hell do you need a futon for?” Hailey asks him.
Liam smiles down at me. “Well, my little sister tends to spend the night a lot and so does my buddy Blitzen. In the past this hasn’t been an issue. However, things have changed; my girlfriend will be placing a permanent reservation on sharing my bed with me whenever she would like, so I need to ensure my little sister has a comfortable place to sleep, which does not include being curled up with either of my male best friends.” He says the last part with tension in his voice, like he can picture Hailey curled up with Aiden or Blitzen.
Hailey grins. When I say grins, we’re talking face-splitting blind you kind of grin. “You fell hard, huh, big brother?” Then she turns to me. “Can’t wait for my spa day.”
Liam kisses my forehead. “And still falling.” His simple statement seems to make sense to Hailey as she nods her head.
“Alright, future sister-in-law, get your ass in the car, so my brother can go shopping for his futon.” Hailey winks at Liam.
Liam leans down and kisses me soft, sweet, and slow. “See you in an hour, beautiful girl.” Her statement doesn’t seem to bother him in the least.
As soon as we’re in the car and driving away from Liam, Hailey is all over me. “Holy fucking shit, what in the hell did you do to my brother?”
I turn in my seat and gape at her. “Umm, I’m not sure what you mean?”
“What I mean is I’ve never, in my entire existence, seen him act all sweet and loving with a girl. I’ve never seen him show any public displays of affection. Hell, he was cuddling, and you two were feeding each other at the damn breakfast table.”
“Oh, that. Well, I’m not sure, I don’t know how Liam was with other girls, so I can’t say. I know what you’ve told me, and what Aiden and Liam, himself, has told me.” I shrug, like it’s no big deal.
“Allow me to enlighten you, my friend. Liam does not do PDA. Ever. He picks a girl up at a party, the bar, what have you, they do their thing and it’s done. No affection whatsoever. Never has he claimed a girlfriend and never has he practically begged a girl to spend time with him, like he did back there. You, my friend, have tamed the beast.”
I can’t help it, I laugh out loud to that one. “Tamed the beast, really, Hales?”
She nods. “Yes, the beast. Just wait, if he continues this way, you’ll hear that a lot.”
I really can’t comment, because I have no idea why Liam chose me over all the other girls he has been with or could be with. I just hope he doesn’t break my heart because one thing is for sure; I’m falling hard for Liam MacCoy, and he has the power to crush me.
Once we arrive back at the dorm, I call Gran. I tell her I’ve met an amazing guy, who’s my roommate’s brother, and he asked me on a date tonight. She understands, of course, and wants to hear all about Liam. I refrain from telling her that he is ‘officially’ my boyfriend. I don’t know why, but I want to keep that just for me, for the time being.
After talking to Gran longer than time allowed, I rush through a shower. I throw on a green sun dress, which Hailey says makes my eyes pop, and a pair of matching flip-flops. I braid my hair off to the side, add some mascara and lip gloss, and I’m good to go. Just as I’m unplugging my phone from its charger, there’s a knock at the door.
“Come in!” I yell. I know it’s Liam. I’m not expecting anyone else.
Liam walks through the door with a frown on his face. Great, it’s only been an hour and he’s changed his mind. Stay calm, don’t let him see you cry.
“Hey, you.” I try to sound as cheerful as I can.
“Why wasn’t your door locked, and why did you just yell for me to come in? I could have been anyone.” He scowls.
I wrap my arms around his waist and rest my head, in what I like to think of as my spot, right below his chin. His arms immediately crush me to him. “I knew you were going to be here any minute, and Hales just left; she must have forgotten to lock it on her way out.”
Liam kisses my temple. “I don’t want anything to happen to you or my little sister. You guys need to make sure you keep this locked, even during the day, and always make sure you know who’s at the door.”
I nod my head in agreement, trying hard not to smile. It’s been a long damn time since anyone other than Gran or Aiden and his family has worried about me. I’m overcome with emotion and afraid if I try to speak Liam will see, and I’m not ready to go there with him just yet. So, I lean up on my tiptoes and kiss him long and hard.
“You look beautiful,” he says as he pulls away. “You ready to go?”
“Yes.” I grab my phone and my wristlet.
“Where’s your bag?”
“Oh, I’m just going to take this,” I say, showing him my wristlet. “It can carry everything I’ll need, including my phone.”
Liam looks at the floor. “I thought you were going to stay with me.”
“Oh.” I knew we’re shopping for a bed, but I didn’t realize that meant I was staying there tonight. “You want me to stay with you tonight?”
“Every night, beautiful girl, but I’ll take what I can get. It’s just …” Liam rubs his hand on the back of his neck. “I really just want to fall asleep with you in my arms and wake up the same way. I promise nothing else will happen, I just want that, with you. Last night, I laid awake in bed, knowing you were sleeping next to Aiden. I need you with me tonight.”
Wow. “Okay, let me pack a few things.” I rush around grabbing clean underwear, a pair of shorts, and a tank. I throw in my cell charger, as well as my bathroom necessities. When I’m ready to leave, Liam’s by my side, taking my tote out of my hands, throwing it over his shoulder. He locks the door to my dorm, laces his fingers through mine, and we’re on our way.
The day is amazing. Liam buys the first futon he sees at the furniture store and arranges for delivery today at four. He claims when he tells his parents it’s for Hailey they won’t blink at the credit card statement. He calls Aiden to make sure he’s going to be home to accept the delivery. We go to Walmart and buy a new futon cover along with extra blankets and pillows. Liam insisted I pick up my brand of shampoo and body wash to keep at his place, as well as my own loofa. We also pick up some groceries and a few items Aiden asked us to pick up. We grab Subway for lunch and eat it at the park.
Throughout the day, Liam’s constantly touching me. Holding my hand, his arm over my shoulder, hands on my hips when he’s standing behind me, hand on the small of my back, leading me through doorways. I’m on sensory overload.
When we arrive at his apartment, he calls Aiden to help carry in the loot. I, of course, am not allowed to help. I a
m, however, allowed to hold the door open and supervise. Ugh. He needs to realize I’ve been taking care of myself and Gran for a long time. When I tell him so he says that ‘it’s his privilege to take care of me now.’ I have no response to that.
“What the hell did you guys buy?” Aiden asks us as he and Liam set the last of the bags on the kitchen counter.
“Just some food and new blankets and pillows for the futon, and I had Allie pick up the shampoo and body wash she likes for when she stays here. This way she doesn’t have to pack it each time or rush home.” He winks in my direction.
“I see,” is all Aiden says in reply. It’s obvious he’s having a hard time adjusting to my relationship with Liam, unlike Hailey, she’s thrilled. “By the way, what’s with the futon purchase?” he asks, motioning to the living room where the recently delivered futon is set up in the corner.
Liam shrugs. “Hales and Blitzen spend the night a lot, and now Allie does too,” he says as he’s pressing his front to my back and wrapping his arms around my waist. “I wanted to make sure everyone has a comfortable place to sleep, preferably without my little sister being shacked up with you or Blitzen.”
I can tell Aiden is goading Liam by the look in his eyes “What’s wrong with how we’ve been doing things? Allison with me, Hales with you, and Blitzen on the couch?” I can see the effort it’s taking him not to laugh.
Liam growls. “Allison will be sleeping with me, in my bed from now on. There will be no exceptions. The futon is for Hales. Blitzen and whoever else can fight over the couch, but Allison will be with me.”
Aiden throws his head back and roars with laughter. It takes him a few minutes to get himself under control while Liam glares at him. I stand here with a smile on my face only Aiden can see. Liam grabs our personal supplies and pulls me into his bedroom and shuts the door. He drops my tote on the bed. “The top two drawers are yours. I cleaned them out this morning when I got back. If you need more space, let me know.” He places a kiss on my temple and carries the rest of our supplies to his adjacent bathroom. And here I stand with a silly grin on my face.
Chapter 20
Liam
When I come out of the bathroom, Allison is still standing in the same spot. “What’s wrong, babe?”
“You made room for my stuff in your dresser?” she asks me, like it’s the craziest thing she’s ever heard.
Everyone seems to be really shocked with me the last few weeks. I’ve never wanted a girlfriend before Allison. It wasn’t necessarily because I was against it, no girl had ever held my attention long enough to want to try, until Allison. All I could see was football. It’s only been less than twenty-four hours since she agreed to be with me and instead of the panic I was afraid would set in, it’s excitement. I rushed home after dropping her off and immediately cleared out my top two dresser drawers for her. I then cleaned out a drawer in the bathroom, as well as a shelf in the bathroom closet. The thought of her spending that much time here with me brings a smile to my face. The only other thing that’s ever done that is football.
“Yeah, I also have a drawer and a shelf for you in the bathroom, that’s where I put all of your toiletry stuff.” By this time, I’m standing beside her, and I lift her chin with my forefinger, so she’s looking me in the eye. “I want you, I want you here. This is all new to me, these feelings and this need I have for you. Just knowing your stuff is mixed with mine makes me happy. I’m going to give this everything I have, Allison.” I kiss her nose and walk away because if I don’t I’ll have her under me on my bed in no time flat.
“So, what do you want to do tonight?” I ask as I sit down on the bed. Before Allison can respond, there’s a knock on my bedroom door and Aiden pops his head in.
“Dude, what the fuck? What if Allison would have been changing or something? You can’t just walk in without permission anymore, man,” I growl at him.
Aiden just chuckles. “Chill out, I’ll wait for an invitation in the future.”
“Damn right, you will.”
“Anyway,” he rolls his eyes, “I just wanted to let you guys know Blitzen and a few of the guys are coming over later to play cards and watch movies.”
Allison steps between my legs and places her arms around my neck. My hands instantly reach for her hips. “I guess we have our answer.” She smiles down at me. My girl is beautiful.
I shake my head. “We can do anything you want. We don’t have to stay here, or we can just lock ourselves in my room. I don’t care either way, just as long as you’re close to me.”
Aiden clears his throat behind us. “All righty then. I’ll let you two get back to what you were doing. Oh, and, Ash, I talked to Mom, and she spent the afternoon with Gran. She said Gran’s doing well.” He winks at us and leaves the room.
I rest my forehead on her belly as she runs her hands through my hair. “Liam, really, we can do whatever you want. I just want to spend time with you. These last twenty-four hours have been amazing, and I’m not ready for it to end yet.”
I tug her down on my lap and tuck her hair behind her ear. “Baby, I don’t want this to end either. I fought my attraction for you. No, attraction isn’t the right word, more like longing. I fought this longing I’ve had for you since the day we met. When I said that I wanted to take a chance and be in this relationship with you, I meant it,” I pause to kiss her, “but now that I’ve had this time with you, with you being mine, and us being together like we have,” I kiss her again, I just can’t help myself, “I never want it to end. It’s not even been twenty-four hours and I know it’s only you.” She kisses me.
Allison backs away from our kiss, stands up, and walks to the door. I start to panic that I’ve scared her away, but when I see her push the door shut and turn the lock, I know she feels the same way. I scoot back against the headboard, hoping she’ll curl up beside me, so I can hold her. Never had those thoughts before, MacCoy.
My beautiful girlfriend has other plans. She climbs up on the bed and straddles my hips, crushing her mouth to mine. Once again, the taste and feel of her consumes my senses. She opens her mouth and my tongue meets hers stroke for stroke. She places her hands on my shoulders and begins to rock back and forth against my erection. She’s slow, and hesitant at first. A few minutes in I can tell she’s feeling it, and starting to let go. I can feel her heat through our clothes, clothes I’m currently cursing and blessing at the same time. I don’t want to rush her, but I would give anything to be inside of her. I’m a fucking mess.
“Liam,” she moans against my lips, and my hands instantly brace her hips, assisting her with her release. I want to give this to her, giving her pleasure is all that matters. I know that she’s new to all of this, so we need to take our time. However, this I can give her. Allison moans and breaks away from our kiss. I can tell she’s getting close, and so am I. Watching my beautiful girl bring herself to orgasm by simply kissing me and rocking her hips against mine, is making me feel like a thirteen-year-old boy again.
“Let go, baby.” I continue to guide her hips back and forth over my erection. Fuck, I’m not sure I’m going to last much longer.
Allison arches her back, and I can feel her body shudder, just as I throw my head back with her name on my lips. I reach for her and draw her close to me, crushing her chest to mine as I kiss the top of her head.
Allison is quiet and still in my arms. After several minutes of silence, I hear her soft voice. “I’m sorry.”
What? “Sorry for what, baby?” I have no idea what she’s apologizing for; she’s responsible for the hottest, most erotic event in my life, and she’s apologizing.
“For that, I shouldn’t have attacked you like I did. It’s just you were being so sweet and well, I wanted to be as close to you as possible.”
“Allie.” I wait for her to look at me, but she doesn’t. “Allie, baby, look at me please.” She slowly sits up on the bed and meets my gaze. “You’re not allowed to be sorry for what we did. What we just did was hot and sexy, and hot.
” I clasp her face with both hands. “You’re beautiful, sexy, amazing, and mine. You make me feel things I’ve never felt, and it’s euphoric, almost as much as the orgasm you just gave me.” I wink at her.
“Did—did you?” She blushes at the words she’s trying to say.
“Yes, beautiful girl, I just got off in my pants because my sexy as fuck girlfriend was driving me crazy.” I laugh “You’re turning me back into my thirteen-year-old self,” I voice my earlier thoughts.
She giggles, and it’s the most beautiful sound I’ve ever heard. I kiss her partly because I can’t keep my hands off her and partly because I can. She’s mine, and I don’t have to fight these feelings anymore. I’m starting to get uncomfortable with the mess in my pants; I’m certain she has the same problem.
“Allison, do you trust me?” I ask as I draw myself away from her lips.
She nods. “Yes, Liam, I trust you.”
“Well, I need to clean up, and I’m sure you do too. I thought maybe you could take a shower with me? I promise I’ll be good, I just…”
“Yes,” she replies as she tugs me off the bed. There is not a single ounce of hesitation in her voice. The trust she’s giving me is humbling.
Stunned, I’m stunned. Yeah, I asked her, and I wanted her to say yes, but in reality, I knew, well, I thought I knew, her saying yes was a long shot. I let Allison lead me to the bathroom. I can feel her hand trembling in mine.
“Allie, you don’t have to do this. I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have asked.” I brush my thumb over her knuckles, trying to soothe her.
“I trust you, Liam. I don’t feel pressured. I’m just nervous and worried, I guess.”
I pick her up and set her on the counter. “What’s going on in that head of yours?” I step between her legs and run my hands up and down her arms.
“I’ve never been naked in front of a guy before, or anyone really, not since I was a little girl. What if I disappoint you?”
