Looking around through the display cases, I see the traditional foods like soda bread, cheesecake infused with Baileys, brioche bread and butter pudding, poke cake, apple cake with a custard topping, chocolate pots, chocolate Guinness cake, and shortbread. “What happens to the stuff you don’t sell?” I ask, being a nosy bastard.
“Eh, well . . . I toss it in the trash out back. Advertising states we bake daily, so I do!” She chuckles, looking a little awkward as she speaks.
“Alright then, I’ll take everything. Just do me a favor and let me buy a couple of servings of the bread pudding for you and your kid. I’m sure eating some pudding with his mum will be sure to lift his spirits.”
The woman smiles. “Oh, Mr. Mackenzie you don’t have to do that.” Everyone in this town knows who I am, and considering the woman seemed happy to see me, I’d say we’re doing a good job.
“It’s not about having to do it. I want to. Now, c’mon. You’d better hurry up or you’ll be late,” I say, watching her rush around to get all our treats ready. Caprice stands next to me, smirking like I’m some sort of fairytale prince. I hate to disappoint her, but while I do nice things on occasion, I have an enormous amount of dark decisions that offset them.
“You seem to surprise me at every twist and turn, Liam Mackenzie,” she coos.
I bring my hand to the side of her face and push back a stray piece of hair. I know I’m the type of man who I used to make fun of while walking the streets of Dublin. The ones who’d be staring at their girl, making it seem like they were their entire world. Until now, I didn’t know what that feeling felt like.
Until now, I didn’t know what falling in love felt like— not in an authentic way at least.
The woman behind the counter gets our treats boxed up and I pay for them, sliding her a decent sized tip. Everyone has a rough day and considering I’m in a position to help people, I will. Caprice and I each grab a box and head out the door.
I feel like we’re stuck in some romantic comedy because the crackling of lightning comes down just as quickly as the downpour. Caprice lets out a scream, running across the street back to the safety of the hotel and I follow suit.
I feel like we’ve both forgotten about who we are, and the responsibilities that come with it. More than that, she isn’t allowing any part of her past to haunt her at this moment. She’s free, darting a few feet ahead of me back into the hotel. We both go through the lobby and instead of heading in the direction of the ballroom we go down the hallway to where the signs directing us to the elevator lead us.
I’m standing here watching her for a good few moments before the elevator doors open, unleashing a mass of people upon us. Caprice’s curls are soaked, making her look like one of those hot women in the girls' locker room after rinsing off.
My cock is growing harder by the moment, so I adjust myself as we walk into the elevator, making sure she doesn’t see the type of hold she has on me. I stay behind her, leaning my back along the gold bar. The tile on the floor is in a weaved pattern, reminding you of the way a basket is weaved. I position the box next to me, the bar helping me hold it up. All I can do is stare at her, the way the crystals on her dress sparkle in the lights. Everything feels magnified like I can see every water droplet from the rain sliding down her.
Caprice turns, giving me the thirst-filled look I’ve been wanting from her for days now. It eases my worries in a sense. Evidently, she desires me in the same way. “Liam,” her voice spills through her lips in a hushed whisper, almost like she’s afraid.
I tread toward her, not bothering to give a flying fuck as I hear the box fall to the floor. The only thing that matters right now is her. She backs up slowly until her shoulder blades are digging into the metal doors. “Cad a theastaíonn uait, mo chloch lómhar?” I growl out my question, asking what my precious stone desires.
“Goodness, I don’t know what you’re saying. You could say I smell like a pig and I’d still be losing my mind over you.”
I chuckle lowly, bringing my lips further against her ear. “I’ll make it easier for you. What is it you want, darling?” She may not realize it, but the way she answers this question will set the foundation for whatever is coming.
Pulling myself back, I want to stare in her eyes, to see her body language fully. Last time she hid her fear from me, encouraging me she wanted to move forward. I won’t allow her to make a decision she isn’t ready for.
“Liam, I want us.”
Motherfucker. I was prepared for a lot of answers, but not this one. I slam my hand against the emergency stop button on the elevator, crashing my lips down onto hers as my hands caress down her sides, stopping at her hips.
Caprice breathes in and out heavily, matching my own pace. “So much for going slow,” I growl against her lips with a chuckle slipping out at the end.
“Shut up and fuck me,” she hisses. Snaking her hand around the back of my neck, she pulls me closer. Fuck, I could bust a load right now.
I sink down slowly, leaving small chaste kisses against her jaw bone, down to where her cleavage is revealed until I can reach the bottom of her dress and pull it up. “Jesus, is this chainmail?” The dress didn’t feel this heavy at the store.
“Oh, complaining because you have to work for it?” She laughs as I rise with that same sparkle in her eye.
There’s not an ounce of fear within her. I don’t know what’s changed over the last few days, but I’ll take it. Caprice doesn’t have anything to be afraid of. Not with me, or the Mackenzie family. She’s one of us and I’ll remind her of it every day I can.
Typically, I’d want to feel every inch of her naked skin touching my own. Although considering we’re acting like horned up teenagers in an elevator, I’ll have to be satisfied with unzipping my trousers. Pulling my cock free, I stare into Caprice’s eyes. Last time, this is when she was afraid. I look deeply and still don’t see anything to be worried about.
“I’ve had dreams about us like this, you know,” I confess, placing my nose right next to hers, I thrust my hips forward, sliding my cock against the lips of her pussy. It appears she wants me just as badly as I want her.
“I had no idea,”
“Mhm, I saw you like this. Looking up at me with needy eyes, biting your lip.”
I slide my hands under Caprice’s legs and lift her up by her ass, brushing her lips against the head of my cock. Fuck, she’s slippery. “Is peaca thú. Fuck, Caprice,” I hiss, telling her she’s a sin.
I can’t hold back anymore. I need to feel her walls wrapped around me, and with one movement I bring her down on my cock, easing her in. “Oh my God!” she moans, tossing her head back.
Rocking back and forth, I pick up the pace, removing my left hand as I fuck her up against the elevator doors. I move my mouth to the nape of her neck, sucking her skin in between my teeth. Caprice belongs to me, so I’ll make sure she wears a mark to prove it.
I want nothing more than to strip her completely down, suckle her breasts into my mouth and show her the things no other man ever has. Instead of having negative feelings in regards to sex, I want her to crave it like a drug. Fuck, I want her to crave me like a drug. If I’m certain of anything, she’s an addiction in itself.
“Liam, oh my . . . ” she moans softly, digging her nails into my back. Her walls close in around my cock and I’m only a few thrusts away from releasing myself within her. From the way she sounds, she’s unraveling as well.
I bring my head away from her neck, putting my lips over hers in a hungry kiss. I want to feel her tongue dancing with mine as I come inside her, to feel the way her body loosens up and comes undone. I could be a God damned Incubus for all I know.
Increasing my speed, I slam my cock into her pussy so hard I feel my balls give me an extra push. “Liam!” she screams into my mouth at the same moment she floods my cock with her come.
“Fuck, baby,” I hiss, allowing myself to fill up inside her.
A moment of silence passes us by before a voice c
omes through in the elevator. “Er . . . Mr. Mackenzie, we’d ask you ever so kindly to please exit the elevator since you’re not in any . . . um . . . immediate danger.”
33
“Be cautious with lust. Paired with good timing and a few sentimental words it regularly transforms into love.”
~ C.J. Thompson
Caprice
Putting my arms out in front of me, I stretch, opening my eyes slowly. Much to my surprise, Liam isn’t in bed anymore. The moment we got off the elevator, we both burst into laughter. That was of course after I turned beet red from embarrassment. Nothing like having a camera in the elevator you didn’t notice . . . meanwhile, you gave the staff of the hotel quite a show.
Liam and I had talked about taking things slow, but it all went out the window. I don’t know why. If it was the way he defended my honor in front of my father which might’ve been the hottest thing I’ve ever seen, or if it was the way he looked at me when we were at dinner. When he was so determined to make sure I was doing something I loved every day. I doubted his intentions when we first met, however . . . I see him for what he is— a beautiful soul.
I find myself slowly falling in love with Liam and it’s the most terrifying feeling I’ve ever experienced in my life.
Sometimes I wonder if he feels the same way, or if I’m just a piece of ass. I’d love to think he’s getting the same feelings, but there’s no way for me to know.
“You hungry?” he asks from the other side of the room.
I turn to see him sitting down at a small round table with a white cloth over it and two metal covers over dishes. I rise in nothing but my birthday suit. The elevator wasn’t the only time we had sex last night. We spent quite a few hours getting more acquainted with one another’s bodies. Hot and heavy to slow and sensual, I think we experienced it all.
Because of my past, I was afraid of sex. More importantly, of intimacy. It’s because I didn’t know what intimacy was. I’d only experienced brute, disgusting need. Through the course of the night, I can honestly say I know what it’s like to be made over by a man.
I go over to Liam, taking the seat across from him. He uncovers the plate and reveals toast, eggs, and bacon. There’s a cup of coffee there as well. I pick the coffee up and take a sip, allowing the strong taste of the coffee beans to flood over my senses.
“Your expression is adorable.”
“What do you mean?”
Liam shrugs. “You just look like you’re having an orgasm over coffee.”
“I might be. You exhausted me.”
He chuckles, turning a little red in his cheeks. “Well, I hope you get used to feeling exhausted.”
“Why should I get used to it?” I tease, shoving half a piece of toast into my mouth. I don’t care if I look like a pig right now. I’m famished.
“Because I plan on doing all of that, over and over again.”
Now I’m the one blushing, feeling the heat rise to my cheeks. “I wouldn’t be opposed to it,” I confess, trying to keep my inner bitch in check.
“I’m glad to hear it,” Liam cackles, looking down at his watch. He furrows his eyebrows. “Fuck. I need to get going. I have a meeting in Swords I’ll be late for if I don’t leave in a minute.” Liam rises from his chair, already dressed from being a damn early bird and presses his lips against mine. “Caprice, Táim ag titim i ngrá leat, lómhar.” He changes from English to the language he’s always speaking. His words come out in a rugged, breathy tone causing me to think there was some meaning behind what he said.
“What did you say?”
Liam gives me a half-smile. “I’ll tell you later. Malone is going to come take you back to the house. Stay here in the room. He’ll have a keycard to let himself in. I don’t want you leaving the hotel room when we don’t know what the hell your father and Sergei are up to. Malone should be here in two hours.”
I nod. “You got it.”
Liam is quick to get out the door and go to his meeting. I realize I didn’t bring any additional clothes and almost freak out when I notice a bag on the couch. Liam is quite the thoughtful man. I go into the bathroom and take a relaxing shower considering I have a bit of time.
I sink further down into the tub, allowing the warmth of the water to comfort me. I’m a bit achy from how much Liam and I fooled around last night. Closing my eyes, I doze off a teeny bit but am shocked awake at the pressure being forced down against my shoulders.
When I open my eyes, I see a distorted view of one of the men who I’m supposed to be protected from. I’m only left with two thoughts— how am I supposed to get out from under this water, and how the hell did Sergei get in my hotel room?
34
“When the right spirit walks in, the wrong spirit gets nervous.”
~ Enlightened Consciousness
Liam
I barely missed getting hit by another batch of rain on my way into the small café I’m meeting Emilio in. As soon as I saw an open table with a bit of privacy I walked over, sat down and proceeded to look at the menu. I’m not too hungry, but I could go for some coffee and some sort of semi-sweet pastry.
Every time someone approaches the doors, I look up to see if Emilio has arrived. Turning my wrist, I see he’s ten minutes late which isn’t like him. He’s one of those annoying individuals who are always fifteen minutes early to everything.
My phone vibrates on the small wooden table in front of me. Choosing to ignore it, I keep looking over the menu since I’ve never been to this particular café. The vibrations stop but then start back up again.
Frustrated, I pick it up off the table and put it to my ear. “Yes?” I growl, already aggravated with whoever it is on the other line.
“Liam, I apologize, however, I can’t make it to meet you. It’s not safe,” Emilio shoots out, sounding nervous as all hell. You know when people talk so fast you naturally assume they’re on drugs? It’s how Emilio sounds right now. Knowing him, he wouldn’t ever touch that stuff.
“What’s going on, friend? You sound shaken.”
“Volkolv found out about what I was doing for your family. He knows, Liam.”
I furrow my brows, not sure what he’s referring to. I don’t even know why Emilio is bringing up Volkolv in the first place. Those two shouldn’t ever cross paths. “What are you talking about?”
“I tried getting in touch with your father, but he hasn’t been answering his phone. I’m sorry to come to you. I should be going to your father since he was the one who gave me the assignment . . . but if I don’t tell you what I’ve discovered, you two may not see the threat headed your way.”
“Alright. Now, will you tell me what’s got you so rattled? Start from the beginning.”
“Yes, of course. Your father sent me to Los Angeles to conduct surveillance on the twins. I saw something I never expected. Liam, Greer was just given an amazing opportunity with an investment backing, but you’ll never guess who works for her investor.” Greer graduated with her degree in fashion design and management about a year ago if I’m correct. I never ask too much about her because it upsets our father, but she’d been interning for another designer. I had no idea she wanted to start her own line.
“When the hell did you start running surveillance?” I ask, baffled this was kept from me. Emilio worked on our estate feeding the fucking horses. What the hell is he doing halfway across the world watching my sisters?
“Five months ago. I’m certain your father will bring you up to speed, but he’d been getting anonymous threats against Greer’s and Sloane’s lives. Instead of hiring a company that he didn’t trust, he sent me. Luca had been training me for months beforehand. Working as a stable hand was only a front for the last bit of time.”
Well, there’s my explanation. “Okay, somehow I feel as though you haven’t told me what you’ve discovered.”
“Correct. I apologize. I haven’t been this nervous in quite some time. The Russians . . . they’re everywhere, Liam. Los Angeles, here in Ireland . .
. I don’t know what Volkolv is planning, but from what I’ve witnessed, I believe he’s trying to get his son close to Greer. He works as legal counsel for her investor.”
“I’m sorry. What?”
“Aleksandr Volkolv is the legal counsel for the couple who have decided to invest in your sister's designs. From the intel I’ve gathered, they want to steamroll the start of her career. I was able to hack into their system and get the contracts. They’ll own fifty-one percent of her company, while she’ll have the remaining forty-nine percent. Although it states clearly in the contracts that they have silent investors who help bring capital to their company and because of privacy reasons, they can’t name who the other investors are. Liam, I saw Volkolv meeting with the couple.”
“Aleksandr? I assume he would, he works for them.”
“No, Valentin. I believe Aleksandr doesn’t know anything about his father’s involvement with the company.”
“Why would you say that?” I ask, obviously missing something.
“I broke into Aleksandr’s apartment when he and Aleksei were gone. He left his phone behind so I cloned it and have been able to read his text messages. To say he and his father are on the outs is a dramatic understatement. In one of the texts, Aleksandr asks when he’ll be meeting with his father. Valentin lied to him. He said he was in New York. Now, why would a father lie to his son unless there was something to hide?”
I nod. “True. It raises a red flag.”
“Aleksandr has been getting extremely close to your sister, Liam. It makes me uncomfortable. I can’t help but feel like this is some elaborate plan Volkolv organized.”
“It doesn’t sound out of character. He’ll do everything he can to get back at my family for what happened with my father and mum.”
Forbidden Love: Book 1 in the Mackenzie Series (Leave Me Breathless World) Page 13
