The Story of Killian & Liri (Cruel Love Book 1)

by Glenna Maynard

  Noelle calls to check on the girls, and I put them on speaker phone so they can both hear her. Once that is over, I call in our pizza. By the time it is delivered Hope has fallen asleep and Killian gets her tucked into her bed. Sadie wants nothing to do with bed time and by ten thirty she is still going strong. Killian has read her two different stories, and I think he is exhausted and on the verge of passing out himself. She makes it for another fifteen minutes before she finally closes her eyes.

  We tiptoe out of her room and pray neither of them wake up.

  I collapse on the couch next to my boyfriend and let out a yawn.

  “You owe me big time for this,” he reminds me.

  “You had fun. Admit it.”

  “I did but I am damn tired, and we still have to drive home.”

  “Ugh don’t remind me,” I groan and lay my head on his shoulder.

  The next thing I know it’s nearly one a.m. and Noelle and Dillan are waking us up when they arrive home.

  “I’m so sorry. We meant to be home sooner.”

  “No, we didn’t. Don’t let her lie to ya,” Dillan jokes.

  “You guys are welcome to stay in the guest room,” Noelle offers.

  I expect Killian to say no but he accepts the invitation.

  Noelle loans me a set of cat print pajama bottoms with a matching sleep shirt. When Killian sees me, he can’t hold back his laughter. “Damn, baby. I thought your leggings were ugly, but these are…wow. I don’t think I will be able to keep my hand off you.”

  “Shut up.” I turn off the light and climb into bed. I lay on my side facing away from him.

  “Are you pouting.” His fingers tickles my ribs.

  “Stop. I’m trying to go back to sleep.”

  “I need you.” Killian slips his hand down my pants.

  I squirm and roll away from him. “I am not sleeping with you. Your nieces are in the next room and your brother and Noelle are down the hall.”

  “You think they aren’t fucking?”

  “Oh. My. God. I do not want to think about that.”

  “C’mere.” His hot breath blows over my ear and I shiver. “I’ll be quiet.” He slides closer behind me and kisses my neck, nipping my tender skin with his teeth.

  “I said no.” I smack at him.

  “Please, baby.” Thrusting his hips, he rubs his erection against my backside. His fingernails rake across my belly and down to my panties leaving a trail of fire dancing across my skin in pleasure. “I need inside you.” Those torturous fingers rub over my sensitive nerves. “My girl is always so wet,” his voice is a low hoarse whisper that turns me on. “Let go, Liri.”

  I push my butt into him, and he pulls the bottom half of my clothing down to my knees. The head of his erection prods me from behind. Gripping my shoulder for support he slides into me and my eyes go back in my head. We’ve not done it like this before.

  “Fuck.” Killian bites my neck. “So tight. Always so tight.” His other hand slides to my front and holds me where he wants me. Sliding in and out at a leisurely pace he is punishing me.

  “I’m close,” I whisper.

  “Me too, baby.”

  “Go faster.”

  “Can’t. The bed is already starting to squeak.” I feel a tremble move through him; he’s barely holding onto control by a thread.

  “I don’t care, Killian. Just fuck me.”

  His hand moves to my throat and holds me there with pure possession and I love it. He drives into me relentlessly and when I cry out, he shoves his fingers in my mouth to silence me. Warmth fills me as he reaches his climax.

  “I love you, Liri. I love you so fucking much.” The way he says it sounds as though he is scared to lose me.

  Chapter 45

  Killian

  “Wake up, Uncle Kill. Wake up.” Sadie is jumping on the bed and Hope is standing in the doorway of the guest room.

  “I’m up.” I yawn and look around for Liri.

  “Momma and Auntie Liwee (she pronounces it Leewee) are cooking breakfast at Papaw’s. C’mon.” She grabs my hand and tugs.

  I wipe my eyes. “At Papaw’s.”

  “Pancakes with chocolate chips.” Her eyes are wide with excitement. “That’s Liwee favorite.”

  I didn’t want to like these goobers, but I do. My brother and Noelle did one thing right and that was their girls. “Give Uncle Kill five minutes, okay?”

  I stretch and put my feet on the floor and take a minute to get awake. It feels strange to be here at my brother’s house with Liri, but it is a good weird. I use the bathroom then go into the living room where Dillan is waiting for me with the girls.

  “Thanks for watching them.”

  “We had a good time.” That’s probably the most we have spoken to each other in a friendly nature in years. I follow them to my dad and Susie’s place.

  I stay outside to smoke, and Dillan hangs back and lights up his own cigarette. I never come here either—to my father’s house. “Did you guys set a wedding date?”

  “Yeah, we did. New Year’s Day.”

  “Congratulations.”

  He cups the back of his neck. “Thanks. That means a lot. I wanted to ask you to be my best man. You can say no.” He takes a long hard drag.

  “Seriously? Me? Don’t you have like a buddy or something?”

  “Never mind. Forget it.”

  “I didn’t mean it like that, it’s just we’re not even friends. You don’t even like me.” I bring my cigarette to my lips. I am trying to quit for Liri but being around my family makes me fucking anxious and the nicotine helps.

  “I don’t even know you anymore, but I thought maybe we could start over.”

  “I’ll do it.”

  “You sure?”

  “Yeah. Maybe it’s time we try this whole brother thing again. I am kind of partial to the nickname Uncle Kill.”

  Dillan laughs. “It is a kick ass name. When you have kids, I’ll be Uncle fucking Dill like a god damn pickle.”

  “Don’t hold your breath. I don’t want kids until I’m at least in my mid-thirties if ever.”

  “How’s’ Liri feel about that?”

  “We’ve not gotten that far.”

  “You’ll see. Her hanging around Noelle will give her wedding fever.”

  “God. I hope not.”

  My brother shakes his head. We snuff out our cigarettes and join the family for breakfast.

  Inside the house my father is sitting at the dining room table reading his morning paper. He looks up at me and shoots me a smile. “The women are in the kitchen talking weddings. Enter at your own risk,” he warns.

  “I think I will stay out here where it’s safe.” I pull out a chair and Dillan sits across from me.

  “How’d it go last night with the girls? Did they wear you out?”

  “Naw, they were good. We had fun.”

  “I hope this means we are going to be seeing more of you. Liri too.”

  “Maybe. I do have to step up my best man game.” Dillan and Dad share a look. “What?”

  “Nothing. Just surprised that we didn’t have to con Liri into blackmailing you to agree.”

  “I’m trying.”

  “I know, son. I’m glad.”

  Liri and Noelle come carrying large platters stacked with pancakes and the girls are helping by bringing the whipped topping and fruit. Susie brings a pitcher of orange juice and a pot of coffee. Everyone takes their seat and my father says grace.

  “Dear Lord, we are feeling mighty blessed this morning. I thank you, Lord, for answering my prayer and bringing my family back together. We thank you for this food, the shelter over our heads, and clothes on our back. I thank you for my health and the ability to be here today to experience this. Amen.”

  Liri squeezes my thigh and I let out a breath. It’s hard for me to be here, but I want to try. My family deserves a second chance. I know I need to reach out and repair things with my mother too. I feel guilty though. Liri is at odds with her parents. It doe
sn’t seem fair. She has given up so much for me. Her parents, her friends, and her dorm. I don’t want her making anymore sacrifices to be with me.

  “Since us girls cooked you guys have cleanup, right?” Susie says and Dillan and I both look at her like she’s crazy.

  “Real men do dishes. Remember that,” Liri tells my nieces.

  “Damn she got you there,” my dad laughs, and I do too.

  “Why you gotta call me out like that,” I tell her.

  “Because I can.” She smirks at me then swipes whipped topping on my cheek. It gives me ideas for picking some of that up on the way home and licking it off her body. I have it in mind to drag her out of here, buy some, and take her straight home, strip her down, and lay her out on the counter and devour her.

  “You’re evil.”

  “Like Gina on Pon A Time?” Sadie asks and looks at Liri like she is afraid of her.

  “Gee thanks, Uncle Kill. No, I’m more like an Emma,” I tell her.

  “Oh. I like her.”

  “Me too,” Liri agrees with her. I haven’t the slightest idea who they are talking about.

  We stick around my dad’s for another hour or so after they con us into promising we will come for Thanksgiving. Liri seems to like hanging out with them. I assume she misses her own family, and I start feeling like even more of a dick for the shit that happened with Hayley. Hell, it wasn’t like at the time I thought I would ever date her cousin or become best friends with her future boyfriend who now also hates me. I never saw a Liri in my future or anyone for that matter. I never saw her coming, and now I can’t imagine a life without her in it. Marriage and babies though, I don’t even want to think about that until years down the line.

  I am shocked that it has taken Dillan this long to put a ring on Noelle’s finger. He’s only ever had eyes for her. I never got it until Liri. I understand now why he was always ditching me. If she meant half of what Liri means to me I would have ditched me too.

  Chapter 46

  Liri

  “You feeling okay?”

  “My throat feels sore, and I have a terrible headache.”

  “Can I get you anything?” Killian is fussing over me and it’s sweet.

  “I made a doctor’s appointment for later. The nurse said it could be strep and they’ll do a swab. Which means you’ll have to keep your distance because I could be contagious. Though you probably have it too. Noelle said both Sadie and Hope have been to the doctor.”

  “I feel fine. You and Noelle are talking a lot.”

  “I like her. She’s nice.” We have grown close. I usually work with her at the bar and grill, and we like a lot of the same stuff. She laughed when I told her she was cool for a mom.

  “Do you want some soup, or I can go get you something?”

  “I’m fine. I promise. Shouldn’t you be in class?”

  “You trying to get rid of me?”

  “Never.”

  “What are your plans?”

  “You’re looking at it. I am going to lay here and watch my vampire show until I have to force myself to leave for my appointment at the clinic.”

  “Fine. I’ll leave you to it.” His lips brush over my forehead and he grabs his keys. “Text me after you see the doctor.”

  “I promise,” I rasp, my throat aching with every breath I take.

  Killian leaves for class, and I return to my continued binging of Vampire Diaries. The chemistry between Elena and Damon is hot. All the push and pull. I love it.

  I eventually have to drag myself off the couch to get dressed. I toss my hair up in a messy bun and throw on my rainbow leggings with an oversized hoodie of Killian’s. I keep freezing then burning up. Being sick sucks.

  I get to the clinic and sign in. I fill out the necessary paperwork and return the clipboard to the receptionist. The front door chimes and in parades Jackie of all people. If I wasn’t sick, I would jump up and choke her for the crap she pulled with Killian. I roll my eyes and pick up a magazine.

  “Morning sickness is a real bitch, but just because you’re pregnant it doesn’t mean he will stay with you.”

  “Unlike you I don’t have to get pregnant to get a boyfriend. I can’t help that Killian thinks you’re trash. He told me all about your pathetic attempt to give him a blow job. How desperate and pitiful the whole scene was.” Talking to her hurts my throat, but I’m not going to sit here and listen to her bitchy comments.

  “Did he tell you he was hard, and he hesitated to push me away?” She beams, satisfied with herself when I pale at her words.

  “One day we won’t be in public, Jackie, and when that day comes, I’m going to give you the ass kicking you are so desperately asking for.”

  Her mouth opens and the nurse comes out to call me back before she can reply.

  Turns out I am running a fever and have strep. She didn’t bother with the swab and prescribed me antibiotics. Thank God for small favors because Jackie isn’t in the waiting room when I leave. The clinic filled my prescription in office, so I don’t have to run by the pharmacy. I can go straight home to my spot on the couch and resume my binge-watching ritual.

  I try to slurp down some broth to prevent taking my antibiotic on an empty stomach. I shoot off a quick text to Killian.

  Liri: It’s strep, I just took my antibiotics and had a run in with Jackie. Going to take a nap. Love you.

  Killian: In class talk later. LY2

  I awaken after dark to Killian crouched down by my head caressing my face and moving my hair back. “Hey,” I croak.

  “How you feeling?”

  “Terrible.”

  “Mom made you some of her veggie soup. You need to eat and take more of your meds.”

  I sit up and wipe at my eyes. When I yawn, it is miserably painful. Killian is in the kitchen getting me a bowl of soup. I scroll through my missed notifications. I have some texts from Noelle checking up on me and one from my mother asking if I will be home for Thanksgiving. I should make her stew, but I go ahead and give her my answer.

  Liri: No, I will not be there. I already made plans with Killian’s family. Maybe Christmas.

  Mom: I understand you are upset with us, but Thanksgiving is a family holiday meant to be spent with YOUR family.

  Liri: Not going to argue I am in bed sick with strep throat. Don’t worry, I have been to the doctor and Killian’s mom made me some soup.

  Mom: I would have made you soup had I known.

  I roll my eyes and put my phone on the coffee table. Killian brings me my soup and it’s really good. “Be sure to thank your mom for me. This is really good.”

  “I also came home armed with popsicles, apple sauce, mashed potatoes, ice cream, and more soup.”

  “Maybe I should get sick more often.”

  “That’s not funny, Liri.”

  “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean anything by it. I was only teasing because you are taking such good care me.”

  “I’m sorry, baby it’s not you. Dad got a call and they may need to remove more tissue or something. Mom was telling me about it and it basically sucks, you know.”

  “That’s terrible. I really want to kiss you, but I don’t want to pass my germs off to you.”

  “Nothing could keep me from that mouth of yours.” He give me a peck on the lips. “Now eat up and take your meds. I’m going to run you a bath.”

  “Will you be joining me for this bath?”

  “I’ll keep you company while you soak.”

  I eat what I can of the soup and wash my pills down with water. My stomach makes a horrible rumbling sound. I don’t think my body and the antibiotics agree with one another. I lay back on the couch and close my eyes. I have another chapter due, but I don’t have the energy to do anything and everything is starting to hurt, leading me to wonder if I have the flu too.

  Even my fingernails hurt. I didn’t think that was possible, but I am experiencing it right now.

  “You feel that bad, huh?” Killian takes one look at me and scoops me int
o his arms. I’m hoping he is simply carrying me to bed, but he takes me to the bathroom and sits me on the sink and strips me down for my bath.

  I really do have the best non-boyfriend boyfriend.

  **

  By day three I am starting to feel human again. Killian went above and beyond to get me an extension on my chapter for my creative writing class. He saved me. Apparently, Professor Larson has a soft spot for his witty and charming ways. Exactly like the rest of the female population. He’s off helping Ben with his car or something, so I am eating in the cafeteria alone. That is until I look up and find Hayley standing across from me.

  “Can I sit?”

  “Sure. As long as your pal, Jackie, isn’t going to join us.”

  Hayley drops her tray and it makes a loud noise. “She’s not my pal, but I do have to have someone to hang out with since you ditched me over something stupid.”

  “You lying to me about how well you were acquainted with Killian upsetting me wasn’t stupid.”

  “It was way back in the past.”

  “Whatever. I don’t want to fight.”

  “Good. Mom wanted me to ask you if you’d like to go with her to the home’s dinner for Thanksgiving.”

  “When is it?”

  “Next weekend. They have it early so families can accommodate their schedules to attend.”

  “I’ll think about it.”

  She gives me a dirty look. “It’s not James’ fault he is screwed up. Did your mom ever tell you what sent him spiraling when he wrecked?”

  “No. But she said he hadn’t had contact with me in a year at the time.”

  “Well she lied to you.”

  “What do you mean?” I don’t even know why she is stirring up the past. It won’t change anything.

  “He had been fighting with her for a year for joint custody, but her folks knew the judge well and she always got her way. Finally though, he found someone who would listen and help him with his case. He was awarded supervised visits. He showed up at the park to see you and when you asked who he was she told you he was nobody special. You were afraid of him because it had been so long since you had seen him and it broke his heart that his little girl, the one person he loved in the world didn’t remember him and screamed when he tried to hug her.”