“I can die a fucking happy man now.” He winks before brushing his lips against mine, and I taste myself on him.
“Don’t say that,” I whisper, my breaths still uneven. I’ve given myself plenty of orgasms, but nothing compares to that. To Liam. To his filthy mouth and perfect tongue.
“Well, I mean it.” He cups my face. “I’ve dreamed of doing that again for three years.”
“Yeah? And?” I prompt.
“Worth the wait. Every goddamn second.”
I laugh, blushing. “Your orgasm-giving skills were very satisfactory. You should definitely, definitely do that again.”
“Wait. Only satisfactory?” His offended expression makes me chuckle. “Guess I’ll have to show you how much more satisfying they can be. Much, much more.”
“Look forward to it,” I mock. “Reach outstanding level and you get a prize and a complimentary handjob.”
“You know…” He shakes his head with a smirk. “For someone who’s flushed as hell from what is likely the best orgasm you’ve ever had, you’re quite sassy.”
“Isn’t that what you like most about me?” I swallow, drawing my bottom lip between my teeth.
Liam’s smirk deepens. “It certainly adds to your charm.”
I roll my eyes at his cocky tone. “Your arrogance knows no bounds.”
“Isn’t that what you like most about me?” He quirks a brow.
I snort and push his chest. “I better sneak out of here.” Butterflies invade my stomach at the thought of having to keep this a secret from my sisters, but I know it’s for the best.
“Yeah, you should, or I’ll be tempted to keep you captive in here. Hold you hostage.”
I tilt my head. “And who said romance was dead?”
He chuckles, bringing his mouth to mine and kissing me softly. His hands are in my hair, and I tug at his shirt to bring him as close as possible. I can hardly believe this is happening—I actually did break down his walls. It feels like I’m going to wake up at any moment, and it’ll have all been a dream. Last night, Liam swore he couldn’t tell me everything. Today when he found me snooping through his room, he could’ve told me to get the fuck out, but instead, he opened up. Part of me is shocked he confessed the whole truth, but the other part knows his true heart. Liam cares for me as much as I care for him.
Eventually, we break apart, and Liam palms my face. “I’m so sorry I got us into this mess, but I’ll do everything in my power to protect you.”
I nod with confidence. “I know you will.” Rising on my toes, I press my lips to his once more. Now that I know I can kiss him freely without fear he’ll turn me down, I’m addicted to his taste.
Liam lowers his hand and pats my ass, smirking. “Now get out of here before Sophie and Mason notice you’re up here.”
“Their heads are so far up their wedding planning’s butt, I doubt they’ll even notice I’m missing.”
“Well, let’s not risk it any more than we have to.”
I roll my eyes. “I guess you’re right.”
“But to avoid them from being suspicious, you’re gonna have to be the inappropriate pain in the ass that you usually are.”
“Challenge accepted.”
Chapter Nineteen
Liam
The shift in Maddie’s and my relationship happened so fast, I’m still trying to grasp it. From confessing my marriage to Victoria was arranged to finding Maddie in my room with the picture that changed everything, I refused to let her slip through my fingers again. As much as I should keep her at arm’s length, I can’t stay away anymore. Protecting her from the O’Learys is my top priority, so we’ll have to keep up the façade of just being friends and roommates.
Even though Maddie is five years younger than I am, she holds more compassion and maturity than people much older. Her kindness toward people knows no bounds, and it’s something I’ve always loved about her. It’s why even when she probably wanted to punch Victoria in the face, she held herself together and congratulated us. It’s why I wasn’t worried about Maddie making a big scene when I showed up with a wife. She’d wait until we were behind closed doors or use the passive-aggressive approach and pretend it didn’t bother her at all, which all happened.
The fact Maddie stepped aside for five days even though it did bother her showed me that she knows when and how to react. I hadn’t factored in Sophie chewing me a new one before Maddie did, but I should have. Everything she said was warranted, and I still feel awful that I can’t tell my closest friends the truth.
My intention was to keep Maddie out of my web of lies and keep her as safe as possible, but the moment I saw her face and how terrified she looked holding that photo, I knew I couldn’t keep the truth from her any longer. When I followed Maddie into her room the night before, I was ticked off she went on a date with Officer Douchebag, but the last thing I anticipated was Maddie saying she wanted us to be selfish.