Forty-Four
FORTY-FOUR
LIAM
I wake to the softest sensation—a warmth pressing against my chest, the faint tickle of hair brushing against my skin, and a featherlight press of lips to my neck. For a moment, I think I’m still dreaming, but the weight of her body curled against mine and the quiet sound of her breathing pulls me into reality. I groan softly, my hand instinctively sliding to her back, holding her closer.
Sophie.
She’s snuggling closer, her leg hooking over mine, her arm slipping around my waist as she kisses the same spot again, this time lingering a little longer. My heart stirs before my eyes even fully open, her presence weaving its way into every part of me like sunlight seeping into a dark room.
“Mmm, good morning,” I murmur, my voice thick with sleep, wrapping an arm around her. My hand strokes the curve of her back, and I feel her smile against my skin.
“Morning,” she whispers, her voice soft but teasing. Another kiss lands on my neck, followed by a gentle nip that makes my breath hitch.
“You’re trouble,” I say, a grin tugging at my lips as I open my eyes to find her looking up at me, her blue eyes glowing with warmth and mischief.
“I thought you liked a little trouble,” she teases, her fingers lightly tracing patterns on my chest.
“I like you ,” I counter, pulling her closer, burying my face in her hair and breathing her in. “This is the best way to wake up, Sunshine.”
“Let’s make it better,” she whispers, her lips brushing against my jaw. She shifts, moving to straddle me, her thighs pressing against my hips. Her hair cascades around us like a curtain, her lips capturing mine in a slow, searing kiss. The heat of her presses against me, and I feel her smile against my mouth.
She sits up, her hands splaying across my chest as she grinds down, her ass rolling against my already rock-hard cock. A groan escapes me, rough and primal. “Sophie,” I growl, gripping her hips, “don’t start something you can’t finish.”
Her laugh is light, teasing. She tilts her head, her hips rotating again in a way that sends a jolt of pleasure through me. “Who says I’m not finishing?” she taunts, her smile wicked.
My hand moves, brushing her hair from her face as I lean up, about to capture her lips again, but she stops me. Her eyes land on my knuckles, red and cracked, a stark reminder of the night before.
Her hips stop grinding abruptly, her gaze locking on my hand. “What happened?” she asks. She reaches for my hand, her fingers gentle, but I pull away instinctively, flipping her onto her back in one swift motion.
A surprised yelp leaves her lips, quickly replaced by a moan as I dive down, my lips finding the sensitive spot where her neck meets her shoulder. I kiss it slowly, deliberately, before sucking on her skin, eliciting another moan that sends my blood racing.
“Tell me,” she demands, her voice breathless but firm, her hands tangling in my hair. “What happened?”
“Nothing,” I murmur against her skin, the vibration of my voice drawing a shiver from her. I trail kisses along her collarbone, my hands roaming her sides.
“Liam,” she insists, pulling my face up to hers. I take her mouth in a deep kiss, cutting off her words, and when I pull back, I meet her gaze, fierce and full of worry.
“I don’t…” I kiss her jaw.
“Want to…” Another kiss.
“Talk about…” my lips trail back to hers, “that now.” I bite her lower lip, pulling it between my teeth, then let it go as I whisper, “Right now, I only want to think about making you scream my name.”
My hand moves down, caressing every curve of her body, savoring the way she arches into me, her breath hitching with every touch. When I reach the hem of her pajama shorts, my mouth still devouring hers, I slip my hand inside, finding her wet exactly where I want it.
She moans into my mouth, the sound sending a rush of fire straight through me.
“So wet and ready for me, aren't you, Sunshine?” I murmur against her lips. She nods, her hands gripping my shoulders as she moves with my rhythm.
“Mmm, you want it that bad, don’t you?” I tease, my fingers slide up and down coating her in her own want, teasing her entrance but not quite pushing inside just yet. Her breath stutters, and she nods again, desperate.
I tsk, pulling back just enough to make her look at me. “With your words, Sunshine.”
“Yes,” she gasps, her voice trembling with need.
“Yes, what?” I demand, pressing my thumb against her clit in a slow circle.
“I want it—I want you that bad,” she whimpers, her cheeks flushed, her body pressing against my hand.
That’s all I need to hear. I push two fingers inside her, her tight cunt gripping me like a vice. The sound that escapes her lips is pure sin, a moan so raw it makes my already rock-hard cock throb painfully.
How I get even harder, I don’t know. But she always does this to me. Always.
I move my fingers, and her hips buck in the same rhythm. Her nails dig into my shoulders, and I can feel her thighs trembling on either side of me as I press deeper, harder, my mouth returning to hers to swallow every gasp, every moan.
Her hips begin moving in sync with my rhythm, her wetness coating my fingers, the sounds of her pleasure driving me insane. My thumb circles her clit again, applying just the right amount of pressure, and her head falls back against the pillow, her body arching beautifully into me.
Her moans grow louder, uncontrollable, filling the room with a melody I could live in forever. But the thin walls remind me she shares an apartment with Adeline. I cover her mouth with my free hand, muffling the sinful sounds spilling from her lips, and lean in close, my voice rough and low in her ear.
“Sunshine,” I rasp, my fingers plunging deeper, curling to hit her G-Spot, making her tremble. “As much as I love hearing you, we’re about two seconds away from having an audience.”
Her muffled laugh vibrates against my palm before it morphs into a gasp as her body clenches around my fingers, her pleasure surging. I watch her, utterly captivated, as her eyes flutter closed, lost in the moment.
I lower my hand slightly, her lips brushing against my palm as she whispers breathlessly, “Liam…”
“That's it,” I groan, my own control hanging by a thread. “Let go for me, Sunshine.”
And she does. Her body shakes beneath me, waves of pleasure wracking her as she bites down softly on my hand to stifle her cries. It’s enough to nearly push me over the edge, the sight of her coming undone for me searing itself into my memory.
Her hips jerk as her climax peaks, her nails digging into my shoulders, her body arching so perfectly it takes everything in me not to bury myself inside her right then and there.
“Beautiful,” I murmur, my voice thick with desire, pulling my hand away from her mouth to cradle her flushed cheek. Her eyes flutter open, hazy with satisfaction, and a lazy, satisfied smile tugs at her lips. She’s breathtaking, completely spent, yet utterly radiant.
She moves to sit up, her eyes gleaming mischievously. “It’s your turn now,” she whispers, her voice thick with promise as her fingers trail teasingly down my chest.
Before I can respond, a loud knock echoes through the room, shattering the moment.
“Hey, guys, sorry to bother you!” Adeline’s voice calls out, far too chipper, given the circumstances. “I really didn’t want to interrupt, but?—”
Another voice murmurs something unintelligible behind her, and then she hisses, “No, Lucas! Stop. They’re probably—no, you tell them. I don’t want to—hey, what are you?—”
The door swings open, and there stands my brother, Lucas. Interrupting us…again.
In an instant, I move to cover Sophie with the sheets, and she bursts into uncontrollable laughter, pulling a pillow over her face while I glare daggers at Lucas, who looks far too smug for my liking.
“I’m going to kill you,” I growl, my frustration mounting.
Lucas raises an eyebrow, clearly unbothered. “Trust me, this wasn’t my first choice of things to do today. I’d much rather not have this scene etched into my mind for eternity. But you made your decision and the photographer is ready.”
Sophie peeks out from under the pillow, her face flushed from embarrassment and laughter. “Photographer?” she manages between awkward giggles.
Lucas points toward the living room. “Yes, photographer. And there’s a makeup artist and hairstylist waiting for you. Your wardrobe is laid out.”
He turns to leave, pausing at the door to glance over his shoulder. “And Liam? Before you head out, maybe take a shower. You smell like,” he smirks, “a very…productive morning.”
The door shuts behind him, and I swear under my breath, staring at the spot where he stood.
Sophie is still laughing, her body shaking with mirth as she sits up, her hair a mess and her cheeks glowing. “That was…mortifying.”
“You think?” I mutter, but the sight of her like this—so carefree and unbothered—makes it hard to stay mad. Instead, I lean in, pressing a kiss to her bare shoulder. “He’s lucky we actually have to leave. Otherwise, he’d be a dead man.”
“Come on,” she teases, nudging me with her foot. “Let’s make ourselves presentable before your brother has an aneurysm.”