6. Chapter 6
~ELLIE~
So, this is what it feels like to be kissed silly. I’ve daydreamed about it for years. I’ve even had a few men try, but it was never right.
They were never right.
“You’re thinking too hard,” Liam whispers against my lips and then gets back to the serious business of kissing me like his very life depends on it.
He’s kissing me because he’s attracted to me, not just because of my lineage. My body doesn’t seem to be my own as I writhe beneath him, silently urging him for more. What more entails, I’m not exactly sure, but I know I want it.
I push my hands under his shirt and feel the warm, smooth skin of his sides. He groans against my lips, which gives me courage. I let my fingers wander into his pants, cupping his bare bottom under his clothes.
“That’s another lesson for another day,” he mutters and clenches his eyes closed. “Fucking hell, I love your hands.”
I smile and give him a squeeze. “We can combine the lessons.”
His hand glides from my breast, where my nipple is almost painfully hard, and moves down to my hip. My shirt has ridden up, and his thumb brushes light circles over my sensitive skin.
My entire body is on fire from these amazing new sensations.
If merely being kissed and touched feels this good, I can’t even imagine how sex will be with this man.
His lips roam down my jawline to my neck. I can’t stop the gasp that comes when he grazes a sensitive patch of skin. And then he pulls back and smiles down at me.
“You have a dimple right here.” I brush my fingertip over the dent in his cheek. “You don’t smile enough for me to admire it properly.”
“Is that so?”
“It is. You’ve a handsome smile. You should show it more often. You’re quite grumpy.”
“I’m just serious about my job,” he replies. “The head of security detail shouldn’t be seen walking around with a goofy grin on his face.”
“I suppose that would be inappropriate.” I push up to brush my lips over the dimple in his cheek. “Just smile more when we’re alone then.”
“I’ll try to remember.”
“How old were you when you lost your virginity?”
He frowns and sits back, allowing me to sit up and straighten my clothes.
“That’s a personal question.”
“You’ll know the answer to when I lost my virginity before long.” I shrug a shoulder. “I’m curious.”
“I was sixteen,” he says but doesn’t elaborate.
“And how old are you now?”
He glances over and narrows his eyes on me. “Thirty-five.”
I nod slowly. “So, you have nearly twenty years of experience in this arena.”
“I guess so.”
I pick at the blanket beside my knee, trying not to be intimidated by Liam’s vast sexual experience and my lack thereof. It’s silly to be insecure.
“Your brain is going way too fast over there.”
“I haven’t the slightest idea what you mean.”
“Right.” He laughs and pulls me into his lap. His thumb tugs at my lower lip, and I hope with all my might that he’ll kiss me again. “What’s up, Princess?”
“I’m fine.”
He leans in and presses his magical lips against my ear. “Tell me why you suddenly went cold on me, or I’ll spank your royal ass.”
I jump back with a gasp of surprise. “I beg your pardon?”
“You heard me.” He brushes his nose over mine. The move melts me. “What’s wrong?”
“You’ve a lot of experience.”
“Yes, I have some. But I’m not super easy or anything.”
His lips twitch, and I know he’s trying to lighten the mood.
“I’m just a silly girl compared to you.”
“You’re not a girl,” he replies, all humor gone from his eyes. “Your body, your mind, they are all woman. And you’re in control here, don’t forget that. If you’re uncomfortable, or if you want to stop, all you have to do is say so. Every minute of every day.”
“I don’t want to stop. I’m not uncomfortable. I don’t know why I’m suddenly concerned at all.”
“I told you, I’m older than you. Ten years is a long time to gather additional life experience.”
I nod. He’s right, ten years is a long time. “It doesn’t bother me, really.”
“How do you feel?”
“Brilliant, actually.” I lay my head on his shoulder. “This is nice. Quiet and secluded. I feel safe.”
“You’re always safe with me,” he promises and kisses the top of my head. “We should probably get back. I have some reports to write up.”
“Do you have a laptop?” I ask him.
“Yes.”
“Why don’t you bring it up to my apartment, and we can both work at the same time. You’re supposed to be guarding me anyway.”
“If I didn’t know better, I’d say you’re trying to find ways to see more of me.”
I smile and climb off his lap. “I’m just encouraging you in your career of choice. And for now, that’s me.”
Liam chuckles and helps me gather our picnic things. Before long, we’re pulling into Sebastian’s driveway.
We walk down to my flat.
“You stay here,” Liam says when we’re safely in my kitchen. “I’m going to run to HQ and check in with the guys and grab my computer.”
“I’m fine here,” I reply with a smile. “Let yourself in when you return.”
He nods and turns to leave, but then hurries back and kisses me right on the mouth. Not a soft peck like yesterday, but an intense, wet kiss that leaves my heart pounding as he smiles and then hurries down the stairs.
Liam is beyond sexy. I’ve never met anyone like him in my life. He’s attractive, yes, and I’m ridiculously drawn to him.
But he’s more than a pretty face. Or a fit body.
He’s wonderful. Spending the next few weeks with him is going to be an absolute pleasure.
My phone pings with a text. I frown as I don’t recognize the number.
The message is simple.
I know where you are.
I laugh and set my phone aside. “Sure, you do.”
I don’t know who they are, and the only ones who know where I am are those closest to me. People try and scare me all the time. They make false threats. Sometimes, someone gets ahold of my number and sends a preposterous message like this.
It’s absolutely nothing. And I have more important things to think about.
I could sleep out here. The covered dock corner just off of the boathouse is officially my favorite place on the property.
It’s shaded from the sun, and the furniture is soft and cozy. I sink into the cushions.
I’ve been reading Lauren’s book today. Liam and I have had several fantastic days together. We worked side by side the other day after the kissing lesson. We watched a movie on the telly.
I’d like to coax him into Sebastian’s small movie theater in the main house so perhaps I can have my way with him in the dark while the movie plays. I always saw that in films when I was young and thought it looked like fun.
But I haven’t seen much of Liam today. I’ve been lazy, reading and dozing with the warm summer breeze floating over me. I haven’t been this relaxed in ages.
Suddenly, Liam appears and kneels next to the couch, then leans in and kisses my nose.
“Napping?” he asks.
“Relaxing. I thought you wanted more privacy for this?”
“I was up at HQ, looking on the monitors, and I couldn’t find you.” His voice is calm, but there’s a brightness to his brown eyes that I haven’t seen before. An intensity. “So, I came to look. Didn’t find you in your apartment.”
“I’m not in my apartment. It’s called a flat, by the way.”
He leans in and kisses my lips. “And then I glanced over, and here you are, lying here, looking fresh and sexy as fuck.”
Well, if that doesn’t make a woman’s core tighten, I don’t know what will.
“That doesn’t answer my question about affection here, where anyone can see.”
“This pergola is on the monitors,” he admits, “but this particular place is a blind spot.”
“So that’s why you didn’t know where I was.”
He nods slowly. “But I found you.”
“And now that you have, what are you going to do with me?”
His eyes shoot down to my lips. His tongue flicks out to wet his own before he sinks his fingers into my hair and covers my mouth with his. Long and lazy, the kiss consumes me. Liam has a way with that mouth of his.
I want to pull him over me, feel the weight of him right here and now, but my phone interrupts us with a text.
I reach for it and frown at the same number from the other day.
Why aren’t you answering me? I know where you are. Do you want me to prove it?
“Who the fuck is that?” Liam asks.
“I’ve no idea,” I reply and move to set my phone down, but Liam takes it from my hands and scowls at the screen.
“This isn’t the first text.”
“No, but I don’t recognize the number. It’s probably some random weirdo who thinks it’s funny to taunt me.”
“You don’t get to make that decision.” He pulls back, quickly tapping on his own phone. “You give this shit to me, and I decide if it’s worth worrying about, Ellie. Damn it, you know better than this. How could you be so careless? So damn stupid?”
I sit up and drop my head, feeling defeated. “I apologize.”
“I’ll take care of it from here.”
His voice is cold. The playful, fun man from a few moments ago is gone.
“I’m headed to Aspen’s house at four,” I inform him as I stand and walk toward my flat. “Please don’t be late.”
“Are all three of you from Cunningham Falls, then?”
We’re sitting in Aspen’s living room due to a storm that blew through and got the deck wet. The weather has cleared, but we decided to stay in where it’s dry anyway. Aspen was right, she has a fantastic view of the mountains from her back yard. It’s a lovely place.
Liam’s sitting on the front porch.
I don’t care one bit if he gets wet. I’m cross with him.
“Well, Natasha and I are,” Monica says as she pours more salsa into a bowl. “We’ve been friends since we were small.”
“I moved here about two years ago,” Aspen adds. “I’m originally from Tennessee.”
“That’s rather far away,” I say in surprise. “What brought you to Montana?”
“I was tired of being sad, and I wanted a fresh start,” she says with a smile. “And that’s all I’ll say about that because we’re having fun. This is not the time for sad stories.”
“I’ll drink to that,” Natasha says and sips her margarita.
“Aspen was right,” I say. “You make the best margaritas I’ve ever had.”
“It’s a secret recipe,” she says and winks.
Natasha is stunning with long, curly, dark hair and brown eyes. She’s tall and lean and looks as if she could be on the cover of a magazine.
Monica is just as beautiful but the exact opposite in features. With blond hair, blue eyes, and a figure that would make the Greek Gods weep, she’s a stunner.
And don’t even get me started on how gorgeous Aspen is. I’ve never seen red hair like hers before, and her green eyes are just so lovely.
“Ellie, I don’t mean to be too forward, and I wouldn’t say this if I was stone-cold sober—which I’m not because this is my third ‘rita—but your bodyguard is kinda hot.”
Aspen and Monica nod at Natasha’s proclamation, and I scowl.
“On any normal day, I would agree with you. But I’m mad at him today.”
“Why?” Aspen asks. “Did he come on to you?”
I chew on my mostly numb lip, wondering how much I should say. I don’t know these women well. What if I tell them our secret and then they run off and tell the press?
“You don’t have to tell us,” Monica says. “Honest. It’s none of our business anyway.”
“It’s not that he’s been inappropriate,” I say, choosing my words carefully. “I received a weird text a few days ago, and then another one today. I didn’t recognize the number. Sometimes, if someone finds my digits somehow, they send me ridiculous messages. I usually just block them and get on with my life, no problem.
“But Liam saw today’s message and got really angry with me because I didn’t show it to him sooner. He called me stupid. ”
I feel my cheeks heat at the thought of what he said.
“Well, that seems uncalled for,” Aspen says and frowns. “I don’t know Liam very well, or at all now that I think of it, but that seems harsh.”
“You should tell him that he’s not allowed to speak to you like that,” Natasha says. “You’re his boss, Ellie. You don’t have to take that.”
“It took me by such surprise, but you’re right.” I pull my phone out of my handbag and pull up Liam’s number. “I’ll text him.”
“He’s right outside,” Aspen says with a snort. “Just go and tell him off.”
“If I go out there, I’ll just want to kiss him again.” I slap my hand over my mouth and stare in shock at my three new friends.
“I knew it,” Natasha says and pumps the air with her fist. “He looks at you like you’re the most delicious thing he’s ever seen.”
“Well, I…he does?”
“Oh, yeah,” Monica agrees. “I wish my husband looked at me like that.”
“He does,” Aspen says and rolls her eyes. “Rich is completely in love with you.”
“We’re talking about Ellie,” Natasha reminds us. “And Monica and I do know Liam from when we were younger. He was friends with Monica’s brother, Sam.”
“They’re still good friends,” Monica says. “And Liam’s a nice guy. A little tortured, I think, but super nice.”
“He calls princesses stupid ,” I remind her. “And I’m gonna give him a piece of my mind.”
I type vigorously on my phone and say the words aloud as I slowly type them.
“You were mean today. I’m not accustomed to allowing bullies to kiss me. In fact, I’ve avoided it like the plague. Consider this my resignation from our agreement.”
“I want to know what the agreement was,” Monica mutters and shoves a chip loaded with guac into her mouth.
I set the phone aside with a decisive nod. “There. That’ll show him.”
“Is he a good kisser?” Aspen asks.
“So bloody good,” I admit with a sigh and take a drink. “Why does he have to be so good at that? And why do I want him to do… things to me?”
“Because he’s a hot man,” Natasha reminds me. “Of course, you want him to do things.”
“What kinds of things?” Aspen asks, leaning in closer. “Give us details.”
“Well, that’s not really something?—”
“None of our business,” Monica reminds the room, but Aspen waves her off.
“Come on. I haven’t had a man interested in me in way longer than I care to admit. Give us some details. This is girls’ night, Ellie. We’re in the vault.”
“We won’t tell a soul,” Natasha says. “We take girl talk very seriously. And we’re not the kind of women who try to hurt each other.”
“They’re right,” Monica says. “We won’t tell.”
“I’m a virgin,” I blurt and look down in humiliation. “I asked Liam to take care of that little detail. And he agreed. But he’s been taking me through lessons , starting with anticipation and then kissing. We’ve only made it to the kissing part, and I have to admit, it’s nice.”
“First of all, being a virgin is nothing to be ashamed of,” Aspen says and loops her arm around my shoulders. “And, second of all, that’s an awesome plan.”
“Hell, yes,” Natasha agrees. “And it’s pretty sweet that he’s taking you through lessons rather than just getting the deed done and getting on with his life.”
“But I just told him we’re done with it all.”
All three of them stare at me as if I just declared war on the United States.
“Why?” Aspen asks.
“Because he yelled at me today. And he was mean.”
“Obviously, he must be punished,” Monica says, tapping her lips with her finger. “But I wouldn’t abandon the plan entirely. He is hot. And nice.”
He’s wonderful.
I’m mad at him, but I might have spoken too soon.
“Okay.” I pick my phone back up. “I’ll tell him never mind.”
Sorry. I meant to send that text to someone else.
I smirk and set my phone aside and enjoy my evening with my new friends. Until I met Nina, I didn’t know what it meant to trust friends. My acquaintances in London are snobby, elitist, and petty. They’re certainly not the kind of women I’d want to confide in.
But the new friends I’ve made are so different.
Once all of the tacos, nachos, and margaritas are gone, I decide it’s time to return home for a good night of sleep.
I hug the others—which is new for me, but lovely—and pull the front door open to find Liam standing on the other side. His jaw is tight. His eyes hard.
“I’m ready to go home.”
He nods and escorts me to the car. We took the official car tonight, at my insistence. I didn’t want to ride in the front seat with him.
The trip is quiet, the walk down to my flat silent.
Liam unlocks the door and helps me up the stairs. I’m not as drunk as that night at Brooke’s Blooms, but I’m not exactly steady on my feet either.
“We need to talk,” Liam says once we’re up in my place.
“You yelled at me,” I blurt. “And you called me stupid, Liam. I will not stand for that.”
“I’m sorry.” He sighs and rubs his hand over his face. “I apologize for saying that. It was wrong of me. You’re not stupid at all. But, Ellie, you have to tell me about anything that isn’t normal. I can’t protect you if I don’t know what’s threatening you.”
I sink down onto the couch and watch him pace my living room.
“My priority is making sure you’re safe. It’s my job, yes, but it’s more than that. I care about you, damn it, and I’ll do whatever I have to, to make sure you’re protected. There are no exceptions, even if you think it’s silly. You, your safety, is the most important thing.”
I don’t even stop to think twice, I just stand and launch myself into his arms. I wrap my legs around his waist and my arms around his neck and hold on tight.
“Apology accepted. And I’m sorry for not telling you. I won’t do it again.”
“Thank you.” His hands are on my bum as he kisses my cheek. “Now, I have one more question.”
“Okay.”
“Who the fuck did you mean to send that text to?”
I frown and pull back so I can look him in the eyes. “What text?”
“The one you sent me when I was sitting on Aspen’s wet porch.”
“Oh.” I bury my face in his neck again, enjoying his scent. “I really did mean to send it to you, but then I regretted it and sent the second one.”
He carries me to the bedroom and sets me on the floor. “Sleep off this tequila, and I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Stay.” I catch his hand before he steps away. “Please, stay with me. We’ll just sleep. Talk. I want you to hold me.”
He seems to think it over, then rubs his lips together and nods. “Okay.”
I clap my hands but then frown when he pulls my pajamas out of a drawer and holds them out for me.
“Go change in the bathroom.”
“You’ve touched me pretty much everyw?—”
“Go. Change,” he says again. “Please.”
I do as he asks. When I return to the bedroom, the linens are drawn back on the bed. Liam is wearing a T-shirt and shorts.
“Were you wearing that under your suit?” I ask.
He nods.
“You can take the shirt off if you want.”
He shakes his head no.
“Can’t you speak anymore?”
“You’re so fucking beautiful, my head might explode.”
His voice is rough, his hands fisted in the bed linens. I may be a little impaired, but I know that he wants me.
I also know that he’ll be a perfect gentleman, damn him.
I walk to the bed and climb inside the sheets. When I wait expectantly, Liam joins me. I immediately scooch next to him and lay my head on his chest. His arm wraps around me. I can hear his heartbeat.
“This is nice.”
“Mm-hmm.”
“Your heart is beating fast.”
“Yep.”
“Are you tired?” I push my hand under his shirt and sigh when I feel the warm flesh of his hard stomach. “You have great skin.”
“Okay.” He rolls me over and snuggles me from behind. “You’ve forced me to spoon you. Keep your hands to yourself, Princess, or you’ll ruin my whole plan.”
“I like touching you.”
He kisses my head and whispers, “Go to sleep, sweetheart.”