Chapter Four #2
“Don’t we all, sweetheart?” Chuckling, she grins bigger when her eyes land on Liam.
Of fucking course. She mixes the alcohol together, then pours it into a shot glass.
When she places it in front of me, Liam sets down a twenty and tells the girl to add two shots of tequila.
She releases a flirty giggle and sticks out her chest. I want to crush my lips to his just to make a point: don’t make googly eyes at a guy who’s drinking with another woman.
I’m relieved when he doesn’t flirt back and only pays attention to me. “Well, let’s see if an orgasm is as good as they all say it is.” I wink before downing it and squirming. “Wow.”
“Good?”
Dare I say, I’ve had better?” I laugh when Liam’s jaw locks at the insinuation.
The two shots he ordered are placed in front of us.
“Teach me the proper way to drink it, Hulk,” I beg after he hands it to me.
He smirks. “Alright, first, you lick the salt off the rim, shoot it down, then suck on the lime. The salt helps ease the burn, then the citrus acts as a chaser. Got it?”
“Salt, tequila, lime,” I repeat. “Understood.” I clink my glass against his and follow the simple instructions. Gorgeous blue eyes gaze intently into mine as he watches me instead of taking his. As soon as I finish, my face contorts as I try to shake away the mixture of flavors.
“Your turn,” I tell him, nodding to his shot.
Liam grins, then shoots the tequila and before he can take his lime, I grab it and hold it up for him.
With a challenging smirk, I wait for his reaction.
Liam doesn’t disappoint as he leans in closer and allows me to feed it to him, his bottom lip brushing against my thumb as he sucks hard on the lime.
Juices drip down my finger, and before I can clean it off, Liam grabs my wrist and brings it to his mouth.
“Mmm…” He licks my hand, sending shivers down my spine. Then the teasing bastard flashes me a wink. “C’mon.” Liam surprises me when he leads us out on the dance floor.
Closing my eyes, I lose myself in the music as the fast beats move through me.
The alcohol flows freely, and I’m slowly losing some of my inhibitions.
Tonight, though, I want to get drunk, and the clock is ticking because the bar will close soon.
A shot girl walks around, and I call her over and grab one, but Liam declines.
I quickly drink it down and go back to shaking my ass without a care in the world. My head spins slightly, but overall, I’m fine. It’s not the first time I’ve had alcohol, but it’s been a while. Lights flash in the club, and Liam’s a lot more relaxed dancing with me than he was earlier.
“Happy Birthday, Mads.”
I spin around, moving my hips. “Thanks, Hulk.”
I’m glad he decided to come out with me after all.
We’re in sync together as he grabs my waist. Though people are all around, it feels as if it’s just us.
The feeling of his hands on me is indescribable.
Heat blazes through my body, and I don’t know if it’s the alcohol or Liam, or a combination of the two.
Regardless, it’s a dangerous combination.
I’m falling hard and fast for him, and there’s no way he can’t see it.
When the song slows, couples fill the area around us.
“I want another drink,” I tell him, swaying back and forth, feeling the warmth of his body close to mine.
He chuckles, shaking his head. “You’re gonna have a massive hangover as it is.”
“Then I guess I’ll have the proper twenty-one-year-old birthday experience.” I laugh. “Well, minus the finding a random hookup and letting him take me home to have his way with me.”
Liam gives me a pointed look and his mouth parts as if he’s holding back what he really wants to say.
“Is that what you want? A drunken one-night stand with a guy who doesn’t deserve you?”
I glance up, and when my hair falls into my face, Liam carefully tucks it behind my ear.
The way he’s studying me reveals all his secrets.
He hides the way he feels and pretends he doesn’t like me, but right now, there’s no denying anything.
It’s more than obvious we’re meant to be together, but he’s too damn stubborn.
“Well?” he asks, and I almost forgot his question.
“No,” I respond. “You already know what I want.”
His lips curl up just the slightest. “I do.”
“You, Liam. I don’t know how many times I have to tell you that.
” The words boldly fall out of my mouth.
He blinks, staring at me, and I don’t give him the opportunity to turn me down again.
Or give me some stupid excuse. “Kiss me,” I whisper, wondering if he’ll walk away, but he takes me by surprise and closes the gap between us.
He places two fingers gently under my chin, forcing me to look into his eyes before brushing his lips against mine.
He moves his tongue against mine, then deepens the kiss.
Fisting his shirt, I pull him closer, wanting to devour him in case this is the last time.
My head swims with a thousand thoughts. My body’s on fire, and by the time we pull away, I’m breathless.
“Do you know how long I’ve waited for you to do that again?” I ask, wanting more than he’s willing to give.
Liam smirks and acts as if he wants to say something but doesn’t. “Now everyone in the room knows you’re going home with me.”
“Because we’re roommates?” I drawl, wondering if he’s talking about something more, but I don’t push it. “I need to go to the restroom.”
He leads me through the crowd and waits in the hallway.
After I’m done, I look in the mirror and can’t help but smile.
The only man I’ve ever wanted is with me tonight, celebrating my birthday.
If only he could see me for me, not who I’m related to, then maybe things would be different.
Before joining him, I breathe in courage and exhale confidence.
I’m all giggles as I leave the bathroom, letting the alcohol take control as we head back to the bar where Liam orders me water. “Drink it. You’ll thank me tomorrow.”
My head is woozy, but I know it’s because of the kiss and not the cocktail and shots I’ve had. After chugging half the glass, the bartenders announce the last call. I order one last shot for fun, and after I take it and stand, I nearly lose my balance.
“Your sisters are gonna kill me.” Liam groans and practically carries me out of the club to his truck. He helps me climb inside and buckles me. I grab his hand and stop him before he walks away.
“Liam?” I say his name so softly that I’m not sure he heard me.
He arches a brow.
“Yeah, Mads? You gonna be sick?”
“Does love-sick count?” I snort when he chuckles, and I blush at my loose lips.
“No, sweetheart.” Then he winks before walking around the front of the truck, then climbing in.
I lean my head against the seat and watch the passing cars on the highway as he safely drives us home.
My eyes flutter closed as I replay the night.
It’s been the best birthday I’ve ever had, and although it was a low-key event, I can’t imagine anything better than spending it with Liam.
Soon I’m being woken to Liam opening the door, looking sexy as sin.
I step down and stumble, but he catches me.
In one swift movement, he picks me up into his arms. Wrapping my arms around his shoulders, I lay my head against his chest as he carries me to my room, then sets me on my bed.
Liam watches as I kick off my shoes, shimmy out of my pants, and crawl under the blankets.
“You good?” he asks, pulling my comforter up higher.
“Yeah, better than good,” I tell him with a smile on my face.
He chuckles. “You’re slurring.” He sits on the edge of the bed and rubs his fingers over my cheek. “I hope you had a fun birthday.”
“One I’ll never forget,” I say truthfully. When he stands, I grab his hand. I don’t even have to ask him before he’s leaning over, his mouth magnetized to mine as I slide my tongue between his lips. I moan against him, wanting more and wishing we could go further. Wishing he’d go further.
“Fuck,” he growls against my lips, pulling away. “Good night, Mads.”
“Night,” I say breathlessly. “Don’t tell my sisters.” I giggle, knowing he wouldn’t anyway.
“You’re my best-kept secret.” He winks, then flicks off the light and leaves.
I close my eyes and instantly fall asleep, hoping it wasn’t a cruel dream.