Chapter 20
Madison
“You guys ready to head out? Who paid?” Liam asks.
“I got it handled.” Kenji says as he stands and slips his wallet back into the pocket of his joggers. “I did win the bet.”
He gives Walker an arrogant smile, and of course, my brother takes the bait.
Boys. They continue to argue about the fairness of the bet.
A bet I still don’t know the details of, although I’m sure I can imagine.
We say goodbye to Kenji and Walker when they learn we’re headed to the bookstore down the street.
Not a place Walker wants to hang out. Kenji loves the bookstore, but he shoots me a smile and says he has to head home. I give him a grateful look.
I love my neighborhood. It’s set up with a small-town feel even though it’s in the middle of downtown Denver.
There’s an enormous park in the middle that’s surrounded by five-to six-story buildings.
I love that the buildings aren’t too tall but still surround the park.
The street level is full of small shops and businesses.
There are some restaurants, a coffee shop, a wine bar, the bookstore, and of course my yoga studio.
It gives a village square type of vibe of a European hamlet instead of a big city neighborhood.
Liam’s arm is around my lower back now, and it’s perfect. I snuggle up under his shoulder with a smile because I like how we fit together.
“So, I need to grab a book I’ve been looking for. It’s not on audio, so I’ll have to just read it.” Liam tells me as we walk.
“Oh, the horror.” I smile softly at him, my voice lightly teasing, as we stroll down the street.
“Hey, I’m not as good at reading as you are Mads. I’ve always envied your ability to read books so quickly. I struggle a bit with my dyslexia and all.” Liam confesses.
He rarely mentions it, and I’m ashamed to say that I’d forgotten about it.
It makes perfect sense why audiobooks work better for him.
Now I remember how much he struggled with that in high school.
I was only teasing, but it’s clear I’ve hit a nerve from his defensive tone.
I wouldn’t have teased him if I’d remembered about his disability, and it’s killing me.
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that. It’s so wonderful that audio books can help you read in a different way.” I say, wanting to reassure him. “Everyone needs to do what works best for them.”
“Thanks for saying that. I guess I’ve always felt a bit left behind when it comes to reading.” His pensive look tells me it affected him more than he’s letting on.
“Oh Liam! I’m so sorry if I ever made you feel less than because of your dyslexia. If I did, it was unintentional.” My face flushes as I try to remember if I’ve ever said to him about reading.
“You never made me feel less than about reading, Mad girl. You were more of an inspiration for me actually.” His heartfelt words flood me with relief.
“I’m glad.” I say with soft affection as I give him a squeeze. “So how are you liking that hockey romance?”
“I enjoyed it far more than I thought I would. I’ve already started the next book in the series.”
“Seriously?” I did not expect that answer. This man is full of interesting revelations.
“Yeah, the hockey guy texts were hilarious.”
“What about the spicy parts?”
“Oh yeah, Uhh.” His eyes veer down to the ground, and his cheeks blossom with color.
“Liam Ferguson, are you embarrassed?”
“No!... Well maybe.” He shakes his head, then looks me in the eye and says, “I got a hard on in the morning when I was running while I listening. So, now I just listen to those books when I’m alone. And now all I can think about it doing all those things with you.”
“Oh!” His words make my core heat, and then that’s all I can think about him doing all those things to me, too. My breath catches.
Liam tugs me into the small alley right next to the bookshop, and the next thing I know, I’m mashed up against the wall before I can say a word.
He’s leaning over me, eyes blazing. I can barely breathe, I’m so turned on.
He’s doing the book boyfriend lean against the wall, and his baseball hat is on backwards.
He better be about to kiss me because I’ll explode if he doesn’t.
“Oh no, pretty girl. Did you think could get away with teasing me like that in public with no repercussions?” He whispers, voice deep and low.
“Yes, I did.” I murmur, eyes glued to his.
“Is that so?” Every nerve ending in my neck vibrates with need as he trails puffs of hot breath up and over the shell of my ear.
“Oh God.” I let out a filthy moan, fisting the front of his shirt so my knees don’t give out on me.
“Fuck. No one’s ever affected me the way you do.” he whispers next to my ear, causing my skin to pebble up, and I shiver.
He nips lightly along my neck and under my ear, teasing me with feathery touches, until I’m panting and my panties are a disaster. The slight pull on my scalp from his hand tangled in my hair is the perfect counterpoint to his breathy kisses.
“Liam.” I groan softly. My hands, moving under his shirt of their own volition, explore every groove and dip of his muscular torso.
I feel more than hear his answering groan against my neck, and all it does is make me yearn for skin on skin.
I revel in all his velvet-covered muscle, smoothing my hands over his smooth skin.
His hot mouth covers mine, and it’s everything I want.
This isn’t a sweet lingering kiss like last night.
This is him devouring me with his mouth.
He leans in, and his hard body covers mine like a delicious blanket.
If I could pull him closer, I would; instead, I cling to him as his tongue tangles with mine.
He deepens the kiss, and every stroke of his tongue against mine deepens my need.
His rigid cock presses against my stomach, and I palm it, stroking him through his shorts.
Sometime soon I’m going to find out what he tastes like, and I can’t wait.
He moans as he peppers kisses along my jaw and back toward my neck. If he starts that again, we’re going to star in our own porno right here in the alley.
The loud honk of a car horn brings us back to reality, and we both pull back, equally reluctant to let the other go.
“We can’t do this here.” I’m panting and I can barely get that out, I’m so turned on. He leans his forehead against mine as he struggles to get control of his breathing.
“I know, Sorry. I don’t seem to be able to control myself around you, Mads.”
“Same.” I say, breath finally slowing along with my crazy heartbeat.
“You okay?” he asks, caressing my cheek.
“So okay. Thank you for asking.”
“So, we can revisit this later?”
“Oh, that’s happening.” I say with conviction.
“Good.” He smirks, but it’s soft and filled with affection as well.
“Let’s go buy you some books, Mads.” He looks down and grimaces. “Well in a few minutes maybe.” Now it’s my turn to smirk because I love his reactions. Instead, I just sass him back.
“I can buy my own books.”
“Yes, but I want to buy them for you.“ He grins right back at me.
We spend over an hour browsing in the bookstore.
He stays close until we pass the sports section.
Then I wave him off, preferring not to be rushed while I’m perusing the romance section.
Reading the blurbs and looking at the covers is a whole thing that I do.
I love looking at all the special-edition books.
They’re so pretty. Maybe someday I’ll make enough money to buy one.
I’m always envious of the gorgeous bookshelves filled with all the pretty books I see on social media. Someday, I tell myself.
I’m enjoying this time with Liam. It’s been a while since I’ve belonged to someone, so it’s nice calling someone mine again.
I guess I’ve just been so busy with my business and getting my financial situation back on track that I completely discounted how much I miss this feeling.
The kind where you can’t wait to kiss them again.
The kind where you get butterflies when they hold your hand or touch you.
Where you can’t wait to see them when you’re apart and don’t want them to leave when you’re together.
Strong arms wrap around me and I’m immediately immersed in Liam’s earthy, pine tree smell. It feels like coming home. I just stand there soaking it in while he holds me tight because I just can’t get enough of this man.