Chapter 9
Chapter Nine
E lisabetta
My legs are trembling in the back seat of the cab. Liam is on the phone with someone from The Watermelon Hole, explaining why he's canceled their meeting, and I'm questioning my sanity. I want to whip out my phone and call Skye and ask her how to get out of the predicament I now find myself in. I’m about twenty minutes away from being naked on Liam's bed, playing with myself. Half of me is excited to live out this fantasy, while the other half of me feels like I need to be locked up.
Liam Gallagher is too sexy for his own good. And too damn cocky. He truly thinks he is God's gift to women, and I know he thinks he could have me whenever he wants. It is a pet peeve of mine when men think they can have whatever woman they want, whenever they want. Especially men like Liam. Because the fact of the matter is that I do want Liam. And if I were to have met him in another setting, he could have his wicked way with me, whichever way he wants it, and I hate to admit that.
I need to take back my power.
I need to drive Liam crazy and have him on tenterhooks, wondering when and if he can ever really have me.
"Joseph, I understand that you're in a bad position, but I am no longer interested in that brand. The marketing is not in line with what I have in mind. This is a global resort that has to appeal to the masses. This is a four hundred-million-dollar deal, and my lead marketing associate has told me that this is not the direction to go in. I wish you the best.” My jaw drops as Liam hangs up, and I keep my eyes facing out the window.
I'm slightly proud that Liam thinks so highly of my opinion, but I also wonder if he's crazy. He just canceled a meeting for a major deal because I didn't think it was a good idea? I mean, what do I know? Maybe the average Joe would love to spend thousands of dollars vacationing at resorts with watermelons everywhere. Unlikely, but I’m not an expert.
"You shouldn't have done that." I finally look over at Liam to see that he's been studying me for the last few moments. I meet his heady gaze directly, and he smiles. He shifts closer to me so that his thigh is pressed against mine. It's warm and muscular, and a trickle of excitement runs through me. I can see Liam's muscles through his clothes. I bet he has an amazing body. He could probably carry me across his apartment, hold me up in the air, and fuck me senseless. You're not fucking him, Elisabetta .
"Your opinion matters to me." His right hand settles on my upper thigh. "You were hired as my assistant, but we both know that you'll be useless at administrative tasks. I think I will endeavor to use you in other ways." His palm rubs up and down my thigh.
"Professional ways, I assume."
"Of course." He chuckles and looks down at my breasts. "Only the most professional of ways. I am in the middle of a big hotel deal, and I am over-leveraged." He frowns for a brief moment, and I wonder if he's in over his head. "I need to get this right." He grins. "And I think you're in a position to ensure I have a classy venue and not trashy."
"I didn't say watermelons were trashy," I say quickly. "I just want to make it clear that I'm happy to help, but I'm no expert. I hope you realize that. I also want to reiterate that I am not interested in any funny business. I'm not going to be your hired hoe. This is a professional relationship."
"Of course." He nods slowly and clucks his tongue. "It is extremely professional of us to rush back to my place so that you can masturbate in my bed because my thick, hard cock got your pussy wet a few minutes ago." He chuckles, and I feel my face going a deep red, and the cab driver’s eyes widen as he looks back in the rearview mirror.
"Liam," I hiss at him, but he just laughs. "We can go back to the office and work... I just...”
“We’re not going anywhere but to my place, right now.” His face is impassive as his hand moves back and forth. “I think we both know you need this release.”
“I think we both need it.” I grin and grab his hand and squeeze. I look into his eyes and wink. “On my terms, of course.”
“Of course.” He growls and shifts in his seat, and I reserve a grin. Poor fool likely thinks he's going to get sex. I'll work him up to the hilt. And then I'll show him who the real boss is here. I can't wait to take his breath away. Hopefully, everything goes according to plan. "We're nearly there, so you don't have to wait long."
"Maybe I've changed my mind." I wait to see if he's going to be pissed off or angry.
"Okay, do you want to eat instead or something?" he says smoothly, like he doesn't even care what happens next. For some reason, this comforts me. Makes me feel like I'm still in control. I know it's likely a false feeling, but I'm not going to question it too much. This entire charade is helping me forget about my father’s plans to marry me off.
“I could grab a bite. Are you paying?” I tease him as the cab pulls over and stops. “Oh, we’re here?” I look outside in surprise. “I suppose you want to go upstairs, then?”
“I’m here to do whatever you want to do.” He shrugs as he pulls out a fifty and hands it to the driver. “Keep the change.” He slides over to the door and gets out. I watch as he runs around to open my door like a true gentleman. How ironic. “Ready to get out, milady?”
“I am, kind sir.” I jump out of the cab and watch as Liam gently closes the door. He has a goofy grin on his face that disarms me. I’m practically swooning looking into his blue eyes. It’s been too long since I’ve been around a handsome, charming man who knows how to flirt with a woman in a way that makes her feel like a princess.
“So, what would you like to eat?” He looks around. “There’s a pizza place across the street, Thai two blocks away, a deli, and a cool vegan joint that?—”
“You know all the restaurants around you already?” I raise an eyebrow. “A date every night?” I ignore the churning of jealousy inside of me.
“Nope.” He smirks as he shakes his head and stares at my lips for far too long before placing his hand on the small of my back and guiding me to the front of a building with a doorman who obviously knows him well. “I just like to eat out. I don’t cook.” His eyes look me over, and then he grins wickedly. He should trademark his smile. It’s dazzling, breathtaking, and has the ability to make my heart flip like it’s at a gymnastics competition. “Would you like to add chef to your duties for me?”
“I think not.” I roll my eyes at him. “I know that’s just a ploy to get me into your apartment daily. If you think that’s a way to get me to?—”
“Good afternoon, Mr. Gallagher,” the doorman interrupts as he eagerly holds the oversized bronze-plated doors open. The man is young, handsome, and looks eager to engage with Liam. “How’s business going?” He stares directly at Liam without even giving me a glance.
“Good afternoon, Hector. Business is going well. How are your stocks? Did you invest in those mutual funds?”
“Yes, sir. And I started the 529 account for my baby girl, Gracelynn. The man at the bank said she could have over 100k in the account by the time she goes to college if I put in $100 a month.”
“That’s great.” Liam smiles. “I’m so glad to hear that. Good for you, Hector.”
“And I spoke to Manny, my boss, and he said I can take off early on Wednesdays to go to my community college class. I’m going to get my associate’s degree.”
“I’m proud of you, Hector. You’re really making moves.”
“Thank you, Mr. Gallagher...” He pauses and suddenly seems to notice me. “Hello, ma’am.” I cringe slightly inside. Do I look old enough to be called a ma’am? Or is he trying to be polite because he thinks I’m Liam’s midday fun?
“Hector, this is my assistant, Elisabetta Franco. We’re just trying to figure out what we want for lunch, aren’t we, Elisabetta?” There’s a warm smile on Liam’s face and a knowing look in his eyes as I feel the heat in my cheeks. Is this man a mind reader? Does he know what I’m thinking?
“Maybe we can go up to your apartment and decide?” I offer him a small smile. It’s interesting getting to see Liam’s different facets. It’s almost like he’s not the biggest asshole around.
“I thought you’d say that.” He smirks and gives me an exaggerated wink, which makes me want to slap him. I immediately dismiss my thoughts that he wasn’t an asshole. My first impression was right. He is a cocky bastard.
“What made you think that?”
“Now is not the time, Elisabetta.” He gives me a chastising look and then shakes Hector's hand. “You have a great day, Hector. Once you’re enrolled in school, see if they have any sort of internship for credit programs, and maybe I can see about some sort of mentorship to get you on your way.”
“Oh, Mr. Gallagher, that would be amazing. Thank you.” Hector’s excitement is apparent, and I’m taken aback by the nice gesture. Liam is definitely a confusing man.
“You’re welcome.” Liam nods and then heads inside the building in a leisurely fashion. I follow Liam into the grandiose lobby, and we head to a large marble fountain. Liam stops and looks at me. My heart is racing, and I wait for him to ask me if he should grab a pack of condoms or something. The man totally knows that I will not be able to resist him if he wants to get into my panties.
“What’s going on?” I cross my arms and give him my best stern teacher look. It’s a look I learned from all three of my aunties who constantly seemed to be telling me and Romeo off.
“I just wanted to make sure you were comfortable coming up to my place. I know you were teasing me in the cab...” He grins. “Quite deliciously, if I’m being honest, but I am also sure that you’re probably regretting all your big talk.”
“Oh?” I stare at him, not moving an inch.
“You seem like the sort of woman who likes to talk a big game but doesn’t really follow through.”
“You think I was just talking?”
“Were you not?” He raises a single eyebrow. “Classy women like you don’t usually offer to?—”
“You think I’m classy?” I burst out laughing then because that was the last adjective I expected him to use about me.
“Was that an incorrect assumption?” He seems surprised that I’m laughing, and that makes me feel like I’m taking back the power again.
“Not really.” I lean forward, touch his chest, brush my cheek against his, and whisper in his ear. “I’m classy in the streets but a freak in the sheets.” I pull back and touch the tip of his nose. “And right now, I wanna be on your sheets.”
His eyes catch fire, and I can feel his chest rising. I press my palm over his heart and run my fingers down. He growls under his breath, and I know I’ve gotten to him.
“Just me, though.” I bite my lower lip and press my fingernail into his side. “You can look, but you can’t touch.”
“But...” He almost seems like he’s at a loss for words.
“Cat got your tongue, Liam?” I giggle. “Just because I don’t want it right now doesn’t mean I’m regretting what I said in the cab.”
“Give me your cat and my tongue will have you changing your words.” He smirks. “Trust me on that.”
“If I ever deign to let your tongue near my cat, I will definitely let you know.” I step back and look around the lobby, grateful that no one is close enough to hear what I’m saying. “Shall we go up now?”
“I’d rather go down.” He winks, and I just shake my head as we move toward the elevator. I’m not going to say a word to him because if I’m honest, I’m dying to feel his lips and tongue on me, but I know if that happens, it is all over for me. And while I know I won’t always be able to resist, I want to make him work for it. Just because he’s a hot billionaire, it doesn’t mean he can have me as soon as he wants. He’s going to learn that you can’t buy everything you want.
“This is your place?” I walk into the modest apartment and look around in surprise. It’s not what I expected at all. There’s no marble or gold or chandeliers anywhere.
“It’s my home away from home, yes.” He nods as he closes the door behind him. “Not what you were expecting?”
“Not quite.” I head into the living room and see the tired-looking white couch with throw pillows that have cartoon characters’ faces on them. There are pieces of paper strewn all over a large wooden table and a half-empty bottle of wine, with a wineglass next to a stack of folders. “You were working here?”
“My assistants don’t seem to stay with me too long.” He shrugs. “I have to make sure someone is doing the work.”
“But that’s a lot.” I frown as I see a ledger filled with numbers. “Don’t tell me your accountant quit, as well?”
“No.” He shakes his head. “I like to run my own numbers on deals. I only trust myself.”
“In all things?”
“In business.” He grins. “And maybe all things.”
“That’s a sad way to live.” I turn away from him before he can answer and walk to the kitchen area. It’s small but clean, with light butcher block countertops. There’s an open box of cereal on the countertop, and I look at him in surprise. “Frosted?—.”
“Don’t even say it.” He grins. “I’m still a kid at heart.”
“I can see that.” I look back over at the throw pillows and make a face.
“My niece, Harriet, chose them.” He walks over to the couch and takes a seat. “She wanted me to have something in my home that made me remember her.”
“Oh, that’s nice. Does she live here, then?”
“She’s back in London with my sister, Daisy. I think they’d love to live in New York in theory, but in reality, I’m not sure how they’d fare. I did promise to take them to Disney and Universal, though.”
“Don’t forget to add The Watermelon Hole to your itinerary,” I say as I stand next to the couch, and he grins up at my joke. “So, am I going to see the infamous bedroom?”
“I didn’t realize it was so infamous.” He jumps up quickly, and I stumble back in surprise. “Not that many ladies have seen it.” He grabs my hand and pulls me to him. “And certainly none have pleasured themselves on it.”
“That must be a blow to the ego,” I say lightly, trying not to let my nerves get to me.
“I didn’t say they hadn’t been pleasured.” He grins. “There is a distinct difference, you know.”
“So you’re saying you’ve fucked numerous women on your bed.” I wrinkle my nose. “Are the sheets clean?”
“That’s not what I said, and yes.” He pulls me along a small corridor and pushes open a door. My eyes widen as I see how luscious his bedroom is. It is an absolute departure from the rest of his apartment. It's much larger than I expected it to be, and the king-sized bed stands proudly in the middle of the room. The pillowcases are purple silk, and the sheets are crisp and white and luxurious. There's a large cowhide rug on the floor next to the bed and a cool nightstand with a record player on it. There is a stack of about fifteen records next to the player, and I walk over to see what kind of music Liam likes to listen to.
"Frank Sinatra, Marvin Gaye, Guns ‘n Roses, Pet Shop Boys..." Liam starts as I pick up the first record and turn to him with a small smile.
"I didn't take you for a music man."
"Oh, yes. I have Billy Joel, Billy Idol, and Elton John, as well."
"A man with impeccable taste," I tease and look down to see the latest record he was listening to. "Taylor Swift?" I stare at him in surprise. "I didn't take you for a Swiftie."
"I'm not." He mock shudders, and I laugh. "I have a niece, remember. And she likes for us to sing together on the phone." He makes a sad face. "And before you ask, no, I can't sing, and I’m not going to apply to be on American Idol or The Voice or whatever other shows they have going now.”
“Pity. I was quite hoping to hear I was in the apartment of the next John Mayer.”
“Oh, really?" He takes a step toward me, and I swallow hard as he looks down into my eyes with a warm smile. "And why is that?"
"I'll give you one guess."
"Because your body is a wonderland?" He licks his lips. "Or is it something else?"
"You think you were so smooth with that, don't you?" I giggle and run my fingers through my hair. "But I'll have you know my favorite song of his is ‘Gravity.’"
"I don't think I know it."
"What?" I stare at him in shock. "How do you not know it? It's the only reason I haven't deleted him from my Spotify and iTunes accounts."
"Oh?"
"Let's just say he's canceled in my eyes, and no, I'm not going to say more." I take a step toward him. "Right now, I just want to think of pleasant things." I press my hand to his chest, and I'm pleased to feel that his heart is racing just as much as mine is.
"What pleasant things would you like to think of?"
"Maybe things like this..." I press my lips to his neck and bite down slowly. His skin is warm, salty, and pleasing to the touch. I want to breathe him in as I kiss up to his chin. I enjoy the feel of his eyes on me. I know he's wondering if he's going to get lucky or if I've changed my mind. If today is going to be another one in the books for him. I slide my right hand down to the front of his pants and squeeze. He's hard. I squeeze a little bit harder, and his cock twitches. I shift slightly. He feels thick. I swallow and run my fingers to his arms again. He's silent as he waits to see what I'm going to do next. I squeeze his biceps, and he flexes them so that they are a source of hard muscle.
"I fight sometimes," he says, even though I never asked him a question. "I lift a lot of weights."
"So, you're telling me you're strong?"
"I'm telling you I could balance your naked body on my?—"
"I'm sure you can." I grin and step back. "Stand over there." I point to the window, and he walks over reluctantly. I run my fingers through my hair and stare at him standing there, looking handsome and manly. I walk back over to the record player and pick a record at random to play. I want some music. I turn back around and close my eyes. My fingers move to the buttons on my blouse and undo them slowly. I open my eyes again and look over at Liam. His eyes haven't left me. I slide the blouse off and let it drop to the floor. My fingers move to the top of my skirt and I sashay over to him.
He takes a step forward, but I put my hand up and shake my fingers at him.
"No, no, no." I grin, pulling my skirt down and stepping out of it. Liam inhales deeply as he takes me in. I'm wearing a lacy black bra and an itty-bitty thong. I take another step forward. "Carry me to the bed," I command, and I giggle in surprise as he immediately picks me up, carries me over, and places me down gently. I rest my head against one of his pillows and wiggle around to get comfortable. "Take off my panties."
His eyes sparkle as he nods. I feel his fingers on the side of my hips, and I shake my head.
"With your teeth."
"You're enjoying bossing me around, aren't you?"
"Not your time to talk." I lick my lips and try not to shiver as he bends down and grabs the top of my thong with his front teeth. He nuzzles his nose into my stomach and pulls down in one swift motion. I moan as the cool air teases my tingling parts. Liam stands there with my thong in his mouth, and I shudder as he takes a deep sniff of my panties and then grunts.
I sit forward and wave him over. "Now take off my bra."
He reaches behind me and unclasps my bra, letting the straps fall down before he pulls it forward. I feel his thumb gently caressing a nipple as he takes the bra off.
"Oops." He winks at me, and I tut at him.
"Back to the window," I say as I lie back on the bed. He doesn't move, and I glare at him. "Liam Gallagher, you have to do what I say."
"What if I want a better view?" He steps toward me and sits on the bed. "What if I want to study your beautiful body? Memorize every single part of you." He stares at my breasts, and then his eyes move down my entire naked body. When they reach my stomach, I spread my legs wide. “You’re so wet.” He grunts as he stares at my pussy. I reach my fingers down and touch myself gently.
“I suppose I am.” I run my fingers over my clit, and he stills. His eyes meet mine again in shock, and I just smile. I lean my head back and close my eyes. "Tell me what you want to do to me," I whisper as I play with myself."
"I want to touch you." He groans. "I want to slide my fingers into your pussy and feel your body trembling for me. I want to suck on those juicy nipples and make them hard. I want to slide my hard cock between your lips." He groans as my body starts trembling. I continue to rub myself, feeling more turned on than I ever have in my life. Who knew this would be something so satisfying? "Open your eyes, Elisabetta," he mutters as I move my fingers faster and faster. I'm breathing heavily now and moaning. My eyes fly open, and I can see how serious he is as he gazes at me. "Do you know how fucking hot you look right now?"
"Mm-hmmmm." I moan and because I can't help myself, I grab his hand and place it between my legs. “Feel how wet I am?”
“Fuck yes.” He groans as he slides his fingers back and forth. My body bucks at his touch. “You like that, don’t you?” He shifts closer to me. He slides a finger inside of me, and I cry out. "You want to come for me..? You want my big cock inside of you?" His thumb brushes my clit as he plays with me, and I want nothing more. "This is what you want, isn't it?" He slides another finger inside of me, and I know I'm about to orgasm. I grab his hand and push it away.
"I don't need your help," I whisper as I replace his fingers with my own. I close my eyes again and pretend that it's him still touching me. Seconds later, I find myself coming hard and fast. My entire body is on fire, and I breathe in and out for a few moments before I look back at him. His eyes are dark, and he looks flabbergasted. I grin at him. "Fuck, that felt good." I bite down on my lower lip and squeeze my breasts together. "Hope you enjoyed the show."
"You know full well that I did." He runs his fingers through his hair and shakes his head. "In fact, I wanted to be a part of the show." He looks completely taken aback. "I'm hoping to God that I don't wake up in two minutes and find out this was the best dream of my life." He grins. "In fact, I..." He pauses as his phone starts ringing, and I stare at him, hoping that he's not going to ruin the moment by answering the phone. I just want to be here with him, in the moment, flirting, teasing, being crazy. I want to forget the real world exists for a few more moments. I don't know what has come over me, but I know that I'm loving discovering more about myself. And I'm enjoying that it's happening with him. A month ago, I didn't even know this man existed, but now, he is an integral part of my day-to-day life, and I’m not even sure how that happened.