Chapter 16
Liam grilled the chicken and vegetables while Addy made some lemonade and worked on dessert.
They spent a lovely afternoon together, starting with lunch at Ty’s.
Then, they made their way over to Jake’s house to visit Zeus.
The dog seemed happy and on the mend, which lightened Addy’s mood considerably.
By the time they reached the grocery store, the woman he had known intimately the night before made an appearance.
She held his hand, leaned on him, and they picked up groceries based on what they both liked to eat.
Every decision seemed like an indication of her momentary guilt faded into the background.
Never wanting her to push Sam out of her memories, he only wanted a shot at making her happy. They enjoyed the same things, and the more Addy came out of her shell, the harder he fell for her.
“I finished dessert,” she announced, coming outside to join him at the grill. Handing him a glass of lemonade, she sat on the wooden bench while he sipped the cool beverage.
“This hit the spot,” he said, setting it on the grill tray.
“The food smells amazing. I’m glad you’re getting use of the grill. I never got the hang of it. One time, I went to make burgers on it and caught the side of the house on fire,” she confessed with a chuckle.
“Come here, and I’ll show you the trick to keeping the flame even,” he beckoned. Liam waited until she set her drink on the bench and approached. Her poor finger went to her mouth as she chewed on the jagged nail.
“Really, I’m not good at this,” she said with trepidation in her voice.
“It’s why practicing with someone who is, works out perfectly,” he said, taking her finger from her mouth and sucking on it. “It seems you have a nasty habit I need to break. Why do you bite them?”
Shrugging, Addy watched as he opened the grill lid. “I’ve always done it. I guess it’s a nervous response.”
“Maybe I will show you another way to relieve your anxiety,” he teased, glancing down at her.
“I’m open to any ideas,” she said as he demonstrated how to adjust the flame and how to place the meat. “Samantha, Whiskey’s wife, owns the salon in town. She’s given up on me ever having nails for a manicure. She sometimes comes in to meet the other women for lunch.”
Passing her the tongs, Liam asked, “Do you ever join them? Try turning the meat over and give the veggies a stir.”
She flipped the chicken and gave the veggies a good stir with the long metal spoon. “I don’t like to intrude. They’re a very close-knit group.”
“Did it ever occur to you they invited you to join them, because they want to get to know you better?” he asked as he closed the lid and set the tongs and spoon on the tray.
“They invited me when I first arrived. It felt more like they took pity on the poor widow. After a while, they stopped asking,” she confided.
“Maybe because you kept refusing them. The street goes both ways, Addy. You have to meet them halfway,” he chided. “They showed up for you after the break-in, didn’t they?” he pointed out.
“Yeah,” she agreed, sitting on the bench. Liam joined her as he waited for the food to finish.
“Have you visited Samantha’s salon? Whiskey asked her to come to the hospital to have my hair trimmed. She does an excellent job,” he said, complimenting Samantha.
“No,” she admitted. “I drive into Seattle. I found someone there who does my hair adequately. Most of the time, I’m at work, and it goes into a bun.”
Sighing, Liam stood to remove the food and place it on the platter.
“Next time they ask, join the women. They’re a great bunch,” he encouraged her.
“After my implant, Bryanna made me cookies. Tess sent me her famous breakfast burritos with Taco. Kassie and Catherine checked on me daily. As I mentioned, Samantha cut my hair. Even Michael’s wife, Lizzy, dropped in to see me.
I saw Claire for a while to get my head on straight.
Of course, Cole and Stormy visited me to update me on Apollo’s progress and gave me a list of commands to learn.
I can’t wait to start working with him.”
“It sounds like you’re anticipating joining the security team,” she said, smiling as he handed her the platter and cleaned off the grill.
“Yes, I’m excited about the opportunity. Take this inside,” he instructed. “I’ll finish up here and will join you in a minute.”
Addy went inside, and he saw her set everything on the table as he shut everything off and cleaned up his mess. When he went inside, he set his lemonade on the table and went to wash up. When he returned, Liam noticed she moved his plate to the opposite side.
“You don’t want to miss the sunset,” Addy explained. “I get a spectacular view with the two mountains as the backdrop. You don’t want to miss it.”
Liam sat, placing the napkin on his lap. He passed her a piece of chicken while she scooped the grilled veggies onto his plate.
“Zeus will be excited to return home tomorrow. Do you want me to help load him into the SUV?” he asked.
“If you don’t have any other plans,” she said, getting up and bringing barbecue sauce to the table to dip her chicken.
Liam grabbed her by the waist and pulled her down into his lap. Her hand scraped along his jaw as she gazed into his eyes.
“This feels incredible,” he moaned. “You know, it’d feel better if your nails ran through it,” he teased, kissing her nose.
Addy leaned over, taking a piece of asparagus from his plate and feeding it to him. “But then I couldn’t feed you. Do you know all the germs living under your nail bed?”
“Then why do you bite them?” he countered, rubbing his scruff along her face, making her laugh.
“I guess you’ll have to break me of the habit,” she teased.
Liam scooted the chair away from the table and flipped her over his knee. “Do you really want me to show you how I break bad habits?” he warned her playfully.
“Yes,” she said, letting out a breathy moan.
Forgetting about the food, Liam rubbed her backside over her pants.
“Has anyone ever spanked your lovely bottom, Addy?”
She shook her head, balancing with her hands on the floor.
“I’ve only read about it in books. I didn’t think people really ever did it,” she confessed. “Of course, those women needed a man to tell them what to do. Some men even picked out the women’s clothes and gave them a list of instructions for the day.”
“They’re called subs,” he explained. “Don’t take them as silly little creatures without a brain cell in their head.
In fact, most subs are highly motivated women who find it comforting and safe to cede control over to their partner.
They get a chance to step away from a demanding job or life and let someone else make the decisions for a change. ”
“What’s it got to do with spanking them?” she asked as he rubbed along her thighs.
“It releases endorphins and allows them to feel things they may have suppressed. Some subs get spanked when they’re naughty. But the fun spankings happen when the dom and sub only want to play and enjoy themselves.”
“Ummm, are you a dom?” she asked, attempting to rise.
“No, Addy. I’ve visited a few dungeons in my time and learned a few things,” he said, keeping her still. “Shall we try this and see how you like it?”
“It feels weird. I’m a grown woman,” she insisted.
Liam lightly smacked her bottom, making her jolt. “I don’t want you biting your nails anymore, Addy. If you need to relieve some tension, I want you to find me,” he said, giving her another pat on her cheeks.
“Oh,” Addy moaned, surprised.
Liam delivered a third smack, slightly harder, letting her feel it through the material.
“Say it, Addy. Tell me you’ll come find me if you’re stressed,” he ordered gently.
“I promise,” she said, her voice sounding husky.
He swatted each cheek with two consecutive blows and rubbed his hand over the material. Addy let out a low moan.
Sitting her up, he saw the heated flame in her eyes before she leaned in and captured his mouth. Her tongue demanded access to his as her arms wrapped around his neck.
A longing he never knew existed until Addy seemed to disappear as she laid claim to him.
He lifted her off his lap and moved the dishes farther down the table before unbuttoning her pants and sliding her clothes over her hips and down her legs.
He paused to slip off her shoes and resumed removing the rest. Liam sat her on top of the table as she reached the hem of his shirt, pulling it over his head.
Her hands flew to his pants and undid them as he worked on the buttons of her top. Need consumed them as they tore at the clothes, tossing them to the floor.
Liam cupped Addy’s breast as she licked his nipple and spread kisses along his chest and abdomen.
“You’re killing me,” he gritted out as she squeezed his balls and stroked his length.
“I need you, now,” she demanded.
Liam, feeling the same way, lined up at her soaked entrance and shoved his way inside. Unlike the night before, they didn’t share tender kisses or gentle touches. The heat of their passion refused to wait as he thrust inside her.
Addy clung to his back, pulling him closer as the urgency grew, both painful and pleasurable.
“Liam,” she chanted as he pulled out and thrust his way back in, unable to stop the lust flowing through his veins.
“Addy,” he whispered as their lovemaking became more fevered.
His hands roamed to her buttocks as he ground against her.
Her body shook, and her legs quivered as he leaned down to claim her mouth.
Liam wanted to taste every inch of her, but his cock demanded the sweet heat of her core as it pushed its way in deeper than before.
“Ahhh,” she cried, gripping him. He felt her walls clench around his shaft as he let go. They came down from the high together.
Leaning forward, he kissed her sweaty forehead. She lay against his chest, her limbs felt relaxed, and she stroked his back.
“Wow,” he uttered softly.
“Hmmm,” she agreed.
He slid out of her and grabbed some paper towels, wiping himself and then gently spreading her legs, cleaning her.
“When you said you cooked, you didn’t say anything about the heat,” she teased as she slid off the table. He grabbed a towel to clean off the table.
“It seems like you withstood it like a champ,” he shot back. “I’m afraid our food got cold.”
Addy entered the bathroom and came out a few minutes later. “Hand me your plate. We can reheat it.”
Liam passed her plate first and picked up his. He walked over to the microwave, enjoying the view of her naked form. Kissing her shoulder while she watched the timer, he murmured, “You’re beautiful.”
She turned into his arms, setting the plate on the counter. “You’re a masterpiece.”
“If you keep talking to me like that, I’ll grow a big head,” he warned.
She blinked as her eyes lit up and she reached for his cock, swiping at the tip. “Oops, I think you already have.”
“Grrr,” he growled out, feeling the twinge of his cock in her hand.
“You need to eat,” he chided. “Did you like your small taste of spanking?”
“Oh, yes. I see why the heroines in my book tend to act naughtily,” she replied.
“After dinner, how about we clean up the dishes and take a shower? I think I’d rather enjoy my dessert in there,” he suggested, not wanting to take her to the bedroom where Sam’s picture sat beside the bed.
“We can arrange that,” she said, taking her plate from the microwave and heating his. “Can we eat outside? It’s a beautiful night, and the sun’s setting.”
Walking over to his shirt, Liam picked it up off the floor and tugged it over her head. He slid into his jeans as the microwave beeped. He saw the curves of her ass as she leaned forward to get his plate. His cock ached, and his heart pounded as if it told him Addy was his.
* * *
Addyson sat on Liam’s lap outside, feeding him bits of chicken from her plate. He, in turn, fed her while they took in the beautiful sunset.
“Are you cold?” he asked between bites.
“No. Your body heat’s keeping me warm,” she replied, feeding him asparagus.
“Thank you for trusting me,” Liam said as he popped a small potato in her mouth. “I’ll never hurt you, Addy.”
“I know,” she said. “We only have one problem. You’ll have to compete with another male.”
He stiffened at her words.
“Zeus doesn’t like to share. He was here first and deserves the first choice on where to sit on the couch,” she teased.
“You find it funny, do you?” he said as his hands rode up his shirt, tickling her.
“Yes, I do,” she screeched. Her laughter echoed in the trees behind them.
She didn’t recall ever feeling this free.
The man beside her turned her world upside down, and she loved every minute they spent together.
For once, Addy didn’t worry about schedules, keeping everything neat, or acting like a guest in her own home.
Liam made her feel important and cherished.
Her feelings for him grew, and her heart felt lighter with each passing day.
Sam’s face floated in her mind, sobering her.
It didn’t seem as perfect as it usually did.
The image appeared frayed and slightly blurred.
Maybe Liam held the key to her new future.