16. Ellie
Chapter 16
Ellie
“The only person that has ever had the power to keep me from you…is you.”
I keep replaying those words in my head over and over. Liam’s not a hundred percent right, but what he says makes a lot of sense. I’m weakening, I know I am, but between everything he’s saying and being on his bike, pressed up against him, my head lying against his back, as we move through the city, my brain is mush. I know how much I’ve missed Liam. I’ve ached for him every day, but I don’t think I remembered how good things were between us during the happy times. Suddenly it’s all coming back to me and this time around, I don’t have this huge fear inside of me like I did before.
Of course, Liam doesn’t know everything and when he does, he may hate me. But, he loves me right now. Plus, there’s no reason he has to know. We can start fresh, erase our history and begin again. Isn’t that what true second chances are all about?
We pull into a large, historical looking Catholic church with these gigantic towers that remind me of something out of a fairytale. Once Liam shuts the bike off, I slide from my seat, waiting for him. He immediately grabs my hand in his and I look down as our fingers intertwine. When my gaze moves back to Liam, he’s staring at me, his eyes intent. He’s studying me, I know enough about my man to know that he never misses a beat. I give him a smile, not a happy one, but a reassuring one. When he still doesn’t make a move, I lean up to press my lips against his. I don’t know why, I’m acting on instinct. It seems to be the right move though because he pulls me against him with his free hand, his other still joined with mine. He nuzzles my neck, kissing it. Then, his nose brushes against my ear and I feel his hot breath feather against my skin as he whispers, “Missed the fuck out of you, Ice.”
It feels as if my heart squeezes tightly in my chest.
“I missed you, too, Liam…” I respond, my voice so breathy that I’m not sure it sounds anything like me. His words feel huge, as if they truly feed a soul that has been starving and that’s exactly what I’ve been.
Starving for him .
It’s not sexual, although that’s always come naturally with us. It’s so much more than that. He gives me joy.
We pull apart and walk up the steps to the church.
“Want to get married while we’re here?” he asks. My heart beats hard against my chest. My first instinct is to say yes, and that should scare me.
“Very funny, Liam.”
“Wasn’t joking, Ice,” he says with a wink. I don’t respond, probably because I’m afraid of what my answer could mean. I’m not sure I’m ready to take that next step just yet. When we get to the front door he stops abruptly, looking down at me. His hand wraps against the side of my neck. “I’m supposed to have my mind on nothing but business right now, Ellie, but I swear to fuck all I can do is look at the way you’ve braided your hair to ride and remember the hundreds of times I undid it so it would fall around your face as I fucked you.”
“I’m not sure you’re supposed to have this kind of conversation outside of a church, Liam.”
“The way I look at it, Ellie, you’re my gift from a higher power. What better place to give thanks for you?”
“I think I’d forgotten what a sweet talker you are,” I mumble, feeling warm all over.
“I’m going to kiss you, Ice. It’s not going to be sweet. I’m going to fuck your mouth with my tongue and all you’re going to do is hold on for the ride, got it?”
“I…uh…”
“You don’t have a choice, I’m just giving you a warning.”
“Okay—”
His mouth slams against mine before I get a chance to say anything else. His tongue thrusts inside, wrapping around mine. My legs get immediately weak. Instantly the taste of Liam brings back memories that I could have sworn I’d never forgotten, yet somehow they feel brand new. I collapse against him, giving my weight, as he plunders my mouth, taking it over and owning it. Just as he owns me.
When we break apart, both of us are breathing hard. My heart is hammering so hard in my chest that it should be painful. I slowly open my eyes to look at Liam. He’s right in front of me. Present. Intense. Mine for the taking.
“Let’s get this done,” he says, his voice so deep and dark that I shiver.
“Uh…” I stumble to find more words, afraid I’ve done something wrong.
“Ice, we need to hurry or I swear to God, I’m going to fuck you right here on the steps. I’m pretty sure that’s something you don’t want to happen.”
“We’re next to a park full of children, so maybe not.”
“They’ll need a lesson in the birds and the bees sooner or later.”
“I vote later,” I mumble.
“Figured. Let’s get this shit done, then.”
“Okay,” I agree. I try to give him a smile, even though my brain is frazzled.
He gives me a quick kiss, sadly no tongue this time. “Okay,” he says, leading me inside.