14. Ivy
CHAPTER 14
Ivy
I drive for the first hour after we leave the motel. I’m lost in thought, mixed up over what happened with Ford and Harrison, wondering if I should call or text and if I do what I would possibly say.
Liam is just as quiet, though. He has to be thinking about Harrison.
And strangely, even though we just confessed our feelings to one another and are now officially in a relationship, it doesn’t bother me that he’s upset over Harrison.
I know that’s a little weird. But everything has been different, unexpected, since I walked in and found out Brad had left me. I’m just rolling with it. I’ve learned the hard way that even the most meticulously planned things can go really, really wrong. So, I’m just going with what feels good.
Like me and Liam.
Things between us are so easy. As always. Even with these added extras. Like admitting we’re in love.
His declaration was surprising, and I still get butterflies when I think about it, but I wasn’t shocked . It felt right. It felt like something I’d been waiting for somehow.
It was also very easy to say it back to him.
And now, three hours into our trip, Liam is driving and we’ve had absolutely no argument over the radio, or snacks, he’s stopped every time I’ve asked, and even the sweet and casual PDA—a kiss on the top of my head, a hand on my lower back, our fingers linked as we walked to and from the car—has already felt second nature.
We are like we’ve always been, but with hand-holding and kissing.
I really like it.
I steal a look at Liam.
I’ve known him for so long that his face, his body, the way he moves and sits, his gestures and expressions, are so familiar that it’s funny and thrilling to me that looking at him now makes butterflies swoop in my stomach.
He glances at me and catches me watching him.
The corner of his mouth curls. “What?” he asks.
“I was just thinking about how much I like looking at you. You’re pretty hot.”
He laughs. “Thanks. You’re pretty hot too.”
I reach out and he takes my hand, linking our fingers. “No, it’s just funny. I’ve always thought you were attractive. But I guess it became just an objective fact rather than something I let affect me. Probably because I felt like we couldn’t act on it. But it was really easy to throw that switch.”
He looks very interested in that answer. “Threw that switch, huh?”
“Yeah. I am loving the idea that you’re my boyfriend. And that I can reach out and touch you whenever I want.” I run a hand up and down his arm. He’s not as bulky as Ford but he’s trim and muscular, and I love the tattoos on his arms.
I quickly shake off the thought of Ford. Ford is not here. He chose to leave. And how I feel about him doesn’t matter. I am with Liam now.
Except that was an abrupt ending to something that seemed to be just beginning, and I hate that. I really feel like I want to talk to Ford, have some kind of closure, but I’m not sure if that’s the right thing to do or not.
Because of both Ford and Liam.
Right now I’m with Liam, though, so I focus on him.
“And I know tonight we’ll be sleeping in the same bed. And not with pillows stuffed between us or you fully clothed on top of the covers. Or any of the other ways we’ve shared the bed before.”
His fingers curl against mine, and he glances away from the road. There is heat in his eyes. “I’ve had a few sleepless nights because of you. You owe me.”
I can’t help my smile. Or the tingles spreading through my body. “I owe you?”
“Yeah, I think you should have to repay me somehow for all that torture.”
I lean closer. “It was torture? You poor thing.”
“Sleeping next to you? Thinking about how you would look naked? Thinking about how you would feel if I pulled you up against me? My cock hard and aching all night? Yeah, torture.”
His words have heat and some aching happening between my legs.
“What about last night?” I venture to ask. I shouldn’t bring it up. We should forget about last night. We should probably try to forget about Ford and Harrison completely.
Still, I want his answer.
His fingers grip me tighter. “You mean, when you were naked, grinding against another man, his fingers buried in your pussy, you coming apart, just a few feet away from me?”
He’s not looking at me. He’s studying the road, concentrating on driving. I feel my breathing speed up. “Yeah. When you were naked with another man in the bed next to mine. When you had another man’s cock pressed up against you. When you were coming in another man’s fist.”
I see him grip the steering wheel tighter. “It was hot as fuck,” he says huskily.
It was. It really was.
It’s also reassuring that I don’t have to be guarded with Liam about my confused feelings for Ford.
“Did you picture me at all?” I ask. “When Harrison was touching you?”
“Of course. I was seconds away from turning on the bedside lamp. I wanted to see you so badly.”
I swallow hard. “I wanted to see you, too. I was picturing everything you were doing.”
He looks over at me. “Hearing you come was so fucking hot.”
I lick my lips and nod. “Same.”
Suddenly, he mutters, “Fuck it.” He looks in the rearview mirror, then turns the wheel to the right.
I reach out and brace my hand on the dash. “Liam!”
“I know we still have a long way to drive, but I can’t wait any longer,” he tells me.
“Wait for—” But I don’t need to ask the question. There’s a motel just off this exit.
At least this one is in a national chain that I recognize the name of.
My stomach swoops and I grin. “We’re making a stop?”
He pulls up in front of the motel and throws the car into park. He leans across the seat and cups the back of my head, pulling me in and kissing me deeply. Hotly. He pulls back and looks into my eyes. “We’re making a stop. I need you. Right now.”
Heat sizzles through me and I simply nod.
He’s out of the car and in the lobby of the motel a minute later.
I press my hand against my stomach, trying to calm myself, but the adrenaline is pumping hard.
I can’t think about Brad or my wedding disaster right now. Or Ford. Or Harrison. None of them matter. Well, they do to the extent that they are part of our experience, and part of how we got here.
But right now, it’s just me and Liam.
He comes striding back out to the car a few minutes later, and slides behind the wheel. He drives us around to the back of the motel and then parks, gets out, and comes around my door.
This is a much nicer place than where we were last night.
He grabs my hand and pulls me up out of the seat. But rather than start for the door of the motel, he presses me against the side of the car.
He takes my face in both hands. “I love you.”
I smile. “I love you too.”
“Good. I just needed you to know that before I take you into that room.”
My brows arch. “Why is that?”
“Because this is probably not going to be sweet and romantic. I’m not going to make love to you. Not this first time. I’m going to fuck you. Fuck three years of pent up lust and emotion into you. Fuck the I-almost-lost-this-chance into you.”
I laugh, even as every inch of my body feels like it’s on fire. I wouldn’t expect sweet and romantic from Liam, even if we didn’t have feelings building between us for years. But I say, “Well, believe it or not, that is kind of romantic. And perfect for us. And I’m all in.”
He gives me a delicious growl, then kisses me quickly before taking my hand and practically dragging me into the motel, up the flight of stairs to the second floor and down the hallway to room two seventeen, then through the door.
I expect to be spun and pressed against the door or wall, but instead he pushes me toward the bed.
“Stay right there,” he commands.
He goes around the room, opening the curtains fully so the sunlight spills in, then turning on every light. Then he grabs the armchair near the window and drags it over.
He positions the chair so there are a few feet between the chair and the foot of the bed. He drops into the chair, props one ankle on his opposite knee, sits back, then says, “Okay.”
“You’re not going to undress or even get on the bed?”
“I have been waiting for this moment for three years. I intend to savor every single moment, study every single inch, touch and taste every single inch of you.”
I shiver as desire ripples through me.
“Well,” I say, my voice breathless. “Just tell me what you want me to do.”
He grips the arms of the chair, but says, “Strip.”
This won’t take long. I’m wearing a simple summer dress. Underneath, I am wearing a bra and panties, though.
When I pulled them on this morning, I remembered what Ford had said about the jumpsuit I wore months ago that he still remembered.
You have to stop thinking about Ford.
It’s not like I’m not focused on Liam. I am. I am so happy to be here with him. I feel like my entire body is buzzing with excitement and I very much want to do this with him.
I kick my sandals off to the side, then start unbuttoning the tiny buttons that run down the front of the dress. I wouldn’t have to. I can slip the dress on and off over my head, but there’s something about unbuttoning for him that makes me feel sexy. And the way he grips the arms of the chair tighter, and the flare of heat in his eyes tells me this is the right choice.
I unbutton to my waist and he growls, “Enough.”
I smirk as I let the dress drop to the floor. I pause, letting him study me in my bra and panties. I don’t have huge breasts, but they are enough to fill his hands, and I can’t wait to feel his touch. My nipples are very hard, and I’m sure he can see them through the thin silk of my bra.
“Bra and panties. Off.”
Liam is a man of few words anyway, but the gruffness in his voice tells me that some of his short commands have to do with his tightly wound desire. That gives me a heady thrill.
I reach behind me and unfasten my bra, tossing it to the side. He sucks in a sharp breath as my bare breasts are revealed for the first time. Then I hook my thumbs in the top of my panties and push them down.
I can feel his gaze on me as if he’s touching me. I stand, waiting for my next command. There’s something about letting him lead this that makes my pussy flutter.
Liam does not coddle me. He’s always there for me. If I need a ride home, if I need someone to bounce ideas off of, the time I was sick with strep throat and Brad was out of town and I needed someone to bring me soup and more cough drops. But Liam doesn’t assume I need to be taken care of. He’ll help me with anything if I ask, but he doesn't take over. Usually, I like that. He fully respects me and admires my independence.
But now? Here in the bedroom? With sex? It’s very hot to be taking orders.
“Turn around,” he tells me.
I do, intending to turn a full three-sixty. But he stops me when I’m facing away. He leans forward and I feel his hands on my waist. I shiver. “I love having your hands on me.”
“Good thing. I’m going to be doing a lot of touching for a long time.”
I smile, but then he drags his hands down the outside of my thighs, and my smile dies. His touch sends sparks along all of my nerve endings.
He runs his hands back up my thighs, then to my ass, where he kneads and squeezes before running them up my back, then around to my stomach, then back to my hips.
“Your skin is like silk,” he says roughly.
“Thank you,” I manage.
“Turn.”
I do and I hold my breath as his gaze scans me from head to toe, right up close. He drags his hands from my hips down to my knees again. Then he slides them back up over my hips to my ribs and then up to cup my breasts. I suck in a sharp breath. My nipples pull even tighter and he runs his thumbs over both at once.
“Liam,” I say breathlessly.
“You’re so fucking beautiful,” he says, rubbing my nipples, then plucking at them.
Heat hits my pussy and I give a little moan.
“Yeah, that’s a pretty sound.”
He’s watching his hands and fingers on my breasts. I run my hands along his arms, needing to touch him somehow.
His hands glide down over my belly to my hips and he sets me back slightly. “I need to see this pretty pussy.”
It hits me that it should maybe be awkward that my best friend is talking about my pussy and looking at me completely naked while he sits fully clothed.
Instead, it’s hot as hell.
He nudges me back to the bed. “Spread your legs for me, Ivy.”
I never thought I’d hear those words from Liam. But I wanted them. I’d shoved my attraction to him deep down, it seems, but it’s all rushing to the forefront now.
I sit on the end of the bed and part my knees.
He leans forward, resting his forearm on his thighs, studying me. He wasn’t lying. It seems he truly does intend to see every inch.
“Lie back,” he tells me.
I do, spreading my legs for him. My hands go to my breasts, playing with my aching nipples.
“Fuck,” he mutters, rubbing a hand over his jaw.
“Touch me,” I beg.
I feel more exposed than I ever have been. But I don’t feel vulnerable. I am completely safe with Liam. Instead, I am incredibly turned on. I need his touch. I need him to help with this deep growing ache.
He runs both hands up my inner thighs, his thumbs coming together at my center and brushing over my folds. I am incredibly wet and maybe should be embarrassed. But his groan and, “Fuck you’re perfect,” makes me feel sexy and gorgeous and empowered.
I think at this moment, I could get him to do anything I wanted him to. I might be spread out, completely naked, but I’m in control here.
“Liam, touch me. Please.”
He runs his thumbs over my pussy, dragging wetness from my slit to my clit.
I moan. “ Ye s.”
He circles and presses and I feel the tightness of an orgasm gathering already.
“God, I’ve thought of you so many times like this,” he says almost reverently.
I lift my hips, trying to get closer to his touch. “More,” I urge.
He slips a finger into me, sliding deep, then dragging it out before circling my clit again.
I whimper.
“How did—” He cuts himself off.
“How did what?” I ask.
He lifts his gaze from my pussy to my face. He shakes his head. “Never mind. I don’t need to know. It’s me getting you off this time.”
I realize he was going to ask about Ford. And last night.
So all of that is not only on my mind.
It was hot. It was very intimate sharing that with Liam. In a way, that was more intimate than I’ve ever been with anyone else, even the people I’ve slept with. He got to hear me with someone else. That’s…unusual. But I don’t want anyone else with us here at this very moment.
“I only want you right now,” I tell him.
I hear a low rumble from the back of his throat and he slides another finger into me, circling over my clit with his thumb.
My orgasm begins to coil tighter, and I squeeze one nipple.
“God, I love feeling your pussy around my fingers,” he tells me. He stands and leans over me, keeping his fingers deep inside me, curling them against my G-spot. He lowers his head and takes a nipple into his mouth, sucking hard as he fucks me faster with his fingers.
“Let me hear you come again. But loud . No whispering in here. Let me hear my name come from this pretty mouth.”
The way he’s looking at me is so intense, the way he’s braced over me, the way he’s touching me, firmly, fully, deeply—not tenderly or sweetly, but like he knows I can take everything he’s giving me, combines to make my orgasm suddenly pull tight, and then release, pleasure rushing over me.
“Liam!” I call out loudly.
“That’s my girl,“ he praises, his fingers still moving between my thighs. “That’s my sweet fucking girl.”
Then he stands, pulling his fingers from my body and lifting them to his lips. He licks them clean, his gaze locked on mine. I start to move my knees together, instinctively I suppose, but he steps close, blocking the motion with his own knee. “Oh no. I’m not done with that pussy yet.”
I’m breathing fast. I let my legs part again. Then I watch as he unbuttons his jeans and pulls the zipper down.
“Shirt off too,” I tell him.
He grasps the shirt between his shoulder blades and yanks it over his head, tossing it to the side.
I’ve seen Liam shirtless before, but again, I must have suppressed my true reaction to the sight. Now, I notice the muscle definition, the ink, all of the places that I want to lick and bite him.
My breath shudders out. “God, I want you.”
He pushes his jeans over his hips, kicking his shoes off, then stepping out of the jeans. He’s left in only his underwear, and I catch my lower lip between my teeth as I watch him slowly strip them off.
This is definitely new. I have never seen Liam naked before.
But holy shit. He’s gorgeous. His cock is long and thick and… “You’re pierced ?” I prop up on my elbows. “How did I not know you’re pierced there ?”
“Despite the fact that I’ve wanted you up close and personal with my cock many times over the years, it hasn’t actually come up as a topic of conversation much between us,” he says wryly.
I sit up and lean forward, running my hands down his sides to his hips, studying his cock and the piercing.
I look up at him. “Can I touch it?”
He gives a short laugh, but it sounds pained. “Jesus. Fuck yes.”
I do, tentatively, running my finger over the ball.
“It’s called a Prince Albert.”
“It’s so sexy,” I tell him.
“You’re going to love it.” Then he grasps my thighs and tips me back. He leans over me, his expression full of heat but also affection. “You wet and ready for me, Ivy?”
I nod quickly. “So ready.”
“There are so many fun things we’re going to do, but right now I just need to be inside you.”
I nod again. “Yes. Please.”
He doesn’t climb up on the bed. He pulls me until my ass is at the end of the mattress, spreads my legs, then asks, “You still have your IUD?”
I laugh. “See? We have talked about some pretty private things.” He actually drove me to that appointment. That was pre-Brad. “You could have told me about the piercing.”
He grins. “Not exactly the same. But I love knowing intimate details about you.” He strokes his hands up and down my thighs. “I’ll go get a condom if you want me to. But I haven’t fucked anyone without a condom. Not in years. And I get tested regularly.”
I nod. I know this about him. “I trust you. We don’t need a condom.”
Heat flashes in his eyes, then he takes his cock in hand, stroking up and down the length once with a firm grip. He’s looking at me with an intense mix of desire and affection. “God, you’re so beautiful. I can’t believe we’re here.”
“Careful,” I tell him. “I feel like you’re on the verge of saying something sweet or romantic.”
He narrows his eyes, then says, “You’re right. Spread your legs and take this dick like a good girl.”
He runs a finger over my clit and I’ve barely gasped before he’s at my entrance, then sliding deep.
It’s a tighter fit than I expected, but I love it. This is Liam. Probably the person I love most in the world. And fuck, his cock is amazing. Even without the piercing. But damn, if women knew what this felt like, they would insist all men get these.
“Oh my God, Liam,” I moan, arching my neck.
“That’s my girl, take me. Take every. Fucking. Inch.” He says each of those words with another thrust.
Then he’s all the way in, and I have never felt this full.
“Perfect,” he breathes. “Fucking perfect.”
Then he starts moving.
And I’m right with him. I love unleashed Liam. He fucks me into that mattress like it is his entire mission in life.
He showers praise on me the entire time, telling me how amazing I feel, how perfect I am, how long he’s wanted me, how this is everything he dreamed of.
The idea that Liam has wanted me like this for so long adds to everything else I’m feeling and I’m quickly climbing toward the pinnacle.
“Fucking come for me, Ivy. Let me feel this sweet cunt squeeze me. I’m going to fill you up so good. I want you to feel me the rest of the day.”
I’m suddenly there, pleasure bursting through me, crying out his name again.
And then he lets himself go. “Fuck, Ivy!”
He hammers into me, and I can only hold on.
Then he shouts my name, “Ivy!” And comes even as my orgasm is still rippling.
He drops forward, bracing his hands on either side of me, sucking in air, still buried deep.
I lift my hands and run them through his hair. “That was amazing,” I tell him. “God, we’re so good together.”
He lifts his head and pins me with an intense look. “Yes. We are. Forever.”
I can only nod. Forever. It makes so much sense.
How did I not see that this man was who I wanted and needed all along?
And to think I almost screwed this up.
I am definitely not going to do that again.