Chapter 13 #2
“Firebreather?”
Liam shrugs and smiles. “Am I wrong?”
Sophia chimes in with a laugh. “I mean, that could describe either one of you when you’re together.”
“I picked it first!” Liam scoots back slightly against the wall, his arms around me, pulling me to lie with him against his chest.
I shift so that I see the movie better, lying flush against his back, his arms encircling my hips.
It’s intimate, the way he holds me in his arms.
His little nickname stirs something buried deep inside of me.
I don’t hate it.
Not that I’d ever tell Liam, or he’d never let me live it down.
Just like being in his strong arms, his back against me, curled up, it isn’t so bad.
I try to focus on the movie, but all l can feel is each breath that he takes. It’s slow, even, steady.
How is he not panicking right now?
How can the man who hates me hold me like it’s no big deal and focus on the movie in front of us?
He rests his chin on the top of my head, and I wiggle against him, not wanting him to do that.
Liam clears his throat and shifts slightly.
Did I inadvertently make him uncomfortable?
His arms wrap around my waist, holding me against his chest. His touch on my arms is soft, gentle, comforting.
I’m exhausted after the fainting spell, and I struggle to keep my eyes open.
The pads of his fingers dance from my arms to my stomach, and it lulls me to sleep.
I awaken as the credits roll and I’m half tucked in the crook of one of Liam’s arms, holding my neck up.
My eyes flutter open, and I pull away, glancing back at him to see that he’s used pillows to prop up his arm, for me.
There’s no way he was in the position for his benefit.
“Sorry I fell asleep.”
“It’s all right, Firebreather.” The way he says that nickname sends warmth tingling through my body. “Next time, just don’t drool on me.”
My eyes widen in horror. “I don’t drool in my sleep!”
Liam chuckles. “Tell that to your lips.”
Glaring at him, I crawl away, scooting off the bed. “Thanks for the movie, Sophia. I should head back to my room.”
Liam climbs off the bed behind me. “I ought to head back to campus.”
He’s got quite a drive ahead of him.
“Thanks again for driving me home.” I still can’t believe he offered to drive me instead of making me take the bus.
This nice-guy routine is really throwing me.
But then again, he tosses in a jab at me about drooling in my sleep, which I’m confident never happened, and he irks me again.
“I’ll walk you back to your dorm.”
“That isn’t necessary. You’ve got a long drive; you should just head out.” I slip my shoes on and grab the empty bag of popcorn, tossing it into the trash.
I give Sophia an awkward hug goodbye and step out into the hallway, Liam right behind me.
“There’s no sense in arguing, because you’re going to lose. Just like you lost that bet.”
He closes the door behind us, and his hand is on the small of my back as he walks me to the elevator.
“I didn’t lose the bet.” I’m not giving Liam Moretti the satisfaction.
“You did, and you owe me a date.”
My nose twitches, and I slam the elevator button abruptly for down.
“Someone’s cranky. Not enough sleep?” Liam jokes, like he’s talking about that little kid at his house, not a grown-ass woman.
I elbow him to shut up, and he takes a step back, giving me some distance.
Finally!
The elevator dings and opens on the sixth floor. I step inside, and Liam is right next to me. “You can relax; I don’t make it a habit of fainting in elevators.”
He raises an eyebrow. “Are you sure?”
I punch the button for the first floor and ignore him.
It’s hard to do when he steps closer to me.
I glare at him.
“I’m just trying to be helpful!” He throws his arms up in the air, but he’s practically right beside me, invading my personal space.
“You and helpful aren’t two words that belong in the same sentence.”
He mocks injury like I’ve wounded his chest and throws a hand against his heart. “That burns, Firebreather.”
“I guess you gave me the right nickname.”
The elevator doors open, and I hurry out before he has time to reply. I’m jetting out the foyer and through the double doors like I’m on a mission. And I am, to get home and away from Liam.
I grumble under my breath, pissed at myself that I’m not clever enough to come up with a nickname for him.
Knowing my luck, I’ll think up one when he’s gone.
Liam is right behind me as I hurry across the lawn, intending to take a short cut, a few steps less, toward my building.
“In a hurry?” Liam guesses, and he’s got long legs, so it just takes him a few strides to keep up.
I feel like I’m running, which isn’t doing my racing heart any favors. The heat is also beating the hell out of me as it starts to finally lower along the horizon.
It’s not humid like Florida, but the heat and sunlight are enough to make me uncomfortable.
I’ve never quite understood it, but heat and I don’t get along. Winter is fine. I despise the cold, but it doesn’t make me sick.
Heat is an entirely different beast. I’ve spent more time in and out of doctor’s offices and the emergency room, getting IVs for dehydration.
I faint more in the heat. I also can’t seem to focus, like my brain is a million miles away.
It’s as if I step out into the sun and I’m instantly sucked of my life.
I prefer the night and no, I’m not a vampire.
Although at times it does feel a bit that way.
The heat is sweltering, and I grab the door handle, yanking it open, grateful for the cool blast of air inside as the air conditioning is pouring in and making the place bearable.
My head spins, dizziness overwhelming all of my senses.
I should have consumed a second drink of water in Sophia’s room. I finished the first bottle, not that it seems to have mattered.
I focus on putting one foot in front of the other.
I am not going to pass out in front of Liam Moretti.
Not like I haven’t already done that once today, but twice, absolutely not!
I will myself to stay upright, the cold air helping bring my senses back, one by one.
I’m in front of the elevator, staring at the button, and Liam steps beside me and pushes it.
“What floor?” Liam asks before we so much as step into the elevator.
He must notice the glazed look on my face, the fact that I can’t seem to focus and even so much as talking takes far too much energy.
Tunnel vision.
It sucks.
“Six,” I manage to rasp. I want to remark that he should remember he came up to my room, we kissed, but the words are too heavy on my tongue. They take more strength than I can muster.
I step forward, the nausea rearing its ugly head, sweeping over me as I grip the handrail in the elevator.
Not fucking, again.
Please.
The elevator isn’t nearly as cool as the first floor, and I feel the telltale signs of trouble brewing.
Please, no.
Sweat licks my forehead, beading down my skin. My vision flickers for a moment as I sway, and Liam’s arm is right there on my hip.
“I’ve got you,” he whispers into my ear, his breath causing me to shudder.
I’m not expecting his touch, his breath, the heat of his body, which makes my heart race even faster.
I don’t notice Liam pressing the button for the sixth floor.
I can’t say I see much of anything as dark spots pepper my vision.
Fuck me.
My legs go weak and my breathing intensifies, quickens, as though I’m chasing after the last light in my eyes.
His arms are around me, and he scoops me up into his arms before I have time to process what he’s doing. The sweeping darkness tries to take over, but I’m hauled against his chest as the elevator door dings and we reach our destination.
At least that’s where I think we are, because my eyes are shut and I’m resting my head on his chest.
I don’t even care about the embarrassment and humiliation that I know I will face come tomorrow.
He carries me out of the elevator, and the blast of cold air in the hallway is a welcome relief to the heat and nausea rolling over me like waves.
“Where’s your key, babe? I’m going to need to let you into your room.”
“In my pocket.”
“I’m going to have to put you down.” Liam carries me up to my dorm room. He may not have remembered the floor, but he remembered which door is mine.
“I don’t—”
He gently sets me down on the ground in a seated position, my back against the wall, and he bends down to my level. He keeps one hand on me at all times, making sure I don’t fall over. “Do you want to grab those keys, or should I?”
Since when is Liam a gentleman?
My hands tremble along with my body as I reach into my pocket and retrieve my key. I hand him the keychain, and he raises an eyebrow as he reads the inscription of the tarot card design, but he doesn’t say a word.
Not enough sage for this shit.
Describes my life perfectly, especially today.
He keeps one hand on me while unlocking the door and pushing it open. Then, he bends down and scoops me into his arms, carrying me to my bed.
“Don’t argue with me, Firebreather, but there is zero chance I’m leaving you alone. I’m staying the night.”