Chapter 27
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Liam can tell Tori's nervous meeting his parents. She's been jumpy since they arrived. All he can do is reassure her that everything is okay.
After dinner they decide to play a board game, then settle on cards instead. One of his family's favorites called Bullshit.
"Can I say bullshit in front of your parents?" she asks when the two of them are alone in the kitchen. "What will they think of me?"
"They won't think anything. My family loves that game."
The evening's warmed up, so they sit on the back patio. After Tori's initial discomfort passes, she seems to be having a blast as they all try to fool each other.
"It's particularly satisfying pulling the wool over someone’s eyes who's trained to spot deception," his mom says to Tori. "Ray and Liam always assume they have the edge, but trust me, they don't."
As if proving his mom's point, Tori winds up calling bullshit on his dad twice and is right both times.
"We'll have to keep an eye on this one," his dad says, giving Tori a wink.
Liam grins and is glad to see her laugh with delight.
They play cards until the late hours. Finally, his mom announces it's time for her beauty sleep. Not long after, Tori says she's turning in too. The porch light catches the blue streak in her hair. He watches her go inside the house, enjoying the sway of those hips. Unfortunately, he doubts she's sneaking down to him tonight.
This leaves him and his father alone on the patio. He glances up at the sky. Despite the rain earlier on the drive from Seattle, it's a clear night. The scent of a neighbor's fresh-cut grass lingers in the air.
"I like her," his dad says. "I'm glad you brought her with you. She's not what I expected."
"What did you expect?"
He shrugs. "More drama, I guess. Someone high-strung. She's not like your other girlfriends."
Liam goes quiet, embarrassed that his parents know his dating history so well, and that it's filled with head cases. "No, she isn't. Ironically, she worried you guys wouldn't like her, especially after what happened with Elena."
"What did happen there?" His dad's expression turns concerned. "The way she described it, you threw her out of your house."
Liam shakes his head. He relays the situation that led up to him asking his sister to leave. "She left me no choice."
"How do you plan to make it right?"
He leans back in his chair. "I'll call her next week and accept her dinner invitation. It'll be great to see the boys. "
"Good. I'm glad to hear that. We both know your sister has had it tough these past few years."
Liam goes quiet. "I know."
"She can be stubborn sometimes, but it won't last forever."
"If so, it's her loss, because I have to tell you, this is it for me." He looks at his dad. "Tori's the one. I've never felt like this about anybody."
His father nods. "I'm happy for you. She seems like a fine person."
Tori's up early the next morning. After a quick shower, she heads downstairs to find Moira and Ray at the table, drinking coffee and eating breakfast. Unfortunately, Liam is nowhere in sight.
"Good morning," she says.
Moira glances up from her iPad. "Good morning. There's oatmeal on the stove, or cold cereal if you prefer. There's coffee too."
"Thank you." She helps herself to a bowl of oatmeal with blueberries, grabs a mug of coffee, and then brings everything to the table.
"Did you sleep well?" Moira asks with a smile.
Tori takes a sip of her coffee. "I did. Thank you." She puts the cup down. His parents are super nice, but this is still awkward. One thought keeps going through her head.
I'm sleeping with their son. We have s-e-x.
Ray is reading something on his phone but puts it down. His intense gaze shifts to her, and she realizes it's sort of like Liam's, but on steroids. "I understand you own your own business. More than one even."
Tori swallows a spoonful of oatmeal. "I do." She describes more of what she does, trying not to sound like a scatterbrain, which is probably exactly what she sounds like.
As they're talking, there are noises from another part of the house, and she realizes it must be Liam waking up.
Thank God .
"He'll be coming upstairs any minute now," Moira says to her husband.
Ray nods. "We better act fast."
They both stare at her.
Tori stops chewing her oatmeal. "What?"
"How would you like to have some fun with Liam this morning?" Ray says with a grin.
"Fun?"
Moira reaches for her hand. "Come on, we don't have much time." She pulls Tori up from her seat and guides her over to the kitchen's island. "Crouch down here, and when I give you the signal, you'll jump out in front of him, okay?"
"Um… okay."
"What about hiding her in the pantry?" Ray says. "We could put the cereal back in there."
"But what if he goes for the oatmeal?"
"True." He strokes his chin. "Let's only give him the option of oatmeal. That way we control the situation."
Tori watches with amazement as the two of them stand there planning the best way to scare the bejesus out of their son.
Finally, she's crouched behind the kitchen island, and his parents are back at the table, sipping coffee and staring at their phone and iPad like everything's normal.
It doesn't take long before she hears Liam come into the kitchen. She holds her breath. Despite how weird all this is, she has to admit, it's fun. Kind of exciting.
Liam says good morning to everyone. "Has Tori been down?"
"She already ate," his mom says. "She went back upstairs to take a shower." She glances up at him. "There's oatmeal on the stove and fresh fruit for breakfast."
"Sounds good."
Tori hears him go over to the stove as she waits with anticipation. She looks over at his parents. The three of them can see each other clearly. They're acting perfectly normal—you'd never guess what they were up to. His mom gives her a quick grin when their eyes meet.
"Could you come here for a second?" Ray says to his son. "You need to see this."
"What is it?" she hears Liam ask.
"It's a message I just got about Rizzo."
"What?" Liam's voice sounds concerned. "Why would you be getting messages about that?"
"You need to see it." He motions him over. "Leave the oatmeal."
The anticipation builds.
Tori watches Moira closely, waiting for her cue. When Liam rounds the corner, his mom flashes her a smile and nods.
"Surprise!" Tori leaps out from her hiding spot with her hands in the air.
"Aaaah!" Liam jumps back with alarm. His eyes wide. "What the hell!"
She bursts out laughing. The startled expression on his face is priceless. His parents are both howling with laughter too.
"Damn, you guys really got me," he says, grinning and trying to catch his breath. He puts his hand on the counter. "You scared the shit out of me."
"I'm sorry," Tori says, though she can barely speak, she's laughing so hard. "Your parents put me up to it."
"Oh, I'm sure they did."
"Your face," his mom says, wiping her eyes. "You had no idea!"
His father chuckles. "Just trying to keep you on your toes."
"Yeah," Liam says, still grinning as he eyes Tori. "And you , I may have to get you back for that one."
"That's okay," she says with a big smile. "It was worth it."
Oddly, Tori feels more relaxed around Liam's parents after jumping out and scaring him half to death. It's like a bonding experience between them. They seem more comfortable with her too.
The four of them head into Portland to do some sightseeing, showing her around the city. She's never seen so many bicycles. They take a picturesque walk along the Willamette River.
The whole time, Liam is affectionate with her, holding hands.
"I'm crazy about you," he whispers in her ear. "You're all I can think about."
She strokes his neck when he bends down to give her a quick kiss. "I'm crazy about you too."
Eventually they wind up at a restaurant in Chinatown for dinner. The food is delicious, and after walking all day, it feels good to sit. The conversation is light and easy. By the time they wind up back at the house, it's almost nine. Both Ray and Moira decide to turn in for the night. Liam and Tori wind up on the couch in the family room watching a movie.
"You didn't sneak down to me last night," he says when the film is over. "What the heck happened?"
"I didn't bring my ninja suit."
He smirks. "I told you I'd draw you a map." But then his voice turns low. "What about tonight?"
She laughs. "You can't go for two nights without sex?"
"It's not the sex." He moves the bowl of popcorn they've been sharing onto the coffee table. "It's you I can't go without."
"Is that so?" She can't help smiling at this.
They're sitting next to each other on the couch, where she's had one leg thrown over his thigh during the whole film. He reaches down and scoops her up, bringing her onto his lap.
She slips her arms around his neck, inhaling his breezy scent.
"My parents really like you," he murmurs.
"I like them too," Tori admits. She likes how they seem normal, but when you scratch the surface, they're a little kooky. Sort of like me.
"Is everything okay? You still seem on edge, rubia. "
"I'm fine." She knows she can't tell him about the worries plaguing her since she got here.
"You sure?"
They gaze at each other. His brown eyes are so rich and toasty. She wants to fall into them and stay there forever. "I'm good."
"Okay, just checking." He threads his fingers through hers. "You're so important to me."
She plays with the back of his neck. Her throat goes tight.
"Hey, what's wrong?"
But she only shakes her head.
"You know you can talk to me about anything, right?"
"I know."
"Look at me. I want to tell you something." When she faces him, his gaze is steady. Clear and true. "I love you, Tori."
Her heart pounds. "You do?"
"I think you already know I do."
Time seems suspended. Even the Earth spinning on its axis has slowed.
Here I am.
Everything she's ever wanted.
Her eyes roam his face. Liam's so handsome, but it's gone far beyond handsome for her. "I love you too."
"Yeah?" He smiles.
She strokes his cheek, rough with stubble, and takes a deep breath. "I think you're my one special someone."
He nods. "I already know you’re mine. It feels like I've been waiting for you a long time."
"Same here." Her voice trembles. "I was worried you'd never show up."
"I know, but I'm here, and I'm not going anywhere."
"Do you promise?"
"Always." He hugs her tight, and joy rushes through her as she holds him close. Her heart is so full, brimming over.
It's finally happening .
She lays her head against his shoulder, and they stay that way for a while. It's so good to be held. They're both quiet, and it's a comfortable quiet.
She sighs. "I guess I should head upstairs to bed."
"Are you going to sneak down later?"
"No." She rolls her eyes. "Of course not."
"Are you sure?" He grins. "I promise I'll make it worth your while."
"I can't. What would your parents think of me?"
"They're not going to find out."
"Listen to you. I thought you were such a straight arrow. A fuddy-duddy."
He chuckles. "I am . See, what you do to me? I can't resist you." He wraps his arms around her again. "You're like an addiction."
She kisses him, then pats his cheek. "Sorry, but you'll have to go cold turkey tonight."
"Cold turkey?" He groans. "You're cruel."
Laughing lightly, she stands up. "It's only one more night. You'll survive."
Tori heads upstairs and notices Liam's parents' bedroom door is partially open. There's light coming from the room, and when she walks past, they're both still awake reading in bed.
It's midnight, and she wonders if they've been waiting for her to come upstairs.
"Good night," she calls out to them, and they both respond in kind.
She closes the guest bedroom door.
After changing into her short nightgown, she gets into bed, hugging herself with excitement. She's found her special someone. At long last, he's arrived.
She's so excited, she's having trouble sleeping. There are plumbing sounds as someone in the house uses the water, but then eventually everything goes quiet.
The bedroom window is open, and she can see the partial moon shining up in the sky. She studies it as she lies there. The way it reminds her of their time at the lake. How much fun they had. How Liam always makes her feel loved and cared for.
And then she thinks of him downstairs sleeping on the couch's pullout wearing nothing but a pair of boxer briefs. She loves the way he looks when he sleeps on his stomach. The muscular dips and curves of his back. The way his skin feels smooth against her hand. His delicious smell.
Finally, she kicks the covers off and stares at the ceiling, debating with herself.
He wants you to go down to him , the devil on her shoulder says. So you should go.
What if his parents catch you? the angel replies. You don't want to risk that .
They won't catch you , the devil says. Everyone's asleep.
And then the devil shows her Liam's neck. Why she finds his neck so erotic, she'll never know, but she does. It's perfect. Masculine, but not brutish. And it connects to his incredible shoulders and then down to that hard chest.
She swallows as desire moves through her limbs.
The devil appears to be winning.
It's okay to want to go to him, because he's the man you love .
And that appears to be the clincher, the thing that gets her out of bed and walking quietly to her door.
Slowly, she opens it, trying not to make any noise. His parents' bedroom door is shut. Thank goodness. Stepping out into the hall, she turns and quietly closes the door behind her.
For a long moment, she remains still. Waiting. Her pulse pounding in her ears.
She bites her lip and then creeps slowly along. It's dark and unfamiliar. Moving at a snail's pace, she tries not to make a sound .
There's a loud creak when she reaches the top stair. An explosion in the silence, startling her. She stops and holds her breath.
Maybe she shouldn't have listened to that devil.
But there are no other sounds or movement in the house, so she continues to inch her way down the steps one at a time.
She prays there are no security cameras watching her, that Liam was only making that up. The thought of his father's stern expression studying her on some surveillance tape as she sneaks around almost makes her hightail it back up to the guest bedroom.
Eventually she walks through the kitchen and then down the second set of stairs, toward the closed family room door.
She opens it into a dark room. There's an outline of the couch that's been turned into a bed. Liam's on it. He's sitting up.
"You came," he whispers, sounding pleased.
"I guess I'm just crazy enough," she whispers back.
She senses his smile. "My wild girl."
Moving closer, she climbs onto the springy mattress, which creaks and dips beneath her. Liam reaches out to help her.
"I'm going to die of embarrassment if your parents catch us together."
"Don't worry, they won't."
"That's what all guys say."
He laughs softly as he strokes her leg. "I wish I could see you better. Do you mind if I turn the lamp on?"
"Are you crazy? Don't you dare."
"All right, fine. I'll use my imagination."
She sighs and lies next to him. He pulls her into his arms, and the desire moving through her is as thick and sweet as honey.
"I'm happy you came to me," he says, but it's the last thing he says before his mouth comes down hot and hungry on hers.
She kisses him back with the same heat, pulling him close. Her need for him has eclipsed everything, even her common sense. Passion moves through her, unleashing itself, touching every part of her body and mind .
Liam groans when he slides his fingers between her thighs and discovers how wet she is, how turned on.
"Don't make noise," she whispers, admonishing him.
He swallows. "I’m trying."
Despite her worries about getting caught, Tori's glad she snuck down. Very glad. When Liam tells her to scoot up and sit on his face, she does it without hesitation.
Right away her eyes fall shut. As soon as his mouth is on her, she sighs. She knows she won’t come, but she doesn't care.
She wants it anyway.
He strokes her body all over, dirty and sweet at the same time. She lets herself enjoy how patient he is, how giving.
She's never felt so cherished or loved before. Not with anyone.
And that's when the strangest thing happens. All those good feelings seem to mingle together. The love and the sex. A swirl of kaleidoscopic colors.
She's been dancing on the edge for so long. Forever. She’s used to it, but this time, there’s something new. This time, for the first time, she's falling… down… down…. She gasps as it all rushes through her.
Oh my God, I'm coming!
With Liam!
She cries out with pleasure and disbelief.
Below her, he’s groaning and gripping her hips with both hands, fully aware of what's happening as it goes on and on.
She’s shaking as she comes off that high.
When she’s done, he moves away briefly and switches on the lamp beside them, filling the room with a golden light.
"I did it!" She laughs. Tears stream down her face. "Can you believe it? I finally did it!"
He sweeps her into his arms. "I love you," he says fiercely, hugging her tight.
"I love you too." Pure joy floods her veins.
They pull apart, and she’s still crying and laughing at the same time .
"You should see yourself right now," he says with wonder. "So beautiful."
"That was amazing. I’ve never felt so close to anyone. Not like this."
He strokes her hair. "Me either."
She meets his gaze. Tenderness wells up inside her as more tears flow. "Liam Castillo, I want you to know, you’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me."
His face changes. The emotion there is stark and raw, beyond words. And then he kisses her with passion, trembling, holding her still with his hands.
Breaking away, he scoots back and shoves pillows behind him before reaching for her. "Come here, rubia," he breathes. "I want to be even closer to you."
She does as he asks, straddling him. He holds her hips, thrusting up at the same time she sinks down. They both moan as erotic shock waves spiral through them.
"That's it," he says roughly as they move together. " God , just like that."
It's so perfect. They're so right together. She never wants it to end and hopes it goes on forever.
But then somewhere in the middle of all this perfection, there's a noise.
"Wait, stop." She turns her head.
"What?" Liam's mouth's open, panting.
But then he must hear it too because he does stop. They both listen as someone walks around upstairs in the kitchen.
"Do you think they heard us?" she whispers.
He's still listening. "No." He swallows, then tries to catch his breath. "They didn't hear us."
Whoever's upstairs appears to be getting themselves a midnight snack.
Tori's arms are on Liam's shoulders, and she caresses him. Down his back. His muscles tense all over, covered in a sheen of sweat. Even his hair's damp.
"What should we do?" she whispers. "Should we stop?"
His hands tighten on her hips. Their eyes meet. His are so dark, they’re black. And in that moment, he's very male. It seems difficult for him to speak. "I don't…." He licks his lips. "I don't want to stop."
She strokes his jaw, and his eyes close. She senses the way he's struggling with himself for control. "We have to be quiet, then."
He nods. "We will be."
Tori doesn't reply, but she knows he's waiting for her. "Okay."
His breath shakes on an exhale, and then he's pulling her tight onto him, onto where he's still hard inside her. She nearly moans out loud anyway. It's so good. He grips her hips and thrusts up, the two of them moving together like before.
They keep at it, quietly sharing this sensual experience. Liam slips his arms around her, one hand on her ass. She hugs him close. His scent all over her like an erotic musk.
"God, Tori…." His breath is hot against her neck. "You feel amazing."
They continue this way, lost in the bliss of each other. Their hearts pounding. Until finally his breath hitches.
His arms tighten around her as he increases the pace. There's an excitement building in her too. He must sense it, because he reaches down and slips his fingers between her thighs, touching her.
She nearly groans, nearly comes out of her skin, but he covers her mouth with his own. Her climax overtakes her like a storm. Their mouths stay glued together, and he moves faster, thrusting hard. So close. He gasps, and then she feels him deep inside her, filling her, his body taut with ecstasy.
Afterward, neither of them moves or speaks. They stay wrapped in each other's arms, his heart still hammering against hers.
"I'm so happy," she says, filled with joy and disbelief. "You make me so happy."
He whispers in her ear, "You make me happy too."