Chapter Taryn
TARYN
I sit through my first class in a daze. This is my last semester at St. A’s and I can’t focus on school at all.
Various parts of this weekend keep cycling through my mind.
Liam and I haven’t spoken since he stormed out of the O’Toole estate on Saturday night.
I refused to reach out to him. And no matter how many times I checked my phone, a text from him didn’t magically appear.
I can’t get that kiss out of my mind. His aggression. My unexpected response to it. He wanted a list of names of the guys I plan on seeing? What the hell was that about? Where was the happy guy who raised a glass in that ballroom? I’m beginning to think Liam has some sort of personality disorder.
I sigh. I honestly have no idea what my professor is even talking about at this point. I look around and see folks writing things down, and I know I’m going to have to ask someone for notes. I’ll look like an idiot since I’ve been sitting here the entire time. I rub my forehead.
It occurs to me as I wander around campus that afternoon, barely noticing as the cold bites at my exposed skin, that I should be glad that Liam didn’t reach out to me.
It’s not like I care what he thinks about me.
And did I really think he was going to help me find a way to break our engagement?
I spent Sunday checking my investment account balance.
I even shot Sam a text to ask how soon the funds could be cashed out.
It’s a stretch to think I would actually take the money and run, but I should be fully informed about my options. That’s just smart, right?
I find myself reapplying a little makeup and doing my best to fluff my flattened hat hair in the dining hall bathroom.
I’m going to find my friends and have lunch.
And, if I happen to see Liam? Well, he can eat his heart out because I have nothing to say to him.
With one last look in the mirror, I sigh and turn toward the door.
However, I don’t get too far down the hallway before my back is hauled up against a muscular chest.
“You smell amazing,” Liam breathes in my ear. He gives me a quick squeeze and then releases me. “Good day so far?”
I’m too stunned to react to his smile or affectionate nature. Honest to God, you would think we were a real couple and he’s delighted to see me. Did he forget what happened the last time we were together?
“Are you crazy?” I growl at him.
He laughs. Laughs! “Nah. Seriously. How was your day?” He releases me but threads his fingers through mine.
I look at our joined hands in awe. “Well. Let me see. I spent most of it wondering if I’d run into my fiancé. You know, the guy who manhandled me on Saturday night before ignoring me all day on Sunday.”
He gives me a cocky grin. Squeezes my fingers. “Did you miss me, beauty?”
“Did I—” I pull my hand away. “Are you kidding right now?”
He shrugs sheepishly. “Well, I missed you. I was going to call you, but you seemed pretty upset the last time we talked. I thought you might need a day.”
What in the ever loving—“I was upset? Me? You’re the one who threw me against a wall, making all these…these…demands.” I wave my hand in the air to punctuate my point. I refuse to think about how it felt to be pinned against that wall.
His smile falls and he looks wistful. He runs a thumb down my cheek, and damn it, I tremble. Why the hell does he have this effect on me? “They weren’t unreasonable demands.”
I’m saved from responding when Elizabeth rushes past me, headed toward the bathroom I just exited. Her face is blotchy and she looks ready to break down into tears.
“See ya later, Oz!” a female voice laughs behind me. I turn to see Valentina, Elizabeth’s stepsister, waving at her as she giggles.
“Liz!” I call after her. “Wait up!”
“No!” she shouts back. She stops, visibly composes herself. “No, please. I need a few minutes alone, Taryn.” Her voice hitches.
“Elizabeth—”
“I’ll text you later, okay?” And with that, she rushes into the restroom.
I start to follow when Liam grabs my arm. “Give her a few minutes,” he says softly and when I spin to tell him to butt out, the look on his face stops me. He’s looking past me at the bathroom door with so much concern, I realize he’s only thinking of Elizabeth’s best interests.
Valentina begins to saunter by us, and I pull away from Liam to grab her arm. “You aren’t going in there,” I tell her bluntly, nodding at the bathroom door. I don’t know what she said to Elizabeth, but she’s done enough.
“I didn’t plan on it.” She smiles at me. “Oz and I already finished our chat.”
“Who the fuck is Oz?” I ask her tersely. I want to choke the life out of her already, so it’s probably best that she doesn’t answer my question. Instead, she turns her focus to Liam.
“Hey, Liam.” She’s peering up at him from under her dark lashes, smiling flirtatiously.
“Val.” He nods. He reaches for me again, taking my hand. I grit my teeth but don’t stop him. I’m not loving the way Valentina is eyeing him like a favorite treat. Not while I’m standing right here.
“Oh, right. I heard you were engaged.” Her eyes drop to my left hand. “I’d congratulate you, but I also heard you were forced into it.” Her voice oozes sympathy. “I’m so sorry for you,” she says to Liam before she turns her attention to me.
“Liam and I have history,” she says sweetly as though she needs to explain her concern. “I know he’s quite popular, but we just clicked. Had something…special. I hope we can maintain our friendship, Liam.” She smiles at him coyly. Bats her lashes. Seductively bites her bottom lip.
“Val,” he warns, face flushing, shoulders going rigid.
He attempts to pull me closer. Okay. Enough of this bullshit.
The waitress yesterday and now this? And he wants to tell me that I don’t get to see other people?
I’d have a lot of ground to make up if I wanted to enter the ballpark of whatever his fuck buddy number must be. I yank my hand out of his.
“You put your dick in that?” I ask him, motioning to the vile creature standing next to us.
“Uh…” He looks confused.
“It’s a simple question, Liam. Did you put your dick into that?” I look over Valentina, not hiding my disgust.
“Oh, Taryn, honey, I know it’s difficult, but you don’t need to—” Valentina starts but I’m not having it.
“I wasn’t asking you. Liam?”
“Uh, yes. I did. I mean, I used to.” He rubs the back of his neck. “Sometimes.”
“Used to? Sometimes?” I repeat. “Do you plan on doing that again?”
“What? Do I plan on—No!” He takes a step back. “No.” He is looking at me like I’ve lost it. Maybe I have, but I refuse to be disrespected by this bitch.
“I see. And, tell me, was Valentina special to you? Will you miss her?” I look between them. She has her arms crossed, a blush spreading up her neck, and Liam looks like he wants to find a table to crawl under. “Liam?”
He sighs. “No, Taryn. She wasn’t special and I won’t miss her.”
I turn to Valentina. “Still wanna be friends now, Val?” I snark.
“Fuck you, Taryn. You too, Liam. I hope you rot in hell. You two deserve each other,” she seethes before she spins on her heel and marches down the corridor. Well, at least she forgot about going after Elizabeth.
My musing is interrupted when Liam’s strong arms pull me against him. He spins me so I’m caged against the wall, his forearms beside my head. “Was that necessary?”
God. He’s right in my face, breathing my air. “Yes. It was.”
He shakes his head. His blue eyes are flashing and I can’t tell if he’s annoyed, angry, or turned on. “You needed to embarrass her?”
Oh, oh, oh. I know my eyes are the ones flashing now. “What I needed to do was clear up any misperceptions. I didn’t realize you’d be so worried about your friend.” I sound like a jealous idiot.
“You think I give a shit about Valentina?” His gruff voice has elevated. “You think I ever want to touch her or anyone else again? Jesus Christ, Taryn. You obviously haven’t been listening. Just because I don’t want to shame the girls I’ve been with doesn’t mean I want a repeat performance. Fuck.”
We’re both breathing heavy now. “You know she just treated Elizabeth like shit, right? You honestly think I should worry about her pride when she’s tormenting my friends and coming on to my fiancé right in front of me? Are you even serious right now? You’re defending her?”
Jesus. He’s still right in my space. So close. “Defending—no! Which part of not seeing other people is so hard for you to process? Fuck. You make me crazy.”
“Yeah, I know the feeling,” I huff, still looking him right in the eye. I’m being a total bitch but I refuse to back down.
“Do you? Do you really, Taryn?” His voice has gotten husky. Why is he standing so close? I feel the heat radiating from him. “Because I don’t think you have a clue how I’m feeling.”
“I think I might,” I whisper before I press my lips to his.
I don’t know what the hell I’m doing, but I’ve forgotten everything except the gorgeous guy who is now pressed against me.
He’s obviously on the crazy train with me, because he groans and tangles his fingers into the back of my hair, deepening the kiss.
And, wow, the last time wasn’t a fluke. Liam McGuiness can kiss.
He consumes me. His muscled body pins me to the wall and I whimper at how good he feels.
He nips at my bottom lip and then chases away the sting with his tongue before diving back in to take more of my mouth.
His tongue slides against mine, desperately, urgently.
I can feel his arousal against my stomach and I go to my tiptoes to feel him closer to where I need him.
He makes a growling noise in his throat before his hands move to cup my butt.
He squeezes and lifts me easily. I don’t hesitate to wrap my legs around him.
We both groan at the contact when he presses his pelvis against mine.
I scrape my nails up the back of his scalp, and he hums in pleasure.
I instinctively start to tilt my hips toward his, still attacking his mouth, when a loud throat clearing reminds me where we are.
In a public corridor. In the dining hall. At lunch hour. Oh my god.
Liam pulls his mouth away from mine, and I slowly drop my legs to slide down his body. His breath catches. I expect him to release me, but no. He hugs me tightly to him, pressing my cheek to his shoulder and shielding my body in his arms, before he turns to talk to someone I can’t see. “Go away.”
“Mr. McGuiness, I hardly think this is the place—” Shit. I recognize Dr. Lambert’s voice. I took one of his classes last semester.
“I know, Duane. Now, go the fuck away.” Liam’s voice has taken that hard edge I’ve only heard him use once before. With Sam. I hear the professor grumble before Liam turns his attention back to me.
“You okay, beauty?” His tone is suddenly gentle as he lifts my chin so I’m once again looking into his eyes. The concern there takes my breath away. “I’m so sorry. I got carried away. I shouldn’t have put you in that position.”
He looks so worried that I cup his cheek and smile at him. I can’t help it. “Well… I may have been the one to start it.”
His lips curl in amusement before he pulls back. I instantly miss his warmth. He leans in to give me a quick peck on the lips. “You’re the only one I want, Taryn. Guess I’ll just have to show you that.” He runs a thumb down my cheek before reaching down to take my hand. “Ready for lunch?”