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CHAPTER 11
I wake in a good mood this morning, knowing that we're about to hit a road trip to Billings, the largest city in Montana. The boys have an urgent business with some banker over there, and asked if we wanted to tag along with them. But of course, we both answered with a big yes, full of ecstasy. I've decided that since I'm here, I should explore everyplace I can afford.
Isn't that the whole point of a vacation?
"Just wake me up when we arrive," Sam tells me, her voice groggy and lazy. She's seated between Malik and me in the backseat.
"Sure, ma'am. Goodnight," I reply placidly.
"Do you enjoy this, Professor?" Malik asks teasingly upon seeing my smile.
"Yeah, don't you?" I reply, gazing at his big, bright eyes.
"Well, I love the company better." He shrugs, forging some sort of gallant that makes me chuckle. Jeez, he's mood! "And you, brother?" He faces Liam, who's seated at the front passenger seat, lost into his own thoughts.
How you wish to know his thoughts? My subconscious murmurs and I seriously want to deny such baseless accusations. Do I want to be in his head? Surely, why not?
"I like it. That's why I chose this state of all the America," Liam says coolly, gracing us his small glance coupled with a tiny smile.
My poor heart! It just flipped idiotically and I couldn't agree more of his statement.
Like usual, riding in the country side is always awesome; unless it rains, I guess. We arrive before noon and check in at a certain modern hotel since we're spending the night. This time each has their own room, which makes me jump with joy for some unknown reasons.
Since the boys are scheduled for a business dinner, we decide spending the day sightseeing, which takes us around places in the name of tourism. I'm glad my camera is never treacherous to stay far from my handbag, and I love it.
I take pictures of everything and everyone, whatever I see pretty, except one person whom I try every tactic to get the perfect shot of his, without any success. Goodness, this guy. It's like he knows my scheme by heart, considering his arrogant smirk, and I decide to give up with a smile.
We had a grand deal of pleasure visiting places, including the Moss Mansion, a very ravishing historic house that's believed to be haunted during midnights. It reminded me of Alhambra Palace in Spain for some reasons, and I felt like I've travelled back in time.
I once went to Spain on a vacation with my parents. I was young but I clearly remember the train trip from Barcelona to Granada, and the amazing ruins of Alhambra. I was so excited because I already loved history and museums by then; I just didn't know it was going to be my last vacation with them.
It's around ten at night as I head out of the bathroom after a quick shower, before going to bed at last. Removing the shower cap, I shake my head to free my curls, feeling such vigor, and at the same time I hear a bell ring at the door. I can't help but frown, my big plans of huddling in bed distorted.
Sam has left about ten minutes ago, so then who could it be at this hour?
I fasten the bathrobe whilst I pace towards the door. Opening it, a few seconds later, my heart drops when I see Liam standing before me. Oh God! What is he doing here? Gulping, I watch his currently calm blue eyes scanning me from head to toe, guarded as always. I turn completely dumbstruck, unable to utter a syllable. I feel nude.
"May I come in?" Liam asks in a low voice.
"Um, sure," I respond with a startle, moving aside to draw him in. "Is everything okay? Oh . . . I know.”
“Oh, do you?” Liam’s voice a pure mock, same as his daunting smile.
“Well, you must be looking for Sam, right? But well, she has already left a while ago." I shrug, finding no other possible explanation.
Liam takes his time beholding my room, and I keep my patience while mirroring his gaze. Satisfied with the grand inspection, he turns to me and says, "I didn't come here for her. You're the reason why I'm here."
"Me? Why?" I demand, surprised.
"I believe this is yours." Liam hands me the camera that he's been holding the whole time. How stupid! I mentally chastise myself. "You're lucky the driver was decent enough to bring it back."
"Oh, I must've left it inside the car," I say. And what was I imagining again? My subconscious laughs heartily at me.
"You should be careful with the things you like," Liam says with a pause, his voice taunting, preceding his tempestuous eyes. "You may lose them when you least expect."
I scowl. "Ah, thank you. Losing my camera would be a huge loss.”
"You're welcome," Liam breathes. For once I detect the exhaustion portrayed in his face as he yawns, and yet looks reluctant to move.
"You came to just give me this?" I ask without thinking, and then chew on my lip regretfully.
Of course, dummy, why else would he be here? To sing you lullaby?
Smiling feebly, Liam says, "Goodnight, Ms. Jones."
Huh? Just like that? "Oh . . . yeah . . . nights." I sigh.
Am I disappointed? I quiz inside, my heart bereft, and the devil in me huffs amusedly.
With a single glance at me, smiling indulgently, Liam scurries towards the door. And then a sudden urge to retain him overpowers my composure, pushing me towards him as he clutches the door handle. He can't leave like this, I decide. Perhaps I'm crazy, but I run past him and block the doorway. He looks abruptly at me, completely stunned.
"What are you doing, Ms. Jones?" he asks in a normal tone of voice, and I read mixed emotions in his eyes for a change. Startled, stunned, intrigued . . . oh, I don't know.
"I do care about the things I like," I snap, panting softly. What?
"I bet you do," Liam replies, and a little smile appears faintly on his lips. He stands straight, amusement evident on his face. “And what else, Ms. Jones?” He narrows his eyes inquiringly.
“Huh?” I utter.
Liam folds his arms across the chest, and his lips curl into a wider smile. Am I such a clown? “And what else would you like me to know about yourself?” he repeats.
"Um . . . nothing.” Damn, what does he want to hear? I clear my throat, putting my stance straighter. “I don't know how it happened but I don’t usually lose my stuff—“
Wait! Why am I so busy convincing him about the camera? And he seems to be having so much fun at my expense as he digs his hands inside the pockets of his jeans, staring fervently at me.
"I'm listening, Ms. Jones," he mutters, and I clear my throat resignedly.
"Well, I guess I wasn't careful." I take a deep sigh, and this time Liam laughs at my defeated face. Holy shit! "But I seriously care about the things I like, and the people I like." I still my gaze, letting him take care of my faculty as he stares worldess.
Say something, please! I plead inside, my heart racing crazily, hoping he doesn't find me crazy.
"Ms. Jones . . .” And he suddenly moves closer, his looks intimidating that I gulp stoutly. "Do you have something to tell me?" he questions out of the blue, his voice calm, stirring, indescribable.
"Um, do I?" I breathe.
Liam chuckles at my reaction. "Do you have a question to ask me?" he insists, and I dare say he can read my mind.
I do have a question for him, and it's better I ask now that I have a chance rendered so smoothly by the proprietor himself.
"About Sam," I start confidently, and Liam stares more intently. "Why did you invite her over if you were going to play hard to get?" I cross my arms on the chest.
Yeah that's it, I did it. I press my lips together, impatiently waiting for Liam's answer. Seconds pass by, making my uneasiness growing wild. And finally . . . his lips move, making me inhale sharply.
"Is that how it seems, Ms. Jones?" he utters gently, his eyes narrowed in a confused manner. That I'm playing . . . what do you call it again?"
"Hard to get?" we say in a perfect unison, and he starts laughing.
Damn! I love the sound of him laughing. Probably this is the first time I'm seeing him laughing so lively, his guards thrown away.
"Well, I don't know how else to interpret your actions, Mr. Darcy," I tell him frankly, my confidence restored. "How do you explain a guy who invites a woman to his house, only to feed and take her places?" I add, and he stares at me smilingly.
God knows how sexy he looks when he smiles. It's almost impossible not to get lost into those ocean-like eyes.
Okay focus, Kira.
"What else should the guy do to make sure his guest is having a good time at his home then?" Liam retorts seriously, but I find it more of a mockery.
Or . . . maybe not? He's probably being earnest.
"A guest? Is that all she amounts to you?" I raise my voice, feeling a bit annoyed, and yet he looks totally unaffected.
He's still smiling, to be precise, and I can't say I'm complaining. Well, I think I've lost myself at this point. Indecisive, hot and cold, I can't even tell what I am anymore.
"I clearly told you before, Ms. Jones . . ." Liam moves even closer, startling me, taking me completely off guard. "I don't harbor any special feelings for your friend; not at all. She kindly toured me around Los Angeles, and I was indeed grateful. She needed a nice vacation destination, away from the city, and I gladly offered her my home. Did I commit such a grave sin by so doing?"
He practically raps in my ears, and it's like I can hear but never listen. This closeness, his breath so near, his scent so sweet and intense, he simply steals my composure. I get lost into my carnal . . . my mega desire to hold his face, run a hand on his beautiful stubbles, and maybe his lips? Oh no! I shake off my mind.
What was he talking about again? Oh, about Sam.
"I guess not," I utter softly. Thank God I was able to grasp at least a part of his speech.
"I thought so." Liam's eyes glisten when he momentary closes the distance between us, his Adam's apple bobbing sweetly, and my heartbeat accelerates. He gets closer, his eyes fixed on me confidently. I freeze.
What the hell is he up to? And why am I anticipating for his next move? I should move away from him, but why am I stuck as though waiting for him to slip off my robe?
"I think—“ My breath hitches as I collide my butt with the door.
"Besides," Liam utters softly, making me more attentive, "there's a room for only one woman in my head."
"A woman?" I let out a soft gasp, a trepid sensation running through my blood. This is nothing but danger, yet I’m hardly afraid. "Wh--who is that woman?" I hardly ask, and I'm so eager to hear his answer. What is this if not madness?
Liam is now looking deeply into my eyes within this zero distance, and my breathing is out of range. Placing one hand on the door, making me glance at the glorious muscles rippling on it, he brushes a thumb against his lower lip, in such a manner that leaves me totally disoriented. I look back at him, and his smirk is devilish. He's sexy, so hot and alluring.
Damn, do Greek gods still exist?
"You're in a deep trouble, Ms. Jones," he breathes out the words, as he hauls my waist tightly and presses me softly against onto chest. Dear God!
"Mr--" I swallow hard, startled, but don't make any effort to repulse as I'm feeling hot and cold . . . at once. "We can't--"
"I tried, but you keep pushing me to break my barriers," he claims, his fingers digging in my curls from above my nape, and I'm melting in his grip. "Do you enjoy seeing me losing my mind over you?" He softly brushes his lips near my earlobe, driving me insane than I already am, and the effect is indescribable afterwards.
"What are you talking about?" I manage to ask in a very soft whisper, as I keep experiencing a foreign current running through my blood. Something intense for my poor body. I'm so unused fatal seduction.
"You know exactly what I'm talking about," Liam says, then plants a tiny kiss at the corner of my mouth. Jesus! I clam my eyes at the tantalizing feeling it entices, letting my boy relish it. His lips are soft, gentle, as they slide against mine, beguiling me. "Don't you?" he whispers.
A soft moan lurches from my lips when he caresses my back, making me anticipate for each move he takes, as though I’m ready for whatever he's planned for me.
Aren’t you? My subconscious whispers with a wild grin, so not against this whole predicament as I thought she’d be.
Liam holds me tighter, my breast crush on his chest. God, his hands are electrifying!
"No," I breathe, staring at his intoxicating eyes. "We can't—’’ I try to retreat from his arms, but he fiercely starts kissing my mouth, his mouth relentless and demanding. I easily succumb, wrapping my arms around his neck. He pushes me roughly onto the door, but I don’t mind. Our tongues intertwine molding and swirling coherently with one another.
His skillful kisses on my neck command my entire body to eternal heat, something I've never experienced before. I close my eyes willingly, and loosen my arms around his neck to balance my momentum. His lips are soft in my skin, wet that I feel worshiped. I moan, he grunts . . . we enjoy the forbidden.
I know it's wrong, I'm very much aware of it, but I can't stop having the pleasure of his amazing touch that I've been dying to feel in both my slumber and reality. His strong arms tighten around me, forcing me to surrender myself at his mercy. Oh God . . . if only he were mine!
I could do more than kissing if he asks me to. And atop everything, this feels just right, and it's exactly the same feeling I've known through my freakish dreams. His kiss so deep, utterly possessing . . . makes me needy and vulnerable.
But no, it's still not right.
Something keeps reminding me deep inside. I need to stop this, my head warns me vehemently, yet my body refuses to listen. And if Liam can read my body language, he slowly releases me. I'm panting, ruffled in and out. Liam looks at me for a very long while, saying no word, and then breaks into a smile. I'm suddenly coy, and he takes pleasure it seems.
"Your lips taste heavenly, Ms. Jones," he says with a haughty grin, caressing my mouth with his thumb. "Have a good night," he whispers in my ear as he pulls aside.
My eyes widen, and he gently pulls me aside, away from the door. Our gaze doesn’t break as he flings it open, before disappearing through it, leaving me completely out of my mind.
"Oh my God. What are you doing, Kira? Have you gone crazy?" I breathe, and slowly drop on the door. "You kissed him, you idiot, and you were probably ready to open your legs, weren't you?"
I pinch my lips to make sure I'm not dreaming, and yes, I'm really not dreaming. I've just had a kiss with Liam Darcy, and he's one hell of a kisser.
I'm about to get up, and proceed with the sleep, which won't be an easy task for sure, when another knock snaps the hell out of me. I ask who it is, and it's Sam's voice that I hear.
Fuck!