CHAPTER 26
We had an amazing time at the beach. After dinner we are now having drinks at this cool club with nice Latino music filling the air. Jamal and his gorgeous blonde are the one who led us here. I'm not really a clubbing material, but right now it simply feels perfect. I'm having so much fun . . . talking and drinking with my two girls.
The guys kept arguing about football earlier, so we kindly asked them to get lost. Who wants to know what Messi and Ronaldo did, or did not do last season? Even right now we can still hear them arguing as they're seated at the bar, not far from our booth.
"I hate football," Jamal's blonde utters.
"Tell me about it." Sam rolls her eyes while pulling the cocktail glass to her mouth. "But it's like every guy in the world loves it, and some of us just have to put up with the nonsensical arguments."
I smile and say, "Exactly how they put up with your discussion about the type of nude lipstick to match your skin tone." I cross my legs, amused.
"Jamal always gives me the you-look-good-in-everything speech whenever I ask him about my fashion scruple," the blonde says, making us all laugh.
Apparently her name is Natasha, and she is actually so cool and friendly. She's engaged to Jamal . . . which explains their relationship better.
"So, when are you two getting married?" Sam asks her and im glad she does.
I love hearing people's plans for marriages and other romantic endeavors. It's a reminder that love does exist.
"Maybe this autumn, because it's my birthday season." Natasha beams, and I can feel the ecstasy from the pink in her cheeks.
"So lovely," I comment dreamily.
"I know, right?" Sam remarks, her eyes gleaming in similar fashion as mine.
I sip my large pinkish cocktail while letting my glance wander around the dance floor. A few people are sweating their bodies out at the sound of samba or . . . salsa? Whatever the name, I love the sound of it. And all of a suddenly the music changes into a song that catches my full attention.
Macarena.
In fact, I'm not the only one who seems hyped.
"Oh, I love this song!" Natasha snaps sassily.
"Me, too!" Sam seconds.
"Me three." I raise a dramatic hand, and we all laugh; the kind of laughter that emphasizes naughtiness. "No, you can't be serious," I utter as my eyes snatch their nod.
"Yes, Kiki," Sam insists, up to her feet.
Natasha gets up abruptly. "Come on ladies, let's get this show started!" she screams, and I certainly can't believe I'm following them.
Sam and Natasha's minds seem to work alike, but am I capable of losing my head?
Why not? My subconscious remarks excitedly, ready to lose her mind.
We jump on the floor and catch up with the beat. We form a row and sway the same steps to follow the classic Macarena dance.
Perhaps this is the only song that can get me on my feet. Sam and I loved it since we were little. Plus a little bit of alcohol in my blood, I quickly lose myself.
The boys are completely stunned by this craziness; none of us contains the laughter. And now the entire population in the club has shifted attention on us.
More people join in, and together we make the night wild. Macarena is an old song but it never leaves anyone who knows it indifferent, even today.
As the song ends, the club is filled with cheers and whistles. I think it's enough dancing for a life time; now that another song plays I take a chance to slip into the ladies' room.
Inside, I splash some water on my sweaty face, and then wipe it with a tissue, staring at the reflection of myself before my eyes. The tight up-do of my hair makes me smile at this girl on the mirror, who has so many flaws.
So many issues to resolve. I sigh, tugging the hairband to free my hair.
I make my exit, passing by certain couple chucking under the dim light, entertaining their hormones. Yuck! I wonder if I'll ever get used to clubs and the things happening inside. However, this one is a bit decent compared to most.
I'm about to leave the restroom area when a hand takes a hold of mine in a soft but startling manner. I almost scream out of fear, but the face I decipher in front of me, despite the partial darkness, makes me change my mind. I sigh with relief.
I hate this feeling of someone touching me without a warning. It brings me some memories I'd rather forget. However, knowing the one touching me right now, changes everything.
"Did I scare you?" Liam breathes, enwrapping my waist closely that I crush my body against his hard chest.
"A little," I utter, trying to calm in his arms, his face quite near mine.
"What are—" I can't even finish my question when Liam takes possession of my mouth to shut me up.
Oh boy, he really turns me on. It's a short, lingering kiss mixed with a taste of Scotch that succeeds to really keep me quiet.
"I'm forever awed with your ability to find me, Mr. Darcy. It is plausible." I stare at him blushingly, my arms around his neck.
"Really now?" He grins triumphantly, and I can still smell his nice aftershave even after we part. I guess he had a shave today and he looks five years younger. "I shall make it my mission to awe you every single day, Ms. Jones. It contents my heart."
Oh my! My heart has just trotted with amusement.
"I shall wait and see how you're going to do it, then. Just be careful with my heart, I can hardly handle the surprise attacks like this one."
He beams, his blue eyes in quite a sparkle. "That shall be kept in mind. I apologize for my recklessness," he says, melting my poor heart.
"You don't need to." I smile profusely, succumbing to the heat overpowering my body, little by little, making me yearn for one more of his kisses, touches . . . or more? Jeez! "Miss me?" I glance up at him.
"All the time, trust me. And you dance beautifully," he breathes softly against my skin. "You're like box full of surprises."
"Thank you," I respond proudly. He's really mastered the art of treating a lady, I must confess.
"You are warmly welcome, babe." He grins.
Babe? I press my lips contentedly.
"Thank you, babe. Can I go now?" I arch my brows playfully.
"Not so fast, young lady." Liam pulls me back, fully aware of my game. Goodness he's just playing with my hormones right now.
"What?" I whisper, Liam's forehead against mine, my lips quivering as they brush slightly against his. "Are you drunk?" I tease, trying to free my mind that's so indulged into what my body wants.
"Me? I'm perfectly sober," Liam replies, his voice gentle and playful. "I drink responsibly, Ms. Jones, in case you're worried." His smile, full of gallant, mocks me sweetly.
"Oh yeah? Then what is this indecent behavior of cornering the poor, defenseless woman in the dark, huh? Are you infatuated by this lady that much?" I wet my lip audaciously, feeling so free while imprisoned in his arms, my little bliss.
"Yes." Liam leans back against the wall, dragging me with him, my breasts sagged by his muscles. I need a fan! "She drives me crazy, and it's impossible to resist her sphere of prettiness."
I burst out laughing, not knowing if I'll ever get tired of Liam's mischief. I know there's a lot more to him, and I can't wait to learn about it. All the mysteries of Darcy. How many are they? My subconscious is too busy ogling Mr. Intense to care about my inner trifles right now.
"Are you suggesting that I'm irresistible?" I tilt my head back to have a perfect glimpse of his facial profile, my body still into his tight grip.
"Are you having doubts of my speech?" he prompts, in a sound that only he can make.
Like an English gentleman he is.
"Hardly," I reply, "because I still wonder if being poetic is one of your tricks to capture the beautiful souls out there."
It better not.
Now he laughs hard. "I heard I have manners of an old, conceited lad," he tells me. "Do you think an average woman would stand here listening to my boring speech?"
Oh my!
"An average woman?" I raise a questioning eyebrow, a hint of pride pulsing in my heart. "And what am I, Mr. Darcy?"
He pulls my face closer, his eyes bored into mine condescendingly; but I don't fret. "The special one I've been waiting for," he whispers, and I turn into a melted cheese right away.
Damn! I want a piece of him. For the first time in my life I'm in an uncontrollable urge for the manly touch.
Liam's touch, to be more precise . . . Only him.
"Don't mislead me, Mr. Darcy," I remark. "It's easy to get confused with your promising words," I add, and he doesn't say a thing but smile.
The music is still rocking heavily. I hear 'hips don't lie' by Shakira.
Again I feel like a teenager in love. Making out in the club, at some abandoned corner, and it's extremely exciting. I've never done this before, but better late than never. Liam nuzzles his lips against mine, tantalizing with a sexy smile.
How I want to go away with him! Somewhere far from everyone.
I decide to respond by digging my hands into Liam's hair, and pull him for a very long kiss. Our tongue dance in a synergy, holding each other tightly. Man, I love this! I gasp for air when I release my lips from his, but our foreheads remain locked in a passionate way.
I feel Liam's whisky breath that makes me want him even more. He plants a soft kiss on my forehead and says, "You're beautiful."
"So are you," I reply huskily, and we share a laughter, Liam's gaze solely on mine. I can see the longing, utmost affection, and fire in his eyes. Does he want me as I want him? I mentally stay anxious, hoping to find the answer.
"I love you, Kira," he mutters slowly, and awakens all of my five body senses.
My eyes widen, unable to trust my hearing ability. Did he say he loves me? "Liam," I breathe, watching Mr. Intense with wonder.
"I want to have you all the time, by my side." He hugs me tightly.
"Liam . . . " My eyes are lingered with tears, feeling overjoyed upon hearing these few magical words. It makes me wonder if I've ever heard them before.
Of course I have, perhaps once or twice, but why does it sound so new? So overwhelming? I'm so stunned.
"I just want to kiss you right now." Liam sensually trails his lips on mine, and I hold his neck responsively. "Forget Samantha, forget your sleazy excuses . . . I just want you to feel me."
Ignoring the music, the noise, the people, and everything else, my lips meet Liam's in such a smooth manner. The butterflies bat their wings in my stomach, our lips coaxed together promisingly. God, I love this man. I need him more than I've ever needed anyone before. Yet I know I can't have him; he near yet so far. A thin, stubborn wall keeping us apart.
His hands grab my waist possessively, and I his neck, while molding by the wall like two helpless souls that are lost in the darkness. When we pull apart, Liam's hands are inside my top, caressing my skin rhythmically. He turns me on, slurring me, making me forget the harsh reality even for a while. God, I'm so lost.
Seriously he'd managed to turn my hormones into a racing marathon, and I can feel his length pulsating against my thigh. My . . . oh my! That devil in me finally chirps in, putting her glass of Cabernet Sauvignon on the table while cocking an eyebrow at me.
"I swear I'm having hard time, Kira," Liam breathes, and I know what he means, "I really want to make love to you."
"Me, too," I whisper, smiling at the feeling of his turned-on boy. "You're so tempting, Mr. Darcy."
"Why don't we just elope?" he teases, but his gaze seems earnest. I laugh hard, ignoring any mixed emotion in his proposition.
"And then what?" I ask softly, tipping my head back.
"I don't know." Liam smiles fondly, his gaze fixed on mine intensely. "We can just go to England."
"Oh really, now?" I quip, regaling the idea in my head. How cool would that be, huh? My subconscious scowls, probably finding me insane.
"Yes, I'll take very good care of you, I promise."
"And forget everything?"
"And everyone." He cups my face, and the look of his glistening blue eyes makes me suck in a deep breath. "Can't we do that?" He kisses the corner of my mouth.
"How I wish it were that simple," I tell him softly, my inner conflict resumed to its peak. "Let's get back to the others, they may start to worry especially since we're both absent."
Why is it so hard? I cringe inwardly. I'd love to enjoy this moment without any mental distraction. I'd love kiss him, make out with him, and eventually make love to him, but it still feels wrong.
Because I'm still a traitor until I come clean.
I turn around to leave, but Liam refrains me with the back embrace. I stay rigid momentarily, feeling multiple emotions at once, my eyes going extra moist.
"How long, Kira?" he asks, and despite his half-drunk state, I can still understand the intensity of his question.
My heart tightens, guilty washing over me. I stay still for almost a minute, wondering what to say. Do I even have anything to say? I'm not being fair with him, I know, and mostly to Sam. Not even to myself.
"I just," I start, but end up holding my tongue, feeling lost.
Liam is right, one of my subconscious says, and I can't even tell who.
"Go ahead first, I'll go outside to get some air," Liam says, and I know he's hurt.
I don't want him gone. I don't even know what I'm doing anymore.
"Liam, wait." I hold him, stopping him from moving. "You said we should forget everything else tonight, can't we do that?"
What am I saying?
"Yes, I did, but then I think it's a bit ridiculous." He sighs. "Can you go with me to somewhere else tonight? And forget everything else, for just one night?"
Can I?
"Yes," I answer, and he just stares. "I can do it, Liam. We can go right now, and forget everything, just this one night." I turn desperate, holding his hand tight.
A little silence prevails, filling us with only the club sounds and that of our own thoughts. Say something, please, Liam! I stare imploringly at him.
"Kira," Liam utters, brushing a hand on my cheek. "I said I love you, and I mean it. I want you, so badly, and I need you, very much, but not just for one night." He hugs me once again, kissing the top of my head. "I want you as my woman, the one I'm free to be with, anywhere, anytime, and not a one-night-stand."
"Huh?" I hardly utter.
"I'll be outside, go and join the others," Liam says.