Page 21 of Unfinished

“I get that. Ashley and I visited NYC the summer before school started. We loved it so much.”

Liam smiled at me like he was planning a future that involved us both, which slightly scared me. I changed the subject quickly to stop whatever thought process he was having that had him looking at me like he saw us ten years in the future.

“How far are we going today?”

“I figure we can go all the way in if you are up for a total of six-ish miles today.” Liam smirked, and I rolled my eyes.

“I don’t know if I can deal with you for six-ish miles,” I teased.

“I think I can find a way to help you deal with me,” he winked at me and pinched my side softly. I smacked his hand away with a giggle.

What was that giggle? I never giggled. What the hell was happening to me?

Hiking over dirt paths and under the southern California desert sun, we stopped once to look out at a view. We stopped a couple more times to eat some trail mix and hydrate too. At the top of the trail there was this gorgeous peak and overlook. We stopped there to rest for a while and ate peanut butter and jelly sandwiches that Liam packed for us. Liam and I sat down on a bench looking out at the desert landscape.

For the first time, we sat in silence. It felt oddly comfortable. We didn’t need to fill the air with conversation. We smiled softly at each other when our eyes connected. We leaned back against the bench together, and turning my attention back to the view, I leaned slightly against him as we sat there. Liam wrapped his arm around my shoulder with a contented sigh, and began running circles over my arm with his thumb.

After some time in silence, Liam leaned forward and started digging in his backpack, “I have an idea."

“What?” I questioned as I watched.

“I’m going to mark this spot.” Liam pulled out a permanent marker. He turned to the back of the bench and started writing on it.

1st Date

L&H

He presented his writing to me and I smiled while shaking me head, before asking, “What if it’s our only date?”

“It isn’t.” Liam flashed me a confident smile.

He looked down at my lips and then gripped the back of my head and pulled me into a kiss. His hands slid down my sides to my hips and pulled me onto his lap. Facing him, with my legs straddling his lap, he held onto my neck with both hands and traced my jawline with his thumbs.

Our tongues slid together and my mind went fuzzy. My breathing hitched as a delicious ache grew between my thighs. My nipples grew hard and my hips started undulating on their own seeking friction for the growing need at my core.

I pushed my fingers through his hair and deepened our kiss. His hands slid over my hips to grip them as I writhed against him. I felt his hardening cock beneath me and he grunted quietly. The world disappeared around us as my chest felt like it was being squeezed tightly and electricity raced beneath my skin. There was danger in this intense attraction I had for Liam but I couldn't stop myself, I wanted more.

His fingers slid down my thighs and back up where he gripped my ass and squeezed it in his palms. A small whimper escaped me as he guided the rocking motion of my pelvis over him. Coiling tension built in the pit of my stomach and spreading out through my body.

Voices and footsteps sounded nearby and our private moment was over. I broke our kiss and sat back to look in his eyes. Shock rushed through me at how close I was to losing control. Nothing had or ever could compare to this intense magnetism between us. These feelings were powerful and scary, but I really, really wanted more.

“Alright, I think we can have one more date,” I breathed. Liam smiled at me and kissed me again.

The fluttering in my chest signaled I was going to fall for Liam, and I was going to fall hard. It terrified me, but the desire to fall for him was stronger. I wanted him to ruin me, even if I wouldn’t survive it when it eventually ended.

Chapter 8

Liam

I was already falling for Hannah. After our hike, we went for tacos, then watched a few movies at her house where we discussed everything from pop culture to personal goals. We'd been on a couple more dates since then but we spent every day texting and we talked on the phone at night. Thankfully, she was off today but needed to run some errands and do things with Ashley, so I was taking her out tonight instead.

Hannah: What are we doing tonight? I need to know how to dress.

Me: Casual.

For tonight, I borrowed a pick-up truck from Bas and was planning to take Hannah out to the desert again for stargazing. I had already packed everything we would need and an extra hoodie for her. If she stole my hoodie then it would be clear she was falling for me too.

Based on how much I thought about her and wanted to be near her, I knew she was it for me. I even considered transferring from Trident King University to any school that was closer to her. That wouldn’t go over well with everyone in my family. Trident King University was our family legacy and every Teresi and King went to that school.

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