Page 33 of Falling For Liam
“When I need a giant glass of wine and some girl talk. Now, go.”
Doing as I’m told, I neck the drink she made for me and walk out of the shack, towards home.
I know he’s here the second I step through the front door. I can sense his presence before I even lay eyes on him.
Voices filter through to me as I walk down the short hallway and into the living area where I find Liam, BJ and Dec sat on the sofas, drinking beer.
“Evening, beautiful,” BJ says with a wink and a cheeky smile while Liam’s lips press into a thin line. I’d have thought he’d be used to BJ’s piss taking by now, but apparently not.
“Liv.” Dec nods but I don’t look his way. My eyes have been captured by a certain chocolate pair.
I swallow as the atmosphere surrounding us grows heavy. BJ mutters something but the words don’t register. From Dec’s chuckle, I can only assume it was something inappropriate. My legs take on a life of their own as I watch Liam shift to the edge of the sofa like he’s about to stand. I run up the stairs, my heart pounding in my chest. I go straight to my wardrobe and start rummaging through what I have as I listen to heavy footsteps ascending the stairs.
My heart races and I can feel it in every part of me as his body fills the doorway. I’m excited to see him, but after my meltdown last night and then whatever that was this morning during his show, I’m nervous as hell. He’s seen too much of me without me realising, and I’m scared about what he’s going to think.
“Liv?” He’s right behind me, his large body warming my back, his breath tickling across my neck. My mouth waters and I grip onto the hanger in my hand, trying to stop myself from turning and reaching out to him.
“I’m going out with Nic tonight. I need to grab my stuff and meet her back at the shack,” I say in an attempt to distract myself. “She said you’re going out with the guys.”
“Uh…yeah, apparently so.” He doesn’t need to say it; I can tell he’s not all that excited about it by his tone.
“It’ll be fun,” I say, putting as much cheer into my voice as possible.
“If you say so. I could think of much better ways to spend my night.”
My stomach flips at his suggestion, and I squeeze my eyes shut as I will any images my imagination conjures up out of my dirty mind.
Turning, I find myself prisoner in his dark and dirty gaze. It’s like I can see his thoughts playing out in his mind. I’m not sure if they excite or scare me.
My phone pinging in my pocket drags me back to reality, and I manage to escape Liam’s intensity.
“I really need to get going,” I say as I rush around the room and in and out of the en suite, grabbing everything I need. His eyes follow my every movement but he doesn’t say any more.
I don’t stop until I have everything I need for a girls’ night out packed. Throwing the bag over my shoulder, I go to step towards the door, hoping he’ll get the hint and do the same, but instead he steps in front of me, halting my effort to leave.
“Liam,” I breathe. His scent surrounds me, and I wrap my hands tighter around the strap over my shoulder in an attempt to stop myself reaching out.
“Was BJ right earlier?” His eyes darken the longer he stares at me.
“Wh…what?” I know exactly what he’s asking, but my brain is frazzled with him standing so close.
“Forget it. Have a good night, Liv.” Standing aside, he allows me to pass and walk out of my room. I can hear him hot on my heels, but I don’t look back. If I do, I think there’s every chance of me bailing on girls’ night.
I practically sprint from the house. I hear BJ and Dec say something in my direction, but I’m too intent on getting away to hear them.
“I know I said hurry, but Christ, Liv,” Nic comments when I rush into the shack panting like I’ve run a marathon. Shrugging at her, I hop up on a stool and drop my bag to the floor. “I’ll just grab my stuff and we can head out.”
“So what’s the plan?” I ask as we walk towards Nic’s cottage.
“I thought we could just go to the pub. I’m not really up for anything crazy.”
“Pub sounds perfect. Is Lilly coming?” I ask. I haven’t seen Nic’s childhood best friend since I arrived.
“Uh…not sure. It’s a bit last-minute and she needs a sitter for the twins.”
“Of course.” I often forget that other people have their shit together and have actual lives with husbands and kids while my own is one giant clusterfuck. “What are the guys doing?” I ask when my mind wanders back to Liam’s defeated face as he allowed me to escape my room earlier.
“No idea. BJ’s organising, so it’s probably best I don’t know.”
