Page 76 of Recklessly You
My pupils adjust to the darkness of the room, and I’m able to make out his broad shoulders and defined biceps. His arousal is evident in the thick veins running along his hard length. Even in the darkness, the size of his erection is unmistakable, and my throat goes dry as every inch of me tingles with anticipation. My heart races against my ribcage as he moves closer.
“Liam.” My voice comes out raw and strangled. Moistening my lips, I ready myself to take him in my mouth.
“Not tonight.”
My eyebrows jog up in disappointment.
He must see it because he chuckles. “After the night you had, you deserve gentleness, tenderness.”
His lips cover mine, gentle yet demanding. A kiss from Liam is as intoxicating as the finest wine. I buck when his length enters me, wanting him to go deep and hard, but he doesn’t. He moves in a circular motion, making me feel everything—the gentleness and the tenderness. I cry into his mouth. This is not fucking. He’s making love to me. I place both of my hands on his cheeks, bringing him in so we’re staring into one another’s eyes as he makes love to me. I want him to see when he looks in my eyes that I’m in love with him. I want him to see that I want this. Us. I want more. But more than anything, I want to see what lies beneath those beautiful, rare eyes—does it match what I feel? All I see is fear and pain all over again.
My body shakes as waves of ecstasy roll in like a stormy night. He watches me as I scream his name. Liam grunts his release right after. I’m not sure if this is a new beginning or an end for us. In those eyes, on top of the pain and fear, a small part of me sees regret.
If it’s our end, he must know it will crush me. Would he be so cruel, to end it this way? His name on my lips. His body covering mine.
CHAPTER 26
LIAM
I sprawl my legs on the couch, watching Sophie sleep, the sunrise shining through a slit in the curtains. Once Sophie fell asleep, I made my way downstairs, toward the gala venue. The investigation team is out, including the FBI and the chief of police. The whole area is wrapped in yellow tape, closing it off. When we unveiled the masks of the three men who lay dead on the cement floor, it became clear Pablo had sent his men to an event full of law enforcement. He sent a message, too—he wants us to release his son from custody. The motherfucker can rot in jail—soon, his father will join him.
When the seven hooded men poured through the entranceway, gunshots echoing in the air, my only thought was to find Sophie. Losing her would be like losing the ability to breathe or live. I’d rather her be happy with someone else, and I’d rather watch from a distance than never see the light of her smile again.
I return to the room and lay beside her until sunlight pours through the window. Sophie’s still sleeping. But not peacefully. Her body jolts and twitches. The pang in my chest deepens. I did not want her to experience such maliciousness last night—she’s too pure. Being in law enforcement, I’ve been through shit like this more times than I can count, but not Sophie. I took her out only to traumatize her with blazing guns and falling bodies.
Lying beside her, I lift her in my arms and place her head on my chest.
“Liam,” she moans in her sleep.
“It’s okay, baby, I’m right here.” I kiss her forehead, soothing her. It pained me to see her shivering in fear. It brought me back to the night I lost my father, reminding me why I’ve kept my corner tight and never allowed myself to be in a relationship.
Sophie’s warm hand glides up and down my bare chest. With her groggy blue eyes slowly opening, she peers at me. “Morning.” Her voice is sweet as honey.
“Morning. How did you sleep? How bad were the nightmares, Sophie?”
She lifts herself up, leaning on the headboard, shoulders touching. “I slept well. I’m shaken up. Don’t worry. It will pass. I’ll be okay, Liam.” She gives me a weak smile and adds, “I didn’t have any nightmares.”
Liar, I want to call out. I’ve lived my whole life having nightmares—until Sophie began sleeping in my bed every night, and I stopped having them. She’s like a lullaby.
“Did you sleep?” she asks.
“A little,” I lie. I’ve been watching her all night.
The bed sheet slides down, revealing her cream breasts and pink nipples. My tongue darts out, and my dick immediately stands at attention. My nostrils flare, exhaling loudly like a bull ready to attack. I close my eyes, trying to tame the beast.
Now is not the time, Liam.
“Sophie, baby, get dressed. We have to check out, and I need to go to the station. I have a meeting,” I drawl, my voice raspy and raw.
“Oh, okay.” The sheet slides further down. “Let me take a shower first.”
I nod, unable to speak. She crawls off the bed completely naked and traipses her hot ass to the bathroom. The confidence she possesses would give any man a hard-on. It takes everything in me not to follow her.
* * *
The car rumblesalong the highway in oppressive silence. I can tell Sophie is still trying to wrap her mind around what she has seen. It was a difficult and traumatic experience that will stay with her for an eternity. A dull pain fills me. Her innocence was shattered by the cruelty of last night’s event. A burning anger rises inside me at the thought that she endured such fear and terror. Sophie is strong, but no one can play it as if they’re okay. Not even her. A fierce determination takes over as I vow to keep her safe no matter what, shielding her from all harm with my life, if need to be. As we approach her townhouse, she furrows her eyebrows in confusion.
“It’s safer if you stay here while I’m at the station. I’m not sure if they’re targeting a certain person.” I clear the rock in my throat. “I’ll have Mark drop off your car in case you need it.”
