Page 122 of The Reno
Liam launched out of his seat, grasped my neck and pressed his lips against mine. He poured everything into that kiss—relief, happiness and hope. Vaguely, I could hear Ren, Frank and the kitchen staff whooping and hollering behind us.
Liam pulled back and pressed his forehead against mine. “I would have followed you anywhere if I could. But I can’t. So this is my chance to ask you properly. Stay. But stay because you love it here. Stay because you want to. But most importantly, stay because I love you.” I took a sharp intake of breath. “You don’t have to say it back. Just tell me you’re staying again.”
“I’m staying, Liam.”
THIRTY-FOUR
We ran across the square, ducking under the canopy of the library. Our dash across had only felt like two seconds, but we were completely soaked. My hair had begun to frizz up already. I laughed at how ridiculous we looked. Rain covered my face and dress. Liam’s face was covered too, rain running down his cheeks, his hair flattening on his forehead. He tried to push it back, but it was no use.
The rain hit harder, pelting on the pavements.
“Does it always rain this bad?” I shouted. It was a downpour—April showers.
“You’ll have to get used to it.” He grinned and pulled me closer. “Are you cold?”
I smiled back. His smile was infectious. “No, I’m fine.”
Liam opened his coat. “You’re cold. You look cold.”
“Okay.” I smiled as Liam pulled me into his chest, his head resting on the top of mine.
I looked up at him, seeing raindrops on his dark eyelashes.
“What’s next, boss?”
“Don’t call me that,” he rumbled.
“What’s wrong with boss?” I asked, grinning. I knew exactly what was wrong with calling him boss.
“I’d stop now, or you’ll find out,” he said as he pulled me closer. I couldfeelhow much it had affected him. It had affected him big time.
He leaned into my hair. “You smell so good. It used to drive me mad when we were working on the house. I could smell your perfume in whatever room you’d been meddling in.”
“I didn’t meddle!”
“Hmmm. Sure.” He smelt my neck, planting a kiss there. We were basically mounting each other in the middle of a city. I looked around. St Peter’s Square was quiet. It looked like everyone else had the same idea—duck under something to keep dry until the worst of the rain was over.
We stood there for a moment, sharing warmth. I leaned up, meeting Liam’s dark eyes.
“Can you take me home?” I didn’t want to be in a city teeming with people. I wanted to go back to Everly Heath. I wanted Liam’s eyes on me and nothing else.
Liam gave me a smirk. “Sure, Red.”
We stumbled through the front door, kissing, and Liam had me up against it in seconds, my legs wrapped around his hips. My green dress had ridden up, leaving my thighs exposed. I could feel the draught from the door as Liam slammed it close with a hard push. He pressed himself against me, and we moaned. Liam trailed kisses everywhere, my neck, my collarbone, my lips, whilehe ground against me; that coil of pleasure wound tighter with each movement. I pulled on his hair. I wanted to make sure he knew how this was ending.
I wasn’t being teased anymore. I didn’t care about taking it slowly. I needed him. Now.
“Upstairs,” I panted. “Now.”
I was going to have him tonight if it killed me. Liam let me go, and I slipped down him. I looked up to see a hungry expression in his eyes.
“Liam. Let’s go. I swear to god, if I’m not in your bed in the next five minutes, I’m going to die.”
Liam laughed. “Yes, boss.”
He pulled me into a fireman’s carry, making me squeal in surprise.
“Liam, this isn’t what I meant.” I held on tighter as he took us up his stairs. I couldn’t believe he could climb a flight of stairs with me in his arms. I was not exactly light.
