Page 86 of Fix Them Up
‘Hey,’ he said, his arms trailing down mine. ‘You aren’t oversharing. I asked, remember?’ He laced his fingers through mine, walking us down the aisle with old wooden benches. ‘Just because someone else doesn’t like taking risks doesn’t mean you shouldn’t. And those other attempts don’t mean you’ll fail again. And if you do’ – he shrugged – ‘who cares? If you have about a million careers in your lifetime, who cares, as long as you are happy?’
I snorted. ‘Well, the tax man might be a bit concerned.’
‘If it means anything, I think you’d be amazing.’ He glanced at me. ‘You’re incredibly creative and driven. Your brain might be hardwired a bit differently, but I’ve seen the dogged determination when you face your problems.’ He smiled, shaking his head ruefully. ‘I’ve been victimised by it, remember?’
I rolled my eyes, my cheeks blushing at his words.
We stopped near some huge wardrobes that looked straight out of a C. S. Lewis novel.
Liam’s thumb grazed my jaw, forcing me to look at him.
‘I mean it, sweetheart. You clearly don’t hear it enough. You are incredible.’
Half of me wanted to make a joke, laugh it off. But the other half wanted to press my face into Liam’s chest and pull him close.I wanted to hear him say things like that again and again. I wanted to bask in those words and ruminate if he really meant them. I wanted to let him prove to me he did mean them.
But I couldn’t do that.
I couldn’t have him.
So, instead, I showed him. I was much better with my body than words. I pressed my palm against his chest, pushing him against a bookcase in the dark part of the warehouse somewhere that no one would spot us.
‘Kat –’ he said, and I watched his cocky grin morph into hot desire.
I was determined to make him feel something. I wanted to repay the debt of his sweet, kind words.
My hands roamed across his chest, and I leaned up to kiss him hard and fast. His tongue met mine, and he groaned. His hands came up into my hair, pulling gently.
‘What are you playing at?’ he murmured into my ear, kissing down my neck.
‘Oh,’ I said, trying to sound casual, but my voice was pure gravel, ‘I’m just getting my own back.’
I sank to the floor, on my knees, and started on the buttons of his jeans.
‘Kat –’ Liam’s voice was a groan and a warning in one. ‘You don’t – oh, fuck.’ I palmed him over his boxers, and his head fell against the bookcase. I grinned, enjoying the power, even on my knees. I touched him a few more times, feeling how big and hard he was. I wasn’t sure I could take all of him in my mouth.
‘Are you just playing with me?’ Liam said, reaching into my hair and holding me there. His eyes were so fucking soft with desire, and I didn’t think anyone had ever looked at me like that before.
Liam’s thumb reached across my lips, and I opened my mouth instinctively. His thumb dipped into my mouth.
‘I’ve thought about this too many times,’ he rasped – molten hot desire. ‘You, on your knees. For me.’
I pulled him out of his boxers, rewarding him with a kiss for his confession. He flinched. His palm tightened in my hair. I took him with my mouth, looking up at his face, watching his eyes roll back.
‘Fucking hell,’ he said hoarsely, that soft accent becoming more pronounced.
I worked him in my mouth, moving my hands in tandem. Liam’s hands became gentler, weaving through the curly strands. I glanced up and found him looking down at me with a mix of pure lust and something else – reverence.
Liam brushed my cheek.
‘Gorgeous,’ Liam said, his dark eyes going hazy. ‘You have no idea, fuck, Red. You look so –’ He made a frustrated noise. ‘Those eyes on me are going to make me come.’
I moved faster until Liam gave a filthy swear.
‘Baby,’ he said, and I hated how much I liked the words from his filthy mouth, ‘if you don’t stop, I’m going to come.’
I hummed and kept going. I wanted to do this, to take him to the edge. Make him remember this, remember me, even if this strange arrangement was temporary.
Liam swore as he came, his eyes closing, his head back. I weathered through it, taking him deep and tasting him on my tongue. I grinned as Liam pulled his boxers up and breathed heavily. He looked completely devastated, like his brain had been scrambled. His hair was dishevelled where he’d run his hand through it.
