Page 76 of Filthy Little Pretties
His finger gently presses underneath my chin and tips it up. The firm set of his jaw comes into view, now that my eyes have adjusted. He’s definitely going to kiss me, and I’m not sure I’m going to stop him. Memories of his mouth on mine flit through my thoughts as Liam wets his bottom lip, his face so close to mine that I hold my breath.
“I know why you did that today… at the table. You wanted to punish Grey. Didn’t you?”
Goddamn him for being so perceptive. And goddamn me for the truth I’m about to admit.
“Yes.”
His lips lower down so close that I can almost feel them as he speaks quietly, breathing himself into my body.
“Our first kiss was about him. But this one’s about me.”
Liam’s mouth presses against mine, his bottom lip slipping between my own, before he drags them away and dives back in. He tastes like peppermint and beer. It’s delicious. His hand runs up my cheek, curling into my hair around the braid he’s so fond of, pulling me closer.
Holy hell, this kiss is divine. Better than I remember. Soft and ethereal, making my body feel like it’s floating. I’m losing myself in him. In this moment. Our lips drift over each other’s again and again until Liam tilts his head to deepen it, pulling at my waist to press my body against him.My body hums because it’s rough and aggressive, but it’s not Liam’s face I’m picturing because this feels more like—
Oh shit.
The thought shocks me back into reality, and my hands find his chest as I push him back. “Stop. No. We have to stop, Liam.”
His fingers linger in my hair, as his breath comes out in quiet pants. “Van. Why?”
I can’t look at his face as I slow my breathing, so I focus on his chest.
“I can’t do this. We’re friends, Liam. We can’t. Dammit, you agreed.”
Liam presses against my hold. “Fuck that. Tell me you don’t feel something for me.”
Can I truly say that? That I feel nothing for Liam?
“What I feel doesn’t matter, because I love you more as my best friend, and there are things you don’t know about me.”Things that might change how you see me.
He lets out a frustrated breath, pushing in closer again, but I keep him at a distance.
“Tell me what ‘things’ because Van, we could be great. Just tell me, get it out, and then give us a chance.”
Not before you tell Grey.The thought screams at me, causing me to shake my head.
“Not right now—behind a tree, while people wait for us to come out.” My fingers curl into his T-shirt as my eyes lock with his. “Give me some time—not a lot, but a little. Okay? You’re unexpected, Liam. I did not see you coming.”
He stares down at me for a moment before grinning and pushing my hand off his chest to step in and kiss my forehead. “Of course, Van. Whatever you want. You know that.”
“My knight in shining armor.”
He lets out a small laugh as I say it, but that’s what he is. So gallant and good, even when he’s being bad. I drop my head to his chest and let him wrap his arms around me as he pulls us away from the tree.
“A knight, huh? What am I saving you from?”
Myself. The truth. A ruined memory of this moment.I think it all, but I answer with a smile and small shrug.
“Let’s get back. The longer we stay back here, the bigger the rumors will get,” he jokes, taking another step backward and me with him.
I peel myself from his hard body, raising a hand to wipe the gloss away from his lips. Liam’s fingers dart out to my forearm, halting my reach as he looks down at me.
“Leave it.”
“Why?”
“Because I look good with you on me.”
