She watched with a grin as Liam weaved his way through old furniture to the back of the room. Finding the small opening into the other storage area, he searched the walls for a light switch.
“Where’s the light?” he asked, looking back at her.
“It's on a cord. You might have to step inside and feel for it,” she said, careful to school her features before he could see her grin. She watched him disappear into the room.
“Oh, I think I found it. Motherfuckingsonofabitch!” he shouted, jumping out of the room with a squeal when the light came on.
She couldn’t help doubling over in laughter knowing Liam had discovered Albert, the full-sized fake skeleton, staring back at him when he turned on the light. If only she could learn to use her powers for good instead of evil.
“I’m sorry, I couldn’t resist,” she said, wiping the tears of laughter off her face. The skeleton was returned every year to the dark basement posed to give the next unsuspecting staff member a shock.
Standing up from where he had been slumped against the opposite wall, Liam scowled at her.
“I am going to spank your ass so hard later for that I’ll burn my abdomen trying to fuck you afterward,” he said with a growl as she weaved toward him, still laughing. Wait, shouldn’t that statement worry her instead of just making the throb between her legs grow stronger?
“Later, though,” he added, waving an arm at her. “After my heart returns to a regular rhythm again. It might require paddles.” Reaching him, she fell into his arms. Her hands wrapped around the back of his neck.
“You know, you’re not just a flame I can’t resist. You’re the whole fucking blowtorch,” he said, reversing their positions until she was pinned by him in an animalistic kiss against the wall.
“Are you really going to spank me?” she asked in a breathy whisper when they came up for air.
“Oh yeah, over my lap, bare-assed,” he responded. Just then, they heard something fall over in the locked closet near the steps. Looking behind him, Liam considered the locked door before turning back to meet her wide gaze. “But later.”
“Maybe we’d better haul those boxes up,” she said as they both sprang into action.
They decided that if it didn’t make it up the first time, they simply didn’t need it. Liam, laden with boxes, followed Chiara carrying the skeleton. They both let out a sigh of relief when they pulled the basement door closed firmly behind them.
“I think I owe Astrid an apology for giving her such shit about that basement when I was in high school,” Liam said as they walked onto the front porch.
They spent the rest of the morning decorating the house for the holiday. Liam ordered lunch delivered. Since the weather was mild, they decided to sit on the front porch to eat.
Whenever Chiara was with Liam, she thought it was the best time she had ever had. Until the next time they were together. Not only was he the only man she knew that would find the prank she pulled on him earlier brilliant, but could laugh about his reaction without it seeming to affect his ego one iota.
“So do you think Parker has figured out about us yet?” Chiara asked, munching on a cookie. Liam had bought her favorite, peanut butter chocolate chip, with their lunch.
“I doubt it, or I’d be swinging upside down in a basement somewhere while he and Max took turns with a bat,” he answered, bumping her shoulder with a grin. “In all honesty, I’m certain he suspects something but can’t quite put his finger on what.” She watched as he held a small bag of chips up, shaking the remnants into his mouth.
“What do you think will happen if they find out?” she asked.
“I’m sure we’ll both be treated like we’re fifteen and have been caught in the backseat of the car. It doesn’t seem to matter how old we get, Parker can’t wrap his head around the fact that Ro and I are adults now.”
He stood up, pulling her up in front of him. Sliding his hands around her waist, he gazed down at her.
“Are you having second thoughts about this?” he asked. How could she have second thoughts when he looked at her like she was a goddess?
“No second thoughts, no regrets. We agreed.”
He stood quietly, studying her face until she started to squirm under the scrutiny.
“Okay,” he answered, turning her loose. “I vote we finish up here, then you can go help me assemble baby furniture at Ro’s. Then I’ll take you out for…”
“Tacos.”
“Tacos before dropping you back here to get your car. I have to spend some time with my family, or they really will start tracking me.”
“That sounds like a great way to spend the rest of Sunday. I’ll go to Mom’s after you drop me off. She’s been complaining about not seeing me lately,” Chiara answered.
She was a little disappointed he couldn’t spend tonight with her, even if just to Netflix and chill, but she understood having a family who liked you enough that they wanted you around.
