15
Ty
Spy, assassin, prostitute.
It was nice having Liam open up more about his past. With each layer he revealed, it was as though he was opening a door to some magical world I was eager to venture into.
Apparently, a very dark world, which grew even darker the more he told me about it.
Even as he shared certain aspects of his past, it was evident he was being cautious. He wasn’t used to sharing that with anyone, and so he picked and chose what bits he felt comfortable with, and I wanted to believe we had all the time in the world for him to reveal the truth to me, piece by piece.
My studies had been limited to auditing and attestation, but over the course of the days we spent together, they shifted to becoming all about Liam—from learning everything about him from his past, to paying close attention to the way he rubbed his brow when it would collect the slightest bit of sweat, to the way he breathed so deeply when I would stand guard by the bedroom, listening to his sound like it were a song. There was the way he carefully ate each bite of food, watching his plate as though calculating his next move. The way his eyes set upon me…oh, that was when I wanted to know what he was thinking…if he wanted me…if hecouldwant me the way I wanted him.
As the days passed, it was hard to gauge if he was really becoming more interested in me the way I was with him. We weren’t having serious conversations as we had when he’d told me more about his past. We joked, played card games, watched movies, and cooked meals together, but I knew him… At least, more than I had when he had kept so much from me.
I saw the strength in the man before me as well as the lost kid who had been preyed upon by some asshole who’d wanted to make a little money off his body when he was young and on his own.
Thirteen years old? What kind of monsters think that’s okay?
Although, it was that part of his life that had transformed him into the man I was so fascinated by.
Because we had all day and night together, they seemed to last forever yet slip away too quickly at the same time.
I popped a movie into the DVD slot on Liam’s laptop before slouching back into the couch cushion, maybe just a foot from Liam. I never picked a spot very far from him, and the way he would look to the opposite end of the couch each time, it was clear he’d picked up on my scheming.
Surely he knew what I was up to by the fact that I was only in briefs and a tee, shamelessly attempting to tempt him.
I didn’t give a flying fuck.
If he didn’t understand what I wanted by then, that was his problem, not mine.
“When you said the name of the movie and that it was horror,” Liam said, “I thought it was going to be a movie about killer cookies.”
I busted out laughing at his confusion over the DVD I’d picked out,Ginger Snaps.
“Yeah, I’d never heard of it before. Curious to see what else comes of this bargain bin selection of yours. Anything’s an improvement overKiller Klowns. God, that was just dumb.”
“I thought it was kind of fun, actually,” Liam said.
“Don’t tell me that. I want to still be able to respect your taste in movies. Maybe this will be the deciding factor.”
I scooted slightly on the couch, a little closer to him. Liam didn’t seem to notice, but really, I was convinced he was pretending not to notice. It reminded me of the beginnings of a first date. Creeping closer, carefully, trying to read every movement, every glance. It helped that the movie was entertaining and kept us laughing.
Liam seemed to finally acknowledge that I was just inches from him and said, “You can throw your legs up on me, if you want. Might be more comfortable to lie down.”
We were both silent as a bloodcurdling scream came from the laptop.
I should have looked—at least to see what had happened. Hell, I was enjoying the film, but Liam’s eyes were so much more interesting.
What was he thinking with his invitation?
Regardless, I took him up on his offer, resting my legs on his, and he set his hand on my calf…and oh, fuck, that touch…the feeling of his warm hand on me. It didn’t just tug in my briefs, it fucking sent a rush of energy sweeping through me.
As I turned back to the crimson image on the laptop screen, a gore-splattered room, I was hardly fazed because it was like I was floating over the cushions as Liam’s touch sent sparks through my nerves. My cheeks warmed, my fingertips prickled.
God, he had to feel this chemistry too!
It couldn’t all be in my goddamned head, especially as he started petting my leg in short, measured strokes.
