“I wasn’t asking you. Liam?”
“Uh, yes. I did. I mean, I used to.” He rubs the back of his neck. “Sometimes.”
“Used to? Sometimes?” I repeat. “Do you plan on doing that again?”
“What? Do I plan on—No!” He takes a step back. “No.” He is looking at me like I’ve lost it. Maybe I have, but I refuse to be disrespected by this bitch.
“I see. And, tell me, was Valentinaspecialto you? Will you miss her?” I look between them. She has her arms crossed, a blush spreading up her neck, and Liam looks like he wants to find a table to crawl under. “Liam?”
He sighs. “No, Taryn. She wasn’t special and I won’t miss her.”
I turn to Valentina. “Still wanna be friends now,Val?” I snark.
“Fuck you, Taryn. You too, Liam. I hope you rot in hell. You two deserve each other,” she seethes before she spins on her heel and marches down the corridor. Well, at least she forgot about going after Elizabeth.
My musing is interrupted when Liam’s strong arms pull me against him. He spins me so I’m caged against the wall, his forearms beside my head. “Was that necessary?”
God. He’s right in my face, breathing my air. “Yes. It was.”
He shakes his head. His blue eyes are flashing and I can’t tell if he’s annoyed, angry, or turned on. “You needed to embarrass her?”
Oh, oh, oh. I know my eyes are the ones flashing now. “What Ineededto do was clear up any misperceptions. I didn’t realize you’d be so worried about yourfriend.” I sound like a jealous idiot.
“You think I give a shit about Valentina?” His gruff voice has elevated. “You think I ever want to touch her or anyone else again? Jesus Christ, Taryn. You obviously haven’t been listening. Just because I don’t want to shame the girls I’ve been with doesn’t mean I want a repeat performance. Fuck.”
We’re both breathing heavy now. “You know she just treated Elizabeth like shit, right? You honestly think I should worry about her pride when she’s tormenting my friendsandcoming on to my fiancé right in front of me? Are you even serious right now? You’re defending her?”
Jesus. He’s still right in my space. So close. “Defending—no! Which part of not seeing other people is so hard for you to process? Fuck. You make me crazy.”
“Yeah, I know the feeling,” I huff, still looking him right in the eye. I’m being a total bitch but I refuse to back down.
“Do you? Do you really, Taryn?” His voice has gotten husky. Why is he standing so close? I feel the heat radiating from him. “Because I don’t think you have a clue how I’m feeling.”
“I think I might,” I whisper before I press my lips to his.
I don’t know what the hell I’m doing, but I’ve forgotten everything except the gorgeous guy who is now pressed against me. He’s obviously on the crazy train with me, because he groans and tangles his fingers into the back of my hair, deepening the kiss. And, wow, the last time wasn’t a fluke. Liam McGuiness can kiss.
He consumes me. His muscled body pins me to the wall and I whimper at how good he feels. He nips at my bottom lip and then chases away the sting with his tongue before diving back in to take more of my mouth. His tongue slides against mine, desperately, urgently. I can feel his arousal against my stomach and I go to my tiptoes to feel him closer to where I need him.
He makes a growling noise in his throat before his hands move to cup my butt. He squeezes and lifts me easily. I don’t hesitate to wrap my legs around him. We both groan at the contact when he presses his pelvis against mine. I scrape my nails up the back of his scalp, and he hums in pleasure. I instinctively start to tilt my hips toward his, still attacking his mouth, when a loud throat clearing reminds me where we are. In a public corridor. In the dining hall. At lunch hour. Oh my god.
Liam pulls his mouth away from mine, and I slowly drop my legs to slide down his body. His breath catches. I expect him to release me, but no. He hugs me tightly to him, pressing my cheek to his shoulder and shielding my body in his arms, before he turns to talk to someone I can’t see. “Go away.”
“Mr. McGuiness, I hardly think this is the place—” Shit. I recognize Dr. Lambert’s voice. I took one of his classes last semester.
“I know, Duane. Now, go the fuck away.” Liam’s voice has taken that hard edge I’ve only heard him use once before. With Sam. I hear the professor grumble before Liam turns his attention back to me.
“You okay, beauty?” His tone is suddenly gentle as he lifts my chin so I’m once again looking into his eyes. The concern there takes my breath away. “I’m so sorry. I got carried away. I shouldn’t have put you in that position.”
He looks so worried that I cup his cheek and smile at him. I can’t help it. “Well… Imayhave been the one to start it.”
His lips curl in amusement before he pulls back. I instantly miss his warmth. He leans in to give me a quick peck on the lips. “You’re the only one I want, Taryn. Guess I’ll just have to show you that.” He runs a thumb down my cheek before reaching down to take my hand. “Ready for lunch?”
TARYN
I’m disgusted with myself. That’s the only word I can use to describe my behavior in the dining hall:disgusted. I can’t quit thinking about how good it felt to kiss Liam, and I am so angry, disappointed, and, well, disgusted with my actions, it’s almost debilitating. It’s why I avoided him the rest of the day.
He’s so fucking charming. He asked me questions about my family throughout lunch and I assumed it was to learn more about the business he was marrying into. When I told him I knew nothing about clan work, he smiled this horrible, placating grin.
