Grinning, Liam lifts his eyes to meet my gaze, and it suddenly hits me how intimate this moment is. Not only are we physically intimate, but I also sense this weird emotional connection buzzing between us. His touch is setting my body on fire, and he looks at me with so much desire, I can’t help but feel… wanted. And that’s something I’ve never experienced before. I didn’t know how much I needed this until now.
I like it. I like it a lot, and I want more.
Never breaking eye contact, he leans in until his hot tongue presses against my swollen clit. The sensation is so intense, Iinstinctively try to close my legs, but Liam easily holds them open, while closing his mouth over my throbbing bud. He sucks, and a moan rips from my throat. My eyes flutter shut, and my head falls back onto the pillow.
He is the one in control now. Maybe that should worry me, but as long as he makes me feel like this, I don’t mind submitting to him. Right now, we’re not enemies, we’re not captive and captor, we’re just two lovers.
His fingers dig into my thighs, angling my hips up to his face. He licks, sucks, and nibbles on my clit until I’m sure I’m about to explode. I grip the sheets beneath me, needing to hold onto something. My back arches off the bed, a loud moan fills the space, as pleasure like I’ve never experienced before bursts through me.
My pussy pulses against Liam’s skilled mouth as my orgasm keeps going. My release is so strong that when it does subside, my body is depleted of energy. My limbs feel useless and my eyelids heavy.
With a satisfied smirk, Liam sits up and climbs over my leg to flop down on his side of the bed. We lie there like that for a few minutes, my blissful mindset slips away, and reality sets back in. I’m not regretting letting my walls down enough to let this happen. I just need to remember that he doesn’t actually like me. Yes, he clearly wants my body, and he makes me feel good physically, but that’s all this will ever be. He sees me as something to use, not as someone equal.
A sudden chill comes over me, making me reach for my blanket. I pull it up my body and curl into a ball on my side, giving Liam my back. The bed shifts, and with a soft click the room goes dark. Feeling content and sated, I’m ready to go to sleep when Liam slings his arm around my waist.
“Come closer,” he orders, pulling me toward him gently.
“Why?” I question, not sure if I’m going to like this or not.
“I don’t want you to get any ideas,” Liam explains. “I’m a light sleeper, so as long as you’re close, I’ll know if you try to leave the bed.”
He keeps hugging me tighter until my backside is nestled against his front. I can’t believe we’re spooning. Something about this seems absurd. He shouldn’t be holding me like this, and I shouldn’t enjoy the way he is wrapped around me. Yet here we are, me comfortable in my father’s killer’s arms.
I’m not sure if Liam is still awake or if he would answer even if he was, but I can’t go to sleep without at least asking. “What did my father do to you to make you go this far?”
He doesn’t move or make any sound for a few seconds, convincing me he is asleep. Then his low voice meets my ear. “He killed my family—my parents and my sister. I vowed vengeance.” His words are heavy with sadness and anger.
My heart hurts for him. I can’t speak from experience, but I’m sure it’s very painful to lose people you love. “When did it happen?”
“Years ago. I’m a very patient man.”
“How did?—”
“That’s enough questions for one day,” Liam snaps, before taking on a slightly softer tone. “Go to sleep, princess.”
I try my best to obey, mostly for my own sake. I barely slept last night, and I really need the rest. Liam is sharp, and it’s going to take me being at a hundred percent to outsmart him.
10
LIAM
Iwake up the same way I fell asleep—with Aurora pulled against my chest. The only difference is, now my mind is not clouded by alcohol and hormones. I was definitely thinking with my cock when I agreed to not tie her up. That was a mistake. Letting my guard down with her is dangerous, and I can’t let it happen again. I know better than this.
She has been behaving and playing along, but I know she is scheming inside that pretty little head of hers. She has to be. There is no way she is just going to accept this arrangement. The chances of her escaping are very slim, but that doesn’t mean she won’t try.
I lie still for a few more minutes, not wanting to admit to myself that this actually feels nice. I don’t remember the last time I slept with someone in a bed. Her warm body feels amazing next to mine; her perky ass nestled against my groin has my cock twitching. I definitely want her, but I can’t let that cloud my judgment. I have to keep my guard up.
Slowly, I peel myself away from her. She doesn’t stir, sleeping deeply as I climb out of bed and make my way to the bathroom to go through my morning routine.
Somehow, I expected to feel different today, more elated, maybe even at peace. I experience neither, and that irritates me. I won. I have everything I ever wanted, and yet it doesn’t feel like it. Something is missing, but I don’t know what.
Shaking those thoughts away, I remind myself that there is still work to do. Not all of Donovan’s associates are going to accept the hostile takeover. Business relationships need to be smoothed out, and my dominance has to be established throughout the ranks.
When I return to the bedroom, Aurora is waking up. She stretches her arms above her head and rubs the sleep out of her eyes. Sitting up, she clings to the blanket, holding it to her chest tightly.
“Thank you for not restraining me. I actually slept through the night,” Aurora’s soft voice meets my ear as I dig through my dresser for underwear.
“Don’t get used to it,” I respond, my tone harsh.
