“Will you perform it now?”
I hesitate for a second, but it’s half-hearted. “What if the security footage leaks and I end up getting torn apart on YouTube?”
Liam has now moved towards the back of the pit, stopping to lean against one of the perfectly reconstructed wood railings. “Then I’ll protect you,” he promises. “We’ll move off grid, and you and I can be social media pariahs together.”
His words send a comforting sensation sweeping through me, and it’s all the encouragement I need. I don’t even think before I launch right into it, reciting the monologue carefully and meaningfully. I attempt to play Titania as the regal, strong-willed character that she is. Independent and fearless. I end a minute or so later, breathing heavy with exhilaration as I find Liam still watching me, almost in a trance. He’s smiling softly and is unmoving until he starts clapping, his eyes remaining locked with mine all the while. I offer a sweet curtsy and descend the small flight of stairs, crossing the space until I’m standing directly in front of him.
“A fairy queen, indeed,” he says melodically.
I shake my head and glance down before my eyes find his again. “Did you like it?”
“Of course I did,” he answers.
Before I can stop myself, I lean forward and wrap my arms around his midsection, locking him into a tight hug. He embraces me back, holding me firmly to his chest. In his arms, in the Globe—I’m in a world within a world, and I don’t want to leave. Seconds seem to slip past, and I’m not sure how long we stay like that until I finally pull back.
“Will you spend the night with me?” I ask, tilting my face up to meet his gaze.
He doesn’t answer right away. Instead he looks down and runs his hands around the expanse of my waist, unhurried and soft. “Are you sure that’s what you want?”
I nod my head, feeling entirely alive even if I am a little nervous. Even if I never usually move this fast. Like ever. “Do you think I’m crazy?”
“Maybe a little, but then I must be, too. Part of me thinks I’m dreaming all of this up.”
His words are soft and honest, and I feel exactly the same. “And is it a good dream or a bad dream?” I ask.
Liam slides his hands into mine, and it’s really not normal how much it affects me.
“A very good dream,” he answers. “And one that I won’t be forgetting anytime soon.”
11
In the cab to Juliette’s and all the way up in the elevator, we’re lost in a game of secret touches. To the outside world, we’re holding hands, brushing knees—nothing out of the ordinary. To me, it’s been fifteen minutes of nearly painful foreplay, and my heart feels like it’s beating out of my chest. It takes all the concentration I possess to put the key in the lock and to get the door open once we reach the studio, especially with Liam clutching my waist from behind, pinning my back to his front as he drags his mouth across the side of my neck.
I gasp as the door finally gives way, and I stagger inside. Liam’s eyes are locked on mine as I whirl around, and he doesn’t look back as he swings the door shut behind him. I’m barely able to take a breath before he’s stepping towards me and I’m moving towards him. We collide as we intended, our lips snapping together like magnets. My hand finds the nape of his neck, traveling up and twisting into his hair. I give it a pull, not very hard but not light either, and it elicits a deep, rumbling moan from him that I’m determined to hear again and again.
He pushes into me further, and I go with gravity. The backs of my legs hit the small kitchen table, jolting me a little bit, but I’m quick to get my bearings. I’m about to edge my way onto its surface when Liam takes hold of my waist and sets me on the table himself.
Kitchen tabletop sexy time? Um, yes, please! My legs lock around his waist. His hand grips the back of my neck, firm but steadying as he leans away ever so slightly, drinking in the sight of me as I inhale a much-needed breath. A little smile crosses his face, and an even bigger one crosses mine. We both know what’s about to happen. I drag him forward for another kiss, my hands gripping the front of his shirt when I hear the door opening and the lights flip on.
The sexual tension instantly vanishes, and my eyes go wide, but nowhere near as wide as Roshni’s as she and Ollie step into the studio and freeze.
“Oh my god! Oh god, I’m so sorry!” She stares at the floor and shields her eyes with one hand, dropping Ollie’s leash as he happily canters inside without a care in the world.
“I had no idea you were home,” Roshni stammers. “I figured it was early enough that you’d still be out. I forgot my script in here when Ollie and I came down earlier, so I figured I’d just grab it now. I’m so, so sorry.”
“It’s fine, Roshni,” I assure her. “It’s okay, you can look. I swear we’re both decent.”
She slowly looks up and forces a smile even though I can tell she’s ready to burst into flames. “Again, I apologize. I had no idea you guys were in here. I’m just going to grab my script and we’ll go.”
I lean down to pet Ollie and look over my shoulder at Liam. He’s frazzled, but he’s holding himself together well.
“Don’t worry about it,” I tell her. “Ollie can just stay here. I’m home for the night, so there’s no need for him to sleep upstairs.”
“Are you sure?” Roshni asks, flashing a quick glance at Liam and then a meaningful look at me.
“I’m sure. Thank you so much for watching him, though.”
“It’s no problem,” she says. “Honestly, Juliette watched him for most of the time. I kind of felt like the third wheel, so I just binge-watchedSchitt’s Creekon my laptop for the fifth time.”
