A Borrowed Life (Carly and Liam #1) (28 page)

“Oh yeah?”

I surprise myself daring him to try something.

His smile slowly fades and his gaze tries to decipher something in me. He looks down before taking a deep breath.

“So, it's a yes?” he asks, returning the conversation back to his invitation.

“Of course it's a yes.”

He leans over and kisses me lovingly. My arms wrap around his neck and I push my belly against him, kissing him back.

“You know what?” I interrupt.

He looks at me, puzzled.

“I met your friends and family, but you haven't met mine yet.”

“I met your brother, and your roommate, and Liv, too. Are there others I’m forgetting?”

“That doesn't count! You just briefly met them. And there is also Liv's brother, Adam.”

“Okay. Well what do you suggest we do?”

“Tomorrow night, if I organize a dinner with them, would you come?”

“Tomorrow night is fine with me.”

I smile widely and kiss him again. I know Ethan doesn't like the idea that I'm with someone famous, but he will change his mind when he gets to know Liam. Liv will be happy to join us, I'm sure!

Liam puts his hand on the small of my back, and his gaze fills with desire.

“Come with me,” he says.

Before I can answer, he takes me inside.

He leads me into his bedroom and leaves the lights off. He presses a switch to close the curtains, and the room darkens by the second as the slats slide along the windows, cutting off all lights.

“Wait here,” he orders behind me.

I can't see a thing, so I don’t dare move. I hear him go out of the room. My heart is pounding and my breathing intensifies as my forehead covers with beads of sweat. My eyes, trying to adjust, are wide open trying see something around me. In total darkness, everything becomes mysterious and scary. The slightest noise and the silence are both threatening.

Only a few minutes later, footsteps announce Liam's return and the door closes quietly behind him. I'm even aware of the little click the lock makes. My stomach is completely knotted. I take a deep breath trying to pull myself together, and then I breathe it out slowly.

I hear Liam's breathing behind me. How is it that he can see me when I can’t see anything?

“Did you come to see me?” I ask in a low voice.

“Shhh!” he blows against my neck.

A shiver runs down my back.

Tenderly, his fingers slide under the straps of my tank top to lower it, and he presses a kiss into the crook of my shoulder. My head leans to the side and my back falls toward him. He slides his hands into the cups of my bra, rolling his thumbs over my nipples. I let out a soft moan, letting my body melt against him.

Once again, he kisses my neck passionately and his breath grazes my wet skin. He removes my bra and throws it on the floor, and puts his palms on my stomach while pushing my tank top down on my hips. I find myself half-naked in the dark.

His fingers invade my jeans, and slide under my panties. My body shudders in longing for his touch. His hand slides over my labia, but nothing more. He unbuttons my pants to remove them, but then I no longer feel his energy on my skin.

I look around, still blinded. I hear his sigh behind me and my body tenses in anticipation. I feel so vulnerable being completely naked!

A rod-like object with a smooth, flexible texture brushes my ass and makes my muscles tighten. Liam draw circles on my butt, following the bone of my pelvis with what seems to be a feather. He doesn't touch my vagina, he just skirts my waist and my breasts. It's a flower! A rose, judging by the smell emanating from it.

The head gently touches my lips, intoxicating me with its deliciously sweet smell. Liam slides it along my jaw, my throat, and between my breasts, and catches my upper body as it weakens. A gesture of his right arm tells me he just got rid of the rose. With his hands, he straightens me up and walks away.

What's he planning now? I remain nervous and impatient. Suddenly, a warmth wraps around my breast. He simply passes his hands over them without touching. My nipples swell and I can't stand the wait. I want him to touch me, to take me, and kiss me.

“Liam!” I beg.

“Shhh!”

Then, his lips sensually close on my earlobe in a divine suction that tears a groan from me. He kisses my navel, and his mouth slides down to my hip where his teeth gently scrape my skin. I moan. My legs weaken and my fingers instantly tangle in his hair, but he grabs my wrists and pushes them away, forbidding me the slightest touch.

He grabs my hips into his hands and spins me around, my back now facing him. He kisses my ass, his tongue skimming my skin. I immediately have the reflex to lean forward, granting him full access, and I hear him growl appreciatively. At that moment, his fingers push between my legs to rub my clit.

“Mmm, you love it,” he says.

I smile, happy to satisfy him like this. He sits up, leaning his body against mine. He must have removed his shirt at some point because I feel his skin on mine directly. His index finder brushes my lower lip when his commanding voice whispers in my ear, “Lick it,” he orders.

The command has a devastating effect on my body, fueling an already powerful desire. I can only obey and I close my eyes as my tongue slowly slides along his index finger.

I feel all of his excitement at this simple gesture and I'm carried away by the same feeling. My whole body shivers. A roar rolls down his throat and his palms slide up my breasts that he grips firmly. My body becomes a tool into his hands, and I let myself fall against him as he buries his face in the crook of my shoulder. His thumb and forefinger close on my nipples that he pulls, again and again. I moan at each sensation that stimulates an electric shock directly to my lower abdomen.

He turns me around to face him, throwing himself at my breasts to kiss them strongly, and I can't restrain a cry of pleasure. My body causing him this much desire is such a turn on and I don't see how I could ever resist him, no matter what I find out.

He sucks my nipples slowly, one at a time. My fingers slide into his hair without him pushing them away this time. He gently presses his mouth against mine, finally granting me this kiss that I’ve been wanting. His tongue rolls on mine in a long, sensual stroke.

He guides me to the bed where he drops me gently on my back without stopping to kiss me. I realize as he climbs over me that has taken off his pants too, as well as his underwear. A hard penis presses against my labia and I quiver, impatient to feel him inside me.

Finally, the long awaited salvation comes and he plunges his cock in me. Each inch increases the pleasure already at its peak. He begins his back and forth movements at a cruel pace. My fingers clench in his back, releasing a fierce cry out of him. He's more excited than ever and increases the speed of his thrusts; again, and again and again.

“Go ahead, let it out, beautiful!” He growls between his teeth. “I want to hear you. I want you to wake up the whole building.”

On his order, I release the cry that I was repressing. My back arches, my nipples harden, and my legs stretch to the extreme. My toes fold and Liam doesn't stop. I keep screaming as the orgasm intensely vibrates throughout my body. Liam yells out in response, releasing himself inside me.

I slowly come back to myself as he gradually stops his back and forth movements, keeping his eyes riveted on my expression of gratitude and total submission. Right now, I would absolutely do whatever he asked me to. I'm hi
s
body and soul. He owns me and I know he won't let me go.

He lets himself fall beside me, pulling the covers of his bed over our naked bodies. I snuggle against him immediately, exhausted and drained by the orgasm he just gave me. His arms wrap around my body and he kisses me lovingly.

“Miss Scott, I am Detective Turmel. I would like to talk to you about the investigation. I've been trying to reach you for a while.”

I hear a sigh of exasperation on the other end of the line as I take the message on my voicemail.

“It's just to inform you that, unfortunately, we have no evidence or witnesses that will allow us to continue the investigation. If you haven't received any other threats, or if no one has attempted anything in the last week, I will report it as an isolated event. Call me back, please.”

I hang up and shake my head. I should have known. I sigh, putting my phone back in my purse. I place my pocket of change in my locker before leaving the restaurant after my shift. I suspect Richard is the one behind all of this, and I know the police will not do anything to him. If it is him, he's probably the one who pushed to close the investigation, and that doesn't reassure me at all.

A very powerful and influential man is out to get me, and he obviously has no problem threatening or killing me. The worst thing is that he would get away with this without a single accusation; nobody would ever believe the great Richard Lexington could be a murderer. And the people close to me who know about this whole situation would probably be in as much danger as I am right now. He's the kind of man who has developed a social circle so important that he's pretty much untouchable. I have no intention of talking to Ethan or to Liam about it. They would worry about me and wouldn’t be able to do anything for me. How am I going to get out of this!

Anyway, tonight is the dinner with my friends and Liam, and I have no intentions to let this news ruin everything. I chose the relaxed atmosphere of a pub at the corner of my street for the occasion. There is so much pressure in Liam's world that I preferred to stay away from it tonight. Tonight, there’s only the six of us, nachos, beer and billiards. The place usually isn't very busy, so Liam most likely won’t be recognized.

We sit at a round table, enjoying a huge bowl of nachos with melted cheese, salsa and
jalapeños
. Liv and I sip on strawberry daiquiris, and the four guys split a pitcher of beer. Liam takes a sip, laughing at a joke Sean just said and I smile. It's so good to see him so happy and light. He has no problem mixing in with my friends. Sean and Adam have accepted him right away, but Ethan remains on guard. He can be so stubborn!

“You hit the jackpot,” Liv tells me while the guys are in the middle of a conversation.

“I did,” I confess. “He's just perfect.”

“Really? Not even the slightest fault?”

I shake my head and smile, certain of what I'm saying. No, Liam is perfect.

“Whoa! It's for real this time. You're really in love, aren't you?”

“Head over heels!”

“And how do you manage his entourage?”

“You mean the servants?”

“No, I mean his family and… well, Desiree.”

“As for his family, they're fantastic. His sister and I get along wonderfully. I know that his mother doesn't like me being a waitress, but I think she'll get used to it. And as for Desiree, fortunately I don't have to see her too often.”

Liv chuckles.

“I hope you don’t, that girl is a real bitch!”

I nod, rolling my eyes. I’m not going to argue with that statement.

“Take care of yourself, okay?”

“Everything is fine, I promise.”

She glances at Liam as to ensure that he isn’t looking at us, then turns to me, twisting her lips.

“There are rumors,” she admits.

“You know, you really shouldn't listen to rumors. Liam is absolutely not the guy the gossip magazines described.”

“You're the one who knows.”

She takes another sip from her daiquiri as I turn to Liam, now standing next to me. He leans in to whisper in my ear.

“We’re going to play a game. Is that fine with you?”

“Yes, I'm okay. Have fun!”

He presses a kiss against my cheek before joining the guys at a table. I turn to Liv who's looking at me, smiling.

“It's obvious he loves you, too.”

I smile and I know that I'm beginning to blush.

We stay at the table, talking and laughing for awhile. The guys seem to having a lot of fun at the pool table, and it’s a great relief to see Liam get along so well with my friends. This is the first time that I can see him in my world; I've always been in his.

Ethan returns to us, holding out his pool stick to Liv.

“My brother beat you again?” she taunts him.

He winces as she grabs the stick, rising to her feet.

“Let me show you how the pros play,” she says.

“My eyes are wide opened,” he retorts with a suggestive tone, a lustful gaze, and a smile.

He sits next to me, carefully watching Liv bend over the table to hit the first ball.

“She's my best friend!” I chastise him, hitting his arm.

“So?”

“So, she's off limits!”

“Oh yeah? Well let's talk about those limits.”

I sigh. I'm not sure I like where he's going with this.

“Ethan, I love him.”

“I know. And it's obvious he loves you, too. I don't doubt his intentions, and I know he is doing everything to protect you from Bill, and that he has him under surveillance. I'm just afraid that there are things he can't control.”

“Wait, what?”

“What?”

“He has Bill under surveillance? How?”

“Carly, he has the resources…”

“No!” I interrupt him. “How could he have him under surveillance, he didn't even know his name, I never told him.”

My brother purses his lips and looks down.

“I did,” he confesses.

“What!”

“He wanted to know his name and where he was, and make sure he was away from you. You won’t see me stop someone who’s trying to protect you.”

“Ethan! I don't want him involved in this!”

“But he is. It's automatic. The minute you chose to keep him in your life and to be part of his, he was involved.”

I sigh. Now I understand why he was so confident when the journalist wanted to take a picture, and when it was published in the newspaper. Even if Bill were to recognize me or find me, Liam would know. If Bill realizes that Liam did this, he will be furious. He's a very prosperous and alert businessman and runs his company like his famil
y
with an iron hand. I'm afraid he is going to get back at Liam and do him harm; he’s capable of it. This is a new problem I really didn't need.

My brother's arm wraps around my shoulder to hold me against him.

“Stop worrying, Carly.”

“You’re telling
me
not to worry?”

“He's a nice guy and cares about you. He takes care of you, and I’ve seen you smile and laugh more than ever since he's been in your life. For me, that's what matters.”

“But?”

“But your still my little sister, and if he hurts you, I can’t promise I won’t do anything.”

“Oh, great, then I would have a beaten up boyfriend and a brother back in prison.”

Ethan laughs. I said it jokingly, and he knows it. He promised me he’ll never go back to jail; those two months were enough to keep him on the right path. I wouldn’t be able to take it if he went back to jail.

Sean joins us at this time, holding out his stick to me.

“Come on, it's your turn!” he says.

He grabs his beer, showing a frustrated expression.

“You were beat by Miss Sawyer!” my brother announces.

“Do me a favor, Carly. Kick her ass!”

I burst out laughing, joining the table where Liam is waiting for me with a broad smile. Liv and her brother are teaming up for this game and I'm with Liam. I lean to hit a ball and I feel Liam's eyes on my ass, as if I could physically feel contact from them. I try to stay focused and hit the blue ball, that hits the red one, that pushes the orange ball right into the corner pocket. I stand up tall, sending a triumphant look at Liv. And it's still my turn!

When I miss the yellow ball, I sit up with a sigh and Liv lets out a mocking laugh.

“You know, you're not so bad at pool,” Liam says.

“I’ve been playing for a long time,” I answer with a shrug.

“Do you think you're better than me?” Adam retorts, insulted.

“Face the facts,” bites back Liv. “If you win, it's only because of your partner… Meaning me!”

She points her hands over her heart, twisting her hips excessively.

“In that case, why don't you both play against us?” Liam offers.

Liv and I exchange a knowing look.

“Fine with me!” she accepts. So it will be the guys against the girls.

The evening passes quickly; we play, we laugh and we dance, forgetting what's outside this bar.

I put my apron in my locker in the staff room, and I go back to join Javen in the front. He is taking to me to get changed, and then bringing me to meet Liam for the benefit dinner.

I walk through the front door, and Liam is upstairs. He hangs up his cell phone when he sees me and gives me a warm smile. I walk up to join him, and his arms lovingly wrap around me, expressing how much he missed me. It's only been a day, but it feels like it was an eternity. I know, because I feel the same way. But the one who’s never had a girlfriend before is probably less familiar with this feeling.

“Good evening, my love!” I greet him.

“Good evening, sweetie! I have something for you.”

“Oh yeah?”

He twists his fingers between mine to guide me to the bedroom. On the bed, a magnificent dress lies on the sheets, its fabric a silky, soft pink color. A band serves as a belt, decorated with zircon stones and pearls on the left side, forming some sort of flower with pointed petals. The same jewelry crafts the only shoulder strap that slides over the opposite shoulder. The rest of the dress falls like a veil on the legs.

“It's beautiful!” I exclaim as I finally catch my breath.

“I thought it would be even more beautiful on you, so I bought it today. Do you like it?”

“I love it! It's perfect!”

He leans in to kiss me tenderly, pushing his fingers through my hair with breathtaking delicacy.

“I’ll let you get ready. I’ll be waiting downstairs.”

“Okay.”

I jump in the shower, letting the hot water and foaming soap slide down my skin to wash away all the stress of my day. Many of the women that will be there tonight had the whole day to get ready, and I have only one hour; but it will have to be enough. I put my hair into a bun and place a few pearls in it to match with my dress. A light touch up of makeup and I'm ready to go.

Liam gently pushes the bedroom door, then freezes before me.

“You look incredible!” he exclaims.

“Thank you!”

“I've got something for you.”

“Something else?”

He shows me a small and thin rectangular box he was hiding behind his back. I approach, curious to know what it is. I open it and discover black lace fabric that is tied with a pink silk ribbon.