A Borrowed Life (Carly and Liam #1) (29 page)

“What is it?”

“I want you to wear these tonight.”

I unfold panties that seem to hide something.

“Come on, put them on,” he orders.

I obey without anymore questions. I remove the underwear I was already wearing, and then put these on. Liam pushes his hand into his pocket and suddenly, I'm surprised by a gentle vibration between my thighs. I let out a groan as a shiver spreads throughout my body. The hair on my arms stand and my nipples fight against my bra.

I press my palm on the panties, trying to ease the tension that’s building up, but the pressure only intensifies the sensations that are devouring me slowly. I see the smile on Liam's face and it stops. I'm still gasping, almost begging for more. He shows me the small remote control he has in his hand.

“I will be in control of your pleasure throughout the whole evening,” he announces with a mischievous twinkle in his eyes. “I want you needy, pleading, and impatient.”

“You're so cruel!” I reply with a smile before pinching my lower lip under my teeth.

It promises fun, since the dinner surely will be very boring. I approach him, slightly rocking my hips, and I wrap my arms around his neck to let my fingers sensually brush against his neck.

“So if I understand correctly, I should be worried?”

“Oh yeah!”

I kiss him tenderly and we set off. The reception takes place in a beautiful area near the river, on a land bordered by tall, mature trees. Stars illuminate the darkness of the night, adding a touch of magic to an already beautiful setting. The planners did not hold back.

We get out of the limo and Liam offers his arm to me to escort me inside.

“Good evening, Mr. Walker,” the doorman greets, clearly recognizing Liam.

We walk through massive, heavy wooden doors.

“Good evening,” he answers politely. “Is my mother already here?”

“She is waiting at your table.”

“Thank you.”

We reach a large round table where his mom, Ava and her boyfriend, his brother Karl, and his wife are already seated.

“Father isn't here?” Liam inquires, noticing Stephen Walker's absence.

“No, but he will be here shortly,” answers Aubelia.

Ava immediately turns to me when I sit next to her.

“I'm so glad to see you, Carly!” she says. “Are you okay?”

“Yes, fine! And you?”

“Great! This is your first benefit dinner, right?”

“Um, no. I was at a party organized by the Lexington’s recently.”

“Oh yes, I remember! I didn't know you were there, too?”

“Yes. It was a bit special.”

“Really? Why is that?”

I hesitate for a second. I still don't know if I want to tell her that Richard is my biological father. For me, he never acted as a father to me and he never will be, but technically speaking, he is. If one day she found out, one way or another, I don't want her to be mad at me for hiding something like that. However, given the threats he made, it would probably be better to keep him out of my life as much as possible.

“It was my first one,” I answer with a smile.

“Ah! So it was special. You must have met that bitch, Liora?”

“Yes,” I respond showing a confused expression.

She doesn't like her? Why is that?

“A year ago, she had an affair with Liam. I can only assure you that these are people to avoid.”

Yes, I knew that already.

“You see,” she continues, “Liora was nothing more than a one night stand for Liam, but I think she was expecting a lot more.”

“Really?”

“She called all the time, even my parent’s house, to find out where Liam was, who he was with, and if he had told me anything. Apparently, Liam was forced to threaten her father by calling the police if she continued to monitor his residence and follow him.”

“What, really?”

I'm surprised by my half-sister's behavior. She seemed quite normal when I met her. Now she seems even crazier than her father.

“Half true,” corrects Liam, leaning toward us as he overhears his sister. “Liora and I never slept together. It was only a kiss.”

He sends a disapproving glance to Ava. Suddenly, I wonder who's telling the truth. Did Ava tell me more than she should have? Or is it simply that she wasn't aware that there had been nothing serious between him and Liora? Liam's mother smiles hypocritically and leans over her daughter's shoulder to whisper a reprimand that I probably wasn't meant to hear.

“Ava, dear, don't feed the little people with gossip. We've had this discussion already, I think.”

The little people? That's what I am to her? I know she doesn’t like the fact that I'm not from a wealthy family, but really? I’m starting to believe I'll never be her ‘son's girlfriend’ in her eyes, only a parasite to worry about.

I’m about to give her a piece of my mind, but just then, the hostess of the evening takes his place behind the microphone to thank the guests for coming in such large numbers and contributing so generously to the fundraiser. I stop myself, choosing to shut up; it's probably better. It's not really the place to make a scene.

The hostess makes a brief speech before inviting Liam on stage to speak. I look at him walk toward the stage with enthusiasm. I can't wait to hear him and what he has to say. He's got such a great energy in front of all these people who expect nothing less than excellence from him.

“Hello everyone!” he begins. “As with every year, we are gathered here for a cause dear to us all. Every day, men, women, and children die of hunger, thirst, or disease, or are killed by the rebels who control their country. There are enough injustices in the lives of these people to mark us forever. Money, food, drinkable water; these are necessities to them. But I always believed in the saying, give food to the beggar and you feed him for the day, but teach him to fish and you feed him for life. Yes, we can send food, clothing, money, water, and medication, but what they actually need is help developing. They need institutions to educate them, adequate homes to protect them from devastating weather, and doctors and qualified researchers to fight diseases. This vision is perhaps a little ambitious, but I believe in it. With your help last year, a school was built in an underdeveloped region of Africa, a hospital was completed in Haiti, and tribes avoided extinction and hunger by improving their productivity and modernization of their facilities. All of that is thanks to you. Changing the world is within our reach, we just have to believe it is possible. In the hallway to your left, you can take a look at the projects currently in development and if you want, you can also be part of those dreams as well. Thank you!”

The crowd warmly applauds and Liam comes down from the podium. His eyes settle on mine that are shining with pride. I didn't know Liam could be so touching. He's really good at giving speeches! I saw in the hallway all the building models he mentioned; all buildings designed by his company. Donation envelopes were placed next to a safe where they could be deposited. I couldn't be more pleased to be the woman who stands alongside such a man!

I tenderly kiss him as he sits at our table and congratulate him. The first course is served, snails marinated in red wine. Then, a dinner of basil glazed lamb paired with vegetables and couscous. Suddenly, a vibration between my legs makes me jump. I pull myself together, trying to show an expression as neutral as possible.

Liam studies me with a mischievous look and an irresistible grin on his face. I breathe in deeply, attempting to hide the interruptions in my breathing. I reposition myself on my chair, although the slightest movement of my hips enhances the pleasure. My breasts swell and my nipples harden. My toes are twisted in my shoes while I show an unwavering smile.

“So you see,” continues Karl's wife, and I set my attention on the conversation. “It was sand and not taupe, and it didn’t fit with the paint in my living room. We had to send back the sofas and wait for them to deliver the right ones.”

“You have to forgive them,” replies Mrs. Walker, “these people don't have the skills to understand the difference between those two colors. I told you to deal with Melody.”

“I should have listened to you.”

I squeeze my thighs and purse my lips together, focusing on my breathing as the pleasure inside me rises dangerously. I could care less about Aubelia's remarks.

“Are you all right, Carly?” she inquires.

I smile and nod when finally, the vibration stops. I keep my calm.

“Yes, everything is fine.”

I breathe out slowly, sit up, and send a criticizing look to Liam. He chuckles before turning back to the conversation he was having with the three other men.

“Hello, you!”

Desiree's hands gently rest on mine and Ava's shoulders as she arrives behind us. I look up and see the woman smiling deceitfully. Why bother pretending she likes me when everybody knows it's not true? I notice Liam's attention upon us. Ah! That's why. She wouldn't go all evil in front of him.

She sits on a chair that has been left empty on Ava's right.

“How is your evening going?” she asks.

“Oh, Desiree!” Liam's mother raves. “It's a phenomenal success! Congratulations!”

I frown. Congratulations? What for?

“Thanks, Aubelia. But it's always a pleasure organizing this event for Liam.”

I almost choke on a sip of wine. She organized the evening? I probably would have liked to know that before, especially from someone else. It's not bad, but I have to say that I don't like her so close to my man. It might only be jealousy, or the fact that I suspect she's still trying to get back with him. Anyway, it doesn't please me at all.

“Oh, I get it!” Aubelia praises. “We are always so proud of you. You’re doing a great job!”

“Have you been organizing parties for a long time?” I ask, knowing nothing of her.

Desiree laughs.

“I guess that shouldn't surprise us that you’ve ignored this fact,” Liam's mother retorts scornfully, looking at me as if I was a nobody. “Lauren's family business organizes every event worthy of the name. Of course, this is something you would know if you had an education.”

I breathe in deeply and choose to hold my tongue. Liam's mother has already expressed very clearly her disdain for me, and I'm sure the fact that I work as a waitress isn’t helping my case. Suddenly, Ava's hand rests on my own and she gives me a sympathetic look.

“Keep holding on,” she whispers, leaning toward me. “My brother is worth it.”

I smile. She's so nice! And she's right. I’m ready to do anything for Liam, even if that means rubbing shoulders with the devil himself.

But I think I’ve had my dose for tonight. During the meal, I kept meeting her gaze that was so intense it could have killed me alone. I feel so small and miserable beside her. I go down the hall to look closely at Liam's company projects his team designed. The models are beautiful and very promising. If the campaign is successful, it will be great publicity for the enterprise. The buildings have everything to sell their merits to potential investors.

A vibration between my legs takes me by surprise. I turn to find Liam, and he’s there, a few feet away from me, talking with clients. He smiles at me and gives me a wink. I have trouble staying emotionless. The panties press against my clitoris and the vibrations become stronger. My lower abdomen contracts, and I take a deep breath, exhaling slowly as my body trembles unnoticeably.

I swallow. I see in Liam's eyes that he wants me to beg him to stop. Or throw myself at him to force him to make love to me, but I won't give him that satisfaction. My legs weaken and an irresistible urge to scream seizes me, but I resist it. I turn back toward the stand, trying to appear as natural as possible.

The vibration intensifies again and I'm forced to slightly bend forward so I don’t collapse. I hold back with one hand on the glass in front of me, but step back immediately, not wanting to leave trace of my palm on it.

“Is everything okay?”

I turn to a man my age who is standing behind me, hands in his pockets, and he stares at me with piercing green eyes and perfectly styled blond hair.

“Yes. Very good, thanks.”

The vibration doesn't stop, it increases. What is Liam trying to do exactly? I can't have a decent conversation if he continues like this! I want to come, I need to come, but I can't. Not here, not now. I try to restrain myself. The torture is intolerable and almost painful. Is he trying to punish me for speaking to another man?

The look I give Liam is almost deadly. If he doesn't stop immediately, I can’t control what will happen! He frowns, puzzled by my reaction, and buries his hand in his pocket to finally stop the vibration. I discreetly catch my breath.

“I don't think I had the pleasure of meeting you…you are?” continues the man before me.

“Carly,” I answer as I approach to shake his hand.

Even walking is painful now. I don't even have the strength to smile at this gentleman. Fortunately, I became an expert in terms of smiling even when I have no reason to do so.

“Nice to meet you! Did you come here alone?”