Consumed (22 page)

She looks up from her magazine to give me a wide toothy smile. “What can I help you with darling?” She croons at me. While her appearance leaves something to be desired, her voice has a soothing, sweet quality that instantly makes me feel comfortable.

“I would like to try on the dress that is displayed in your window. Do you know what size it is?” I ask.

“That one there?” She asks pointing in the direction of the window.

“Yes, the green one.” I reply, as she makes her way to the window display and removes the dress from the manikin. She loops it over her arm and gestures for me to come with her. I follow her to the back of the store where she stops, eyeballs my feet, and then pulls down a pair of silver four inch heels, not once asking for my size, before continuing on to the dressing area.

“I think you will find that everything fits perfectly. I will be at the register if you need anything.” She says, turning and walking away. I quickly strip out of my pencil skirt and blouse before gingerly stepping into the beautiful gown.

I grab Kristina to help me zip up the back before taking the time to look at myself in the mirror. It fits perfectly, every inch clinging to just the right parts of my body, the strapless style with built in bra cups giving my breasts just the right amount of lift. It's fitted just below the bust and then flares out to the floor, the silky material covered with a sheer fabric that completes the look of elegance.

I slip on the heels that the woman left for me realizing the minute that I slide my foot inside, how good she is with gauging sizes. They are a perfect fit and compliment the dress beautifully, giving me just enough height that the end of the dress doesn't quite reach the floor.

I hesitantly step from the dressing room to get Kristina's opinion, her eyes finding me instantly. “Oh- my- god.” Her words are over pronounced and drawn out. “That's it, that's the one. You look incredible.” She says twirling her finger indicating for me to turn around. I do a little twist, loving the way the bottom of the dress swirls with me. “And the shoes!” She exclaims.

“They're perfect, aren’t they?” She nods her head in agreement. “So yes then?” I ask her spinning in the dress once more.

“Oh yes.” She smiles, her eyes tracing up and down the length of my body. “The men are not going to be able to keep their eyes off of you.”

“Well there's only one person I can think of that I would like to never take their eyes off me and unfortunately for me, he will not be there. Guess I'm gonna have to settle for you.” I say, laughter bubbling in my throat.

****

W
e don't make it home until after ten o'clock, by which time I am completely shopped out. After buying my dress, which was way more than I could really afford, we hit up some accessory shops to complete our outfits. Kristina headed straight to bed but I was having a harder time settling down for the night.

I grab my cell phone off my nightstand and text Liam.

What are you doing?

His reply comes almost immediately.

Thinking of you.

I can't control the smile that breaks across my face. I have seen so little of him since my Aunt Kelly headed back to New York. On top of me being extremely busy at work, he has also been very busy. I try not to think too much of it, I know first hand how hectic life can be, but that doesn't prevent the nagging feeling that something is off.

I need to see you
.

I wait for a reply but one never comes. After thirty minutes of restlessly pacing my bedroom, I decide it's time to call it a night. Work will come early tomorrow and I really need to go into this weekend well rested and with a clear head. Just as I settle in and get comfortable my phone signals a new text.

Look out your bedroom window.

I shoot up, excitement stirring through my entire body. He wouldn't, would he? I climb out of bed and stumble to the window that sits along the back wall of my room. The moment I look outside I catch sight of him, standing on the sidewalk just outside my apartment. I hold up my finger signaling that I will be down in a moment but I am not sure if he can see me.

I throw on my robe, not wanting to waste time getting completely dressed. I have on an old gray t-shirt and shorts so I am decent enough. I run out of my apartment and down the stairs as quickly as my feet will carry me.

I step into the cool night air with only one thought on my mind, Liam. I run to him and immediately jump into his arms. He pulls me tightly to his chest hugging me back with the same force, my feet completely off the ground.

“I've missed you.” I breathe against his neck, inhaling his scent deeply. I know it's only been a few days but being away from him for only a day feels like a lifetime.

“I've missed you too.” He says, his hold on me growing tighter.

I pull my head back to look into his eyes as he sets me to my feet. “Would you like to come in?” I ask, realizing how ridiculous I must look, standing on the sidewalk in my pajamas and robe.

“I wish I could. Trust me there's nothing I want more.” He reassures me noticing the disappointment that is sure to be written all over my face. “I just came here because I wanted to see your face and because I have some things I want to talk to you about and I want to do it in person.” My stomach clenches at his words, worry eating through me.

“Okay?” I step back to put a little distance between us. I swear my heart is beating out of my chest and I am mentally preparing myself for the worst. This is it. I knew this would happen. He's going to tell me that he doesn't want to see me anymore. How could I have been so blind? My worst fears are suddenly flashing right in front of my eyes and it takes everything I have not to break down here and now.

“If I told you that you don't know the whole story about me, would it change how you feel?” He asks, worry creasing his forehead. Relief instantly floods through me. My ability to jump to worse case scenario biting me in the ass.

“Well as long as you aren't married and have children that you failed to tell me about.” I joke, noticing his face lighten immediately.

“Well that would certainly make things interesting.” He laughs. He has the most incredible laugh. The kind of laugh that instantly makes you smile, that warms your entire body. No other laugh has ever affected me the way his does. It takes everything I have not to laugh with him.

“But no I am not married, nor do I have any children. At least not that I am aware of.” He says the last part riddled with humor.

“Good to know.” I say, not able to control my own giggle that escapes my throat.

“What if it was something that I kept from you, something big, but something that doesn't change who I am or how I feel about you. Do you think that's something we could overcome?” His questions cause a queasy uneasiness to form in the pit of my stomach.

I can't for the life of me think of anything he could tell me fitting that description that would change one thing about how I feel. I love him. I think I have known it for a while now but fearing that it is too soon, I have fought those feelings off.

“Then it doesn't matter.” I say, not missing the flicker of hope that flashes across his handsome face. “I need you to be honest with me always, no lies. I can handle a lot of things but lying is not one of them. If I am going to trust you with my heart, with my body, then I need to know I can trust you completely.” I say, reaching out to trail my fingers across his forearm. His skin instantly prickles under my touch and I revel in the knowledge that he is just as affected by me as I am by him.

“Come upstairs.” I whine, giving him my best pouty lips. His laughter vibrates from deep in his chest.

“Now how can I resist that request when you're just so damn cute about it.” He says through his laughter.

I put my hands on my hips and give him a violent stare. “Cute?” I question.

“Okay mind blowing fucking sexy.” He says, pulling me tightly into his chest. The moment his lips touch mine I know I am done for. He hoists me into his arms and carries me into my apartment. I guess our conversation is over, for now.

––––––––

I
wake the next morning to my alarm blaring next to my head. I try to roll over to hit the snooze button realizing instantly that I can't move. My entire body is blanketed with Liam. His arm and leg are both draped over me, his head buried into the back of my neck. I can't help but smile. It feels so good to wake up in his arms. So good in fact, that if work wasn’t so busy I would probably call in sick just so I could stay here with him the entire day.

He stirs next to me, the alarm still sounding loudly next to him. He grumbles, throwing his arm back to shut the alarm off. “Good morning.” He says, snuggling into me once more.

“Morning.” I choke out, my voice still riddled with sleep. “I have to go to work.” I say attempting to pull myself out of bed.

“Call in sick.” He says, gripping me tighter, his lips finding the back of my neck. After a very late night last night, I wouldn't expect myself to be so turned on by such a simple act, and yet every inch of my flesh aches for his touch.

“I wish I could, but today I really can't.” I say, peeling his arm away from me. I roll into him, our faces so close our noses are practically touching. I run my fingertips lightly down his jawline, loving the way his morning stubble feels on his face. “I have to go.” I whisper, placing a small kiss across his lips.

He reluctantly releases his hold on me but then grabs my wrist as I try to sit up, pulling me back down to him. His lips find mine and they are filled with a sense of urgency that I don't quite understand.

“I have to jump in the shower. Would you like to join me?” The invitation is off my lips before I have a chance to really think it through. He doesn't wait for me to ask him twice, jumping out of bed and throwing on my pink robe to cross the hall to the bathroom. I double over in laughter at the sight of him. My god like man, with muscles for days, all wrapped up in a pretty pink robe.

“What?” He playfully questions my reaction. “I think pink is my color.” He jokes, looking down at himself and then turning back to me to do a little pose.

“Come on, I'm going to be late.” I say through my laughter. I turn and make my way across the hall to the bathroom, closing the door once Liam enters behind me.

We climb into the shower together, his arms curling around me from behind to pull me into him, his erection digging into my lower back. It's all the motivation I need. I turn to face him, pulling his face to mine. His lips feel like silk against mine, his tongue finding just the right rhythm to drive me into an absolute frenzy.

I break away from his mouth, working my kisses down his neck and across his collarbone. He has had several opportunities to study my body but I have yet to have the chance to do the same. I trail my lips across his broad hard chest and down his rippled glistening stomach, committing each inch of his body to memory. It's the type of body that you really only ever see in pictures. No one is this perfect in real life, and yet here he is, standing before me, and he really is just that. Perfect.

When I reach his throbbing erection, it takes everything I have not to take him in my mouth. I fight the urge, not wanting to cut my exploring short. I place a small kiss to the head, letting my tongue swirl around his tip. He grips my head with both hands, a low groan escaping his lips.

I lick again, this time trailing my tongue from root to tip. I can feel his legs shake beneath him, hear his ragged breathing. Seeing how worked up I am getting him, I can't turn back now. I take him into my mouth in one quick movement. He gasps, his hands gripping my hair tightly. I pull out slowly and then take him in as far as I can, which given his size is only about halfway.

Wrapping my hand around the bottom half, I slowly pump my hand up and down as my mouth takes care of the rest. I swirl my tongue as I take him in and out of my mouth. Each time I reach the tip, I can feel him shutter. Knowing that I can do this, that I can bring him to this point, only makes me want it more.

I quicken my pace, sucking and licking every inch of his massive erection. I feel him swell inside my mouth, his knees shaking to the point that I wonder how he is even supporting his own weight. He groans out loudly, his hands wrapping so tightly in my hair it's almost painful. He jerks as the hot liquid spills into my mouth. I quickly swallow and keep going until he rides out the remainder of his orgasm.

He reaches down and grabs my forearms, raising me to my feet. His mouth crashes down on mine hard, his tongue invading my mouth. He pushes my back against the shower wall, his hand tucking between my thighs in the matter of seconds. He swirls his finger around my clit. The moment the contact is made, everything else goes blank.

The only thing that exists in this moment is the way his hard body feels against mine, the way every part of my flesh burns for his touch. The build comes on so strong and so fast I barely have time to prepare myself for the explosion that rocks my entire body. My knees instantly give out, Liam supporting my weight while I ride out my orgasm.

He looks down to my face, his eyes searching mine, for what I don't know. “I could spend every morning like this.” He says, his lips brushing across mine. “Waking up with you in my arms, getting ready for the day together.” He reaches out, brushing my wet hair from my forehead. He holds out a strand, trailing his fingers to the end before twisting it around his fingers and then releasing it.

****

A
n hour later I arrive at work, thankful that no one seems to have noticed my less than punctual appearance. Not wanting to waste anytime, I dive right into my work and that is exactly where I stay buried until well after lunch time. I take a quick break to grab a coffee and a bagel from the break room and then arrive back at my desk just as a bouquet of flowers is being delivered by Michelle.

She catches sight of me as I approach her, her face full of disapproval. “I'm sure there has to be a rule about the number of flower arrangements a person is allowed to receive in a month.” She says before whipping around and walking away. Geez, what's gotten into her?