41

AUDREY

“Let me guess, you want to take an English major when you go to college.”
“Why do you say so?”
“Well, aren’t you poetic?”
“I’ll take that as a compliment.” He winked at me. “But no. I’m not taking English.”
“But speaking of it, which university are you going to?”
“Harvard.” His answer came at lightning speed.
“Oh, wow. That’s like everyone’s dream. I might not even get accepted.” I laughed. “Congratulations.”
“But that’s if Dad’s friend doesn’t change his mind.” He gulped his wine. “I have to work my butt off this summer to make myself worthy. His son, that’s probably your age, needs some tutoring.”
“Well, having an offer like that is already generous enough. I heard the tuition fees at Harvard are expensive. Which program are you going to enroll in?”
He nodded. “Business administration. Not very impressive, right?”
I grinned. “I would’ve guessed Fine Arts.”
“That’s another option.” He shrugged. “Well, who knows? I might try to get a double major.”
“You’re smart. I get it now. Stop boasting,” I joked, chuckling.
He sighed. “That’s what Elazar wants. My brain.”
“Elazar?”
“Um, it’s my dad’s friend’s name.”
I nodded. “Sounds like a plan. And he sounds very rich.”
“He is rich.” He grinned at me, and we continued our lunch.
We shared many things during a short time and the first time we’d been together. Liam Cross was the epitome of talent, and he’d always captured me with those things money can’t buy. His wonderful character, kindness, purity, and intelligence.
He graduated from high school with honors, won several awards in quiz bees, and drawing contests, and was an MVP of the basketball club in Glendale High School since fifth grade. I wondered and regretted why I didn’t go to the same school. My father wanted me to attend Xavier High instead.
However, I was surprised when he told me he only had one girlfriend, and the other girl was a one-time make-out. I didn’t know how our conversation reached that point. I even referred to the girl as a lucky bitch. I was instantly jealous.
We were now walking back to the hotel’s hallway after some endless conversation.
“Anything can go wrong with frat parties, Audrey. I wasn’t a part of the group, but I was invited, and she was there…”
“Vicky.”
“Yes.” He nodded. “And I had a drink, that’s already expected, and she was all over me, you know, but I had to stop. It’s not my thing, really. I didn’t want to tell you. You asked.”
I looked intently into his eyes. “Yes, because I’m curious.”
“What are you so curious about, huh?” He stopped in front of my door. I didn’t notice we were already here.
“Well, when you told me you never really looked at anyone else—Ahh, Liam!”
I didn’t realize Liam had already pushed the door open, and I stumbled on my feet, but he immediately caught my waist and he shut the door behind me. He was trapped in his arms against the door.
“I never,” he whispered hoarsely between the small gap between our faces. “I only looked at one, and I’m still looking.”
“Who?”
He smiled. “You.”
I blushed again. “And these girls?”
“What do you expect, Audrey? You’re purely a sweet dream that’d never come true for me.”
I bit my lower lip, smiling. “How about now?”
“A dream I don’t want to wake up from.” He grinned, and so did I.
He collided his mouth with mine, and my lips were already open. I released one of my hands to grab his shoulder, and he abandoned my face to place light kisses on my lips before taking them fully. I was instantly burning.
This was what a kiss should feel like.
I closed my eyes to revel in his mouth, his tongue tied to mine, which almost made me lose balance. My head was dizzy, and my feet and legs were light. Liam’s hand immodestly explored my waist, squeezing me and sliding his fingers on the bare skin inside my shirt… rising millimeter after millimeter toward intimacy.
I tangled his hair with my fingers, suddenly hypnotized by his feverish kiss. I felt his hands move onto my waist, gripping me like he wanted to own me.
Liam Cross is kissing me! He’s really kissing me, I screamed inside.
His expert lips danced in a rhythm I couldn’t manage. Air left my lungs, but it was amazing, magical even. Then, these bolts of electricity were building in my stomach. I had never felt this way before.
I clenched the fabric of his shirt while he was devouring me with his mouth. I blew out a hitched breath when he parted his lips and traveled to my neck. I inclined my head involuntarily, giving him much access. I felt this slightly wet mouth hovering on the skin of my neck. And a groan vibrated in his throat at my openness.
Liam gripped my thighs, and as if I was as light as a feather, he picked me off the ground and wrapped me against him. Panting softly, he licked my lips, and my stomach fluttered with pleasure, excitement, and intensity.
One moment, he laid me on the bed that I hadn’t yet used but never let our mouths waste any chances to taste each other. We kissed, nipped, and learned more about how to savor each other’s mouths in inexplicable ecstasy.
“Damn,” he hissed, breaking off the kiss. I felt the cold air. I instantly long for his touch. The suspense was killing me, so I sat up and lifted the hem of his shirt, pulling it over his head.
A full view of his beautiful body appeared before me.
Liam was as sexy as hell.
I smiled, biting my lips at the sight of his bare pectorals, showcasing to me his defined six-pack abs that lead to the V on each side of his waist. He was so surreal. He made me want to run my fingers over those cuts and muscles.
“Take me, Liam…” I asked achingly.
His eyes peered at me, but it was a deep and burning need. “Are you sure?”
“I’ve never done this, but I never felt like this before…”
His eyes softened. “Oh, Audrey… Maybe this is why we shouldn’t.” He stepped out of bed. “I’m sorry—”
I sprang up and yanked his wrist. “I don’t want you to stop.”
I hauled him back next to me, and I got onto my knees and kissed him again. Liam cupped my face and kissed me back. I was vaguely aware of myself. All I could think of was how I needed to feel about him. With Liam, I learned not to be ashamed. I felt it was important that I wasn’t alone.
“And you smell so good,” he whispered, as he was now devouring my neck, licking and stroking his tongue against my skin. “Why have I not spoken to you?” A low rumble quivered in his throat. “You don’t know how much I wanted to hold you.”
Liam laid me back on the sheets and cornered me between his arms. His eyes held mine in a passionate stance. I reached for his face and traced his features with my fingertips.
“Please, Liam…”
“Please, what?” he whispered.
“Take me.”
His expression hardened, but his eyes remained soft but intense. “Oh, love…”
He lowered himself again and was about to kiss me when suddenly, a sound clacked, and something vibrated in his pocket.
Liam grimaced in irritation. He got up again and drew out his phone. He was still in between my legs. He looked at the screen. “It’s Samuel.”
I rolled my eyes and sighed. “Answer it.”
Liam groaned once more, and he stepped out of bed. “You see, your brother trusted me, and look at what I’m doing—” he said before he answered, “Hello, Samuel?”
Silence.
“Okay, calm down, and tell me what the heck is going on—what!?”
I pulled myself up, placing the strap of my tank top on my shoulder. “What’s going on?” I asked, but he didn’t answer me yet.
Liam ended the call, but his face turned crimson and concerned. Suddenly, he almost stumbled off his feet, but he managed to hold on to the wall for support. He gritted his teeth.
“Liam?”
“My parents,” his voice quivered.
“Hey, what’s going on?” I immediately moved to his side and searched for his already red and watery eyes.
“Our house got burned down earlier today, Audrey.” He looked up at my eyes, and he was terrified as hell. “And my parents were trapped inside.”