32: Caught red-handed
"Owe you?" I uttered out, quite startled. Liam leaned in a little more and his eyes began darkening slightly, an indication that this innocent little meeting was taking a turn.
"Yes, you *owe* me." He then began running his hands along the skin of my arms and I finally understood exactly what he meant.
Panicked, I pushed his arms away, not wanting to complicate this little situation further. Demetri was back, and that changed the game completely. I couldn't have him find out about Liam and I, fearing his reaction to it all- especially taking into consideration Sebastian's initial reaction.
"I can't. I have a mate-"
"-Demetri, I know. So what, Phoenix? He is who you were, I am who you are. You can't tell me that you don't *want* as much as I *want* you. Your body knows it too, see-" he then leaned down and placed a kiss against the skin of my neck and I shivered against him. I could feel it all happening again, the blood rushing through my veins, the erratic beating of my heart and the warmth and wetness between my thighs. My body did want him, no matter how hard I tried to resist. It was as though every time he touched me, my body literally lost control of itself. Each of his touches were seductive and addicting enough to always have me wanting more, even now.
"I used to think," Liam began as he started kissing against my collar bone, "that the reason I liked you was because you reminded me of Lila... she was shy and quiet. But I've come to realise that you're nothing like her. You've changed since you've embraced the vampire side of yourself. You're confident," his kisses then moved up to my neck- and I'd be lying if I said I wasn't enjoying every moment of it. "You're also stubborn, brave, and... strong."
It was when he said this, that I froze and so did he. We both just stared at each other, engrossed and lost in the expressions on our faces. I'd never had anyone say anything even close to that, to me. Strong and brave? Liam thought I was strong and brave?
"Do you really think so?" I uttered in a whisper.
Liam smiled gently, leaned down, and then placed a soft kiss against my lips before pulling away saying, "Yes. You are, by far, the strongest young woman I have ever come across. And I admire you."
What was this? This thudding of my heart against my chest. This hot feeling in my cheeks and this tight feeling in the pit of my stomach. It all seemed so familiar, a feeling I could grasp at but was too afraid to even name. And so, before he could even kiss me again, I pushed him away and got up from the couch.
Liam looked up at me, confused, while I stared down at him, terrified and awfully flustered.
"T-this can't be happening..." I uttered.
"What can't be happening Phoenix. Why don't you calm down and talk to me-"
"No!" I yelled out. I couldn't talk to him anymore. I couldn't hear what he had to say to me. I was stupid for thinking that it could be possible for Liam and I to stay friends.
"Phoenix... talk to me please. Why are you looking so terrified?"
And it was then that I burst out, "Because I am! I thought life was complicated enough with me liking Sebastian. But then Demetri had to come along and make me feel the tug of the mate bond, and now you... you just can't stop yourself, can you?"
"Stop myself from what?" Liam yelled, now standing up too. It was clear that the atmosphere had completely changed now, and the air in the room seemed to be tense.
I hesitated for a moment, letting the thoughts swarm around in my head, almost bringing me to tears. There was a game of life and death awaiting me in the future, and here I was, confused about my *feelings*- something which should have been the least of my concerns.
"Phoenix..." Liam then reached out towards me, and even though I knew I should have backed away... or perhaps maybe even bolted and locked myself in my room to keep myself away from him, I didn't- I couldn't, not when his dark eyes were so sincere. "Did I do something wrong? Did I cross a line I shouldn't have? I'm sorry... it's in my nature to flirt and tease. I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable." By then his arms had wrapped around me. He was strangely warm and soft, and I found myself lifting my hands and wrapping them around him too.
"You didn’t do anything wrong, Liam... I'm just confused." I whispered against his chest, calmed by his own calm reaction to my outburst.
"About what? Sebastian?"
I gulped before saying, "No... you."
I could feel him tense up the moment I'd said it and then he gripped at my shoulders and pushed gently against them, allowing him to get a good look at my face.
"Dare I ask this, but what are you confused about, my little pet?" He asked, saying my nickname more affectionately than he had before. Was Liam always this affectionate towards me? Had I been so engrossed in Sebastian that I'd overlooked him?
"M-my feelings. I'm confused about my feelings for you, Liam. And I hate it. I can't fall for you Liam... we agreed on this, no feelings." I said. "This is just getting so complicated, Liam. You and I are going to participate in the Game of Successio next month and I should be focused on that. But how can I when Sebastian is not only being characteristically cryptic but also cannot keep his jealousy in check. And how can I when Demetri, my mate... the man I'm supposed to love and cherish, is back in my life. Finally... how can I concentrate on the Games when I'm going to have to end up trying to kill you... if I even make it that far. You've been nothing but kind to me my entire stay here. You were all of my firsts and I was stupid for ever underestimating this relationship we began to develop. But now I don't know what to do about any of this." I was breathless by the time I'd finished speaking and I honestly felt like crying. Liam gazed at me, contemplating what he should say, and it took a moment before he said anything at all.
"Phoenix, you already know how I feel about you and I can't even begin to imagine how confusing this must all be for you. If it makes you feel better, we can put an end to all of this. We don't have to have sex. I will, however, say this: I am never-" he then placed his fingertips under my chin and looked me straight in the eye, "*never*, letting you get hurt in those games. Even if it costs me my life. You, Phoenix, have to be the one to survive."
If it cost him his life? Was that how far he was willing to go to keep me safe? If so, the idea wasn't doing a good job of making me feel better. I didn't want him to die either. Liam had become important to me and I couldn't even imagine a life without him. I couldn't, however, be bold enough to say that I'd be willing to sacrifice my life for his. I had people counting on me, my dad being the first one, and I couldn't afford to let him down. Not after everything he had been through to get me to where I was. And so, I said nothing to Liam in return. Instead, I reached out for him and wrapped my hands around his torso before placing my lips on his. I couldn't win. Not in the Game of Successio, nor this little game of tug-of-war I was clearly involved in. Complicated seemed to be my new normal, and I'd just have to suck it up for as long as I could... before it broke me.
Liam's hands then began roaming my back and soon he grabbed at my thigh and pulled me even closer towards him. Our little exchange seemed to become more passionate until-
"Phoenix?"
My heart suddenly stopped at the familiarity of the voice and immediately, my lips were off of Liam's. I soon found myself staring into a pair of deep blue eyes, stunned beyond anything.
"D-Demetri..."
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Oh dear...
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Stay safe! Stay healthy! Sending my love!💕