Chapter 8

Madison

I scurry downstairs after him and we exit the house.

I’m digging through my bag trying to find my phone when he suddenly stops and turns around without any notice.

There is no time to react so I slam into his body so hard that I bounce back. Two huge hands catch me before I end up falling on my ass.

Next thing I feel is being pressed against his body and the heat is back on.

My hands lay on his stomach and I can feel hard, taught muscles underneath.

Fuck he is tall.

I look up and his eyes are half closed and dark again.

Liam's chest rises and falls under the steady rhythm of deep breaths he is taking and this movement makes me want to melt.

Why doesn’t he kiss me?!

“Did you forget something?” I croak out, my voice is not my own.

He sighs and one of his big hands finds the way to my face, gently caressing my cheek with the back of his knuckles.

“You are so beautiful,” he almost whispers “and I’m not right for you.”

Having that said he lets me go and heads toward the passenger side of the car. I take a second to process what just happened.

“What just happened?” I ask him quietly as I settle into the driver seat.

“Don’t think I don’t like you,” he starts, “I do! But I can't give you what you need.”

Ok, so I’m not completely crazy.

“Liam, why do you assume to know what I need?” I protest looking in front of myself.

He reaches to me and touches my cheek again making me look at him.

“You are beautiful, smart and kind. You need somebody who will worship you and not somebody who will fuck you between meetings or whenever he finds little time in his schedule.”

“How do you know that is not exactly what I need?” I insinuate.

All the while our eyes fight their battle, long seconds ticking by, neither one of us ready to back down.

I can’t help myself although he is completely right.

I’m not going to wait for his calls to meet him in one-hour sessions in hotels.

But at the same time, I do want him. Badly!

“It’s not what I want for you!”

He lets go of my face and shifts back in his seat still facing me.

“You have been open with me so I’ll be straight with you.” I tell him as I relax into my seat and look at him.

Liam cocks his eyebrow.

“You are right about me not wanting an arrangement.”

He opens his mouth in an attempt to speak but I stop him by lifting my hand.

“But I still want you!”

There it is, no more acting innocent. I’m completely open here and it is liberating.

Never before did I make such a strong move. Usually I just wait until the guy does it, but not with Liam. I have to know. And I have to know it here and now. No games.

The light in the car has dwindled and turned off some time ago. Except for the few solar lamps that provide some low light, the front yard is in complete darkness. The perfect silence is interrupted only by our breaths.

I’m waiting for my verdict, a soft let me down and no thank you, if you don’t want to play my way. He leans forward and little light catches his face.

He is smiling!

Not a smirk but a smile that lights up his entire face and eyes.

“So, you want me? Why don’t we talk about that little more?” he challenges.

There is no way for me to stop myself from reflecting his radiant smile.

“Talk? Really?!” I tease as I get in his face.

He is so near; I can feel his warm breath caress my shin.

“Why do you provoke me?” he growls gently.

I want to kiss the edges of those lips but all that hair prevents it.

He just sits there frozen. No reaction. Nothing.

I guess I got my answer. Again…

It is a hard pill to swallow but I’m a big girl so I suck it up and start to move away.

Two big hands clench my face in a gentle but firm grip so I’m frozen in place.

“I’ve tried my best not to let things go so far but you make it impossible,” he tells me solemnly.

Vibrations of his somber, deep voice go straight to my core and make my clit throb. I ache to be touched there. My nipples strain against the confining material of my bra.

“Liam, it is simple - either you want this or you don’t.”

“Gorgeous, this is far from simple and if we cross this line everything will change.”

What the hell is he talking about?

His grip on me loosens for a second. Enough for me to be able to snuggle into the palm of his hand and start to trail small kisses alongside his wrist.

I lay my hand over his and lean into it even more.

It is weird how we underestimate the power of a simple touch.

Take it for granted.

Only to be reminded by moments like this how good a simple touch of his hand can feel.

I place an open mouth kiss on the inside of his wrist as his chest rises and falls with an increased intensity.

“You don’t know what you are getting yourself into…” he tells me again, “ but we agreed on a date so let’s go on a date”.

He releases my face and I’m left wanting his kiss, which is evidently not going to happen tonight.

“Madison, I have strict rules about dating and you have to know that I don’t deviate from them.”

“Liam, I’m not asking for your undying love, and you are not the only one with rules.” I tell him annoyed.

Why is he making this so difficult, having a one night stand should be easy.

The whole point is the no strings attached.

“Then it is set, we will go on a date tomorrow night and discuss everything.” Liam informs me.

At this point I’m more than frustrated and if this were anybody else than Liam,

I would be telling him goodby.

For some reason, I’m willing to wait and see what happens after we talk.

This here is the main difference between the two of us. Him, being meticulously organized and structured.

Everything needs to have a specific order of things.

And me, guided by my feelings and the moment.

Helplessly getting myself into complicated situations, rather than carefully weighing consequences of the move before actually plunging into it.