Professional Restraint

37 Casanova

Ella

Cool air dances across my bare arms as I lean on the balcony railing, taking in the ocean side view. The way the moonlight sparkles over the waves looks straight out of a movie.

Muffled words and laughs barely sound over the waves crashing on the rocks. I smile to myself, knowing Sophia is having a good time.

Liam sent me upstairs while he locked up downstairs. Part if me knows I should be nervous and yet, the larger part of me feels calmer than ever. It makes no sense, and yet, logic seems to go out the window with him around.

Slowly, I realize someone behind me. There's no sound, but I feel the weight of his gaze. Turning, I spot Liam, casually leaning against the door frame.

Time slows, and he looks like a character out of a black and white Casanova movie. White sheer curtains flutter behind him; his dress shirt has the top couple of buttons undone, teasing at the sculpted chest below. Even the way his arms are crossed over his chest steals all of my attention...

For someone who works in the corporate world, there is nothing soft about this man. His forearms are corded in lean muscles that flex in the moonlight. I remember the way his hands felt on my skin, the rough pads with callouses that scream strength.

"Hell of a view," he calls, walking over to me.

My gaze flickers to the ocean and back to him, but his never budges. Liam stalks towards me like a lion cornering a lamb, but running is that last thing on my mind.

I want to be caught.

My body heats, thinking back to last time, but with the excitement and pleasure comes shame. I've said enough to make him understand, but we haven't really talked about my dysfunctions since...

"Hey." Liam lifts my chin and makes me look at him. "What's wrong?" His gaze bores into mine with such sincerity.

I sigh, somehow knowing I can't hide things from him. But the last thing I want to do is ruin the night.

"I don't want to disappoint you," I whisper.

Liam flinches back like I've struck him. His brows furrow, and he cups my face gently in both hands. "El, there is nothing you could ever do to disappoint me, ever."

My chest tightens, leaving me unable to speak. I open my lips to try to explain, but nothing comes out.

"Nothing," he reiterates, his eyes searching mine for understanding. "Never let a man make you feel like less for his inadequacies."

I close my eyes, trying to reel in my emotions. How can a man I've known for so little time, read me like an open book?

The realization is both unnerving and comforting. His lips brush mine, making my eyes wide open before fluttering shut.

"Just because they fucked up doesn't mean you did anything wrong," he murmurs, nuzzling my nose. "Let me show you just how wrong they were."

The conviction in his tone ends any debate I might have had. "Please," I whisper without hesitation.

Liam captures my lips in response, his hunger unleashed. My fingers tangle in his shirt for support as my mind washes clean of everything but the here and now.

He deepens our kiss, slipping his hand behind my head. I moan into him as his tongue caresses mine, setting our pace. My mind feels like it might break in two as I struggle to focus on his lips while feeling his other arm slip around my waist and inch lower.