Fated Encounters

Chapter Two- Cry About it Later

Chapter Two

Ren

A few hours after first stepping into Barrel & Brass, I found myself stumbling out of the bar, clutching Liam's warm hand in mine. He had gently pushed me to stop drinking after my 5th drink and a second round of shots. For some reason, I found myself listening to him. Simply looking at him made stumble over my words and conversing with made the rest of the world fade away.

"I'm surprised you're not completely plastered with how much you drank tonight." Liam chuckled, catching me as I tripped over my long skirts, my heels twisted in the fabric. Kneeling, he helped untangle my shoes from my dress. Huffing, I started to kneel down to unbuckle the small clasps on my strappy white heels, only to wobble the more I knelt down. "Stop. I'll help love." Liam struggled for a moment before helping me step out of my shoes. "Why do they make the clasps so tiny?" He asked, standing with my heels hooked on his fingertips.

"To make us suffer more." I chuckled.

"Where is your car parked?" Liam asked, looking over the half-filled parking lot.

"That one." I responded, stepping out onto the asphalt.

"Oh no you don't. I'll carry you." Liam sternly said as he scooped me into his arms and made his way to my car.

"How can you carry me so easily? I know for a fact I weigh a decent amount more than I should."

"I work for a living. And you are perfect just the way you are."

"You mean perfect besides my baggage."

"Baggage and all. Everyone has some kind of baggage, love. It just depends on how they choose to carry it."

"I choose to cry about it tomorrow. Tonight I don't want to think about him or anyone else."

"Anyone else?" Liam asked, hurt flashing in his eyes briefly.

"Anyone except you. I wanna have fun tonight with you." I admitted, leaning my head on his warm shoulder.

"I think we can arrange that." Liam nuzzled his head against mine, a content smile on his lips. "Where are you staying tonight? I'll drive you there."

"I honestly don't even know where I am. I suppose I'll find a hotel or something near by before driving back in the morning. If I can't find anything, I'll just sleep in my car."

"Well, we can't have that." Liam declared, unlocking my car and gently disposing me in the passenger's seat. He gently lifted the train of my wedding gown into the car before closing the door.

"What are you doing?"
"I'm taking you back to my place to spend the night. You're too drunk to drive and I don't live too far away. If you're okay with that."

I paused, trying to think as my head buzzed. "If you fill up my gas tank and give me a change of clothes. I don't want to wear this stupid dress anymore."

"I think I can do that." Laim chuckled, squeezing my hand briefly before turning the key in the ignition.

"Oh! One more thing!" I cried a tad too loudly. I winced, rubbing my temples.

"What is it love?" Liam asked, taking my hand as he expertly pulled out of the parking lot and headed into a small town, looking for a gas station.

"Pinky promise not to murder me. My sister loves crimes documentaries and this is how stupid girls get murdered." I solemnly held up my hand, pinky finger out. Chuckling, Liam wrapped his pinky finger around mine as we sat a red light. "I vow that I will not murder you. There are too many other things I would like to do to you instead." He rumbled, burning gaze lingering over my face before dipping lower to my chest and body.