Strong (Book 2 in the No Control series)

Chapter 14

Liam and I had an amazing time in Venice. Except for the whole tabloid story thing. I however, am learning not to give that kind of stuff more attention than it deserves. I'd rather spend time laughing with Liam, than worrying over things like that.

I turn to look over at him. He gives me a wink and a smile. I squeeze his hand as we approach the villa. I always get so excited when I see it. Somehow today though, knowing it's ours, is even more elating.

Liam opens the car door for me. I take his hand and step out of the car. Stepping for the first time onto our property. He smiles. "Welcome home, Beautiful."

I grin, looking to the house then back to Liam. "Thank you again."

He bends down to kiss me. We get carried away for a moment until we hear a cough. We pause to find Antonio and Rosa standing there. We all laugh then give each other hugs.

"We are so happy you are the new owners." Rosa gushes.

"I have all the workers available for you to meet, as you requested, Liam." Antonio says.

"Thanks, Antonio."

We make our way over to the group of about twenty people. I guess I hadn't really thought about how many people it takes to maintain this place. We introduce ourselves to each person individually. Thanking them for their hard work, and insisting they call us by our first names.

I let Antonio and Rosa know of our plans. "Today we are going to relax and let it sink in that this is ours now." I wink. "Tomorrow we would love to have both of your help with wedding ideas."

They both smile and agree. "Oh and Liam, I look care of the things you asked for." Rosa adds.

I look up at Liam, he raises his eyebrows. "Thank you, Rosa." He puts his hand on the small of my back, leading me to the house. We step inside and it feels even more magical than before. I do feel at home. I turn to Liam. "So what did you have Rosa take care of?"

He grins. "You'll find out later."

I smile. Little does he know I have a surprise of my own that Rosa has been helping me out with.

I wrap my arms around Liam's neck. "You know what room I think we should visit first? The game room." I wink.

He smirks. "Missing your pool table?"

I laugh. "Something like that." I take Liam's hand and lead him upstairs. I open the door to the game room and step aside. He looks at me curiously at first. As he takes a look around the room though, his mouth drops open in surprise. His eyes light up as he takes it all in.

I have enlisted Rosa's help in redecorating the room. I've been buying pieces and having them shipped here. I sent Rosa a map of where to put everything and it has turned out amazing. The couch has been replaced with super comfy cinema chairs, complete with the Batman logo. On the walls now hang several Batman and Avenger pictures. Everything from vintage drawings, to modern movie posters. Some complete with autographs.

I watch as Liam walks from each hanging to the next. He is doing some serious fangirling. He runs up, lifting me high above him then sliding me down to meet his eyes. "Thank you, Liz, I love it. It's perfect. I can't believe you were able to keep this all a secret."

I grin. "You aren't the only one who can pull off surprises, Payno."

His eyes grow darker. "It really means a lot that you did this for me."

I smile, putting my hands on his chest. "It was my pleasure."

He smirks. "Speaking of pleasure...." Liam takes my hand, leading me to the pool table. As we work at undressing each other, he asks me with a twinkle in his eye. "Will it be strange for you with all these superheroes watching us?"

I laugh. "Nah, they can learn a thing or two from you, Handsome."

After our game room adventure, Liam and I take a long walk around the property. Is it possible that it is even more beautiful than I remember? Walking together, our fingers entwined, through the English garden, I believe that this place was always meant to be ours.

Back at the villa, Liam and I have a simple, quiet dinner. I try to relax, yet my mind continues to wander to ideas for the wedding.

"You look like you're somewhere else, Babe. Everything alright?" Liam asks concerned.

I smile. "I'm great. I know we agreed to relax today, I just keep envisioning ideas for our wedding."

He grins. "I understand. I have something else I'd like you to focus on now though."

Standing up, he puts out his hand. I take it and he leads me to the kitchen. Making his way to the fridge, he pulls out several ingredients. "We are going to make cannoli." He says with the cutest smile.

"Sounds fun. Let's get started, chef." I look over the recipe. Rosa has already made the cannoli shells for us. We start mixing the filling ingredients together.

Liam's standing by the sink. "I really like when we bake together, Love."

Standing a couple feet away from Liam, I smirk. "Me too." I take the large wooden spoon full of cannoli cream and flick it at him. The shocked look on his face sends me into fits of laughter. There are splatterings of cannoli cream from his face to his crotch. "Oh you are going to get it." He says.

I bite my lip. "Promise?"

Liam laughs then starts towards me. I run from the room, turning back to see him right behind me with the bowl in his hand.

As I run past the roaring fire that Liam had started in the fireplace earlier, I feel his strong arm encircle my waist. Gently stopping me in my tracks. He spins me around, flinging the cream on my neck and chest.

Looking at me with laughter and want in his gorgeous brown eyes, he says. "Yum." He begins licking and nibbling on my neck then moving down to my chest. With my head flung back in pleasure, Liam lays me down in front of the fire.

We begin to undress each other. We've become quite fast at it by now. Liam puts some cream on his finger. "Remember the last time we had cannoli in front of the fireplace?" He asks me before putting his finger on my lips.

"Yes I do." I reply with a wink before opening my mouth, taking Liam's finger inside. I take my time with his finger, licking and sucking. Teasing him with a preview of what's to come.

He moans before pulling out his finger, then his mouth is on mine roughly. I manage to flip us over to where I'm on top of him. I slide down his body with the bowl of cannoli cream. "Let me show you just how fun cannoli can be, Handsome."