Strong (Book 2 in the No Control series)

Chapter 41

The carriage drops us off at our cottage. Liam and I are still picking the bird seed out of each other's hair.

As we approach the front door, Liam pauses. "I have to carry my new bride over the threshold." He sweeps me off my feet as I wrap my arms around his neck. Once inside he twirls me around before setting me down. "Have I told you how very beautiful you look today, Mrs. Payne?"

I smile. "You may have mentioned it once or twice today. Feel free to keep telling me though. A husband can never say that too often to his wife."

"Oh, really? You know I'm new to this whole husband thing, I'm still learning." Liam wraps his arms around my waist pulling me in close. "How am I doing so far?"

My hands linger on his strong chest. "You are doing a fantastic job so far, my husband."

"Good." Liam leans down for a kiss, then pulls back. "I have a surprise for you, before we get distracted." He winks.

I kiss him again, biting his bottom lip as I pull back. "Too late." I smirk.

He laughs. A deep, throaty, appreciative laugh. "I guess the surprise could wait."

I step back from his embrace. "No, no, you can give it to me now."

Liam smirks, moving in close, whispering in my ear, "Oh, I'll give it to you, Love."

I laugh. "Mmm, you naughty boy."

Grinning, Liam pulls a paper from behind his back. "Our honeymoon."

My eyes light up. "I finally get to know where we're going?" I take the folded paper, opening it. I gasp...before me on the paper is the most beautiful villa for two. "Greece? We're going to Greece? I've never been there."

Liam gently sweeps my hair back from my face. "I know Liz, I want to take you everywhere. I want to give you the world."

"I only want the world if you're the one sharing it with me."

"I love you more and more every moment, Beautiful."

"Promise me that will never change, Handsome."

Liam kisses my cheek, whispering in my ear, "I promise."

"Let's go to the bedroom. I've been waiting for this all day."

"Me too, Babe."

In the bedroom, I remove Liam's jacket, untucking his shirt and unbuttoning several

buttons. After asking him to unzip my dress, I guide him to the bed. "Wait right here, Baby."

In the other room I remove my wedding dress, hanging it up before slipping into the white lace, floor length gown. I take a long look at myself in the mirror. The iridescent lace covers just enough, leaving plenty still exposed. Before Liam, I never would have been confident enough to wear this. He makes me feel beautiful, sexy, desirable. Looking in the mirror I grin, knowing this gown won't be on me for long. And I wouldn't want it any other way.

I walk back into the bedroom, Liam is still sitting on the edge of the bed. He looks up, the look in his eyes stops me in my tracks. Deep in my heart I feel an explosion. I've never been so sure of something in my life. So sure that this man is my soulmate, the other half of me. This beautiful man is the one made for me.

He stands as I make my way to him. I watch him swallow hard as I approach. Standing before him, he puts one hand on my waist, the other in my hair. "Liz, you look so amazing. Please tell me you can feel how much I love you, because there are no words. Words just don't exist that can express how much I feel for you."

I put my hand on Liam's chest, where his shirt is open. "I'm so happy that you chose me to be your wife, Liam."

He smiles. "Darling, it wasn't a choice, you are the only option for me." Taking my hand he leads me to the overstuffed chair. He sits, then pulls me into his lap. I mold my body against his, still always amazed at how well they fit together. As Liam moves in for a kiss, I rub my thumb lightly over his whiskers. He gently takes my top lip between his. Pausing to look into my eyes, before moving to my bottom lip. Heaven...his kisses feel like absolute Heaven.

As his kisses move on to my neck, I rake my fingers through his hair. We stay right there for sometime. Gentle kisses, caressing each other, cuddling.

"Liam, I'm ready for us to be together as husband and wife."

He grins. "Me too, Love."

I climb off of him, taking his hand, leading him to the bed. Removing his clothes, before he pulls the white lace gown over my head.

As we stand there, admiring each other, I reach my hand down to touch him. He gently takes my hand away. "First, I'm going to take care of you, Beautiful."

I smile as he lifts me on to the bed. My body shivering with pleasure as he starts at my lips, then kissing his way down until my back arches with the intensity.