Desolation // l.p.

Chapter XXIV

I shift on my feet uncomfortably, anxious for this elevator to get me to Liam's apartment. There is so much I want to say that I'm not sure where to start. I'm leaning more towards demanding an explanation of why he hired me first, then I may confront him with my recent knowledge of his previous relationships. Or maybe I should go the other way around. . .

I shake everything from my head. This will go ten times better if I just wing it and do spur of the moment yelling. Will I yell? Do I want to yell? I'm not sure that I'm angry. I'm just curious.

The doors slide open, revealing the dark foyer. There are no obvious lights on that I can see of except for a warm glow coming from the lounging area. I hesitate for a few seconds, trying to calm and collect myself. I feel so giddy and I honestly am forgetting why I thought it was a good idea to come here.

"Sarah?" I hear Liam's familiar accent call my name and it's all I need to finally move. I cautiously walk towards the light, peeking around the corner to see what's going on. Liam's silhouette is casted onto the wall as he sits on the sofa. The only thing he appears to be doing is staring at the flames of the fire burning in the fireplace. The light orange is the only light offered to the room, and possibly even the whole apartment. "Sarah!" he calls again and I step from around the corner, to join him in the room.

"I'm right here." I wave as his eyes land on me. His gaze isn't as intimidating as it once was, but something about it tonight seems different, distant and agitated.

"What did you want to talk about?" he asks sitting up a bit straighter, he pats the cushion next to him on the sofa, motioning for me to sit down. I ignore it and stand, hopefully using the arrangement to my advantage.

"I need to know why you hired me." I spit out before I can process it. I guess that decides what the first topic will be.

"What do you mean 'why'?" He asks, his face twisting into confusion.

"I mean, why did you hire me." I repeat, my words are firm and confident. Unfortunately they don't reflect how I feel on the inside. My stomach is in knots and I feel as if I might throw up if he doesn't relieve me with an answer.

"Ms. Fletcher, I hired you because you were qualified and suitable for the position-"

"That's bullshit." I call him out and his jaw tenses in irritation. "The job I am qualified for you didn't give me. There's another reason, isn't there?" I insist. My earlier questioning is resolved as I realize that I am angry. I feel it boiling in me deep within and every second that goes by it rises. I watch as Liam thinks through his words, his suspicious eyes are watching me. At least he is thinking through his answer, planning on how he wants to respond.

"Why are you always questioning me about why I hired you? Can't you just be happy with the job I gave you?" He asks turning the tables on me. The only problem with his approach is that I refuse to let myself become the victim of this argument.

"I hear things, y'know." I mutter, my eyes falling to the shaggy grey and dull carpet covering the expensive and dark wooden floors.

"What are you talking about?" He questions, interested in my subject change, the last one dropped completely.

"You slept with your old assistant. You had a relationship with her." I accuse him, thinking back to the few times that I myself have kissed him, gripped his hair and just enjoyed being with him. The number is small, but it still exists.

"What's your point?" He asks, challenging me as he stands up from the sofa. I wasn't expecting him to admit it, not that he has done that yet. But he certainly isn't denying it. "I'm a man with needs that get fulfilled by women that I choose. Is there something wrong with that?" I notice the small steps he takes towards me, the way he towers over me and his eyes roam my face. His hot whiskey eyes tell me a story. A story that seems to tell me of all the other women. Women that were used to fill a void that I don't recognize.

"I don't understand you." I breathe out, my eyes trying to find the fragility that lies deep within him.

"Who said you had to." His voice comes across threatening. I'm beginning to wonder if anyone understands him. Or if he is largely the same mystery to me that he is to everyone else.

"I want to." I mutter, turning on my feet and walking a few steps away from him. I can't hold his gaze a second longer because if I did, I'm afraid he will make me want to do something I'll regret. That is one thing he has proven to be good at. I've always been comfortable with sexual desires and tension in my life, I've welcomed it with open arms. From my first boyfriend Alex, to Sebastian I could be myself around them. I could let my hair down and spend all night with them wrapped up and  warm. With Liam, it's repressed sexual energy that I don't understand and don't want to pursue. Not just because he is my boss, but because I don't want to admit that I actually have feelings for him. If I did that, I would be just like all of the others.

"Exactly. They all wanted to. The problem ended up being that after they all found out, none of them wanted to stay." His voice is strained, I'm sure his face is drawn straight and serious. "They never stay." He mumbles. I analyze "they", thinking of his assistants or women in general that have all tried to figure him out.

"What are you talking about? You fired your last assistant. You fired her the day that you hired me." I inquire quietly. My mind is racing and I fear it won't stop until he silences it.

"That's right. I did." He admits. I hear footsteps trail up behind me. I flinch when his hand, ice cold, skims against my neck to brush my hair away. Giving him acess to my skin.

"Why do I get the feeling you are more than just a scarred man?" I ask lightly, goosebumps rising all over my body, a chill shaking my spine as his breath fans across my neck.

"You want to know so badly, come and find out. The darkest part of a person, is like the night. It comes alive at the end of every day, taking all of the light with it. Let me pull you into it, mind, body, and soul." My breath hitches in my throat when his lips leave a soft trail of kisses along my neck that leads to my jaw. I close my eyes, trying to fight off a temptation that I know I'm going to lose to anyway.

He doesn't need to pull  me into anything. With him, I would willingly dive in head first.

A/N: hey, wasssup? This isn't very long but the next one probably will be so I hope that is okay. I wish I had some sort of exciting news to share but I can't seem to think of anything... What about ypu? Anything good happening? Yeah? Well if so than AWESSSSOOOOMMEE, even if not I HOPE THINGS LOOK UP FOR YOU AND i'm always here if you need someone to talk to. :)

Thanks for reading! Don't forget to vote and comment and I'll see you lovely people next time! :)

Luv ya lots -Rachel Xx