all i need // l.p {au}

chapter thirty-five

I stood in front of the mirror in the bathroom of Liam and my hotel room. I was trying to get the puffiness of my eyes to go down. The last two nights had been quite terrible inside my head. I couldn't stop picturing the look of Liam's face as he threw Harry to the ground. Even though he said he wasn't mad in the slightest and he believed I wouldn't cheat on him, I felt like I hurt him. I tried my best for Liam not to notice and act like everything was fine, but I thought he was catching on.

"I think I know what we need," Liam said walking into the bathroom, causing me to jump and drop the towel in my hands.

"What?" I asked, bending down to pick up the towel and setting it on the counter.

"Date night," he announced. He leaned against the bathroom counter, dressed in only his boxers.

"What would we do on said 'date night'?" I asked, putting a stripe of toothpaste on my toothbrush.

Liam shrugged. "Surprise," he smirked.

After spitting, I gave him an annoyed look. "Really? Aren't we over the whole surprise element in dates?"

"Nope," he answered, popping the p. "Wear something pretty and be ready by six," he ordered, kissing me on the cheek before leaving.

I looked in the mirror again and wondered what he had planned. Liam loved surprising me and I absolutely despised surprises. I liked to know what was going to happen and when. I decided to take a shower, hoping the steam would relax me and get my mind off of the other night. I stripped off my boy-short underwear and Liam's t-shirt that I had been wearing before stepping under the almost scalding water.

The water felt amazing on my skin, but it did little to relax me. I was still concentrating on Harry pinning me against the wall and I felt claustrophobic in the shower. I quickly shut the water off and quickly got out, tightly wrapping one of the fluffy white towels around me. My heart was racing and I stepped out into the bedroom, hoping Liam was still there.

"What's wrong?" he asked urgently, finishing the button on his pants. He brought me over to the bed and we sat down, his arms around me and my hair dripping water all over him.

"I'm sorry, it's stupid," I shook my head.

"If something is upsetting you, it's not stupid baby." Liam traced my jawline with his thumb and tried to search my eyes for something.

"I just can't get the feeling of Harry pinning me to the wall and his lips on my neck and your face when you saw what was happening. I just feel disgusted and like I betrayed you."

"Logan, trust me, you did nothing wrong. Yeah, it upset me when Sarahi first came and told me what was going on, but I'm so happy I got there when I did. I couldn't live with myself if he hurt you."

"I just don't understand it. I've had plenty of sex and had guys throw themselves at me, but I've never reacted this way. I've never felt this disgusted or... guilty," I explained.

"I don't want to assume things, but could it be because we're committed to each other now and before you didn't think love existed?" Liam asked hesitantly. He seemed like he didn't want to cross a line, but I wanted him to be honest and comfortable with me.

"I was thinking that, actually," I nodded. "I just can't help but think that I hurt you in some way because I know I hurt you before when I slept with him."

"I was hurt then, but I've moved on and you should too. I just hate Harry so much for how he hurt Ruth and now you. He's just a horrible, cheating jerk."

I nodded. "Let's forget about Harry, ok?" I asked and slowly leaned closer to Liam. He closed the space between us and our lips met in a slow kiss.

"Are you feeling better?" he asked upon separating. I nodded in response and pulled him into a hug, feeling safe in his arms. "Good. Now, I need to finalize some of our plans for tonight, ok?"

***

I met Liam down in the lobby at six. I had been running a few minutes late because I'd changed my outfit five or so times. I ended up with a burgandy sleeveless dress with a deep v neck.

"Could you please tell me where we're going?" I asked, getting anxious.

"I told you it's a surprise and I want to treat my girl, alright?" he asked, squeezing my knee.

"Please tell me you didn't spend an obnoxious amount of money becuase you know I hate that and this trip is already so expensive." I knew money wasn't as big of a concern as it was for me, and sometimes he forgot when he was spoiling me.

"I just pulled some strings," he shrugged.

We were silent for the rest of the taxi ride. The driver pulled up into a parking lot that didn't seem like it was for much of anything. Stepping out, I took in the sight of the city. Liam found my hand with his and led me down a sidewalk until a few minutes later we were standing in front of the London Eye.

"Liam, what are we doing?"

"Ok, I know you told me that you hate all the touristy stuff, but this is actually pretty cool. I rented the whole thing out for us so you don't have to deal with all of the people and we can enjoy it by ourselves."

"Liam," I gasped. "How do you even do such a thing?"

He shrugged. "A friend from school works here and he talked to the manager for me. Come on, before our food gets cold."

We walked to one of the glass pods and inside there was an expansive meal of grilled chicken and vegetables set up along with sparkling cider. Liam pulled out my chair like the gentleman he was and once he was seated, the large ferris wheel began to move. It stopped at the top, our view of London surreal.

"I can't believe you did this. The food is amazing too," I gushed.

"I can't take the credit for that," he laughed. "I had it ordered," he confessed.

"Still. I would never come up with such a thing like this. You really do spoil me too much," I told him.

"Why can't I spoil you? I want you to know how much I love you and how many people can say that they've had the London Eye all to themselves for the night? It's the experience, baby," Liam said, tangling his fingers with mine from across the table.

After finishing the meal, I walked over to the side of the glass pod and looked out at the city. It was one of the most beautiful sights I had ever seen with all of the lights. Liam sat at the table, leaning back in his chair behind me. A bit later, I heard his footsteps coming toward me. He stopped next to me and to my surprise, bent down on one knee.

sort of a cliffhanger? please vote and comment xx zoe