Cookie

28

"You really have my heart, Nataly. And I want to be with you—not just once, but always. I want to kiss you whenever I feel like it, hold you in my arms, and never let go. I want everyone to know you're mine and that I’m yours."

Liam’s voice is steady, but his smile is nervous. His hands cradle my face, his dark eyes locked onto mine as I sit on his lap, my palms pressed against his chest.

He wants to be with me. Not for a fleeting moment, not as a passing thing—but truly, entirely, always. The realization makes my breath hitch. My heart pounds so fast it feels like it might break free from my chest. My hands tremble against him, and I don’t know what to do, what to say. I should respond, but how? What do you say when the boy you’ve loved for so long tells you he feels the same?

Liam moves, lifting me effortlessly in his arms as he steps out of the car. I cling to him, still unable to find my words, unsure how to react. He sets me down on the hood of his car, standing between my legs, his hands resting on my waist. His gaze searches mine, filled with anticipation.

"Now would be a good time to say something, cookie. I'm dying here."

His soft voice, the way his thumbs trace gentle circles against my skin, does something to me. My face heats, and suddenly, I’m hyper-aware of everything—his touch, the way he’s standing between my legs, the snow-covered trees around us. My thoughts are a mess, jumbled and frantic. What do I say?

"I… I don’t know what I’m supposed to say, Liam."

His smile falters. His lips press into a tight line, his eyes darkening with something unreadable. I swallow hard, feeling the heat spread from my cheeks down my neck. My hands, still on his chest, shake slightly. I can feel the steady rhythm of his heartbeat beneath my palms.

"But I would really, really like to kiss you right now."

I lower my gaze, embarrassment flooding me the moment the words leave my mouth. But Liam doesn’t hesitate. He tilts my chin up, forcing me to meet his eyes, a smirk tugging at his lips.

"May I kiss you, Nataly?"

His voice is husky, deep, and it sends a shiver down my spine. I nod, unable to speak, my nerves twisting inside me as anticipation coils tight in my stomach.

His hand slides from my chin to the back of my neck, pulling me in. The world around us fades as his lips finally press against mine—soft, gentle, lingering. A warmth spreads through my chest, melting every last piece of uncertainty inside me. It feels like home.

I wrap my arms around his neck, pulling him closer, wanting more. Liam parts his lips, deepening the kiss, and I follow instinctively. He tastes like coffee, chocolate, and something entirely him. It’s intoxicating. My fingers tangle in his hair as his hands tighten around me.

A small, unfamiliar sound escapes me as his palm slides under my sweater, his touch searing against my bare skin. Liam groans into the kiss, his grip on me tightening as he lifts me effortlessly into his arms. I wrap my legs around his waist, our bodies pressed together as the kiss turns desperate, consuming.

When he finally pulls away, both of us are breathing hard. His chest rises and falls rapidly, his cheeks flushed, his lips slightly swollen. He looks… breathtaking. And that cocky smirk of his is back.

"You…" He exhales sharply, running a hand through his messy hair. "You never cease to amaze me."

I let out a breathless laugh, my fingers brushing his jawline. His hand moves to my cheek, his touch featherlight, like I’m something delicate, something he doesn’t want to break.

"This means we're together?" I ask, my voice barely above a whisper.

Liam chuckles, brushing his thumb over my lips. "I certainly hope so. But relationships take two, Nat. I told you what I want. Now, I need to know—what do you want?"

I blink at him, stunned. "You're not sure?" I laugh, shaking my head. "You’re serious?"

His smirk falters, replaced by something more uncertain.

I cup his face, my thumbs stroking his skin as I whisper, "Liam, I’ve wanted to be with you since the moment I met you. There hasn’t been a single day in the last few months when I didn’t wish for this."

Before I can say anything else, his lips crash against mine. This kiss is different—hungry, passionate, raw. His hands grip my waist, pulling me flush against him as I lose myself in him completely.

I tug at his hair, earning a deep, guttural sound from the back of his throat. The sound makes me dizzy, makes me want more. His fingers trail under my sweater, his touch igniting every nerve in my body. My back arches as a soft moan escapes me, unbidden.

But just as everything becomes too much, I place my hands on his chest and gently push.

Liam stops immediately. He pulls back, his hands shifting to my shoulders, his breathing ragged. His dark eyes scan my face, searching.

"Sorry," I whisper, my cheeks burning.

I bury my face in his shoulder, embarrassed. Why did I stop? All we did was kiss, but somehow, it felt… overwhelming. Too much, too fast. I don’t want him to think I regret it—I don’t. But what if he’s disappointed? What if he’s expecting more?

Liam lifts my chin, making me meet his gaze. And instead of frustration, I find nothing but warmth.

"Nataly, you never have to apologize for wanting to stop," he murmurs. "I don’t want to rush you into anything you’re not ready for. If I ever go too fast, just tell me. I’ll stop. Always."

I swallow hard, my chest tightening at the sincerity in his voice.

"I just…" I hesitate, my voice barely above a whisper. "I don’t have any experience, Liam. I don’t know what I’m doing. I don’t want to screw this up."

He laughs softly, shaking his head. "Nat, neither of us knows what we’re doing. Don’t think I’m some expert, because I’m not. If anyone’s gonna mess this up, it’s me—not you." His lips brush mine in a soft kiss. "You’re perfect."

I exhale shakily. "I'm not ready, Liam…"

He grins, pulling me into his arms. "I’m not ready either, baby."

I pull back, confused. "Wait… you don’t want to—?" I stop myself, my face heating at my own question.

Liam bursts into laughter. "Trust me, cookie, I want you more than anything. But as long as you’re not ready, I’m not either. And if our first kisses felt this intense, I think rushing things might actually kill me."

I blink. "Wait… it was overwhelming for you too? Kissing isn’t always like that?"

He grins, lacing his fingers through mine as he leads me back to the car. "Trust me, baby," he murmurs, kissing me once more before opening the passenger door. "It’s never like that."

As he starts the car, he takes my hand and places it on his thigh, just like he always does. I turn to look at him, my chest swelling with something that feels bigger than happiness—something I can’t quite name yet.

But I know one thing for sure.

I’m his.

And he’s mine.