Cookie

37

"Good morning, baby!" Liam whispers, waking me up as he holds me close, his hand gently caressing my back.

As my eyes flutter open, memories from last night flood my mind in flashes, making my cheeks burn and my skin feel warmer. I had sex with Liam! Last night, I gave myself to him, and it was incredible—addictive, beyond words.

"Good morning, babe!" I respond, pressing a soft kiss to his chest.

Liam lifts my head and places a sweet kiss on my lips before cupping my cheeks, guiding me to look directly into his eyes.

"How do you feel, cookie?"

"Hmmm... I’m... fine," I manage to say, trying not to blush further, but realizing that I feel a little strange down there. Not bad strange—more like different strange, which I guess is normal after last night.

Liam gets up, walking around the room without a stitch of clothing on. I can't help but gasp at the sight of his toned, naked body. I watch him cross the room, my eyes tracing the way his muscles move, the way his back tenses and his sculpted ass draws my attention. His skin looks delicious. I could definitely get used to seeing him walk around like that all day.

"Seeing something you like, cookie?" Liam grins, his cocky smile mirroring the words he said to me for the first time. "If you want something, all you have to do is ask."

The blood rushes to my cheeks as I avoid his gaze, but then I remember what happened last night. It’s silly to feel shy right now. Why would I feel embarrassed when we’ve already shared something so intimate? With newfound confidence, I turn to face him, kneeling on the bed, just as naked as he is, letting the sheets fall around me and expose my skin.

"Good, because right now, I want you," I say, my voice airy as I look him straight in the eyes.

Liam takes a step closer, desire in his eyes, and I feel like a little lamp about to be devoured by a big, bad wolf. And I love it.

When he reaches me, he pulls me into a kiss, slipping one hand between my thighs. I gasp at the coolness of his touch against my feverish skin. A moan escapes my lips as he runs his finger over that sensitive spot. I pull him closer, deepening the kiss. He responds with a sexy groan of his own. I try to lean back on the bed, inviting him to continue.

"I want you!" he growls, his voice rough.

"Take me," I say, surprising myself with the boldness and confidence in my voice. It’s a side of me I didn’t know existed, but damn, I like it.

"Are you sure? Aren’t you sore from last night?"

"Hmm, yes, I am a little," I admit, realizing he’s right—I’m definitely sore. That’s why I feel so different.

"Here," he says, reaching over and handing me some painkillers. "Take these, they’ll help you feel better." His concern is so sweet, it makes my heart melt. If I didn't already love Liam with all my heart, I’d fall for him all over again, seeing the tenderness in his eyes, the way his jaw clenches as if he’s afraid he could’ve hurt me.

"I’m okay, really," I assure him, "and I’m so happy. How about you?"

"How am I? Well, let’s see…" Liam smiles, his eyes twinkling. "I’m extremely happy. I’m in love with this amazing girl who, for some reason, loves me back. And right now, I’m so hard for her that I don’t know how I’m keeping myself from taking her again and again."

I giggle as Liam kisses me gently, pulling me into a tight embrace before releasing me.

I get up to start dressing, but a quick glance at the clock tells me we’re running late. There’s no time to shower or eat. I hastily pull on my blue jeans, only to glance over at Liam, still lying on the bed, now dressed and fully packed. He looks like he’s been up for hours—like he woke up, went for a run, showered, had coffee, and maybe even had time for breakfast.

"When did you get up? Yesterday?" I tease, sarcasm clearly not being my strongest suit. I wish I could be more like him—an early riser who’s organized and ready to go.

"Do you need help?" Liam offers.

"Do you need help?" I mock, trying to imitate his voice, but I sound more like a five-year-old with a cold. I burst out laughing, realizing how ridiculous I sound.

Liam laughs too, wrapping his arms around me. I breathe in his masculine scent, letting it calm me for a moment. As much as I’m excited to go home, the thought of leaving this paradise behind makes my stomach turn. The past few days have been perfect, but now we have to face reality—parents, school, assignments… What if things between us don’t work out?

"I don’t want to go back home," I admit, my hands turning into fists as I cling to his shirt.

"Me neither," Liam says softly.

"Promise me things won’t change between us, Liam."

Liam lifts my chin, meeting my gaze before kissing me. His tongue caresses mine as I nibble on his lip, pulling him closer. He groans, cupping my ass and pressing his hips against me, making it clear just how much I affect him.

When the kiss breaks, we’re both breathless, our chests rising and falling quickly. My cheeks burn, and I feel dizzy from the intensity of the moment.

"I promise things will work out, cookie." Liam steps back, still holding my hands, giving me a long look from head to toe before sighing. "I hate that I won’t be able to hold you in my arms every single night now..."

"Me too," I say quietly. "But the good thing is, my parents are often out of town..."

Liam smiles sweetly, kissing both my hands. "Let’s go home, babe. At least tonight, we don’t have to spend the night apart."

Liam grabs our luggage with one hand, his other firmly holding mine as we head downstairs. Our friends are already waiting in the entryway, holding coffee cups and surrounded by suitcases. When they turn and smile at us, I can tell they know something.

Oh, no. Do they know? Is it that obvious?

"Here you go, big guy," Greg says, handing Liam a cup of coffee. "You must need this after..." He pauses dramatically, and I feel my heart skip a beat. "... last night’s party."

My face burns as I glance at our friends, who all wear knowing grins. Of course, they know. How could they not?

Mary approaches me with a cup of coffee and hands it to me. "It’s hot," she says, laughing. "Thought it might help your throat after all the screaming..."

I feel my stomach drop. Did they hear us?

"...at the club," she finishes, still laughing. "Come on, let’s go or we’ll be stuck in traffic all day."

They all head out, handing us sandwiches for breakfast. When I’m alone in Liam’s car, I turn to face him, but he’s laughing, looking straight ahead at the road.

"How on earth did they know? Am I different from last night?" I frown, still bewildered.

Liam bursts out laughing. "It wasn’t the look that gave us away, cookie. It was all the moaning and screaming. Very good clues."

"Was I that loud?" The shock in my voice is unmistakable.

"I think it’s safe to say we both were." Liam leans over and kisses me while keeping his eyes on the road, his hand resting just above my thigh. I shiver as his touch nearly reaches my core. "Don’t stress about it, cookie. If they ever mention it again, I’ll rip someone’s head off."

"OMG! They heard us..." I bury my face in my hands, but Liam just laughs.

"And I’ve heard most of them, too. Not to mention, I’ve walked in on Logan and Mary more than once." He takes a sip from his coffee, still laughing as he pulls me closer, wrapping his arm around my shoulders. "At least my private parts remained private, something that Mary, unfortunately, can’t say."

We both burst into laughter, and I forget all about the embarrassment as I begin singing along with the radio. Liam joins in, and for the rest of the ride, we just enjoy the moment together. This is going to be one fun trip home.