Chapter 7
Friday night came faster than Emma anticipated. As she watched TV, there was a knock on her door. Just like before, she found a box on her doormat. She picked it up, and took notice again of the Mayflower Inc. stamp in the corner. She grinned as she brought it back inside, a sense of déjà vu washing over her. Quickly, she opened it up and pulled out a little black dress. It was simple with a sweetheart neckline and a tapered cut.
As she put it on, a note fluttered to the ground. Emma grabbed it, the cardstock felt heavy between her fingers. Gingerly, she opened it up, and read Liam’s handwritten scrawl.
Tonight, it’s just you and me. Please just put on the dress. There’s no need for makeup. I want to see you as you really are.
- Liam
Emma stared at the words for a moment. Were they going on an actual date? The thought sent her heart into overdrive. Her cheeks turned crimson. She looked in the mirror, Emma felt strange without makeup, but she felt obligated to follow Liam’s wishes. She tussled her wet curls, and didn’t even bother to put any product in her hair, going for an all-natural look. Once she was done, she put on her black shoes and waited for Liam.
Time seemed to move slowly as she waited. She glanced at the clock, but the minutes only crawled by. She flicked through the TV channels, and hoped something would catch her interest, but all she could think about was Liam and where the night would take them. He had been rather vague about their destination. All he said was that it was dinner. Even when she asked, he gave her no details. She tried to figure out why he was so secretive. Maybe he had some sort of a surprise for her.
Just as Emma thought she lose her patience, there was a loud knock on the door that startled her. As she got up, she pulled down the hem of her dress so it would at least reach her mid-thigh. It had a habit of riding up until it barely covered her ass. She wondered if this was intentional on Liam’s part.
Her shoes clicked against the ground as she approached the door. She was suddenly nervous as her fingers hovered over the knob. If this was indeed a real date, what would it mean for their relationship? Would they continue being employer and employee or would they become something more? Emma bit her lip, as she contemplated her options when another knock sounded. She jumped, and stepped back. Finally, after a deep breath, she opened the door.
Liam smiled, as he stood there in his iconic beige suit. “My, I didn’t think you could get any more beautiful… but you’ve surpassed my expectations.” He grinned wildly as he pressed his hands to her hips and pulled her over the threshold. “I knew that makeup was just hiding your pretty face away from me.” He peered into her gray eyes as his smile grew. “You look stunning.” He whispered, his lips mere inches away from hers.
Emma held her breath, as she waited for their lips to finally make contact. She closed her eyes in anticipation, but to her dismay, he just grabbed her hand and guided her down the stairs. A look of disappointment colored her face as her eyes darkened and her lips pressed together in disappointment. Why wouldn’t he kiss her?
Outside, Emma still pondered this question in her mind. Was there something wrong with her lips? Was he not actually interested? Doubt plagued her mind; it made her oblivious to the black Tesla parked in front of the apartment building.
Liam opened the door, and waited for her to step inside. “Emma?” He asked when she just stood there, a vacant expression in her eyes. “Everything okay?” He reached out, and touched her bare arm.
The contact roused her from her stupor as she looked up, her eyes wide. “Sorry!” She said quickly before she dashed into the car, her cheeks bright red. She felt embarrassed as she sunk into the luxurious leather seat. Warmth emerged from the cushion; it made her feel safe and secure. It was only then that she realized they weren’t in a limo. As she admired the sleek finish of the dashboard and the black-tinted windows, Liam got in the driver’s seat.
“Where’s Geoff?” Emma inquired; she found it strange that Liam was driving his own vehicle.
“As I said in the note, it’s just you and me tonight.” He grinned, as he eased the car away from the curb. Emma blushed even darker at this comment, and tried to determine the significance as they cruised along the back roads.
“Where are we going?” Emma asked if only to fill the silence that had settled inside the car.
“Patience.” Liam chuckled. He reached over and grabbed her palm, and gently rubbed his thumb against the back of her hand. “It’s a surprise.” He whispered, and glanced over at her for a moment before he pulled her hand to his lips, and kissed it.
Emma was at a loss for words as she felt his lips press against her skin. Bolts of energy rushed through her body, and zapped her heart until it beat erratically in her chest. For the rest of the ride, she relaxed, and looked out the window at the scenery. The trees blurred together as they rushed past. The moon seemed to follow them wherever went.
Eventually, Emma caught the scent of salt in the air. She moved herself closer to the window and sniffed as subtly as she could. She tilted her head in confusion. “Why are we going to the ocean?” She asked. The smell of seawater was unmistakable.
“Shh. I already said it was a surprise.” He chuckled, as he squeezed her hand while he pulled into a small dirt road. Behind them, a rickety white sign read Mosely’s Cottage squeaked on its rusted hinges. Emma fidgeted in her seat, and tried to piece together this strange series of events.
The car wobbled on the road, as it ran over potholes and mud. Liam seemed to have no issue with dirt coating his luxury vehicle. He just continued to drive with the same stoic look on his face, his eyes focused on the road in front of him. Finally, he slowed down as a small white cottage came into view.
It was quaint, with wood framing and a raised porch. The door was no longer present and in its stead, were various strings of sea shells. Emma continued to admire the building as Liam parked in front and got out of the car, before he opened the door for her. He helped her out before he pushed her against the car, his body dominated hers.
“L-Liam…” She whispered, but she couldn’t say anything else. She was lost in his gaze as he leaned in; finally he closed the distance between their lips. Emma felt like her head would explode at the passion that flowed through her. She kissed him back as soon as she got her bearings, her heart thumped in her chest, it nearly drowned out the sound of the sea in the background.
They continued to kiss, their lips brushed against one another. Liam soon pressed his tongue against Emma’s lips, and traced them for a moment. He didn’t hesitate to force his tongue inside her mouth, their tongues tangled together. His excitement grew as he heard her gentle moan flutter through the air. He pushed himself even closer to her; he nearly crushed her body against the car.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Liam pulled away. Emma was breathless; her whole body shook with the amount of energy that now surged through her every nerve. Her head spun.
“That was…” She wanted to find the words to express the way she felt, but she was at a loss of her own language. All she could do was stand there and gasp for breath, as she tried to recover from the mind numbing kiss.
“Amazing?” Liam offered, as he smirked . He looked smug as he stood there, his lips still dangerously close to hers. Their noses touched, and he smiled, as he saw how shaken up she was.
“More than that.”
“Oh really?” His smirk deepened.
Emma could only nod, her cheeks like two carnations in full bloom. “Anyways, we should go inside before the food gets cold.” Liam pointed out before he grabbed her hand and led her inside the cottage. There was an amazing dinner for two on the back porch. Liam pulled out her chair; he acted like a perfect gentleman.
Emma was still too dazed to engage in proper conversation, so as she nibbled on her baby carrots, she looked out at the ocean. With the moonlight’s glow, it twinkled like earthbound stars. The soft sea foam glittered as it gathered on the shore. “It’s beautiful…” She spoke aloud.
“Not as beautiful as you,” Liam whispered. Emma turned to look at him. His eyes were glued to her face; it made her blush even harder. Never had such a fire raged behind Emma’s cheeks.
“Oh…” Emma stammered, as she tried to find a good comeback.
Liam laughed. “You’re cute.” Under the table, his hand rested on her thigh, his fingertips slowly made their way toward the hem of her dress. “You hold your own against a whole group of strangers, but you find yourself alone with your admirer and you lose any and all ability to speak.”
Emma’s eyes widened at the word admirer. Her fingers gripped the edge of the table for support before she gulped, she tried to compose herself. She straightened her posture and looked him dead in the eye. “It’s easy to pretend.” She said, her words carefully chosen and precise. “It’s much harder to make yourself vulnerable with real emotions.”
Liam raised an eyebrow in question. “Oh?”
“It’s been a long time since… well… since I’ve been on an actual date.”
“Do you consider this an actual date?” Liam questioned, a playful grin danced on his lips. For a moment, Emma felt a spark of doubt ignite in her chest. What if this was all just a game?
“Well, at least I hope it is.” She whispered, as her confidence ebbed away.
Liam’s fingers tightened around her thigh, Emma lost her train of thought s. She looked down, and saw how close his hand was to her panties. She looked back up at him; his eyes were dark with unspoken intentions. “Let’s see where the night takes us.” He offered, his voice as smooth as silk. His fingers moved a little closer before he finally pulled away. “How about a walk by the water?”
“Okay.” With Emma’s mind in shambles, she could do nothing but agree.