Chapter Seven

Chelsea

Liam closes the distance between us and cups my face in his hands. “I don’t know where to go from here. I can see the wheels in your mind turning. Stop thinking that all I want is your body. Well,” he smirks, “that will happen in due time. But, I will never pressure you or make you feel uncomfortable. If you truly want to leave, which I don’t think you do, then all you have to do is say the word, and Jack will take you home. This is your new life now.”

“It’s just hard, Liam. I don’t have my parents anymore, and my life is over.”

“How so?”

“I’m your property or whatever.”

“No. You’re a woman, Chelsea. I know it sounds like you’ll never have a life since you’re mine. But that’s not the case. If you want to be with your friends, then you can. I trust you because I think you feel the same for me as I feel for you.”

Whoa, what? Liam Donovan has feelings for me? He wants to take care of me and give me everything?

“Why me?”

His lips softly touch mine. It’s gentle and slow. I like this. “Why not you? You’re the one who took the place in the deal.”

“I’m adjusting the deal,” I tell him. “Adjusting it to help my parents, but I think I still want this. You’ve always been so confident and alluring. But now I think the whiskey’s making me confident,” I admit.

“Keep drinking.” He winks and leans back, finishing his drink.

“You can have anyone, though.”

“But I want you. There’s a difference between being able to get anyone I want and truly getting someone I need.”

“You need me?”

Liam nods slowly, burning his sights into me.

Unable to wait much longer, I crash my lips onto his. We’re instantly wrapped up in each other. When his tongue slides into my mouth, it’s a dangerous tango we’re playing, and I love it. This man can kiss! He gently sucks on my bottom lip, eliciting a soft moan from me. He cups my face in his hands and deepens the kiss.

I’ve never been kissed like this before. There’s so much emotion, desperation, and passion. Each movement of his tongue against mine sends my body to the edge and I’m falling. The exhilaration is too much and I want more. My panties are wet and the ache is screaming for more. Feeling bold, I straddle him, my fingers in his hair and my mouth claiming his. I move my tongue with his as I rub myself on him.

When I break the kiss and lean back, my hands are on his chest and his are on my waist, holding me tight. He’s watching me; our eyes are on each other, searching for answers, and unsure of what’s happening between us. In all the years I’ve known Liam, this is the first time I’ve seen him in this light.

“Is this what you want, Chelsea?”

“More than anything.”

He pauses and lets out a heavy sigh. “You should go to bed. I’ll see you in the morning. If you need me, I’ll be down the hall.”

“Okay.”

I take the cue, leave, and head upstairs to my new bedroom. I’m left horny and pissed. Why would he kiss me like that and then make me leave?

I slip out of my clothes and take a long shower, letting the spray wash away the stress of today. The warm water calms my senses and soon I can breathe easier. I’m standing beneath the showerhead, letting the water fall down my body. I’m doing everything I can to stop my mind from going to dark places and thinking I’ll be his sex slave. He’s already explained that I’m not, so I need to trust him. I need to trust he wants the best for me and he’s going to take care of me.

Exhaustion overtakes me, and when I step out of the shower, I wipe the moisture off the massive, foggy mirror and study myself. My wet hair is dripping, and the plush, yellow towel lies softly against my skin.

Not comfortable with continuing to analyze myself and how I’m feeling, I change into shorts and a tank, and grab my phone before climbing into bed. I check my text messages and see one from Allison.

Allison: Is there something you need to tell me?

Me: Oh, you won’t believe me unless you see it.

Allison: Ah, what’s going on?

Me: So much shit. It’s too much to text. Are you busy tomorrow?

Allison: I don’t think so. Lunch?

Me: Please.

Allison: Should I be worried...

Me: No. I’m safe. I’m okay. Just need my gf...

Allison: I’m here for you, babe. No worries. Get some sleep. Talk tomorrow.

Me: K.

I check my missed calls and notice there are so many from my parents and countless voice messages. I delete each one and put my phone on silent. I don’t want to deal with them or anything else tonight. There’s only so much a woman can take before she breaks.

The comfortable bed takes me whole, and I turn on my left side, facing the large windows, and try my best to find sleep. I count sheep. I try to count the stars. I even get out of bed and attempt to do some pushups to tire myself out. I’m pretty sure my body is past exhaustion but I’m still too stimulated to sleep.

Once I’m back in bed under the warm blankets, I close my eyes and pray for sleep.

An hour passes and I’m awake again. I take my phone to check the time and it’s nearly one in the morning. No matter what I do, I can’t turn off my mind. I throw off the covers, get up, open the bedroom door, and walk down the hall. There’s something on my mind and I need an answer.

When I’m in front of Liam’s bedroom, I knock on the door and wait until it opens. He’s standing before me without a shirt on. My eyes skim over his toned and tanned body. And what? He has an eight pack? Eight.

“Chelsea?”

His voice brings me out of my eye fucking and I look up at him, into his deep, brown eyes. “What do you want to do to me? I know you know, so tell me. I can handle it.” I try my best to keep my voice steady so he doesn’t know how nervous I am.

“Everything.” His voice is thick and full of promise. “There’s nothing you won’t enjoy.” He leans down and gently presses his lips to my forehead. “Go to bed.”