CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

HAZEL

“I can tell you’re a virgo,” Liam said playfully with a wicked gleam in his eye. 

“Oh, how’s that?”

I stirred my mojito and sipped it pointedly. The lime and mint concoction was delicious and refreshing on this unusually warm spring day.

“You’re always so open to trying new things with no fears or expectations.” He smiled. “Like a virgin.”

“I didn’t know you were such a horoscope guru.” 

“I’m great at making shit up,” he shot back with a wily grin. 

We were enjoying lunch on Cafe Soledad’s outside patio and life could not be more perfect. The sun warmed my skin while the drink cooled me down. I wore a light, flowy maxi dress that Liam could not take his eyes off of. 

He looked every bit as summery and dashing in a white breezy button up with the top three buttons undone and dark blue chino shorts.

I sat with my legs crossed under the patio table, angled so that the top of my foot brushed against the back of his firm calf muscle. As we bantered and enjoyed our lunch, his fingers often found their way up the slit of my dress to caress over my knee.

It was so hot that we weren’t being very PDA at all, certainly not in a gross or obnoxious way, but every little touch and smile and innuendo we sent across the table fueled the raging bonfire of passion between us. 

Every time we saw each other, we fucked like mad at least once in the morning and once at night before bed. It was like bringing us together caused an explosive nuclear reaction that never burned out. We burned just as hotly for each other now as we did on day one. 

In bed, I never knew exactly what was coming from Liam and I loved that. I had yet to use our safe word because I trusted him completely. Gone were the days of boring, repetitive missionary sex that rocked me to sleep. No, the only thing Liam gave me every time were multiple orgasms that shook me to my core.

If I had a request, like spanking or a certain toy, he would only give it to me after working me into a frenzy, until I was begging him for it. He kept me on my toes and always on the edge of another explosive climax.

While he was deliciously unpredictable in bed, we got along outside of the bedroom like we had known each other for years. Conversation flowed easily and comfortably. He actually listened to me and respected my opinions.

Even while he teased me across the bistro table, I could dish it back and he wouldn’t get butthurt about it. He was surprisingly easygoing and lighthearted for a cop. It was a sexy contrast to his dark, dominant mannerisms in the bedroom. 

Every night that I found myself wrapped up in his protective arms, nuzzling into his warm chest, I found it harder not to whisper “I love you” before drifting off to sleep. 

I nearly said it the other morning before leaving for work, but he kissed me quickly and said, “See ya later, beautiful” as he jogged down the street to the gym. 

As I looked at him across the table, sun-kissed, relaxed, handsome as fuck and with our fingers intertwined on my knee, I felt it more strongly than ever.

I love you. Goddamn, I am so fucking in love with you. 

The words rang through my head like a bell. I stared at him shamelessly as my mind repeated them to myself as if trying to tell him telepathically. 

“Do I have something on my face?” he asked when he caught me staring, rubbing at the stubble on his jaw. 

“Yeah, my face.” 

I leaned over and kissed him, tasting the rich, sharpness of whiskey on his lips. 

His tongue dove between my lips and he did what he was best at--taking control. 

With one powerful tug of his arm around my waist, he pulled me into his lap and held my thighs down while he explored my mouth as if he was kissing me for the first time. 

Even the afternoon sun couldn’t keep me from shivering as his hands brushed across the sides of my breasts. Nothing that wasn’t PG rated, but with enough intention to send a pool of heat between my legs and make my nipples stand at attention.

Against my thigh, I felt his meaty cock start to stiffen and I spread my legs out ever so slightly, just enough to rub against his hardness.

“You naughty girl,” Liam growled into my neck. “Want to get us kicked out of this place?”

“Wouldn’t it be worth it?” I asked, rubbing my thigh harder against his growing bulge. 

He grunted in approval as his manhandling of me grew firmer and bolder. “I think someone needs to be spanked.” 

“Oooh no! Have I been bad?” I purred into his ear and watched his lips part thirstily for me, smiling at the thought of his palms making my ass cheeks sting so sweetly. It hurt so good and made my orgasms more intense. My body craved it like the most decadent chocolate. 

“Well isn’t this nice,” said a voice loaded with snark. 

Liam and I looked up in unison to give a piece of our minds to whoever decided to rudely comment on our intimacy. The older, more conservative citizens of Cloverville loved to comment on the younger generation displaying their sinful lust to each other but that didn't make it any less uncalled for. 

But my jaw dropped as my eyes fell on who stood in front of us, just on the other side of the low patio fence. 

Johnny. 

He looked awful and unkempt like he slept in the clothes he was wearing and barely slept at that. His hair was disheveled and dark circles rounded his eyes. 

I was momentarily startled at seeing him and tightened my grip around Liam's neck, who squeezed around my waist protectively. But then I remembered my final, killing blow to his ego, his reputation, and everything that mattered to him and kept a cool exterior. 

"Johnny, what are you doing in town?" I asked as calmly as if seeing an old friend. 

"You ruined my life, bitch," he snapped like a rabid dog. "Shelly dumped me, her husband is suing me, and I got fired for creating a hostile work environment. All fucking thanks to you!" 

"Mm, must be hard," I said with feigned sympathy. "Especially after you didn't get to date rape me and talk me into being your side piece again."

"Shut the fuck up! You have no proof!" he yelled at the top of his lungs like a madman, spittle flying from his mouth. "It was just alcohol, nothing else in those drinks! You can't prove shit." 

"I had a feeling," I said, keeping my cool while enjoying his outburst like a fireworks display. "That's why I didn't press charges. I knew you'd just humiliate me again." I leaned forward toward him and couldn't help but smile wickedly. "That's why I got you where I knew it would hurt you."

"I'm suing you," he said, teeth chattering with rage. "I'll get you for libel, slander and ruin you ten times worse!"

I lifted a shoulder in a lazy half-shrug. "I haven't said anything that isn't true." 

At that point, Liam nudged me off his lap and stood up, hands casually in his pockets as he towered a good six to eight inches taller than Johnny. 

"Aw, isn't this sweet," Johnny seethed bitterly. "Cupcaking with the cop who let me go. Did you know that, Hazel?" 

"She's done talking to you. You're talking to me now." Liam smirked cockily down at him. "And I'm off duty."

Johnny eyed him warily, already stepping away instinctively. 

"What the fuck is that supposed to mean?" 

"It means I have no qualms about breaking both of your legs if you don't leave this town for good. Right now."

Johnny let out a dry laugh, a clear attempt to mask his fear and insecurity. 

"Like you actually would." 

"Do you really want to test me?" Liam stepped closer. With one more move, he'd be stepping over the low wrought-iron fence and be standing directly in Johnny's face. 

Johnny backed up, his eyes downcast. If they were lower animals he would be assuming the submissive position, tucking his tail between his legs and rolling over to expose his belly to the superior alpha male.

"Fuck this town anyway," Johnny muttered as he walked away. "And everybody in it." 

My body grew hot as I watched him slink away shamefully, then became a straight-up furnace when Liam turned back around to face me. 

We didn't exchange any words. I just stood up and kissed him with all the passion building up in me like a bomb ready to go off. 

It was so primal and animalistic how my body responded to him proving to be the superior man with just a few words. I wanted him, needed him naked and ravaging me in that moment. 

"Let's get out of here," he said gruffly, echoing my thoughts. 

"Yes, please," I said desperately. 

He grinned as he dropped a few bills from his wallet on the table, then yanked me down the sidewalk to his car like I was his most prized possession.