Chapter Five
Alicia
It wasn’t funny. Not even a little but I stood in the elevator holding my ribs, bent clear in half laughing at the absurdity of it. I got myself together and finally met Liam’s gaze, bemused confusion etched into his expression.
“I’m so sorry, Alicia. I should have locked the elevator door.” He took my hands in his. “I’ve complicated things so much.”
“You can lock an elevator... never mind.” I slipped out of his grasp, stretched to my tip toes and touched his face. “You have nothing to apologize for, Liam. Obviously, that was the last thing I wanted my father to see but it’s not anyone’s fault. He even said he wasn’t attending this year. Neither of us could have known.”
Liam shook his head. “I should have waited until I had you in the room. But I couldn’t resist, Alicia. Having you in public is so—”
“Hot,” I said. “You’ve got that right. Look, I don’t regret it. Things will be awkward between my dad and I for, well forever probably. But ya know what? Our whole lives he’s had a short leash on me and my sister but he’s smart enough to know he couldn’t maintain it forever. Do I wish I’d cut the proverbial apron strings less graphically? Absolutely. But am I glad they’re cut? You bet your sweet ass I do.”
The corners of Liam’s mouth lifted as the concern in his eyes faded, quickly replaced by ravenous desire. He pushed me against the back wall and kissed me, pressing his body to mine, stealing my breath, my thoughts, and my heart.
I was lost in him, the easy way he parted my lips, exploring my mouth with his tongue. His hardness pressing into my belly, his hands pulling me closer, tighter. Liam devoured me.
He pulled away, leaving me breathless and shaking.
“Well that’s a first,” I said.
Liam smiled. “Alicia, you’re in for a whole night of firsts.”
I giggled. I couldn’t help it. “I’m sure of it. But I meant that’s probably the first time anyone has ever shared a first kiss after they’ve already come twice.
He laughed and cupped my face in his hands. “You’re mine, Alicia. All mine.”
I giggled again. I was so fine with that.
I followed him out of the elevator expecting to walk down a corridor to a nice room. Instead, I walked into a huge foyer. The slippery marble floor of the entrance transitioned into thick carpeting that my heels sank into. I took in the space, the rich upholstery, Tiffany lamps on every table, veranda doors steamy and fogged over from the hot tub beyond and knew exactly what room Liam had brought me to.
I spun around, shock forcing my mouth into what I’m sure was a very unbecoming expression. “How in the world did you get the King and Queen floor?”
Booked only for legitimate royalty— diplomats, foreign dignitaries and ambassadors, and the occasional Hollywood starlet— the King and Queen room was the room everyone knew about but no one had ever seen.
Liam picked me up and carried me to the bedroom. “You’re my Queen, Alicia. Of course you should have this room.”
I giggled. “Yeah, but how?” I insisted.
“My cousin owns the hotel. He owed me a favor and was more than happy to let me book the room for the night. Although, he still made me pay full price. Kase is kind of a shit about business,” Liam laughed.
My mouth fell open again. “Are you serious?” I asked as he laid me on the bed. “Liam, you dropped a million of your own money on this room?” I whispered as he stroked my face.
“It’s just money. I have more than I could possibly spend for no reason other than I was born into a wealthy family. Why not spend it on someone I’m desperately trying to woo?”
I smiled. I couldn’t argue when he put it like that and Liam worked on getting me out of the gown. He found the zipper hidden in the side seam and had it off me in moments. He unhooked my bra and stared at my nude body with tense, fiery adoration. I almost felt the weight of his need in his gaze. “God, you’re perfect, Alica.” He stroked my face, letting his hand slide down the line of my body, pausing at my thighs to push them apart. “Holy Christ,” he mumbled, stroking my inner thighs lightly. The sensation was divine, maddening, ramping up the swollen, heavy feeling between my legs.
I grabbed his wrist. “Stop,” I whispered.
Liam’s gaze shot up to meet mine. “What’s wrong?” he asked, concern creasing his forehead and deepening the blue of his eyes.
“I-I just want to see you, too,” I said with a giggle.