Chapter Twenty
Lawson lay flat on his back while Liv nestled against his chest. The morning light slowly crept inside the room through a small crack in the curtains. Waking up with her in his arms was even better than falling asleep together. He enjoyed the feel of her hand gently rubbing circles across his flesh. His hand caressed the soft skin on her back. She was so fragile, this human female, and yet, she was one of the bravest souls he’d ever met.
Liv kissed the small patch of hair between his pecs, and he shivered. Every time she kissed that spot, it drove Lawson mad. It was all he could do not to take her again.
“You have no idea how good that feels. How good you feel here beside me,” Lawson murmured, his hand going from Liv’s back to her hair, running his fingers through the long, silky strands.
“I think I have some idea. I could lay here for days, maybe more,” Liv answered lazily, and he wondered if she was drifting back to sleep. He had made love to her so many times he’d lost count, and he guessed she was sore again.
“I wish you weren’t going back to work tomorrow. I still don’t have complete confidence in this plan of yours,” he said, placing a finger under her chin and forcing her to meet his gaze.
Those beautiful green eyes had him melting every time. Unaware of the exact moment when it had happened, this female had wormed her way into his heart where no one had ever managed to reach.
He had resisted in the beginning, but he didn’t want to fight it anymore. There were a lot of reasons a shifter shouldn’t get involved with a human, but none of them were valid enough to keep him away from her.
“Have faith. Our plan will work,” Liv said, stroking his cheek with her hand.
Lawson wished he could believe her, but he knew Jim Jensen all too well, and he had a bad feeling about this. It seemed foolish to think that a second attempt was going to be successful. His gut told him this was going to be a disaster and the thought of something happening to Liv had him out of his mind with worry.
“As soon as I text you tomorrow, you and Bart can head my way. I just hope your dad is okay. Your brother seemed very worried when I talked to him,” she stated.
“That’s because our dad has a short fuse and when we lose our temper, it’s hard to keep our animal back. I hope dad has kept control,” he replied.
His dad was the alpha of their town for a reason. The male was lethal, savage even, and no male had challenged his position in over fifty years. Hell, not even his older brother had felt confident that he could win a fight against their father even though he was younger and stronger.
“Me, too. We both know how Jim can get. And, he doesn’t play fair,” she remarked.
Yeah, he knew that better than most. He had received countless beatings ordered by Jim. Again, one more reason he didn’t trust this plan of hers.
“Liv, I don’t think you realize how much you mean to me,” he confessed, and she instantly perked up.
If she had been on the verge of dozing back to sleep, he had her full attention now. She was so fucking adorable. To him, it was obvious he was crazy about her, yet she seemed doubtful. Maybe she needed to hear the actual words.
“Do you know that I wanted you from the very first moment I laid eyes on you. You walked into that prison cell and lit up my dark world with your bright green eyes and fiery red hair. Everything was gray until you came along and saved me. And now, when you leave a room, the color fades again. You are my color, Liv. You’re my sunshine,” he declared, stroking a hand across her cheek.
Her eyes sparkled, and a smile beamed across her face.
“I don’t know what to say. You never stop surprising me, Lawson Scott, with your heartfelt words at times. You fell into my life by accident, and I’m so glad that you did. You think I saved you, but the truth is you saved me. I have never felt as alive as I do when I’m with you. You free me,” she confessed, running a hand across his face.
“I have no idea where this is going, but I know I’m happier than I’ve ever been because of you,” she added, and it was his turn to smile.
He pulled her close, kissing her lips. Her lemony sugar scent fanned his desire like nothing else. He craved the taste of her mouth, her skin, and her sex. He wanted to devour her until she begged for mercy and then devour her all over again. To say he was addicted seemed too mild a term. She was his obsession.
It didn’t take long before their tender kiss turned passionate and desire flared between them. Forcing his lips from hers, Lawson husked, “I know the past few days have been chaotic. As soon as we get my dad and brother here and settle into a routine, I want quality time with you, not just in this bedroom.”
She lifted an eyebrow as if to question his satisfaction with their sexcapades.
“No, I’m not complaining, if that’s what you’re thinking. I could fuck you for an eternity, and it would never be boring. But, I want to take you out, go on an actual date,” Lawson stated as his hands explored Liv’s body.
She had the most luscious curves. She wasn’t petite, and he liked that. He needed a female that he could grab onto and not feel her bones. Skinny females did nothing for him and Liv was perfect.
“I like the sound of that. Are you a dinner and movie kind of guy or dancing at the club?” she panted, arching into his hand as he palmed her breast.
Liv was so responsive. Lawson slid his thumb across her pert nipple, and she moaned. His cock sprang to life as he rubbed the pebbled texture and pushed against her thigh with need.
Groaning, he responded, “I like to do both. And, I like to spend time with friends and family, or, drive out to the middle of nowhere and ravage you under the stars.”
“Sounds incredible. I think I like the last idea best,” Liv murmured, smiling when she felt Lawson’s erection jerk against her leg. He couldn’t help it. He wanted her again.
“Then it’s a date. Maybe next weekend,” Lawson conveyed, pulling her leg over his hip so that her hot core aligned with his aching cock.
“Mmm,” she moaned, “but, don’t you think we should join the others for breakfast?” she asked, teasing him by rubbing against his shaft.
“Yes, definitely need breakfast and then we’ll spend the day with my mom and sisters. I’d like you to get to know them better. But first, I want to fuck you, and then I want to shower together so I can fuck you again,” he whispered against her mouth, nipping her lower lip.
“Please,” she mewled.
What choice did he have? He was a male of his word if nothing else.
* * *
Liv was on cloud nine as she pulled her Jeep into the parking lot of PRL. Still floating from the best weekend of her life, she couldn’t wipe the smile from her face. Lawson had showered her with affection and devotion, even around his family.
Lawson wasn’t shy about his feelings for her, and his family seemed genuinely happy about it. His mom was incredible and instantly won Liv’s respect. She had a heart of gold and was a huge reason Lawson was so kind and caring.
Putting on her game face, she noticed Jim’s car a few spaces over, which was good. It was later in the day, and she had hoped he hadn’t left yet. She planned on arriving much earlier, but Lawson had insisted on pleasuring her several times before she left and then she had the long drive from Hollow Rock.
She objected to his demands at first but there was only so much a girl could fight, and multiple orgasms from a sexy shifter didn’t make the list.
Trying to focus on the task at hand, Liv exited her vehicle and walked towards the entrance of the building. If everything went as she envisioned, she would slip into Jim’s office and grab his entry card, leaving before he noticed she was there. And then, as soon as the employees left for the day she could slip into the lab and free anyone inside.
Yep, sounded simple enough. What could possibly go wrong, Liv asked herself. Oh, anything, and, everything! Her mind screamed in response.
Walking down the hall to her lab, she was glad to see Staci busy at work. Their paths hadn’t crossed lately, and it would be refreshing to catch up with her co-worker.
“Hey, Jones, how goes it? Been a while,” she said by way of greeting as she put her handbag down and slipped into her lab coat.
“What’s up, lady? I thought maybe you’d skipped town on us. I was here working over the weekend and couldn’t believe you weren’t here and then you weren’t here most of today. Any chance there’s a new man in your life?” she asked, smiling mischievously.
Staci was a divorced, single mom and the two of them had a running bet when it came to men. If it went past three dates, it became a serious debate about upcoming engagement plans.
She couldn’t stop the smile from spreading when Staci mentioned new man. God, if she only knew. They usually shared intimate details with one another, but she couldn’t go there with her about Lawson.
One, she assumed Staci knew nothing about Jim’s extracurricular activities in the other lab, and, two, she wasn’t sure of Staci’s position on getting involved with a shifter. They hadn’t discussed the topic, and Liv wasn’t about to bring it up now.
“Well…maybe. It’s nothing serious, but let’s just say I can barely walk after the weekend I just had. Sorry, I’m late today,” Liv relayed, laughing when Staci reached up with a hand in the air, seeking a high-five.
“Hey, if that’s the reason you’re late, more power to you. Wish I was sore. My best offer this weekend came from the little old man who lives next door. He brought me homemade chocolate chip cookies,” she chortled, then added, “although, they were pretty orgasmic.”
Liv recalled thinking that way before meeting Lawson. There were many days she would’ve chosen a cookie over the hassle of a man. Now, she didn’t care how chewy or rich or warm-straight-out-of-the-oven that cookie was, it would never come close to satisfying her desire the way Lawson did. That shifter did filthy things to her body, leaving her aching for more. She looked over to Staci who was staring peculiarly.
Liv could imagine the salacious expression she wore as she fantasized about Lawson and could only grin and reply, “I bet. Nothing beats a good cookie.”
Staci looked back to the microscope lens, and Liv suddenly had an idea. Maybe Staci could help her get the ball rolling.
“Have you seen Jim today?”
“Uh, yeah, he was here right before you walked in. He asked if I’d seen you, actually,” Staci replied, paying attention to her work more than their conversation.
“Could you do me a favor?” Liv asked.
”Sure, what do you need?” Staci replied, jotting notes into a file lying beside the microscope.
“Can you text him and ask him to come to our lab. I need to use the restroom, but tell him to wait because I need to talk to him. I won’t be long,” Liv muttered as she walked towards her purse.
Staci grabbed her cellphone, and her fingers typed away then she set it back on the tabletop.
“Done. I’ll make sure Jim waits for you,” Staci answered and went back to her work.
“Great, thanks,” Liv replied then shuffled out of the lab.
Her heart galloped in her chest, and she thought she might hurl as she slipped into a nearby open lab. A sudden thought had her stop in her tracks. What if Jim’s entry card was on his person, not in his office? That would be a serious problem.
Liv nearly jumped out of her skin moments later when she spotted him. Her head smacked against a desk as she ducked out of sight. Stifling curse words she learned from the truck driver in Dunlap, Liv watched Jim enter her lab then quietly slipped out of the adjacent room.
Looking back, it seemed the coast was clear. Jim hadn’t seen her, and she hoped Staci could keep him engaged long enough for her to do a quick search of his office. Quickening her steps, she was close to a run by the time she made it to his door.
Glancing around, she noticed only a few staff members and no one seemed to pay her any attention, so she darted inside his office, shutting the door behind her. Heart thumping, Liv clutched her neck to try and catch her breath.
Trying to steal his keycard was as nerve-wracking as when she helped Lawson escape. Probably more so because so many things could go wrong and there were too many eyes to see a mistake. Several deep breaths and her mind cleared enough to focus on the mission.
Rushing to the large desk, she scanned the contents but didn’t see his card or his wallet. She walked around the desk and sat on the chair behind it. She opened several small drawers, thinking his wallet might be in one of them. Nothing but office supplies.
She looked on the credenza behind her but didn’t see anything there, either. A file cabinet was open, and the name on the first file snagged her attention. It was Lawson’s file. She snatched it and opened it, scanning the contents. It looked to be her notes along with results from various blood tests they had performed on him. It seemed straightforward with nothing out of the ordinary.
When she went to place it back in its slot, she noticed the file behind his had Jacob Scott written on it. Lawson’s father. And, the file behind that one belonged to his brother. Pulling the drawer some more, she noticed dozens more.
Grabbing a handful, she opened each one. There were so many of them. And Jim knew these men’s names, which contradicted his story. Not that it mattered. She knew he was a low-life that lied whenever it suited him. But as she looked closer, she noticed there were several different lab locations. Did Jim own more than one research facility?
She searched another file drawer and saw more of the same. There were hundreds of files, each belonging to a different person. The sheer number was unbelievable. The question was, how many of these men were dead? From what she could determine, there were labs scattered across the country, all linked to PRL.
Liv grabbed her cell phone. She needed pictures, proving that prisoners were held in his lab. And, having addresses of the other locations might come in handy. She could only assume the names on the files belonged to missing shifters. Snapping photos of as many as she could, she quickly returned the folders to their proper place and closed the drawers.
Turning to leave, she jumped when she saw Jim standing in the doorway. Liv had been so engrossed in her discovery that she hadn’t heard the door open.
“Olivia, what are doing in here? I thought you wanted to see me in your lab?” he asked, stalking towards her.
“Yes, of course. I was on my way there now. I just needed…the file for my new shifter. I wanted to add some information,” Liv stammered, her hands shaking uncontrollably. Jim had to know she was lying. She had never grabbed a file from his office before.
“Really? That’s interesting. Do you even know where I keep such files? I don’t recall ever showing you,” Jim sneered, walking to stand beside her. She couldn’t stop the tremble to her hands, and she clasped them together, trying to calm her panic.
“Um, no, I guess you haven’t. I wasn’t thinking. I’ll just get out of your hair. You can drop off his file later,” Liv blurted as she walked past him. Jim grabbed her arm, stopping her movement.
“I don’t think so, Olivia. You want to try again and tell me the real reason you’re in my office,” he snarled, squeezing her arm.
She flinched from the pain and jerked her arm, but he had a death grip on her skin. “Jim, let go. You’re hurting me.”
“I’ll let go when I’m goddamn ready, Olivia. Answer me. Why are you looking through my files?” he snarled, blue eyes blazing with anger.
Liv swallowed against the growing pit of fear in her stomach. What could she possibly say to him that would make any sense? As Jim’s fingers bit deeper into her flesh, Liv regretted her idea of returning to work.