Chapter Twenty-Five
Paige
Our seats in the restaurant overlook the water from the second floor, giving us a nice view of the rocky shoreline below through large floor-to-ceiling windows. The place is very dimly lit. It's darker than I'm used to, but my eyes quickly adjust. The dimness of the lighting, the candles upon the table, the soft murmur of conversations, and of course, the violinist wandering around the place, playing a sweet melody – it all feels very intimate. Profoundly romantic.
I don't know that Liam knew what to expect when he brought me here. I know he talked about not being ready to move forward, but not wanting to close the door entirely. It's a sentiment that I agree with. But here, in a place like this, enjoying the evening he planned – to me, it almost seems like he's not just leaving the door open between us, it feels like he kicked it in.
That probably wasn't his intent, however. I honestly believe he just wanted to plan a nice night out for the two of us. We do enjoy each other's company – there's no doubt about it. Which is one reason I'm okay with things between us remaining in limbo for now. We both have our own sets of baggage to deal with, but we can't totally ignore this…thing that exists between us.
I know I'm overthinking this whole situation. But, the helicopter ride through the gorgeous mountains, and now coming to a place like The Aurora – a place I've only read about – it sends a very strong message. At least, in my mind.
I need to dial it back a few notches though. It's difficult, but I need to stop overthinking and just enjoy a nice – very nice – night out with someone that I like a great deal. Somebody I enjoy. I need to just take it for what it is and stop trying to read between the lines.
Liam pulls out my chair, and I flash him a smile as I take a seat. He's the perfect gentleman. One lone, red rose sits at my place on the table, so I lift it to my nose and inhale the aroma. I give Liam a sideways glance, wondering what I did to deserve all the effort he'd obviously put into planning this evening.
He sits across from me, and in the flickering of the candlelight, his rugged face is even more handsome. His strong chin and jaw are softened a bit, and the fire brings out the color of his eyes. It makes them sparkle like chips of ice – like the snow-capped peaks of the Olympic Mountains we just saw.
He takes a drink of water and then catches me staring, a crooked smile spreading across his face.
“What?” he asks as he sets his glass down. “Do I have something on my face?”
“No, you're fine,” I say and laugh. “I'm just trying to figure out what I did to deserve a night like this. At a place like this.”
He shrugs. “No need to overthink it, Paige. You deserve a nice night out,” he says. “Let's just enjoy each other's company and have a good evening together.”
He reaches across and takes my hand in his, and sets my heart fluttering as he brings it to his lips, placing a soft kiss on my knuckles. My insides suddenly feel warm and mushy, and I know that isn't a good sign if I'm not looking to get attached. And I'm not. Not right now anyway.
The more time I spend with him, however, the more difficult it is becoming to avoid getting attached to him. Liam is so perfect, and unlike any other man I've ever been with. He's almost too perfect, which is leaving me waiting for the other shoe to drop.
My luck with men has never been very good. I've been with liars. Cheaters. And worse. I've got plenty of scars and baggage from my failed relationships. This is what led me to bury myself in the bookstore so deeply in the first place. Why I avoid romantic entanglements. Relationships never tend to end well for me, so I've vowed to avoid them. To avoid attachment or romantic feelings. For my own sake. For my own sanity.
But, Liam is making it so damn difficult to hold to that vow.
A moment after we're seated, our server introduces himself as Michael and hands us our menus. The moment I open the menu, I feel my eyes grow so wide, I'm sure they're about to pop right out of my head and fall on the table in front of me.
I've never seen prices like this in a restaurant before and I scan the menu for the cheapest option available. I am not going to let Liam pay that kind of money for dinner. I flip the menu over, hoping to see more options – cheaper options. The knot in my stomach tightens when I see the menus is incredibly limited – limited to only items way outside of my price range.
“Because it's a special evening,” Michael says, his voice radiating snootiness as he points at the top of the menu, “we have prix fixe options. We have a full four-course meal for the lovely couple. All you need to do is select from these options.”
“Does that mean we have to go with the full four-courses?” I ask.
After our waiter's explanation, I understand why the menu is so limited. The price of the full four-course meal is more than I've made in a month. It's more than the mortgage payment on my house. I'm a frugal person by nature, always looking for the best deals I can on whatever I can. And I just cannot fathom spending that kind of money on one meal, regardless of the number of courses.
Michael opens his mouth to answer, but Liam waves him off. “That's what we'll be having. We just need a moment to finalize our selections.”
I gawk at Liam and want to object, but he gives me a small smile and a shake of the head.
“Very good, sir,” Michael says. “Have you decided on a wine you'd like to start with?”
“Opus One Merlot,” Liam says, never breaking eye contact with me. “The 2013, please.”
“Very good, sir. Excellent choice,” Michael says before stepping away.
Liam looks over the menu as if nothing is amiss and nothing is shocking about what he's looking at. And then I realize it's because this is normal for him. I look at the menu again and have to fight to keep my eyes from bulging out of their sockets. It's hard to imagine how this could ever feel normal for a person.
“I've heard their lobster thermidor is amazing,” he says. “If you like lobster, that is.”
“I honestly don't know if I do,” I laugh. “Can't say I've ever had it.”
Liam looks at me, astonished but also pleased, and says, “Well then, unless you're allergic to shellfish, I think one of us needs to get it. You need to at least try it.”
“I'm not allergic to shellfish. But, the price of everything here is about to make me break out into hives,” I say, not really thinking about my words.
Liam reaches across the table and gently squeezes my hand again. “Don't even think about that tonight, Paige,” he says. “Please? This is my gift to you.”
“Hard not to.” I smile. “I've never been anywhere like this before, and I hate making you pay –”
The waiter comes back and sets a glass down in front of each of us. He uncorks the bottle of wine and pours a small amount in Liam's glass. Liam picks it up and swirls it around for a moment before smelling it and then, finally tasting it.
“Excellent,” he says, a pleased smile on his face. “You may pour.”
“Very good, sir,” Michael says.
The waiter pours our wine and I still have no idea what I want to order. I look at the menu blankly, honestly, not even knowing what half the stuff is. Liam gives me a small smile, a twinkle in his eye. I think he understands my dilemma.
Michael finishes pouring and stands at attention. He's so stiff and rigid – most definitely not like the waiters in restaurants I'm used to. They're a little more fun and outgoing, while Michael is bland and has no personality. If anything, he seems rather snooty to me.
“We'll take the oysters for our starter, along with the lobster thermidor and the Wagyu filet mignon for our main course, along with the wine pairings, please,” he says. “We will decide on the next course and dessert once we're finished with the first.”
“Very good, sir,” Michael says, taking our menus and leaving us once more. “Wonderful choices. I know that you'll be pleased with them.”
He turns on his heel and stalks off without another word. I turn to look at Liam, feeling the color rising in my cheeks.
“I have no idea what any of that means,” I say. “I've never heard of most of the things on the menu.”
I'm honestly feeling a little sheepish as if I'm out of my element and Liam is going to grow tired of it. As if he'll think I'm just some backwoods, uncultured, bumpkin who doesn't belong in his world. But Liam smiles back at me and it's a warm, gentle smile that melts my insides.
“It means it's going to taste amazing,” he says. “Hopefully it's the best meal you've ever had.”
It'll be the most expensive, that's for certain. But, I bite my tongue and don't say anything. I know that would be tactless, at the very least. It's crazy though, to think that the price of this meal, although financially devastating for me, is nothing to a man like Liam. He has the money to spend and apparently has no problem dropping this kind of cash for a night out.
It boggles my mind. But, I'm not going to lie, I'm very much looking forward to it. Although I'm used to, if not comfortable with, lower-end food options – at least, compared to what I'm being exposed to tonight – there's always been a part of me that’s curious about what rich people eat.
I can't explain it. I know it's a weird curiosity to have. But, it's a curiosity nonetheless.
We sip our wine, a comfortable silence between us as I look around the interior of the restaurant, soaking it all in. I know that I'm probably never going to set foot in a place like this again, so I want to commit it all to memory. I want to file away every detail in my mind. This place just exudes wealth and class. It's beautiful. More than beautiful. I don't even think exquisite is the right word to capture it.
“What do you think?” Liam asks, his eyes fixed on mine.
“I think this place is completely amazing,” I say. “I've never seen anything like it before, let alone sat at a table.”
He shrugs. “I have to admit, it is pretty nice here.”
“It's more than nice,” I say. “Way more than nice.”
He smiles and takes a drink of his wine, letting me ogle the restaurant a little more.
“So, have Damon or the mayor bothered you lately?” Liam asks, setting his glass down on the table.
I cringe at the mention of their names. “Not since the last time we talked, no,” I say. “Which means it's coming. They seem to follow a predictable enough pattern.”
Liam laughs. “I'm sure it is,” he says. “And you're still not willing to sell, huh?”
“Nope,” I say. “I have absolutely no desire to sell to those cretins.”
“Not for any amount of money?” he asks, arching an eyebrow at me, an amused grin tugging at the corners of his mouth.
I shrug. “Money isn't everything, Liam,” I say. “My parents' legacy means more to me than even millions of dollars. Not that they're offering me millions, but you get the point. Legacy means a lot. I'm sure you understand that.”
“I understand all too well, actually,” he says. “Which is why I admire your dedication. I just want you to be happy, Paige.”
I sigh. “You know? I am happy. I never really thought about this life for myself and it's not very easy,” I say. “I had other plans and dreams. I always thought my life would go a different way and that it wouldn't lead me back to Port Safira for many years. But, it didn't work out. And we can only play the hand we're dealt, right? So, now that I'm here, I'm content. I have everything I need. If I have one wish, it's that I could figure out how to make my shop profitable again.”
“It's hard. Everyone is buying from Amazon these days. eBooks are becoming more popular,” he says. “You have to learn to adapt or die in the world today. Which means, it might be time to think about updating your business model some.”
“How so?” I ask, cocking my head to the side, finding myself hoping that he has some answers or ideas for me.
“I don't know,” Liam says. “I'm a developer. I know real estate. But I have friends who specialize in different things and if you're interested, I'm sure we can figure something out.”
“We?” I ask.
Almost unconsciously, I feel a smile pulling at the corners of my lips at his use of the word.
“I'm happy to help in any way I can,” he says. “I can do some research, talk to some people I know and see what I come up with.”
“Thank you,” I say.
I reach across the table, take his hand, and give it a firm squeeze. We stare into one another's eyes for a moment, just enjoying the atmosphere between us. I can honestly say this is the very best dinner I've ever had – and the food hasn't arrived yet.
It feels silly and perhaps even a bit scary, to even think about, given that we're trying to avoid any serious romantic entanglement. But, this is the best night out I've ever had, all because of the man sitting across from me.
~ooo000ooo~
“That was fantastic. Beyond fantastic. It was amazing,” I say, leaning back in the helicopter seat feeling like a bloated, beached whale. “I feel like my belly is going to burst. So much food. And it was all so amazing, I just couldn't stop eating.”
“I'm glad you enjoyed it” he laughs. “It's nice being with someone who appreciates good food.”
I look over at him and wonder if there's more to his comment than just that. Part of me wonders if he was taking a subtle shot at his ex. He's told me a bit about her. That she didn't appreciate things, that she took everything for granted, and was addicted to living a lavish lifestyle.
But, I remind myself, that is not any of my business. Right now, all I know is that he seems to be happy to be with me. That he is enjoying my company. I can tell by the things he says, the things he does, and especially by the way that he looks at me.
We're laughing together, and Liam is smiling wide, his dimples on full display. The smile lines on his face make him even more attractive – something I didn't know was possible. The laughter fades after a few moments and I find myself staring into Liam's eyes. There's an air of expectation hovering between us and then he leans down, kissing me, as the helicopter begins ascending.
His lips are soft and still taste of dark chocolate from our dessert. It's a kiss full of fire and passion – and I can't help but get sucked in. Revel in it. Our tongues dance together and I feel a warmth spreading through my lower body. I slide my hands up, wrapping them around the nape of his neck. I feel his hands, so large and strong, sliding up my midsection, tenderly cupping my breasts. A small gasp escapes me as he circles my already stiff nipples with his thumbs.
Liam looks at me and smiles. “I'll assume that since you've never ridden in a helicopter,” he says, his voice low and husky, “that you've never had sex in one.”
A small laugh escapes me, but his words and touch ignite a fire inside of me.
“You would be correct on that,” I say.
Liam kisses me again and I pull back and look up toward the cockpit. There's a wall between us and the two compartments are separated, but I'm not sure if the pilot can still hear us or not. Still, the idea of having sex with Liam in the helicopter, so high up in the air, sends a tingle through my body and a chill up my spine. I'm nervous about it but excited at the same time.
“There's a first time for everything,” Liam says, nipping my ear gently. “Opening your mind and having new experiences are always a good thing.”
Liam reaches over and pushes the button on my seatbelt, unlocking it. I stare at the two halves of the belt fall away and land on the seat, a nervous flutter in my belly. He leans down and kisses my neck, which sends an electric charge along my skin.
I allow Liam to pull me from my seat and slide me over onto his lap. Our mouths locked together and our tongues swirling around one another furiously, I pull my dress up around my waist and straddle him. Lowering myself down on to his lap, I feel his erection pressing into me. I grind myself against it, remembering the way he felt inside of me. I recall the length and girth of his beautiful cock and the way he filled me up so completely and can feel myself growing hotter and wetter with each passing second.
My body trembles and I feel my breath catch in my throat as I think about being with him again. Having him inside of me again. It's crazy, but it seems like Liam Anderson has some sort of power over me. Some sort of a hold on me. He knows exactly what to do, how to touch me, and how to turn me on more than anyone else.
Liam plants a soft row of kisses down my neck, and I feel myself already beginning to surrender to his touch. Six months ago – hell, three months ago – I never would have even entertained the idea of having sex with a man that I'm not committed to. Nor would I have ever even considered the possibility of having sex in a public place. And although the private compartment of his helicopter isn't exactly a public place, it's much more public than I'm used to. Despite that, I want to do it. I want to fuck him right here, right now. I need to have him inside of me in the worst way possible.
It's that power he has over me. That magic touch. Something. When it comes to Liam Anderson, I've not only become shameless as hell, but entirely insatiable to boot. I close my eyes and grind myself against him harder, rubbing my dripping wet pussy against his long, thick erection. I groan as Liam takes my breasts in his hands, teasing my stiff nipples.
I'm wearing a dress and it's already bunched up around my waist, so that's not the issue. It's Liam's pants that are now proving to be the problem. I reach down and fumble with the buttons, and Liam helps me. It takes us a few minutes and a little laughter, but we finally manage to get his belt and slacks undone. I slide a hand down his pants and take him into my hands. A wicked smile spreads across my face as I grip his thick rod – already so hard and ready for me.
“Do you –” I start to ask.
“I always come prepared,” he says, whipping a condom out of his pocket. “I used to be a Boy Scout, you know.”
“Good to know,” I say and laugh.
I take the condom from him and quickly tear open the packaging. I reach down and with one hand, cup and stroke his balls as I use my other hand to slip the condom onto the tip of his prick. Feeling his cock throbbing in my hand, I bite my bottom lip, my body crying out to have him inside of me. I want it. Need it. I slowly roll the condom down his cock with my hand, still squeezing his balls with the other. Liam presses his head back against the seat, groaning softly, and growing even harder at my touch.
“Jesus, Paige,” he gasps.
Once he's sheathed in the condom, he lifts me up by the hips and positions me on top of him. With a flirty little smile, I lower myself down onto him, taking just the tip of him inside of me at first. His crystalline blue eyes stare into mine and I see the need in them… the lust. And see something else that I can't quite identify. It's a strange spark of something deep in his eyes that I don't quite comprehend.
I don't have time to dwell on it though, as my body explodes with sensation as his stiff rod slips into me. We're panting, forehead-to-forehead, as I slide farther down his thick shaft, taking him into me inch by glorious inch.
I can’t help but gasp as he stretches me open. As he fills me up completely. Liam's grip on my hips tightens, his fingers pressing into my flesh, and I dig my nails into his shoulders. It feels so good to have him inside of me again and we both groan as our bodies adjust to being united.
Slowly, I start rocking back and forth, riding his hard, thick cock. Liam kisses me again, his hands moving to my hair and pulling it gently as he holds my face steady while I rock my body against his, my clit rubbing against him. He fills me up so completely and it feels so good when he hits that spot deep in me that I can't help but cry out. I know the pilot may be able to overhear us fucking, but right now, I don't care. My body feels like it's being shot through with electricity and it feels so fucking good that I can't manage to keep myself quiet.
Everything about having Liam Anderson inside of me feels so amazing and drives me utterly crazy.
The movement of the helicopter as I bounce myself up and down on his cock only makes the feelings more intense. It actually helps the movement and motion of our bodies. I rise up and down, finding a rhythm that touches all the right spots, deep in my tight little slit, and there's a bit of a jump in the helicopter – turbulence, perhaps – that brings me down harder upon him. A bolt of pleasure, more intense than anything I've ever felt, rips through my body, and I bite down on Liam's shoulder to avoid crying out.
“He can't hear you in the forward compartment,” Liam gasps. “And even if he could, so what?”
I look down into Liam's eyes and smile. His hands slide around to my ass, squeezing it tight as he holds me steady, my movements becoming a little more erratic. But, with his hands guiding me, he helps me find that rhythm again – that fantastic fucking rhythm that causes every muscle in my body to tighten up.
I'm trying to stay quiet because it feels weird knowing that somebody could be listening in. Liam may not care, but I do. Sort of. I try to stifle my cries but know that it's a battle I'm losing. I can't help but cry out when Liam hits that spot inside of me – which he does over and over again.
Soon, I'm moaning, unable to control my voice, “Liam – yes, oh God, yes –” as I feel my climax approaching.
Liam's breathing is more frantic, as are his movements. I feel him give my ass a smack and my body seems to react to it, my hot pussy spasming around his cock. As the muscles inside of me tighten around his thick rod, a gravely sound escapes his throat. His jaw clenches and he squeezes his eyes shut for a moment, but then he opens them again and looks directly into mine.
It's a moment that's so intensely intimate, I don't know what to do. Looking straight into his eyes as we fuck one another heightens every emotion within me and seems to make the physical sensations that much more intense. No, this is not fucking, I realize, as we stare into each other's eyes. Perhaps, even into each other's souls. This isn't fucking. This is something more. There's a connection there between us. A bond.
As I ride his cock, our gazes locked together, the realization hits me like a freight train. I try to deny it, try to focus on bouncing up and down on his thick shaft as a distraction, but it's no use. I suddenly realize that I'm falling for this man – hard.
“Come for me, Paige,” he mutters through clenched teeth. “I want to make you feel so good, baby.”
“I'm close,” is all I can manage to say back. “So fucking close.”
I cry out as he drives his hard prick deep into me, slamming into my g-spot with his cock over and over again.
“Good,” he says. “I want you to come for me.”
He reaches up and pushes the hair away from my face. It's a gentle, tender gesture that I'm not expecting. But Liam watches me, his gaze locked onto mine as I slide myself up and down his thick rod. And I can tell that he's waiting to see the look in my eye as I orgasm.
His own face twists with a look of absolute pleasure. It’s the look of a man who's struggling to not lose control. A man who's trying to hold out for his woman. A man who wants to make sure my pleasure comes before his.
Seeing how much pleasure I'm giving him and the look of absolute ecstasy upon his face takes me over the edge. He plunges himself into me again and it makes my toes curl. I throw my head back and cry out, my voice echoing around the cabin.
My head falls forward onto his shoulder, but Liam gently picks it up, still wanting to look deep into my eyes as I come. My body is trembling like crazy as wave after wave of pleasure tears through me. My whole body is shaking as my pussy clenches down around his cock. That's when I see the look in his eye – the look of a man who's passed the point of no return. There's no going back.
Liam grabs my hips and pulls me down hard, driving himself as deep into me as he can go. I feel his entire body tighten up and then he shudders against me. As I feel him pulsing and throbbing inside of me, I hear him muttering my name.
“Paige...Oh, Paige...” he moans as he spills his seed.
Our breathing slowly returns to normal and our bodies start to relax as our orgasms subside. I'm still straddling his lap, my forehead pressed against his, reveling in the sensations that are coursing through my body.
Liam kisses me again. It's a soft, sweet, chaste kiss. The kiss of one satisfied lover to another. Both of our bodies are relaxed against each other, and he continues holding my face in his hands. When he's not kissing me, he's staring into my eyes. It's all very sweet and intimate.
Slowly, I rise up and climb off of his lap, letting his deflating cock slip out of me. Liam reaches down and removes the condom, wrapping it in a bit of tissue and tossing it into a small trash can in the corner of the cabin.
I collapse down into the seat beside him, my head resting on his shoulder, reliving every moment of the experience in my mind. As images flash through my mind, they conjure the accompanying sensations, and I can't keep a smile off my face.
Liam wraps an arm around me, and motions for us both to lie down on the seats. He spoons me, kissing the back of my neck as my eyes grow heavy with exhaustion.
I'm falling hard for this man. Which, given where he's said he's at in his own mind, isn't going to end well for me. All I can hope is that after a night like tonight – a night in which he sent a lot of signals that maybe, just maybe, he's ready to open and walk through that door between us – that he actually is.