Page 30 of I Can't Even

“Liam, please, don’t—”

That was all I got out before he grabbed my laptop case from my hands and dumped it on his desk where my laptop sat. He herded me toward the wall until it was at my back, and he was at my front. Then, Liam’s mouth was on mine, and I completely lost any sense of myself.

Aggressive and hungry, his lips were slightly parted encouraging me to do the same. As his tongue slid across mine, coaxing my acquiescence, I tasted the salty tang of the sea on him and the memory of all the saltwater kisses we had shared in our youth hit me with a deluge of homecoming and nostalgia that almost took me out at the knees. I grabbed his shoulders and pressed closer, reveling in the feel of his bare skin beneath my hands. I couldn’t get close enough.

As if he felt the same longing, he placed one hand on my lower back, anchoring me to him while the other fisted in my hair, angling my head to receive the world’s most perfect kiss. He held my body still as he used his lips, teeth, and tongue to plunder my mouth until I was left shaking in his arms, unable to stand on my own and willing to give him anything...just like I’d given him my virginity all those years ago.

Forced to come up for air, Liam wrenched his mouth from mine. He was winded as if he’d just been rolled by an ocean wave. His chest was heaving and I noticed mine was, too. How could nine years have passed, and we still had this combustible reaction to each other?

“At least I didn’t have to play dead to get you to notice me this time,” Liam said.

I laughed, the sound a breathy growl that heated the air between us.

“You’re driving me crazy.” Liam pressed his forehead to mine while plunging both of his hands into my hair, holding me in place. His gaze smoldered.

“Same,” I gasped.

Then he was kissing me again. His lips moved over my mouth, my jaw, the sensitive spot just beneath my ear that made my insides liquefy. I caressed his sides and felt him shudder. I was pleased to feel his reaction and I smiled against his lips.

“Good,” Liam murmured throatily. “It’s just so damn good.”

His next searing kiss seemed to be without end. Still, it wasn’t enough and he lifted me up by the waist, pressing my back to the wall. He reached down and grabbed my leg by the knee and lifted until I got the idea and I wrapped both legs about his waist, pulling him in close and tight.

Liam groaned as he ran his hands down my sides until he found the hem of my shirt. He tugged it up until my skin was exposed and then we were skin to skin. I pressed into him, trying to ease the clawing need I felt for his touch.

As if he understood, Liam moved his hands between us to flick his thumbs over the hardened peaks of my breasts. A gasp and a moan left my lips. I arched my back, pushing my pelvis into his crotch, cupping his hard boy parts with my soft girl ones.

“Sweet Jesus!” He inhaled deeply and yanked my bra aside to suck one of my nipples between his teeth. Instinct took over and I ground against him unleashing a frenzy of need between us as he turned his attention to my other nipple. I grabbed him by the hair, holding him in place.

With a grunt, Liam lurched upright taking me with him. He turned and strode toward the desk. He plopped me down on the edge and then bent over me, tugging at my clothes as I pushed at the wetsuit at his hips.

Bang. Bang. Bang. A fist rapped on his office door, startling us both.

“Liam, the coffee distributor is here and she’s got some paperwork for you,” a girl’s voice, I recognized it as one of the baristas, called through the door. “She says it’s important.”

“I’ll be right out.” He gritted the words out. His jaw tight.

Liam pressed his forehead to mine, cupped my face, and kissed me once firmly on the mouth. “I’m coming to see you tonight,” he said. He held my gaze and added, “Not for a conversation.”

He tugged my clothes into place and stepped back from me. The scorching look in his eyes made it perfectly clear what he meant. Us. Sex. Tonight. Yes, please!

“Okay.” I nodded with an enthusiasm that might have been embarrassing if I wasn’t so hard up. He gave me a wicked grin and then left me alone in his office to get my act together. What an optimist that boy was. I was a hot mess and likely to remain so.

The ride uphill was not nearly as arduous as I’d expected, mostly because knowing Liam was coming over later was a great motivator. I pedaled right into the open garage and parked my bike against the wall. Em’s car wasn’t there so I assumed she was still out. That gave me pause.

I’d assumed she’d be home by now. I hoped she’d met up with some friends, mostly to take her mind off of Babs but also, selfishly, because it would be great if she wasn’t here when Liam dropped by. Even though we weren’t going to be talking, I suspected we were going to be loud.

My insides started to hum in anticipation. I couldn’t believe we were going to do this, more accurately, do it, but then I supposed I should have seen where my voyeuristic tendencies were leading. Obviously, I had given Liam the signal that I was his for the taking. The thought made my heart pound even while my brain paused and asked if this was what I really wanted. I told my brain to shut the hell up.

Before jumping into the shower, I decided to call my friend and cat sitter, Jessie Lopez, and check in. Yes, the same Jessie Lopez I had left Gull’s Harbor with all those years ago.

Jessie answered on the third ring.

“Jules, sweetie, how are you?” Jessie asked. “And how is our seaside little hamlet nestled in the heartland of fruits and nuts?”

“It hasn’t changed a bit,” I said. “Even Mr. Mancusi is still here fixing shoes.”

“How does that guy stay in business?”

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