Page 8 of Had To Be You

My breath hitches.

The bartended appears in my peripheral vision, sliding a glass of water towards me, breaking the spell that Liam and I are under. The guy has shit timing. Liam notices too, suddenly blinking. We break apart. Liam takes a step back and turns and walks away.

I’m left breathless.

Chapter Five

Liam

She’s infuriating. She’s frustrating and maddening and stunning in every way. Everything about this girl turns me on.

I’m so fucked. Ellie Reeves is my kryptonite.

I’m standing with my mother, but my eyes are on Ellie. I don’t know how she is able to drive me so crazy, but I haven’t been able to shake her from my mind since Parker and Olivia’s beach house party a few months ago. Her smile breathes life into any room. She knows just what to say in every social situation. Always the center of attention, always the most beautiful girl in the room with her long, caramel-colored hair and eyes as blue as a clear winter sky. Those damn eyes, a thousand hues of blue. The world seems to spin around her axis. Scratch that; the whole damn universe. I should look away, but I can’t take my eyes off her.

I came this close to kissing her. Everything in me wanted to feel her mouth on mine again. Her sassy mouth that never stops talking. I wanted to press her up against the marble bar and put my mouth all over her. I could see in her eyes that she wanted it too. And then I remembered that a relationship is something I definitely don’t have time for. Especially a relationship with an insane person. But I do enjoy getting under her skin. I get off on pushing her buttons. She’s bossy and scrappy and never stops taunting me, and somehow she is everything I crave.

“You seem to be enjoying yourself tonight, sweetheart. Especially the view over here.” My mom looks at me, then looks over at Ellie, like she’s reading my mind. I’m silent. A vault. I put my hands in my pockets and set my gaze in a different direction.

I knew Ellie would be here tonight but for some reason I was still stunned to see her. She’s shockingly beautiful in her tight pink dress with her light pink lips and rich brown hair. My eyes return to her and for a moment, it feels as though I’m standing on uneven ground. Ellie sips from a glass, unaware that I’m not the only one watching her right now. I’ve spotted men and woman all night long take notice of her because how could they not- she’s heart-stoppingly, can’t-look-away beautiful.

“I’ve been your mother for twenty-eight years. I’d like to think I know you better than most. And that look in your eyes, Liam, is lust.” She winks.

“I love you, Mom, but you’re wrong about that.”

“I’m always right, Liam. You should know that by now. I know a connection when I see one. I think I proved that with your brother and Olivia.”

“Do not make me your project, Mom. You are getting way ahead of yourself,” I say, irritated that she’s right. She’s always been this way, able to see right through me. She sees right through all of us kids.

“What kind of mother would I be if I didn’t offer my advice when I believe it’s needed? I see the way you look at her. She looks at you the same way. She’s a sweet girl and she’d be good for you, maybe loosen you up a little.” My mother brings her palm to my cheek like she’s done since I was a little boy. “I’ll stay out of your way and let things happen on their own. I promise. But...” she says. “Don’t wait too long. A girl like Ellie won’t stay single forever. I’d hate to see you lose your chance.”

I shake my head at my mom, who is wearing her mother knows best face, running her fingers across the pearls around her neck.

“I love you, Liam.”

“Love you too, Mom.” I kiss the top of her head.

She leaves me standing there. This is so typical of my mom. She tells you what’s on her mind, then leaves you to think about it.

Desperate for some fresh air, I slip out the front doors and around to the side of the restaurant. It’s quiet, with the only faint sounds coming from the party inside and the waves from the ocean in the near distance. When I tilt my head to the sky, I see a million bright stars against a jet-black backdrop.

What. The. Hell.

What just happened?

It took everything in me to walk away from Ellie tonight. I can’t figure her out. What is it about her that always makes me want to come back for more? We’ve been taunting each other all night, the push and pull wearing on my last nerve. She’s a challenge, but I’m not sure how much more fight I have in me. All I want to do is touch her, run my fingers through her long hair, drag my tongue across her skin.

I’m pacing the pavement, dragging my hands through my hair, when I feel a familiar energy coursing through my veins. I always sense her before I see her. Ellie.

I look in her direction and our eyes meet. She tilts her head, a look of annoyance crossing her face. And because I can’t help myself or more because I love to get her riled up, I ask, “Missed me?”

The look on her face says you’ve got to be fucking kidding me. She rolls her eyes so hard her whole head moves with the motion. “What are you doing out here, Liam?”

My name falling off her lips goes straight to my dick. I cross my arms over my chest. My eyes drift down to her dress. I watch her body move in that damn dress as she comes closer to me. I have no words. I’m damn near drooling. That fucking pink dress should be illegal. It shows off her toned, tanned legs and her curvy body. Her long hair moves with the breeze off the ocean. She’s fucking perfect. There’s no other word to describe her. I suck in a breath, knowing I’m in trouble. Knowing that there’s no way I should be alone with her.

“Did your date leave? Out past his curfew?” I ask with a smug tone to my voice because I know she’ll enjoy hurling a witty remark right back to me.

“His name is Logan, and I can introduce you if you like. You seem to have a thing for him.”

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