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Chapter Four

When I getout of the car, the first thing I see is Liam standing on the steps leading up to the house. And he looks pissed. Why is he looking at me like I stole the last cookie in the jar? I just got here. I didn’t even open my mouth. I didn’t have a chance to piss him off. Yet.

My eyes trail down his body without my consent. Faded jeans hang low on his hips and hug him in all the right places. There’s a rip above the right knee and just a little skin showing. It’s not those expensive designer kind of jeans with strategic rips already placed in them. I can tell this is a well-worn and well-loved piece of clothing and it has learned the ways of his body to perfection. The faded blue T-shirt is also old and tight on his chest. It grabs at his biceps like it has shrunk from too many washes. He’s not wearing a beanie today and his hair is longer than I expected and lighter than Logan’s. The dying sunlight makes his skin look even more tanned and golden than before. I try not to look at him too closely. The last thing I need is for Liam to think I’m interested in him. I’d never live that down.

As my steps take me closer to him, I brace myself and hitch my backpack up on my shoulder. We had a late study group today, and it’s heavy with all the books I have to carry around.

His lips are moving and words are coming out of it, but my brain is refusing to understand what he’s saying. He sounds . . . jealous?

“Nice little walk of shame. Or should I say ride of shame followed by a walk of shame?”

What. The. Fuck!

I look over my shoulder trying to understand what he’s saying, but the car is long gone. Brian, the guy who always gives me a ride after late study groups, has a girlfriend and zero interest in me. Neither do I have any interest in him, for that matter. She’s usually with him when he drops me off at home, but today she had to be somewhere and left earlier.

I hate the height advantage he has on me and being three steps down from him is not making it any easier. I think back on what he could have seen to assume I was coming from a hook-up. Nothing. There was nothing. I reached in the back for my bag and then gave Brian a quick goodbye hug and left. The hug? Maybe he thought it was something else? How well could he see into the car from this distance, anyway? It’s not a long driveway, just big enough to park a car with a few feet between the bumper and the street. And even if it was true, why would it piss him off? I’m sure he can get some any time he wants. I mean, look at him? If I didn’t dislike him so much, I’d go for it.

“What’s your problem?”

“Just keep your hook-ups off of my property.”

“I wasn’t exactly fucking him on your doorstep,” I say, not bothering to deny it. That seems to anger him even more.

“Just keep your hook-ups off of my property,” he repeats.

“Please, you’re acting like a prude or a virgin.”

“I’m neither.”

“Bullshit, you have to be the most uptight guy I’ve ever met.” I can hear the accusation in my voice. “You know what you need?”

“I’m sure you’ll tell me.”

“Yes, I will, because no one else does.”

Taking another step so we’re standing on the same level, I tilt my head up to look him in the eyes.

“You. Just. Need. To. Get. Laid,” I say, enunciating each word. “Get it out of your system and then you’ll be a lot more relaxed.”

“Are you offering?” He smirks, his face inching closer to mine.

Well, hell. I didn’t expect that response. I look up at him as uninvited and unwelcome images of a naked Liam invade my mind. Liam wrapping his arms around me and—

I stop that train wreck of a thought. “I’m not into angry sex.”

Liam’s steel gray eyes darken, his voice is lower, huskier. His face so close, his breath mixes with mine and I can almost taste him. His eyes drop to my lips for a few heartbeats before looking back at me.

“No?” he asks. “What kind of sex are you into?” His voice is a whisper and a caress. “I can be very accommodating.”

Everything around me seems to slow down in response to my speeding heart. My skin warms under his stare, my stomach clenches, and my nipples strain against my bra. Words escape me for a moment but come rushing back with images of a naked Liam pounding into me. When I respond him, it’s with half a lie.

“The kind with multiple orgasms and the kind that is not with you.”