Page 49 of Corrupted Pleasure

Liam got behind the wheel of his car. The keys were already in the ignition, just as he instructed me. The purr of the engine seemed to slowly soothe him. Or maybe it was the distance between the club and us.

For a while, I just watched his big frame. His sculpted muscles packed every inch of his powerful figure. I felt it as I rode his face. God, he felt good. And for someone so large, he moved gracefully. Lethal.

The car smelled like him. Clean. A mixture of citrus and cedar, and I found that I loved the scent.

Sitting so close to me, I kept resisting the urge to tilt sideways, to be closer to him. Like a gravitational pull.

“You good?” His deep, gravelly voice after what we shared rolled down my spine like a soft caress. He sounded concerned and something about the fact that he would care had a swarm of butterflies fluttering in my stomach.

“Yes.” Strangely, I felt safe around him. Maybe it was some crazy side-effect after the week we’ve had. Or maybe it was my instinct.More likely the orgasm he gave me, I mocked myself wryly.

“Areyouokay?” I asked him tentatively, unsure whether I should venture into the territory where I cared whether Juliette’s father was okay or not. “I would ask if those were friends of yours, but if that’s how you treat your friends, I’d hate to see how you treat your enemies.”

“Definitely not friends, and today hasn’t been the best day,” he drawled. I winced remembering what we did. “I just transferred the club to the Italians.” I cocked my eyebrow, surprised he told me. “That last hour with you was the best way to part with the club. It made the memories of it that much sweeter.”

I felt the flush burn my cheeks, and suddenly, the car was too small. Too hot.

“But it is important that you and the girls don’t go back to the Eastside Club,” he continued. I gave him a questioning look. “The club belongs to the Italians now. You girls can no longer venture there. It’s too dangerous. Understand, mhuirnín?”

I nodded. “What does that word mean?”

He chuckled. “My darling.”

“Oh.”His darling. I kind of liked it.

His hand reached for me, skimming along my thigh before taking my hand into his. And I melted. I fucking melted. No man had ever held my hand or interlocked our fingers as he drove.

“He saw me,” I murmured.

“I promise you, Davina. I’ll always protect you, just as I do Wynter and Juliette.”

His promise sent warmth spreading through my chest. I knew if he vowed protection, he’d follow through. Liam Brennan was a man of his word. Juliette and Wynter always said if he made a promise, he kept it.

“Umm, I don’t-” I cleared my throat, my mouth suddenly dry and thick with emotions. “You can drop me off at the bus station, and I’ll take a bus to Yale.”

“I don’t think so,” he mused, as if I entertained him.

“You can’t drive me all the way there and then back,” I protested weakly. I actually wanted to spend more time with him. “It’s late.”

He scoffed. “It's a little after eight o’clock. I know you and the girls can party half the night.”

I winced. “Ugh, about that-”

“You have good taste, I’ll give you that,” he replied, unconcerned I opened a hundred-thousand-dollar cognac bottle.

My eyes traveled over him and my thighs clenched.

“I know,” I rasped. The words left me before I realized how they sounded. I tugged at the hem of my dress, shifting uncomfortably. Around him, arousal seemed to be a permanent side effect. Almost as if I was deprived until the moment we crossed paths, and now, I was infected by his filth. Even worse, I freaking loved it.

I quickly continued talking to ensure I didn’t do something stupid. I wouldn’t be able to resist him for the entire drive back to Yale. I’d end up begging him to pull over and just make me his.

“It’s a long ride. I’ll be fine,” I spoke fast, my words sounding breathless. “And I have plenty of money.” Okay, maybe I was really stupid to remind him I stole from him. “I can text you to let you know I got there fine.”

He chuckled softly. Though there was a dark edge to it. “Firstly, I am taking you to Yale. Nobody else. My boat will be ready by the time we get to the docks. Secondly, your body will be mine whenever I say. This is one of those times. I will fuck you senseless until we dock in New Haven.” Oh my gosh, I was totally on board for that. Jesus, this tribute was totally worth it. I felt like I was getting rewarded, not punished. “And thirdly, if you and the girls are going to steal from me, I’ll ensure my money doesn’t end up in the wrong hands.”

Okay, as far as the reasoning goes, this was a good one. Pleasure and security. What more could a girl wish for?

Except-