Page 40

Chapter 40

Fleur

T he bed dips and my eyes flutter open to see Liam sitting closer to me, head in his hands. His shirt, still the same from earlier, is loosened, buttons undone at the top.

I blink away the hazy sleep from my eyes, and my heart crumples at the sight of him hunched over. The impossible need to reassure him makes my hand reach for his thigh.

He’s warm, the muscle flexing beneath my touch. He rips his head away from his hands, his gaze trailing down the side of my neck and disappearing even lower.

A sad smile slides slowly into place. “Hey.”

“Hi.” I smile back. “Everything okay?” I sit up, tucking my hands under myself to keep from touching him.

“I have to go to the establishment tonight. Darrin invited Raven. Adam is going to be there.” He sighs. “It’s a long, complicated thing, but I wanted to let you know before I left.”

Slightly crushed, I move toward him, brushing back some slackened hair for the briefest of moments.

The last thing I want tonight is to be without Liam. Plus, his slumped posture and downturned mouth at the mention of leaving for the night leads me to believe he’s having a hard time with his call there.

“What’s wrong?”

He drags his tattooed fingers over his face, scratching at the facial hair that liquifies my insides.

“Adam. He’s working for Raven. Apparently, everything I’ve done to keep him away from this was for nothing.”

My stomach drops at his words.

“Liam, I’m so sorry,” I say as he stands, moving to the dresser to grab a fresh shirt.

I scramble off the bed, bare feet padding across the floor with a blanket draped over my shoulders. I approach him.

He looks down at me, flipping the shirt in his hand back and forth.

“Take me tonight.”

Liam practically loses the shirt. His eyes search mine. “Why?” he asks.

Okay? Valid question, I guess. I want to tell him that I love being near him. It’s irrelevant where that takes me. If he’s there, I want to be there too. This man has twisted me in knots and he’s the only one who can unravel me. I need to hold on to him—it’s all that matters.

I fist his shirt, the pads of my fingers burning as they graze the spot above his jeans. The smoothness of his chiseled stomach burns me to my core, and he hisses with the simplest touch.

“Because I don’t want you there alone.”

Liam pulls his truck into a small side street, one block from the establishment. Unlike last time, where he pulled right up to the back door.

Frankly, I’m shocked he let me come after my ridiculous argument. Clearly, he isn’t alone here. All the men he works with mill around these establishments along with the string of locals addicted to the high of hearing coins drop and placing bets.

That isn’t what I meant, though.

Lately, Liam seems more and more uncomfortable at the compound. He’s always looking over his shoulder and stress riddles his face most of the time. I’m not sure how to help him aside from encouraging him to leave, and after Adam threw all Liam’s done for him back in his face, I’m not sure why he wouldn’t.

The truck’s door groans when I open it and my jeans catch as I slide out. Most likely I’m dressed too casually for this place. Last time, the women wore outfits I’m pretty sure I lack the confidence to wear. But I’m here for Liam and truthfully, I only care about what he thinks.

Considering he watched me out of the corner of his eye the entire way here, I’d say my sheer black top with black racerback underneath is on his list of items he approves of.

Liam’s hand guides me as we walk the sidewalk, his palm settling into the dip on my back and I shiver.

“You cold?” he asks.

“No.” No, not at all. I’m burning up. I have half the mind to sniff under my arms at the amount of sweating, and it’s not the Mississippi heat this time.

Wind brushes against the back of my neck and it carries Liam’s scent straight to my nose, caressing it to drive me wild. Mother Nature is out to get me. I swear I’ll be a sweat-dripping, feral mess by the time I walk through these doors.

What is wrong with me? I’ve never craved a man like I do Liam and the fact he’s not touching me much is driving me insane.

The last thing I want to be is a needy burden to him tonight, but I need this man like I need air conditioning in the Southern summer.

When the door opens, the sound of glass clinking and gaming chips tickles my ears, and Liam automatically drags me through the floor to find Darrin and his crew in the back. We slowly pass a poker table where Ruin’s sheriff winks at me and raises a glass of not so clear liquid in my direction. I wasn’t even sure he knew of me, but I guess he does. Jerk lied to my parents and gave them the runaround when they couldn’t get ahold of me. Someone needed to sweep the fire of my farmhouse under the magical rug.

I smirk back at him while breaking away from where Liam guides me, choosing to walk around their table. The players follow my movement, and when I get to the sheriff’s hand, I lean over his shoulder and loud enough for the whole table to hear I say, “Wow. Four kings. That’s good, right?”

Players at the table laugh, while some fold their hands immediately. The sheriff snorts while twisting his head to glare at me. The whiskey on his breath drives me back.

“Liam. Control your old lady.”

I waltz back to Liam with a grin on my face, but it falters when we hit the back seating area. The lights are turned low back here, giving us the perfect view of the well-lit floor like it’s a stage. Here for Darrin’s entertainment.

In a way, I guess they are. It’s all money rolling in.

But that’s not why my steps slow and my heart pounds. There, seated next to a man whose skin could very well have never seen the sun, is Adam.

His dark hair is long, straggly pieces jutting out each side and he’s leaned back in his chair, nursing a bottle of beer. His eyes find mine before dipping down to where Liam’s hand guides me to another leather chair. Most of the guys’ women sit on their laps as arm candy, and Liam sits, pulling me down.

I gasp when I hit his taut thighs, the sensitive friction of his jeans rubbing against me. He doesn’t look at Adam. Rather, his possessive hands splay wide across my hips, gripping me gently.

My eyes flick to the men around Darrin, all engaged in conversation with each other or shoving their tongues down their companions’ throats. Blitz licks his lips when he catches my perusal, and he bites the air in my direction.

I wrinkle my nose in disgust and lean back into Liam, feeling the weight of his chest behind me, sturdy and comforting. Liam’s body shakes a bit and when I turn to him, he’s chuckling.

“What?” I ask.

“Don’t let Blitz get to you,” he says, wiping his nose with his thumb.

“He almost killed me.”

Liam’s smile fades, his expression unmovable, stone-cold, and lethal.

“I’d never let him touch you, Fleur.” He snarls at his own words and wraps an arm around my waist, pulling me into him.

My heart catches in my throat at his husky timbre, and my eyelids are suddenly heavy at the press of my body melding into his. My backside nestled perfectly at his hips. The rough prickle of his beard drags along my neck as his warm breath skirts over my ear. “Trust me, Fleur.”

He kneads my thigh and I’m desperate for a drink, mouth completely parched. I ache everywhere but couldn’t tell you where I need his hands the most.

Roe, the girl I managed to help out during the attack, is a couple chairs down, taking orders for drinks, and I find myself tapping my knee, impatiently waiting for something to suck down. When she gets to Raven, her body strikes a defensive tone.

I’m not privy to much compound information, but I’m genuinely curious as to why Raven is here.

Raven’s boots shuffle to the side after Roe finishes taking his order, and I startle to find him staring in my direction. He grins at me, perfectly straight and well-maintained teeth. Unlike Blitz and several of Darrin’s men.

“It’s Fleur, right?” he asks, holding my stare.

Naturally, I want to look away, at anywhere but at him. However, when I glance at the left of him, Adam’s glare is anything but friendly, and he holds a soured look with every sip of his drink. He rounds his lips in slow motion, taking swig after swig from his bottle.

I quickly glance away. “Yeah.”

“I know Darrin has a rule about going after a claimed woman, but I don’t have such a rule. If you’re ever in our territory, feel free to come say hello.”

Liam scoffs, and with his movement, I lose my balance and have to shift on his lap. I don’t miss his sharp intake of breath.

“I heard D made that rule for a certain someone. Didn’t exactly need to ever use it, huh?” Raven says.

Darrin stands, looking down at Raven, the depth of his irritation plastered all over his face. I turn away, Roe finally leaning down to ask me what I’d like to drink. At this point, anything strong should be my choice, but I glance around at the steady increase of drunken placed bets and stumbling women and end up telling her that water will be fine.

Darrin follows Roe down into the sea of tables and patrons, doling out high-fives and schmoozing with the bigger moneymen here.

Blitz takes up his spot of trying to intimidate Raven and his men, but after two or three drinks, a few women rubbing themselves all over him distract him, and I overhear one of the women asking for some Jackpot.

An hour passes, and Liam shifts underneath me to lean forward. “I’m going to check in with Darrin,” he says.

I bite at my bottom lip, nodding while I stand. Liam hovers over me, reaching up to cup behind my head and bringing me forward to plant a kiss to my forehead.

I blink several times, my body swaying with the hot brand in the center between my brows. I clench my stomach and fall back into his seat when he turns to weave through the gaming floor.

Losing sight of Liam, my heart picks up speed, and I find myself tearing at my unpolished nails while watching the town’s sheriff throw back his fifth drink in the last hour.

Being here is depressing with the realization that Ruin has no one looking out for the best interest of the town’s people.

Another twenty minutes pass and I shrink back even farther into the chair, uncomfortable with the topless women dancing beside Blitz.

A shadow looms over me, and when I glance up Adam moves to the empty seat next to me. “Hey,” he says.

I smile weakly.

“I’m surprised you’re not out there.” Adam tilts his head over to a few tables of all-women playing poker.

“I’m not big into gambling,” I say, and he chuckles.

I clench my jaw, exasperated by his cavalier attitude. “Why’d you do it? Why trade one debt for another?”

“Isn’t it obvious? For you.”

I narrow my eyes at him. I don’t buy it for one second. He was free of his debt. Liam made sure of that. And he made sure I was safe. There’s zero reason why Adam would need to accept money from Raven unless he wanted to. Because it benefited him.

“Adam, I?—”

“What is it, Fleur? With Liam it’s acceptable he’s wrapped in this drug trade, but when I get involved you look down on me … Is that it?”

There has been a draw to Liam since day one, even before I knew who he was. I’m not sure I can explain my feelings for Liam, especially to his brother, who is clearly irate about this forced marriage.

But that’s the thing …

I’m not forcing it anymore. I want him. All of him, regardless of his associations. Deep down, Liam is loyal and willing to put everyone before himself and at his own expense.

More recently, I find myself less worried about getting out of this mess and more worried about what happens when I do.

“Liam’s a good man, Adam. I’m not going to try to pretend I know everything you’re going through or unpack the history between you two, but he saved my life, and I … I care about him.”

Adam curls his lip in disgust, eyes flicking above my head. Over my shoulder, Liam stands there, arms crossed with a scowl on his face. Adam rises, stepping toward Liam, brother against brother.

I wonder what went wrong. Is it his mother’s favoritism that drove this wedge? The disappearance of his sister thwarting the family’s dynamic?

The seconds tick by, the tension between them sucking the air out of the room before Adam snorts and guzzles the rest of his bottle. It slides from his grip and shatters on the floor by my feet.

I yelp, and Blitz shoves off the girl grinding on his lap and grabs Adam by his shirt. With a raised fist, Adam pulls back and punches Blitz. Liam attempts to grab his brother by the arms, but Adam dodges and turns to shove him, smacking hard against Liam’s chest.

“I’m out,” Adam says, motioning around him and turning to weave through the tables.

I buckle to the floor, attempting to clean up the broken bottle, but I’m yanked to my feet.

“Leave it, Fleur,” Liam grumbles. Then he softens his voice. “We’ll get someone to clean it up.” He grabs my hand and pulls me into him, his solid form engulfing me. His masculine scent making me weak in the knees.

He pulls me over to the bar area where a few vintage leather stools line the stainless-steel bar top, and he sits me down. The woman behind the bar gives me a glass of water, and she offers me a smile before flirting with some of the other men.

Liam leans into me and his presence overwhelms me.

“I’m sorry about?—”

“You care about me?”

We both say at the say time. I freeze, my brain working through how much of Adam’s and my conversation he heard. Better yet, why is that what’s on his mind after his brother stormed out of here.

“It’s not your fault, Fleur. Don’t apologize.”

I swallow, toying with the hem of his black shirt, wishing I could pull him closer to me. I’ve been forced to endure his proximity over the last seven weeks and my resolve is whittling down to nothing.

“I know you want better for Adam. I know?—”

Liam silences me with a finger to my lips. “I don’t want to talk about my brother.”

The rough pads of his fingers press gently to my mouth, and I fight the urge to taste him on my tongue. Another gulp. “W-what do you want to talk about?”

“Do you care for me, Fleur?”

Fidgeting, I chew on my lip, heart galloping in my chest. “More than you know.”

There, I said it. Laid it out on the table for him to do with it what he pleases. I never planned on this, especially not in this situation, but I won’t be afraid. If there’s anyone I want to risk a broken heart on, it’s Liam.

His hand finds my thigh and slides up, up, up until he’s hooked his deft finger through my belt loop. He’s so close, I’m able to map out the gold specks in his sea green eyes. I follow the lines from them down to the scruff of his chin, memorizing the outline of his face.

I need him and it’s crushing how deeply I’ve fallen for this man.

Breathing is impossible the longer he stares. I need air before I’m going to pass out. Scrambling, I fly off my seat, and push past Liam to bolt for the door.

“Fleur,” Liam demands.

The stool groans behind me, but I avoid turning around. Two steps from the door, a hulking figure in his leathers steps in front of me, blocking the crisp air outside. I practically whine in protest.

“I need to go—“ I start, but I’m cut off by the massive bald head shaking at me.

“Cole. Move.” Liam’s voice booms behind me, and I flinch as the man named Cole moves from the door. Without hesitation, I push the door wide, letting it bang into the side of the building with a loud thud.

“Fleur.” Liam tries again, but I press on, finding the thin strip of brick alleyway between two neighboring buildings, both of which look closed for the night. Streetlights illuminate the light fog settling over the area, and I inhale the rich air like I’m drowning.

Stumbling, I kick a fallen brick, nearly tripping, but a large hand envelops my elbow, keeping me upright.

“Fleur, please.”

I spin, eyes surely wild with desire but dosed with guilt and shame. “I need air.”

Is it wrong to be feeling this with how we were brought together?

I’m panting heavily, and Liam approaches me, eyes roving over my heaving chest and dipping down to where his hands were glued to my hips inside.

Liam reaches for me, hand on my cheek. He’s so gentle. The big, powerful male cradles my head as if it’s the most breakable thing he’s ever held. “I care about you too, Fleur. More than you know.”

He parrots my words and I melt. The night is quiet aside from the soft chatter coming from the establishment around the corner. Without a word, I press up on my toes and touch my lips to his mouth.

I shudder at the contact, and I’m swept away instantly in the feel of him. Hands prob at my back, pulling me closer as he deepens the kiss. I drag my tongue across his lips, tasting him and he opens, thrusting his tongue in my mouth. Sparks weaponize my body, and I tug and pull at him as I fist his shirt.

More contact. More, my body seems to chant on top of the thrumming beneath my skin.

Liam pulls away, eyes holding my lips in his sight before glancing around him and where we are.

Dark red brick is behind me, worn and faded from age, and an air conditioner unit is tucked into the window behind Liam. The lighting is faint, but that doesn’t stop me from reaching for him, frustrated with his restraint. Afraid he’s going to stop, I plead, “I want this, I want you.”

“I’m not going to take you against a building.”

“Stop treating me like a wilting flower.”

He smirks. “Isn’t that the literal translation for your name?”

I roll my eyes and respond by dragging my hands up, slowly unbuttoning my shirt with my trembling fingers. Liam’s eyes follow each released button, then widen as I shrug off the scratchy fabric. The cool brick behind me barely assuages the burning on my skin. Each nerve ending is on fire. Every twitch in his jaw, every sidestep of his feet—I catch it all, needing it. Needing him.

Stepping into me, he reaches for my shirt. “Put this back on,” he says as he attempts to rebutton my shirt. I bat his hand away, but he tries again. Hands fumbling, he shakes as he sneaks a glance down my torso. I smack his hand away harder and push him, growling in frustration.

“Where’s the feeling you promised me, huh?” I shove at him again, tears welling in my eyes for absolutely no reason except I want this man with everything I have. It hurts. “What about pain? Pleasure?”

“Fleur, stop. This?—”

“Where is it?” I move my hands to the button of my jeans, flicking it open.

Liam’s nostrils flare and he steps back into me, capturing one of my wrists and slamming it above me. Thick fingers move to thread between both of mine, pressing them beside my head on either side.

I gasp as my head rolls back to settle on the wall. His mouth hovers to the side of my chin, and the warmth of his breath tickles my ear as it skirts over the shell. I close my eyes, letting my other senses take over.

Trying to swallow the dryness in my mouth, my tongue darts out to lick my lips, and I hear him hiss. With one hand, the other still pressing mine to the wall, he drags his fingers down over my bare stomach. The gentle touch sends me into a frenzy, and I buck, needing more of his stroking hands. He dips a finger to the undone button of my jeans, tickling and teasing the spot between them.

“There’s no turning back from this, wife .” He moves a thumb over my empty wrist.

I haven’t worn the rubber bands since he cut them off a few weeks ago. The only thing that remains is the horseshoe, marking me as Darrin’s. It’s more than that, though—this mark means I’m also his . Liam’s.

My core clenches at the thought.

I peer up at him, eyes heavy. There’s no second-guessing this. There’s not a single reason to stop. I trust Liam and everything he is.

Reaching up, I pull the tie from his hair, letting it fall around his heaving shoulders. Worried lines extend from his burning eyes, so deep I can almost trace them. For a second, I’m concerned he’s second-guessing this. Us.

“Liam …” I whimper, and that’s all it takes.

His mouth crashes to mine, while his free hand cradles my chin, angling it for better access. He brushes the seam of my lips, and I open for him this time, tasting the beer he was sipping minutes ago.

I run my hand down his back, sculpted muscle tensing as he struggles to maintain control. But I want him out of control. Flutters erupt in my belly as he presses into me, and I gasp, gripping his shirt tight.

I might explode. I need …

“More,” I plead.

He drops my pinned hand, and I immediately go for his belt, clawing at it while Liam drags his teeth over my now exposed shoulder. He nips and teases, making it impossible to focus. I’m trembling, but I’ve never been so sure of something.

The portfolio of Liam’s drawings flips through my mind. The moments he recorded me in his life, needing to commit the memory on paper. Well, I want this one. I never want to forget this. This moment of time in the darkened alleyway. Escaping from the sinister world around us and wholly giving in to each other. It’s intrinsic and delicious—I never want it to end.

“I want you to draw this.” I moan as he licks and squeezes my flesh. “Us. Together. Here.”

He slows, pulling back just enough to read my face, and I chew my lip. He nods, lost in a haze of primal drive. I smile, leaning in to kiss him again and pulling at his bottom lip.

It isn’t long before Liam has me, writhing completely and utterly at his mercy. Minutes upon minutes of indescribable pleasure that I never want to end. I never knew it could be like this. And with him, it’s passionate and ravaging. He focuses on each breath that catches in my throat, aiming to draw more and more from my lips.

“Fleur …” Liam whispers my name, and it’s such a high, the only drug I’ll ever be addicted to is him. He growls my name again, and we fall together.