Page 35 of Liam (The Valeur Billionaires #4)

Chapter Twenty-Two

ALERIA

I 'm curled up on my couch, staring at my phone for the hundredth time today. It's been days since I last saw Liam, and doubt has been gnawing at me, whispering that he's had time to rethink us. To realize that what we have is too much, too fast.

It's college all over again. Me, falling too hard. Him, having bigger priorities than the awkward physics girl.

A knock at the door makes me jump. My heart stutters as I pad across the apartment, not daring to hope.

I yank the door open, and there he is. Handsome, standing in jeans that cling to his hips, a casual button-down that does nothing to hide the strength beneath. His eyes lock onto mine, and I can’t take it anymore.

I don’t even give him a chance to speak. Grabbing his shirt, I pull him down to me, crashing my lips to his with a force that knocks the air from my lungs. The kiss is messy, frantic, all teeth and desperation, and his response only fuels the fire raging inside me.

His hands are on me, rough and demanding, and before I know it, he slams me back against the door with a solid thud , pinning me there as his mouth devours mine.

The impact steals a gasp from me, but I don’t care. I grip the back of his neck, pulling him closer, needing more, needing all of him. His knee presses between my thighs and the tension that’s been simmering for days ignites into something uncontrollable.

A door creaks open.

“Hey, can you keep it dow?—”

We freeze, both of us panting, turning our heads toward the voice. My neighbor, an elderly woman in a robe, stands in the hallway, blinking at us, wide-eyed.

Liam’s chest heaves as he pulls back, his lips swollen, his fingers still gripping my leg. “Sorry,” he mumbles, his voice thick.

I stifle a laugh, biting my lip. “Sorry,” I echo.

We both turn to the door, and with one swift move, Liam slams it shut, sealing us in my apartment.

A second later, his mouth is on mine again, the kiss even more heated, more desperate, like the interruption never happened.

His hands roam my body with renewed urgency, and all I can think is I need more .

We break apart, both breathless. Liam quirks an eyebrow. “Not that I’m complaining, but what was that for?”

My cheeks heat. “I was afraid you’d maybe changed your mind. About us.”

Liam’s expression softens. He cups my face in his hands, his touch gentle. “Never,” he says. “I’m sorry I’ve been so busy. Work’s been crazy, especially with all the changes that need to be done, but that’s no excuse. I’ve missed you.”

“I’ve missed you too,” I admit.

A mischievous grin spreads across his face. “Well, Dr. James, it just so happens that I’ve cleared my schedule for the entire weekend. What do you say we make up for lost time?”

My mind leaps to all the ways we could do just that. His body pressed against mine again, his hands roaming... I bite my lip, heat pooling low in my stomach. “What did you have in mind, Mr. Valeur?”

His grin deepens, but there’s something more in his eyes now—something teasing, playful, and wicked. “It’s a surprise,” he says, stepping back as his gaze sweeps over me, the tension still thick. “But I promise, you’ll like it.”

I let out a shaky breath, hoping for something more immediate, more intimate. “A surprise?”

He nods. “Yes. So, grab a jacket and let’s go.”

I blink. Wait… Go? “Go where?”

“You’ll see.” He turns toward the door with a smirk, leaving me with more questions than answers.

“Now?” I glance down at myself. “I need to get dressed first.”

He steps aside. “Make it quick, or I might change my mind.”

Rolling my eyes, I hurry toward my bedroom and pull out my makeup bag.

As I rummage through it, I spot the sponge.

I bought it on impulse last week, and while I haven’t tried it yet, now seems like as good a time as any.

Pulling it out, I cringe at the absurdity of the shape—a makeup applicator shaped like a dick.

The beauty influencer swore by it, though, saying it left no streak marks, and hey, for sixty dollars, it had better work magic.

I dab it against my face, careful to blend the foundation around my cheeks and forehead, when I hear Liam enter the room. His footsteps freeze behind me, and I glance at him through the mirror.

“What the hell are you doing?”

“I’m applying makeup,” I say, as if it’s the most obvious thing in the world. “I saw it in a video. Supposed to be this new, advanced technique that leaves no streak marks.”

Liam’s eyes narrow as he takes in the sponge, and his lips twitch as if he’s fighting a laugh. “You paid for that ?”

I give him a look, snatch it back and begin patting my face with it again. “It’s revolutionary. That’s what they said, anyway.”

He leans against the doorway, arms crossed, watching me with a smirk that only grows wider. “If you want a cock to slap your face, I can do it for you for free.”

I freeze mid-dab, turning to face him. “But will it leave no streak marks?”

He bursts out laughing, a deep, rich sound that fills the room. “I guess we could find out.”

Heat pools low in my stomach, and I picture him holding back a groan. I’m on my knees, looking up at Liam, his tall frame towering above me, that familiar cocky smirk playing on his lips.

He’s holding my chin in one hand, his thumb brushing my bottom lip as he watches me.

There’s that glint in his eyes—predatory, possessive.

I’m right where he wants me. His other hand grips his cock, already hard, the tip brushing against my cheek, making me gasp.

It’s not gentle. Not teasing. It’s commanding.

I close my eyes for a second, picturing how it would feel—the heavy weight of him slapping against my face, leaving a trail of heat and arousal on my skin. I’d moan at the contact, and his low growl of satisfaction would rumble above me.

The sharp stings of each deliberate slap, alternating between the roughness of the moment and the tenderness I crave, would blur the line between pleasure and punishment.

He’d be watching me the whole time, his eyes burning with lust, making me feel so small, so owned—and God, I’d love every second.

His fingers would thread into my hair, tugging just enough to make me gasp, pulling my head back, forcing me to meet his eyes again. “Look at me,” he’d say, his voice rough, almost a command. And I would. I’d meet his gaze, breathless, trembling, aching for more. So much more.

The fantasy twists deeper, heat pooling in my core. My lips would part, my tongue teasing the tip of him before he pushes inside, filling my mouth until there was no room for anything but him.

I bite my lip, trying to shake the thought as my pulse races. But the image clings to me, making it impossible to focus on anything else. The room feels hotter, my skin flushed.

Liam shifts at the door, raising an eyebrow at me, and it takes everything in me not to just drop to my knees right now and make that fantasy a reality.

“You seem distracted, Dr. James. Something on your mind?”

I blink, snapping back to the present, my cheeks burning. I can’t help but smirk as I meet his gaze in the mirror. He has no idea what’s running through my head right now.

Then again, the way his eyes darken… Maybe he does .

I force a laugh, trying to sound casual, but my voice comes out breathless as I say, “Just thinking about my makeup.”

Shaking my head, I turn back to the mirror and give my face one last dab for good measure before tossing the sponge aside.

I change into something casual but nice, dark jeans and a flowy silk blouse to match Liam’s casual elegance and reach for my jacket, still feeling the warmth of Liam’s gaze on me. When I look back at him, his eyes are dark, full of promises that make my pulse race.

“Ready?” His voice is low, teasing, but there’s an edge of anticipation in it, like he’s just as impatient as I am to see what comes next.

I nod. “Let’s see what you’ve got planned, Mr. Valeur.”

Twenty minutes later, the car rolls to a stop in front of what looks like an abandoned warehouse. I shoot Liam a skeptical look, raising an eyebrow. “If this is your idea of a romantic date, we might need to recalibrate your parameters.”

He just grins, unbothered. “Trust me.”

We step through the rusted doors, and the cold, industrial exterior dissolves into something magical.

Soft, twinkling lights bathe the inside, casting a golden glow over everything.

The massive space has been transformed into an intimate concert venue, with a small stage at the far end draped in shimmering curtains.

There’s a sense of exclusivity in the air, a secret world we’ve just stepped into.

I gasp. “Liam... What is this? ”

He watches me with a smug grin, clearly pleased with himself. “Just a little something I thought you’d like.”

Before I can ask more, the lights dim further, and a single spotlight illuminates the stage. A familiar chord fills the air, the first few notes stirring something deep inside me.

I freeze, my heart pounding as I recognize the sound. My favorite pop band walks onto the stage, guitars in hand, tuning up.

“You didn’t,” I whisper. “You got them?”

Liam shrugs, but his grin widens. “I might have pulled a few strings.”

The music swells, washing over us, filling every corner of the space. It’s overwhelming in the best way—like a dream brought to life. My heart flutters, and I can’t stop the smile from spreading across my face.

I close my eyes for a moment, letting the music take over, feeling the thrum of the bass in my chest, the perfect harmony of the instruments. The acoustics are pristine, the sound wrapping around us like a warm embrace.