Consumed (13 page)

“Where are we going?” I ask peering out of the small walk in. He's standing in front of the window, arms crossed in front of his chest. The way the light hits him through the window makes him look other worldly. He has to be the most gorgeous creature ever created and here he is, standing in the middle of my bedroom waiting for me. I can't help but feel extremely flattered. He could be with any woman he wants and yet he chose to be here with me. That has to mean something right?

“You don't really expect for me to tell you do you?” He answers, turning from his position in front of the window to face me. I was so taken by his appearance I totally forgot I was waiting for an answer.

“Well I need to know what to wear.” I say. Quickly observing his casual attire. I look him up and down, lingering a little to long on his muscular chest and defined arms. He clears his throat, clearly amused that he's caught me ogling him. “Jeans, got it.” I say quickly turning back around and rummaging through my clothes.

I decide on a pair of stone wash jeans and white top. I make sure he's not looking as I quickly slip in and out of my clothes. Once dressed, I make my way across the hall to brush my teeth. When I catch sight of myself in the mirror I can't help but cringe. My eyes are still a little swollen from last nights crying fest and all traces of makeup are completely gone.

I get to work immediately. Once my teeth are brushed and enough make up is applied to make me feel half human, I run a quick flat iron through my hair and decide it's the best it's going to get.

I re-enter the room to find Liam has not left the spot where I left him. Though he turns as soon as he hears me. “Sorry.” I say gesturing to myself. “You didn't give me much time.”

“You're perfect.” He says closing the gap between us in two long strides. He reaches out and takes both of my hands in his, his eyes burning deeply into mine. “After you left last night, I vowed to make it right with you. I realize that you are hesitant to become involved with someone, especially after that ass hat at the bar. I know that's why you keep running from me. You're scared. But let me let you in on a little secret. I'm scared too.” He says, the last part coming out only as a whisper against my cheek as he lowers his face to mine. He brushes his lips against mine ever so gently before pulling away.

“We don't even know each other. Does this not seem strange to you?” I ask.

“You're right, we don't. Which is why I think we should remedy that issue. I may not know you Addison, but I want to know you. More than anything I have wanted in a very long time.” He says, brushing the back of his hand down my cheek.

“Me too.” I say so weakly I wonder if he even heard me. He puts his hand under my chin and tilts my head upwards, forcing me to look at him.

“Give me today, that's all I ask. I know you think I'm bad news, it's written all over your face. Let me at least try to change your mind. If at the end of the day you feel no differently about me or my intentions then I will let you walk away. I won't bother you anymore, I won't chase you. No more flowers, no more phone calls.” The sincerity in his voice soothes away all of my concerns.

The heat of my flesh and the rapid beating of my heart tells me exactly where we will stand at the end of the day. I can't see anything he would do today that would change my mind or my heart for that matter. I'm sure it will only make me want him more. I am drawn to him in a very unexplainable and unchangeable way. It's about time I stop fighting it and start embracing it.

“Okay.” I answer again, my voice shaky and weak.

He takes my hand and leads me out of my bedroom. As we make our way through the living room, Kristina perks up on her stool in the kitchen, her eyes wide, her grin mischievous. “You are in so much trouble.” I mouth to her knowing that Liam can't hear. “I'll be home later.” I call out on a wave as Liam leads me from the apartment.

I don't miss the nod he throws Kristina's direction and for a split second I have the sneaking suspicion that she was somehow in on his surprise appearance. I don't linger on the thought long. The nervousness of what the day will hold taking priority.

As we step out into the beautiful May heat, I know one thing is for sure. Today will either be the best day of my life or the day I say goodbye to the one man I can't imagine living without.

––––––––

L
iam leads me to the curb where a very sporty red motorcycle sits. He bends down retrieving two helmets that were sitting next to the bike and holds one out to me. Instantly my stomach goes sour. “Oh no, you're not getting me on that thing.” I say taking a step backwards.

“Oh no you don't.” He says, grabbing my arm before I have a chance to get away. “I'm guessing you have never been on a motorcycle before?”

“No and it's certainly not on my bucket list, that's for sure.” I grind out trying to make my point perfectly clear.

“You'll be safe with me.” He says pulling me into him so that we stand only inches apart. I look up to find him staring down at me, an excited gleam in his eye. “Trust me?” He asks with a look so sweet I think my heart will beat out of my chest.

“I... I don't think I can do it. I'm sorry.” I say shaking my head.

“Addison, do you really believe that I would do anything to put you in danger? I promise you that you will be safe with me. I'll go easy. Promise.” He says again to reiterate his point.

As much as I want to stand here and refuse, something about the way he's reassuring me, the look in his eyes, I know deep down he would not let anything happen to me. Even still that doesn't calm the nerves raging inside me. I'm scared. And not just a little bit. I am down right petrified.

He gives me a wink, and lifts one of the helmets, sliding it gently over my head. Deciding to just go with it, I let him. He reaches through the opening in the helmet to brush my hair from my face and then slides the plastic piece closed before securing the strap under my chin.

When he's satisfied that I'm good, he slides his own helmet on and climbs onto the bike. I stand for a moment rooted to the spot. He reaches his hand for me. “I promise.” He says again. Even though I am still fearful, my heart out wins my mind and I carefully climb on to the back of the bike. I scoot down into the seat, my body securely pressed against his.

He turns the key and the motorcycle rumbles to life. The engine sending a light vibration through my whole body. This does nothing for my nerves and I quickly wrap my arms around him, securing my hands at his chest. I bury my face in his back and squeeze my eyes tightly closed. I really can not believe I am doing this.

The minute the bike roars out into the road, I cling even tighter to him, so tight in fact it's almost painful but it makes me feel more secure. I can feel his body quake with laughter but he stays focused on the road.

After a couple of minutes of cruising through the Saturday afternoon traffic, I pull my face back and slowly open my eyes. We are going much faster than I realized and instantly I hug him tighter. I manage to find the courage to keep my eyes open. It's so different than traveling in a car, the wind is fierce and there is nothing shielding me from the other vehicles.

The thought both frightens and excites me. Because despite my fear this is actually pretty enjoyable. I can feel myself relax more and more as we drive. I have no idea where he's taking me or what is in store for me once we get there, but I would be lying if I said I wasn't excited.

I can't really process where we are or if I have ever been to this part of the city before. He veers to the right, pulling the bike into a large plaza with a huge parking lot. He pulls into a spot in the back of the lot and kills the engine.

“You okay back there.” He jokes when I don't release my grip on him.

“I think I'm stuck.” I say. My body feels paralyzed from the trip and hasn't quite caught up the fact that we have stopped.

I can hear him laugh as he shifts his position, loosening my grip on him in the process. I let my hands drop as he maneuvers around me to climb off the bike. He slips off his helmet and hangs it on the handlebars before turning back to me.

His messy hair and boyish grin make every ounce of my body clench up. He literally takes my breath away. He takes a step towards me, positioning his hands under my arm pits. “Up you go.” He says lifting me from the bike with virtually no effort at all and placing me on my feet.

My shaking hands fumble with the helmet strap but he doesn't let me try for long. “Here let me.” He says, unbuckling the strap and pulling the helmet gently off my head.

“Thank you.” I say, running my fingers through my hair which I am sure looks an absolute mess at the moment.

“You ready?” He says taking my helmet from me and hanging it on the other side of the handlebars. For the first time since arriving I take a moment to look around.

“GameWorks?” I ask on a laugh. Certainly he is not taking me to an arcade of all places. Not that I don't love arcades. I just have not been to one in years.

“Don't look at me like that.” He says before grabbing my hand and pulling me along with him. “Everyone loves this place.”

“I don't doubt that. It's just.... well surprising I guess. I thought you would have had something much more elaborate planned given the fact that you gave me pretty much no choice about today.” I say clearly just joking with him.

“This is only stop one, don't get your panties in a twist just yet. When I said give me today, I meant all of today. You are mine until midnight.”

“Why midnight? Don't want me to see you turn into a pumpkin?” I joke. He gives me a mocking laugh and then stops just before the entrance, pulling me close to him.

“So she's a comedian now?” He breathes, dipping down to place a small kiss to the corner of my mouth. The second the contact is made, I lose my breath. This man is going to kill me.

He reaches out opening the door for me and ushers me in, his hand once again falling to the small of my back as he guides me. I falter the moment we walk through the door. Holy crap, this is the biggest arcade I have ever seen. Every wall is lined with games, from basketball to squirt gun horse races, to shooting games and any other type of game you could possibly think of. A brightly lit restaurant with televisions lining the walls sits off to the right and to my left there is a billiards room with at least twenty pool tables.

Liam guides me through the crowded lobby to the main entrance of the restaurant. “Hungry?” He asks. I nod, obviously he knows I have not eaten today. “They have really good food here. Nothing fancy, just good old fashioned hamburgers.”

“A hamburger sounds amazing.” I say as we walk through the open restaurant and seat ourselves in a booth along the back wall. It doesn't take long for a waitress to get our orders and we make small chit chat while waiting for our food.

Even the smallest conversation with Liam is captivating. I want to know everything about this man. I hang on to his every word through lunch. Doing my best to not let my nerves get the better of me when he asks me a question or pauses for a response from me.

A half hour later I have recuperated from my first motorcycle experience and am stuffed full with probably one of the best burgers I have ever eaten. We make our way into the arcade hand in hand. It feels so good to be with him like this. No pressure, no expectations, just us. Two normal people enjoying each others company. It feels good, it feels right.

We spend a good two hours playing almost every game. He officially killed me at basketball but in all fairness I was too busy watching him to really care if any of my balls went into the basket. Air hockey was a different story and I beat him three times in a row without even really trying. I can't help but feel like he may have taken it easy on me but I choose to believe I am just that good.

I can't remember the last time I enjoyed myself so much. We laughed and joked the entire time. He would find every excuse he could to touch me. Whether it be holding my hand or touching my back, my arms, my hair. His hands were on me in some way nearly the entire time.

“Where to next?” I ask as we make our way through the parking lot.

“You'll find out when we get there.” He says giving me a wink. I wrinkle my nose up at him letting him know I don't like his answer as he once again slips my helmet on and secures it.

The second time on the motorcycle isn't as bad as the first. I find myself clinging to Liam just as tightly but I know that it has more to do with being close to him and not the fear of being on the motorcycle.

This time we drive much further. Even leaving the city at some point. Resting my head on Liam's back, I close my eyes and just enjoy being with him, the closeness that I feel in this moment. I swear right now I would go anywhere with this man.

I peek my eyes open and blink rapidly to right my vision when I feel the bike coming to a stop. I realize almost instantly where we are and I am more than a little excited.

“Hoover dam!” I say from behind him as he kills the engine of the bike. This time I don't wait for him to help me. I slide to one side and lift my leg over the back, carefully stepping to the ground.

I pull the helmet off and take a few steps forward taking in the scenery from afar. I have always wanted to come here, did he know this? I don't hear him approach from behind me until his arms slide around my waist and pull my backside firmly into his front. “You ready?” He breathes in my ear causing the uncontrollable ache in my belly to return full force. I nod unable to form words at the moment.

We stand at the top of the dam talking for a good hour. He tells me all about the history of the dam. How it was built under President Roosevelt and named after President Hoover. I can't help but find myself staring at him in complete amazement. I don't know why but I never expected him to be so educated. Now not only do I find myself in awe of his appearance but of his mind as well.

By the time we make our way back to our parking spot, the sun has begun to set. A sadness sweeps through me that the day will be over before too long. As if sensing my sadness, Liam turns to face me before I can get my helmet on. He reaches out trailing the back of his hand down my cheek.