Vow of Retribution Page 8

  I give him the first excuse that comes to mind, hoping he buys it. I’m pretty good at evading the truth. “I’m a young, single woman. A home is such a personal space. I want to be smart about who I allow into that space.”

  Liam nods. “Can’t argue with that.” He pulls me closer to his side as we fall into a natural silence. I allow him to snuggle me into his warmth. I haven’t felt this way in a very long time. A man hasn’t touched me in years, and it’s been even longer since I felt safe wrapped in a man’s arms.

  His fingers are running up and down my arms. A heady feeling runs through me. I shift, turning so I can wrap an arm around his middle. I feel his abs underneath his button-down shirt. He takes my leg and settles it over his thigh. I’m wrapped around him now. The slit in my dress is baring my thigh. I hear a rumble in his chest, I look up at him. He’s staring down at my leg when he looks at me, his brown eyes have melted into a warm chocolate. His hand comes to the back of my head, pulling my hair slightly to tip my face upward.

  Liam bends his head, hovering his lips just out of reach from mine. My nipples harden in anticipation, and my tongue darts out to wet my bottom lip. A small smile appears on his lips. That damn smile causes a slickness between my thighs. His mouth moves millimeters, his breath fanning my face. Our lips touch. I try my hardest not to whimper, but it escapes. At my sound, his lips crash on top of mine. Finally.

  Liam’s tongue demands entrance into my mouth; I open without hesitation. A sultry dance begins with our caress. He breaks the kiss, and I’m gasping for air. Liam’s forehead falls to mine, our chests heaving. He kisses me deeply once more. Twice more. Three times. On the fourth, I weave my fingers through his hair, holding him there. This time, I seek entrance into his mouth. He sucks my tongue. I break away, kissing his lips.

  I look up into his eyes—a burning desire reflecting toward me. “Wow,” I whisper.

  “Understatement, babe. Fucking understatement.” He leans back into the seat, looking up at the roof of the car. His hand rubs over his face, muttering. I can't make out with he's saying, but I hear "sexy mouth" and "destroy me." I smile to myself, knowing he's trying to control himself and that I'm not the only one affected.

  He jostles me back into a cuddling position. His arm is low around my waist, his hand just above my ass. I squeeze my thighs together, trying to lessen the pressure that built during our kiss. Liam doesn't miss it. His hand tightens on my hips, and he leans down to whisper in my ear, "If you keep doing that, I won't be able to control myself."

  I bite my bottom lip, trying suppress a grin. Part of me wanted to hop on top of him and climb him like a tree, but I was also terrified of everything I'm feeling and wanting. I think Liam broke the kiss because he can sense my hesitation.

  Neither one of us noticed that the movie started during our makeout session. I try to lose myself in the comedy, but my mind is waging war on itself. My fingers are so close to slipping under the gap between buttons, and I'm aching to feel Liam's warm skin beneath his shirt. My head is yelling at me to slow down and be cautious.

  The hand on my hip tracing patterns isn't helping, not while knowing that if I just adjusted myself, he'd be cupping my ass. And, I want that. His hand that has been resting on the other side of him comes to my cheek.

  "I can hear your brain working. What's going on? Am I making you uncomfortable holding you like this?"

  I open my mouth to tell him that I'm fine, but instead I end up saying, "I want to kiss again."

  "Thank fuck for that. I've been dying to taste your sweet lips again since the second we broke apart." His hand strokes my cheek. A fire lights in his eyes that zings straight to my core. A moan escapes my lips when he brings his lips back to mine. He slips his tongue into my mouth, tasting me, devouring me. Quickly, our kiss becomes frenzied and passionate.

  Liam pulls my leg to the other side of his hip, making me straddle him. I cry out when my core meets his hard bulge under his jeans. The satin of my thong rubs against my clit in a sensual way when I rock my hips on top of him. He has a hand buried in my hair and the other on my ass. His grip squeezes me, causing him to rock against me.

  He circles the shell of my ear, his teeth biting my lobe. I grind harder against him when he sucks on my neck. My peaked nipples are showing through the fabric of my dress. The hand in my hair leaves its spot to brush over one of my stiff peaks. The hand on my ass moves to the thigh that is bared from the slit in my dress.

  "This fucking dress," he whispers into my skin. "I want to tug the sweet bow that is binding it together, open it like a present."

  I whimper in response. I wouldn't let him open my dress. I wouldn't let him see what’s underneath. He bites my earlobe. "Not tonight, though. The first time I have you isn't going to be in my Jeep." I should look around to see if anyone has noticed us. The dark night sky and tint on the windows is the only thing keeping us hidden. This is unlike me, but I can’t stop. I’m drowning in my own desire for him. He’s too tempting for me to care about the cars around us.

  I send up a silent thanks that I don’t have to explain why I won’t take off my top.

  His fingers are rolling one nipple, and he is sucking the other through the fabric of my dress. I cry out, wanting more. I rock onto his hard, thick cock, seeking more pressure on my clit. I’m so close to combusting from these simple touches. I’m sure I’m leaving a wet spot on his jeans. His hand squeezes my thigh, a gentle warning that he’s going for more.

  I lift his head from my breast that I’ve been shamelessly pushing farther into his mouth. I crush my lips to his, wanting his warm tongue to tangle with mine. He doesn’t hesitate, meeting me stroke for stroke, seeking more. His finger runs along the seam of my thong then up the center of me.

  “You’re soaked. I can feel how wet you are.” He groans when he slips his finger inside my panties, playing with my slit. His fingers open me. His knuckle runs down to my opening where he sticks the tip of his finger inside. “Fuck, baby.”

  “More,” I plead, rocking my hips, begging him to go farther in. He doesn’t disappoint. He spears me with his finger in slow, measured strokes. He adds another finger. I cry out, so close to the edge. His fingers curl, hitting my g-spot at the same time he presses his thumb to my clit, rubbing in small, tight circles.

  “Come for me, Savannah. Look at me. I want to see you.”

  I hadn’t realized my head was back with my eyes closed. I find his eyes, his fingers working faster, hitting that hidden place with each thrust. I’m rocking down on his hand, moaning and writhing, chasing a release I haven’t experienced with a man in years.

  “Fuck,” Liam breathes. “I feel your pussy clenching my fingers. Give it to me, Savannah. Come for me. Let me see you.” He increases pressure on my clit, fingers curling into my g-spot hitting it again and again, his other hand squeezing my nipple. I explode from each sensation hitting my body. I cry out his name. He doesn’t pull his fingers from me until I collapse on his chest after every possible wave of orgasm washes through me.

  He holds me close, breathing hard. “That was stunning, baby. You almost made me into a teenage boy again. I swear I could have come just from watching you ride my hand and moan my name.”

  My cheeks flush with embarrassment now that the moment has passed. I haven’t done that in so long. I’ve definitely never done that on a first date or in a public setting. I close my eyes, wondering what I’ve just done, scared this is all he will want from me now. I try to pull away from him, but he doesn’t let me go.

  “Turn off your mind, sweetheart. That was amazing.” He kisses the top of my head. “Thank you for giving that to me. Don’t shy away from me now.”

  I don’t say anything, but I stop trying to pull away from him.

  “Look at me, Savannah.”

  I finally give him eyes. He cups my cheek in his hand, stroking it with his thumb. “That was so sexy and only made me want to get to know you more. I’ve had fun tonight.” He leans in and kisses me softly.


  “I have, too. But, um...” I trail off, nervous about my question.

  “What is it?”

  “What about you?” I can still feel a bulge underneath me in his pants. My hand moves its way down to his thigh. He grabs my hand, bringing it back to his chest. He chuckles softly and kisses my nose.

  “That’s all we’re doing tonight.”

  I kiss him once more, then snuggle into his chest, falling asleep to his heartbeat … feeling content and safe.

  14

  LIAM

  I wake up with a raging hard-on. I dreamed of Savannah’s face lost in pleasure on a loop last night. The entire night was great. The moment she opened the door in that sexy dress, I wanted to devour her. When a tiny bit of sauce was left on her lip from her food, I wanted to suckle it off and then move down her body, kissing every damn inch of her. I squeeze my cock, giving it a few hard tugs trying to release some of the built-up pressure.

  Savannah fell asleep on me after her orgasm last night. I held her through the entire second movie, listening to her breathe, hanging somewhere between heaven and hell. Heaven—I had this beautiful girl whom I’ve been salivating for since the moment I saw her. Hell—that I was holding this beautiful girl with a bad case of blue balls.

  After waking her up, we kissed until we were the last car in the field. I held her against her front door, kissing her until she was breathless. When I pulled away, Savannah’s already plush lips were swollen and pouty. I sucked her lips and played with her nipples until she agreed to a second date—today.

  I hopped in an ice-cold shower when I got home. I didn’t want to take it any further last night. I know she is hiding things from me. I’m not going to push her on it. Yet. I’ll have to earn that trust, but until then, I’m not going to risk losing her to a stupid mistake. It would be a mistake if I followed the wrong head.

  I look out the window, seeing it’s a perfect day for what I’ve planned. But first, I need to work out some energy.

  I grab my gym bag and head to my Jeep. My steps falter as soon as I step out of my house. The front tire on the driver’s side is completely flat. I walk over to it to inspect it closer. There is a small knife wedged into the tire. I step out to the street, looking up and down, but the neighborhood is quiet, as usual. Something in my gut tells me this is intentional.

  I take my phone out of my pocket, dialing a number. “Hey, brother,” Hudson answers on the second ring.

  “Hey. I need a favor.”

  “What’s going on?”

  “Some asshole stuck a knife in one of my tires. I need a ride to a shop so I can buy a tire. I don’t have a spare for the set I bought and haven’t had a chance to go pick up a spare.”

  “Shit, man. I’m at Raise the Bar right now. It’s across from the shop. Text me what you need, and I’ll bring it over. No sense coming to get you when I’m right here.”

  “Appreciate it, man.”

  I hit the pavement for a run. It’s not my ideal workout, but it will do in a pinch. My mind races as my feet hit the pavement. I think about each person I’ve encountered since being back in town. Thinking about who knows where I live. I keep coming up blank. Maybe my gut is wrong, and it was just some neighborhood kids looking for trouble.

  When I get back home, I chug a bottle of water before flipping on the coffee machine. Hudson rings the bell a moment later. When I open the door, I find James with Hudson.

  “Hey, y’all. Thanks for helping.” I follow them back the driveway. James’ huge blacked-out SUV is parked behind my Jeep. He walks around the back of the SUV, opens the gate, and hauls the tire out. I take it from him and set it next to my Jeep.

  As I’m opening the garage to get what I need to change the tire, James asks, “Any ideas?” I turn back to him, seeing him kneeling by the tire, studying the knife.

  “Who did you piss off already?” Hudson laughs.

  I ignore him to answer James’ question. “No clue. My instincts tell me it’s intentional, especially since the blade was left in the tire. Feels like a taunt.”

  James nods his head. “I agree. Need help changing it?”

  “No, I’m good.”

  I use the jack to lift the Jeep, my mind still racing.

  “You don’t have a security system?” James asks as he stares at my roofline.

  Hudson shakes his head and points his thumb over at James. “This guy is so paranoid. I’m not saying a system isn’t a good idea, but he thinks every person he encounters is untrustworthy.”

  “And, you trust too much.” James fires right back. “You can’t trust anyone.”

  “What do you have at your place?” I ask James, ignoring Hudson’s ever-present everything-is-great attitude.

  “Cameras on the perimeter, door, window, and motion sensors. I can get you all the info so you can order it. When it arrives, I can help with the install.”

  “Thanks,” I say, slightly surprised. We’ve been getting along better, but I still think he is wary of me.

  He shrugs his shoulders. “If you’re going to be hanging around Savannah and she’s going to be here, I’d like to know you’ll keep her safe.”

  “Of course, I would.” I have to admit—even though we’ve only been on one date, the idea of Savannah being in my home warms something in my chest. I’d like to see her there, relaxed and in my space.

  After I finish changing the tire, we shoot the shit some more before they leave and I go inside to get ready for my date with Savannah. I told her I would pick her up around lunchtime. I don’t have too much time left to get everything I need.

  My mouth waters when Savannah opens the door. She’s wearing a light blue dress with thin straps, the dress stops at mid-thigh. My cock hardens as I think about sliding this dress up her body.

  “Is this okay? You said casual. You know if you told me what you have planned for these dates, it’d be a lot easier for me to get ready.”

  I pull her into me, kissing her deeply. My arms wrap around her body, one hand splayed just above the top curve of her ass and the other up the middle of her back to her neck. I tighten my hold, bringing her closer into our kiss. I move my head away from her lips slightly. “Hi, gorgeous.”

  “Liam.” She breathes out a sigh.

  “I love when you say my name like that.”

  I bring her in for another kiss, this one longer. I’m getting lost in her sweet scent and decadent mouth. I break the kiss again, nuzzling in her neck. I kiss her throat lightly then take a step back.

  Her face is flushed, eyes bright and excited, lips parted. I wish I could carry her into her house, straight to the bedroom, but I’m determined to show her I want more than that with her. With every woman that came before her, that’s what I would do—straight to a bed. I need more from Savannah.

  “Ready?”

  “Yep,” she says. “How was your morning?”

  “Well, when I walked out of my house this morning, I saw someone stabbed one of my tires, so I had to get that changed. Other than that, it was good—thinking about seeing you again today.”

  “Oh, my gosh! What happened? They stabbed it?”

  “Yeah, left the knife in it and everything. I’m not sure, but I’m hoping it was just some neighborhood kids looking for trouble.”

  She stops right before we get to my Jeep. I turn back to her, and she has a baffled expression on her face. Her head is cocked, eyes wide. She squints, points, opens her mouth to say something, but stops. She looks over at me like I’m slightly crazy.

  “Um, Liam...” She trails off again, still staring between my Jeep and me. “Did the person who stabbed your tire also take the roof and doors off your car?”

  I throw my head back, laughing a deep, rumbling laugh. “No, sweetheart. I took them off.”

  “Why on earth would you do that?”

  “It’s an experience, I promise. Come on, get in.” I slap her ass then guide her into the passenger seat.

  15

  SAVANNAH

  Liam place
s his hand on my knee, giving it a slight squeeze. When he starts chuckling, I know my face must show mixed emotions.

  I’m trying to make my body as small as possible, so I can be as far away as possible from the open door. I can’t stop the thoughts racing through my head. Will this seatbelt hold me? Will I feel like I’m going to fly out around curves? What if it flips? I have plans. I don’t want to die. Who takes doors off their car, anyway? Doors are important, Liam!

  “Ready to go, babe?” Liam’s deep, rich voice pulls me from my panic. His hand runs over my hair before he places it on the back of my head, pulling me toward him. He rests his forehead against mine and inhales deeply, as if he is breathing me in. My panic starts to ebb away. His warm, chocolate eyes bring me to a peaceful state. Liam’s lips land on mine in a soft, gentle kiss.

  “Savannah, I’d never let anything happen to you. It doesn’t matter if it’s keeping you safe while driving this Jeep, catching you if you trip, or protecting you from the boogie man. I will keep you safe.”

  As much as his words calm me because there is no immediate threat right now—besides the lack of roof and doors—I know if this lasts between us, I’ll have to tell him the boogie man is no joke in my life. I have my own personal monster. He’s not here right now, but he will come for me.

  I smash my lips against his in a hard kiss. “Let’s go, crazy pants. The things I will do for a sexy guy,” I say, muttering the last part under my breath.

  “I better be the only sexy guy you do anything for, gorgeous.” He winks as he backs out and takes off down the street for what will hopefully not be imminent death.

  “I think I can do this. This isn’t so bad,” I shout over the music to Liam.

  He looks at me, not smiling, aviators in place. I can feel his eyes behind those lenses. He’s staring me down. “Baby, we’ve gone four houses to the stop sign. That ain’t nothing. You haven’t experienced anything yet.”