A Borrowed Life (Carly and Liam #1) (20 page)

“I take it I'm not taking you home?”

I can't say a single word, so I just shake my head no, holding back my tears.

The man goes back into his car. At that moment, I hear Liv's grumpy voice behind me.

“Are you crazy, or what?”

The heavy metal door loudly closes as she joins me.

“I did what I had to do, that's all.”

I see a rage that I've never seen in her eyes.

“Carly Bray Scott! You’re the brightest girl I know, but I swear when it comes to matters of the heart, you suck!”

“Stop it, would you? This is hard enough.”

“Why? This guy wants
you
, as you are. He doesn't ask anything more than for you to love him and let him love you back. Plus, he was named sexiest bachelor in the country last year, he makes more money than you could ever dream of, he's nice, and of all the women in the world, it's you that he wants. For crying out loud what are you still doing here?”

“But what will happen when this beautiful dream ends? What will there be left of me?”

“What tells you this has to end someday? What if he is the man of your dreams, the one you were meant to be with? Would it be so terrible?”

I stare at her frowning and breathing heavy. My thoughts jostle in my head. I'm not sure of anything anymore, except that I love Liam. Almost immediately, I rush to the street to catch the man who's about to merge onto the road.

“Wait!” I cry.

The vehicle stops abruptly and I slow down.

“Miss?” inquires Javen getting out.

“Is it too late to change my mind?”

The man smiles and rounds the car to open the door for me.

“He will be happy to see you.”

“Thank you!”

I smile at him and climb in the back of the vehicle as he closes the door behind me.

About thirty minutes later, we arrive in front of a huge building with impressive architecture; the One Beacon Court. Javen enters a parking garage where he parks the limo before getting out and opening the door for me. He guides me inside through an entrance reserved for residents. I feel like a homeless person under the watchful eyes of all these indignant people who are walking around me.

I realize I'm still in my working clothes with disheveled hair and no makeup on, but to see them staring at me, I could swear I committed an unthinkable crime. It's amazing how I can feel so small next to them. I must keep in mind that this is only a defense mechanism. Basically, appearances are deceiving; from the outside, I might seem to lack confidence and self esteem, but in reality, it's them that are lacking.

We get into the elevator that I'm happy to find empty, and we take it up to the highest level. The penthouse, of course! Fifty-five floors above all those the chic boutiques and overpriced restaurants that populate the first levels.

I enter the apartment with luxurious marble floors, and large paintings adorn the walls. A glass staircase leads to the second floor on my left, so I head to the living room on my right. It’s an open floor plan with a huge dining room at the other end. High glass walls overlook a breathtaking view of New York and the Hudson River. Liam, wearing a navy shirt, unbuttoned collar, and his gray working pants, gets up off the long, white sofa and smiles.

He picks up a glass of red wine on the bar next to me and hands it to me. His left hand affectionately grips my waist as he leans in to kiss me. A shiver goes up my legs and seizes my whole body. I almost drop my glass it's so enticing, but it would be a shame to damage the pearl carpet. His fingers slide into my hair as he walks away, taking his own glass of wine.

“Welcome to my home,” he says. “I'm glad you changed your mind.”

“I didn't like the idea of never seeing you again.”

My voice trembles and I almost cry. His mere presence unsettles me like nothing ever has before. It's terrifying! But Liv's right. What if he is the man of my dreams? If he was the only one in the whole world that could make me feel this incredible feeling, the only one who can make me this happy? Am I ready to give that up? No, I want to fight for what we have.

He presses his lips against my forehead, drawing in a long breath.

“Carly! No woman has ever had such an effect on me. You drive me crazy! I would take on the world just to keep you with me. But I would never do it against your will.”

I nod.

“You know, I could arrange that,” I joke.

“You think that scares me?” he responds, a smile on his beautiful face.

His eyes sparkle as if they dared me to ask him. I simply need to look around to realize that taking the world by storm is not impossible for him. Apparently he has already done it. I'm curious to know how much this place cost him?

“You like it?” he asks, seeing my eyes wander from the huge column of gray marble to the luminaire above the long dining table.

“Do you live here all by yourself?”

“There are apartments for other residents, but otherwise, yes, I live here alone.”

“Your living room alone is bigger than my whole apartment.”

“Can I take you on a tour?”

He holds out his hand to me and I take it, letting him guide me through the many rooms, all cold, and all useless. Clearly, none of them is inhabited. He probably works too much to enjoy this beautiful place.

On the top floor, there is a fireplace lining a living room, a bar, a plasma screen hanging on a wall and a huge, crescent shaped couch. From here, we have a view of the dining room below us. I did notice a door we passed without stopping. Liam looked at it briefly but didn’t show me what was inside.

There are three guest bedrooms and four bathrooms, one of which has a tub that lets us relax, viewing the beautifully lit New York City through the floor-to-ceiling windows. It's a strange feeling being exposed to the world, but also being completely protected from anyone's sight due to the height of the building.

“What's it like to take a bath here?”

“It feels like your on top of the world. You want to try?”

“If you join me.”

His lips stretch into a smile that inevitably makes me melt. Is this man really all mine? Am I really the one that will look at this face forever, and the one that will enjoy this smile for the rest of my life?

He steps towards me and unbuttons my black working shirt to slowly expose my breast, his eyes fixated on my red bra. I can barely contain my breathing. He watches me with so much desire! As if my body belonged to him. He strips me in front of the huge window behind me and I suddenly feel incredibly vulnerable, but powerful at the same time. Liam's reaction alone is priceless as he contemplates the curves of my hips. This man, as powerful and strong as he is, finds himself completely defenseless in front of me.

I unbutton his shirt to enjoy his beautiful body in return. His skin shivers as I graze my fingers over his chest, and I notice his breathing intensifying. He smiles peacefully and it feels like he is abandoning himself to a woman for the first time. He may have already given his body to someone, but never his heart or his soul.

There is something strong between us and fighting it is useless. I tried. As I drop his pants on the floor, Liam melts into me with a passionate kiss. His hands caress my waist while his fingers deliciously dig into my skin.

I let out a moan as my head tilts backward, and Liam takes this opportunity to kiss my neck. My breasts swell against his chest and his hand gently massages them. I slide my hand between his legs to feel his erection through my fingers. It's so hard! I stroke up and down and he leans over me, a rumble imbued with pleasure vibrating in his throat.

He cups my breasts and kisses them before stepping back to stare at my hardened nipples, and I, too, have a nice view; Liam, completely naked in all of his masculinity, exposed to my eyes. He lifts me up to sit me on the marble counter. The cold touch takes me by surprise and my back stiffens, and Liam seizes the opportunity to kiss my breasts that push toward him.

Each touch is more intoxicating than the previous one. I don't think he's ever been so soft and delicate with any other woman; it’s almost as if he was trying not to hurt me. As my body adjusts to the temperature contrast with the counter, two fingers push between my thighs to caress my crotch. He moves his other hand behind my head and presses it against him while his index and middle fingers slowly and tenderly move inside me.

I put my arms around his neck, snuggling against him while he performs these gentle, rotating movements in me. A constant back and forth movement stimulates me more and more, and my heavy breath becomes shorter as low moans escape my mouth. He doesn't accelerate, but he doesn't stop either. His other hand slides over my chest, closing his grip on me. His thumb caresses my nipples, exciting me in a way I never knew. He gently pulls on them and a spasm rushes through my whole body, lasting for only a split second.

I see a smile spread on Liam's face. He grazes my now very sensitive nipples with the back of his fingers and another contraction seizes me. He continues, again and again, more and more quickly, not letting a spasm end before causing another one. I press my palms behind my back to push my chest further into him and let him continue.

He leans over and kisses me. My body is entirely surrendered to him and dependant on him. His tongue caresses mine and he doesn’t stop. The feeling intensifies until a chill arises in my lower abdomen and spreads throughout my whole body. My legs stiffen, my muscles tense up and I see him smile. He accelerates the pace of his fingers between my thighs, leaving me no choice but to come violently.

He catches me while my body collapses on him, the orgasm still contracting my hips. He slows down the circles of his fingers to gradually stop and remove them. I push myself down to gently fall on my knees and take his erection into my mouth. Liam growls with a sigh of ecstasy, closing his eyes as his head falls backward. His fingers mingle with the strands of my hair.

He's already hard and I suck, again and again, letting my saliva create a gentle suction. His buttocks contracts with his thighs as he screams, and he clutches his teeth together to stifle another scream. I don't stop. I accelerate until he empties himself into my mouth, swallowing everything quickly to avoid tasting it. He smiles, an expression of total bliss and lightness in his face.

He pulls on my wrists to force me up and carries me to the tub where he runs a warm and comforting bath. He pours a couple drops of bubble bath solution before slipping behind me to wrap me into his arms. He kisses my neck, deeply inhaling my scent.

I carry my gaze over the city of New York stretching before me right under my eyes. I'm in the tub, yet I see the sky over my head and the skyscrapers, as if I were outside. I feel like there is no floor since I can see the streets and traffic below me. The view is literally breathtaking. Liam's hands slide down my arm, soaping my skin. His fingers gently press the muscles in my shoulders and he starts massaging me.

“Will you stay with me?” he whispers in my ear.

“Isn't it obvious? I think I fell in love with you, so I don't really have a choice.”

“Really?” he muses, his voice imbued with a childlike joy.

I turn to look at him straight in the eye, smiling at the chuckle I almost heard in his response. I shrug, confirming shyly. In an impulsive gesture, he strongly presses his lips against mine, his tongue pushing forcefully in my mouth. He shoves me on my back and climbs over me.

“Are you hurt?” he asks.

I shake my head, smiling. Of course not! I want it so much!

Liam kisses me again and again, skillfully pushing his erection inside me. It fits perfectly and takes my breath away. I groan and I push Liam on his back to take control. He lets himself fall happily, satisfied with my initiative.

I move my pelvis on his hips, inserting his penis deep inside me. Liam slides his hands down my stomach, enjoying each of my curves. I gently sway, letting my head fall back while the pleasure takes over my body. Liam bites his lower lip, enjoying the view I offer him. His eyes are riveted on my breasts and my nipples point at him.

He tightens his fingers around my hips guiding my movements, and I abandon myself to the rhythm. Then he blows a liberating roar and closes his eyes. His chest collapses under the intensity of the sensation overcoming him. He pulls himself together to slowly undulate his pelvis under my weight, intensifying the feeling. His hand grabs my ass wildly and I let him know my appreciation with a groan.

The heat of the water between our bodies is intoxicating. I need more and I accelerate my in and out movements. Already stimulated by the previous orgasm, my body doesn't need anymore time to respond and pulses around Liam's penis. He slows me down, grabbing my hips and looks at me, smiling.

“Not yet, beautiful.”

Without allowing the effect to calm down, he prolongs the pleasure to control my orgasm as he wishes. I realize he had never fully abandoned control to me as he aggressively spins me onto my back.

I read a world of emotions in his eyes as they plunge into mine. He speeds up his pace, pushing his member deeper inside me. I groan and this time he doesn't slow down. My chest swells and my nipples harden. His left hand slides from my buttocks to my waist, up to my breast, gently covering it with his fingers. He bends over to gently press his lips around my nipple while his tongue flicks the sensitive area, and then straightens up to lean on the edges of the bathtub to accelerate again.