Mel

I've been stressing about last night since I woke up. My talk with Taylor helped slightly, but now I have new questions circling in my muddled brain. I started wondering if I was being too pushy with Liam. Maybe he's not ready to go there with me yet.

Crap!

Did I completely mess things up? Does he think I'm about to freak out again?

Ever since my visit to the cemetery, I've felt better than ever. I haven't had any more cryptic dreams or guilty thoughts. That little voice in my head seems to have shut up for good. I finally feel like that chapter of my life is closed.

Sure, I look back on it fondly, but I'm ready to keep moving forward. I'm ready to create new memories and make new plans for my life. I need to be clear about that with Liam.

I don't want him to treat me like I'm some fragile, little thing like one wrong move will break me. I'm not nearly as delicate and breakable as he thinks. Not anymore.

My mind starts drifting, dreaming of just what Liam can do with those big, strong hands of his- what he might do with them once he realizes how strong I've become. I start to imagine all the places he'd put those hands. How firmly but gently he'd grip me. How he'd tease me at first, then relent and give me exactly what I've been craving.

I feel my eyes glaze over as my thoughts run wild. Then, I hear a throat clear to my right. Heat burns through my cheeks as I turn to see Taylor eyeing me.

Shit, she knows exactly where my mind was. I can see it in her eyes and how she's holding back her smile.

She brings her eyes level with mine. "Uh, Mel. As much as I hate to interrupt your, uh, day-dreaming. Don't you have a private lesson today?"

Oh, fuck! I almost forgot about that.

It's like a bucket of cold water has been thrown on me. The call of reality instantly cools my devious thoughts. I have to get to work. "Shit, shit, shit. What time is it?"

"It's a quarter til one," Tay tells me, looking at the time on her phone.

Okay, good. I still have plenty of time. Maybe this is the distraction I need. It'll force me to think of something other than Liam's hands roaming over my dips and curves.

I lick my lips as the visual appears in my head again.

The sound of throat-clearing grabs my attention again. Shit!

"Uh, Mel? Do you need a cold shower before you head to the rink?" Tay asks as a smile tugs at her lips.

I shoot her a half-hearted glare. "No! I'll be fine."

"I just need to think of anything but Liam for the next several hours," I mumble to myself as I head to my room to change.

~

That was just the distraction I needed- three hours focusing my energy on something I could do with my eyes closed. Getting out on the ice, letting my legs float freely across the surface- was just the thing I needed to ease the tension I had held since last night.

I don't typically offer private lessons like this, but I couldn't pass it up when my client offered more than double my usual rate for an extra class. I'm silently thanking myself for accepting the job as I head back home. Those few hours out on the ice, doing what I do best, helped clear my head.

I feel like I can handle anything at this point. Awkward conversations with a certain sexy hockey player whose bed I've been warming? No big deal. The reality that he may want to slow things down? I can handle that. The possibility that he just freaked out and is actually ready to be intimate on that level with me? Bring it on.

I'm chuckling as my over-abundance of confidence keeps washing over me. That all goes out the window the second I step inside my apartment.

Liam, Tay, and T.J. are sitting around the island, talking amongst themselves as I walk in. The second the door closes behind me, I'm frozen by the gaze of three pairs of eyes staring back at me.

It takes less than a second for me to zone in on one set- the bright green eyes that warm my dreams and knock the wind out of me. Immediately, those eyes captivated me, holding me hostage in their heated gaze.

I'm starting to let the fire in Liam's eyes burn through me, touching other parts of my body, making me feel weak and needy, when Taylor's voice snaps me back to reality.

"So, you two are on your own for dinner tonight. Tanner was going to take me out," she tells Liam and me.

T.J. cocks his head to the side, zeroing in on Tay. "I was?"

I don't miss the sharp look she gives him as she subtly quirks her head in Liam and my direction.

Instantly, T.J. picks up on her message. "Oh, right. Yeah, I'm taking my girl out for a night on the town. Just the two of us."

Tay smiles as she wraps her arms around his waist. "Mmmm, I can't wait, baby. We should probably get ready and head out."

T.J. nods as he lets Tay lead him away, giving Liam and me some privacy.

I tear my eyes away from Liam as I hang up my coat and set my bag down on the table by the door. I use the reprieve to steady my breath before turning back to face him.

When I do, I'm stunned to find he's moved closer, nearly closing the distance between us. He gives me a timid smile. "Hey, Mel."

"Hey, Liam," I breathe, amazed the words actually came out.

He shuffles on his feet, looking nervous. "How was the lesson?"

I chance a step, making the gap between us smaller. "It was good. Helped me relax a bit. Did you have a good practice?"

Liam nods. "Yeah. I think we're all set to take on Calgary next week."

I bob my head and smile, hoping my nervousness doesn't overshadow my enthusiasm. "That's great!"

An awkward silence follows for several breaths before Tay and T.J. break through it. "Okay, we're heading out. You two have fun. Don't do anything we wouldn't do," Tay coos as she pulls T.J. behind her, throwing us a wink as she passes.

T.J. sends Liam a strange look and a quick nod before closing the door behind them. Wondering what that was about, I turn back to Liam, who looks more poised than before.

"We should talk," he says confidently.

My breathing shudders as I reply, "Yeah, that's a good idea."

As if picking up on my nervousness, Liam steps closer, cupping my cheek in his warm hand. My eyes flutter closed as his thumb strokes my skin sweetly.

"How about you take a relaxing shower, and I'll go pick up dinner from that taco truck you like. We can talk after." Liam's deep voice cuts through me like butter, easing some of the tension in my muscles.

I swallow before agreeing.

When my eyes find Liam's again, he gives me a relaxed smile before bringing our lips together. "I'll be back in a bit."

After Liam leaves to pick up dinner, I clutch my hand to my chest, letting out a long exhale. After that short exchange, I feel dizzy. Maybe I better take that cold shower after all.

I take my time washing up, letting the water from the showerhead stream down my body. Once I feel more relaxed, I turn the knob and step out. I change into something casual but cute before heading to the kitchen to grab plates.

By the time the table is set, Liam returns with our dinner. We divvy out the tacos and dig in, making idle conversation as we eat. Neither of us seems willing to bring up the topic that needs to be discussed, but I can feel the pressure starting to build as that matter looms overhead.

With empty plates and sated stomachs, Liam and I watch one another cautiously. I feel the dam is about to break, so I finally say, "So, we should talk."

"Yeah," Liam answers, "we should."

He takes a deep breath as I wait, wondering what he's going to say. "Mel, I want you to know. I'm sorry about last night. It had nothing to do with you. I just got stuck in my head. I froze up."

His explanation stuns me for a second. I take that time to process what he just said before asking, "So, you wanted to... ya know? But you just froze up?"

Liam nods, looking sheepish. "Yeah, I'm so sorry. I also wanted to be sure you were really ready. I don't ever want to push you too far. I don't want you to feel pressured to do anything too soon."

How is he so fucking perfect? I mean, seriously.

A smile forms on my lips as I realize how incredible the man sitting across from me really is. "Liam, you're amazing."

At that, his eyes snap to mine. I continue, needing to get the words out before I lose my nerve. "I think I know why you froze. And I want you to know that what happened on our date will never happen again. I had some things to work out back then. And now, that's all settled. I don't want you to worry that I'm going to panic again if things get heated. I found the closure I needed. I'm ready to keep moving forward with you if you want that too."

As Liam listens to me, his eyes start to glisten. "Mel, I want that too. Fuck, I want that so bad. And I don't just mean sex. I want everything. I want you to be my girl, I want to be the one you confide in, I want to be the one you love when you feel ready to open your heart again."

My eyes start to water as he continues. "Fuck, Mel. I want it all. And I only want it with you."

A tear slips down my cheek as my heart bursts open at his confession. My feet move quickly of their own accord, taking me straight to Liam.

My arms wrap around his neck as I admit, "I want that too. I want everything you just said. All of it, Liam."

Without hesitation, my lips crash into his, claiming what is mine, showing him how badly we both needed this. I feel his hands grip my waist, pulling me forward into his lap, making me straddle him as our mouths dance feverishly.

My mind is delirious with lust as Liam stops abruptly, pulling away, making a needy whine escape my lips. He smiles at the sound, telling me, "I have something for you."

My brows furrow as he leans forward, keeping me in my place as one hand grabs something under the table. It's a gift bag. I stare at it, dumbfounded, as he pulls out what's inside- a stuffed penguin.

I feel my breath catch as I look back at him. "I got you this. I know they're your favorite. And I know that when they mate, they mate for life. And if one loses their mate, they keep living. They stay strong, and they find another mate for life. I don't think it's just a coincidence that they're your favorite animal, Mel. I need you to know, if you want this too, that I choose you. For good."

His words make my heart stop. If I thought I could never want him more, I was just proven wrong. Every fiber of my being thrums with warmth at his words. He wants me for life.

I know my words will fail right now, so I answer with action instead. A dreamy smile curls over my lips as my blue eyes find his glistening greens. I nod, letting him know we're on the same page.

As soon as my message registers, his lips are on mine again, pushing closer, immediately deepening the kiss. My lips part, allowing his tongue to find mine as his hands wander down my back, stopping at my toned backside.

I gasp as he squeezes firmly as he stands, causing my legs to lock around his hips. My gift falls from my grasp as I latch on to Liam, begging for more through desperate moans. My eyes are closed as I feel the breeze from his swift movements swirling around us.

Before I know it, I'm on my back beneath him as he presses me further and further into his mattress. I'm dizzy with need as his bulge grinds into me over and over again.

He breaks our kiss, panting as he hovers over me. "I need to know what you want, Mel. I need to hear you say it."

I'm breathless, staring up at him, trying to find my words. I can barely catch my breath when I finally say it. "I want you, Liam."

"Mel," he grinds out, needing me to be more specific.

A rush of confidence comes over me as I look him in his eyes. "I want you inside of me."

I lean closer as Liam's eyes fall shut. I whisper into his ear, "Fuck me, Liam."  

A/N:

I promised you all smuttier chapters after the emotional roller coaster. Well, here it comes everyone, super spicy chapter coming tomorrow.  ;)

Thank you for taking the time to check out Left With Liam. If you are enjoying so far, don't be afraid to vote and/or comment and let me know :)

Every vote and comment helps elevate the story so others will be more likely to find it on Wattpad and hopefully enjoy it as much as you all have. I really enjoy reading your comments and hearing any theories anyone has on what they predict will happen next.

Also, if you want to be kept up to date on the latest book/series news, head over to my Instagram and follow me there. I post teasers daily for future chapters and that is where I will make any pressing announcements as well as post character/book aesthetics. The link is in my bio. :)

I'll be back tomorrow with another chapter!

❤️