Liam's eyes were the first thing I saw in the morning, as soon as the shrill sound of my alarm broke the silence and jerked me awake.

I wished I didn't have to go anywhere. Staying where I was, in Liam's arms, seemed to be the best plan ever.

"Sleeping Beauty is awake," Liam mumbled, kissing my neck. "And she doesn't look grumpy despite barely four hours of sleep."

Smiling, I pressed my lips to his jaw. "I couldn't be grumpy after last night."

"I hope it lived up to your expectations," said Liam, hugging me to him. I felt him hard and ready, which did nothing to calm me down. On the contrary, the familiar pressure made itself known as Liam kissed me.

"Not fair." I pouted. "You brushed your teeth."

"And shaved." Liam grinned, pointing to his jaw. "You can touch it to see if it's true."

I ran my fingertips across his smooth skin and kissed his cheek, inhaling the subtle scent of his aftershave.

"I like it," I said, tucking my head in the crook of his neck.

Liam chuckled. "Perks of being an early riser. Years of practice and discipline, all so that you could have your orange. They say an orange a day keeps the doctor away."

I raised my eyebrows. "Orange?"

Chuckling, Liam licked the tender skin on my neck and nibbled on it afterward, waking me up completely.

"Yeah. Sweet, delicious orange. So damn tasty," he murmured, moving his wet mouth down my neck.

"You're weird, roomie," I uttered, struggling to get the words out as Liam went on to kiss my bare breasts.

"The good or the bad kind of weird?" asked Liam, lifting his head off my chest.

"So good," I moaned, feeling his fingers caress me the way he did last night.

"And you're so ready. Let me kiss you again."

Liam focused his eyes on me, awaiting my reply. It took one nod of my head to have his wet mouth trail a path down my body. Then, his lips were on the place that was already burning for him.

My eyes flared when Liam moved one of his fingers inside me, and then one more when I moaned, gripping his hair as he started to move his hand and kiss me faster, caressing me with his tongue.

Fisting his hair, I raised my hips toward his mouth, seeking even more contact. I felt Liam rub a spot inside me, and that action alone set me off, making me say Liam's name and close my eyes as the pleasure rolled over me, wave after delicious wave.

"Good morning, sweetheart." Liam grinned, giving my behind a light slap. "I'm gonna take a cold shower and run to work. I have an early meeting."

"Don't you want me to touch you?" I asked, batting my lashes at him.

Liam chuckled. "I'm dying to, but good things shouldn't be rushed. I'll be a good boy and wait until tonight."

After one more kiss on my lips, Liam's naked frame left his bedroom, disappearing in the doorway. I threw the comforter off me with a sigh and padded to my room to get dressed and ready for the day.

***

"I can't believe he paired us up." Diane gave Nathalie and me a broad grin when we started to collect our things after Econ, ready to call it a day.

Nathalie returned the smile, winking at us. "We're gonna nail it, mark my words. It will be the best project ever. I refused to fail the damn subject again."

"Same," I said. "We're lucky. If he'd decided to make us do the project with someone we don't know well, it might've been a disaster."

Diane lowered her voice and said, her voice barely a whisper, "I don't envy Anne; she will have to do it with two guys who don't give a damn about the subject. I doubt they attended a single lecture of the prof."

Nathalie laughed. "How the hell do you have time to follow all the gossip and still take decent notes?"

Shrugging, Diane slung her purse over her shoulder. "I'm a multitasker. So, ladies, what about going to that restaurant I told you about and talking about the assignment there? The uni canteen is packed; I'd rather sit somewhere quiet."

I wanted to go home and be with Liam, knowing that he finished work earlier on Fridays, but the project was important. If I failed, I would have to retake the subject the following school year and pay more, which was out of the question.

"Okay, let's go," I said, and the three of us made our way out of the university building.

Luckily, the restaurant was within walking distance. The girls and I chatted and laughed on our way there.

Despite following the conversation, my thoughts drifted to Liam and last night. I'd never felt so relaxed and tired at the same time; neither had I spent the whole morning daydreaming about a guy and imagining him without clothes on. When it came to Liam and me, every little thing was a first — a memorable, true first.

Nathalie pushed the heavy door of the bistro open in no time, and we entered the restaurant. It was far from crowded; I spotted several vacant tables, and we settled at the one in the back after ordering some coffee and snacks.

In an hour, the girls and I were done with our Econ project planning. Natalie's phone buzzed, and she excused herself as she picked it up and exited the restaurant to talk.

"Her parents," explained Diane. "They have some family issues. I'm going to the bathroom. Will you watch my things?" she asked.

I nodded. "Sure. Go; I'll be here."

As soon as Diane left, I rummaged in my purse and fished out my phone. There were no texts from Liam. I knew he was busy at work. The good thing was, I would see him at home in no time.

Lost in my thoughts, I failed to notice the presence of someone I didn't want to see.

Smirking, Paul crossed his arms in front of his chest and lowered himself onto the chair that had been occupied by Diane barely a couple of minutes ago.

"Long time no see, Sky."

"What are you doing here?" I asked, wishing it was a nightmare, and the guy in front of me would disappear when I opened my eyes.

Much to my distress, he was as real as the coffee in my cup.

"Why, aren't you happy to see me? Ah, wait, you don't need me now that you've got your personal bodyguard. Where is he now, though? You're here, alone and pathetic. Is he out there, fucking someone better than you?"

Paul words were sharp as the shards of glass, cutting through the thin layers of my self-confidence it took me so much work to rebuilt. But unlike all those times where I kept quiet and swallowed my pride together with my dignity, I couldn't and didn't want to do it again.

"There's only one girl my boyfriend fucks, and that girl is me. In fact, he knows how to do it, unlike you. You had to take me against my will because I never wanted you. Do me a favor, go away before you make yourself look even more pathetic than you are. I am here with someone."

Paul narrowed his eyes at me. "Against your will? Have you opened your mouth? Of course, you have. Nobody will believe you, anyway, but my friendly piece of advice would be for you to shut up, or else..."

I laughed dryly, looking into Paul's icy eyes. "Or else what?"

In barely a second, his hand was on my neck. He moved forward, putting his face merely an inch from mine. His fingers dug into my skin, applying so much pressure he would surely leave bruises.

"Or else I will make you keep quiet," Paul hissed, pressing harder, making tears spring into my eyes. Then, he touched my forehead with his as if we were a loving couple and squeezed the side of my neck again before dropping his hand and smiling at me.

I struggled to breathe and sat there, frozen and shaken. All my therapy sessions went to waste. I was still a pathetic, weak girl who couldn't defend herself.

"Perfect timing." Paul laughed, brushing his fingertips across my cheek.

Confused, I swallowed thickly and looked around the restaurant.

A tall, dark-haired and very familiar guy at the bar met my gaze, shaking his head ever so slightly but enough for me to detect the disapproval lacing his expression.

Aiden made his way out of the restaurant, and so did Paul, leaving me a hurting, shaking mess once again.

The gravity and absurdity of what happened made me numb. I missed half of what the girls were saying once they were back, apologizing for taking so long.

Unable to focus on anything other than the pain from Paul's grip, his threats, and Aiden's disappointment, I gathered my things and dragged my feet out of the restaurant. Would Aiden tell Ellie that he saw her pathetic friend with her ex? Would he tell Liam?

Ordering myself to stop overthinking things, I rushed to the bathroom as soon as I was back in our apartment.

Standing in front of the mirror, I moved my blond, straightened hair aside and sobbed, catching a glimpse of red marks left by Paul's fingers.

I needed to cover them with something. Liam couldn't see them. He would ask questions and want to defend me, and I didn't want him to deal with Paul. I couldn't let Paul tarnish the only good, genuine thing in my life.

What Liam and I had was fragile and new, but I cherished it more than many other relationships.

Thankful for the cold weather, I grabbed a turtleneck sweater from my closet and threw it on me before going to the hallway to pick up my purse I left on the floor. If Liam came home now, he wouldn't see my neck.

I grabbed my bag and nearly dropped it when my eyes landed on the hangers.

Liam's coat was there. He had been home before, but where was he now?

My purse forgotten, I rushed to his bedroom and threw his closet door open.

Some clothes were missing, and so was Liam's duffel bag.

Tears clogged my throat as I let my eyes roam the strangely vacant room.

We were going to spend the evening together. Where could he go?

I found my phone and called Liam again and again, crying when he didn't answer.

Sitting on the living room couch and hugging my knees, I sobbed like I hadn't done in a while.

Something was wrong. Something went horribly, terribly wrong.

A small gadget on the coffee table called my attention. I took Liam's iPod
and powered it on, wanting to be closer to him even if it was through the music he listened to.

There were only three playlists there.

Workouts.
Mom and dad.
Sky.