The Hearts Series

  “You’re the sexiest fucking thing I’ve ever seen, do you know that?” he rasped.

  “Liam.” His name was a soft plea on my lips.

  “What is it, beautiful?” he replied, his gaze worshipful, taking all of me in.

  “Kiss me,” I whispered.

  I’d barely finished saying the words before his thumb slid away from my lips, and was replaced with his mouth. His hot, sexy, gorgeous mouth. He kissed me like he was dying of thirst. He kissed me like it was the last kiss he’d ever have. His lips melded with mine, his tongue sliding inside and coaxing mine to react.

  I brought my hands to the middle of his bare back then raked them down his firm muscles. He groaned into the kiss, his movements quickening. His cock was hitting just the right spot and my thighs grew weak as pleasure built within me. It felt like there was a firework inside my body, and Liam’s cock had lit the match.

  I was going to go off any second.

  We never broke our kiss, and then, I shattered, fell apart in his arms. Liam groaned and swallowed every tremor that passed over me, before a shudder of his own went through him. His mouth left mine and he burrowed his face in the crook of my neck. I held him to me, my breathing fast and choppy. After a while it started to slow down.

  Liam had just given me an orgasm without even taking his pants off. Or mine for that matter. Not only that, but I was fairly sure he just came, too.

  Wow.

  His lips nibbled at my neck, causing tingles to dance down my spine.

  “I don’t want to move,” he complained and I laughed softly.

  “You have to. You’ve got work today. So do I for that matter.”

  He rose up, holding himself above me as he stared down. His gaze traced my lips, my cheeks, my chin, then came to rest on my eyes.

  “You look incredible when you come,” he murmured sexily.

  I flushed deeply but didn’t turn away. The moment was broken when the alarm clock on the window went off, reminding us both that we had to get up. Liam groaned and pressed a soft, tender kiss on my mouth before climbing out of bed. He was smiling at me as he headed for the door.

  “I’m going to take a shower. See you at breakfast.”

  And that was another thing I loved about living here. There was a family breakfast every morning, even if everyone was in a hurry they still came in and ate something quickly. I liked the routine of it. It was comforting.

  Once I was dressed and ready for work I headed downstairs. If Liam’s family were aware of his nightly visits to my room, they’d never commented on it. Lee was by the kitchen counter, chopping some fresh fruit while a large pot of porridge heated on the stove.

  “Morning, Iris. Want some mango?” he asked and gestured to the fruit. Liam was still up in his room getting dressed.

  I nodded and picked up a piece, savouring the tangy, sweet taste. We were quiet for a moment as I studied him.

  “Lee.”

  “Yeah, hon?”

  “Do you . . . I mean, feel free to tell me no, but do you think you might let me train to cook at the restaurant sometime?”

  The edges of his mouth curved in a soft smile. “I was wondering when you’d get sick of doing lackey’s work.”

  I glanced away shyly. “I’ve wanted to ask you for a while now.”

  He shot me a considering look. “I’ve actually been thinking of taking on some new workers. You’ve seen first-hand how we’ve been struggling to keep up with demand.”

  Something warm and hopeful swelled within me. “Really?” I gushed.

  “Yeah, just give me a week or two to find someone to take over your job, then we can start training you in.”

  I beamed at him, almost welling up as I choked out a whispered, “Thank you. You don’t know what this means to me.”

  His gaze was soft. “Yeah, I do. That’s why I’m saying yes. Everyone in this house knows how it feels to be desperate, Iris. What it’s like to start with nothing. I suppose that’s why Liam’s so smitten. He must see something of himself in you.”

  I didn’t know what to say to that. It embarrassed me to know other people had noticed Liam’s affection for me, even though I felt like the luckiest girl in the world to have it. Before I could thank him again, Liam stepped into the room and grabbed a handful of grapes from the selection of fruit. He shot me a heated look then seemed to notice something was different. His eyes moved from me to his brother.

  “Did I miss something?”

  I cracked a big smile. “Lee’s agreed to let me start training as a cook at the restaurant.”

  His lips parted in a smile of his own. “Yeah? That’s great news.”

  “I know.” I beamed.

  Liam took the seat beside mine as Lee said, “By the way, we’re having a little get together for Sophie’s birthday at the restaurant tonight after closing. Nothing fancy, just some food and a few drinks. I’ll need you both there by eight at the latest.”

  I was surprised and flattered to be invited. “Sounds good.”

  “We’ll be there,” Liam agreed, his hand coming to rest at the small of my back.

  A simmering heat burned just beneath my skin. Lee turned around to stir the porridge while Liam bent to growl softly in my ear, “I’m gonna be thinking about this morning all fucking day.”

  Me, too, I thought as the memory of how he’d looked at me ran though my head, like I belonged to him.

  Me, too.

  Eight

  Ashes to Ashes

  “How much for this one?” I hesitantly asked the shop assistant, holding up the knee-length black dress. It had little sequins stitched in, making it shimmer when it moved. It also had three-quarter-length sleeves and a tight-fitting shape.

  “Twenty-five,” she replied as she glanced up from her phone. “That’ll look great on you, babe.”

  I gave her a small smile at the compliment. I couldn’t remember the last time I bought clothes for myself, especially new clothes from a stylish boutique like this one. But I couldn’t go to Sophie’s birthday party in either of the two outfits I owned, both consisting of jeans and a T-shirt. I also wanted to look good for Liam.

  “Okay,” I said bravely. “I’ll take it.”

  A couple hours later I was back at the house, freshly showered and applying some eyeliner. I back-combed my hair to give it a bit of a tussled appearance and put on my dress. I wore it with some black lacey tights (another new purchase) and my well-worn Doc Marten boots. Standing back to check myself out in the mirror, I decided I looked decent. More than decent. I looked hot.

  I bought Sophie a pair of earrings as a gift. They weren’t real silver or gold or anything, but I thought they’d suit her.

  Liam was in kitchen waiting for me when I came down the stairs. He wore a navy shirt and a nice pair of jeans, handsome as always. When he saw me his lips parted slightly as he took me in.

  “You look . . . gorgeous. Really fucking gorgeous, Iris.”

  I self-consciously brushed my hands down the dress. “Thanks.”

  “C’mere.”

  I went to him and he wrapped his arms around me. “I can’t stop thinking about this morning,” he murmured and bent to give me a light kiss. I responded instantly, my nipples hardening as I opened my mouth to deepen the kiss. He made a low rumbly sound in the back of his throat and pulled away.

  “If you keep kissing me like that we’ll never make it to the party.” His chest rose and fell with his breathing.

  I smiled, embarrassed at how hungrily I’d kissed him. “Sorry.”

  He swiped his thumb over my lip. “Don’t apologise. I love it.”

  When we arrived at The Grub Hut the place was closed to the public. Liam held my hand as we walked in, as though to communicate to everyone we were together. I felt like I was walking on air. There weren’t too many people there, just the family and a few friends. Unfortunately, Valerie was one of them. She scowled when she saw me with Liam then sauntered off to the bathroom to lick her wounds.

  I
got to meet Liam’s oldest brother, Stu, and his partner, Andrea. They seemed nice but Stu was too good-looking to be real. Not as good-looking as Liam of course, not in my eyes anyway. I gave Sophie her earrings and she hugged me, exclaiming how much she loved them. Then we ate and drank and I felt enveloped in a sense of belonging.

  I belonged here.

  The feeling was strong and all-consuming. I might’ve been a little drunk on it. Or maybe that was all the wine. Before I knew it, we were up and dancing. Liam slid his arms around my waist and we swayed to the music. I giggled when he dipped me low then pulled me back up again.

  “You’re amazing, Iris,” he whispered in my ear as the music got slower. Goosebumps claimed my skin. His hands lowered to cup my backside and tendrils of awareness spread through me. He squeezed and I would’ve been embarrassed if I wasn’t so tipsy. Thankfully, everyone else was too drunk to notice how he was touching me.

  Our want for each other was so thick you could’ve cut it with a knife.

  I was happy, content. Emotion clogged my throat. I couldn’t believe I’d found someone like Liam. Or was it him who found me?

  Maybe we’d found each other.

  When the song ended I drew away, shooting him a flirtatious look as I excused myself to go to the bathroom. He gave my hip a playful pinch and urged, “Hurry back.”

  I nodded and sauntered from the room and down the corridor. When I stepped inside the bathroom I was surprised to find Bowie leaning against one of the stalls. He was Jareth again. I think he knew that of all his guises, this one was my favourite. He wore a fond, tender smile.

  “You’re leaving me, aren’t you,” he asked, his words full of affection.

  Emotion stung at my eyes. “I don’t want to.”

  “I know you don’t.”

  “But I have to.”

  “I know that, too.”

  I choked out a laugh, both happy and sad. “You always know everything.”

  “He loves you,” Bowie went on and a lump formed in my throat. I wanted it to be true so badly. “Maybe he doesn’t realise it yet, but he does. He loves you like you’ve always deserved. Your life is just about to begin, Iris.”

  A tear rolled down my cheek. I wiped it away with the back of my hand. “I really wish you could stay.”

  “So do I, my darling, but you know what they say about all great things . . .”

  “Can you do one last thing for me?” I sniffled. “Before you go.”

  “Anything.”

  “Can you say the lines?”

  His mismatched eyes glinted under the fluorescent lights. “What lines?”

  I pouted and shot him a playful look. “You know which ones.”

  A slow, wicked smile spread across his mouth as he took several strides towards me. Then he spoke my favourite lines in the whole wide world and I got chills like always.

  “I have reordered time. I have turned the world upside down, and I have done it all for you.”

  I smiled so big my face hurt and he smiled right back at me.

  “Thank you,” I whispered just before he faded away, leaving me alone in the empty bathroom.

  When I returned to the party I felt different. Lighter. Liam sat at a table drinking a beer while the others danced to the music. His eyes met mine before I reached him and my skin heated. A blooming warmth spread throughout my body. Instead of taking the seat next to him, I climbed onto his lap and wrapped my arms around his neck. I bent and murmured in his ear, “Take me home.”

  Before I knew it we were back at the house, kissing and grasping for each other in the dark as we ascended the stairs. Instead of leading us to my room, Liam pushed open the door to his and guided me inside.

  I hadn’t been in here before, but it smelled like him. He flicked on the lamp and I vaguely noted that it was neat and tidy before he was on me.

  “Let’s get you out of this dress,” he said huskily and reached for my zipper. I stood still, warm shivers encapsulating me as he stripped off my dress. When I stood in only my black knickers and bra, he stepped back and stared at me. He took his time surveying my body and I felt like I might combust with how much attention he paid to every part of me.

  “Lie down on the bed,” he tenderly commanded.

  I did as instructed, crawling onto the mattress and lying back. I trembled as I watched him unbutton his shirt and throw it on the floor before starting on his jeans. There was something wickedly sexy about seeing him loosen his belt. I swallowed down a lump of anticipation, my thighs parting when he hovered over me.

  He pushed my hair out of my face and stared into my eyes. Then he kissed me with all his worth. I moaned and opened for him, drugged by his taste, the faint tang of alcohol on his tongue. His mouth left mine to wander down past my chin, my neck, the tops of my breasts. He lifted me and reached around to unhook my bra, discarding it on the floor with the rest of our clothes. My nipples puckered as soon as the air hit them and Liam swore as he soaked in the sight of me.

  He bent and captured one with his mouth, his tongue swirling around the hard peak as his hand cupped my other breast and massaged it. I felt like I was going to melt into the bed. My clit throbbed as he spent long minutes tonguing my breasts, whispering how beautiful I was, how much he loved how I tasted. He kissed toward my belly then pulled my knickers down my thighs, the last piece of clothing between us bar the boxer shorts he still wore. My legs were then placed over his shoulders. My heart pounded when I saw his intention.

  He lowered his mouth to the inside of my thigh and softly kissed me. I sucked in a breath. He kissed his way to my sex and then stopped. I felt his breath hit my sensitive skin.

  “Liam,” I gasped when licked me with his tongue.

  He licked and licked, swirling his tongue around my clit hungrily. I cried out. He made a low, masculine sound that echoed through me. My hands sank into his hair and he slid a finger inside me, then another. He pumped slowly in and out, agonisingly slow, the tempo matching his licks. He flicked his tongue over my clit again and again and I clenched around his fingers.

  “Come for me, Iris,” Liam urged as he came up for air. His blue eyes shone with arousal and I arched my spine so he could go deeper. Both his hands went around my hips and lifted me, his tongue never stopping, and I gripped his hair tighter.

  “Fuck,” I swore and then orgasmed so hard I shook. I closed my eyes, savouring the intensity.

  Liam growled his approval then kissed his way back up my body. He held himself over me and I opened my eyes.

  “That was . . .” I breathed, unable to find the right word.

  He smirked. “Fantastic? Incredible? Mind-blowing?”

  I huffed out a laugh. “All of the above.”

  His attention returned to my body as he traced the lines of my tattoos. Each one came with a memory of the day I got it. He seemed particularly taken with the feather that stretched from just above my hip to my ribcage.

  “Everything about you fascinates me. From the very first time I saw you I couldn’t look away,” he breathed, eyes glowing in the dim light.

  “The first time I saw you I didn’t think I’d ever seen a sexier man in my life.”

  I knew he liked that by the way his mouth curved. He continued touching me, his hands worshipful.

  “Valerie didn’t seem too happy tonight at the party,” I said, unable to help myself.

  Liam’s expression sobered, the look he gave me deadly serious. “I’ve never been interested in Val, Iris.”

  I swallowed. “Okay.”

  Silence fell again. I felt relaxed and melty after my orgasm and every sweep of Liam’s hands lulled me further into a state of lazy arousal.

  “I want to be inside you,” he said, his voice raw with desire.

  I didn’t speak, only stared at him with wide, needy eyes.

  “I want to be inside you skin to skin,” he went on and my heart gave a hard thump.

  “Liam,” I whispered, “I’ve never been tested.”

  “I
have,” he replied. “I’m clean. And I trust you.”

  “That’s not . . . that doesn’t matter. I can’t risk it. I’m not even on the pill.”

  “When’s the last time you were with someone?” he asked, his mouth at my navel.

  “Over two years ago.”

  The answer seemed to please him. “Then I trust you.”

  “But what about—”

  “We’ll get you on the pill in the morning. I just want to be with you tonight. Every night we spend together I dream about it. I feel like I’m going mad with wanting you, Iris.”

  My eyes flickered between his, seeing nothing but kindness, nothing but affection. I trusted him. “Okay,” I said softly.

  His face transformed. Suddenly his bright eyes turned dark, and the way he moved became predatory. He groaned when he lowered his hand to my sex, feeling me.

  “You’re still so wet.”

  He pushed his boxers down to reveal his hard, swelling cock. I stared, wide-eyed. He took it in his hand and rubbed it over my clit before lowering it to my entrance. He pushed forward with his hips and I cried out when I felt him enter me.

  “Look at me,” he rasped.

  I did.

  He thrust all the way inside and I bit my lip at how incredible it felt. He filled me so perfectly. He paused when he was in to the hilt, never once breaking eye contact.

  I felt full.

  Full of emotion. Full of happiness. Full of love for him.

  Sex with someone I loved was a new experience entirely. Liam’s mind must’ve been in the exact same place, because his words came out a whispered vow.

  “I think I’m falling for you, Iris.”

  I moaned. He moved his torso, his thrusts deliciously slow and deep. His face was etched with arousal. I brought my hand to his jaw and pulled his mouth down so I could kiss him. His movements sped up as I slid my tongue into his mouth. The way he groaned nearly did me in.

  I broke away long enough to answer, “I’m falling for you, too.”