“Okay.” I slip into the bathroom and change quickly into the dress and look at myself in the mirror. I almost don’t recognize myself. Lisa did my hair and makeup earlier. Naturally my hair usually falls in tight curls down to my shoulders. Lisa decided to straighten it and curl it into big, loose curls before putting it in an updo with a few strands caressing my neck and face.
For my makeup she went with a subtle look since I usually don’t wear a lot. While you can still see my freckles, they aren’t as visible as they normally are.
I step out of the bathroom and Lisa takes one look at me before smiling and clapping her hands excitedly.
“Oh my goodness, you look so pretty. Liam isn’t going to know what hit him.”
I smooth a hand over the fabric. “You really think I look okay?”
“Yes, you look fantastic.”
I turn towards Jayden. “What do you think?”
He smiles, “you look beautiful Av.”
“Thank you.”
“Okay, I have one more thing that will go perfectly with this outfit,” Lisa says coming over to me and placing a locket around my neck. Stepping back, she takes me in “Okay, now you’re ready.”
Just then there’s a knock on my door.
“Perfect timing. Come on Jayden help me pack this stuff up so we can get out of here.” she says as I rush by her to go get the door.
Taking a deep breath, I open the door and there Liam is leaning against the door jam. He’s dressed in black dress pants that hug his muscular thighs and a button-down black shirt. The sleeves are rolled up to his muscular forearms and I can see the tattoos on his right arm that come down to his wrist.
My throat dries up and my heartbeat picks up speed simultaneously. He is easily the most handsome man I’ve ever seen before.
His eyes take me in from head to toe before settling back on my face. The desire as clear as his green eyes.
“Hi,” I squeak out.
Without a word he rises to his full height before advancing on me. I back up into the wall by my door as he cups my cheeks in his hands and lays a kiss on me. And it’s not a chaste one. His tongue traces the seam of my lips until I open for him and then he proceeds to devour me. We don’t stop until I hear a throat clear next to us. Lifting my head, I see Jayden and Lisa watching us with amused expressions on their faces.
My cheeks flush.
“Oh, don’t mind us, we were just leaving. You two have fun,” Jayden says.
“Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do,” Lisa quips on her way past me.
“Thanks guys, I’ll call you tomorrow.”
Once they leave, Liam looks back at me, his green eyes still swirling with desire. “You look absolutely stunning babe.”
Pleasure warms me from the inside out at his compliment.
“Thank you, you look quite handsome yourself.” I run my hands down his chest.
A groan leaves him, and he rests his forehead against mine for a moment before pulling back and taking my hand in his.
“Let’s get out of here before I change my mind about going out.”
I lock up my apartment and he leads me down to his car. Sitting at the curb is a black SUV.
“How many car’s do you have?” I ask once he’s situated behind the wheel and has pulled out into traffic.
“This one, a Ferrari, an SUV and a motorcycle.”
“Oh you have a motorcycle?”
He nods “Yeah, have you ever been on one?”
“No, but I’ve always been curious.’
“I’ll have to take you out sometime.”
We chat about mundane things and before long we’re pulling up in front of Tempest.
I’ve heard that a lot of celebrities enjoy coming here because of the strict phone policy. They can usually eat in peace without worrying about people taking their pictures. However, that doesn’t stop the paparazzi from camping out outside occasionally, and tonight seems to be one of those nights.
There are a handful of them camped out with their cameras ready and waiting. My stomach immediately seizes with nerves.
“Shit,” Liam mutters under his breath slowly driving up to the valet area.
Some of the paparazzi immediately perk up and stare at the car surely trying to see who’s inside. Thank goodness the windows are tinted.
“I’m sorry babe, I didn’t think they’d be here tonight. We can go somewhere else if you want,” he says looking over at me.
I force a smile. “No, it’s okay. This is what you planned so I’m more than happy to do this with you.”
He searches my eyes “Are you sure?”
“Positive,” I say nodding.
“Alright, I’ll come get your door. Keep your head down so the flashes don’t mess with your eyes.”
“Okay.”
As soon as he steps out of the car, the questions and the camera start firing off.
“Hey Liam, how’s the family?”
“Hey Liam, are you still dating Victoria?”
“Is it true that your reconciling with her?”
Victoria? Who is that?
He ignores them, hands the keys over to the valet, and quickly makes his way over to my side of the car.
Opening my door, he holds his hand out for me.
When I place my hand in his and step out of the car, the rapid clicks of the camera and the questions seem to start coming even faster.
“Hey, Liam who’s the mystery woman?”
“Does Victoria know about her?”
“How long have you been seeing each other?”
“Is she pregnant?”
What the hell? What kind of invasive question is that?
It catches me so off guard, I stumble slightly. Liam wraps his arm around my
