I've never really cared for the taste of peppermint, that is, until now. With each parting breath, the coolness of the scent lingers over my slightly parted lips. Liam devours me with soft forcefulness as his hands work their way down my torso, landing on my hips. The touch of his hands on me erases the cringe-worthy feeling of Cole's boney fingers. Instead, my body is tingling with desire.

I rise onto my tiptoes and part my mouth for him. Liam doesn't hesitate to fill the small space with himself, causing his taste to seep deeper into my taste buds. I've longed for this feeling from the moment I laid eyes on him, but I never thought it would be happening like this, or this quickly. I thought I broke all the chances I had when I left him last night in that awful state. Clearly, I was wrong.

Liam's lips hover over mine for a moment before he presses them to my jawline, gently placing himself all over my tender skin. The sound that escapes my mouth causes him to pull me closer to his body, gripping one of his hands on my backside, and lifting me into the air. On instinct, I wrap my legs around his torso and rest on his hips as his muscular arms hold me in place. My figure is so small compared to his, which makes me feel vulnerable, but not enough to want to stop.

When Liam pulls our bodies away from the brick wall, I tightly wrap my arms around his neck in fear of being dropped. That is the last thing I want to happen right now. But surprisingly, I'm held in place as he takes us down the hallway and into his bedroom.

Liam's full lips collide with mine as his bedroom door clicks shut. I smile into him, which only causes his lips to form into a firm line until I close mine around his again. I'm distracted enough not to register Liam's movements until he lays me gently onto his bed, widening the distance between our bodies. My body aches for him as I stare into his bright blue eyes, the ones that I instantly fell for from across a body-filled room. Those same eyes are now looking at me, all of me, and not losing focus.

I watch Liam as he stands over me, admiring my body. The sexual tension between us right now is unbearable, like a force of nature. My body aches for him in ways it's never done before, and I find myself longing for him, for his touch, his embrace – for every last inch of him.

After what seems like an eternity, he slowly lowers himself on top of me. I quicken his movements by hooking my leg around him and pulling him downward. Liam supports himself with his sturdy arms on either side of my shoulders, leaving his face hovering directly over mine, before delving into the skin on my neck.

A soft shudder escapes my lips as he presses down gently against my collarbone, a mental reflex to his ever-so precise movements. My hands find their way to his neck, where his muscles are flexing under the movement of his jaw. When I gently brush my thumb over the thick vein, that always seems to be visible, he stiffens and pulls back from me. I stare into him, cradling his cheeks in my hands as they deflate of air. The man before me is entirely different from the one I met last night, or the one I witnessed less than ten minutes ago in the kitchen. 

Liam pulls away further until he's kneeling between my parted legs, out of my reach. The mischievous grin on his face gives away his dirty thoughts until he's distracted by my legs tightening around his waist. I attempt to pull him back down on top of me, but he's too strong, he won't budge. Liam's grin begins to fade as I retreat my pressure, letting my legs fall onto the mattress. He looks at me in dismay.

"What's wrong?" he asks softly, placing his hands on my thighs.

"Nothing," I whisper, trying my hardest not to melt under his touch. Liam stays still and silent, making him unable to read. "Do you not want me anymore?" I ask shyly.

Liam cocks his head. "Not want you," he echoes, "Lyla, that's impossible."

"Then come back to me," I whisper through breath as I reach an arm toward him.

Liam leans into me, allowing my hand to brush across his cheek again. His face hovers over mine for a moment until I break the sliver of space between us.

I devour him this time, pulling his body closer to mine with each of my limbs. I crave his touch, his taste, his smell – all of it. I want to feel him. I want my body to mold around him and consume every inch of it. But I can only feel a part of him, the parts that aren't covered by clothing.

As if reading my thoughts, Liam lurches upward and begins prying his t-shirt off by the hemline. I follow the light piece of fabric up and over his head, but my eyes are instantly drawn back to his exposed skin, lingering just out of my reach. Liam's mischievous grin reappears as I bite my lip between my teeth, wanting so badly to feel his smooth skin with my fingers.

When I touch him, my body ignites. He's like oxygen to a flame, dangerous but essential, and I can't help but crave it. I pull my body upwards, wanting so badly to close the space between us. Liam places one of his hands on my cheek and snakes the other around my body, guiding me back down onto the bed. I allow myself to melt into him, to submerge into his touch as his lips brush across my cheek.

Liam kisses me hard, unlike anything I've ever felt before. Each kiss seeps into the next, leaving no room for breath. It's like he's sucking all the air out of my body but also giving me life. I kiss him as long as I can until I have to pull away for air, which only causes Liam to delve into my neck again.

"Liam," I whisper breathlessly.

"Yes, baby?" he coos into my ear before taking the lobe between his teeth.

"I-" I try to speak, but Liam's touch continues to drive me forward, even though there's hardly a drop of fuel left. The way his mouth moves over my body makes my back arch, pushing myself against him more. His hands explore my body as I pant under his spell, and I'm completely lost until I feel his fingers slip under the hem of my jeans.

"Liam, stop," I whisper, but he doesn't. "Liam, I said stop," I say, raising my voice.

Liam freezes and pulls his body off mine. His panicked face searches mine as he lifts his hands from my body. "Did I hurt you?" he asks in a worried tone.

"No, it's-" I start but can't bring myself to finish, "sorry," I croak.

I try to hide my face behind my hands, but Liam doesn't let me. "Tell me what's wrong, baby," he pleads, softly pulling at my elbows.

He still looks worried; I hate that I've done this. Why am I so stupid? "I'm not-" I choke again.

"Not what?" he asks, brushing his thumb across my cheek.

"Ready."

"For what," he looks at me, confused.

"To have sex," I finally admit.

Liam's body relaxes as he dips his head down to his chest. "Oh," he chuckles, "I would never pressure you, Lyla."

His words make my body run ice cold. Of course, this is his response. The oh-so-experienced-guy is willingly pulling into the slow lane to comfort the inexperienced virgin; I don't buy it for a minute. That is, until I look into his eyes again, and another wave of humiliation washes over me.

"Fuck," I curse, turning my head towards the comforter.

I feel Liam's body retreat from mine, which only causes it to ache for his touch. Even though I'm embarrassed, I still long for him to be near me.

I'm startled by the bed shifting beneath me, only to find that Liam has laid down beside me. Without thinking, I reach for him, and he willingly brings my body into his.

"Do you want me to go?" he says against my forehead.

I shake my head at his words. "No, don't leave," I say quietly.

My words cause Liam to respond in a way I never thought he would, sighing in relief, or at least what sounds like a relief. I bury my head into his bare chest, feeling the warmness of his skin across my cold cheeks. Liam tightens his grip on my body and pulls me in closer.

"Okay," he says.