Strong (Book 2 in the No Control series)

Liam and I both have busy days today. He has a couple business meetings to attend. Caroline has asked me to join her to pick out some clothes for several photo shoots she has lined up.
I smile as I watch Liam get dressed. He carefully puts on the watch I gave him for his birthday. He has worn it everyday since I gave it to him. I instinctively touch the intertwined L’s hanging from my neck. There’s something special about wearing a piece of jewelry given to you by the one you love. So even when they aren’t with you, a piece of them is.
I slip on a simple red dress. “You look so beautiful, Liz. You make that dress look amazing.” Liam says as he wraps his arms around my waist.
I grin. “Thank you. I look forward to you helping me out of it later.”
Liam smirks. “Me as well, love.”
We both laugh and then we kiss. I love kissing Liam so much, his soft full lips on mine. Mmm, I don’t want to stop. My phone goes off, interrupting us. It’s Caroline letting me know she’s close by.
Liam and I head downstairs. “Before you go love, I have a little surprise about our trip to Italy.” Liam tells me.
“We aren’t leaving sooner are we? I haven’t even packed yet.” I ask a little concerned.
Liam laughs. “No we are still leaving tomorrow morning. However, I’ve arranged for us to spend a few days in Venice before we head to the villa. I thought it was high time you actually saw some of Italy. I tend to keep you rather occupied when we are there and we don’t make it out much.“ Liam smirks.
I walk up to him and put my arms around his waist. “Do you ever hear me complaining?”
Liam grins and acts as though he’s thinking about it. “No I’ve never heard you complain….I have heard you scream a lot though.”
We both laugh as I push on his chest. “Funny, Payno.”
Then I take his hand. “Seriously though, thank you, I can’t wait to see Venice.”
We share a quick kiss goodbye as I head outside to meet Caroline.

As Caroline and I are going through some clothes, my phone goes off. I look at it to find it’s a selfie of Liam smiling sweetly with the caption. “This is me thinking of you being my wife.” Just as my heart is melting, another picture comes through. This time he has a sexy smirk on his face with the caption. “And this is me thinking of getting you out of that dress later.”
“What’s that smile on your face for, missy?” Caroline teases me.
“Liam is sending me some pictures.” I tell her.
“You two are just so sweet.”
I wink at her. “I’m not sure sweet would always be the correct word to describe us.”
“Oh no.” She covers her ears. “I don’t want to hear about it.”
I laugh at her as I type a reply to Liam.
“You know handsome, you have the habit of melting my heart, and making it race all at the same time.”
My phone dings with his reply. “I love you, Beautiful. Meet me for dinner at our favorite place?”
“I’ll see you there. I love you.” I send my reply and then try to concentrate on helping Caroline.

I arrive at the restaurant first. The hostess greets me. “Yes, there should be a reservation for Payne.” I tell her. She looks down at her list. “Yes, Mrs. Payne, right this way.”
As she shows me to our table, I have the biggest grin on my face. That’s the first time I’ve been called Mrs. Payne. To think that soon enough that will be my name. It’s crazy how far we’ve come.
I briefly check my phone and as I look up I see Liam at the door. He literally takes my
breath away. So handsome, so sexy. He spots me across the restaurant. His eyes crinkle up with the biggest smile. To know that happiness is directed at me is almost more than I can take.
I stand up as he approaches the table. He wraps me in a big, warm hug. Whispering in my ear. “I missed you so much, love.” Then he gives me a sweet kiss and we sit down.
After we order our food we talk about our day. I look across the table at Liam. I am overwhelmed by how much I love him….and by how much I want him. “I’ve really missed you today, Liam.” I tell him as I take off my shoe and trail my foot up his leg. When I reach my intended target, he jumps a bit and smiles. “You missed me that much?” He says with a wink.
I smirk. “Yes I did. I think it’s time for you to help me out of this dress.”
Liam swallows hard. “Perhaps we should get our food to go?”
He gets the waiters attention, asking him to please box up our meals to go. Liam quickly pays the bill and we head out to the car.

Back at the house, standing in the entryway, I ask Liam. “Can you please help me out of this dress?”
His eyes get dark and he drops the bag of food on the floor. Reaching behind me he unzips my dress and pulls it from my shoulders. Letting it fall to the floor. He spends a moment taking me in, in my black lace bra and panties.
I turn to head up the stairs with Liam right behind me. In the bedroom I help him out of his pants and shirt. He has me up against the wall. His mouth on mine, devouring me.
Liam pauses for a moment. “What’s wrong?” I ask him.
He takes a deep breath then answers me. “Making love to you isn’t something I want to rush through….I get so overwhelmed by my feelings for you though….I just can’t slow down.”
I smile. Touching his face, I tell him. “My sweet Liam, you make love to me perfectly every time.” I start at his chest, kissing and nibbling. I hear him moan as I work my way up to his lips. I tug on his full bottom lip with my teeth. He picks me up and carries me to the bed. We make love not once but twice before Liam declares. “I’m starving.”
I laugh. “Well you did just work up quite an appetite.” I throw on one of his shirts. “I’ll go grab our dinner.”
I bound down the steps. Sometimes it surprises me how very happy I am. Then that little nagging devil on my shoulder whispers in my ear. “Can it really last?” I ignore him and jump on the bed with our food. Liam downs his pasta then eats half of mine.
It’s getting late and we have to leave early tomorrow morning. “I guess we had better start packing, love.” Liam tells me.
I grin. “Well Mr. Payne, I think you need to work off all those carbs first.”
Liam smirks. “And you know a way I can do that?”
“Mmm, I do. Let me show you.”

Notes