The Lies That Define Us (Us 2)

By the time we reached our room, I felt lightheaded and needy.

Liam opened the door into the suite and pushed me against it when it closed. His mouth claimed mine, and he lifted my legs to wrap around his waist. My hands fisted into the hair on the back of his head, and my chest pressed into his in a desperate need to get impossibly

closer to him.

His fingers tightened on my legs as he carried me to the bedroom and reached down to yank the sheets back on the made-up bed. He laid me down gently and my hair fanned around me. I swallowed thickly as I stared up at him.

I didn’t know you could feel so scared but so safe all at the same time.

He spread my legs, his fingers lingering on the bare skin of my thighs.

“Are you sure?” he asked.

I nodded. “I am.”

He covered my body once more.

My heart thundered in my ears, louder than the roar of the ocean, blocking out all of my racing thoughts.

My mouth parted in a gasp when I felt my bikini top give way. Liam pulled the small piece of fabric away from my body and tossed it over his shoulder. Almost immediately his mouth was on my breast and my back arched off the bed, my nails digging into his back.

I’d never experienced such an intense pleasure and it was only beginning.

“Liam,” I panted his name, my voice soft and broken sounding.

He looked up at me with those icy-blue eyes—that had once been filled with such hatred—with love shining brightly. A tiny smirk cast over his lips and then disappeared as he kissed his way down my stomach. His fingers hooked into my bikini bottoms and then they too disappeared. I was laid completely bare for him, and while I still felt nervous, I’d also never felt more beautiful.

With my pulse racing, I reached out, skimming my fingers over the hard lines of his chest and abs.

We were both quiet—it was like each of us was trying to remember every tiny detail of the moment. I’d hoped it was as special to him as it was me.

“Breathe, Ari,” he coaxed, and I hadn’t even realized I’d stopped.

I inhaled a lungful of air and let it out slowly. His lips twitched into a smile as he backed off the bed. Time seemed to slow to a crawl as I watched him tug down his board shorts.

And then I stared, and stared some more, before my eyes jumped to the ceiling and my whole body flushed with heat.

His low chuckle filled the room and after a moment, his weight lingered above me once more. His thumb and forefinger grasped my chin, and he tugged my head down so I was forced to look at him.

“Don’t get shy on me.” His fingers ghosted over my lips, tracing the shape of them.

I inhaled a shaky breath. “I-I’m a virgin.”

Oh God. I can’t believe those words just came out of my mouth. I hadn’t meant to tell him. I mean, he would’ve figured it out, but—

“Are you serious?” He looked at me wide-eyed, holding his weight above me with his hands on either side of my head.

I nodded, unable to read his facial expressions.

He licked his lips, looking at me with a newfound desire. When his eyes locked on mine again, he said, “I haven’t had sex since…well, since…”

I gasped. “What?”

“Sleeping around doesn’t appeal to me. I know most people would assume otherwise, but that’s not me. I need to feel something, and I do. With you.”

I leaned up, pressing my lips softly to his. His tongue parted my lips, and I shivered, my stomach clenching in anticipation.

My hands wound around his neck, pressing against his smooth and warm skin.