Enticing Liam (Big Sky Royal 2)

“We won’t tell a soul,” Natasha says. “We take girl talk very seriously. And we’re not the kind of women who try to hurt each other.”

“They’re right,” Monica says. “We won’t tell.”

“I’m a virgin,” I blurt and look down in humiliation. “I asked Liam to take care of that little detail. And he agreed. But he’s been taking me through lessons, starting with anticipation and then kissing. We’ve only made it to the kissing part, and I have to admit, it’s nice.”

“First of all, being a virgin is nothing to be ashamed of,” Aspen says and loops her arm around my shoulders. “And, second of all, that’s an awesome plan.”

“Hell, yes,” Natasha agrees. “And it’s pretty sweet that he’s taking you through lessons rather than just getting the deed done and getting on with his life.”

“But I just told him we’re done with it all.”

All three of them stare at me as if I just declared war on the United States.

“Why?” Aspen asks.

“Because he yelled at me today. And he was mean.”

“Obviously, he must be punished,” Monica says, tapping her lips with her finger. “But I wouldn’t abandon the plan entirely. He is hot. And nice.”

He’s wonderful.

I’m mad at him, but I might have spoken too soon.

“Okay.” I pick my phone back up. “I’ll tell him never mind.”

Sorry. I meant to send that text to someone else.

I smirk and set my phone aside and enjoy my evening with my new friends. Until I met Nina, I didn’t know what it meant to trust friends. My acquaintances in London are snobby, elitist, and petty. They’re certainly not the kind of women I’d want to confide in.

But the new friends I’ve made are so different.

Once all of the tacos, nachos, and margaritas are gone, I decide it’s time to return home for a good night of sleep.

I hug the others—which is new for me, but lovely—and pull the front door open to find Liam standing on the other side. His jaw is tight. His eyes hard.

“I’m ready to go home.”

He nods and escorts me to the car. We took the official car tonight, at my insistence. I didn’t want to ride in the front seat with him.

The trip is quiet, the walk down to my flat silent.

Liam unlocks the door and helps me up the stairs. I’m not as drunk as that night at Brooke’s Blooms, but I’m not exactly steady on my feet either.

“We need to talk,” Liam says once we’re up in my place.

“You yelled at me,” I blurt. “And you called me stupid, Liam. I will not stand for that.”

“I’m sorry.” He sighs and rubs his hand over his face. “I apologize for saying that. It was wrong of me. You’re not stupid at all. But, Ellie, you have to tell me about anything that isn’t normal. I can’t protect you if I don’t know what’s threatening you.”

I sink down onto the couch and watch him pace my living room.

“My priority is making sure you’re safe. It’s my job, yes, but it’s more than that. I care about you, damn it, and I’ll do whatever I have to, to make sure you’re protected. There are no exceptions, even if you think it’s silly. You, your safety, is the most important thing.”

I don’t even stop to think twice, I just stand and launch myself into his arms. I wrap my legs around his waist and my arms around his neck and hold on tight.

“Apology accepted. And I’m sorry for not telling you. I won’t do it again.”

“Thank you.” His hands are on my bum as he kisses my cheek. “Now, I have one more question.”

“Okay.”

“Who the fuck did you mean to send that text to?”

I frown and pull back so I can look him in the eyes. “What text?”

“The one you sent me when I was sitting on Aspen’s wet porch.”

“Oh.” I bury my face in his neck again, enjoying his scent. “I really did mean to send it to you, but then I regretted it and sent the second one.”

He carries me to the bedroom and sets me on the floor. “Sleep off this tequila, and I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Stay.” I catch his hand before he steps away. “Please, stay with me. We’ll just sleep. Talk. I want you to hold me.”

He seems to think it over, then rubs his lips together and nods. “Okay.”

I clap my hands but then frown when he pulls my pajamas out of a drawer and holds them out for me.

“Go change in the bathroom.”

“You’ve touched me pretty much everyw—”

“Go. Change,” he says again. “Please.”

I do as he asks. When I return to the bedroom, the linens are drawn back on the bed. Liam is wearing a T-shirt and shorts.

“Were you wearing that under your suit?” I ask.

He nods.

“You can take the shirt off if you want.”