Chapter 119 She is in the guest room
I do not know how long we are kissing. When I finally come back to reality, I am completely soaked and shivering everywhere. I start coughing and sneezing right in his face.
He laughs a little. "Okay. At least I know now how you really felt about that kiss."
"No. It is just that I am freezing out here. Do you not feel cold?"
"Not really." He shrugs. "How could I feel cold when I have our passionate hot love burning in my chest?"
"Oh my God, gross." I hit him playfully. "Liam Thorne, I did not know you were a cheesy guy."
"Now you know. And it is too late to change your mind. Okay, enough of this. We are going back. You will get sick if we stay out here any longer."
My feet are completely numb from the rain. I have to hold onto him and stumble forward. He sighs and bends down with his back to me. "Hop on."
I hesitate. "Um. Are you sure? I weigh like..."
"You weigh like a feather. And with your legs like that, we will not make it back before morning. So hop on."
I feel my face get hot and I climb onto his back. He picks me up easily and starts walking toward the beach house. It is still freezing outside. But my body starts to warm up again with him this close to me.
I rest my chin against his neck and ask, "Hey. Have you ever seen a movie called The Notebook?"
"No. Why?"
"You have not seen it? Seriously?" I gasp. "It is such a classic. We should definitely watch it together sometime."
"Okay, so A, this is not a college interview so I do not need to lie about how many classic movies or books I have seen. And B, are you asking me out on a date already? Because I have other plans for our first date and they are way better than your boring movie night idea."
"It is not boring at all." I yell at him. "Just listen. There is this scene in the movie where the couple has this big dramatic reunion and they just start kissing in the middle of pouring rain."
"Like we just did?"
"Yes. And it is so romantic. I have always wanted to do that with someone before I die peacefully."
He laughs and his shoulders shake. I quickly tighten my arms around his neck so I do not fall.
"Glad to be of service, miss." He teases me. "You can pick ten other romantic scenes from movies and we will find time to do those too. That will make one epic date night."
Before long we reach the terrace of a beach house. When he sets me down on the ground I finally realize it is not Katherine's house.
"So you were telling the truth? Mr. Thorne actually owns a house here?" I ask while he opens the door.
"Ask the top ten richest people in Northwood and they all own a house in this area." He steps aside and motions for me to come in while he laughs. "So you thought I made that up?"
I did. But he does not need to know that.
I walk inside slowly and turn on the light. Wow. The inside is even prettier than Katherine's house. It looks like my dream house come to life.
Liam kicks off his shoes and walks through the living room. "Come on. There is a guest room on the first floor and we will sleep there tonight. I will run you a hot bath."
I follow him into the guest room and then into the bathroom. He pulls out a towel, tosses it to me, and bends down to turn on the water.
I wipe my wet hair absentmindedly, just staring at his back. Everything is happening so fast. After that first rush of excitement fades, the familiar anxiety creeps up in my chest.
I bite my lip and smile. "Look at you. Being so normal."
"You better mean that as a compliment." He tests the water temperature with his hand.
"I just thought you would have a butler or a maid to do this kind of stuff. Like running a bath, getting dressed, cooking. I did not know you could take care of other people like this."
"You have a pretty biased opinion of rich people, you know that? We have money. It is not like we are disabled."
I try to laugh along but my laugh comes out all weird and awkward. My nerves are way too obvious. After a second of fighting with myself I decide to just go for it.
"Hey Liam?"
"Yeah."
I swallow hard and try to make my voice sound light and casual. "So what is this? W-what are we?"
I say it and the bathroom goes completely silent. He rests his hand on the edge of the bathtub and does not say anything. I can not see his face from behind and the awkward silence is killing me.
Then finally, right before I suffocate from my own anxiety, he speaks again. His voice is lighter than I expected. "You have to ask?"
That is not the answer I wanted.
"Yes, I have to ask." I squeeze the towel in my hands. I am getting angry now. "You are a really difficult person. And you are a fuckboy who specializes in ruining girls. So excuse me for asking questions."
He turns around and walks toward me. Now I can finally see his face clearly. It still looks really gentle and sweet, with a little hint of amusement, like he thinks my questions are funny.
I feel instantly better seeing that.
"Can we save the criticism session for later?" He laughs and puts his hands on my face. "I thought my actions spoke for themselves. I have never seen you as my sister. Same as you."
I get lost in his deep green eyes. I hold onto the last bit of sense I have and whisper, "So... boyfriend and girlfriend?"
"Yeah." He smiles and kisses me softly. I feel like I am melting under his mouth.
After a moment he pulls back slightly and says in a low voice, "Wait for me in the bathtub."
"Where are you going?" I do not want him to leave.
"To get you some hot water. Do not worry. I will be right back." He smiles and heads out. Then he stops at the door and turns around, raising his eyebrows. "And I do not need a maid for that."
I laugh. "Okay."
Liam's POV
The way she smiles so carefree is contagious. Walking into the kitchen I realize my mouth is curving up, smirking just like she did. Her smile makes my heart feel full.
I open the top drawer and take out the kettle. I have never boiled hot water in my whole life, which unfortunately she was right about. But I do not want her to think I am some stupid rich kid who can not even put his own socks on.
While I am messing with the kettle I suddenly hear a quiet noise from the terrace. I snap my head around and see a dark figure sneaking in through the glass door.
"Breaking in?" I roll my eyes. "Really?"
James steps out of the shadows and walks into the kitchen, shaking the rain off himself. "I could ring the doorbell. If you do not mind your little girlfriend getting all worked up."
"Keep your voice down." I set the kettle on the stove. "She is in the guest room."
James grins and moves closer, nudging me with his elbow. "So how did it go? Did it work?"
I turn on the stove and smile. "Absolutely."