Liam, Lukas, and I had been in Paris for two days. We have already visited tourist spots, including the Louvre and the Eiffel tower. Lukas is staying in another room, citing the fact that he doesn’t want to step into our room with us in a passionate embrace. And so, to Liam’s delight, he rents a separate suite room for us in a luxurious hotel. It is a Palace Hotel nestled in the heart of the city–close to both Seine and the Tuileries Gardens. The entrance is a grand sweeping staircase with magnificent chandeliers and crystal columns, and the lobby is adorned with frescoes and polished marble floors. I asked him the price, but he didn’t tell me, so I checked the website. By then, I had already stopped computing how many years it would take me before I could pay for it. “You should prepare yourself for another round of heavy exercise,” Lukas teases, which never fails to make me red in the face. “I am too tired,” I retort, perfectly knowing what he means. Besides, it is another day of
After returning from Paris, Liam becomes busy again. However, tonight, he is home. The two of us are watching a movie, our legs entwined and our heads leaning against each other. Worse, his fingers are circling against my palm, creating undeniable electricity between us. “Ahm, Liam, are you aware of what you are doing to me?” I ask. “Hmmm, completely aware,” he says, his eyes still on the television screen. Annoyed, I try to pull away from his hold, but he tightens his grip on me. “How about trying some couch sex?” “We have tried that already!” “It won’t hurt to try again,” he says, grinning. Instead of answering, I get away from his hold. I take hold of my wineglass and sip from it. “Can’t we do it tomorrow instead? Let’s finish this movie in the meantime?” He takes hold of my waist and pulls me back into his embrace. “Here you are again… Saying that you don’t want it, but every time I touch you, you lose your mind.” “Hey!” I say, hitting his chest. “That’s so out of line now!
Liam and I walk arm in arm through the softly lit streets of the city. We are searching for that not-so-expensive restaurant with a balcony overlooking the city. “Oh, there it is!” I exclaim, grinning at Liam. It’s my treat today, and thankfully, he allows that. We walk into the restaurant and see that it’s already full. It’s a Saturday night, so I expected it. I glance at Liam. He is calmly looking over the place. “Good evening, ma’am, sir. Table for two?” the waiter asks. “Yes, please,” I answer. And so, the waiter ushers us into the corner–that exact same spot on the balcony that I saw on a blog last night. Moreover, he lights the candles and pours us a bottle of wine. I am so thrilled that I said multiple thanks to the waiter. When the waiter leaves, I glance at Liam to catch him grinning. “What?!” I ask. He reaches for my hand and remarks, “You seem happy.” I grin back. “I am.” Liam leans forward. He is about to kiss me when I sense another person. I pull back from him an
Liam looks up at me, his eyes full of tenderness. I can see the love, so I reach out to touch his face. This look, I don’t deserve it. I’ve done nothing to earn it. He holds me in his arms and starts kissing me softly. His lips are pressed to mine with a warmth that I can feel throughout my body. The kiss lingers, each second stretching out like an eternity as we explore one another. I close my eyes, savoring the moment and knowing that no matter what, I will surely lose myself in the succeeding passion. Suddenly, his kisses become more urgent and more passionate, and the intensity between us intensifies. His hands move around my body, his fingers caressing my skin as his lips part mine. I gasp with pleasure, my body trembling at his touch. Liam’s hands move lower, exploring my curves as he kisses me passionately. He takes his time, savoring each moment, until it feels like he is slowly unraveling me. The pleasure is unbearable, and I can feel my heart pounding in my chest. He slid
After having my morning shower, I look at myself in the full-length mirror. Liam did not draw blood, but I was littered with bruises. I am exhausted, my muscles are aching, and I am too sore. I feel like I won’t be able to sit properly for a while. I head out of the bathroom to the kitchen counter, where Liam stands in his boxers, cooking us breakfast. “Gotta love the countertop, right?” he says with a sly smile. “At least we can eat while we’re standing up.” I roll my eyes at his blatant attempt at flirtation. “Not enough spanking, though,” I reply. “I can still sit properly.” “I haven’t seen you sit down all morning,” Liam points out, placing a plate with food and mug of coffee in front of me. “The house chef said that you like your coffee strong and creamy.” I take a sip. “He got it right.” Liam moves closer to me. “So, why did you want to be punished last night?” “Because I don’t deserve your generous gift,” I admit. “Nothing of the sort is written on our contract, so it...
I stand in front of my glass window, looking out at the city in a twilight. Tom requests to meet me tonight, at a hotel, and I know where our relationship will go if I meet him. I sigh. I feel the conflicting thoughts as if it is a physical weight on my shoulders. I have to make a choice: Meet Tom to take another step on our relationship. Or return to Liam. I press my palm against the glass. I am afraid and yet, I know what the right choice is. Even if it’s Tom that I want to be with, I can’t do it. Unfortunately, my emotions sometimes go wild and I’ve kissed him! I pace around the unit that Liam has given me. I’ve always wanted a comfortable, boring life. Not the life that Liam is offering, and definitely not the one where I don’t have a safety net in less than two years. I tap my feet against the carpeted floor, deciding what to tell Tom, and what to tell Liam and Lukas. Frustrated, I take my things and drive off back to our home, where Lukas and Liam are waiting for me. “Cassie
The cafe where Tom and I decide to meet has a warm, inviting scent of freshly brewed coffee. The aroma of breakfast sandwiches and pastries wafts through the cafe, along with hints of baked goods and spices in the air. Tom waves at me from his seat and calls, “Cassie!” I smile at him and walk towards him. “Hi, Tom,” I greet. “I thought you wouldn’t come.” I sit in front of him and look into his eyes. His gaze quickly flits away as if ashamed. “I like you, Tom. I know you are aware of it already.” A blush creeps into his cheeks. “I like you too. Very much so.” He gulps before asking, “Which is why I’d like to ask why you didn’t meet me last night. I thought you changed your mind about us?” The smile fades from my face. “I couldn’t,” I answer. Tom reaches across the table and takes my hand. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable. I just don’t understand.” I sigh. “I still have a husband, even if we are not really in love with each other.” He looks down, his hold on
Tom continues to invite me to his family events and as it continues, I find myself getting lost in my own thoughts. “I wonder what’s wrong with my wife?” Liam asks as he presses a kiss on my cheeks. I didn’t even notice him coming into the room. “Liam! Since when have you been there?” I ask, looking at him while he takes off his suit and tie. “Hmmm... a minute?” He moves towards me and places his hands on either side of my legs. “Let’s take a bath together?” My heart races and my mind stops thinking about Tom’s family events. I smile at him, nodding in agreement. We both head over to the bathroom and after playing around while giving each other a rub, we let ourselves into the bathtub. The warmth of the water is soothing and calming as I lay my back against Liam’s chest. He wraps his arms around me tightly and I can feel his breath on my neck. His lips brush against my skin and he traces soft kisses down to my collarbone. “Wait, Liam,” I say, pushing him away. My entire body shi
********* A FEW YEARS LATER *********** I run my hand over my bulging stomach, savoring the warmth of the afternoon sun as it filters through the living room window. I am close now. The doctor says that any day this week I will give birth to a boy. Nearby, Lukas and Alinn teach Andy how to play a new board game, while Liam hovers close by and places snacks and drinks on the table. “Are you okay? Anything you need?” Liam asks. I grin at him. “I need my husband to sit beside me and hold my hand.” Liam’s face softens, and he nods, quickly making his way over to the couch beside me. As he sits down, he takes my hand in his, his fingers lacing through mine. I lean into him, my head resting on his shoulder. He wraps an arm around me, holding me close and kissing my forehead. This time, I am not afraid. Because now, I feel safe and loved, surrounded by the people who mean the most to me. We will move forward, because we know now, that we are unstoppable together. ********* ANOTHER FEW
I chop vegetables for dinner as I note the instructions Lukas jotted down for our dinner. Liam enters the room, wraps his arms around my waist, and playfully nuzzles my neck. “Guess who?” he whispers, his breath tickling my skin. “Could it be... my handsome husband?” I tease. I turn in his embrace, meeting his lips with a sweet kiss before returning to my task. “Any updates on our lovebirds?” Liam asks, referring to Lukas and Alinn. “Actually, they went on a date yesterday evening,” I respond. “I think things are getting more serious between them.” “Good for them,” Liam says sincerely. He leans against the counter, watching me. “Remember how nervous we were when we first started dating?” “Of course,” I laugh. “We are so nervous that we shared a kiss during that same day and even made love when the evening came.” He laughs. “But look at us now. I want to ravish you every time I lay my eyes on you.” I caress his cheeks. “And we’ll do that once we are done with food and shower,” I
It’s already late in the afternoon when the four of us, Liam, Lukas, Andy and me, start the stroll through the bustling market in Morocco. All the vibrant colors, the tantalizing scents and cacophony of voices are overwhelming. Andy seems to enjoy everything, and she has become very curious. Once, she even asks what the two locals are doing. I explain to her that they are haggling over prices. And every time she sees some exotic wares, she will clap her hands in delight. Something that never fails to put a grin on Lukas’ face. “Mom! Stunning!” Andy exclaims as she points to a beautifully embroidered scarf. Liam chuckles. “It is. You can take what you like, Andy.” Andy squeals and pulls Lukas with her into the shop. On the other hand, Liam takes one scarf and drapes the fabric around my neck. He gazes at my face and whispers, “It really is stunning.” I blush, especially when last night was very hot—too passionate, in fact, that I wasn’t able to get up until it was close to lunch.
The lush garden surrounds an elegant white gazebo. There are cascading floral arrangements that are draped gracefully over the lattices. Not to mention the sweet scent in the warm air. And beneath the canopy of flowers, I stand with Liam. We are gazing into each other’s eyes as our family and friends gather around us. Everyone is dressed at their finest, chattering excitedly amongst themselves while sipping champagne and nibbling on mouth-watering hors d’oeuvres. My mother is wiping away a tear as she looks at us. My father is beaming proudly at her side. With all our relatives around us, this is a far cry from when we had our first wedding. “Ready?” Liam asks beside me, his voice full of tender reassurance. I nod, my eyes shining with happiness and love. “Friends and family,” the officiant begins. “We are gathered here today to celebrate the love and commitment of Liam and Cassie. Today, they choose to renew their vows, solidifying their bond and reaffirming their devotion to on
Suddenly, a waiter approaches us and clears his throat. Liam and I look at him. There is an awkward smile on his face. “Apologies for disturbing you, ma’am, sir, but your food is ready. Should I... ahm, send it here? Or should I pack it up or something?” he asks. Given the time to breathe, I reach for my wineglass and take a slow, deliberate sip. As the rich liquid warms my throat, I resolve to face my emotions head-on. “We are going to continue our date night here,” Liam answers while staring hard at me. The waiter gestures for the others to come closer. They set down plates and bowls in front of the table while Liam fixes himself and sits across me. When the waiters leave, Liam reaches for my hand again. “You see, Cassie. You might have forgotten, but this is the anniversary of when we met at that police station. The first time you kissed me.” “Oh.” “You also think that you were not pretty enough back then. That you are undeserving of love.” I purse my lips again. I glance at
I arrive at the elegant restaurant alone, my heart heavy with the weight of agreeing to Scarlet’s request. Even the soft glow of the candlelight that dances against the polished silverware and crystal glasses on the tables do not improve my mood. The atmosphere is intimate, and it could have been a perfect night with Liam. I take a deep breath, inhaling the rich aroma of seared scallops and garlic butter that fill the air. “Reservation for two under Mr. Chapman?” I ask the hostess who has come to assist me. “Of course,” the hostess replies, leading me to a secluded table by the window. “Your server will be with you shortly.” “Thank you,” I murmur, taking my seat while noting the crisp, white linen napkin and the glasses on the table. I glance around the room. Couples are sharing tender smiles and stealing kisses from each other. The sight only deepens the ache in my chest, reminding me of my earlier decision. “Good evening, ma’am,” a friendly server greets me as he approaches the
I stand in front of a full-length mirror, my reflection framed by the delicate curve of the gilded edges. I watch the way the smooth silk of my midnight blue dress clings to my body, accentuating my curves and cascading until my knees. Then I adjust the thin straps over my shoulders. The anticipation of my romantic date with Liam is making my heart race. There is a knock on the door and I say, “Come in,” my voice sounding happier. The soft click of heels makes my hand pause on the fabric of my dress. I turn my attention to the guest and see Scarlet looking me up and down. I purse my lips at her beauty. She is definitely a sight in yet another red dress–a contrast to her creamy skin. Scarlet’s eyes take in every inch of me, appraising me like a predator sizing up its prey. “Hmmm,” she mutters. “You are starting to look the part of being Liam Chapman’s wife.” “I am his wife,” I tell her. I am just not sure until when. “It’s a pity, really,” she says, her voice dripping with sacchar
Last night, I was dreaming about Lukas and Liam’s laughter again and I woke up with a mix of love and fear. I sigh. This is just fine. I know that my decision to distance myself is for the best. “Momma, Lukas?” Andy asks, still stuttering. “Tomorrow, dear, okay? Your brother will come here to play with you.” She nods and takes hold of a doll. Lukas has gone to the beach with Scarlet. As for Liam, he decided to finish his work in the office. “For today, it’s just you and me...” I whisper. “And probably, in the future too.” I settle in the chair and my gaze lingers on the family photos adorning the walls. Most of it are pictures of Lukas and Andy, but there is also Alinn, Liam, and me. I really do miss doing activities with them. When my eyes fill with tears, I blink them away. I chose this. I should not be sad about this. I have to be stronger than this. More unfeeling than this. I can walk away, just like how I escaped from all the men and drama around me before. They said it bef
“Are you okay, love?” Liam asks. He is on top of me, still panting from the pleasure we just shared. I smile at him, attempting to hide the turmoil raging within me–anxiety that I only feel every time we stop drowning in our pleasure. “I am fine,” I lie. Liam’s piercing eyes search mine, but instead of pressing further, he brushes a stray strand of my hair behind my ear. “I am not such a skilled conversationalist, but please know that I will listen to you, any time you want to talk about something.” I beam at him and I hook my arms around his neck. “I always see you as a great communicator, though.” “Maybe I communicate my love for you in bed? Where you will feel it the most?” he asks, playful now. “I think we should wear our clothes and pause from communicating in bed. I need to check up on Andy.” He presses a kiss on my neck. “Lukas and the nanny are here. Stay a little more in my arms.” I giggle, but then I push him away from me. Sitting up and retrieving my clothes, my min