Chapter 2: Building Tension
It was the night of the party and to say I was in a rough mood was an understatement. I sighed as I turned on the hot shower water and stepped inside. But I screamed as I saw Liam was in there showering as well. He was facing the other direction and didn't expect to see me. My eyes widened in shock.
"Shit! What are you doing?" I exclaimed.
Liam quickly turned around, covering himself with his hands. "Jesus, Evie! What the hell are you doing?"
I was mortified, standing there in my towel. "I-I-I thought you were done!"
Liam laughed, his eyes flicking over my body. "Well, you thought wrong. You're the one who interrupted me, training bra."
I rolled my eyes. "Don't call me that."
He smirked. "Why not? Your tits are..." his voice trailed. "Nice," he admitted. "I'll give you that."
I crossed my arms over my chest, suddenly very aware of my state of undress. "You're perverted," I muttered, turning to leave.
"Wait," he called out, stepping closer. I glanced back, and he held out a hand towards me. "Seriously, Evie. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable."
I hesitated, looking at his outstretched hand. It was the first time I'd seen him sincere, and it threw me off guard. I took his hand, and he pulled me closer, his voice dropping to a low rumble.
"Look, I know we got off on the wrong foot. But I promise, I'm not a complete asshole. I just... have my ways of dealing with things."
I nodded, feeling the warmth of his hand on mine. "Yeah, I get that. I have my ways too."
He smiled, a small, genuine smile that made him look almost boyish. "So, truce?"
I mirrored his smile, feeling a sense of relief. "Truce."
He let go of my hand, and I turned to leave the bathroom.
"Wait. No use in wasting water, right?" Liam said, his voice suddenly playful. I turned back to see him step under the showerhead, his back to me. "You can stay if you want. Plenty of room for both of us."
"I don't think that's a good idea," I replied, my voice a little breathless. The sight of his broad shoulders and the way the water cascaded down his back was... distracting.
He chuckled, low and throaty. "Afraid you won't be able to resist my charms, training bra?"
"Something like that," I muttered, turning around to leave again.
"Evie, come on," Liam said, his voice playful but with a hint of challenge. "It's just a shower. We're both adults here."
I hesitated, my hand on the doorknob. The image of him under the shower, water streaming down his back, was etched in my mind. I took a deep breath, trying to ignore the flutter in my stomach.
"Alright, fine," I said, stepping back into the bathroom. I turned my back to him and closed my eyes, trying to act casual.
But the reality was, my heart was pounding in my chest, and I was hyper-aware of his presence behind me. I could feel the heat of his body, even with the water cascading between us.
"You know, I never took you for the shy type," Liam said, his voice close to my ear. I jumped slightly, surprised by how close he was. "You always seem so confident, so in control."
I turned my head slightly to look at him, our faces inches apart. "I am confident," I said, my voice barely above a whisper.
"But that doesn't mean I'm not... aware."
Liam's gaze intensified, his eyes roaming over my face, tracing the line of my jaw, the curve of my lips. "Aware of what, Evie?"
I swallowed hard, my throat dry despite the steamy air. "Aware of you."
His lips curled into a slow, mischievous smile, and he leaned in impossibly closer.
"And what exactly are you aware of, Evie?"
His voice was a low rumble, a husky whisper that sent shivers down my spine. I could feel the warmth of his breath on my cheek, the faint scent of soap and something darker, more alluring. I was acutely aware of every inch of my body, the way my heart was pounding, the way my breaths were coming in short, ragged gasps.
I tried to play it off, to stay in control. "Just... that you're invading my personal space," I said, my voice barely above a whisper.
"Speaking of, I've been meaning to talk to you about osmething. You know that psychology internship? I've been able to pull some strings for you. But it comes at a cost," Liam said. His voice was no longer husky or playful. It was serious, almost business-like.
I pulled away from him, suddenly feeling the chill of the shower and the weight of the conversation. "What do you mean?"
"How bad do you want it?" Liam asked. "I... I don't know what you mean," I replied, my curiosity piqued. "What strings did you pull?"
"I got you the internship. And you know that's unheard of, a freshman with an internship. So as repayment..." Liam's voice trailed off, his eyes never leaving mine. He was teasing me, I could tell, but there was something more behind it. A challenge, perhaps.
"And what exactly is this repayment you speak of?" I asked, folding my arms across my chest instinctively. The water was warm and comforting, but Liam's gaze was anything but.
He shrugged, nonchalant, as if he hadn't just dropped a bomb on me. "You belong to me. And you get pregnant with my seed. From now, until your senior year."
I stared at him in disbelief, my jaw slack. "You're joking, right?"
Liam's expression was sober, his eyes unreadable. "Do I look like I'm joking?"
I let out a bitter laugh, shaking my head. "You can't be serious. I don't belong to anyone, and I sure as hell am not getting pregnant for some internship."
Liam smirked, his eyes gleaming with amusement. "Well, that's where you're wrong, training bra. You see, I have a certain... reputation.
I'm the golden child, the one who can do no wrong. And you, well, you're the train wreck waiting to happen. Your dad left, your mom's a mess, and now you're the one who's supposed to hold it all together. You're the perfect little princess, aren't you?"
His words were like a slap in the face, and I flinched, feeling the heat of anger rise within me. "How dare you," I hissed, stepping closer to him, my voice low and dangerous. "You don't know a damn thing about me.
You think you can just spout off some bullshit and I'll fall in line? You're pathetic," I spat, my voice shaking with a mix of anger and hurt.
"But this internship could set you up after college. We're talking about you making well over $100,000 out of the gate. Enough to take care of you and our child." Liam's voice was calm, as if he was proposing a business deal rather than a life-altering event.
"You're out of your mind," I said, my voice shaking with anger. "I'm not some pawn in your game, Liam. I have dreams, goals, and I won't let you or anyone else dictate my future."
"Then why is this pretty pussy soaking wet at the idea?" Liam asked as he swiped his fingers in my folds.
I gasped, feeling a spark ignite within me. I was so wet, it was embarrassing.
"You know what I'm talking about," he growled, his voice low and sinful. "You want this, Evie. You want me."
I wanted to deny it, to push him away. But my body betrayed me, arching into his touch, seeking more. "No," I whispered, my voice hoarse with desire. "I don't."
Liam chuckled, a dark and dangerous sound that sent shivers down my spine. "Liar," he said, pressing two fingers inside me. I cried out, my body stretching to accommodate him.
"After this party, you belong to me. Think about it." Liam's voice was a low rumble, a husky whisper that sent shivers down my spine. His fingers moved inside me, stroking and teasing, pushing me closer to the edge.
I was breathless, my body on fire with need and desire. I wanted to fight him, to push him away. But I couldn't deny the pleasure that was coursing through my veins.
"Liam, stop," I gasped, my voice barely above a whisper. "We can't do this."
He leaned in, his lips brushing against my ear. "My cock is a lot bigger, Evie.
You need me to stop?" Liam's voice was a low growl as he nipped at my earlobe, his fingers moving faster and deeper within me. I was panting, my body writhing against his touch, my mind screaming at me to run even as my body begged for more.
"Liam... please," I managed to choke out, my voice thick with desire.
"Please what, Evie? Please stop or please don't?" he asked, his breath hot against my neck.
I couldn't form the words, couldn't think straight. I was drowning in sensation, in his touch, in his scent.
"Please don't let your cousin hear you getting fucked in here?" Liam asked.
And then suddenly, Liam yanked his fingers out of me. "Think about it, Evie, and let me know," He said and stepped out of the shower.