Collided: Dirty Air (Book 2)(25)
Liam whispers wicked things in my ear all night whenever he can. The way Maya glances at us with sweet eyes makes me think he looks adorable. But no, Liam isn’t one for cuteness.
Everything is going fine until the double date becomes some weird pissing contest between Jax and Noah, who randomly joins us before our food comes out. Noah pulls up a chair, acting wounded about not being invited. I have a feeling his appearance has everything to do with my Spanish amiga here who keeps blushing and hiding behind her menu.
I can’t help feeling a sense of relief when Noah crashes the date despite how Liam’s jaw ticks whenever he looks at Noah. Maya’s frazzled state amuses me until she spills her glass of water, the cold liquid pouring all over Jax. Her clumsiness distracts the three of them and gives Liam full access to me.
Liam closes the distance, occupying my personal space, the smell of him invading my brain. I fan my face with a menu the waiter left behind.
“Are you hot? I can ask them to lower the thermostat?” Liam’s mischievous grin screams everything but kind and thoughtful.
I pull my glass of water to my lips, eager to cool down.
“Did you buy a vibrator yet? If not, I thought about having a company create a copy of my dick for you. I googled it and found a website that seems legit. You can even pick the color, although I’m partial to Caribbean blue.”
I choke on my water. My eyes cloud as I fight for air, all while Liam stares at me, his eyes darkening and his grin expanding.
“Who invents these types of things, and why are you even googling this in the first place?”
He places a hand against his heart. “I’m committed to helping you. Count it as my good deed for the year, a noble cause in the name of helping you live a little.”
“And your plan somehow includes a replica of your cock?” My eyes bulge.
He winks. “As much as I love hearing that word from your mouth, behave for our guests.”
My cheeks flame at the reminder of Maya, Jax, and Noah sitting less than a yard away. “I’d end up selling your little toy on eBay and cashing out.”
“I can assure you it would be anything but little. But why don’t you find out for yourself? You do have a love for thorough research.”
I scoff, hiding how much his words affect me.
He dares to put his arms up, attempting to look innocent, his eyes twinkling under the faint lighting of the restaurant. “I didn’t create the list. I’m only trying to help you complete the items.”
“Next, you’re going to offer to help me use your big toy.” I use my thumb and index finger to show an invisible gap of about three inches.
“Is that option on the table?”
I smack him with my cloth napkin. “No. Neither is a 3D copy of your cock. Keep that to yourself because that’s even worse than a dick pic.”
“You haven’t been getting the right kind of dick pics if that’s your thought on them.”
What kind does he send to random women in the middle of the night?
His hand grasps mine, sending a current of energy up my arm, some foreign sensation I frown at. I’m scared of how other things would feel with him if this is how my body responds to hand-holding.
I blame the fact that I’ve had all but three partners who, when combined, don’t have nearly half the sexual energy Liam gives off. It oozes out of him, all baby blues and ridiculous one-liners. Not to mention a six-pack I may or may not have checked out on the internet. He even smells fantastic. Men like Liam lure you in for a night and next thing you know, you’re so fucked you don’t know which way is up.
I stare at our joined hands, trying to understand the connection between us. It must be the confidence Liam exudes. It’s such a different experience when compared to the guys I’ve been around before, with those sexual encounters being subpar at best.
I somehow break away from his hold, dropping back into the group’s conversations. Liam lets me get away with avoiding one-on-one conversations for the rest of the night. Like the gentleman he pretends to be, he pays for dinner, putting an end to our bizarre date.
Outside of the restaurant, I strategically insert myself into Noah’s offer to take Maya back to the Bandini team’s hotel. Liam doesn’t look the least bit pleased based on the clenching of his jaw and the way his eyes narrow at his fuckboy friend.
You win some, you lose some. And I don’t want to be the one to lose anything.
The car ride back with Noah and Maya is filled with sexual tension, with me unable to escape them since my body is wedged between them.
I decide to break the awkward silence after a few minutes. “Did you know some versions of paella include mussels in them? Remind me to order mine without them when we have dinner tomorrow.”
“Hmm.” Maya stares out the window, leaving no room for a back and forth. No worries, I can talk enough for the two of us.
“And we can visit the beach while the guys practice tomorrow. What do you say? Me, you, sangria, and shirtless Spanish boys?”
Noah turns his head toward me. His deep blue eyes assess me before moving onto Maya, lingering on her face. “Just what she needs. More men hanging around her, wanting to fuck around.”
Alrighty then. I’ll take Sore Subject for two hundred, please.
Maya turns toward me and mouths a silent apology. I instantly regret joining these two for a car ride because the whole situation is awkward as fuck. My lips remain sealed for the rest of the trip, no longer in the mood to deal with a brooding Noah.