Dirk: A Stepbrother Romance(78)
“Welcome to my home, come in.” Liam took a step back so that Ginny could enter the home.
To say it was luxurious would be an understatement. It was high end everything to the extreme. There wasn’t a single item or square inch of the penthouse apartment that didn’t scream pricy. At first Ginny felt incredibly out of place in such a fancy apartment. Liam seemed to sense her discomfort and brought her by the hand into the kitchen. The simple touch of his hand once more sent jolts of electricity coursing through her and Ginny couldn’t help but wonder what his rough yet gentle hands would feel like on other parts of her body.
Much to Ginny’s surprise there wasn’t a chef waiting for them. Instead Liam stepped into place behind the cutting board and finished up what he had been in the process of chopping, a red onion. His strong hands worked dexterously and Ginny’s mind continued to wonder how those hands would feel in more…private areas of her body.
“I just need to get this on before I can relax for a bit. It’s all about the timing with this kind of dish.” Liam made the last few chops before adding the onions to a pan on low heat with a bit of oil in it. Timing, indeed, Ginny thought.
“Would you like wine or beer?” Liam walked over to his fridge and pulled it wide open, revealing a decent selection of both high end beer and white wines as well as the good old favorites, Bud Light beer and Barefoot wine. He was prepared for any and all kinds of tastes and preferences when it came to his selection, it appeared.
“I’ll have whatever you’re having.” Ginny didn’t want to step out of bounds on anything and by putting it in his court she allowed him to set the standards.
“Alright then,” Liam smiled and pulled out a uniquely shaped bottle with a dark red liquid in it. It wasn’t labelled at all and that made Ginny nervous.
“What is that?” She eyed it as Liam pulled out two short glasses and poured a small amount of the liquid into each cup.
“It’s an age old family recipe for a kind of liquor that isn’t really made too often anymore. It’s a special mead made from red and black currants - and a few other things.” Liam handed Ginny one of the glasses. He held up his glass in a sort of ‘cheers’ motion and Ginny followed suit. “To a wonderful dinner with a wonderful guest.” Liam clinked his glass with Ginny’s and she nodded before taking a tentative sip. It was a burst of fruit and honey flavors backed with a strong alcoholic finish.
“This is delicious.” Ginny took another sip. Liam smiled, pleased that she was enjoying it.
Liam got back to work in the kitchen and in no time a full roast with all the fixings was set out on the table. There were potatoes, a variety of cooked vegetables, a delicious onion gravy and perhaps most impressive, homemade Yorkshire puddings. It was a full English feast, in keeping with his family’s heritage. Ginny was incredibly impressed with Liam’s cooking abilities. They far surpassed her own.
“Everything looks wonderful.” Ginny stated as her seat was tucked in for her by Liam. He seemed to be a gentleman in everything he did.
“Why thank you, I hope you enjoy it.” Liam took his seat opposite of Ginny and together they partook in the feast.
Once the meal was complete and the dishes placed into the sink, Liam led Ginny over to the couch with a view overlooking the city. From their seats they could see the entire city spread out before them. It was a sight that Ginny was sure she would never see anywhere else. It was another reminder to her that Liam was more than just a well off guy, he was a freaking billionaire! That was with a “B,” she had to remind herself.
Liam sat down on the couch and beckoned for Ginny to join him. Without reservation she nestled up next to him, content to fit in the crook under his arm. It just felt natural to do so. For several long moments they just sat and watched the world beneath them turn. It was Liam who ended the comfortable silence between them with a statement that threw Ginny off a bit.
“You remind me of a woman I once knew and cared for deeply. You make me feel so comfortable so easily I wonder if you aren’t somehow connected in this world.” Liam caressed the side of Ginny’s face, and a look passed over his eyes that said so much more than his words did. There was an ageless yearning clearly painted on his face and a much deeper hurt underneath than perhaps even he knew about, she imagined.
“What was her name?” Ginny was curious, who was the man behind the money?
“Philippa.” An indeterminable look crossed Liam’s face then.
“There is more you aren’t telling me, isn’t there?” Ginny felt something stir deep within her, something she didn’t quite understand. But part of her subconscious screamed out at her. Was it a warning or a remembering? Liam looked long and hard at Ginny, as though debating what to tell her. With a deep sigh it was clear he had decided to go with the truth, whatever that entailed.
“Do you believe in vampires?” It was such an odd – and totally bizarre and out of left field - question that Ginny didn’t even know how to answer it properly.
“Are you being serious?” Ginny made a move to get up from the couch, suddenly unsure of things. But Liam held her close and pleaded with her.
“Please, I want to be honest with you. I don’t know exactly why I feel like this, but I won’t make the same mistakes again.” Liam held Ginny close and waited for her to concede in letting him continue. “I am a vampire, and I have been one for a very long time. Sometimes I don’t even remember what my first life was like. It’s like a ghost of a memory.” At this point, Ginny was sure Liam was insane, there was no way he could be a vampire. They didn’t exist. Was he seriously saying this? For a brief moment Ginny wondered if perhaps Liam had in fact spiked her drink. There were no such thing as vampires. It was ridiculous of Liam to even suggest otherwise. Maybe it was some kind of joke.