The Terrace

My gaze drifted to the crowd, shouting and jumping, trying to escape the boundary that held them back, but the guards didn't allow it.

Then suddenly, I felt Liam's warm grasp on my wrist.

He pulled me close, and I stared at him in surprise.

In an instant, we were no longer in the living room. Our eyes remained locked as we gazed at each other.

"Uhm, Liam..." I started to say, but he whispered, "Look around."

I slowly turned my head, taking in our surroundings. My eyes widened in astonishment at the transformed space before me.

I recognized this place - the white tiles, the open area with a short wall that revealed the dark night sky... This was where I had searched for Liam, but it was almost unrecognizable since my last visit.

Roses covered the floor, and ribbons, balloons, and flowers adorned the walls.

A beautifully set table with a white lace tablecloth, a flower vase, and a lit candle at its center caught my attention. Wow!

A smile spread across my face as I broke free from Liam's grasp to approach the short wall.

I rested my hands on the rough surface and gazed out into the night sky, where the wind blew my hair back.

This was incredible!

I looked down at the shimmering pool below, feeling as though we were floating in the sky, and everything else seemed small and insignificant.

Suddenly, Liam's arms encircled me from behind, his warm breath danced across my skin, and his gentle hold made my heart race.

"You like it?" he whispered, his lips grazing my ear.

I nodded, my chest rising and falling rapidly.

His embrace tightened, and he slowly turned me around, his hands on my shoulders.

My gaze fell on the silver button on his suit, matching the necklace he'd given me.

I hesitated, then met his eyes, which were fixed on the bandage on my head.

His brow furrowed, and he reached up to gently remove the bandage, his touch sending shivers down my spine.

As Liam removed the bandage, a cold sensation stung my skin, making me wince.

His warm hand covered the wound, and I felt a surge of puzzlement.

I tried to pull his hand away, but his eyes remained shut, his brows furrowed in intense focus.

His concentration was clear, like a tangible force. Then, a strange, cooling sensation spread through my head, replacing the stinging pain.

It was like a soothing balm, calming my skin and quieting my mind.

I relaxed, my eyes closing in relief, but just as I surrendered to the tranquility, the sensation ceased, replaced by a gentle warmth that made my eyes snap open.

My pupils fluttered as I searched Liam's open eyes, which gazed back at me.

He wore a smile on his lips, and I mirrored it.

He removed his hand, exposing my head to the cold breeze, and his eyes shifted back to my wound, this time with a hint of a smile.

Did he just heal my injury?

I'd never been awake during his healing before, but was this what it felt like?

My lips parted to ask if he'd healed me, but then he pulled me into a warm, tight embrace, his hands wrapped around me as if he was jealous of the breeze touching me.

I stood still, feeling the soft, gentle weight of his head on my shoulder.

"I'm sorry for not showing up, Layla, please forgive me," he whispered.

His words made my heart race, but I smiled softly. "It's okay, Liam, you did all this for me, so I forgive you, it's fine."

His arms tightened around me, pulling me so close that our chests pressed against each other.

I gulped hard and surrendered to his embrace without hesitation.

I had promised to return to him after speaking with Bethel, hadn't I?

"Yeah, you did," he whispered, his words making my eyes widen in surprise.

How could I have forgotten that he could read my mind?

"And your heart too," he added, his grip tightening, sending a surge through my hormones.

I felt a shiver run down my spine; this was getting intense.

It meant there was nothing to hide from him.

"That's because you're mine," he whispered, his nose grazing my neck, and then his lips pressed against my skin in a long, tender kiss.

My heart raced, and my shoulders rose as I tilted my head to the side, a smile spreading across my face.

His breath tickled my neck, and his eyes met mine, a longing glint in them, but a hint of a smile playing on his lips.

He pressed his forehead against mine, his nose tip grazing mine, and I felt my heart flutter.

We locked gazes, but my eyes felt like they were scorching in hot water under his intense stare.

My smile remained, but my sweaty fingers twitched, eager to grasp something.

Then, Liam's hands began to slide down my back, caressing my body as he explored every curve.

My chest heaved with each breath, and before I knew it, his hands had encircled my waist, pulling me closer.

Suddenly, our lips met in a unexpected kiss, leaving me breathless.

My heart raced faster as Liam's tongue slipped into my mouth, and the simple kiss ignited into a passionate embrace.

His arms wrapped tighter around my waist, pulling me closer as he deepened the kiss.

I held his shoulders, reciprocating the intensity.

Our tongues entwined, rubbing against each other repeatedly. Liam's grip around my waist tightened, and I wrapped my arms around his neck, holding him close.

Time stood still as our lips moved in perfect harmony, the world around us dissolving into nothingness.

Liam's hands roamed upward, caressing my back with skillful fingers.

They traced my curves, our bodies swaying in perfect harmony.

But when his warm hands made contact with my bare skin, my eyes snapped open in surprise.

We weren't going to...were we?

Yet, his hands were already unhooking my bra.

I broke the kiss with a loud click, but Liam's lips claimed mine again, muffling my protest with a gentle "hm."

I didn't want to go that far, not here, not with the party still raging outside!

What if someone walked in?

My hands slid from his neck to his shoulders, and I pulled my lips away, my chest heaving with labored breaths.

I pushed him back, frowning. "Someone might come in."

But Liam was relentless, his lips crashing onto mine again.

"Let them," he whispered, his tongue tracing my lips.

I reciprocated, our tongues entwining, but a sudden snap from my bra made my eyes fly open.

He'd unhooked a bra hook!

With all my might, I pushed his shoulders, breaking the kiss.

Our breathing was heavy, our chests heaving.

Liam's hands remained on my bra, but he didn't continue unhooking it.

His eyes stayed locked on mine, his lips slightly parted, his chest rising and falling with each breath.

My mind raced with excuses to stop him from going further, but Liam could read my thoughts!

"It's my birthday, let's celebrate, and we'll continue this later!" I exclaimed, like as if I was trying to shield my thoughts from him.

A nervous smile spread across my face, and my eyes searched his for understanding.

Liam nodded, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. My heart skipped a beat in relief, and I released my grip on his shoulders.

His hands slid down my back, his touch sending shivers down my spine.

I clenched my fists, waiting for him to let go. But instead, he pulled me into another kiss, releasing me with a soft click.

"Liam!" I protested, my brows furrowed.

He chuckled, then took my wrist, "Let's eat," he said.

I relaxed, breathed a sigh of relief, and let him lead me to the central table.