Page 25 of Resurgent
Chapter Seven
Charlotte
I throw back the shot of tequila, savoring the contrast of the cool liquor with the slight burn it makes as it slides down my throat. Although I’d felt more like myself after a hot shower, and even better after walking on the beach with Liam, the soothing steamy bubbles of the hot tub have eased the last traces of my stress, leaving me boneless and almost carefree, a feeling I’m not used to under the best of circumstances. Ironic, I know. Although the tequila might be helping too.
My gaze falls on the knife that Liam set down on the small wooden table, bringing me back to reality. God sure does have a sense of humor. The cautious girl—the one who planned for every possible scenario to keep everything in her life under control—is stuck in the middle of the jungle in another country without a passport, money, sunscreen, or many clothes. Things couldn’t be more out of control! I’m being hunted by the most powerful and brutal drug cartel in said country, possibly the world, while helping the guy who screwed them over. There’s two of us against hundreds of them. It’s only a matter of time before they catch up with us. And when they realize we don’t have either the guns or the money…
Slowly, realization dawns. My epiphany at the hacienda came too late. Thanks to Liam, I got out oftherealive, but I’m still going to die. There’s no time left for the life I planned in that dark moment, locked in a room by the cartel. There’ll be no chance to do all those things now.All I have is the present. I look at Liam—looking dangerous and oh-so-sexy as he pours me another shot of tequila.I can’t bungee jump or go to Italy, but I sure as hell can have the best sex of my life—again—before it’s over.
If I only have a few weeks left to live, I’m going to make them count. If I’m going out, I’m going out in style. Starting with Liam…
He’s fun and funny. Easygoing and easy to be with. Sexy and sensual. Dominating and dominant in a way that makes me feel small and safe. I certainly wouldn’t want that long-term. But what the hell! For the next few hours, days, or weeks—whatever time we have left—I’m going to enjoy every damn minute of it. I want to grab it all while I have the chance.
The hard part is going to be convincing him. Sure he’s flirted with me, and there was that amazing kiss on the beach…well, amazing to me. He’d just been playing a role.
I’m a realist; I know I’m not Liam’s type. I’m too uptight, too restrained. But hewasinterested that weekend in Playa. When I let loose and didn’t second-guess everything or try to plan it all out—that’swhen I got Liam. If I did it once, I can do it again. I just need a few more shots of tequila…
Unencumbered by my usual reserve, I find myself flirting with him easily. And my God but it’s gratifying to see him squirm a little. When I take the lime from him and suck on it erotically, his eyes darken the way I remember that night in Playa. Maybe it will be fun to mess with him a little, give him back a little of his own, since he doesn’t remember any of that weekend. When I suggest we get drunk, he says, “Miss Always-in-Control wants to lose it a little?”
Hell yes, I do!I look him straight in the eye and throw his motto right back at him. It’s mine now. “Never underestimate the power of fuck it.”
After we’ve both taken another shot of tequila, I say, “You promised to feed me chocolate cake.”
“Your wish is my command.”
I look up at him from beneath my lashes in a way that I hope is seductive. “Is that so?”
He takes another sip of tequila, never taking his eyes from me. “Absolutely.” He removes the plastic from the plate and breaks off a small piece of cake, holding it up to my lips.
I open my mouth, and he gently places the cake on my tongue. It’s the best chocolate cake I’ve ever tasted—the sweet, creamy frosting the perfect balance to the rich, moist cake. I close my eyes and moan softly, savoring the decadent flavor of dark chocolate.
“Keep your eyes closed.” Liam’s voice is low.
Obeying, I keep them closed, opening my mouth for more. He puts another bite of cake in my mouth, and I close my lips over his fingers, sucking them sensually as I take the cake. This time, he’s the one groaning with pleasure, and the sound sends warmth shooting straight to my sex.
I open my mouth again, but this time he places the glass to my lips and tips it, giving me a sip of the chilled tequila. I swallow, then lick my lips, waiting for another bite of cake. The seconds tick by and I shift uncomfortably. What is he doing? Despite my newfound streak of abandon, at heart I’m still a control freak, and I feel a little unnerved not knowing what’s going on in that diabolical brain of his.
“Liam, I—” My eyes fly open as I move forward and collide with the piece of cake that was hovering near my mouth, the frosting smearing on my chin.
Hetsks, his dark chuckle throaty. “You can’t give up an ounce of control even for a second, can you?”
“Of course I can.”
“Then keep your eyes closed. No matter what.” There’s that sexy hint of authority in his voice again, and my stomach tightens in response. My eyes flutter shut as I silently count to ten, willing myself not to move.
His mouth on my chin is warm, his lips soft as he half kisses, half licks the frosting from my skin. He dabs more chocolate on my cheek, and again, his mouth follows. There’s a delicious heat uncurling in my belly, and it has nothing to do with the alcohol.
“Closed!”
I squeeze my eyes more tightly shut. “No problem.” It takes everything in me to sound nonchalant. This time the frosting lands on my neck, and a little shudder of pleasure dances up my spine as his mouth presses against my neck. He keeps his mouth there longer than necessary, sucking lightly, and I fight to stay still.
He smears more frosting over the top swell of my breast exposed by my bikini top, and I inhale as he swirls his tongue languidly over the sensitive skin. Just as I start to relax into the sensation, he nips lightly. I squeal.
“Mmmmm.” I can hear the grin in his voice. “I want to hear that again.”
His mouth descends on my other breast and I unwittingly arch up to him. He growls in response and sinks his teeth into me. My eyes fly open in surprise. His are so close, I can see the rim of darker blue around his iris. The corners are crinkled and there’s the hint of a smile on his lips. “Do I need to blindfold you?”
“That sounds…interesting,” I manage to say.
