Page 116 of Seeking Stars
It took Ana a second to truly believe they were alone now, another second to breathe again, and one more to look up at Liam. It took no time for them to jump at each other.
He grabbed her head, angling it for an earth-shattering kiss, and she kissed him with the same desperation. He walked her back and pushed her against the elevator wall; her arms went over his shoulders and around his neck, holding him tight. His hands were rough where they roamed over her body, fingers clasping and grabbing as they moved. As if he tried to make sure she was real, and stood with him. Fireworks exploded in her chest and in her brain almost to the point of dizziness.
The elevator stopped a few stories below, the ding of it barely making it into Ana's awareness. Liam took a step back and Ana had to shake her head to re-orient herself to the mirrored car. Two people were joining them in the elevator, and their eyes studied Liam and Ana with a spark of recognition, and a smile that made it clear they'd gotten a bit of a show.
"Good morning," Liam said. He cleared his throat and reached for Ana's hand again; the elevator continued its journey down the building.
"I love your movies," one of them said. The other one gave Ana a curious look.
"Thank you."
"Do you mind if we take a picture?"
Ana watched Liam with panic freezing her brain and, even though his wide-open green eyes reflected similar feelings, he recovered quickly.
"Uhm— sure—"
"C'mon," their companion hissed. "Don't you see that… didn't you see how… we'reinterrupting."
Liam laughed, loosening a chuckle from Ana herself. The elevator made it to the parking level.
"We can take a picture, if you like." Liam checked Ana with mirth in his eyes.
They stepped out of the elevator into the slightly humid, cold air of the parking lot.
"I'll take the picture," she offered, letting go of Liam's hand after a brief squeeze.
Pained by the horrible lighting, Ana did her best to take a good picture of the three of them. When the owner of the phone came closer to take it back, they whispered to Ana,you queen.
They said a quick goodbye and Liam guided Ana to his car. At first she thought he took her to the passenger door as a show of gallantry, but got it right when he pressed her against it and kissed her once more. Her arms crossed around his neck again, and they settled into slow kisses in the parking garage, his hands mostly settling on her waist, enjoying the moment as if they were alone like they were back in the cabin. Like they were surrounded by ocean and rocky cliffs, instead of drab columns of concrete and wire.
Liam peeled off her with evident effort, breaking the kiss, but keeping his face close to hers. She could feel his breath on her lips. "Let's go to my place."
Heart fluttery, she got into his car and he drove them off the building and towards his house. He drove with one hand, the other hot on her thigh. As if he still had trouble believing she was there.
At their first red light, he gazed at her with starry emerald eyes.
"I didn't know you'd be in the meeting," Liam said. "I thought I'd have to wait a few more days to talk to you again."
"I flew in this morning. I was hoping to see you tonight. I had big plans."
"You did?"
"Well… I went as far as imagining showing up to your house and surprising you somehow. I had so much trouble getting through to the airline; I wanted to reschedule my flight to come this weekend but I couldn't and then… then TCA brought me here." The light went green and Liam looked out to the road again, and she held his hand on her thigh between her palms. "I've improvised everything since arriving this morning but I had one goal: find you and— and—"
"We have a lot to talk about," Liam said, entwining his fingers with hers on her leg. "I want to see you telling me these things and not miss a thing. I can't do that while driving in LA traffic."
"I get it, of course."
"Let me call Mo and plan a couple of things, okay? I need to reschedule my meetings today and also—"
"My stuff!"
"What?"
"I left my bag in the office! I was too— and I didn't realize—"
"It's fine. Let me call Mo and we'll figure it out, okay?" He brought their joined hands to his lips. "We're together now."
