Yeah, I Hate-Ate Your Cupcake!: A Romantic Comedy, page 20
I arched slightly and then gasped when his free hand slid down my stomach and between my legs. He pulled down my panties, and his fingers trailed over my aching pussy. I moaned, letting my legs fall apart for him and giving him as much access as he wanted.
“You're already so wet for me,” he commented, his voice husky. “You think you could come like this? Me sucking on your tits, stroking your clit?”
I could only whimper.
He stroked me, and the tip of his finger brushed against my clit. I nearly jumped in place, moaning.
He somehow knew the exact right amount of pressure to give me. I was already worked up, so it didn't take me long until I was gasping, already hovering at the edge, ready to come just from a few easy touches.
“You're so hot,” he breathed. “I like that. Come for me, Karlie.”
I couldn't have stopped my orgasm if I wanted to.
“That's right,” he said in my ear as I cried out, tipping over the edge.
I was splayed on the couch, legs spread, not caring that Liam was still kissing me softly and rubbing my still-swollen pussy.
My phone rang, sounding slightly muffled in the pocket of my robe.
“Ignore it,” Liam told me as I fumbled for it. He grabbed my hand, pinning it above my head, then kissed me, his tongue slipping into my mouth, stroking my pussy until I was sweaty and moaning.
Ring, ring!
I gasped and pushed him away. “Maybe it’s my grandmother.”
I reached for the phone, and Liam stroked my pussy one more time. I batted his hand away as I peered at the screen.
“It is her. Maybe she fell off the stripper pole. I don’t think it was installed properly.” I put the phone to my ear. “Hi, Gran.”
“Oh shit! I didn’t mean to cock block you,” she said loudly.
Liam bit back a laugh.
I blew out a breath. “I’m not doing anything like that. I’m just in the lobby.”
“Own the sex you are having, homie,” Gran said sagely. “I was just telling you that the orgy is over, and there are Jell-O shots left over. We ordered pizza if you want any. I’ll leave it on the counter for you. Have fun riding that D!”
Having Gran call and interrupt made me take stock of what exactly was going on. I was naked in Liam’s apartment. And he was giving me a downright predatory look.
I swallowed.
“I’m going to probably head out.” I pulled on my nightgown. “Grab some pizza before it gets cold.”
Liam narrowed his eyes as I fished around the couch cushions for my underwear.
“You’d rather have pizza than another orgasm?”
“Once is enough,” I squeaked.
“Uh-huh.”
Lies! my inner sex goddess screeched.
Why was I running?
Because I didn’t want to just be his hookup on his couch. I wanted to be in his life, in his bed, in his heart, and that was a problem.
40
Liam
Was I losing my touch? Karlie should have been begging for me to give her the time of her life last night. Instead, she had run off and made excuses.
Karlie was already at the venue when I walked in. A sign welcomed the guests to the couple’s shower for Roberta and Marcus. The hundred-year-old warehouse had been transformed with café lights and gauzy white curtains. Tables groaned under the piles of perfectly wrapped presents for the couple.
Karlie dumped a bag of ice into a large glass bowl then trotted with the empty bag down a corridor to the back-of-house area. I prowled after her. She squeaked as I grabbed her, spun her around, and kissed her, hard. I wanted her to remember what we had done last night.
She moaned softly as I angled her into a small alcove. The plastic bag fell from her hand, and her fingers tangled in my hair. My tongue slipped into her mouth, and I trailed my fingertips up her creamy thighs under her skirt, needing to feel her.
“Are you wet for me?” I murmured. She whimpered as I stroked her hard with two fingers. Her pussy was hot and wet, and her clit was a hard nub under my fingers.
“Tell me you want it,” I said in a rough whisper. “Tell me you want me to make you come right here.”
I gave her another hard stroke, and she moaned, her hips rocking against me.
“Let me hear you say it.”
“Make me come, Liam,” she whispered, the words making me hard.
Maybe I was the one being played because all I wanted to do was turn her around and thrust my cock in that perfect, hot, soaking wet pussy of hers. But I couldn’t. Though I had had sex in some weird places, in the hallway right before a big party was probably a little too precarious.
I stroked her, silencing her moans with my mouth, bringing her closer and closer until she shuddered against my hand. She nipped my bottom lip hard.
“I’m fucking obsessed with you,” I whispered.
Voices emerged from the hallway, and she hastily straightened her clothes and hurried off.
I picked up the plastic wrap and threw it away.
It was true. I was fucking obsessed with Karlie. Usually, it was the other way around. Girls were obsessed with me.
I went to the men’s room and tried to collect myself. I needed her. I couldn’t have another night of Karlie coming right there against me, her perfect round tits bouncing while she moaned, rocking against my hand.
I adjusted my pants and ran cold water over my hands.
“You’re here to talk to Joseph. You’re close to closing the deal.”
Right. The deal. And then no more Karlie.
Not necessarily.
But if I didn’t end it now, when or how would it end?
Probably quickly and messily.
It doesn’t have to; it could end in marriage.
And that is how I know you have completely lost the plot.
I was about to really lose it when I walked back out to the venue. Belle stood there, chit-chatting with Joseph. Fuck, she was even making him laugh.
How did she even get in here with that gorilla of a Richmond brother?
And, what the hell? Finn was flirting with Karlie.
Jaw set, I shoved my way through the crowd to them. Finn leveled his gaze at me as I approached.
“I see you’ve met my girlfriend.” I put an arm possessively on her waist.
Finn’s eyes narrowed slightly. “Karlie and I have mutual friends.”
“He’s Mark Holbrook’s cofounder,” Karlie chirped.
I bared my teeth at Finn. “I know whose cofounder he is.”
AstraDrone was a secretive company that did a lot of work for the military. They also likely used JetCut technology.
“And here I thought you were just here to celebrate a happy couple,” I said.
Finn feigned ignorance. “I’m just enjoying the party.”
“Uh-huh. And also giving another competitor a huge opening.” I inclined my head.
Finn turned, saw Belle laughing it up with Joseph, cursed, then maneuvered through the crowd to Belle.
“Idiot. And he’s supposedly one of the smarter Richmond brothers.”
Karlie snickered. “You’re like a very proud corgi who scared off the mailman.”
“This is a very important contract for me.”
“I know,” Karlie said, running her hand along my belt buckle. “Which is why I talked you up to Joseph. He said we were all going to have drinks with him and his cofounder when he’s back in town. I’m pretty sure he’s going to give you that contract.”
I leaned in to kiss her. I was about to say, “I love you,” but that wasn’t right.
“I’m very glad I met you. And”—I lowered my voice—“I am also going to be even happier when I make you come tonight.”
41
Karlie
I felt like a princess floating through the party next to Liam.
“So, when are you two getting married?” one of my great-aunts asked when she saw us.
Liam leaned over to kiss my cheek. “Whenever she wants.”
The situation was thrilling, even though I knew it was fake.
Except that what he did earlier, or what he did last night, had been anything but fake. Liam totally wanted me, and I was going to have the hottest sex that evening.
“I’m so glad you found a good man,” another elderly second cousin said, taking my hand. “I know your dad is so relieved!”
My great-aunt looked over at Tosha and shook her head.
“He’s counting his blessings that you didn’t end up like that. I can’t believe her poor father is paying for that wedding.”
“Love comes in all forms,” I said determinedly. People had started whispering when they saw Tosha and her fiancés.
“I’m just happy my friend is happy.”
“I could never share,” my second cousin said disapprovingly. “Could you?” she asked Liam.
“No,” he said darkly. His body was taut as a whip as he focused on the thruple.
I felt dejected. I didn’t want to ruin my friend’s happiness or engage in gossip about her. That was something Bently did, and I was not about to stoop to her level.
“It’s going to be fine,” I said with forced brightness. “They’re going to move out west to a nice big expensive ranch.”
“Out west, huh,” Liam said slowly.
“Yep,” I said.
“Does he have more wives stashed out there?” my great-aunt asked sourly.
“I think they might be planning to add more,” I admitted. “But I’m not sure. But it can be a good thing if everyone’s happy. Just look at Gran.”
“I cannot believe she married my poor brother.” My great-aunt clicked her tongue disapprovingly. “He was such a great actor.”
“He was the porn star, in case you forgot,” my second cousin stated dryly. She sipped her cocktail.
“You take that back! He had an Oscar nomination.”
I backed away slowly.
Liam still seemed lost in thought.
“You want one?” I asked him when a server came around with a tray of lobster rolls.
He ignored me.
“Liam?” I hated how my voice sounded pleading and whiny.
“Fine, I’ll take yours, then,” I said.
Liam snapped out of whatever he was thinking.
“Sorry,” he apologized. He smiled at me, but it didn’t look as easy as usual. He took one of the lobster rolls from me and bit into it.
“Delicious.”
“But not as good as you,” I joked.
He gave me a slightly strained smile.
The rest of the evening was equally tense. Liam would ignore me randomly and text someone. Then, as soon as the party was over, he gave me a quick kiss goodnight and left.
I slowly helped clean up under the twinkling fairy lights.
Guess I’m not getting laid.
42
Liam
My brothers gathered around the conference table in the Svensson Investment tower that evening after the party.
“Late as per usual,” Greg said, not looking up from his notepad.
“I was trying to keep Belle from dragging you through the dirt again,” I retorted sharply. Seeing Rudy at that party had put me on edge.
I know him. I know him from somewhere.
It was killing me that I couldn’t quite place him.
Crawford was sitting in Greg’s chair at the head of the table, eating a taco. A piece of lettuce fell on the pristine mahogany wood, and Greg’s eye twitched.
I grabbed one of the tacos from the tray on the table.
“You didn’t bring any cupcakes from your girlfriend?” Carl asked while Crawford wiped his hands and tapped on his tablet.
“She’s too busy planning a polygamist wedding to bake all-you-can-eat cupcakes,” Crawford said.
We turned to the screen. Rudy’s picture loomed up above.
“Now, I will admit, I thought Liam was paranoid and crazy,” Crawford said as he swiped the tablet. “However, this next photo jogged a memory.”
“That’s it. That’s him,” I said, jumping out of my chair.
“Rutherford Brighten, son of Elijah Brighten,” Crawford said as I studied the yellow-toned scan of a Polaroid.
Elijah and my dad had had a business venture together way back in the early days of the cult. The endeavor had gone sour, as my father’s ventures always did, but for a while Rudy visited the compound weekly with his father. He had been a weird kid then, a little too interested in cult life and the various wives.
“So he’s a weirdo who wants to have multiple wives,” Beck said. “We can’t just call the FBI and have him arrested.”
“There’s been chatter picked up among the various polygamist communities,” Crawford said, flicking to the next slide that showed transcripts and snippets of calls, texts, and emails. “They’re planning something.”
“This is ludicrous,” Greg said. “I know some of these families. They barely have electricity. They are not going to break our father out of a maximum-security prison.”
“They could give it the good ol’ college try,” Crawford said as a picture of my father’s mug shot appeared on the screen. “Leif Svensson is incredibly manipulative. He’s been sending out mail. I’m trying to get someone on the inside to give me information on what he’s writing and where he’s sending it.”
He pointed at me. “Until then, Liam, all our hopes rest on you.”
“Guess we’re fucked,” Carl said, unwrapping a taco.
“Screw all of you.” I threw a taco at him.
“In all seriousness,” Crawford said, “Rudy’s wedding is probably going to be a locked-down affair. Supposedly, there are some cult types coming into town.”
I thought back to the conversation at the couple’s shower. “Karlie said they’re moving out west to a nice house after the wedding.”
Crawford snorted and pulled up another picture.
“This is the land Rudy owns in Wyoming.” He zoomed in on the drone photograph. “This is the dilapidated school bus that is the only structure on the property. There is no cell service out there FYI. You need a satellite phone.”
“I need to tell Karlie to warn her friend.”
“And he’s already blown it,” Mike said.
“Are you fucking kidding me? An innocent woman could get hurt.”
Crawford shrugged. “I’m assuming Tosha’s family and friends have not been gung ho about this idea.”
I didn’t say anything.
“That’s what I thought.” Crawford smirked.
“She is naïve and has been brainwashed,” I argued.
Crawford slammed his fist down on the table. “Dude, for the last time, your mom was a willing participant. My mom was a willing participant. They moved out to the compound knowing full well what it was like, and then when Dad’s sorry excuses for lies fell apart, and the dilapidated camper did not turn into a rustic mansion, they took their disappointment out on us instead of leaving. Shit, when they did leave, they didn’t even take us with them. Not everyone is a victim.”
“Tosha is.”
“You cannot tip off Rudy,” Greg warned me. “I hate to say it, but Crawford is correct. You’re the one who brought this to our attention, so you’re the one who has to see it through. If Rudy is somehow connected to our father, we have to know. So even after you secure the JetCut contract, you need to continue your role as Karlie’s fake boyfriend.”
“She’s going to know something’s up if they extend their ‘contract.’” Walker used air quotes.
“So then make her think it’s real,” Greg said offhandedly.
“Just as an FYI,” Beck told me, “don’t take relationship advice from Greg.”
“I think he already is,” Mike said dryly, “unless making out with your fake girlfriend in a non-public event was part of the contract.”
“Shit.”
“Don’t fuck this up,” Crawford warned. “You have the worst relationship instincts.”
“At least I date,” I snapped at him.
“I chose not to be like Dad. I am a warrior monk.” Crawford pressed his palms together. “I have dedicated my life to the elimination of asshole Svenssons, and you better not get on my bad side, because I will end you.”
43
Karlie
“Men are strange, emotional creatures,” Sophie reminded me the next morning when I complained to her about Liam.
“Maybe I should buy some more underwear.”
“I thought you maxed out your credit cards for all these bachelorette-party items?”
We were in the Weddings in the City office at the top of the Brookview hotel. Sophie had just finished a meeting with a bride who had just gotten engaged. Unlike my sister, this woman had seemed like a chill, happy bride, excited to finally marry the love of her life.
“You have to send him a sexy photo,” Sophie instructed. “Or at least a sexy text.”
“I am the last person that should be sexting,” I reminded her. In high school, I had sent a semi-sexy photo to a guy I liked, and he printed it out and put a copy in every student’s locker. Talk about embarrassing moments—high-school me had wanted to crawl in a hobbit hole and die. My dad had tried to comfort me and tell me that at least things would never be that bad.
Ha. Little did he know...
“It doesn’t have to be a topless photo,” Sophie said, “just a cute, alluring one, something to let him know you’re still interested. Push your boobs up, and we’ll take a few.”
I caught myself before I said yes. “I cannot keep repeating the same mistakes.”
I ate a cupcake from the box of snacks I had brought. Surely the previous women Liam had dated sent him sexy photos. Shoot, he probably had a museum full of them, and they all had to be better quality than anything I could produce. But what about sending a fun, flirty photo to try to get him interested?
I unwrapped the cupcake and snapped a selfie then composed a quick text:
