Chapter 18

Liam O'Connor

I drummed my fingers on the sticky diner table, half-listening as Derek laid out his ideas for our next Fright Night. The midday sun streamed through the smudged windows, casting a warm glow over the chipped green laminate tabletop. Derek's words faded into background noise as my mind drifted to Jade.

Her piercing blue eyes. The curve of her lips. The way her dark hair fell across her face as she slept beside me. Everything about her had imprinted itself on my mind, and no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't shake the image. I had thought having her, even just for one night, would quench this maddening thirst. That if I could only touch her, feel her, it would be enough. But it wasn’t. It only made me crave her more.

The memory of her skin against mine and the warmth of her breath on my neck haunted me like a ghost I couldn't outrun. Every inch of my body still remembered the sensation, the way her fingers had traced lines of fire along my skin. The soft sighs and sounds she’d made as I’d touched her. It consumed me, like a wildfire raging inside me that no amount of logic could extinguish.

Derek was saying something, gesturing toward me with a fry. His voice felt distant, as if it were coming from underwater. I’d heard him mention the west wing, but other than that, I was barely paying him any attention. At least we both thought the west wing needed some love.

“Maybe rig up some animatronics or—”

I nodded absently, my gaze fixed on a spot just past his shoulder, lost in thoughts of her. What would Jade be doing right now? Was she thinking of me too? The intensity of my feelings both thrilled and terrified me. I had never wanted someone this badly, never needed someone with such primal, all-consuming hunger. It scared the hell out of me. Because what would I do if she didn't feel the same? What would happen if I couldn't have her again? And it wasn’t a matter of if, but when because I knew this would have to come to an end.

My chest tightened at the thought, and a cold sweat formed at the base of my neck. This desire, this obsession—it wasn’t just physical. It went deeper, clawing at parts of me I hadn’t even known existed. I'd built walls for years, stayed single and out of relationships because I knew what my endgame was. But she’d slipped past them like they were nothing, leaving me exposed in ways I wasn’t prepared for. And now I couldn't stop it.

“Liam,” Derek finally said, breaking through my thoughts.

“Yeah, sorry,” I mumbled, blinking rapidly as I refocused on Derek's face. His sharp brown eyes studied me intently as he wiped his hands on a napkin. A knowing smirk played at the corners of his mouth.

“You've got it bad,” Derek teased, taking down his last fry. He chewed slowly, his gaze never leaving mine. “Were you even listening to anything I said?”

I shifted uncomfortably in my seat, the vinyl squeaking beneath me. My fingers tapped an anxious rhythm on the table. The remnants of my untouched meal stared back at me. I hadn't even noticed the waiter clearing Derek's empty plate. His words hung in the air. I opened my mouth to respond, but found myself at a loss. How could I explain the storm raging inside me? The conflict between my growing feelings for Jade and our carefully laid plans at the end of all of this?

I swallowed hard, my throat suddenly dry. “Yeah…,” I began, but Derek's cocked eyebrow made me falter. I couldn't lie to him. “No. No, I wasn’t,” I admitted, the words tumbling out in a rush. “Sorry, man, I just, I don't know what's happening to me.” My hands clenched into fists under the table, nails digging into my palms. The admission felt like both a relief and a betrayal. Jade's face flashed in my head again, her smile lighting up the darkness that had been my constant companion for so long.

Derek leaned back in his chair, his sharp features softening slightly. He ran a hand through his short black hair, his eyes never leaving my face. I braced myself for judgment, for a reminder of our carefully crafted plans.

Instead, his voice was surprisingly gentle when he spoke. “Well, if you feel like it's a good thing, then stick to it.”

The words hit me like a punch to the gut. I blinked, certain I had misheard him. Derek, always the pragmatist, constantly focused on our goal, was telling me to pursue this? The café’s ambient noise faded away as I struggled to process his words. A part of me wondered if the change in his tune was because he’d been with Jordan.

“I… I don't know if I can do that to her, Derek. After all of this is over, we planned on disappearing. And it’s not like I can just take her with me.” The waitress set down a steaming cup of coffee in front of me. I stared into the swirling brown liquid, avoiding Derek’s penetrating gaze.

“Well,” Derek began, his voice laced with sarcasm, but this time it lacked its usual bite. “You change plans all the time. Maybe find a way for her to fit into them. I haven't seen you happy in a long time. I like the look of it on your ugly mug.”

“Ha, ha.” I took a sip of my drink, rolling my eyes, but deep down, was I lying to myself about what this was? The warm liquid did nothing to quench the fire in my chest. My fingers tightened around the ceramic, knuckles turning white. I set the mug down with a soft clink. “It's not that simple.”

“Isn't it?” He leaned forward, elbows on the table, using the line I always pull on him. “You're overthinking again,” he added.

My jaw clenched. “There is no such thing as overthinking in the situation we’re in. I'm being realistic. This… thing with Jade, it's a distraction. A complication we can't afford. Besides, I doubt she’d want to uproot her life and run away together if she ever found out what we were actually doing.” But even as the words left my mouth, I felt the lie in them. The way my heart raced when I thought of her, the calm that settled over me in her presence—it was becoming harder to dismiss this as mere infatuation.

Derek’s knowing look cut through my defenses. “Keep telling yourself that, buddy.”

I ran a hand through my hair, my frustration bubbling. “What do you want me to say? That I'm falling for her? That I'm willing to throw away everything we’ve worked for?” I hadn't meant to voice those thoughts, but now that they were out, I couldn't take them back.

We sipped our coffee in silence, the ticking of the beat-up, old clock on the wall the only sound in the dimly lit diner. I couldn't shake the nauseous feeling in my stomach, but it was tempered by a newfound resolve. I would be done with this life after we were finished with our plans and I wouldn’t be able to take her with me.

I stepped into the haunted house, the dim lighting casting eerie shadows across the worn floorboards. As I rounded the corner, my heart skipped a beat.

Jade stood there, her back to me. She wore cute denim overalls over a sports bra, her toned arms on full display as she reached up to adjust a prop. My eyes traced the curve of her spine, lingering on the swell of her hips. The prop fell from her fingers, so she bent over to pick it up, giving me a perfect view of her round ass. Heat flooded my body. I clenched my fists, fighting and losing against the urge to cross the room and fuck her against the wall.

Jade turned, startled by my presence. “Oh, Liam! I didn't hear you come in.”

I plastered on a charming smile, hiding the hunger in my eyes. “Just admiring your handiwork. The place looks great.”

She beamed, pride radiating from her. “Thanks, I've been at it for a few hours now.”

I’d just had her this morning, but I wanted her again. The desire clawed at me. I sauntered over, my eyes never leaving hers. “You've been working hard. How about a break?”

Jade bit her lip, a flush creeping up her neck. “I really should finish up here.”

“Come on,” I purred, reaching out to tuck a stray hair behind her ear. “You’ve been at it since before I left for lunch with Derek. A few minutes won't hurt.” Her resolve wavered. I could see it in the way her eyes darted to my lips, then back up.

“Well, maybe a short one,” she conceded.

I grinned, leaning in close. “That's my good girl.” I tasted her breath as she released one of those sighs that was almost a moan. Fuck, the things the noises she made did to me. Our lips met, and suddenly we were stumbling backwards. My back hit the supply closet door, and I fumbled for the handle. We tumbled inside, knocking over mops and buckets with a clatter. I pressed Jade against the shelves, my fingers working at the clasps of her overalls. They fell to her ankles with a soft thud. My hands roamed her body as I drank in the feel of her soft skin.

"Fuck, Jade," I growled. "I can't get enough of you."

She moaned in response, her fingers ripping at my shirt. Buttons flew, pinging off the metal shelves. I slammed her back against the shelf, our lips crashing together once more. A bottle of fake blood toppled from the top shelf, splattering across our bodies when it slammed against the floor. The sticky, sweet scent filled my nostrils in the small space. Neither of us gave any attention to the mess we’d made.

All thoughts of vengeance and planning fled my mind. In that moment, there was only Jade, only this burning need that consumed us both. Her body molded to mine, her soft curves fitting perfectly against my hard planes. I felt myself grow even harder as she moaned into my mouth, the taste of cherry ChapStick lingering on my tongue. Her fingers dug into my hair, urging me on. My hips ground against hers, her bare skin sliding against my pants. Fuck, I was going to cum in my pants if she kept this up.

I pulled back slightly to look into her eyes. They were glassy and full of want, and it ignited something inside me.

She nodded, her breath matching mine. “I want more,” she whispered, her eyes fluttering shut as I moved to nip at her neck. It was vulnerable and exposed there, begging for my attention.

"Mm-hmm," I hummed against her skin as she lifted her arms, and I easily removed her sports bra, her breasts slipping free and pebbling for me before I captured one nipple in my mouth and started sucking gently, feeling it harden under my tongue. She gasped and arched into me once more, her fingers digging deeper into my hair as she pushed herself closer. Her other hand traveled down my body, fumbling with the button on my jeans, her hand finally finding its target and releasing the clasp that held them together.

The cool air tickled my skin as my pants fell, and I pushed down her panties slowly, reveling in the way she shuddered at my touch. She was so damn responsive—it was like tapping into an addiction I’d never known I needed until now.

She stepped out of her overalls, leaving her completely exposed to me. I groaned, taking in the sight of her glistening body in the dim light. She was perfect.

I moved in closer. “You are so fucking beautiful,” I murmured against her skin.

She let out a shaky breath, her fingers combing through my hair. “Liam.” She sighed softly.

God, that fucking sound.

I trailed kisses down her neck and collarbone, my erection throbbing against her thigh. She was hotter than hell, and I couldn't wait another second. I lifted her and positioned myself at her entrance, teasingly nudging my tip against her wetness before pushing in with one long stroke.

Her back arched off the shelf as she gasped, her hands gripping my shoulders tightly. Her walls clenched around me, sending waves of pleasure coursing through my body. I withdrew slowly and slammed back into her, burying myself deep within the warmth that was mine.

She was mine.

Mine mine mine.

Her nails dug into my shoulders as she met my thrusts with equal hunger.

The sound of our hips smacking together echoed in the small space, mingling with gasps and moans that filled the closet like a symphony of desire. The air was thick with sweat and the sweet scent of blood from where we’d knocked over the bottle earlier.

I could feel her walls tightening around me, signaling her release. She was close. I increased my pace, wanting nothing more than to see her unravel for me.

Her breaths were short and ragged as she cried out my name, her back arching off the shelf as she reached her peak. It was enough to send me over the edge, my own release crashing through me in waves of ecstasy. The closet seemed to spin around us as we struggled to catch our breaths, our bodies still connected in a tangle of limbs and sweaty skin. I pressed kisses into her hair, still buried inside her as we rode out the aftershocks of our passion. It was a moment of pure bliss.

After what felt like an eternity, we finally pulled apart and got dressed. My shirt was ruined and left open. We shared a lingering kiss before making our way out of the closet, and Derek was standing in the middle of the room.

“Uhh, you got some blood… well, everywhere,” he said, and then I looked down and noticed our clothes were covered in it.

“Yeah, we were practicing for, uh, the next Fright Night.”

“Yeah, looks like you got some good practice in.” I cleared my throat as Jade giggled behind me.

Fucking bastard.