Catching Liam (Good Girls Don't) by Sophia Bleu

lips. I melted on the spot, my free hand absently reaching up to clutch his shirt.
    “Whoa! Save that for after the date,” Jess said. We broke apart, and I looked sheepishly at my best friends. There was no hiding any of this from them now.
    “If she’s lucky,” Liam said with a smile.
    “I’ll expect waffles in the morning.” Jess winked at me.
    I pulled Liam out the open door, pausing when I realized I didn’t have my wallet. “Hold on.”
    I walked back in, keeping my head down and reached for my wallet on the bar, but Jess grabbed my arm and gave me a peck on the cheek.
    “He’s a catch,” she whispered in my ear.
    That’s exactly what I was afraid of.

chapter thirteen
     
    I chose a horror movie, because it seemed like the right choice for our first date. I couldn’t think of anything worse than winding up at a sappy romantic comedy full of awkward moments. Those inevitably feature Happily Ever Afters, which was a bit presumptuous on a first date, if you asked me. Liam bought the tickets and held open the door for me, and every once in a while as we stood in line for popcorn, he’d lean over and kiss my forehead, sending flutters tumbling through my stomach.
    “A large popcorn and chocolate-covered raisins,” Liam ordered. “Do you want candy?”
    “You eat chocolate-covered raisins?” I asked.
    “Says the girl obsessed with Chiclets.” His hand pressed against the small of my back, hot and strong, as he teased me.
    The teenage cashier coughed politely, and I shook myself out of my daze.
    “Those chocolate mint thingys,” I said to the kid.
    “Is that the technical term?”
    I stuck my tongue out at him, but he just grinned wider and slid his hand down to hook his thumb into the waistline of my jeans.
    Liam paid and we grabbed our snacks. The theater lights had already dimmed by the time we made it into the very last row. As we tucked ourselves into the corner seats, I considered putting the armrest up between our seats or placing my hand on his leg or laying my head on his shoulder, but I couldn’t make myself move. I had forgotten how to be on a date. I had forgotten how horrible those in-between moments were when you first started going out with someone. Always waiting for a sign to make a move. The constant bumping together of hands like each person is daring the other to finally reach out and hold hands. I tugged at my shirt and adjusted my sweater, suddenly feeling warm and cold and confused at the same time.
    Then Liam slung an arm over my shoulder and pulled me closer to him.
    “Hold on,” he said, pushing the armrest up between the seats. “That’s better.”
    I snuggled down next to him, watching the previews, feeling relieved. I wasn’t used to being the girl who didn’t know how to make a move. Kiss a boy? Sure. Flirt? I could totally handle it. But apparently seeing a movie was way out of my wheelhouse, and I didn’t like it. I slid my hand onto his thigh, close enough to his groin to feel a slight twinge of lust. Liam lifted my hand and put it back in my lap.
    So that was how this date was going to go? Two could play that game. I sat up straighter, putting space between the two of us, but letting his arm dangle casually over my shoulder. Liam offered me the popcorn tub, but I shook my head, my eyes glued to the screen and a lump in my throat.
    He leaned over and put his lips so close to my ear that his breath tickled my neck. “Don’t be mad, chicken.”
    “I’m not mad,” I said too loudly, which elicited a shush from someone a couple rows away.
    He pulled me back towards him, his strong arm wrapping possessively around my shoulders as his other hand turned my chin. As soon as our eyes met, I felt silly.
    “It’ll be more fun this way,” he whispered. “I promise.”
    “What will be more fun?” I asked in a low voice, narrowing my eyes and trying to still look put out by his rejection.
    He answered me with his lips. His kiss was hard and demanding, and despite