Taken by Melissa Toppen Page B

form a coherent thought. My body and mind already anticipating what's to come.
                  Once inside the elevator, Liam leans against the opposite wall and pins his hazel eyes on me. “So are you going to tell me what's been bothering you all night or am I going to have to fuck it out of you?” My jaw drops and I can't believe he just said that. But then my shock is replaced by the burn between my legs and the relentless pounding of my heart.
                  He smiles a knowing smile, clearly seeing my body's reaction to his words. Deciding to go the safer route, I finally find my words. “It's all just a bit much.” I say, my eyes falling to the floor. Liam steps across the elevator and lifts my chin up with his hand so that I am looking at him. He doesn't say anything, instead just waits to see if I say anymore.
                  “Dinner was lovely and I don't want you to think that I don't appreciate it but it just feels wrong somehow. Like I am living in a world that until days ago, I avoided like the plague. It's just an adjustment.” I breathe, my shoulders sagging forward.
                  His eyes burn deeply into mine and he holds silent for a few seconds as if deciding what to say. “For years I wondered if I would ever find real love. Deep down I think I had just accepted that would never happen. That their love for me would always be in question. Did they love me or did they love my money? With you, it's not like that. You stayed with me, even when you thought I was a bartender, probably living paycheck to paycheck in a small little hotel room. I know it's a lot to take in. But Addison, I have the means to provide you with anything. I want to take you to nice places and show the world the woman that has completely stolen my heart.” He says, running the back of his hand down my cheek.
                  The elevator doors slide open causing me to jump. I was so taken by his words and his very presence, for a moment I forgot where we were. Liam places his hand on the small of my back and leads me from the elevator and into his penthouse. Like the first night I was here, I'm trying to digest everything around me.
                  I turn to find Liam leaning against the island in the kitchen studying me. I take a deep breath and open my mouth to speak but Liam cuts me off, taking three long strides to stand directly in front of me.
                  “This is me, this is my world Addison. I'm not trying to impress you with fancy restaurants, personal drivers and throwing my money all over the place. I just want you to be a part of my life and this is it.” He says, gesturing around the room.
                  “I want to be a part of that life Liam, I do. I would be part of any life as long as I got to share it with you. I just don't want you to ever feel like I give a damn about your money because I don't. I would love you if you lived in a cardboard box on the street.” I say, not missing the boyish smile that suddenly takes over his face.
                  He tilts his head to the side and the lopsided grin spreads further. “What?” I ask, not really understanding what I said to make him look at me this way.
                  “You said you love me.” Liam says playfully, stepping in front of me.
                  “No I didn't.” I say, shaking my head and taking a step back. He takes another step forward and then I take another step back. I can't contain the smile that shines across my face and yet I know that I am playing with fire. This continues until I realize I have run out of room, my back meeting the wall behind me.
                  “Yes you did. You said you would love me even if I lived in a cardboard box.” He says, smiling like a child on Christmas morning.
                  “I did, you're right but you don't live in a cardboard box, so