“I don’t understand,” Patrick whispered, looking back over his shoulder at Katie. He was looking at her like she had three heads or something. She hugged the blanket more tightly around her, even pulling her feet up underneath, as if she could make herself completely disappear. “She gave her consent. Everything was fine, and then all of a sudden…”
“It can happen. That fast.” Liam turned to his brother, holding the milk glass in his hand, cloudy with alcohol. “I’ve told you time and again, Patrick-you’re a top. You’re not a dominant. You can’t do what I do.”
Katie blinked up at Liam as he approached, holding the milk out to her. “Drink this.”
She reached for the glass, studying the liquid with a frown. She knew what Lori would say-could hear her friend screeching in her head about being drugged and raped and dismembered-but when she looked into the man’s eyes, she trusted him. Utterly. Completely. She took the milk and began to drink.
“Good girl.” When he smiled, just a brief flash, she thought she might faint. The world actually tilted sideway for a moment, and she clutched her glass like a little girl, her blanket falling away from her shoulders, making her shiver.
“Patrick, hand me her clothes.”
Liam took her half-empty glass and set it aside as he helped her get dressed. She flushed bright pink as he slid her panties-sexy, black lace, bought just for the occasion-up her thighs. He even turned her around so he could hook her bra before helping her pull the soft, brown cashmere sweater she’d worn over her head. Her hair stuck out, full of static, and he smoothed it before sitting her down on the bed, getting her into her jeans, one leg at a time.
“Drink,” Liam instructed, putting the glass back in her hands and sitting beside her on the bed. She did as she was told, watching as he took one of her bare feet into his lap. In spite of the fact that he’d just seen her completely nude and had rectified that situation mostly himself, there was something incredibly intimate about watching him put on her socks for her.
“Shoes?” Liam glared at his brother and Patrick produced a pair of brown clogs. Liam raised an eyebrow, looking at her. “These aren’t exactly made for the weather, are they?”
She flushed, murmuring against the lip of the glass. “They’re fashionable.”
He didn’t say anything as he slipped them on her feet, taking Katie’s offered coat from Patrick.
“Think you can stand now?” Liam asked.
“I’m fine.” She swung her legs over the side of the bed and slid off, setting the milk on the night table beside it. The world tilted again as she stood, but when she wobbled, Liam was right there at her elbow, solid as a rock.
“I’m sorry, Katie…” Patrick said as he watched his brother help her with her coat.
She smiled at him, trying to remind herself who he was. Oh right, he’s the guy from the ad, the one who was supposed to do all those things I wanted… For some reason, she’d almost forgotten he existed at all!
“It wasn’t your fault,” she murmured, Liam’s hands on her shoulders warm and heavy, a delightful weight.
“Oh it was, decidedly, his fault.” Liam’s voice was low and serious as he glared at his brother, retrieving Katie’s purse from the dresser where she’d left it. “How did you get here?”
“I drove.” She took her purse. Yes, she vaguely remembered bringing it with her, setting it on the dresser, looking at Patrick in his leather pants and snakeskin boots. They’d seemed so sexy at the time, but now all she could see was the hulk of a man in front of her, his gaze never leaving her face.
“I’m going to drive you home,” Liam told her, reaching around her to pick up the glass of milk. “Patrick will follow in your car.”
“That’s not necessary.” Sanity was beginning to return-at least, she thought it was. She was embarrassed by her actions. By this whole situation.
“Yes it is,” Liam insisted, holding the glass out. There was only a little bit left. “Drink the rest.”
She did, dutifully, and blushed when Liam used his sleeve-the one he hadn’t used to wipe her face earlier-to dab the milk mustache from her upper lip.
“Feel a little better?”
“Thank you.” She smiled up at him, buttoning her coat, strangely much more steady on her feet now, in spite of the alcohol. “You really don’t have to drive me home.”
“Keys.” Liam shook his head, holding his hand out to take them when she retrieved her key ring from her coat pocket. “I don’t want you driving, not in your condition. Besides, it’s snowing.”
“It is?” she asked as he handed her car keys over to Patrick, Liam guiding her up the stairs. Outside, the world had gone white. There was nothing more thrilling than the first snow of the season and it lifted her spirits, falling around them in heavy, fat flakes.
“What are you doing?” Liam asked, opening the passenger door to a red sports car, waving her inside. Katie laughed, tilting her head back and trying to catch snowflakes, turning in lazy circles.
“Whoa, there!” Liam grabbed her around the waist as a wave of dizziness washed over her. He smiled, bemused. She liked his smile. “Get in. Before you end up face down in the snow.”
Katie let him urge her into the car. “Oh don’t worry, I’m sure my humiliation bucket is quite full for the day.”
He laughed, shutting the door, telling his brother to follow him before getting in beside her.
“What kind of car is this?” she inquired, running a finger over the pristine white, leather interior. The car was a deep, dark red, very low to the ground. The engine purred to life when he turned the key.
“A Maserati.” He glanced over, raising an eyebrow. “Put your seatbelt on.”
“Buckle up for safety.” She giggled, pulling the harness across and searching for the latch. He let her fumble for a moment before reaching over and taking it out of her hand, clicking it seamlessly into place.
“You’re good at that.” Katie felt his breath against her cheek. They were just inches away from each other in the closed space of the vehicle, just close enough that she could focus on the little flecks of gold in his dark eyes. She hadn’t noticed that before.
“Thanks.” He smiled-she really did like his smile-and moved back fully into the driver’s seat, reaching for his own buckle.
“ Click it or Kick it.” She giggled again as he looked sideways at her, that sexy smile playing on his lips.
“I think it’s Click it or Ticket,” he corrected, putting the car into reverse-it was a stick shift, and watching him manipulate the gearshift was… well, it was hot.
“I think I’m a little drunk,” she confessed, watching out the window as Patrick finished clearing her little Honda’s windshield of snow.
“Lightweight, huh?” He chuckled, pulling out of the driveway, checking in the rearview mirror to make sure his brother was ready to follow.
“It’s a convertible?” She fingered one of the buttons, curious.
“Yes.” He took her hand and put it back into her lap.” But I don’t advise letting the top down. Not in this weather.”
“Sorry.” She blinked at him as he stopped at the corner, looking at her expectantly.
“Which way, Katie?”
“Oh…” She giggled. “I get to give you directions? I bet that’s a switch.”
“Yes.” He laughed, turning left when she pointed. “And for the record, I’m all Dom, sweetheart. Not an ounce of Switch in me.”
The roads were slick with snow-it was coming down even heavier now-but Liam took the curves without any hint of hesitation. She glanced back over her shoulder, making sure Patrick was following. She had driven her vehicle long enough to know it couldn’t handle roads like this quite as well as Liam’s sports car.
“Are you cold?” Liam glanced over at her, huddled against the door. “You’re shivering.”
“I am?” She hadn’t noticed but her teeth chattered when she said it. “My feet got wet. Stupid clogs.”
“That’s what you get for trading practicality for fashion.” He turned on the heat.