Chapter 18

Liam awoke the next morning to an empty bed. The spot next to him was still warm, so she couldn’t have been up for long.

He heard her in the kitchen, so he pulled on his boxer briefs and went to greet her, scratching behind the ears as he walked by.

Liam saw Maggie wearing a T-shirt, pulling out some bagels. Liam went up behind her and wrapped his arms around her, making her jump.

“Good morning, darling. Did you sleep well?”

“Really well. It was the first time since I met you that I did.”

“Why?”

“Because you got me all riled up and the sexual tension between us kept building, so I kept dreaming about you…”

He chuckled. “I know, you told me. I am glad I could make you sleep as well as other things!”

She laughed and hugged him. “I don’t have much for breakfast except for some tea, bagels, and some smoked salmon. Is that okay?”

“Darling, that is perfect! Let me help you!”

They talked and laughed as they got their food together and then sat down and ate. Gus smelled the fish and came in, rubbing his body around each of their legs to get a little bit.

Liam was a sucker and gave him a piece under the table as Maggie shook her head. He smirked and sipped his tea.

As they were finishing up, Liam looked at her. “Come out on my boat with me today. Let’s go out and relax on the ocean for the day.”

Maggie thought about it for just a second before agreeing.

“That sounds wonderful! I love the ocean and it would be nice to relax. Let me go shower and get a bag together!”

Liam smiled at her enthusiasm. He helped her clean up the kitchen and then followed her into her bedroom. She turned on the shower and stripped off, revealing her beautiful body to him.

Checking the mirror, she saw all the love bites and hickeys on her body.

She turned to him and scowled. “Really? Are you fifteen?”

“What? I was just marking my territory,” he said simply.

“Are you a dog? Do you have to pee on everything?”

Liam laughed heartily. “Darling, I just couldn’t help myself! You tasted so good and drove me bloody insane!”

She shook her head, walked into the shower, and looked over her shoulder.

“Are you coming?”

He grinned at her, dropped his underwear, and followed her in. She pulled him under the water with her and kissed him hard on the mouth.

They kissed for a few minutes and then lathered each other up. It was a tender moment and Maggie felt close to Liam doing this. She had showered with Jason before, but he never washed her or touched her with such tenderness.

Maggie took in his naked body. Liam was tanned and very well built. His legs were muscular and strong. The rugby and rowing did his body a wonder.

The muscles on his back were amazing and wound around to his shoulders and chest. He must have lifted weights, as his biceps and chest were perfectly proportioned.

His abs were sculpted from stone, she was sure. He had just enough chest hair to be sexy and a little trail leading to the appendage between his legs. He really was perfect in her eyes.

He had everything that she loved and was attracted to, without being overdone or looking like a bodybuilder. She hated that over-the-top bodybuilder look.

She saw a couple of tattoos; one on each arm. On his right arm was a Union Jack flag, showing his love for his birthplace, but an American flag below it showed his regard for his new home.

On the left arm was a Yale Bulldog, his alma mater. She loved a few tats, and his were sexy.

Liam loved being able to touch her body and memorize every curve and muscle as he washed her. He had showered with women before, but never in such an intimate fashion.

They somehow managed to get clean without having sex. He had plans for the boat and wanted to save his energy.

Maggie brushed her teeth and offered a brand-new brush that she had in the closet to him. He gratefully accepted it and brushed with her.

With her towel still in her hair, she went into the closet and closed the door, looking at the small set of drawers she had in there that held her bathing suits. It was a hot, sunny April morning.

She pulled out a very sexy one-piece swimsuit she had and slipped it on. It was low cut in the front and back and went high on her thighs, with a diamond cut out on each side, revealing more skin.

The black color looked good against the creaminess of her white skin. She knew this would drive Liam crazy.

Maggie pulled a T-shirt dress over the suit and came out of the closet with a bag filled with some clothes for after they were done on the boat.

She pulled her hair into a makeshift bun and slipped on some flip-flops.

Liam put his dress shirt back on and rolled up his sleeves before putting his pants on. He had his suit coat, tie, and underwear folded up in his arms as he waited for her.

“Ready, darling?”

“Yep! I just need to grab a charger for my phone, and we are good to go! Gus has food and I cleaned his litter box yesterday.”

He kissed her cheek and waited in the hallway until she had locked the door. They walked hand in hand until they reached his car and drove away.

She had no idea what marina he was going to, so she sat back and enjoyed the ride with the roof down, listening to the radio.

They were close to the beach and could smell the air and see the waves between the buildings. Maggie was confused as they pulled up to some large black iron gates surrounded by high walls and green hedges.

He stopped at the gates and pushed in a code to open the gates. Her mouth dropped open as she saw the beautiful lawn and flowers as well as flowering trees.

She looked up and saw a large and stunning light gray two-story house. There was a large five-car garage on the side, with what looked to be an apartment over it.

“Is this your house?” Maggie asked in awe.

Liam chuckled as he pulled up by the front door and shut off the car. “Yes, darling. I have to change and get a few things.”

Maggie just stood there as he helped her out of the car and led her by the hand into the house. Rupert came running up to them at the sound of the door opening, barking the whole way.

He jumped up, begging to be petted. Maggie immediately dropped to her knees to accommodate him as Liam walked past them and around the corner.

Maggie got up and looked around, trying to take in everything she saw. She saw a large living room with floor-to-ceiling windows facing out the front of the house.

It had large overstuffed dark leather couches with built-in bookcases on the walls. There was a fluffy off-white rug under the coffee table and chairs.

The other side of the great room was a massive kitchen full of white cabinets with stainless steel appliances and elegant marble countertops in shades of blue.

An intricately designed blue backsplash added a perfect pop of color.

There was a family-style kitchen table, but through another door, she should see a dining room designed from a magazine with its cherry wood table and chairs.

There was a sunroom of sorts with light-colored furniture that was surrounded by a wall of windows that opened to the ocean. The house was right by the ocean and the view was incredible.

“Oh, wow…,” she whispered.

“Stunning, isn’t it?”

Maggie jumped and whipped around at the unfamiliar voice. She saw a sweet-looking woman in her fifties standing in black pants and a white short-sleeved shirt. She offered her hand to Maggie.

“Hello, you must be Maggie. I’m Joan Flemming, Liam’s housekeeper, finance manager, and substitute mom. My husband, Niall, is the general caretaker and is around somewhere.

“We have a flat over the garage, although it is bigger than the house I grew up in! Liam has told us all about you and I must say you are a beautiful young lady!”

Maggie blushed and said it was nice to meet her too, but she wanted to crawl under the floor and die.

Joan watched the woman as she looked around shocked at the size of the house. She guessed that Maggie had no idea how rich Liam was. At least that meant that she wasn’t after his money.

Liam was so taken with her. He had talked about her nonstop since he met her, and he never brought women to his house.

“Would you like to go on the patio and see the backyard while you wait for Liam?” Joan asked.

Maggie nodded and followed the older woman outside and gasped. The patio was huge, and the view was even better.

Maggie went to the railing and looked out to see the perfectly manicured lawn, huge rectangular-shaped pool, and half a dozen double beach chair recliners.

“Wow!” Maggie said out loud.

“Liam likes the water,” Joan said simply.

Maggie looked up for the first time and saw the beach about thirty yards from the pool. There was a fence and gate that had steps and a small walkway to the beach and all its glory.

She just stood at the railing and looked out at the vast scene in front of her. She was so caught up in it that she didn’t hear Liam come out and jumped when he put his arms around her.

“Like it?” he asked, kissing her neck.

“It’s unbelievable! This is something amazing to live near.”

She turned so they were chest to chest. “Thank you for showing me your house. It’s beautiful.”

“I’ll show you the rest later,” he said, and he pulled her in for a hug.

“Does that include the bedroom?” Maggie whispered in his ear.

“It includes six bedrooms,” he replied with a cheeky grin.

Maggie licked her lips and smiled at him. He took her hand and kissed it, feeling himself get hard.

“Joan, we are going to head out on the boat.”

“I filled the cooler with the things you requested. You’re lucky that I went to the market yesterday!” Joan said as she offered her cheek to him.

“Thanks, Mom!” he replied as he kissed her cheek.

She laughed and told them to have a good time. As soon as she heard the door close, she pulled out her phone.

“Hello, Beth! Got a minute?” Joan said into the phone. “Good! I thought that I should call you and let you know what I just witnessed… I think I just met your future daughter-in-law! Oh, yes…”