Chapter 44

CHAPTER 44 The View

Liam

The cold wind was blowing, making Virtue wrap her cashmere sweater tightly around herself.

Oh, how I wanted to wrap myself around her naked body and touch every inch of her…

“Welcome to my humble abode,” 1 exclaimed merrily, gesturing at my two guests to follow me inside. “This is the entry hall. Everything you see is original from the hand painted ceiling to the paneling as well as the chandelier. We’ve done a few minor improvements, but it’s mostly for entertainment.”

They surveyed the interior of the house, marveling at the shiny hardwood floors, the walls. decorated with old paintings and the white birch paneling touching the painted ceiling above. They both paused to admire the chandelier hanging in the middle.

“It’s absolutely stunning, Liam,” Chip said, disentangling himself from Virtue. She scoffed at him and backed away, raising her hands.

I took the opportunity of the little scuffle to offer her my arm instead. She smiled and wrapped her hand around the crook of my elbow. A shiver went though me, delighting at her

ouch.

“So simple, yet so beautiful,” I whispered into her ear. “I’d take your sweater and hang it, but we’ll be going out to see the view overlooking the town and there’s a chill in the air. I wouldn’t want you to catch a cold,” I said. She smiled at me.

“You have a beautiful home, Liam. A remembrance of the 1920s art deco era,” Virtue said.

“Please, continue with the tour.”

“Yes, please,” Chip said while peering through the glass cabinets filled with porcelain-

figurines antiques and rare vintage finds here must cost a fortune. Virtue, look. They

have a Lladro 18th Century Coach sculpture. That piece alone is priced at fifty grand.”

“That’s my grandfather’s collection. Some people collect cars, my grandfather loved. collecting-figurines,” I told him, then pointed to a doorway to our right. “Right through there is the formal living room.”

The heels of her sandals made a clickerty clack sound as she walked, her face full of admiration. I could tell she was impressed which made my heart swell with pride..

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CHAPTER 44 The View

Chip followed us into the formal living room which featured an Italian marble hearth and a painted ceiling just like the hallway. The furniture were antiques while a few paintings covered the walls.

I placed my glass on the small rectangular table behind the sofa and led her through two double doors which led into the formal dining room where another set of double doors led outside to the view deck.

“I promised you the view of the town and I keep my promises,” I said as I led her to the double doors. Unfortunately, Claire, my maid, emerged from the door to the kitchen.

“Sir, dinner is ready,” she announced.

“We’ll go outside after we’ve had dinner. The steak won’t taste as good cold,” I said. Virtue smiled and nodded her head in agreement. “Would you like me to take your sweater? We’ll just hang it on the coat hanger by the door, so you can put it on later.”

“That’s okay. I’ll do it,” she said, letting go of my arm.

I frowned. I felt crestfallen without her touch.

She shrugged out of her cardigan revealing the white short sleeved dress that hugged every

ve of her body. The neckline was low enough to show her cr eamy skin and the cleavage of breasts. I stared as the twin mounds moved ever so slightly as she removed her cardigan. idn’t matter what she did or how she did it…every move she made was so sensual, sultry and seductive…without her even knowing it.

Even the simple act of hanging her sweater made me go hot with desire. I watched how her. cute as s moved as she walked towards the coat hanger.

I bit my lower lip and groaned… there was no visible pantyline. I felt myself go hard.

I just wanted to grab her b uttch eeks and rub myself against her. Unfortunately, Chip was in the same room with us. For now, I had to keep myself in check.

“I hope everything is to your liking,” I said as I quickly assisted Virtue with her chair. Chip took the seat across from hers while I sat in front of the dining table.

“I won’t be drinking tonight, Liam.” Chip covered his empty wine glass with his hand, prohibiting my maid from filling it with red wine. “I’m the designated driver.

“I can have Henry drive you home, Chip,” I offered. He shook his head.

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CHAPTER 44 The View

“I need my car tomorrow morning, Liam, Chip reasoned. “I have to clean the pub, so I can

open on Monday. The new ceiling is already up. Next weekend, I’m having the walls done.”

“Finally the pub is going through an overhaul,” I said after sipping a spoonful of my soup. “I love the place, but the floors need a good polish, I don’t know why Old Man Eugene never

took the time to have the floors done.”

“Well, even if the pub looks awful, people still come to drink,” Chip said. “So, who lives with

you here? Just you and your dad?” I nodded.

“Yeah, my mom died when I was young.”

“You should get married and fill this place up with kids. Are you dating anyone? Or are you and Nicole a thing?” Chip asked. I coughed and glanced at Virtue who stopped sipping her soup. She was interested at what I had to say.

“Nicole and I aren’t a thing and that’s the truth, I answered. “We were…back in high school, but it didn’t work out. Now, we’re just friends.”

“You sure about that? Because Nicole still seems to think of you as hers,” Chip argued.

“I thought Dom and Nicole were dating,” Virtue countered. Chip looked up at the ceiling, thinking.

bes seem that way, but I’m not too sure. I’ll ask Dom,” Chip said. “So, Liam? Are you

ating anyone?”

“Well, right now, I’m hoping… even wishing for someone,” I replied, trying to be vague. I

didn’t want to scare Virtue away.

“Hoping? I was hoping to get a yes or a no to my question, but I’ll settle for that,” Chip said, his eyes widening at the steak in front of him. “Filet mignon.” He took his steak knife and sliced through the meat. “Medium just how I like it.” He took a piece with his fork, placed it in his mouth and sighed blissfully. “I want to have dinner here every night.”

“Since you asked about my love life,” I said, “how about you, Virtue? Are you dating anyone?”

“Like you… I’m hoping. Mmmm…,” she purred blissfully at the piece of steak in her mouth. “My compliments to the chef. This is cooked perfectly.” I smiled. I love a woman who eats.

“Has anyone in town asked you out?” I asked, thinking of Dom and Bo. They were pretty attentive to her the other night at the pub. I felt a tinge of jealousy when Dom touched her

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CHAPTER 44 The View

hand. I didn’t know what they were talking about, but the way he touched her looked like a

caress.

“Aside from you? Yeah, someone has asked me out. He stood me up last night,” she said to my shock.

“Who?” I asked, trying to sound nonchalant.

“Jack!” Chip answered for her. I paused, swallowing the piece of steak in my mouth, and

looked at him, urging him to say more. “He asked Virtue to have a drink with him at the pub, but he didn’t show up.”

“He did, did he,” I mumbled before drinking some wine. “And Noah?”

“Oh, he helped me with groceries, so I decided to buy him dinner,” she answered casually.

So it wasn’t a date. It was just her way of thanking him. And here I thought it was a dinner date. F ucking Noah… waving and smirking at me the other day.

I should have known Jack Emery would try to ask Virtue out. S hit. There must be something wrong with him. He couldn’t even get to first base with Abigail, but now he thinks he and Virtue can become a couple?! I smirked while I sliced through my steak.

e and him…undersheriff, a has been injured high school wrestler…. they weren’t a good While Virtue and me, the mayor of this town, a Cohen… we were perfect together.

Cris, as much as he wanted to get into Virtue’s pants, couldn’t afford a scandal before the elections. He had to play it safe. I doubt if Virtue wanted a relationship with a married man. Someone as beautiful as her deserved to be the queen of her home, not some mistress.

After finishing our steaks, I asked Claire to serve us coffee at the view deck. I wanted to end the night romantically, hoping Virtue would see me more than just a friend.

After she put on her sweater, I opened one of the doors and took Virtue’s hand in mine, assisting her onto the view deck.

She gasped seeing New Salem below us, its lights tw inkling like stars.

“You weren’t joking, Liam. This view is AH-MAY-ZING!” Chip exclaimed, patting me on the

“When I have enough money, I’m going to purchase land overlooking the town and build a house. I can already imagine myself at night with a glass of red wine. You will need to yank me away from my house.” He

back. He took out his phone and began taking picture

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CHAPTER 44 The View

suddenly paused, shivering. He didn’t have a jacket. “It’s so cold. Uhm, I’ll have my coffee inside, thank you. By the way, can I use your restroom, Liam?”

“Sure,” I replied. “Ask Claire for directions.” Chip quickly left us, sashaying back into the

house.

My luck! Some alone time with Virtue.

I stared at her. The moonlight kissed her gorgeous face, her blue eyes shining like sapphires.

“You’re right. The view is breathtaking,” she murmured.

“You’re breathtaking,” I said, lifting her hand and kissing it. I thought she was going to pull her hand away, but to my relief, she didn’t.

“It must be wonderful to see this during the day she murmured, shyly. Her eyes glanced at me while a small smile played on her luscious pink lips.

“It gives me a wondeful feeling sharing it with you. Honestly, having you here beside me has made this already spectacular view very special to me. I will never forget tonight,” I said, squeezing her hand.

le cheeks suddenly turned a bright red. I caressed her cheek, marveling at the beauty

bod beside me.

outo

hat is so sweet of you to say, Liam,” she murmured. “Tonight is special for me too.”

Her face was so close to mine I could feel her warm breath. I lowered my head. I wanted to taste those sweet lips. I wanted to feel her softness against my body and cradle her in my

arms…

But the sudden sound of a phone ringing interrupted my intentions. She backed away and

pointed to my pocket.

“That must be important,” she said.

I rolled my eyes, frustrated.

Who the f uck is calling me anyway?

I took out my phone from my pocket and saw ‘JE’ flashing on the screen. Did-Jack know I was. with Virtue? Was he on his way here?

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CHAPTER 44 The View

I excused myself and moved to the end of the view deck, keeping her within my sight. I didn’t want to leave her, but I had to take the call.

“What do you want?” I asked, ready to give him a tongue-lashing if he was on his way to get in the middle of my date. “I’m busy at the moment.”

I heard the unmistakable sounds of a siren in the background. What was going on?

“Liam, sorry to disturb you,” he said sarcastically. “But there was an accident on I-94.”

“And? What does that have to do with me?”

“Can you stop being an as shole just this once and listen to me?!” Jack roared through the phone. “I’m calling you because the person in the ambulance is Abigail. She was in an accident. She’s alive, but it’s bad Liam. I don’t think she’s going to make it.”

I could hear the fear and regret in his voice. I, myself, was taken aback at the news.

I-I’ll head to the hospital now,” I said, hanging up.

What happened?

“Liar

verything okay? You look like you’ve seen a ghost,” Virtue said. I didn’t notice she

towards me.

o go to the hospital. Abigail…” I couldn’t say it out loud. It would make it real.

What happened to Abigail, Liam? Why is she in the hospital?” I heard the alarm in her

voice.

“S-she was in an a-accident,” I whispered.

“Oh my G od!” Virtue exclaimed, quickly embracing me.

I let her comfort me. It felt good to be in her arms… she gave me hope.

“Let’s go. We’re coming with you.”

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CHAPTER 44 The View

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