Chereads / FATE ON ICE: A TALE OF UNLIKELY PATHS / Chapter 24 - Chapter 24: The Sweet Mess We Made

Chapter 24 - Chapter 24: The Sweet Mess We Made

Liam's P.O.V.

It was the best sleep I've ever had. I dreamt of holding Destiny in my arms, her breath warm against my neck, fitting perfectly into me like a missing piece of a puzzle I didn't know I needed. When my eyes fluttered open, a smile tugged at my lips—until I realized this wasn't my room.

_Where am I?_

I tried to sit up, but something soft and warm weighed me down. My gaze lowered, and there she was Destiny, sleeping peacefully on my chest. Her soft curls were sprawled across my shirt, her hand clutching me like I was the only thing grounding her to this world. My breath caught.

"So... this isn't a dream," I whispered, a small grin spreading across my face.

Then it all came rushing back: the apology, the homemade dinner, the playful teasing that filled the night with laughter. She had asked me to stay over, saying it was too late for me to leave, though I suspected that wasn't the only reason. As soon as I slipped into bed beside her, she latched onto me in her sleep, her small hand gripping mine like I'd disappear if she let go. And here we were now, limbs entangled on a bed way too small for two grown adults—but perfect for us.

I gazed at her sleeping form. Half her body draped over mine, her legs tangled with mine, her arm a vise around my waist. She looked so serene, her lashes fanned across her cheeks, her breathing soft and steady. Slowly, I brushed a stray lock of hair off her face and kissed her forehead.

"Good morning, trouble," I murmured, my heart swelling with warmth.

Carefully, I slid her arm off me and tucked a pillow under her head to keep her comfortable. She shifted slightly but didn't wake, her lips parting just a little. God, she was beautiful. I sat on the edge of the bed and leaned down, planting a soft kiss on her cheek.

She scrunched her nose, rubbing her cheek where my stubble had tickled her. Her lips formed a small pout that sent my heart into a frenzy. They looked too inviting, too irresistible. I tried to fight the urge. But damn it, her lips were right there. And in that moment, my self-control shattered.

I leaned down, slowly pressing my lips to hers.

It was soft at first, a kiss stolen in the stillness of morning, meant to satisfy a fleeting desire. But just as I was about to pull away, I felt her stir. Her hands snaked around my neck, and then oh God, she kissed me back.

Her lips began to move against mine, slow and deliberate, as if she were savoring me even in her sleep. My heart raced. The sweet, intoxicating scent of her skin filled my senses, and all rational thought flew out the window.

What was this girl doing to me?

I braced myself on both sides of her, trying to keep my weight off her body. But Destiny had other plans. She pulled me closer, dragging me on top of her, her soft moan vibrating against my lips. I groaned in response, deepening the kiss without even realizing it.

Her hands roamed down my back, tracing slow circles that sent shivers through my entire body. I let my own hand wander along the curve of her waist, gripping it lightly, and was rewarded with another soft, breathy moan. She arched beneath me, whispering my name "Liam..." as if it were a prayer.

And that's when it hit me.

She was still asleep.

I froze, lifting my head to look at her. There she was, a small, blissful smile on her face, still lost in whatever dream she was having dreaming about me.

Holy hell.

My body screamed at me to keep going, to let this moment stretch out forever. But the decent part of me, the part clinging desperately to what little restraint I had left forced me to stop.

I tried to shift away, but she wasn't done. Her hands slid down my chest, her fingers tracing my muscles like she was mapping out a familiar landscape. And when her fingertips brushed over my abs, she moaned my name again, louder this time.

I bit back a groan, closing my eyes against the onslaught of desire surging through me.

This girl is going to be the death of me.

Then, as if she wasn't already driving me insane, she pulled me down again, her lips crashing into mine with the same fiery passion. It wasn't just a kiss anymore it was an unspoken promise, a declaration of everything simmering between us.

I kissed her back, giving in completely, until we were both a tangled mess of limbs and whispered moans. And just when I thought I couldn't take any more, her hands moved to the buttons of my shirt, undoing them with surprising ease.

When did she learn how to do that?

By the time she finally drifted back into a peaceful slumber, I was a wreck my shirt half open, my lips swollen, my heart pounding against my ribcage like a drum. I brushed a kiss against her temple, whispering, "You're going to be the end of me, princess."

I slipped out of bed and headed to the bathroom, needing a moment to cool down. Standing in front of the mirror, I inspected the damage. My lips were red and puffy, and holy shit was that a hickey?

There, on the right side of my neck, was the unmistakable red mark of her lips.

I grinned like an idiot.

She had kissed me there, and I hadn't even noticed. God, this girl was full of surprises. I buttoned up my shirt, hiding the evidence, and headed to the kitchen to make breakfast, still replaying every second of our make-out session in my head.

Fifteen minutes later, I heard soft footsteps behind me.

"Liam?" Destiny's voice was thick with sleep as she shuffled into the kitchen, rubbing her eyes.

I turned to face her, and my heart did a little somersault. Even in her rumpled pajamas, she looked like a dream.

Her gaze landed on me, and she tilted her head in confusion. "I thought you went home last night."

I turned back to the stove, hiding my smirk. "You told me to stay, remember?"

She blinked, clearly trying to piece things together. "I did?"

"Yup." I flipped a pancake onto a plate, doing my best to sound nonchalant. "You even offered me the couch."

Her brows furrowed. "Oh... right."

She looked down, nibbling on her bottom lip probably trying to recall everything from last night. I watched her out of the corner of my eye, waiting for the moment it would hit her.

Then it did.

Her face turned a deep shade of red, and she blurted, "I-I had a weird dream."

I raised an eyebrow, biting back a grin. "Oh? Did it involve me?"

She turned even redder, her eyes wide with panic. "W-Why would I dream about you?" she stammered, her voice high-pitched and frantic.

I chuckled. "Relax, princess. I'm just teasing."

She muttered something under her breath and bolted for the bathroom, leaving me grinning like an idiot.

When she came back, dressed and ready for work, I tried to keep my cool. But the sight of her in that tight black dress, with a gray jacket draped over her shoulders, sent my brain into overdrive.

I cleared my throat, fanning my face with one hand. "It's, uh... really hot in here, don't you think?"

Destiny shot me a concerned look. "You okay? Your face is all red."

I waved her off, trying and failing to act normal. "Yeah, yeah. Just... hot."

And holy hell, was it hot.

We ate breakfast in silence, the tension between us thick enough to cut with a knife.

Just when I thought I had a grip on things, Destiny leaned over and placed a hand on my forehead. "You sure you're not sick?"

Her touch sent a jolt of electricity through me.

I cleared my throat again. "I'm fine. Really."

But as we headed to work, one thought kept running through my mind.

Destiny dreamed about me. And now... I was doomed.

And as if to seal my fate, Alexis barged into my office, spotted the hickey on my neck, and screamed, "OH MY GOD, NO FREAKING WAY!"

Destiny stepped in right after.

Yup. I was definitely doomed.