Chapter 1: SECOND PART “TIED TO THE ALPHA”
SHANE
After a pause at the end of the meal, Rosa gets up to clear the plates, and Gigit and Alec offer to help her. I am left alone with Liam for a moment.
-How are you? -he asks, his eyes assessing mine as if they were an open book.
-A little overwhelmed, to be honest. This is all new to me -I confess, feeling that it’s a moment of vulnerability I must offer him-. But I like it, much more than I expected.
-My parents are great, but sometimes they can be a bit… intense. -he tells me, giving me a smile-. But that’s because they care. They trust me.
-And you trust them -I add, trying to understand the relationship they have.
-Exactly -he nods, and for a second, there’s a tacit silence between us, filled with possibilities.
Unintentionally, I feel the need to lean a little closer to him. I lean in and his lips find mine in a soft brush, but the kiss quickly transforms into a more fervent one, charged with the electricity that has always existed between us. In that moment, all fears fade away; it’s just the two of us, trapped in our little world.
Liam pulls back slightly, looking at me with a mix of desire and tenderness.
-Sometimes, I wonder what I did to deserve you -he whispers, making my heart race.
-Maybe you just sought a bit of madness in your life -I joke, but there’s truth in my words. I never imagined I would find someone like him.
The moment is abruptly cut off when the others return, filling the room again with laughter and the bubbling energy of family. Gigit rushes toward us with a vague curious expression.
-What are you two plotting here? -she asks, her eyes shining with fun.
-Nothing, we were just catching up about the kitchen remodel from a few days ago -I say, trying to keep my tone casual.
-Oh, yes, that. -she smiles involuntarily as she settles back into her seat-. Well, my lady wants us to make a toast.
Gigit’s words completely shift the atmosphere, and I feel grateful to be able to reintegrate into the family ambiance. Rosa is already holding 4 glasses of white wine on a tray and another with juice, which she hands to me, her smile overflowing.
-I want to propose a toast to Liam and Shane -she says as we all raise our glasses.
I’m surprised and touched by her way of viewing our relationship. With each toast that arises, I feel the barriers that once separated me crumble. I’m becoming part of something, with each word, each gesture, each laugh.
After the meal, I excuse myself for a moment to go to the bathroom. As I walk down the hallway, I find myself in a familiar landscape; a gallery of family photos that show Liam in his childhood years, his mischiefs, and those moments that have defined his life. There’s also a girl who, as I keep looking, grows to become a beautiful woman; blue eyes like Liam’s, but with blonde hair, a slender body like a magazine model. That must be Liliana. The picture I like the most is one of him and his mother, smiling against the backdrop of a stunning sunset surrounded by snow.
I return to the living room just as Gigit makes a statement about a party next week.
When the conversation turns to the party where people from far away are mentioned, Liam searches for me with his eyes, and upon noticing that I’m there, he gestures for me to come closer to him.
-Shane, would you like to be my date that night? -he says, his face lit up with possibility-. And I won’t take no for an answer.
I can’t help but smile at his proposal.
-Then why are you asking me? -I respond, feeling suddenly excited at the idea of sharing more moments like this.
Hours pass amid laughter, anecdotes, and subtle touches that only Liam and I understand. But in the end, when we finally prepare to leave, reality returns, and the nerves start creeping back like shadows in my mind.
Before leaving his parents’ house, Liam turns to me, his dark eyes full of silent promises.
-Ready to go home? -“home” sounds so lovely, as if it were also my place.
-I am.
We say goodbye to his parents and get back in the car in the back seat while Gigit drives again.
-Where to?
-To the attic. -Liam replies without taking his eyes off me, positioning me on his lap.
When we arrive, Gigit doesn’t enter the building, she drops us off in front and leaves quickly. The security guard opens the door for us when he sees us arrive, and we greet him as we pass by and enter the residence. I greet the janitor while Liam maintains a serious expression.
Once we get on the elevator and the doors close, Liam leans over me, his arms wrapping around my waist as I intensely feel a spark between us that has never faded.
-I’ve been waiting for this all day -he murmurs between kisses, and if the elevator stopped at that moment, I wouldn’t mind, because in that universe of two, all that exists is passion and desire… love.
The elevator suddenly stops at the top floor, interrupting our moment of intimacy. The door opens with a soft ding, my face flushes slightly, but Liam, with his usual calmness, takes my hand and we head toward his apartment.
Once inside, Liam closes the door behind us and turns to me, his burning gaze capturing mine once again.
-Would you like to listen to music? -he asks, as if our bubble of intimacy hadn’t been interrupted by the elevator.
-Sure, sounds great -I respond, trying to calm the rapid beating of my heart.
He approaches his music system and selects a soft jazz playlist. The notes flow through the room as he turns back to me, his expression inviting. I move closer to him, dropping my purse on the sofa, feeling the warmth of his body contrasting with the cool air of the room.
-You know? -he begins, his voice low almost lost among the melodies-. This attic sometimes feels a bit empty… until you arrive.