"You’re going to get us caught," Bella whispered, but the smile tugging at her lips betrayed her.
Liam just grinned and tugged her hand tighter. "Then move faster."
They darted across the empty corridor, past the broken fence at the back of the science block, and slipped into the abandoned boys’ toilet.
The second the door shut behind them, his hands were already on her hips.
"I couldn’t stop thinking about you," he murmured, dragging his lips across her neck. "I was losing my mind back in class."
"You saw me at lunch," she giggled, hitting his chest playfully.
"Not ," he growled, pressing her against the tiled wall, his lips crashing into hers.
Her fingers tangled in his hair, her heart slamming wildly in her chest. She melted under his touch, the heat, the thrill, the way his voice dipped just for her.
"Tell me you missed me," he whispered against her lips.
"I missed you," she gasped. "I missed you so much."
"Good girl," he said, kissing her hard. "Because I think I’m getting addicted to you."
The tension between them simmered, then snapped. In a blur of kisses and urgency, they gave in.
Bella’s breath hitched as Liam’s hands roamed beneath her blouse, his fingertips grazing the bare skin of her breasts. She shivered, one would think it was from the chill of the cold breeze coming in through the window, but it was from the electricity that came with his every touch.
"You drive me crazy," he whispered, his voice hoarse with want. "I can’t focus when you’re near."
She arched into him as his lips found the hollow of her throat, kissing her slowly and possessively.
"You’ll give me hickeys," she said in a breathless voice.
"Good. I want everyone to know you’re mine," he replied, sucking desperately on her skin.
"You’re insane," she murmured against his jaw while her fingers fumbled the back of his collar, tugging him closer, deeper, needing more.
"Only for you," he growled.
His hands slid lower, gripping her thighs and lifting her effortlessly onto the cracked sink counter. Their mouths met again, messy, urgent, burning with need. He kissed her like he would faint the next minute, like he might fall apart if he let go.
Bella’s head tipped back, lost in sensation, her pulse pounding like thunder. His palm pressed against her spine, holding her steady, his other hand exploring every inch of skin he could reach under her skirt.
She gasped when he whispered her name like a prayer, resting his forehead against hers. His breath was ragged. "Say you want this."
"I want you," she whispered quietly, her voice drenched in need.
That was all he needed.
He shifted her lace panties and thrust into her in one swift movement. They moved together in desperate sync, every sigh swallowed by endless kisses. The tension built with every stolen second, breathless and clumsy.
He lowered his fingers and began circling her clit, just the way she liked it, drawing her slowly to the edge.
Her moans filled his ear, each sound filled with desperate pleasure.
But just as the high of it all began to crest, Liam slowly withdrew his fingers.
His lips hovered over hers. "Send me a photo tonight."
Her brows knitted, hazy and unsure. "What?"
"You know what I mean." He brushed his thumb across her cheek. "I want something to keep me company when I can’t have you ."
"Liam..." she trailed off, the glow of the moment cracking.
"You trust me, don’t you?" he murmured, eyes locked on hers. "Or are you saying no again?"
"Can you just finish off? I’m almost there," she cried desperately.
"No. If you want to cum now, say the word. Tell me you’ll send a photo or I leave you hanging."
"Yes, yes, I’ll send you a photo. I need this, please," she cried desperately.
"My good girl." He grinned with satisfaction.
In three more thrusts, her eyes rolled back to her head while she screamed her release.
Liam held a palm over her mouth to keep her voice from ringing out.
When it was over, Bella lay curled in his arms, her cheek resting against his chest, safe and wrecked all at once.
"You okay?" he asked, brushing hair from her face.
She nodded, eyes fluttering shut. "I love being with you ."
His fingers traced idle circles on her hip. "Babe..."
"When will you send the picture? Remember you promised. I need it tonight. All of you."
She stiffened slightly, recalling what he just did. "Liam, we’ve talked about this. My answer is no."
"I know," he said quickly. "I know you keep saying no, and I respect that, I do. But come on, Bella." You promised just a few minutes ago. He leaned back to look at her.
"I promised, or you forced it out of me. Threatening me with my own release?"
"Come on, Bella. Stop trying to be difficult. Our sacred commandment says whatever you promise to each other you must fulfil it. Or you don’t trust me?"
"So what’s the problem? It’s not like I’d ever show anyone. I just want something real when I miss you at night. Something that’s only mine."
She shook her head. "Liam, I said no."
His jaw tensed for a moment. He pulled away just enough to make her feel the shift. "Okay."
"I’m not doing anything." He stood and started fixing his trousers. "Just weird, you know? You say you love me, but you don’t want to share that part of yourself. Even privately."
"I give you everything, Bella. My time, my heart, my secrets. But every time I ask for this, you shut me down like I’m some creep."
"You don’t have to," he snapped. "I can feel it. We’re in a fucking relationship, for crying out loud. Or have you forgotten that too? I am your boyfriend!"
She blinked at him, hurt catching in her throat. "Why are you being ?"
Liam exhaled and softened his tone. "Because I love you, and I don’t get why you keep pushing me away. It makes me feel like I’m not enough for you or something."
"You are enough. This just... it’s different."
"It’s not," he said, crouching in front of her, stroking her cheek. "It’s just us. No one else. But if you really don’t want to, I guess I can stop asking."
"Unless it’s about control."
Her head snapped up. "What?"
"That rubbish some girls do, hold stuff back to keep the guy wrapped around their finger."
"Liam," she said, voice breaking, "it’s not that. I just—"
"I’m not one of such boys, Bella. If you think holding back something I so desperately need from you would keep me devoted to you, then think again."
"Forget it," he muttered, standing. "If you don’t trust me by now, maybe this isn’t working the way I thought."
The silence cracked between them like glass.
"What does that mean?" she whispered.
"I mean maybe I’m wasting my time," he said, voice low, eyes hard. "I’ve been nothing but good to you, Bella. But maybe I should be with someone who actually trusts me."
"Don’t say that," she said quickly, reaching for his arm. "Please. Don’t say that."
He let her hold him. Let her beg with her eyes.
"I just... need time," she whispered.
His jaw ticked. "I’ve given you time."
Then he leaned in again and kissed her, slow and deliberate.
"I don’t want to lose you," he said into her mouth. "But I need you to meet me halfway, Bella. Can you do that for me?"
She nodded weakly, though something cold curled in her stomach.
Back in class, her phone buzzed under the desk.
Liam: One picture. Just for me. Don’t make me feel like I’m asking for too much.
Her fingers hovered over the screen, speechless, not knowing what to type.
If you love me, prove it.
Another message came in:
If not... maybe we should take a break.
Bella: No! No breaks. I don’t want to lose you.
Liam: Then you know what to do, Chicken. You could just raise your skirt rn and send a sneak peek. No one is in class with you.
She stared at the words, her heart racing, shame prickling at her skin.
Her thumb trembled over the camera icon.
But just as she lifted the phone—
Someone knocked on the classroom window.
But no one was there.
She threw her phone back in her bag, packed up her notes, and left.
Mira wore her usual smug grin. With her leather jacket hanging off her shoulder, she approached Liam.
"Well?" she said, voice low and curious. "Did she send it?"
Liam glanced up, sliding his phone into his pocket. "Not yet. But she’s close. She was about to before someone knocked on the window."
Mira scoffed. "Seriously? That’s lame."
"Doesn’t matter," Liam said. "She’s hanging by a thread. Another nudge and she’ll cave in."
Mira stepped in front of him, arms crossed, brow raised. "Are you sure? Because you’ve been trying for weeks, and all I keep hearing is ’she’s close’. I didn’t agree to this game just so you could fall in love with her."
Liam narrowed his eyes. "Don’t get it twisted. I’m not falling for anyone. It’s all a ruse. This was your idea, remember?"
A tense pause passed between them.
"You really think she’ll send it?" Mira asked again, in a softer tone.
"She almost did," he replied. "I threatened her with her release. I got her to say yes. That’s all I need. It’ll be manipulation upon manipulation until she gives in. Rest assured, sooner or later, she will." ᴛʜɪs ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ɪs ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ʙʏ novᴇl(ꜰ)ire.ɴet
"My God, you’re twisted," she said, throwing her head back in a devilish laugh.
Winking at her, he replied, "It takes one to know one."
"And when she sends it..."
Liam’s expression hardened. "We ruin her. Just like we planned."
Mira nodded slowly, eyes gleaming with cruel satisfaction. "I want that photo forwarded to me the moment it drops. No stalling. I want her humiliated."
Mira smiled wider. "I bet she thinks she’s the only one you whisper sweet things to."
"I’ve got half the school believing I’m the perfect boyfriend," Liam muttered. "She just happened to be the one stupid enough to believe it."
Mira laughed again and leaned closer, brushing her fingers along his collar. "I gotta say... you’re good. I didn’t think you’d keep the act up this long."
"I told you I could break her."
"She was also stupid enough to make me her best friend," Mira said, her voice dark. "When those pictures come out? Everyone will see that even the precious, untouchable Bella isn’t so innocent..."
They stood in silence for a second, soaking in the venom of their plan.
Then Mira tilted her head, a mocking glint in her eyes. "Just one more question, Liam. You sure you’re not catching feelings?"
Liam’s face darkened. "I know what I’m doing."
"Good. Because if you mess this up... I’ll make sure both of you regret it."
He said nothing, just looked away, jaw clenched.
Mira turned, sauntering off into the courtyard.
"Don’t keep me waiting, lover boy," she called over her shoulder. "The second she breaks, I want the proof."
Liam stayed there long after she disappeared.
Slowly, the game wasn’t as satisfying anymore. Bella’s voice from earlier echoed in his mind: "I love being with you like—"
Someone screamed suddenly...