Phoenix

Chapter 15

    Time was moving far too quickly.  I tried to make every moment with Liam count but no matter how hard I tried I couldn’t get it to slow down.  Every night came as quickly as the last and true to his word Liam was giving me some time before making love to me again.  Before I knew it the day of the winter formal had arrived.  Peyton and Norra had made us appointments at a salon up town.  They kidnapped me from breakfast.  Liam and Dad laughing as they dragged me out the door. 

“She will be back here at 5pm Liam.  Be ready!” Peyton shouted as she pushed me down the stairs.  I climbed ungracefully into the back seat of her car.  The salon looked expensive.  But I had decided to keep an open mind about this.  I had never done anything like it.  

“Peyton, how in the world can we possibly spend 8 hours here?” I asked her genuinely unsure of how long it took to be at a salon.  She laughed, 

“Girl, trust me it takes time being so damn beautiful.”  Peyton said, giddy with happiness. The lady at the front handed us each a mimosa as we walked through the door.  

“Party of three for Donahue.” Peyton said to the front desk lady.  She led us into a room with three comfy looking chairs.  At the foot was a sink full of sudsy water.  We each took a seat rolling up our pants and dipping our feet into the water.  

“Your estheticians will be in shortly.  Relax and please buzz if you need anything.” She said, closing a sliding door as she left.  I leaned back in the chair.  I hadn’t told Peyton and Nora about Liam and I yet.  I didn’t know how.  I wanted to but I didn’t want to talk to them with people around.  They were my best friends and they had supported me every step of the way. Just tell them, do it. They'll be happy for you. 

“Liam made love to me.” I blurted out.  My eye’s were closed but I could have sworn that I had heard their heads turn.  

“What!” Nora exclaimed. I opened my eyes and they were both staring directly at me.  I raised my eyebrow at them.  

“Well?” Peyton urged me, trying to get the dirty details.  I looked towards the door to make sure that we had a minute.  

“It was amazing.” I said flushing bright red.  

“When?” Nora asked me.  

“A week and a half ago.”  I said, knowing they would be upset I was telling them just now.  

“What!” They both said in unison.  

“Serious you’ve kept this secret for this long?” Peyton said scolding me for withholding the information.  I looked down, somewhat sorry that I hadn’t told them.  Somewhat glad that I had kept a secret.  

“Well?” Peyton said winking at me.  I flushed bright red again, what did she expect me to tell her.

“Is he good?” She asked not waiting for me to volunteer an answer.  

“I think so.” I answered, I really had nothing to compare too.  How did she expect me to answer that question? 

“Did you come?” She pried.  

“Peyton!” Nora scolded but Peyton merely shrugged.  Then they both turned to me expectantly.  

“Well, not while we were doing it but he made sure I did.  He said he wanted me to while he was… ummm… you know.” I said getting suddenly embarrassed.  

“Oh he’s good.” Peyton said.  I looked at her confused at how she could tell that.  She must have known my question.  

“It took me a year to orgasm with a man.” She said.  What? Wow Liam had already given me so many.  

“I still haven’t had a man give me one.” Nora chimed in.  I looked between the two.  

“Everytime we mess around he makes sure I finish.” I said coyly.  

“Yup he’s good. A true gentleman. I have yet to find one of those.” Nora said agreeing with Peyton.

"There are men who don't make sure you come?" I said questioning them like they were lying to me. It didn't seem real. Isn't it just a common courtesy. 

"Ummm, definitely." Peyton said laughing. I looked down at my knees. I must be lucky. 

"Well, I think he wouldn't have stopped until I did but it started to hurt so I told him to finish himself." I said, deciding there needed to be no secrets between us. 

"I would have been fine just going to sleep but he took care of me before he'd let me." I was sort of proud of the fact that I had such a good guy according to them. 

"Damn, I'm jealous." Norra said with envy. I smiled. Peyton was about to ask me a question but the esthiticians came in.   

“Later.” I said, to Nora and Peyton.  They nodded knowing I wouldn’t discuss this with an audience.

Eight hours later, I had my toes painted, my nails painted, my eyebrows plucked, my legs and bikini area waxed, A face full of makeup and a curly pinned up hairdo.  I looked pretty good I must admit.  

The girls had left their dresses at my place.  So we headed back to get dressed.  I had bought another set of sexy lingerie for under my dress. The girls eyed me as I pulled it out of the drawer. I looked at Peyton pleadingly asking her to help me into it.  She laced me up as Nora put her dress on in my closet.  

“He won’t touch me.” I confided in Peyton.  She smiled, 

“This is Liam we are talking about he’s probably worried about you.” She said.  I knew she was right he had said why.

“He told me I had to heal before he would do it again.” I said as Nora came out of the closet.  She looked great in a short black dress with peacock feathers around the waist.  

“That’s sweet of him.  He’s trying to make s*x enjoyable for you. What are you bitching about?” She asked me.  

“I want him so bad. He's leaving soon. We don't have much time. I have this damn urge built in me at all times.” I said simply. 

“That’s because he was so sweet your first time.” Peyton explained.  She might have been right I guess. If it would have been a bad time I wouldn't want to do it again. 

“Done.” She said smacking my behind as she went to put on her own gown.  I felt awkward as I stumbled my way into the floor length gown the girls had picked for me.  It was a deep red.  Tight to my thighs and then cascading out in a beautiful trumpet.  The top consisted of a matching red lace that came up around my neck and fastened at the back with two little buttons at the nape of my neck.  A keyhole opening showed a small piece of my back.  

“Wow, why do you have to be so easily gorgeous?” Nora asked me.  I looked at her a tall, lean, tanned bombshell.  

“Me? Look at you!” I said honestly.  Slightly jealous of her thin frame.  Peyton came out of the closet in her blue skin tight number.  

“And look at her damn!” I said pointing at Peyton.  She twirled showing the low open back.  We both applauded.  Damn we looked good.  We helped each other strap on shoes and headed down stairs to meet our dates.  Liam was waiting at the foot of the stairs.  He smiled brightly as the girls walked down ahead of me joining arms with their dates.  When I stood on level floor by him he took my hand, spun me gracefully so my dress flowed out around my feet.  I saw a camera flash but I was busy, there was just Liam and I.  As he spun me back towards me he dipped me softly in his arms and placed a kiss just below my ear.

“You are the most magnificent creature I have ever seen Miss Dawson.” He whispered into my ear.  Then standing me back up he held out a corsage.  

“Awe, you didn’t have too!” I said, but I was pleasantly surprised. He slipped it over my wrist, I took a moment to admire the beautiful red rose and then he held out his arm and I linked mine through it.  God he looked so good in uniform.  

“You are pretty magnificent yourself.” I whispered back leaning in to him.  He led the way outside to where Tim was with a camera waiting in front of a long black limousine.  He insisted on taking a few thousand photos.  

“Dad!” I scolded as he kept snapping.  Liam opened the car door for me and helped me crawl into the back seat.  Sitting beside me as Tim snapped more pictures. 

"No curfew tonight Olivia!" He said through the door waving goodbye to us. 

"Have fun kids!" He closed the door and headed back to the house. 

“He’s excited.” Liam said giving me a peck on the nose.  I smiled, I knew he was right.  Once the six of us were in the car the limo driver took off towards the formal.  It was downtown, the committee had rented a ballroom at one of the fancy hotels.  Liam helped me out of the car and then bent down to adjust the train of my dress. 

“Awe!!!” Peyton and Nora both chimed together.  I blushed knowing that I was spoiled to have such a thoughtful man in my life.  I could tell that their dates were not as impressed.  Better pick it up boys if you think you are going to keep up to my knight in shining armour.  I thought silently to myself.  Linking arms again, Liam led me through the entrance and to the small line of people at the door and we slowly made our way in.  We followed the seating chart to our table and Liam held my chair for me.  Sitting beside me he turned to me and took my hand. 

“You really are absolutely stunning love.” He said kissing my hand.  I smiled at him.  But his touch on my hand had caused an immediate warmth in my stomach.  His thumb was tracing a circular pattern across my hand each pass sending tingles down my spine.  I was completely absorbed in his eyes, I wanted to peel this uniform off of him.  But I knew for certain he would make me experience the formal before he would let me leave.  A waiter came around and offered me something to drink.  

“Ma’am would you like champagne, sparkling water, pop or juice?” He asked me politely.  

“Champagne?” I asked him unsure if it was true.  We are in the United States here.  Legal age is twenty one.  

“Yes ma’am, the formal committee got the license for a safe night.  You can drink but if you do you either need a ride home or a hotel room.”  He said smiling.  

“I’ll take champagne please.” I said, he put it down in front of me.  

“Room 2443.” Liam said, “I’ll have champagne as well.”  The server put the champagne in front of him.  

“Room 2443?” I questioned Liam.  He simply nodded and sipped at his champagne.  When did he orchestrate this? I wondered.  

“Liam, when did you get a room?” I asked him.  He smiled. 

“About a week and a half ago before you came to my house and took my innocence.”  He said smiling at me.  I smiled into my champagne glass. Sure sure, I definitely took his innocence.  

“Let’s go.” I said hoping he would fall for it.  He shook his head no.  Of course.  I knew that before I had ever asked.  But I wasn’t going to make this easy on him.  I leaned towards him.  

“I love this uniform on you.” I whispered to him.  He smiled at me. 

“I would love it more on the floor.” I said in the most sexy voice I could muster.  He skimmed a hand over my shoulder.  

“I could say the same about this dress.” He said, sexier than I could ever say anything.  From across the table there was a cough. 

“You two want to get a room?” Peyton called.  I blushed but retaliated.  

“We already have one.” I said smartly, then winked at her. I noticed Liam chuckle.  I took a minute to look around the room.  The formal association had made a theme. White wonderland.  It was definitely white.  There were huge white flowers. White table cloths. White draperies.  White twinkly lights.  It did look rather beautiful I was impressed.  I tried to focus on the group.  Nora’s date was rather shy but I tried to make friends with him. 

“I’m Olivia and this is Liam.” I said offering my hand and trying to encourage a conversation.  He shook both our hands in turn. 

“Brad.” He said quietly.  

“Where do you go to school Brad?” I asked.  

“University of Arizona.” He said.  

“Oooo, Nora going for an older man.” I teased winking at her.  She winked back and smiled. 

“Damn straight, I’m taking a page out of your book dating that senior citizen over there.” She said teasing Liam.  Liam being himself he chuckled and went with it.  

“I’m definitely a geriatric.” He said smiling at her.  After a bit of conversation I decided that I liked Brad.  I hoped he would treat Nora the way that she deserved.  She was so kind and sweet I often worried about people taking advantage of her.  Dinner consisted of good food and even better company we laughed and talked the night away until the music struck up.  Oh god, classical type music I thought to myself.  And to my absolute horror Liam stood and offered me his hand.  

“Let’s dance.” He said dragging me to my feet. 

“Liam, I don’t dance and I really don’t do this kind of dance.” I whispered pleading with him not to take me up there.  There was no one else we would hold the eyes of everyone.  

“Don’t worry. I won’t let you fall.” He whispered placing my left arm on his and taking my right hand in his.  Then he moved.  Carrying me with him directing me with his mouth.  

“Right, left,left, right.  Left, right, right,left.  One two three four.  One two three four.”  He carried me through a box waltz my feet finding their way with his words and his direction.  It felt wonderful, it felt graceful, I felt so oddly graceful.  We moved together until the music faded and as he dipped me gracefully over his arm and kissed me softly on the mouth I heard the room erupt into applause.  I then felt my face burn bright red with embarrassment.  I looked around, we were the only people on the dance floor. 

“Oh god Liam, this is embarrassing.” I said as he pulled me up and twirled me swiftly.  

“Nothing with you is embarrassing Miss Dawson.” He answered holding his arm out for me.  We walked back to our table.  Peyton and Nora clapping loudly at us.  I flushed again.

“Wow guys that was great!” Nora cheered.  I smiled somewhat embarrassed.  I turned to Liam. 

“I want to go now!” I said still flushed bright red.  Breathing somewhat heavily and wishing everyone would stop looking at me.  

“You can’t!” Peyton said from across the table. 

“They have to announce king and queen and you two are a shoe in after that performance.”  She stated matter of factly.  I stuck up my hand for the waiter signalling that I needed more champagne.  I needed it now too because people were still looking at us.  Liam made me dance three more dances to the classical music and each and every time there were only a few others who braved the floor. They stood together, moving back and forth. Not truly waltzing the way Liam was waltzing. I had to give the credit to him and the fact that my long dress hid my feet. Finally the band took a break and put some current pop hits on over the speakers.  The floor filled up instantly.  I looked at the faces laughing and dancing out there.  So carefree.  Not one of them had to say goodbye to their boyfriend in three days while he went overseas to fight terrorist.  It made me feel so different and the tears began to threaten on the edge of my eyes.  I brushed them off and smiled at Peyton. 

“I need to pee want to help me out with this dress please?”  I asked her.  She nodded and excused herself.  She undid my buttons and I helped her unzip as we peed I let my feelings flow for her. 

“Peyton I am not prepared for him to leave.” I said quietly.  She didn’t answer me right away.  I wondered briefly if she had even heard me.  Then she answered. 

“I told you.”  Three simple words.  But she was right.  She had told me.  She had told me to not let myself get involved if I couldn’t let him go when I had too.  

“I know.” I said quietly.  I hoped she had some grand advice for me.  I heard her leave the stall beside me and I quickly flushed.  I stood beside her while we washed our hands and she stared straight ahead at herself in the mirror. 

“Liv, all I know is that he loves you so much.  He looks at you like you hung the moon.  I feel like I might have been wrong when I told you not to get involved because I know you can do this.  I also know that if you do this that man is your future. You are going to be his wife.”  She said. Of course she would have some grand theory.  She was good at reading people. 

"Wife?" I questioned, raising an eyebrow. She nodded. 

"Girl I wouldn't be surprised if he put a ring on it tonight." she said. I felt the heat in my face. No not yet. He can't it's to soon. He's leaving. 

"I'm worried he's going to break up with me before he leaves." I said honestly. It had crossed my mind, time and time again. Why wouldn't he? He's going to be gone a year and I am just going to tie him down. She however, shook her head. 

"Never going to happen." She said grabbing my hand. I smiled at her. Then I pulled her into a tight hug. 

“Thank you.” I whispered.  After we had zipped each other up I tried to touch up my makeup.  

“I’ll be out in a minute.” I said smiling at her while she left me alone in the washroom.  When I walked into the hall I saw Connor. 

“Hey Connor.” I said feigning friendly.  He took his time, looking me up and down and then he stood in my way so I couldn’t pass.

“Dawson you look mighty great.”  He said, I could smell alcohol on him.  But who was I too judge.  I had drank too much too.  

“Thanks Connor, you look good too.” I said simply.  Then I tried to side step him but he didn’t let me.  

“I need to go Connor.” I said politely. 

“Why?” He asked me sweetly.  I tried to step the other way but he stopped me.  Twirling his finger in a circular motion he said.

“Give me a little spin.”  I sighed but obliged hoping it would make him happy enough to let me by without a scene.  Stepping beside him to pass again I was stopped when he threw his arm out.  He moved himself to press me towards the wall.  I wasn’t comfortable. 

“Liv.” He whispered into my ear.  

“Hmmm?” I asked him wanting this moment over. 

“Is there any chance of you ever liking me how I like you?” He asked me.  I was somewhat stunned.  I had no idea that he felt that way.  But I didn’t know exactly what to say in return.  

“Connor, I like you like a friend.”  I said hoping he could respect that. I couldn’t really tell what he was thinking but he wasn’t letting me away from him.  

“f**k that!” He said suddenly.  Pressing his mouth to mine.  I stood still, not kissing him back as he tried to manipulate my mouth to his. His hands running down my body.  My hands straight at my sides like a board.  

“Kiss me back Olivia.” He said into my mouth trying to pull my arms around him.  I let them fall again. When he finally pulled back I noticed Liam standing just down the hall.  f**k this could be bad.  Connor looked at Liam.  Then stomped away.  Liam looked remarkably calm.  

“I can’t beat the s**t out of every guy who kisses you can I?” He asked me seriously.  I shook my head no. 

“That was awful though you could have coughed or something.” I said in a whiney voice.  He smiled and started to laugh. 

“I had to give the boy his moment of glory.” He said kissing my cheek. 

“Come gorgeous one more waltz and then it should be time for us to get those plastic crowns.”  I followed him out onto the dance floor.  He twirled me gently to the music.  Once again we shared the floor with no one.  

“Where did you learn to dance like this?” I asked him.  He smiled, remembering some memory he was obviously fond of.  

“Grandma taught me after my grandpa passed.  She loved to dance and needed a partner.  We used to go every Monday.  It was our time together. I’m sad that I am going to miss seeing her this Christmas.”  He said sadly.  Then he spun me outwards from him my dress spinning around me.  Bringing me back to him he allowed the music to fade while he kissed me softly.  

“Just so Connor can see that he’s not rattling me baby.” He said sweetly.  As the song faded Anna who was the nights Master of Cerimonies stepped out onto the stage.  

“So it’s officially the end of the night as we get kicked out of the ballroom at 2 am and it’s 1:45."  I grabbed Liam's hand to check his watch. How in the heck did that much time go by? She continued her speech.

"But before we go we have some awards to hand out.”  She said brightly. 

“First we are going to announce the best dressed couple and we actually have a tie.  So you each receive a hundred dollar gift card to Red Lobster.  Come on up Peyton and James,  Nora and Brad and Olivia and Liam!”  We all looked at each other and then walked up to receive our prizes.  Anna ushered us off the stage and took her perch in front of the microphone again. 

"Triple date?" Norra said to us all. We nodded in agreement. 

"Tomorrow night!" Peyton said loudly. 

“Best dancers, I think we all know who this is.  Hands together for Olivia and Liam.” She said and I couldn’t help but hear the happiness in her voice.  Why was she happy for me over this? I thought she hated me.  Liam drug me up to get our prizes.  We each got a gift card.  Anna handed them to us smiling and then pulled me into a hug. 

“Congratulations, to bad you can't win queen now.” She kissed me on the cheek and then ushered us off the stage.  Like I care about being queen. I almost laughed. 

“Finally it is time for the king and queen.  The two lucky winners will get a thousand dollar gift card to Expedia travel.” She stopped to slide the envelope open.  Excitedly unfolding the paper.  Her face fell.  She looked to the principal for advice. 

“I thought a person could only win once?”  She said exasperated.  He shook his head and ushered her on.  Her voice was dripping in disdain as she said,

“Olivia and Liam.”  Liam smiled, kissed my hand and drug me back to the front.  Where Anna roughly shoved the envelopes to us and uncerimoniously tossed us each a cheap plastic crown.  Wow, I could use it for flights to go see my mom.  I felt slightly smug walking back with my cheap crown.  Peyton of course loved to be the first one to say I told you so.  So I beat her to it. 

“You were right Peyton.” I said happily not giving her the chance to say it.  We walked together out to the Limo where Liam helped the girls in and wished them a safe ride home.  Then taking my hand he led me to the elevators of the hotel.  When he opened the door to the room I pushed him inside.  Pulling his face to mine I melded my lips to his.  

“Make love to me Liam.” I begged into his mouth.  He groaned in response and fumbled with the buttons on the neck of my dress.  I felt them pop.  Then his hands slid down my spine to the zipper at the back.  He slowly slid it down and then slid the lace off my shoulders the dress cascading to my feet.  He whistled through his teeth seeing the black sheer lingerie for the first time.  

“Damn.” He said loudly.  His eyes wandering down my body.  My n*****s pushing against the cups of the boustier.  I watched his gaze move down.  The sheer panties revealing my freshly waxed body. 

“Olivia.” He said dropping to his knees in front of my.  His hands sliding the thigh high stockings out of the garter belt.  Peeling the the panties down my legs.  I stepped out of them.

“Did you do this for me?” He asked bringing his mouth to me.  I moaned into the night. 

“Yes!” His hands tightened on my thighs as he pulled me to him.  Oh my god what this man did to me.  He stood in front of me and I watched with pleasure as he adjusted the crotch of his pants.  I smiled sexily and sauntered forward grabbing his waistband. 

“Here, let’s make you a bit more comfortable.” I whispered unzipping him and pulling his trousers down freeing his huge erection. My god, I must have forgotten how huge he really was.  I went to kneel in front of him but he stopped me.  

“Oh no, you do that and we won’t be doing this for much longer and I only have tonight and tomorrow night left with you.  We are taking our time.” He said pulling me to the bed and laying me down.  He brought his mouth back to me.  I reached down and pulled off his hat, tossing it across the room to the chair.  

“Liam.” I moaned.  He smiled up at me.  

“Take this damn thing off of me.” I begged him, finding it harder and harder to breathe in this constricting corset.  He rolled me over and ran his hand between my legs.  Teasing me.  If he kept doing this I was going to come.  I felt the back loosening and then it was off of me.  Thank god.  I rolled back onto my back and started unbuttoning his jacket peeling it off of him and throwing it.  He finished un dressing and brought his mouth to mine.  Kissing me softly.  His fingers preparing me for his manhood.  I cried into his mouth as the orgasm came closer.  Pulling away he grabbed a condom out of his jacket and rolled it on.  Returning to me he slowly eased into me.  Grunting, 

“God you are so tight.”  I smiled my hands stroking down his back.  It still hurt and he must have sensed it because he let me adjust to the feel of him before slowly starting to move.  I moaned into his ear.  It felt so good, we had barely started but I could feel myself building but like before the grand finale was evading me.  

“Olivia, come for me.” He whispered into my ear.  But I couldn’t. 

“I can’t it’s not happening.” I said quietly.  He smiled and pulled out of me.  Kissing me on the forehead he said. 

“Don’t worry we’ve got time.  He sat on the bed and pulled me onto him facing away letting me slowly slide down onto him.  Giving me the power I leaned back on one arm and wrapped the other around me rubbing my c**t as I rode him.  I felt myself building towards the goal again and then it stopped.  

“Liam this isn’t working.”  I said slightly pouty.  He pulled me off and slipped the condom off throwing me onto my back on the mattress.  

“Just a minute, I can’t last much longer. Rub yourself” He said standing in front of me watching.  I watched as he pumped his hand up and down his length a few times until he closed his eyes and a moan escaped his mouth.  Then he covered me with the sticky liquid.  I squealed as he laughed and then he disappeared coming back with a warm cloth and wiping me clean.  

“Give me a minute to rebuild here.  But I am going to make this happen for you ok?” He said smiling at me. God he was so amazing.  I nodded.  He lowered himself back between my legs his mouth teasing me higher and higher until I was almost there.  When I tightened my hands in his hair he stopped.  He grabbed another condom from his jacket, but I noticed that he wasn’t as hard as he could be.  Putting myself on my knees in front of him.  I took him in my hand and brought him to my mouth. His hands went to my hair. 

“My god woman you are going to unman me.” He said lustily into the night.  When he was sufficiently hard enough he handed me the condom. 

“I guess you should learn how to do this.” He said helping me roll it onto him.  Lifting me he pressed me against the wall and slid into me slowly.  I was already on the verge of orgasm and It felt like this time was the time.  I grasped his shoulders tightly as he thrust into me over and over.  His manhood touching my every nerve. My head threw itself back involuntarily as I crashed over the other side.  Nothing around me mattered.  All that I could focus on was him.  My body tightening on him and holding him to me.  I felt sounds escape my throat and my mouth couldn’t keep them in. 

“Liam, Liam, Liam Oh f**k Liam.” And somewhere in the back of my mind I could hear him calling out to me too.  I didn’t notice him laying me down on the the mattress.  I didn’t notice him pulling a blanket over me.  But when he started kissing my face I tuned in on him.  My body exhausted. He kept me in his arms all night and when I woke he dragged me into the shower where he made love to me again.