Midnight Heat

Late Night Thoughts

Maya’s POV

Liam looked deep into my eyes on the balcony. The night wind blew softly between us. My heart felt like it wanted to jump out of my chest. I still held him tight from the hug. His warm body felt so safe but I knew I could not tell him everything.

“Maya,” he said quietly. “You were about to say something. Please finish it. I can see the fear in your face.”

I stepped back a little but kept my hands on his arms. The city lights glowed far below. My thin night dress moved with the wind. “I want to tell you Liam. I really do. But it is too big. Too dangerous. People are watching me. They have videos. Bad videos.”

He touched my cheek gently. His fingers felt warm on my warm brown skin. “Videos of what? The party? I was there too. I do not care about that.”

I shook my head. Tears came again. Inside my head I thought, If only it was only the party. He does not know about Mr Havisham. He does not know about the two men in the warehouse. He does not know they want me to give him the video of me with them. I cannot break his heart.

“It is more than the party,” I whispered. “My job. My sister. Everything is connected. I found papers today. Bad papers. But they made me delete the copies. Now they want the original ones from Sarah.”

Liam’s sharp eyes became serious. “Your sister Sarah? What does she have to do with your job?”

Before I could answer, my phone buzzed loudly on the small table inside. We both looked at it. I did not want to check but I had to. I walked inside and picked it up. Liam followed me through the balcony door.

The new message made my stomach turn. It was a picture of me and Liam right now on the balcony. They were watching even at this moment. The words below said:

“Give him the video tonight or we send everything to Chloe tomorrow morning. Clock is ticking.”

I quickly hid the phone behind my back. Liam stepped closer. “Was that them again? Show me Maya. We can fight this together.”

I shook my head fast. “No. You should go back to your apartment. It is not safe for you here.”

But Liam did not move. He pulled me close again. His strong arms wrapped around me. “I am not scared. And I am not leaving you alone tonight. You look like you will break any second.”

His body felt so good against mine. I remembered the lap dance. How hard he was. How much I wanted him that night. Now he stood here offering help while I carried terrible secrets. My inner voice screamed loud. Tell him Maya. He cares about you. But the blackmailers will destroy him too.

I looked up at his face. The moonlight made his messy dark hair look soft. “Liam. If I tell you, you might hate me. I have done things. Bad things for money.”

He leaned down and rested his forehead on mine. “I could never hate you. Not after the way you looked at me that night on the balcony. Not after feeling you in my arms at the party.”

His words made my body feel warm. Heat rushed between my legs even though I was scared. I hugged him tighter. Our lips were very close. For one moment everything felt quiet and nice. Then he kissed me softly. It was gentle and sweet. His mouth felt perfect.

I kissed him back. My hands moved to his neck. The kiss became deeper. His tongue touched mine and I moaned quietly. His hands slid down my back and held my waist. The fear mixed with desire inside me. For a few seconds I forgot the blackmail. I forgot Mr Havisham. I forgot everything except Liam.

He pulled back a little and looked at me. “Stay with me tonight. No s*x. Just sleep. I want you safe.”

I wanted to say yes so badly. But my phone buzzed again. Another message. This one had a short video. It showed me in the warehouse with the two men. My moans were loud. The text said:

“Ten seconds to decide. Send it to him now.”

I pushed Liam away gently. My hands shook. “You have to go. Please. I will be okay.”

Liam looked hurt but he nodded. “I will be right next door. If anything happens knock on the wall. I will come running.”

He climbed back to his balcony and gave me one last look before going inside. I closed my balcony door and locked it. I sat on my bed and stared at the phone. The timer was counting down.

Tears fell on my hands. I opened the video of me in the warehouse. My finger hovered over the send button to Liam. Sarah’s papers were still under my bed. Chloe was starting to ask questions. Mr Havisham wanted me ready every day.

Everything was closing in on me.

I closed my eyes and pressed send. The video went to Liam. My heart broke into pieces. I dropped the phone and cried hard into my pillow.

Seconds later I heard loud knocking on my front door. It was Liam. His voice sounded shocked and angry.

“Maya! Open the door right now! What the hell is this video?”