Ace-The Secret Assasin

Chapter Eight- Sleeping Beauty

Emma POV

     I nuzzled my nose into something that was smooth but hard. A smell that took over my dream of me laying on a bed of satin sheets waiting. Lifting my head to see what the delicious smell was coming from, Liam. Waking up on Liams shoulder was a surprise after all but bringing back my composer I started to move away slowly not to wake him up. I really don’t want to but I need to be careful even-though when we get to Italy we have to act like a good couple too. God this is so confusing. Using Liam was not in the plans but James wasn’t going to let it go. 

     Reaching my seat I pull out my computer, the file and a pair of head phones, I try to scrounge up dirt on the man I’ll be looking for. After another hour or so I lift my head from the computer screen and notice the smiling face across from me.

     Oh god, I shut my computer quickly not wanting him to see the images that I had pulled or what I had planned for my next victim. Tugging my head phones out of my ears I look up into the soft gray eyes while they creased with a smile. I glared at him before scoffing a little at his smugness. 

     “Good morning sleeping beauty, how was your nap?” Laughing at my own cleaver comment.

     “Great until someone ditched me.” He stated back making me roll my eyes. God he’s an impossible flirt. 

     “Well we have another hour or so until we land.” I remind him. 

     “Can I ask you a question?” Raising his eyebrows and his eyes getting serious.

     “No.” I can’t chance him asking me certain things. Starting to put away my laptop and the file I zip up the bag and see that he still hasn’t taken his eyes off of me. 

     “Why are you so closed off?” He asked anyways. I shrug and cross my arms in front of my chest protectively. Keeping eye contact, I build up a wall around my emotions.

     “There is just something you aren’t telling me.” I keep my composer on the outside but my heart rate sky rockets with nerves. Staring into his eyes they reflect yearning for the truth. I just hate lying to him. “Well maybe one day you will trust me enough to tell me.” He says looking down finally breaking our eye contact.

     I turn my head to stare out the window, thinking about what would happen if I were to tell him. I can’t take that chance. Just thinking about it made my heart feel like it was tearing apart. My blood ran hot through my body and I could feel my anger pulsating. I won’t ever let anything happen to him. He doesn’t deserve a life of fear.

…..

After an hour or so we landed at another private airport located in Rome. The owners of the air field are close friends to James. Making it easier to travel. James also made sure to reserve a Silver Lincoln Navigator. Knowing the keys would be in the ignition I walked straight to the car and pop the trunk.

     “Is this yours?” Liam asked with curiosity pointing towards the SUV.

     “It’s a rental, we need something to drive around in.” 

‘And something I might need to hide a body in’ I thought. After tossing our stuff into the trunk and getting into the driver’s seat. I start driving towards the hotel I usually stay at. Renting out the pent house that luckily has multiple bedrooms. Pulling up to the hotel the valet stepped towards me as I gave him the keys and another guy started getting our luggage out of the trunk.

     I smile sweetly “Thank you so much.” I hate not being kind to workers. I used to be the kid everyone talked down to, the low life. So I never wanted to make anyone feel the way I did. No one deserves that, especially when all they are trying to do is make a living. Liam walked over to the valet thanking him and shook his hand nicely but I noticed he left cash in the gentleman’s hand. It seemed like a generous tip too, I smile at the kind gesture. I know Liam grew up with a lot of money but he seems to be so sweet to staff. He even made sure to tell Ellen our stewardess and Jim our Pilot “Thank you and safe travels home.” when we left the plane.

     He seems to keep surprising me a little more every day which is hard to do because I know everything about him.

     When we head into the lobby as I make my way over to the check in counter and get our keys.  

     “Ciao, prenotazioni per Emma Walker.” I say to the gentleman at the counter in fluent Italian. I know fifteen different languages and I’m working on my sixteenth, Greek. (Hi, reservations for Emma Walker.)

     “Buongiorno Miss.Walker, la tua camera è pronta ed ecco le tue chiavi. Se c'è qualcos'altro che posso fare per te, per favore fatemelo sapere.” He winked at me flirtatiously, great. (Good morning Miss.Walker, your room is ready and here are your keys. If there is anything else I can do for you, please let me know.)

     I roll my eyes in response letting him know that I’m not interested. Then giving a quick thank you and turning around to Liam who’s been standing a few steps behind me waiting. He does not look happy, I could even say jealous maybe? 

     “Here is your room key just in case you decide to go somewhere without me. We are on the top floor you ready?” After handing him his key I started walking towards the elevator without waiting for a response. 

     We were offered for someone to take our luggage but I declined, not wanting anyone riffling through my things. That would be a very surprised bag boy. 

     When we made it to the elevator it was empty so we hopped right on and scanned my card for the pent house. While the elevator rises slowly I can feel liams eyes on me intensely. I finally decide to look over and give him a questioning look. 

     “You speak Italian?” He said to me seemingly shocked. 

     “Yup” I staid making sure to pop the ‘P’ sarcastically “and fourteen other languages. Plus I’m teaching myself Greek right now. James has always made sure to keep me well rounded in my education.” Plus it was a skill needed for someone with my job. 

     I went to so many different places that it was important to be able to easily communicate. It always bothered me though how people were so shocked that I was smart. Like I should be this stupid rich b***h who coasts along on daddy’s money. Huh, little do they know.

     “Wow, you are amazing....” Gasping a little as he said it. I stare into his eyes looking for doubt but all I see is astonishment and a little bit of love.

     I give him a small laugh in reply not really knowing what to say to that when the bell for the last floor rang. We stepped out into a beautiful entry way that lead to an open living room/kitchen concept. The living room to the right with a hall way leading to the master bed and bath. The kitchen on the left had a hallway that wrapped behind the elevator and lead to two more bedrooms with attached bathrooms. When you look forward from the elevator you can see floor to ceiling windows leading to a balcony that looks out over the busy city. 

     “Nice place!” Liam laughs with excitement.

     “It’s one of my favorites, do you want the tour?” I ask 

     “Of course.” He says happily.

.....

     After I’ve shown him the entire place and guide him to his room, I finally make my way back to the my room with my things. I quickly organize my clothes in the closet, then setting up my laptop, camera, tracking devices and the file at the desk area in my room. When I locked up all of my weapons and ammo in the safe tucked into the closest, I was finally done unpacking.

     Luckily the jet lag stopped bothering me years ago, so I sit down getting to work quickly. I knew I had a couple of hours to work since Liam told me he was planning on trying to get in a decent nap before we started our day. 

     He was the same happy go lucky guy he always was but I could tell the lack of sleep and the traveling took a toll on him. He seemed exhausted but I was fresh and ready to go. 

     I guess I just run on less sleep. I’ve always had trouble sleeping, never being able to shut off my brain plus the nightmares. But somehow  I fell asleep so easily when I was leaning on Liams shoulder. Something about him calms me, taking away most of my anxiety. I didn’t even have any dreams which was a first in awhile. 

     I quickly shake off that thought and went back to work. I didn’t need to be thinking about him. I came here because I have a job to do. That’s it.

....

     A knock comes through the door shaking me from my thoughts and strategies. I glance at the clock on my laptop and realize it’s already four in the afternoon. I’ve barley ate or slept and I hadn’t even noticed. I get up quickly heading to the door and open it but stop the second I see what’s waiting for me outside.

     Liam is standing there shirtless, sweaty and sexy, holding a plate with what looks like a sandwich, some fruit and a water bottle in the other hand. The biggest smile is spread across his face making my heart stop beating in my chest. My core curled in excitement, damn why am I so horny? 

     “Hey sunshine, sorry I got back from my run and made myself a snack and thought you would be hungry too. You like PB&J?” Finally realizing he asked me a question but I was to distracted by his washboard abs and a V line that was barley covered in his basketball shorts. 

     “Uh... yeah PB&J is perfect, thank you.” I laugh nervously now that he probably noticed me drooling and taking the plate while brushing my hair out of my face. God I probably look nasty. A whole day of traveling and working I haven’t even bothered looking at my appearance.

      I mentally face palm myself while I turn into my room and set the plate down on the table by my laptop. “So sunshine, what have you been up to in here?” Liam asks me as he steps into my room looking around.

     How am I suppose to focus with him dressed like that and standing in the middle of my room? “Oh, I’ve just been doing some editing.” I lie quickly, shrugging the question off. 

     “Very cool, can I see?” Well I was really hoping he would drop it.

     “No not yet, they aren’t ready.” I say quickly again. Honestly I love to take photos but it’s just for fun and the rest are for recon. Staying nonchalant I move over to the plate and take a strawberry turning around while putting it in my mouth and taking a juicy bite.

     I barley even notice Liam staring at me as I did it and his pupils dilated while he watched me. Between him staring  at me like that, looking like a god and the lack of s*x I’ve had lately the air quickly became heated.

     Liam took the few steps that were between us, closing the gap easily. Causing me to gasp when his hands reached up to the strawberry still in my hand and grabbing my wrist as he brought the last bite of the sweet fruit to his lips. I gulp down the heat rising in my chest while a moan slipped between my lips.

      How did he manage to ruin my panties with that simple act, leaving my mind to imagine what else he could do with that mouth. I just couldn’t keep my eyes off his lips, as they brought flash backs from our first kiss. The fire still searing through my veins, what is it about him that does this to me?

     Noticing our close proximity, I take a step back trying to stop my temptations. Staring into his eyes, I see confusion and disappointment but he seems to recover quickly. I need to be cautious.

Liam POV

     I’m frozen to the spot, I don’t want to leave the room but the feeling of rejection still stings. I take a deep breath looking at her. Her eyes show nothing other than the beautiful crystal blue they always have. I can never tell what she’s thinking, but when she opened the door earlier for me I totally saw her checking me out. I just can’t keep up with these mixed signals.

     “So I was gonna go take a shower and then maybe we can go out for dinner and drinks tonight?” I awkwardly suggest hoping she will say yes even after my little screw up a second ago.

    “Um yeah, that sounds good I even know the perfect place.” She tells me, “But tomorrow I have to work from four till after midnight so you can go sightseeing or whatever.” Turning away from me and giving me a slight shrug. I just nod, feeling down by the thought of not being around her tomorrow night.

     “Let’s say,” I look down at my watch to check the time “Be ready by eight?” I ask maybe a little too excitedly.

     “Perfect, I’ll be ready.” She responds as I stand there looking her over again. I just can’t seem to get her off my mind. Her eyes, those lips, that body, her smart mouth, it’s all I can think about. We both stand there in silence awkwardly until she raises her eyebrows with a smirk on her lips.

     “What?” I’m confused now by the sudden change.

     Crossing her arms over her chest “Well this is my room and I would like to start getting ready if that’s ok with you.” She giggles at me slightly.

     “Oh yeah…” I laugh awkwardly while rubbing the back of my head. Why am I like this, I’ve always been a confident guy when it came to the ladies but she always seems to tear down my defenses and leaves me vulnerable. “I’ll leave you to get ready.” Giving her my biggest and brightest smile before turning around and walking out the door.

   Once it’s closed I rest my forehead against the door to her room, thinking about that sweet giggle of hers.  I really need to get these feelings for her under control. I’ve never had anyone say no to me. Not that I’m a narcissist or anything but I’m a pretty good looking guy from a wealthy family, add to it that I’m a professional fighter, then I’m most girls wet dream.

     By the sounds of it, tonight will be the only night I get to be with her so I’m going to make sure not to screw this all up. I won’t let this one slip by me, I already know she’s going to be a big part of my life.