We lifted the glasses and gently clanked them together.
I shut my eyes and threw the drink back.
The second it hit my throat, I put the shot glass down - upside down - and waved my hands.
I was done.
Anything after that drink and I’d be hugging my toilet instead of Liam.
Speaking of which, he came up behind me and wrapped his arms around me, hugging me and kissing my neck.
I swallowed the whiskey, coughed and laughed.
“Are you trying to kill me?” I asked him.
“Sorry,” he said. “I just need to make sure everyone here knows you’re taken. There’s a lot of eyes on you tonight, Em.”
“No way,” I said.
“Trust me,” Liam said. “I’ve already mentally beat the shit out of ten guys. And there’s one at the end of the bar that keeps looking… I might have to kick his ass for real.”
“Oh, yes,” I teased. “I’d love to see you in a bar fight.”
“Well, he’s right there,” Liam said as he pointed.
I looked and gasped, grabbing his hand.
Liam then pointed with his other hand.
I laughed as the guy stood up and walked away from the bar.
“Want me to pick a fight with someone, babe?” Liam asked.
As tempting as that was…
“Why not just get me out of here and have your way with me?” I asked.
“I like that better,” Liam said.
He moved me out of the way and reached into his pocket and put cash on the bar.
“You don’t have to pay,” Carla said to him. “Ernie will pay.”
“You’ll have to blow him for that,” Faye said.
“Worth it,” Carla said.
I saw the look on Liam’s face and I clapped my hands as I laughed.
“Let me cover the drinks,” Liam said. “Just so nobody is shelling out blowjobs that have no meaning.”
“I’m sure Emily won’t have that issue later,” Carla said.
She then made a gesture with her hand and mouth that made Faye laugh…
I shook my head. “Liam is much bigger than that.”
That made Carla freeze in mid fake air blowjob.
She looked at Liam.
He shrugged his shoulders. “Can’t help it. It’s just how I’m built.”
“Carla, I’ve never seen you so quiet before,” Faye said.
“I’m just filling my spank bank,” she said. “Hope you don’t mind, Emily…”
“As long as Liam comes home with me,” I said.
I put my hand out for him to take.
I never felt so confident in my life.
Before Liam could touch me, someone else touched my hand.
It was the guy from across the bar.
His hand touching mine, a million-dollar smile on his face.
I didn’t have a second to process what was happening before Liam threw a punch and hit the guy.
Carla and Faye cheered as the guy fell to the floor.
Liam moved in on me and pulled me against him.
I gasped.
Ernie appeared a second later. “What happened?”
“This asshole touched Emily,” Carla said as she pointed to the guy on the floor.
“Liam hit him,” I said.
“I’ll get Dozer to throw his ass out,” Ernie said. “Piece of shit.”
I looked at Liam.
“There’s your bar fight, babe,” Liam said. “Now can we get home?”
Home…
I smiled.
I loved the idea of home with Liam.
That last shot?
It didn’t make me hug the toilet, but it made me fall asleep in the car.
I was basically cuddled up on Liam’s lap the entire ride back to my place.
When we arrived, I felt him trying to wake me, but it didn’t work all that great.
I managed to get on my feet, but my eyes were only half open.
Liam laughed and helped me get to my apartment.
I gave him my key and he unlocked the door.
Inside, he locked the door and we made a line right for the bedroom.