I'm outside, Katie girl xx

My phone buzzes with the text and I'm already moving down the stairs to find my Liam.

Since our argument, my father and I haven't spoken. We move around the house in silence, it's chilly and tense but I don't care. It's already been 2 weeks, I can keep up this silence for even longer now.

Once, before Liam, I would have apologised to my father just to keep the peace, but now I see the way he treated me was and is wrong. I'm his daughter, but I'm my own person too.

Throwing open the front door, I find Liam sitting on his bike, smiling at me. He points to the fence at the edge of the compound and I nod my head in understanding.

Liam will be waiting for me on the other side, I'm finally getting a turn on his bike.

Since we've been sneaking out to see each other, and the fence continues to be stupidly tall, Liam has placed a ladder on the floor near the fence. To everyone else it just looks like another piece of scrap metal which lines the compound.

As soon as Liam's bike has pulled out of the compound, I leave the porch and walk towards the fence.

Struggling with the heavy metal, I heave and grunt as I attempt to lift it up.

"Miss Katie?" A voice calls out behind me, I freeze and drop the ladder in relief.

"Yes?" I call out, turning to look for the man.

It's Adrian, one of my father's men. He walks towards me with purpose but the smile on his face tells me everything is alright.

"You need a hand?" He offers pointing to the ladder with a lazy hand.

"Uh no, no, no," I panic, "it's all fine."

I take a step away from the fence and Liam, he will just have to understand, but Adrian's voice stops me.

"It's alright." He looks down at the ladder and smiles at me, "I won't tell your father, miss Katie."

"Really?" I smile up at him, I've never spoken to any of father's men before. He always told me they were dangerous and cruel, but Adrian isn't that at all.

What else has my father lied about?

"Sure." He shrugs as he bends down and lifts the ladder with ease.

"Thank you," I smile as he holds the ladder up for me to climb.

"He's a good man, miss Katie." Adrian says as I scale the ladder, "and he cares about you."

"Thank you." I repeat as I swing my leg over the fence, ready to see Liam.

"You're very welcome."

As soon as my feet hit the floor, I'm looking for Liam. It doesn't take long before I see him pull up.

Grinning, I run forwards to him and he pulls off his helmet. His eyes immediately meet mine and he holds his arms out for me.

I'm in the air and leaping towards him before I even have a moment to consider it. Liam's arms catch me and he cradles me close.

"Hey beautiful."

I look up at him, unable and unwilling to disguise my smile, and his palms cup my cheeks.

"Kiss?" I plead, pouting with my puppy eyes at him. It has the desired effect and Liam chuckles as he leans down to meet my lips.

We kiss tenderly for just a moment before Liam pulls away and hands me my helmet.

"Let's go, Katie girl."

Squealing as he pulls me behind him, I press my face into the leather of his jacket and wind my hands around his middle.

He gently strokes my hand with his palm before he pulls my arms even tighter around him.

"Hold on tight, sweetheart." He throws over his shoulder as he starts the engine.

The roar and judder of the engine fires through my body and settles in my veins.

What a rush!

I can see why dad loves it so.

Liam pulls away from stationary, slowly, but it makes me squeal and press my face further into his back.

The wind rushes through my hair but I don't open my eyes. As much as I'm enjoying this, I fear that watching the world fly by will make this even worse.

When the engine cuts out suddenly but I still don't take my arms off Liam.

"You gonna let me breathe, Katie girl?" Liam chuckles and I suddenly realise how tight I am squeezing him.

"Sorry." I squeak out, releasing my hands from him with a giggle.

The exhilaration runs through me as Liam helps me off his bike. Finally the rush of the ride wears off on me and I take in my surroundings.

"Where are we?" I ask, looking at the car park in confusion.

"A little hotel I found. I thought we could spend some time together."

"Oh," I smile at him, slipping my hand into his, "that's lovely."

Liam clears his throat, he looks a little nervous but as soon as I squeeze his hand, it disappears.

"You ready then, beautiful?" He asks as we walk towards the quaint looking hotel.

"It's so sweet." I say with a smile as Liam holds the door open for me.

"That's what I thought when I found it."

Liam speaks to the receptionist, an older woman with a kind smile, who hands over a key and offers up a room number.

We both thank her before my hand slips back into Liam's, I love having him close to me.

The door opens up to a stunning room, all vintage and quaint decorations. With a gasp, I drop Liam's hand and walk into the room.

Flopping down on the bed, I watch as Liam closes the door behind us. He moves towards me with intent and I instinctively tip my head up for the kiss.

Liam strikes over my jaw with his finger tips before kneeling in front of me.

"Katie, I need to tell you something." His voice is serious and it makes my stomach clench with nerves.

"What is it, Lee?"

I watch as he brushes his hand over my cheek, tucking tendrils of my hair behind my ear.

"I love you, Katie girl. I love you and I need you to know it."

"Really?" My mouth splits open in a smile and I spring off the bed and land in his lap.

"I love you too!" I squeal as Liam's hands cradle me lovingly, because now I know it is lovingly.

"Really?" Liam repeats my words with the exact tone I myself had.

"Yes, yes."

Liam laughs in delight and stands, with me still wrapped around his waist, then he drops both of us on the bed.

His hips pin me to the bed as he stares down at me.

"I love you." He whispers again, saying it like he can't believe he can.

"I love you too." I reply, smiling as I watch Liam bend down.

He gently captures my lips with his own and I immediately open my mouth to him.

He kisses me hungrily, and with demand before he finally prise himself away from me. Panting, he sits back on his heels, looking down at me.

"I'm uhhh... I'm sorry." He apologies, glancing down at the erection I can clearly see in his trousers.

"Lee," I murmur, sitting up on my elbows, "it's alright."

"No, no, no," he rants, running a hand nervously through his dark hair, "I shouldn't, I mustn't push you."

"Liam," I try again, sitting up so I'm facing him.

"You aren't pushing me." I reassure, holding his hands in mine as I blink up at him.

"But I need to go slow with you." Liam explains, his care and kindness warms my heart to him more than I even knew possible.

"Liam," I whisper, kneeling up so I can brush my lips over his stubbled cheek.

"I don't want you to go slow anymore."