The lounge was buzzing, soaked in the kind of ambient dimness that invited secrets. Neon lights traced soft edges along the bar and the air was laced with low music and louder intentions. Liam stepped into the space, shoulders squared and mind clouded. He wasn't here to think. He wasn't here to feel. He was here to forget.
He settled into a seat at the far end of the bar, nodding to the bartender who already knew what to pour. Whiskey. Neat. The only kind of burn Liam didn't mind. He took a long sip, feeling the fire trace down his throat, dulling the ache of things he didn't want to admit.
Mia.
Her name was a curse and a prayer on his tongue, both things he wasn't ready to whisper. But her face wouldn't leave his head. The way she smiled at Austin. The way she laughed, like it was the only thing that mattered in the moment.
She was too real. Too beautiful. Too close.
And too far out of reach.
He was about to ask for a second when a voice slid in beside him like velvet.
"Rough night?"
Liam turned.
She was stunning. Short-cropped curls, honey skin, lips glossed with something sweet, and eyes that studied him like she already knew his weaknesses.
"Something like that," he replied, managing a grin.
"Good," she said, leaning closer, her perfume teasing his senses. "Then you won't mind a little distraction."
Liam raised an eyebrow. "You always walk up to strangers like this?"
She chuckled, low and smooth. "Only the ones who look like they're trying to run away from something. Or someone."
He didn't answer. He didn't need to. The silence was loud enough.
"I'm Zara," she said.
"Liam."
"Well, Liam… wanna stop drinking your pain and come dance it off?"
He should've said no. He knew that. But he stood up instead, took her hand, and let her lead him to the dance floor.
The music pulsed with the rhythm of escape. Bodies moved around them, blending into heat and shadows, but all Liam could focus on was the feel of Zara against him. Her hands on his chest. Her hips pressed to his. Her mouth close to his ear.
"You've got this look in your eyes," she whispered.
"What look?"
"Like you want to do something reckless. Something you'll regret in the morning."
Liam smiled. "Maybe I do."
She leaned in and kissed him, hard.
And that was all the permission he needed.
...
The hotel room was only a ten-minute drive. The clothes came off in less.
Zara's moans were already filling the room before Liam had even fully undressed. Her nails raked down his back as he pinned her against the wall, kissing her like his life depended on it.
She gasped as he lifted her into his arms. "God—yes—Liam…"
"You like that?" he growled against her neck.
"Ughhh… yes, harder… Don't stop… please…"
He dropped her onto the bed and pulled her legs apart, diving between them with a hunger that bordered on desperation. Zara arched off the bed, her hands fisting the sheets.
"F—fuck… Liam! That's—God! Don't stop!"
He didn't. He drove into her like he was trying to bury every thought he wasn't allowed to think, every image of Mia that haunted his mind. Zara cried out beneath him, body shaking, toes curling.
"Harder… oh my God… Liam, you're so good… so fucking good!"
He gripped her hips tighter, thrusting deeper, faster.
"You're gonna make me come again—God—yes—yes—!"
Zara was gasping now, clawing at his shoulders, her legs trembling.
"Mercy," she moaned, biting her lip. "Please—Liam—I can't—I can't—"
But he wasn't done.
He flipped her over, dragging her back against him and entering her from behind. The rhythm was savage now. Punishing. But she only cried louder, breath hitching, body jerking under the force of it.
"Liam… f*ck… harder… oh God, yes, right there—"
Sweat dripped down his back. His jaw clenched. His mind spiraled.
Still Mia. Still her smile. Still her laugh.
Why couldn't he stop seeing her?
Zara collapsed against the mattress with a shuddering scream, body going limp. Liam came seconds later, groaning into the hollow of her neck.
For a moment, everything was still.
Zara turned to look at him, face flushed. "Jesus… you're dangerous."
Liam pulled out and dropped beside her, staring at the ceiling.
"I told you it was going to be reckless," she whispered, her hand brushing his.
He didn't respond.
He couldn't.
Because no matter how deep he went, how hard he tried, Mia was still the ghost in his head.
LIAM GOES BACK HOME
It was past 2AM when Liam returned to the apartment. He expected Austin to be fast asleep, but the light from under his door told him otherwise.
He walked past his room and shut the door behind him quietly, peeling off his shirt and sitting on the edge of his bed. He stared at the floor, face in his hands.
That should've worked. That was supposed to be enough.
It wasn't.
A knock on the door.
"Yo, you home?" Austin's voice called.
Liam cleared his throat. "Yeah."
Austin pushed the door open with a grin. "Hope you broke some girl's back tonight, bro. You needed the reset."
Liam gave a lazy chuckle. "Something like that."
Austin stepped in, tossing Liam a cold can of beer. "You're welcome, by the way."
"For what?"
"For giving you the freedom to go wild while I stay home and be in love."
Liam smirked. "You act like you're in a prison."
Austin sat beside him. "Nah, bro. It's more like heaven."
He leaned back, eyes dreamy. "Mia's just… different. I don't even know how to describe it. When I'm with her, everything makes sense. She's smart, sexy, doesn't take shit from anyone. And man, the way she holds me like I'm the only thing that matters…"
Liam looked away, jaw tightening.
"I swear I never thought I could love anyone like this. She's the first girl that made me believe in forever, you know?"
Liam forced a smile. "That's dope, man. I'm happy for you."
Austin grinned. "You should be. If I ever mess this up, shoot me."
Liam laughed, but it was hollow.
Austin reached for another beer. "Anyway, enough about me. Tell me about that girl you were with tonight. Was she hot? Or just a stress outlet?"
Liam smirked. "Definitely hot. Loud, wild. She damn near begged for mercy."
Austin burst out laughing. "That's my guy! You still got it. Just don't go catching feelings. Those types are for nights, not mornings."
"I won't," Liam said quickly.
Austin eyed him. "You sure?"
"Yeah."
Austin stood and stretched. "Good. 'Cause I'm planning something special with Mia next week. I want to take her out of town for a weekend. You know, just us. Think she'll like that?"
Liam swallowed. "Yeah. She'll love it."
Austin gave him a friendly slap on the back and headed out of the room.
Liam sat there for a long while after.
Zara's scent was still on his skin.
But Mia's name was still in his chest.
And he had no idea how much longer he could live like this.