Hi friends! Sorry I was MIA last week, it was a birthday on Tuesday so I had a busy week! But I have some fun news….

I know it has been an incredibly long hiatus for this short story series. And I apologize. But I am determined to finish what I started in 2017. This story has a ways to go still, and I hope you enjoy this latest Chapter!

Previously on Move– Read Chapter 13 HERE

Catch up from the beginning HERE

The head of the hospital, takes the stage as he nods at the applause with gratitude. A handsome, tall, younger than you would expect, broad shouldered man.

“Good Evening, everyone, my name is Dr. Matthew Greene and I am the head of the hospital, and I just wanted to welcome you all here tonight and thank you for coming out to support our children’s charity…”

“Whoa,” Layla whispers with wandering eyes, leaning over to Yolanda, “that’s your boss?”

“Yes,” Yolanda says, her gaze focused on the speech ahead.

“You work with that hottie everyday?” Aria whispers.

“Shh, cut it out.” Yolanda whispers with a harsh tone.

“Girl, you seriously need to get on that, ASAP,” Layla says smirking as she watches the gorgeous man before them.

“Layla.” Yolanda says surprised as she looks at her sister.

Aria lets out a little laugh.

“She’s hanging out with you and your friends too much.” Yolanda says giving Aria a stern glare.

“True,” Aria says, “But honestly Yolanda, you’re boss is a total fox.”

“He is my boss. That might be your style, but it’s not mine. Now shush!” she says giving Aria a face and facing forward just in time to here her name. Aria feels the burn a bit, but let’s is slide for now.

“… I’d like to acknowledge the head of our planning committee this year, Yolanda Lenz, for creating this beautiful atmosphere for us tonight. She truly out did herself,” he says smiling and clapping.

Yolanda smiles, as Aria and Layla clap proudly, Aria bumps her hip into her cousin as she smiles at her.

Yolanda blushes, as the girls notice.

Liam’s eyes fall on Aria even as he stands waiting to give his speech.

Gertrude noticing, with a fierce disappointment written across her face, her beady cold eyes shifting toward Aria, sizing her up, judging her.

“Now, I’d like to introduce you to a very good friend of the hospital. It is because of this next man’s support we get to help millions of children get the medical care they deserve during such trying times. He is responsible for giving them and their families just a little hope. Please join me in welcoming our incredible sponsor, Mr. Liam Whitmore,” Dr. Greene smiles brightly as he claps stepping back from the podium.

Liam buttons his jacket and with a smile and a wave, he walks up to the microphone, shaking hands with Dr. Greene.

“Good Evening,” he says his British accent showing. “I am honored to be here with all of you tonight. This has always been an incredible event to be a part of. Anything regarding the well being of a child is close to my heart. Children are our future and it’s our job as adults to make sure they get a happy and healthy one. What we do, how we act in the world around us, shapes and molds them. Some children have a bumpy journey, and it is here, that journey can receive a bit of hope. Each member of this hospital is a beacon of hope. I’ve seen them all work tirelessly everyday to protect the lives of their patients. I’ve already been told we are getting some incredible donations tonight, and we thank you. We thank you for your care for these special young lives. It is because of your generosity that the hospital gets to continue doing such amazing things for our youth. We thank you for your hope. And we hope you enjoy your night. Every tiny bit counts. Enjoy!” he says with a smile as he steps off the stage to applause and many hand shakes.

Aria’s eyes meet his through the crowd as she shifts her eyes up to the second floor balcony, Liam smirks at her as he sends her a wink, shaking yet another hand.

Gertrude’s eyes following their every exchange.

Aria smiles, “I’ll be back,” she whispers to her cousins.

“Do not get caught, there is a ton of press here. Liam is a big deal.” Yolanda whispers.

“Discretion. Don’t worry,” she says laughing as she makes her way through the crowded room towards the stairs.

Liam’s eyes follow her as he stands in a sea of rich people greetings, press pictures, and hand shakes.

“Excuse me, everyone,” he nods his thanks as he makes a gracious exit, he heads after Aria’s retreating figure.

Gertrude’s eyes narrowing in anger.

Aria stands on the balcony, her hands on the railing, as she looks out at the gorgeous view.

Liam walks onto the second floor, seeing her curvy figure standing there, waiting. For him.

He smirks, as he sneaks up behind her, he wraps his arms around her from behind. “Hi love,”  he whispers in her ear as she jumps slightly, and then calms once she sees it’s Liam.

“You can’t just sneak up on a girl like that,” she says as he let’s out a chuckle.

“Oh I’m sorry, were you expecting someone else?” he whispers as he places a kiss on her neck, pulling her closer to him.

Aria’s eyes flutter close, “Well you know it was either you or Marco,” she says a smirk forming on her lips.

Liam laughs, as he turns her around to face him, “Over my dead body, love,” he smirks pulling her into a heated kiss.

Aria accepts quickly as her arms wrap around his neck, she laughs against his lips, Liam’s hands sliding down her curved body.

“Hmm, your lips are kind of perfect, you know that?” he whispers his eyes fluttering open staring into hers. “Your whole body is perfect,” he says looking her up and down.

“Well then,” she says locking eyes with him, “aren’t you rather frisky today?” she says laughing as she pulls him by his jacket into a kiss.

“I can’t help it, you drive me crazy, love” he whispers inches away from her lips, before covering them with his once more.

She smirks sweetly, pulling away from him slightly, Aria looks up at him, “Nice speech.”

“Thank you,” he says with a smirk as he places another kiss on her lips.

“You’re kind of a big deal, huh?” she says looking down as her hands fall to his chest.

“No, I wouldn’t say that,” he says feeling a weird tension forming between them.

Aria looks at him, as he laughs shyly.

“Liam, people practically fall to your feet when you enter a room.”

“Look love, it’s only because they know my family history. They know I come from money. It’s not because they actually know me,” he says gazing into her worried eyes and tucking her hair behind her ear. “Come here, I don’t want to think about business when your standing here, looking as gorgeous as you do,” he says as he pulls her into a kiss.

Aria smirks against his lips as she cups his face, pulling him closer she deepens their kiss.

Liam’s arms tightening around her body,  both heart beats quickening.

***

Meanwhile, downstairs the sea of people are mingling, flashes snapping, champagne popping and Yolanda’s eyes scan the room in frustration as she sees Gertrude Whitmore hastily heading for the staircase leading to the second floor balcony.

***

Aria and Liam stand tangled up in each other. His hands gliding up and down her body as he deepens each kiss, leaning her against the door frame to the balcony.

Aria’s hands cupping his face as her lips meet his with the same urgency.

Liam pulls away from her breathless.

“We shouldn’t be doing this- here,” he says straightening his tie and fixing himself up. Lipstick smeared across his face.

Aria smirks, “Come on Mr. Whitmore, loosen up,” she says grabbing him by the tie and pulling him into a passionate kiss.

“Hmm your a bad influence,” he whispers against her lips.

“Oh come on, like you’ve never thought about sneaking off and having sex during a work event?” she says looking up at him her eyebrow raised.

“Oh well. I mean sure, I’ve thought about it. But no one’s ever been worth it,” he says grabbing her swiftly into a heated kiss.

Aria responds quickly as her hands reach out unbuckling his pants.

Aria leans against the door frame as Liam starts to hike up her long gown.

“Damn it, just rip the dress. I don’t care, it was on sale,” she says frustrated as Liam’s eyes lock onto hers, they widen with shock as he let’s out a laugh.

Aria covers her face, as she laughs, “Oh my god, I’m sorry this is not sexy.”

Liam looks down at her, and smiles, “Everything about you is sexy.”

Aria looks up at him and smiling she places a sweet kiss on his lips.

Liam pulls away looking down at her, he kisses her again, as his hands slide down the zipper of her dress, allowing the top fabric to loosen showing her black lingerie. Liam kisses her as she reaches down undoing his zipper. As Liam moves to kissing her neck, Aria arches toward him, her hands around his neck. Liam’s hands cup under her as he lifts her up against the door frame. Aria tries to hike up her dress as they don’t break their kiss.

“You sure you wanna do this, love, here. Now?” he whispers.

“More than you know,” she says looking at him through heavy eyes before engaging in another kiss. 

“I just feel like maybe this is slightly bad timing,” he whispers his heart pounding out of his chest.

“Let’s be bad together,” she says kissing him as he let’s out a chuckled sigh before kissing her back. 

“Mmm Hmm!” they both hear as someone stands in the shadows before them.

“Oh my god!” Aria says as Liam places her feet back down on the floor as he rushes to zip his pants and Aria covers her chest.

“Yolanda? Aria says squinting through the darkness as she pulls up her top, straightening her dress out.

“You,” she says pointing to Aria, “Get dressed and get downstairs. And you,” she says pointing to Liam, “Your mom, is on a war path, this is the 2nd time I dodged her from confronting you two. She knows somethings going on here and she is not happy about it. 3 seconds later, and she would have been the one up here right now.”

Liam straightens himself up, clearing his throat, “Thank you for interfering. My apologies,” he says starting to walk off, Aria reaches out grabbing his arm, as he stops to look back. Aria wipes his lips with her thumbs. “Lipstick,” she says with a wince, as she fixes his tie and his hair, he stares into her eyes.

Yolanda watching their sexually charged exchange.

She fake coughs as they gaze into each other’s eyes.

“Call me?” Aria asks.

“Couldn’t stop me if you tried, love.” he says with a wink as he walks toward the stairs, nodding his thanks to Yolanda again.

Aria’s eyes follow him, sexual desire evident, as she let’s out a frustrated breath.

Yolanda stands there, angrily.

“I can’t believe you. Having sex in a public place, where there are tons of cameras. Are you insane? I specifically asked you NOT to do this.”

“We didn’t have sex.” she says.

“You sure as hell looked like you were.”

“Ok, well we almost had sex. We were about to-“

“And you totally would have if I didn’t stop you.”

Aria shrugs.

“Do I even have to tell you how dangerous unprotected sex with someone you barley know is?”

“I do know him. He’s my boyfriend.”

“Is he though?”

“Well maybe we haven’t put a label on it, just yet but-“

“Even if you had, the truth is you knew you didn’t have protection.”

“Now that’s not true, guys carry condoms in their wallets.”

“Does Liam Whitmore look like the kind of guy that worries about carrying condoms in his 3 million dollar leather, monogrammed wallet?”

“I don’t even know how to answer that question. Are you saying he’s a playboy that doesn’t care about protection? Or that he wouldn’t risk messing up his fancy wallet?”

“I don’t even know right now. But besides, you should never just assume the guy has it covered. I’m just so pissed Aria! I specifically asked you not to do this. And you did it anyway. Do you even care that this is my JOB!”

“Of course I care. But, Liam and I-we just couldn’t help ourselves. Ok, I’m sorry! We were still clothed, we didn’t even get that far, why are you making such a big deal about this? No one saw us Yoyo!” Aria says loudly.

“Yes they did. His mother saw you on the balcony the first time. This is not the place Aria.”

“What’s the big deal? So people see him with a woman. Who cares. He’s human. He’s allowed to be attracted to a woman. He’s allowed to have sex if he wants to!”

“That’s not the point Ari. People like Liam are held up to a certain standard. If pictures were to get out that he’s dating someone like you…”

“Wow…ok.” Aria says stumbling back from the blow.

“You know that’s not what I meant. We’re Latina, we’re curvy, we’re considered lower class. Our lives are completely different. And if your relationship or whatever the hell this is were to get out. Your carefree days of doing what you want and when you want it, will be over. These people are relentless, it’s why they are so rich. Because all they care about is business, and unfortunately, you being with Liam would be considered a huge scandal. It would hinder all progress the hospital has made for the children’s charity. So for once can you please think about something other than yourself and see that your actions affect other people!”

“Oh ok, so now I’m the bitch who doesn’t care about children, really Yolanda? You are way off base!”

“Lower your voice, ok, this is a big night for me. This is my job. You know the job that provides for you and Layla.” she says giving her cousin a face.

“Oh wow, ok so the gloves are really coming off now, aren’t they?” Aria says hands on her hips.

“I didn’t mean it to come out like that I’m just mad. I’m the oldest and it’s my responsibility to make sure-“

“No it’s not. Who says?”

“It’s just the way it is.”

“Well you made that a rule for yourself not me. I’m sorry! I like him. And I like having sex. So what if I want to have random, hot sex with a guy that likes to be with me. What’s the big damn deal. God you are so judgey sometimes. Sex is fun, you should try it some time.” she says rolling her eyes as Yolanda looks at her cousin in shock.

“I’m sorry. I’m sorry, that was out of line,” Aria says her heart dropping as she reaches for her cousin’s hand.

“You know what Aria your right. Just because I made the choice to save myself for marriage, doesn’t mean that you have to. And I love you, but you are not being smart about this. You barely know him. You don’t know his sexual history. How many women he’s been with. If he’s the type of man who you can actually trust with your heart and your body. I mean what happened to taking it slow…”

“Yoyo, please. I love you too. I respect you and  I am so grateful that I have you in my life to look out for me. But you don’t have to worry so much. I’m an adult. I can take care of myself. I’m telling you I can just feel it in my gut that Liam is a good guy. When I’m with him I just know. I can’t explain it. It’s just a feeling I get when I’m with him.”

“I just hope your right. Because, I really don’t think I could take it, if anything happened to you.”

“Nothing is going to happen to me,” Aria says pulling Yolanda into a hug.

***

Liam buttons his tux jacket as he descends the stairs and steps onto the first floor, his mother swiftly walking over to him, and grabbing his arm pulling him to the side.

“You are disgracing the family name.”

“Excuse me?” Liam says shocked by her words.

“I saw you with that little gold digging harlot, groping each other on the balcony and doing god knows what on the second floor. She is beneath you Liam. Sure she may be intoxicating for a brief time. But let’s be honest, she is not Whitmore material.”

Aria and Yolanda stand frozen at the bottom of the stairs.

Liam notices as his face falls.

“Wow. You don’t even know me. But sad to say, I’ve known types like you my whole life. Don’t worry your family legacy is safe.” Aria says grabbing her cousin’s hand and walking off.

“Aria,” Liam says reaching for her, as his mother grabs his arm and pulls him back, as photographers gather to take a picture of the two Whitmores in action.

“Let her go love, she’s not worth it,” she says smiling through clenched teeth.

“You know what mum, Sky is right about, you’re a monster,” he says ripping his arm out of her grasp and rushing off after Aria.

 

TO BE CONTINUED…

*I do not take credit for the images used in my edits or otherwise.*

-<3-