Lust Meter System: Conquering Beauties-Chapter 41: Step One

Liam stood by the door, his hand still resting on the handle as he watched Sofia move into the center of his living room.

The afternoon light was dying outside, casting long, honey-colored streaks across his floorboards, but all his focus was on the girl in front of him.

Liam watched the way her gaze drifted from the TV still glowing with the menu screen of that action movie, to the coffee table he’d wiped down three times, to the small kitchen area that was just clean enough to pass inspection.

His eyes tracked down her body, stopping at the curve of her waist where the white crop top ended.

Her jeans were tight enough to be a second skin, gripping her hips and pulling so thin across her thighs that the outline of her phone was etched into the denim of her back pocket.

When she shifted her weight, the fabric strained, and as she turned toward the bedroom, the heavy seams of the denim mapped the full, rounded shape of her ass.

The word slipped out before he could catch it. "Damn."

The top was thin, almost sheer against the light.

Through the fabric, the black lace of her bra cut a sharp line across the swell of her breasts, leaving nothing to the imagination. The hem stopped inches above her navel, exposing a flat, pale stretch of midriff.

He watched the way her stomach tensed and relaxed, the skin flexing over muscle with every shallow breath she took. She stood there, completely aware of the way the denim was biting into her hips and the way he was looking at her.

"Nice place," Sofia said, still looking around. She paused, biting her lower lip. "Would it be weird saying I was expecting something else?"

Liam raised an eyebrow. "Like what?"

"I don’t know." She shrugged, a small smile playing on her lips. "Like... video game posters everywhere? Maybe a mini-fridge full of energy drinks next to your bed? Oh, and definitely some kind of weird smell. Like Axe body spray mixed with old pizza."

Liam laughed. "So you give guy’s room this kind of inspection?"

Sofia’s face went red. "I told you—I haven’t been in a guy’s room before."

"Where did you hear that from, then?" Liam asked, leaning against the counter, his grin widening. 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

"From a friend," Sofia said quickly, her voice going up half an octave. She looked away, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear.

Liam laughed again, shaking his head.

"Don’t laugh," Sofia said, her cheeks going even redder.

"I can’t help it," Liam replied, his tone lighter now, teasing. "It’s kind of cute when you assume silly things like that."

"Fine, fine," Sofia muttered, her face flushed. She crossed her arms, but the movement only shoved her breasts upward, forcing the black lace to spill over the top of her bra. The shirt hitched higher, baring more of her stomach. With every shallow breath, the lace strained against her skin, framing her chest perfectly for him.

Liam glanced at the grocery bag on the counter. "Alright, so you said you brought something. But judging by the bag, which looks a little light, I’m guessing it’s not for a feast."

Sofia perked up, stepping closer to the counter. "Oh, yeah. I went to the market and grabbed a few things. I figured I could make something for you. You know, as another way to apologize."

Everything froze.

Sofia’s mouth was still half-open, her hand reaching toward the grocery bag. The light from the window stopped moving, dust particles suspended in the air like tiny stars.

The system flickered in his peripheral vision.

[Option 1: "Alright, the kitchen is that way." +2 Lust Points]

[Option 2: Impress her with your cooking skills. +15 Lust Points]

Liam stared at the options, time completely still around him. He could see Sofia’s face, the hopeful expression frozen on her features, the way her fingers were curled slightly in anticipation.

’Wait, what? She offered to cook and you’re making ME do it? System, whose side are you even on?’

He selected.

Time snapped back into motion.

Liam straightened up, pushing off the counter. "I’m touched, really. But I can’t have you doing that for me. Not on your first time here."

Sofia blinked. "I don’t mind at all."

"I know you don’t," Liam said, stepping closer. "But I’m saying I would. So just sit back and let me make something out of what you got, alright?"

She opened her mouth like she was going to protest, then closed it again. Finally, she nodded, a small smile tugging at her lips. "Okay."

Liam grabbed the grocery bag and pulled out the contents. Chicken breasts, a bell pepper, an onion, a small container of cherry tomatoes, garlic, and a box of pasta.

’Not bad. I can work with this.’

He set everything on the counter and grabbed a cutting board from the cupboard. Sofia hovered near the edge of the kitchen, watching him.

"You can sit if you want," Liam said, nodding toward the couch.

"I’m good here," Sofia replied, leaning against the counter, her eyes following his movements.

He washed his hands, then started prepping the chicken.

Liam moved a knife cleanly through the meat, slicing it into even strips.

He tossed the pieces into a bowl, seasoned them with salt, pepper, and a bit of paprika he had tucked away in the spice drawer.

Sofia stepped closer, crowding his space until she was right behind his shoulder. He could feel the heat radiating off her. As she leaned in to see what he was doing, she pressed her chest flush against his back. The soft and heavy weight of her breasts flattened against his spine.

’Okay, if she keeps this up, I’m gonna end up cutting myself.’

"You actually know what you’re doing," she said, her voice softer now.

"Surprised?" Liam asked, glancing at her over his shoulder.

"A little," she admitted. "My friend also told me guys are really bad cooks."

"She hasn’t met me before."

Liam turned back to the counter, dicing the onion and bell pepper quickly.

He heated a pan on the stove, drizzled in some olive oil, and tossed in the garlic first. The smell filled the apartment immediately, sharp and rich.

Sofia inhaled deeply. "That smells amazing already."

"Just wait."

He added the chicken next, letting it sear on both sides until it turned golden brown.

Then came the onions and peppers, the cherry tomatoes cut in half. He stirred everything together, letting the flavors mix while the pasta boiled in a separate pot.

Sofia stayed pinned to his back.

Every time she shifted, her breasts brushed against his spine, the soft weight of them dragging across his shirt.

When he turned to grab the pasta, she leaned in further to steady herself, pressing her chest firmly against his arm. He could feel the heat of her skin and the texture of her bra through the thin fabric.

’Im definitely going to cut myself’

"It smells amazing already, where did you learn to cook like this?" Sofia asked, her voice curious.

Liam kept his eyes on the pan, stirring the chicken and vegetables.

"My mom’s always been sick. Started when I was younger. So I had to learn how to take care of things around the house. Watched a lot of cooking videos, tried different recipes until I got it right."

Sofia went quiet for a moment. When he glanced over his shoulder, her expression had softened, something like sympathy in her eyes.

"I’m sorry to hear that," she said quietly.

Liam shrugged, draining the pasta. "It’s okay. You deal with what you have to deal with."

When everything was ready, he plated the food and carried both dishes to the small table near the couch. Sofia followed, sitting down across from him.

She picked up her fork and twirled some pasta around it.

"It smells amazing, and it looks pretty well made." She glanced up at him, teasing. "But does it taste good?"

"Oh my God," she said, covering her mouth with her hand. She chewed slowly, then swallowed. "This is really good."

Liam grinned. "Told you."

"No, like..." Sofia took another bite, shaking her head. "This is actually really, really good."

They ate in comfortable silence for a few minutes, the only sounds the scrape of forks against plates and the occasional hum of approval from Sofia.

When she finally set her fork down, her plate nearly empty, she looked at him with a mix of disbelief and something else—something warmer.

"I had this whole plan," Sofia said, her voice carrying a hint of frustration. "I was going to make something for you to apologize. And now you just went and made arguably the best food I’ve tasted. Which, by the way, is totally unfair. Now I don’t have anything to apologize with anymore."

Everything froze again.

Sofia’s lips were parted slightly.

The system appeared.

[Option 1: "I can think of something." Grab her. +10 Lust Points]

[Option 2: "It’s okay." +0 Lust Points]

Liam chose.

Time snapped back.

"I can think of something" Liam said calmly as he moved, rounding the table until he was in her space.

His hand slid around her waist, fingers digging into her hip before his palm dropped and clamped over her ass. The denim was tight, straining under his grip as he squeezed the firm curve of her.

Sofia gasped, her back arching. "Liam—" she breathed. "Why did you just—"

Time froze again.

Sofia was a statue. Her mouth was open, her chest heaving, the black lace of her bra visible under the tension of her shirt.

[Option 1: Kiss her. +5 Lust Points]

[Option 2: Let her go. +0 Lust Points]

He picked again.

As time resumed, Liam didn’t let her finish. He caught her face in his hand and crashed his lips onto hers.

She stiffened for a second, her hands flying to his chest. But instead of pushing him away, her fingers curled into his shirt, gripping the fabric tight.

The hesitation broke.

She leaned in, her lips parting as she tasted him. Her body went soft against his, her chest pressing hard into his shirt.

Liam groaned into her mouth, his hand grinding into her ass, pulling her pelvis flush against him. She let out a muffled moan, her tongue meeting his as she completely gave in.

’I can’t get enough of this. Of her. I want more.’

He pulled back just an inch, his thumb dragging across her swollen lower lip.

"That," Liam rasped, eyes darkening, "was just step one of how you apologize."