“Damn it,” she muttered, willing herself not to cry.
He sat up, pulling her with him and holding her face in his hands, “Min, talk to me.” Worry crept into his voice, but it was still that firm, confident tone she knew so well from rehearsals, the one she could never refuse.
She leaned her cheek into his palm. “I just don’t know where we go from here.”
Liam nodded and exhaled, kissing her forehead, and then pulling her against his chest once more. “Uncharted territory,” he said. “I’m good at uncharted territory.”
Min laughed, nuzzling into the warmth and strength of his chest. “I’m glad one of us is.”
“Here’s what I know. You are one of the smartest, sexiest, most talented women I’ve ever met.”
She sat up, startled.How is that even possible?There were so many women she could think of at the university alone who were sexier and smarter than her. Certainly, even more that he’d met whose talent far exceeded her own.
He smiled, tucking her hair behind her ear. “You don’t see it, do you? Min, you astound me.”
Her head was spinning.He could have anyone. Why did he want her?
“I think I had a dream like this once,” she joked, an attempt to cover over her insecurities before he saw them all written on her face.
“I’ve dreamt of it quite a few times,” he replied with a wink.
Min kissed him, hard, hard enough to push her doubts out of mind.
“I’ve never done this before either, contessa,” he stroked her hair lightly, but his tone was somber. “I don’t know what happens if someone finds out about us. We’re going to have to figure it out together.”
His jaw clenched – a subtle change – and she knew he was holding something back. She took a deep breath to prepare herself for whatever awful thing he was about to say. Because that’s what would happen now – that’s what always happened at this point. That’s what every other man in her life had done. Why not him?
She closed her eyes. “Just say it.”
“What?”
“Whatever it is you’re trying not to say. Just say it.”
He hesitated, his fingers skating over her skin like he could memorize the shape of her. “No one can know about us,” he finally said.
She nodded to cover her wince. Stupid, that, when she’d known all along that she couldn’t be with him openly. “I know,” she said.
“Not until you graduate,” he continued. “If the university found out…”
“I know,” she repeated, trying to keep the hurt out of her voice.
He was right. It would be disastrous for both of them if someone found out. She’d known that all along and she’d still gone to his bed. Happily. And she’d do it again if he’d have her. God help her, but she’d forget every promise she ever made to herself if she could keep this man.
“And we need to be more discreet on campus,” Liam said. Her eyes flew to his in surprise and he smiled wryly, a smile that made her ache for him all over again. He chose his words carefully. “People have noticed my… interest in you,” he explained.
“Meaning Dr. Van Aller,” she said.
“Meaning Dr. Van Aller,” he confirmed. His hand drifted up her arm, across her collarbone, and down her chest, skating over her nipple and leaving goosebumps in its wake. “So no more little tops that I can see your nipples through,” he said, giving the offending bud a pinch.
She bit her lip. “I don’t know what you’re implying,” she smirked.
He suppressed his own smile as his hand drifted to tweak her other nipple, rolling it between his fingers. “Don’t pretend you didn’t wear that little wisp of a shirt to tempt me.” He nipped at her breast before looking up at her with a wicked grin. “Not that I didn’t enjoy the temptation.”
“And when we’re not on campus?” she asked.
“We can’t be seen together. It’s too risky.”
She nodded but avoided his gaze. It was stupid for the words to sting – she agreed with him. But it was hard not to hear the words of all the men who’d come before him who hadn’t wanted to be seen with her in public. As if he could tell what she was thinking –I hope he can’t tell– he caught her chin with his fingers, forcing her eyes back to his.
