My heart stutters. My breath catches. My body angles toward him.
This is the worst idea ever.
I part my lips, my tongue darting out. My eyes flutter closed. My chair jerks, and I sense the loss of his heat immediately.
Disoriented, I blink a few times, gripping the edge of the wooden surface.
Larissa has her back to us, pouring herself a cup of coffee. “I thought I’d steal some breakfast before you start.” She chuckles.
Jesus, that was close. I pretend at relief, even as something in me clenches.
My eyes find Liam’s. His expression is schooled into his usual bored scowl, but the heat in his gaze is undeniable. What the fuck are we doing?
“Do you want to present the first three parts?” he asks.
Is this a trap? A trick? A gift?
That’s exactly what I feel most comfortable presenting, and it’s also the most crucial part of our proposal. Although we created it together, the one presenting it would have the upper hand, seemingly presenting their own ideas.
At least at this internal rehearsal. I thought I would have to fight him on that. And he’s giving me the opportunity to shine.
I want it. I nod, trying not to look at his lips. Fuck, I want them too. I’m so screwed.
And so tired… Because his putting sugar into my coffee, offering for me to present the most crucial part, and almost kissing me brings tears to my eyes.
Exhaustion blurs lines, and turns enemies into temptations.
I hold his gaze, fighting the unnamed emotion. For the first time, I look at him without resentment. Without competition. Without a fight.
I hold it with confusion, because this man is fire and, fuck, I want to burn. But he douses me with ice before the unlikely bond even forms.
“Why are you dressed like that?”
Chapter 10
Liam
I’m attracted to Roxy Moretti.
The way she carries her chin up, always ready to defy. The way she chews on her bottom lip when she thinks. The way her eyes sparkle when faced with a problem.
She has a sharp tongue, and an even sharper mind. And she doesn’t fold. Not in front of her bosses. Not in front of me. Not in front of anyone who challenges her. Or underestimates her.
I’m attracted to Roxy Moretti.
To her luscious lips that I’ve still to taste. To her lingering smell. To her curves.
Even with her atrocious sense of fashion. The set of pens tucked into her hair.
I’m attracted to Roxy Moretti.
Enough to sabotage my agenda. One I pretty muchabandoned after I fought a boner the day she scraped her knee.
Yeah, I cleaned her wound, and got aroused by it like a fucking hormone-raging teenager.
To counteract that unfortunate development, I’m mean to her.
I’m not the warmest, nicest person on a normal day, but I put an extra effort into being an asshole to Little Thunder.
