“Assholes.”
I laugh. “They really are.”
“It’s nice when we agree on something.”
I roll my eyes. “Don’t get used to it.”
“And here I thought we could get along.” He holds my gaze, steady and unblinking, as if he’s trying to read every line I haven’t said out loud. “Forget research. Let’s try to get to know each other.”
“You want to get to know me? Why?” I lean forward, and his eyes drop again to my cleavage.
“Come on, Thunder, we’re sharing dessert. We can share more.” Is it just me, or is there a lot of suggestion behind hismore?
“Okay, what do you want me to share?”
“What do you do in your spare time?”
I laugh. “What spare time?”
The expression grows serious. “It’s none of my business, but you work too hard.”
“Isn’t that the only way to get ahead?”
“You won’t get too far if you collapse halfway through.”
“It would eliminate your competition.”
He studies me, his jaw ticking. He flexes his fingers a few times, and the tendons on the back of his hand shift, sharp under his skin. “At what price, though?”
“Are you upset?”
“Pissed.”
“Because I work too hard?”
He opens his mouth and closes it. He opens his palm and clenches it. He shakes his head.
“Your desserts.” The server interrupts whatever Liam was stopping himself from saying. She places a tray with at least a dozen cakes and pastries between us.
“I didn’t think you had a sweet tooth.” I desperately want to move away from our current duel.
The man is driving me crazy. What is he pissed about? Me working hard? Doesn’t he realize that where he just walks in and claims, women have to prove themselves?
“It’s for you, Thunder.” He leans forward and plops a chocolate-covered strawberry into his mouth.
The action is uncharacteristically playful. The room gets hot.
“I don’t want… What are you doing?”
Liam stands up and moves his chair to sit beside me. Effortlessly, he pivots my chair, bracketing it between his muscular legs.
His thighs cage mine, burning. Branding. Debilitating.
“Liam,” I warn, not sure if I should kick him or lean closer.
Sometime during his maneuvering, my hands landed on his thighs. The awareness sends a jolt of current through me. Based on the bulge between his legs, I’m not the only oneaffected.
“Liam?” This time, my warning is more of a breathy whisper.
