Total pages in book: 73
Estimated words: 67973 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 340(@200wpm)___ 272(@250wpm)___ 227(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 67973 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 340(@200wpm)___ 272(@250wpm)___ 227(@300wpm)
“He’s not worth it.” My voice shook. I hated that show of vulnerability, but adrenaline was fading fast, leaving me trembling all over. “Please, Liam, let’s just go. He’s not worth another second of our night.”
The desperation in my voice must have penetrated his anger. He looked at me, seeing that I was barely holding it together, then glanced back at the other man. “You got lucky this time, asshole,” Liam snarled at him, then turned away, taking me gently by the arm and leading me off the dance floor.
People parted to let us through, and while I was grateful that Liam had shown up when he had, embarrassment seeped into me. I was definitely rattled by the other man’s grabby behavior and I just wanted to go home.
But when we got back to the table, it was empty.
“They’re at the bar,” Liam said, answering my unvoiced question.
He grabbed my jacket off the back of my chair and held it open for me to put my arms through, his gaze searching my face as his fingers grazed the side of my neck as he adjusted the collar.
“You okay?” he asked, his voice low and gruff, even as his thumbs gently skimmed along my jawline.
I nodded, swallowing hard. “Yeah. Thanks for…that.” My words came out steadier than I felt, but I didn’t step away, the proximity making it hard to ignore how his presence grounded me, even as it stirred up everything I’d been trying to push away.
His expression softened just a fraction. “I didn’t like seeing him touch you like that.” His tone was possessive and rough around the edges, and the way his eyes held mine made me shiver.
“I can handle myself,” I assured him. “But, I’m glad you were there.”
“Me, too,” he replied, giving me a small nod, his anger mostly dissipated. “Come on, I’m getting you out of here.”
Leaving was exactly what I wanted, but I couldn’t just go. “I can’t take off without letting Whitney know.” Though, by the looks of things, she was once again flirting with Henry, oblivious to what just happened to me.
Liam took my hand and led me in their direction. When we reached them, he caught Henry’s attention. “There was an incident on the dance floor. Some asshole got handsy with Morgan. I’m taking her home.”
Whitney turned immediately, her eyes widening with concern as she looked me over. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine,” I said quickly, squeezing her arm to reassure her. “Just an asshole who wouldn’t take no for an answer. Liam handled it. But I’m ready to call it a night. I’m a little shaken up.”
She frowned, glancing between me and Liam, her worry clear. “I can come with you. We don’t have to stay.”
I shook my head. “No, really,” I insisted, managing a small smile. “You should enjoy the rest of the night. You deserve to unwind.”
Whitney hesitated, biting her lip, but then nodded. “Okay, but if you need anything, call me. And be safe.” She pulled me into a quick hug, whispering, “Text me details later.”
When we pulled apart I rolled my eyes at her. There would be no details to share. Not the kind she was insinuating, anyway.
Henry clapped Liam on the shoulder. “I’ll keep an eye on Whitney.”
I smirked at my friend. “I’m sure he will,” I said, leaning close to say the words in her ear. “Text me later.”
She just grinned.
Then Liam was guiding me toward the exit. We didn’t speak as we walked across the parking lot toward his vehicle. His hand stayed on my lower back, steady and reassuring. I told myself he was just making sure I was okay. That it didn’t mean anything other than offering me comfort.
But the warmth of his palm through my dress, the way he stayed close, felt like more than just concern. His touch was both protective and unmistakably intimate. His attentive focus on me felt like something we were both still trying to pretend wasn’t real.
I slid into the passenger seat of Liam’s sports car. I didn’t know much about makes and models, but I was aware this vehicle was high end from the leather seats and woodgrain trim. The interior smelled like coffee and Liam, his cologne making the interior space feel more intimate.
I gave him my address, and he put it into the GPS built into the dash. We made the drive to my building in a comfortable silence, and as he wound his way through the city, I stared out the window, trying not to replay the scene on the dance floor. But it kept looping in my head, the way Liam stepped in without hesitation, the command in his voice, and the way he’d positioned his body between mine and imminent danger like his automatic instinct was to protect me.
I shouldn’t have liked the feeling as much as I did. I shouldn’t have felt that little jolt of heat at the possessiveness in his eyes. We’d made a pact. A truce to remain friends and keep things professional. But nothing about tonight felt even remotely simple or casual.