Chapter 19 Still Wanting to Kiss You
“You should call me Mom.” Lillian smiled.
Emma froze for a moment.
“Mom?” She was confused.
“Yes!”
Emma glanced at Liam, who offered a faint smile.
What a coincidence!
“I never imagined it would be you! With you by his side, he must be happy and content!” Lillian said and held Emma’s hand.
Emma’s heart was suspended in the air, like a roller coaster—the thrill was overwhelming!
The three of them chatted for a long while.
The couple had intended to invite Lillian to stay for a meal, but she declined.
After seeing her off, the two sat down together at the table.
“Did you pick out all my clothes?” he asked.
“Yes.” She replied, lowering her head.
“I really like them.”
Oh my God! How am I supposed to respond to that?
“Is there anything else that needs to be prepared?” he asked, sipping his milk while watching her.
“Everything should be ready.”
“Come to my room after breakfast. I have something to give you,” he said.
“Okay.”
She dawdled, reluctant to be alone with him.
An hour had passed by the time she went upstairs.
The moment she entered the bedroom, she froze.
He had already organized all their luggage—one suitcase each.
“You…” She was taken aback.
“Please check the list for any missing items.” He handed her a detailed inventory.
She blushed as she read it—even the number of undergarments was clearly listed.
“Thank you, Liam.”
“There’s no need for thanks between a couple.” He moved the suitcases to the corner.
“What happened?” He stepped closer to Emma, noticing the redness in her eyes.
“Nothing,” she mumbled through a stuffy nose. She tried to walk away, but he grabbed her wrist and pulled her closer.
She kept her head down, unable to meet his gaze.
Ignoring her resistance, he wrapped his arm around her waist and drew her into his embrace.
“Mmm!” She gasped, pressing her hands against his chest and burying her face.
He lifted her chin and forced her to look up at him.
“Why are you crying?” he pressed; his eyes were filled with tenderness.
Her pitiful look reminded him of the night when she’d begged for mercy in bed.
His breathing grew heavier, and his grip on her waist tightened as his scorching breath washed over her.
“I’m not crying…” Her ears flushed crimson.
He gently ran his fingers through her hair and softly kissed a strand.
“Don’t you like others touching your things?” Liam asked softly, holding her in tenderness.
“No…” She nestled deeper into his embrace. “This is nice.”
He exhaled in relief, saying, “All right, go wash your face. I have something for you.”
“Okay.” She hurriedly let go and turned toward the bathroom.
Watching his tear-soaked clothes, he chuckled and shook his head helplessly.
By the time she returned, he was waiting for her at the dressing table.
“Liam.” Emma approached.
He rose and opened the jewelry box beside him.
“This is a ring. I had it redesigned into a necklace. You can wear it before we go public.” As he spoke, he carefully placed it around her neck.
His fingers sent a burning sensation through her.
“Why insist I become the mistress of the Hayes family?” she asked.
“I should take responsibility for you. If you truly can’t accept it, I won’t force you,” he said.
“Aren’t you worried that I’m a fraud?”
“No, I know you quite well.”
“Huh?” She was startled.
Quite well? Could he have already fallen for me?
“May I kiss you?” he asked, his eyes glinting with with a low heat that made her pulse stumble.
What should I say? Yes or no?
“I… I’m a little nervous…” she lowered her head.
“It’s okay. I can wait until you’re more comfortable.” He gently stroked her hair and stepped out of the dressing room.
Good heavens!
How can he be so restrained?
Why not just kiss me without a word?
Her mind was in turmoil.
…
When she emerged from the dressing room, Liam was already back in the study, sorting through documents.
She glanced at the tulips on the desk, wondering if she should take them back.
He caught her gaze, mistakenly thinking she was looking at him.
They both quickly averted their eyes.
She hurriedly grabbed the manuscript before leaving the study.
When she returned, she caught his faint smile.
“What is it?” He immediately dropped the smile.
“Can I go upstairs?” she asked, gesturing toward the upper floor.
“Sure.” He hesitated. “This is our home.”
“Oh…” She nodded and turned to leave.
He lost all interest in his documents. He shut down his computer and left the study.
–
Emma stood before the elevator, watching her reflection in the metal doors.
Suddenly, his reflection appeared behind hers, and she startled so hard her head tipped against his shoulder.
She straightened abruptly and stared at his reflection in the doors.
He turned sideways to face her.
“Why are you here, Mr. Hayes?” she asked.
“…”
“Liam,” she quickly corrected herself.
“I’ll show you around,” he said calmly.
Is he really this free?
Shouldn’t the CEO be busy?
Ding.
The elevator doors opened.
He stepped in first and pressed the third-floor button.
She stood in the corner, nearly overwhelmed by the faint scent of pine from his body, that clean, dry fragrance that had already branded itself into her nerves.
–
The third floor was a spacious study that resembled a private library. At the far end stood a long desk, spanning five or six metres, covered with writing and drawing tools. Further on was a balcony.
“Wow…” Emma breathed.
Liam turned to look at her, smiling faintly. “I hear you’re skilled at doodling.”
“Just a little,” she replied.
A silence hung in the air.
“Do you doodle?” she asked.
“Not very well,” he replied, then added, “Teach me.”
She froze. Is he just making small talk?
Having reached the end of the aisle, she turned to go back.
Liam, however, remained rooted to the spot, his gaze fixed on her.