Chapter 20 I… Want…
With no other option, she casually took a book from the shelf beside her and began flipping through it.
Oh my God! The first page she opened was from The Joy of Sex.
She hastily closed the book and shoved it back onto the shelf.
“Liam, you—” His chuckle flustered her.
“I still want to kiss you.” He stated it plainly.
Standing backlit, his face hidden in shadow and his expression unreadable.
His silhouette completely overshadowed her.
He strode toward her as she instinctively stepped back.
“Try it,” he said and gently took her hand. “You can stop it if you feel uncomfortable.”
After a long silence, she finally replied, “All right…”
She swallowed hard, nearly choking, as she felt a warm palm gently caress her cheek.
Panicking, she clutched his large hand.
“Relax.” He soothed her; his voice was gentle.
She closed his her eyes before their foreheads touched.
His fingers threaded through her hair and gently cupped the nape of her neck, lifting her gaze.
He leaned down and pressed his lips to her burning mouth.
“Mmm…” A jolt sent shivers through her, leaving her limp and weak.
Embarrassed by her soft moans, she buried her face in his chest.
Their scents mingled in the air—her sweet fragrance intertwined with the woody aroma of pine.
He kissed her again—slow, coaxing—each brush of his mouth deepening the heat until her knees felt useless beneath her, his lips lingering wherever he pleased, marking her with damp, burning kisses that left her trembling.
His kiss grew increasingly fierce until her fingers fumbled at his shirt front and the buttons slipped loose, one after another.
“No, don’t…” She moaned, her legs nearly giving out.
His movements softened, though their bodies remained fiercely connected by his scorching breath.
Her clothes were dishevelled, half of her shoulder was exposed, and her bra strap was slipping down. His large hand had already slipped beneath the fabric and was caressing her waist.
“I…” His eyes were hazy. “I… want…”
She felt his warm breath, the gentle press of his mouth, the way her whole body drew tight in a heartbeat. That focus on her was devastatingly intimate, far too much, far too good. Her back arched off the bed despite herself, a helpless reaction to the overwhelming sensation.
“Can I…” His voice was hoarse and urgent.
Just then, his phone rang.
He sighed heavily and pressed a firm kiss on her forehead.
The fierce glint in his eyes made her flinch.
“Sorry, honey.” He trembled slightly as he kissed her lips.
He slowly released her as the ringing started again.
He turned and walked toward the door.
Coming to her senses, she sighed and hurriedly smoothed her dishevelled clothes.
“Speak.” Liam suppressed his anger before picking up.
Emma seized the moment and hurried away.
…
Throughout the afternoon, he was swamped with work. It wasn’t until dinnertime that he finally left his study.
Just as she was eating, Ryan sent a message.
Ryan: \[Mr. Hayes is in an unusually good mood. Was that bouquet of red tulips from you, Emma?\]
Emma: \[Why do you say that?\]
Ryan: \[Check his status.\]
She stole a glance at Liam across the table. His face showed no sign of change, still the same cool detachment.
Then she clicked into his status.
“Nice.” Photo caption: Tulips
Ryan: \[Was that a bouquet of tulips on the left? During the video call, he stared fixedly at the left side of his computer screen the entire time.\]
Emma: \[You could switch careers and become a detective, Ryan.\]
Ryan: \[You’re amazing, Emma. You already took him down.\]
Emma smiled secretly, flipped her phone face-down on the table, and continued eating.
“You looked at me thirteen times during dinner. Is there something you want to ask?” Liam lifted his gaze to meet her watery eyes.
“Ahem…” She choked on her food and coughed hard.
He hurried to the kitchen and poured her a cup of water.
She took the cup and drank deeply. He automatically picked up a napkin to wipe the water droplets from the corner of her mouth.
“Sorry. I just thought you looked especially handsome, so I couldn’t help but stare a little longer,” she said softly and pressed her lips together to stifle her own amusement.
Not far away, Zoe and Butler Arthur couldn’t help but chuckle.
Yet Liam continued to watch her indifferently.
Then he silently lowered his head to resume eating.
“…” She awkwardly followed suit, burying her head in her meal.
…
10:30 p.m.
Arthur loaded the luggage into the car. Liam and Emma sat together in the backseat.
After picking up Ryan, they drove toward the airport.
When they arrived, they ran into Ethan and Anna.
“Mr. Hayes!” Ethan and Anna greeted him in unison.
Liam gave a slight nod as Anna stepped forward to take his luggage.
“Director Ethan,” Emma greeted him.
They all walked into the terminal together.
Ryan and Liam discussed matters ahead, with Anna close behind. Emma and Ethan brought up the rear.
“How did you end up riding with Mr. Hayes?” Ethan asked, confused.
“We just happened to meet,” Emma replied with a smile.
“Oh.” He gave a slight nod, then asked, “Want to visit Silk Valley? Mr. Hayes gave us a free day, which is perfect for touring it.”
Silk Valley, a mecca for designers, hosted numerous fashion exhibitions and was a place designers longed to visit.
She glanced at Liam and declined, “Sorry, Director Ethan, I have other plans.”
…
Ryan collected the boarding passes and distributed them to everyone, finally reaching Emma.
“Thank you, Mrs. Hayes!” he teased with a wink. “Thanks to you, I get to experience first class in this lifetime!”
Emma took the ticket, slightly puzzled.
“Mr. Hayes upgraded all our economy seats to first class so he could sit with you,” Ryan explained.
“…”
Liam was deep in a call with headphones.
Everything went smoothly. Emma’s seat was next to his. The other colleagues were seated in the front rows.
“Are you uncomfortable?” he inquired.