Page 73 of Fighting With Light
Liam smiles at me and takes a step, closing the distance between us. “I haven’t thought about it either.” He pauses and wiggles his eyebrows. “Do you like spending time with me, temporary girlfriend?” he asks.
I know he’s joking, but that word temporary hurt more than I think it should. Ignoring the pain, I shrug like it’s not a big deal.
“Well, it seems like maybe you were hoping for a little more. Huh?” He grins and reaches for me.
I push him back and he laughs, catching himself.
“I like where this is going,” he says.
I put my phone down and give him my full attention. He crowds me, pushing me back until I hit the wall. His arms cage me in, and he leans down as my chin automatically tips up.
“I just wanted to keep working on our Colombia project,” I tell him with a sly smile. He purses his lips and looks at his computer like that’s the only reason I wanted us to stay in.
His arms drop, and he takes a step back. “You’re right, that’s smart. We don’t have a lot of time. I can—”
I grab the waistband of his board shorts and tug him back. Liam catches himself and puts his arms where they were. With my finger still on the edge of his shorts, I drag it back and forth, gently brushing his warm skin.
“No one said we can’t do both, Tarzan,” I whisper.
His lips rip into a big, beautiful smile, and I can’t help but smile right back. Liam drops his arm and grabs my chin. “You are a tease, princess, but I enjoy being teased.”
I roll my eyes and try to keep in my laugh.
“Keep rolling your eyes, and I’m going to have to pull that crown off your head to teach you a lesson.”
“Oh? And what lesson might—” My stomach growls so hard it’s like someone held up a microphone to it, and it’s clearly audible.
Liam snorts and pecks me on the lips. “Sounds like I need to feed my girl.”
I groan and tilt my head up against the wall. “That was embarrassing.”
“No, it wasn’t. Why do you say that?”
“Well, I just…”
Liam grabs the menu. “No one said we can’t do both, princess,” he repeats.
“That’s just soromantic,” I mutter.
“Gotta eat. What do you want?” he asks, holding the menu up. I tell him what I want and after he hangs up the room service phone, he says, “Do you want to shower first?”
“Yeah,” I sigh.
“Oh, were you…did you…” Liam says, stuttering for words.
I smile and shake my head. “No, I mean, unless you want to…”
He laughs sarcastically. “We are just so good at this,” he says, gesturing between us.
“No,I’mgood at this. You’re just really awkward.” I grin. “But while you’re trying to figure that out, I’m going to get a shower, so at least I smell good before dinner gets here.”
“Well, if you don’t hurry, I’m going to have to really join you then,” he says. “You get five minutes princess, or I’m getting in that shower, but it won’t have anything to do with getting clean.”
I smile and head towards the bathroom, then look at him over my shoulder. “I thought you didn’t back down from challenges?” I taunt.
He grins mischievously and takes a step toward me. Then, as if I’m not meant to get some, his phone rings. Liam tilts his head back, groaning. “Sorry, babe, I’ve gotta get that.” I nod and make my way into the bathroom. Now I’m just hot and bothered, but mostly bothered now, and he’s the only one that can solve my problem.
When I’m done, I step out of the bathroom wrapped in my towel and find Liam still on the phone.
