Page 41 of Adrift

We climb up the steps and Liam presses his back to the large wooden pillar framing the porch entrance. “I had a really nice time with you, Rani. I don’t think I’ve been on a date before where I paid such little attention to what I said. It was just . . .”

“Effortless?” I supply.

He smirks. “Yeah. Effortless, uncomplicated.”

“Ooh, I have another adjective. How about ‘comfortable’?”

His smile widens. “I’ll see your ‘comfortable’ and raise you a ‘pleasant’.”

I giggle. “We could continue this game all night; I’m pretty good with adjectives. I kind of have to be given the profession I’m pursuing.”

Liam’s eyes search mine for a moment, and if I know anything about searching gazes that heat up like molten rock, something about this adjective game has really turned up the fever inside him. Okay, noted. Liam has an adjective kink. I’m no one to judge, and at least it’s not an armpit or an insect kink. Yes, those are real things based on one of my many intriguing conversations with my best friend.

I inch backward as Liam moves toward me.

“I don’t want to play games, but I’d like to spend more time with you, whether it be tonight or any other.”

I swallow, working hard to steady my nerves. “As fun as this evening was, the truth is, Liam, I’m not very experienced in dating. I’ve only had one serious relationship in high school, but it gave me little else more than heartache and betrayal.”

Liam’s hands circle my arms before rubbing them up and down. His face tilts down toward me as he tries again. “I wouldn’t hurt you, Rani. We could take it as slow as you’d like.”

I look down, disconnecting our gaze and feeling the air in my lungs being compromised. “I don’t know . . .. I’m leaving at the end of summer.”

“I only live three hours away.”

“Liam, I think–”

“Rani, all I’m asking for is a chance. Whether that means another effortless night of conversation, a summer to explore more, or God forbid, something long-term.” His brows go up in mocked astonishment. “You don’t have to tell me right now. Just tell me you’ll think about it.”

I nod, hating to see someone care for me in a way I can never reciprocate but not being bold enough to tell him right here, right now, because I don’t have it in me to break someone’s pride and crush their self-confidence. “I’ll think about it . . ..”

“Good.” He smiles, still grasping my arms gently. “I’m assuming hastening your decision with a kiss is out of the picture? I’ve been told I’m quite a good kisser.”

“Absolutely the fuck not.”

Both Liam and I turn–me jumping as if I’ve been electrocuted–to see a stone-faced, nostril-flaring, jaw-clenching Darian drilling his gaze into Liam. He has his herculean biceps flexing around his chest as he leans back on his heels, pretending to take a casual stance as if this is just another Tuesday.

He can pretend all he wants, but the growl laced around his words says he’s two seconds from pouncing on his prey. I just don’t know whether that’s me or Liam.

“Darian–”

“Get inside the house, Rani.”

I flinch. “Excuse me?”

His eyes–not so cappuccino-colored at the moment, but more ebony-colored pools of barely controlled fury–slide to me before his chin tips up. “Whatever your grievances are with me interrupting your date,” he emphasizes the last word as if he’s mocking it, “at my own damn house, please feel free to express them to me inside. I know you will, anyway. But right now, I need you to get inside.”

I’m about to lay into him, my skin prickling with a mixture of adrenaline and embarrassment, when something shifts, almost imperceptibly, in his features. It’s so subtle that I’d have missed it if I had blinked but it halts the words inside my mouth.

It’s a vulnerable plea. A silent request to let him have this.

While I’m mortified by his behavior, I have to respect that this is his house, his porch. I had no intention of letting Liam kiss me, and in a strange way, I’m thankful for Darian’s interruption, but I also hate the way he’s acting like an overprotective parent. How dare he think I will just bend to his demands? How dare he use his house as an excuse to cover whatever the fuck is bothering him about me going out with Liam?

It’s not something I can completely put into words at the moment since my brain is on overdrive from the mixed signals, the emotional vacillation, and the fire-breathing dragon still glaring in our direction.

I turn to address an incredulous-faced Liam, who is gearing up to speak. “Liam, can we chat another time?”

Liam’s hands fist at his sides as he stands taller, glaring back at Darian, but keeping his voice level. “You’re a real asshole.”

---