Page 88 of The Money Shot

Liam stepped closer, his hands sliding up my chest as his lips brushed mine. The kiss was soft at first, then deepened, a slow reminder of everything we’d built together. When he pulled back, though, his forehead creased, and I caught a flicker of hesitation in his eyes.

“Sit down,” he breathed, motioning to my chair.

I frowned, but did as he asked. “What’s going on?”

Liam dragged the other chair closer, but instead of sitting, he perched on the edge of my desk, running a hand through his hair. “Okay, first, I need you not to be jealous.”

That set off every alarm in my brain. My spine straightened, and I fixed him with a look. “Why are you telling me not to be jealous?”

He sighed and sat forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “Because we’re signing Cam.”

It took a second for the name to register, but when it did, the memory slammed into me: Cam, the guy I threw out of our apartment a year ago after I walked in on him and Liam, about to film a scene. My jaw tightened instinctively, but I forced myself to stay calm.

“Go on,” I said, my voice even though my stomach churned.

Liam leaned closer, his expression earnest. “His FantasyFans business is thriving, but Cam could be huge—like really huge—if we put the full marketing team behind him. He’s got the look, he’s sweet, and he connects with fans in a way that could bring in serious money.” He paused, searching my face. “And you know I have a knack for spotting potential.”

If there was one thing I couldn’t argue with, it was that. Liam had an uncanny ability to see opportunities where others saw obstacles. I took a breath, forcing myself to look at this the way he did: objectively.

“If you think he can add something to the team,” I said finally, “I’m all for it.”

Relief washed over Liam’s face, and he slipped off the desk to straddle my lap. His hands cupped my face, thumbs brushing over my cheeks.

“You’re the best, you know that?” he murmured, leaning down to kiss me again.

I smiled against his lips, but when he pulled back, there was a glint in his eyes that immediately put me on alert.

“What now?” I asked, arching an eyebrow.

“So,” he began, drawing the word out, “our fans have been asking for one more video of us together.”

My stomach sank. “Liam…”

“I know,” he cut in quickly, pressing a finger to my lips. “I know we agreed to stay behind the camera. And I know you promised your dad you wouldn’t perform anymore. But just one more video, Jack.”

I groaned, tipping my head back against the chair. “You’re killing me, you know that?”

He grinned, his hands sliding down to rest on my shoulders. “You can’t say no to me.”

“Yeah, well, that’s the problem,” I muttered.

“Is that a yes?” he asked, his voice hopeful.

I sighed, wrapping my arms around his waist and pulling him closer. “Yes. But you’re the one explaining this to our parents.”

Liam laughed, a sound that always lit me up inside, and he leaned in to kiss me again.

“I love you,” he said against my lips.

And just like that, whatever reservations I had melted away. Because if there was one thing I loved more than anything else in the world, it was Liam.