“Good.”He turned back to the TV, scrolling until he found a movie.“How about this one?Cops, car chases, and gratuitous explosions?”
I laughed.“Perfect.”
After finishing my dinner, I settled back against the couch cushions, tucking my legs underneath me as the opening credits rolled.The movie was exactly what he’d promised, all explosions and shootouts with paper-thin character development, but I enjoyed it anyway.
The best part came about halfway through, when Liam reached over and gently pulled my feet onto his lap.
“What are you—oh.”The word turned into a low moan as he pressed his thumbs into the arch of my foot, finding that sore, aching spot from hours of standing in heels.
“Feel good?”he asked, his voice a low murmur.
I nodded, his strong hands working magic on my tired muscles.
“You were incredible today, by the way,” he said, both of us only half watching the movie.“The way you handled that reporter from TechSphere was impressive.”
“I was nervous the whole time.”I let my head fall back against the couch cushion, my eyes drifting closed.“I kept thinking I’d say something ridiculous and it would end up in print.”
“You didn’t though,” he said, his voice warm with praise.“You were confident.Professional.Sexy as hell in that business suit and skirt that had me staring at your ass way too often.”
My eyes opened, finding him watching me instead of the TV.The movie’s blue light flickered across his face, catching in his dark eyes.
“That pencil skirt was not the best choice for a long day,” I admitted.
“Still distracting as hell, in the best ways.”His thumb circled a particularly tender spot on the ball of my foot, making me groan softly in response.“Though I have to say, I’m partial to this look, too.”
I glanced down at my well-worn, cat-wearing-sunglasses tank top and shorts.“Really?This does it for you?”
“Everything about you does it for me.”The words were casual, but the heat in his gaze was anything but.“But yeah.You comfortable and relaxed, letting me take care of you?That’s…” He trailed off, his jaw tightening slightly.
“That’s what?”I prompted, the movie forgotten for now.
“That’s something I never thought I’d want this badly.”He switched to my other foot, his touch gentler now.“I’ve spent so long avoiding anything that felt too serious and domestic, but seeing you curled up on this couch in your pajamas, the two of us just connecting like this—simple, real, no pretenses—it’s perfect.”
My heart did a slow roll in my chest.“Really?”
“Really,” he said, and then a sinful look glimmered in his eyes.“And as much as I want you and have imagined fucking you a dozen different ways since that evening in my office, I promise I have no expectations for tonight beyond exactly this.”
I laughed softly.“What ifIhave expectations?”I teased.
“Then you can keep them for tomorrow.”He pressed his thumb firmly into my arch.“After our date.After I’ve wined and dined you properly.”
I studied Liam for a long moment, this man who kept surprising me, who was trying so hard to do things differently this time.Who wanted more than just the physical, even when we were alone in a hotel room with every opportunity to take advantage of the moment.
We fell into a comfortable silence, his hands still working their magic on my feet while car chases and gunfights played out on the TV screen.And as the exhaustion finally started pulling me under, one thought remained.
This—us together without any expectations—felt right.Tomorrow we’d have our date.But tonight, this effortless connection was more than enough.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
Liam
I’d been toLas Vegas several times, but despite the city’s well-known reputation for sinful indulgences, my trips always revolved around business.Conventions, trade shows, and meetings with important people.This evening, after CES, I was taking Morgan on our first official date.
I wanted our night together to be special and memorable, something beyond taking her to dinner and a show.A quick online search pointed me to the Venetian, a luxurious hotel-casino that transported guests straight to Italy with its Venice-inspired décor.As we walked hand in hand along the cobblestone path beside the indoor Grand Canal, I pointed out the gondolas drifting through the water.
“That’s why we’re here,” I said, watching her face light up with delight.
“Really?”Her eyes went wide.“We can ride in one?”
