I can’t help but feel a bit smug.
“Yeah, um … yeah, I’m good.” She opens her eyes and clears her throat and tries to pull away from me, but I don’t let go. “I really should go.”
I want to keep her with me. I don’t want this night to end, but I also know that pushing too hard might just push her away.
“Okay,” I whisper, but neither of us moves.
“Liam, seriously, I should go. It’s getting late, and I have an early morning tomorrow.”
“I’ll walk you to the car, but, Alie, you need to let go of me so we can move.” I smile against her lips.
“Right, yes.” She releases my shirt and steps back. She pulls her phone out of her bag. After she taps out a few times, she puts her phone back in.
“I’ll walk you to your car.”
We both turn, and I place my hand on the small of her back. We walk quietly to where her driver has pulled up.
I open the door for her, and she turns to me. “Thank you for dinner.”
“Thank you for meeting me.”
Leaning in, I can’t help but kiss her one more time. This kiss is meant to be a goodbye, but the heat sparks quickly. It’s the kind of kiss that promises trouble. The kind that makes her take hold of my shirt again, tugging me closer.
She pulls back when her driver clears his throat, and she looks a little dazed.
Yep, I did that. Again.
“Good night,” she says softly before turning and ducking into the car.
“Night, Alie,” I say before closing the door. Our eyes meet through the window before the car drives away.
I stand there, watching her until I can’t see the lights of her car anymore, and a smile tugs on my lips.
This isn’t over.
Not even close.
CHAPTER
SEVENTEEN
Alie
By the time I get home, my head is spinning. Well, I suppose it’s been spinning since he came into the building the other day.
Liam.
I open the door to my unit, and I see my sister pacing the room with Seraphina in her arms, her little head resting on Presley’s shoulder. The sight hits me straight in the heart, grounding me.
Mommy first. Always.
I close the door softly and slide my boots off, setting them near the coat rack.
Presley hears me and turns toward me. “There she is,” she says softly. “The woman of the hour.”
Sera lifts her sleepy head and looks at me, immediately holding her arms out, her tiny hands opening and closing.
“Hi, sweet girl,” I say as I cross the room and take her from my sister. She melts into me instantly, resting her head on my shoulder, warm, soft, content. And so perfect.
