Cerise pulled away, panting. “You’re trying to distract me from that scene we just made, aren’t you?”
“Of course not.”
She stared at me, lips quirking, then a small laugh filtered outof her, growing as her eyes scanned my face. “You have pink paint everywhere. It’s even in your hair.”
“You should see yourself.” I leaned in and nipped her jaw, then pecked her lips.
“So…girlfriend?” she asked. “Isn’t that term a little juvenile?”
I couldn’t stop kissing her face. Couldn’t stop touching her. Feathering kisses beneath her ear, along her neck, I said, “What would you prefer? Partner? Sweetheart? Lover?” I pulled back to look at her. “Old lady?” She scoffed. “My beloved…” I kissed her nose.
“I think I like that one,” she said softly, fingers playing with my hair.
I kissed her lips again. “Me too.”
Chapter 37
Rich Assholes
Liam
Istepped out of the marble shower, leaving Cerise still beneath the water cleaning up after our paint fight. After drying off, I wrapped a towel around my waist, about to get dressed and head downstairs to make us dinner, when a knock sounded on my front door.
“Did I just hear someone knocking?” Cerise called. “Who is it?”
“No idea. I’ll go check.”
Entering my bedroom, I snatched a shirt laying across the back of the chair in the corner. The knocking grew louder, more insistent.
Then, a voice. “Liam! I know you’re home.”
Ellie. What was my sister doing here?
Shirt still in hand, I headed down the hardwood stairs, through my living room, and to the small foyer leading to the front door.
More knocking. “Liam! Open up!”
“I’m coming!” I hollered back, kicking aside a shoe as I unlocked the door and opened it.
My older sister scanned me, eyes widening at the towel and my bare chest. “You’re not even dressed?”
I held up the black shirt. “Uhhh, I was about to put this on…”
“For heaven’s sake, Liam. We’re already late!” She shoved past me, storming into my living room. “And you can’t wearthat. Do I have to do everything?”
“Why do you care what I’m wearing? What are you talking about? Slow down.”
She whirled on me. “Slow down? I told you, we’re running late.”
“Late for what?” I said, now irritated that she’d barged in without warning.
“Of course, you’d forget,” she muttered, heading upstairs.
“Where are you going?” I called as I followed her.
“To get you some clothes. We have to hurry.”
I chased after her, trying to stop her from entering my room, but I was too late. She strode straight in and I heard Cerise shriek.
