Playing With Desire

He drew his fist back to hit the man, but froze when Maya shrieked his name. He wasn’t alone and things were going sideways fast.

Liam grabbed Maya’s hand. “I’m going to get you out of here. Stay close to me, all right?”

They made their way through the crush of bodies. Some headed toward the exit. Others pressed toward the growing fight.

The house lights came on and the club owner announced that the police were on their way. Bouncers made their way toward the ruckus and tried to pull apart the drunken brawlers.

By the time Liam and Maya made their way outside, police cars had arrived and were blocking the exit of the lot where his car was parked. They kept walking until they were in front of a little gift shop around the corner. Head throbbing, Liam pressed his back against the brick wall. He winced as he forced a grin. “Hadn’t planned quite this much excitement.”

Maya placed a gentle hand on his jaw and tried to get a good look at his cheek under the streetlight. “We need to get some ice on that. Wait here. I’ll get some from the bartender.”

“You can’t go back in there.” His voice reverberated in his brain. “Who knows how insane things have gotten? Besides, technically, I was involved in the brawl that got this whole melee started.”

The headlines back home would scream “Westbrook family heir arrested in beachside barroom brawl. Again.” Way to show his father he was focused and serious about succeeding him as CEO of the company.

“We need to get ice from somewhere or this side of your face is going to be three times the size of that one.”

Liam nodded down the street. “I live in that building. It’s a couple of blocks from here.”

Maya surveyed the glass-and-steel structure. Head tilted, she shifted her gaze to him. As if trying to decide whether this was part of some dodgy plan to bed her.

It was.

Though he’d planned a smoother transition that didn’t include some bloke’s fist connecting with his cheekbone. One of his best features, if he was to believe the magazines back home.

Liam grimaced as he reached into his pocket. “The address is on my li—”

Maya held her hand up. “Just c’mon before the buzz wears off and I change my mind.” She pursed her pink lips. “By the way...thank you. That’s twice in one night you’ve rescued me.”

“Self-preservation, love. I wasn’t saving you. I was afraid that guy was going to knock you into me.” Liam tried to suppress a smile, but his cheeks rose. He winced.

Maya laughed. “Well, whatever the case, it’s time I return the favor.”

He stood, his head throbbing. He draped an arm around her shoulders as they made their way the two blocks to his flat.

Chapter 5 (#uced076b5-ef8f-5f03-99a9-b99c4cb1cfe6)

An uneasiness grew in Maya’s chest as they approached the twelve-story structure. It wasn’t fear. She felt comfortable with Liam.

Too comfortable.

They barely knew each other. Yet, something in his penetrating stare made her feel as if he knew her intimately, in ways she didn’t quite know herself.

He instinctively seemed to know what she wanted. The most unnerving part? So far he’d been right.

Until the brawl at the club cut their night short, they’d been having a fabulous evening. Magical even. Maya cringed. That last martini must’ve gone straight to her head. She was a grown-ass woman who knew from experience there was nothing magical about love and relationships. Not that this was either.

Still, she couldn’t shake the heightened sensation that vibrated through her body, making it harder to breathe as her mind returned to the kiss they’d shared. The roughness of his beard. The way he held her in his arms. Nor could she escape the unrelenting desire to experience it again.

Everything about her night with Liam was a dreamy indulgence that might never come again.

“You’re quiet.” His voice, low and warm, seemed to apologize for intruding on her thoughts. “Haven’t changed your mind, have you?”

“And abandon you midrescue? No way.” She stopped and pulled out her phone. “This is a beautiful building. Mind if I take a picture of it?”

He smiled knowingly. “Of course not. Only when you tell your sister about the brawl, make me look good, will you?”

Maya laughed as she snapped a photo of the building, which included its name, The Jameson, highlighted in tall neon letters. She dashed off a quick text to Kendra with a brief note: Hanging out at Liam’s place. Don’t get the wrong idea. Long story.

They entered the large, bright lobby of the newly renovated industrial building and took the elevator to the penthouse level. Glass windows in the corridor rose another full story.

“I thought the penthouse was always on the top floor.” She surveyed the space, mesmerized by the view of the water.

“These units occupy the two top floors.” He opened the door and stepped inside, holding his hand out to her. “I’ll show you.”

Last chance to change your mind.

Fighting the jittery sensation that turned her stomach inside out, she inhaled deeply, put her hand in his and stepped inside.

The dim lighting enhanced the view of the skyline along the waterfront. The windows spanned the entire length of one wall, affording a view of the Atlantic Ocean.

“What an amazing view.” She slipped her heels off and left them by the entrance. An instant relief after a night of dancing and the walk to Liam’s place.

“I don’t need to put raw steak on my face, do I?” His voice echoed across the hardwood floors from where he stood in the kitchen.

Maya padded toward the kitchen and stood beside him. She plucked a bag of frozen peas out of the open freezer drawer, then positioned them on his swollen cheek. “You must have a hell of a headache. You should sit down.”

He shifted his jaw from side to side and winced. “Nothing a stiff drink can’t rectify. Can I get you anything?”

“I drank more tonight than I have in the past six months. Just water, please.”

Liam stepped behind his well-stocked bar and handed her a bottle of sparkling mineral water from the mini fridge. He filled his glass with an amber-colored liquor. “I admire your restraint. I don’t share it, but I do admire it. Should you change your mind and decide to join me, let me know.”

“I’m impressed.” Maya sank onto the sofa.

“Why?” He sat beside her.

“You didn’t put the peas down once. You’re pretty proficient with one hand.”

“I am indeed.” Waggling his brows, he flashed a smile that warmed her nearly as much as the kiss had.

Heat spread through her cheeks. “About that headache...” She stood, putting space between them. “Can I get you something for it?”

“Yes, please.” He repositioned the bag. “In the cabinet over the kitchen sink.”

Maya grabbed the pills from the cabinet and a bottle of water from the fridge. She handed both items to him, then knelt on the couch beside him. Lifting the bag of frozen peas, she inspected his face.

“What’s the verdict, doc?”