Page 67 of A Simple Reminder
“I don’t do drugs. I’m telling you the truth.”
Her posture softens just a little. “You’re allowed to do whatever you want, Liam. I’m just saying, you don’t have to pretend like you care about me that way and if you want to go for Lilly then do so. You don’t have to pretend because of me. Because we slept together. I don’t care.”
I don’t believe her, not for a second. Her whole body is betraying her, the way she shifts under my gaze, the way her breath quickens ever so slightly. She might say she doesn’t care, but everything about her right now is calling out to me. Her whole being is practically screaming for me, even though she doesn’t realize it yet.
“I don’t want Lilly.”
“Why not?” she asks, her voice challenging. “She’s hot.”
“Sure, she’s hot,” I say, my eyes locked on hers. I catch the way her chest rises slightly, her lips pressing together in that way she does when she’s holding back.
“Then what’s stopping you?”
“She’s my assistant.” I step closer, the tension between us thick, almost suffocating. “And I don’t want her. I want someone else.” I admit.
My gaze doesn’t waver, daring her to challenge me again.
“I don’t care who you want.”
“Liar," I growl, my voice dropping lower, more dangerous. “You care, Sophie. You care more than you’re willing to admit.”
She swallows hard, her chin lifting in defiance even as her voice trembles. “I don’t.”
“You do.”
“You’re my Boss.”
“I sure am.” I reply, a slow smirk tugging at my lips, the kind that always gets under her skin. And God, I want to get under her skin in every possible way.
“You can’t want me.”
“Who’s going to stop me?” I take another step forward, closer now, so close I can almost feel her breath against my skin. My body is already reacting, my pulse quickening, the need for her rushing through me.
Her eyes dart to my lips, then back up to meet mine, a silent battle playing out in her head. She takes a deep breath, looking away again, and then she whispers, “I promised that I…”
I lean in, my voice dropping even lower. “You promised what, Sophie?” I can feel her body heat now, the space between us practically buzzing.
Her chest rises and falls quickly, like she’s struggling to steady herself. Her lips part, her eyes flicking back to mine, then down to my lips again. Her body shifts closer to me, her resolve crumbling, and I can practically see the moment her will weakens.
“Promised what?” I press, my voice rough with the need to know. This back and forth, the push and pull—it’s driving me wild, and I can tell it’s breaking her down too. She’s hesitating. She's scared. But I can see it in her—she wants me too. Her body’s betraying her, just like mine is betraying me.
And when her eyes meet mine again, I know.
I have to hold myself back from closing the distance entirely, from pulling her into me. She has to make the move. She has to come back.
And then, without another word, she closes the gap, our lips crashing against each other. It’s not gentle; it’s not soft. It’s fire and desperation. Her fingers twist into my shirt, pulling me closer, and I’m lost in her taste, her scent, everything. I knew she’d come back.
But just as quickly as it started, she rips her lips from mine, gasping for air. Her breathing is ragged, her pupils blown wide as she stares at me like she can’t believe what she just did.
She bites her lip nervously, her gaze flickering between my eyes and my mouth. I can see the thoughts swirling in her head, the hesitation, the doubt.
No, Sunshine. Just let go. Don’t overthink it. Release whatever’s holding you back from me.
Every nerve ending in my body is screaming to pull her back, to chase that connection, but the conflict in her eyes holds me still.
Then something shifts, her gaze hardening slightly as if she’s made some kind of decision. Her shoulders straighten, and the nervous energy around her gives way to a strained resolve.
“This,” she waves a hand between us, “it can't be anything more, Liam.” she breathes, her voice trembling, the words sounding like she’s trying to convince herself as much as me.
