Page 16 of Liam

He watched a frown mar her face then.

“What did I say?” he asked concerned.

She looked at him, shaking her head, the thick silk of her hair falling over her shoulder. “May I ask you a question?”

“Sure.”

“When you call me Princess, is it mockingly or is it with respect that you use it?”

Liam grinned then. “I say it with affection and respect.”

Her face brightened at his words. “And treacle?”

“That is with complete affection.”

“I like it when you call me treacle, but I also like it when you call me Princess as you do.”

“Maybe we can graduate to Taamira soon then,” he said, knocking her shoulder gently with his own.

“I’m not sure about that. Do you have a nickname I can call you now that we are somewhat friends?”

“My friends call me Liam or Pyro.”

“Pyro? But why?”

“I’m an explosive expert, Princess.”

“Ah, then Liam it is as I don’t like that other name.” She wrinkled her nose in a cute grimace, and it took everything in him not to lean in and kiss her.

“I like the sound of my name on your lips, Princess.” His voice had gone deep as he looked at her and thought of all the ways he wanted her saying his name, on her knees as she looked up at him, in the morning as he woke her with his mouth, in the dark of night as they shared a secret.

The mood seemed to shift, the hair on his nape lifting. There was so much sexual tension in the room, it practically buzzed. This woman had no idea what she did to him, no idea of the power she held or the sexuality she exuded, and that was why she was ten times more potent and a hundred times more off the table.

Liam leaned into her as if pulled by a force so much more powerful than he. She did the same, and it was as if an invisible line was pulling them together. Her breath feathered his face, he could almost taste the sweetness of her lips. Then a door slammed, and he heard Mitch and Waggs move inside the apartment.

“Saved by the bell,” he rasped before he stood and held out his hand to her.

The flush on her cheeks was the only indication that she’d felt the same as he did, and that made the bullet they’d just dodged so much more deadly.

CHAPTER EIGHT

IT WAS TWO NIGHTS LATER WHEN TAAMIRA SUGGESTED THEY EAT AT THE HOTEL RESTAURANT INSTEAD of being confined to the suite. There was an excellent seafood establishment with one of the top chefs in the country at the Regent Grand. Liam had discussed it with Mitch and Waggs, and they’d all agreed it was probably safe to grant her request.

The mood between Liam and Taamira was one of ease since their fight the other night, she respected his judgement, and he was careful to understand her needs. The undercurrent of sexual tension, however, was causing his balls to go blue and the number of cold showers he was taking had increased to two a day.

The one thing troubling him though was his discussion with Derek. The man had been upfront and hugely apologetic about the breach in security under his command. Liam was usually a good judge of character, and regret was oozing from the man. He’d personally spoken to the others, and he’d managed to narrow it down to two men who were tweaking his senses.

He was going to ask Mitch and Waggs to speak to them and get their opinions, and then he’d decide on what action he’d take. Liam watched as the door opened to Taamira’s bedroom and she stepped out.

The woman was a fucking vision in a shimmery, cream coloured kaftan with olive green embroidery along the edge of the square neckline. He’d never thought a big swampy kaftan that hid all the beautiful curves on a woman would be sexy, but on her, it was. Fuck, who was he kidding, she could make a bin liner look hot as hell.

Her eyes met his, and she must have seen the appreciation in them because she dipped her head as a blush crept over her cheeks. Liam couldn’t hide the grin which spread across his face nor the desire that her innocence evoked in him. Taamira seemed to have no clue how breathtaking she was and that was so damn attractive.

He ambled towards her feeling like a poor relation even in a crisp white shirt, navy trousers, and a navy suit jacket. Her gaze rose to his, and he let her peruse him, loving the way her coral lips parted as she did.

“Are you ready to go, Princess?” Liam held out his arm for her to proceed him.

Taamira nodded and walked towards the door of the suite, where Mitch and Waggs were already waiting on the other side. Not one to take chances, they’d already checked out the restaurant and ground floor, and nothing seemed amiss.