Page 47 of It's Not All Fake

Liam’s expression hardens, his thoughts racing. “Is your computer at your office?”

“Yeah,” I reply, wondering where this is going.

“I’ll have someone take a look immediately.” Liam pulls out his phone.

“No, it’s okay,” I try to reassure him. This isn’t his problem.

He ignores my protest, dialing a number on his phone.

“Liam, no one can get into the building anyway. They don’t have the key,” I add, pulling my key card out of my purse to show him. It’s with us, in the middle of the ocean. Accessing the building is impossible without it.

I hear a male voice answer on Liam’s phone line.

Liam presses his lips together, his frustration evident, realizing nothing can be done sooner. “Randy, it’s Liam. Can you make sure your colleague visits Ms. Middleton first thing on Monday – this is about the hacking situation.”

Ms. Middleton? I admit Mr. Wright’s take-charge attitude is a turn-on.

“Thank you,” Liam says after receiving an affirmative from Randy and hangs up. He rubs his face. “Will you call me after your computer is checked out?” he asks, worry lines in his forehead. It just makes him even sexier somehow.

“Sure,” I agree just as the waiter arrives with a beautifully arranged plate of oysters.

Liam gives me a nod, satisfied to close the subject for now. “I hope you like oysters,” he says, his voice tinged with uncertainty, as if he’s seeking my approval.

“I do,” I smile, not missing the fact that he’s chosen a well-known aphrodisiac. I raise an eyebrow playfully. “But I’m suspicious that you’re trying to spike my dopamine levels, Mr. Wright.”

Liam’s smile takes on a mischievous edge. “Anything I can do to increase your pleasure, Chloe.”

I nearly choke on the oyster in my mouth. Oh fuck. I can’t resist this man. He should just swipe his arm to clear off the table and take me right here.

I take a beat and manage to swallow. I watch him slurp down an oyster, satisfied with himself.

The sky melds into shades of pink and purple as we leave the harbor, venturing into open water. The idea of moving away from the safety of the shore sends a thrilling flutter through my stomach. Liam and I are navigating uncharted waters, and it feels like we're drifting without an anchor.

A gentle breeze kisses my cheeks, and I take another sip of wine to steady my nerves.

“Chloe,” Liam begins seriously, shifting the mood. “I want to ask you something… personal.”

The way he says it makes my gut twist, the adrenaline rush both torturous and exhilarating.

“Um, okay,” I reply reluctantly, realizing it’s only fair. I’ve asked him to share plenty. I can at least hear out his question.

I busy myself by plucking out another oyster.

Liam clears his throat. “Chloe, have you been tested since your last partner?”

I pause with an oyster mid-air on the way to my mouth. My mouth stays open until I realize I’m gaping at him. I set down my fork and chuckle nervously.

I suppose it’s the responsible thing for him to ask. He wore a condom when we had sex, so he’d be mostly protected if I had anything, but not totally protected.

Does he think I wouldn’t tell him if he was at risk?

“Um, yes, after Lucas.” I put down the oyster. “I thought he was cheating and wanted to be extra sure I was okay,” I explain.

Liam appears to wince, almost imperceptibly.

“Everything is good.” I give him a small, awkward smile.

He nods and I can see his mind is still churning with thoughts.

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