Page 30 of Power Play

Liam Sullivan.

Standing exactly where I thought he’d be—in a corner, drink in his hand, and the ghost of a scowl on his face. His white T-shirt hugs his chest and biceps, proudly showing off the tattoos on his arms. The jeans he’s wearing are almost fitted to the curves of his legs I don’t normally see.

My breath tangles in my chest when I move from his high-top Converse back to his face, because he’s staring at me.

Looking my way with a dark and dangerous gaze that’s tinted with a hint of trouble I’m not sure I should be getting myself into, but I can’t look away. He tips his head to the side, an invitation there, and I’ve never been so curious about someone in my life.

“Will you give me a second?” I throw my drink back, needing liquid courage, and set my empty glass on the bar. “I’m going to run to the restroom.”

“Go.” She waves me off and bites on her straw. “I’ll be fine. The guy who sent the drinks over looks like he has experience in the accounting field, and I need some advice about my 401k.”

“I always thought the wordsRothandIRAwere sexy.” I kiss her cheek and wipe my hands on my jeans. “I’ll be back soon.”

Pushing through the sea of bodies is difficult. I have to elbow my way past a group of women flirting with Grant and Ethan until I’m on the other side of the bar and free from the smell of sweat and stale beer.

“Piper,” Liam says when I get close.

“Liam. Why are you standing all alone?”

“Prefer it that way.” He brings his beer to his mouth, throat bobbing around a swallow while his eyes never leave mine. I pull my shirt away from my chest, the temperature suddenly stifling. “Having a good night?”

“Can’t complain. What about you?”

He shrugs. Kicks a foot up on the wall behind him and crosses his arms over his chest, a vision of unbothered laziness. “I’m not exactly having the time of my life, but I could think of worse places to be.”

“Ah. Guess that means you’re not going to do that scene fromDirty Dancingthen, are you?”

“Never.”

“Have you seen it?”

“I have a sister, Pipsqueak. I’ve watched every romcom movie you can think of.”

“What’s your favorite?”

“Four Weddings and a Funeral. But you can’t go wrong with anything featuring Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks.”

“Wow. I never thought I’d be standing here talking about romcoms with you. Pretty shocking turn of events.”

“It’s after nine p.m. and I’m at a bar where they’ve played Dolly Parton six times in thirty minutes. Are you sure the movie thing is the most shocking part?”

“You make a fair point, Sullivan.” I mirror his pose, resting up against the wall and dropping my head back. “I always wanted to reenact the part where Patrick Swayze lifts Jennifer Grey over his head. Among other things.”

“Like?”

“Dancing in the kitchen. Kissing in the rain. Getting matching tattoos with the person I’m in love with and being a total idiot.” I sigh, the one drink making my tongue loose. My inhibitions lowered. “Stupid stuff.”

“If it’s important to you, it’s not stupid.”

“Very insightful.”

“Call it bar wisdom.” He sips his beer and holds the beer bottle by the neck with his large palm. “You didn’t want to talk to the guy who sent you and Lexi that drink?”

“How did you know someone sent us a drink?”

“I’m paid millions of dollars to be aware of my surroundings. I see everything.” He pauses before adding, “including the guy who was looking at you two like you were his last meal.”

“Oh please.” I laugh again. “Lexi, maybe. But not me. The attention was nice, though. I’ve never had someone hit on me before.”

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