Page 30 of Desperate Measures

“You’ve worked for Volkov Industries since you graduated, but you’re wasted there. They won’t trust you because of who you are, and you know it,” he said, hitting me with a truth I’d been trying to deny.

“I do a good job,” I said, needing to defend myself.

“I know you do. I’ve seen your work. But they will never let you forget who you are. You know I’m right,” he said, moving across the room till he was standing right in front of me.

I tilted my head back to look at his face, otherwise I’d be staring at the rather impressive bulge in front of me.

“I can change their minds,” I replied mulishly.

“Can you? It’s been five years, Sweetheart.”

I gritted my teeth, hating he was right but loving the way he said ‘sweetheart’ with his Boston accent peeking through.

Like ‘sweethaht’.

Feelings of disloyalty filled me as I wished for just one split second, I was anyone other than Adrik Volkov’s daughter.

It was a fleeting moment, but it made me feel like shit. I loved my parents, and they loved me. I knew they did. Even though their own fairytale romance was so big, it took up most of their attention. They were good to me and my sister.

I’d always been a cheerful observer to the impossible standard they set, but that was just their relationship.

It broke my heart a little to know I’d never be the recipient of a love so grand. Liam made a sound like a hum, and I turned my attention back to him.

“You could be in on this with me. We can do exciting things. New things.Our thing.”

His words were seductive. The idea of being part of something my father did not own was exciting, scary, thrilling.

“Like what?”

“I’ll have a prospectus sent to you in the morning. But right now, you and me, we need to be together for real.”

“Together?” I asked and winced because my voice sounded way too breathless.

“Yeah,together.”

He reached down and gripped my elbow, tugging me to my feet. Liam didn’t step back. He didn’t give me any room, and every inch of my body brushed against his.

“This is a partnership. I won’t ever force you. But I think we owe it to ourselves to try to make this work.”

I followed the movement of his lips as he spoke, trying to keep my feet beneath me as he ran his other hand up my side, to my shoulder, and lastly my neck.

Liam had long, thick fingers, and he used them to anchor me, tilting my head back so my gaze landed on his, and my lips aligned perfectly.

“If your answer is no, say so now, Sweetheart,” he growled.

Thunder roared inside my head, or maybe that was just the racing of my heart. The scent of his spicy cologne seeped into my senses.

Sultry, alluring, and so damn sexy moisture pooled between my legs.

“Answer me, Michaela. Yes or no,” he growled, his lips brushing against mine.

I averted my gaze, feeling his thumb press into my chin.

My heart was pounding.

My pulse racing.

I met his verdant glower, wondering if that was really anger or something else.

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