Page 26 of Little Horrors & Deceptions

I’d never seen him like this. It was unsettling. “Liam,” I said softly. “What’s going on?”

He met my gaze, and the intensity there made me catch my breath. “I couldn’t stay away,” he admitted. “I tried, but…”

My skin tingled with anticipation. What was he about to say? Liam stepped closer, invading my personal space. His cologne, a heady mix of sandalwood and mint, enveloped me.

“Jade,” he murmured, his voice low and husky. I didn’t smell any alcohol on his breath.Did I have him so frazzled?I swallowed hard, acutely aware of every inch between us. The haunted house seemed to close in, amplifying the silence. Liam’s eyes roamed my face, filled with an emotion I couldn’t name. Desire? Regret? Fear? My heart pounded so loudly, I was sure he could hear it.

“I shouldn’t be here,” he whispered, contradicting his actions as he inched closer.

I wanted to step back, but I felt rooted to the spot. “Then why are you?” I managed to ask, my voice barely audible.

The silence stretched, thick and heavy. Finally, Liam spoke, his words shattering the quiet. “I lied.”

I stood frozen. The words tumbled out before I could stop them. “About what?” I asked, confusion etching my features. Liam’s eyes flickered with uncertainty. The dim light cast shadows across his face, accentuating the sharp angles of his jawline. He opened his mouth, then closed it again. I held my breath, waiting.

Liam’s shoulders sagged slightly. “About not wanting to cross lines,” he admitted. “About us.”

Us.I tried to process what he was saying, what it meant for our relationship. Part of me wanted to run, to escape the intensity of this moment. But another part, one I’d been trying to ignore, longed to step closer, to bridge the gap. I stood there, caught between desire and caution.

“So what does that mean?” I challenged, my voice wavering slightly. “What are you really saying, Liam?” Part of me hoped he'd backtrack, laugh it off as a joke. It would be easier that way. Safer. But the look in his eyes told me he wouldn’t.

Liam took a step closer, his proximity sending a shiver down my spine. “I’m saying I’m not sorry about that kiss,” he murmured, his eyes locked on mine. “I’m saying I want you, Jade.” I wanted to look away, to break the spell, but I couldn’t. He inched even closer. “I told myself this was just professional. That I couldn’t mix business with… this.” He gestured with a hand between us. “But I can’t keep pretending anymore.”

This was dangerous territory. I had responsibilities, expectations, and he was my suspect. But standing here, surrounded by the eerie quiet of the haunted house and the closeness of him, those concerns felt distant, unimportant.

“Liam, we can’t…” The words felt hollow, unconvincing even to my own ears.

He stepped closer, close enough that I could feel the warmth radiating from his body. “Can’t we? We’re two consenting adults.” His voice was low, enticing.

I closed my eyes, trying to regain my composure. When I opened them, I saw the same conflict I felt mirrored in his gaze. “This is more complicated than just that,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper.

“I know,” he replied, running a hand through his tousled hair again. “But denying it isn’t working anymore.”

I wanted him, God help me, I did. But the consequences… “What if we made a deal?”

“I’m listening.”

“No rules when we’re here. We can be whatever we want inside Dead Man’s.”

“So what?” he finally asked, his voice tinged with doubt. “We just… pretend this doesn’t exist outside these walls?”

“Exactly.” I bit my lip. This was reckless, unprofessional. Probably stupid on my part. But the thrill of being with him… it called to something deep within me.

“And outside?” he asked.

“Business as usual,” I replied, my tone steady, but his eyes were burning into mine.

My fingers twisted into the hem of my shirt. The logical part of me screamed to walk away, but my body yearned to stay.

“Fine,” I heard him say, accepting the deal. The moment the words left his mouth, I felt a shift. The air seemed to crackle with electricity, then his lips crashed against mine.

Liam slammed me against the wall, his lips melding into mine with an intensity that made my knees weak. The kiss was everything I’d ever wanted—hot, needy, desperate. His tongue slid against mine as his hands roamed my body, igniting sparks wherever they touched.

I’d never experienced anything like this before. The haunted house faded away, leaving only Liam and the fire he was stroking inside me. I could feel the hard length of him through our clothes and a needy whimper escaped my throat.

My hands tangled in his dirty blond hair as he kissed along my jaw and down my neck. Every touch, every kiss sent shivers through me. Part of my mind screamed that this was a bad idea, that I shouldn’t be doing this, but I couldn’t bring myself to care.

“Liam.” I gasped as he nipped at my pulse.

---