Page 53 of “Not” Engaged to the Grumpy Billionaire

“Because I’m telling the truth,” I say, my voice breaking slightly. “Liz, I haven’t seen Becky outside of when I let her see Max. She doesn’t mean anything to me. Not anymore.”

She doesn’t respond, but I see the conflict in her eyes. The way she wants to believe me but can’t quite bring herself to.

“Liz,” I say, my voice softer now. “You’re all I can think about.”

Her breath hitches, and she looks away, but I gently cup her cheek, turning her back to me. “I’ve tried to fight it. I’ve tried to come up with every reason to stay away. But nothing works. I can’t stop thinking about you.”

She closes her eyes, tears spilling over. “Nate...”

I shake my head, my voice trembling. “That kiss wasn’t a mistake. It was the best thing that’s happened to me in years. And I only said it was a mistake because I was scared. Scared of how much I want you.”

She looks up at me, her eyes wide and vulnerable. “I want you too,” she whispers. “No matter how much I fight it, I can’t stop.”

I don’t wait. I can’t. I close the distance between us, my lips capturing hers in a kiss that’s anything but hesitant. It’s deep, raw, and filled with every emotion I’ve been holding back.

Her hands tangle in my hair, pulling me closer, and I wrap my arms around her, holding her as if letting go isn’t an option.

The kiss is everything I’ve been craving, everything I didn’t know I needed.

A knock on the door startles us, and we pull apart, both breathing heavily.

“Dad?” Max’s voice calls from the other side. “Did you tell Liz we’re sorry?”

I glance at Liz, who’s flushed and disheveled but smiling softly.

“Yeah, buddy,” I call back. “We talked.”

Max peeks in, his blue eyes hopeful. “Liz, are you mad at us?”

Liz crouches to his level, her voice gentle. “I’m not mad, Max. I promise. And I’ll eat dinner with you tomorrow. Deal?”

Max grins. “Deal!”

Max bolts out of the room, leaving us alone. The silence that follows is thick, charged with everything we haven’t said and everything we’ve just done. Liz rises slowly from where she crouched to talk to Max, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear.

I watch her, my chest tightening as the moment sinks in. Her cheeks are flushed, her lips slightly swollen from the kiss, and all I can think about is how much I want to kiss her again.

But then my gaze drifts to the bag in the corner of the room, and reality comes crashing back.

“Are you still leaving?” I ask, my voice low, almost hesitant.

She pauses, her fingers brushing against the edge of the dresser as she glances at the packed bag. For a moment, I think she’s going to avoid the question, but then she turns to face me, her expression conflicted.

“I don’t know,” she admits, her voice soft.

“You don’t know?” I echo, stepping closer. “Liz, you can’t just pack up and leave without telling me why. Not now. Not after...”

I trail off, unable to finish the sentence.

She sighs, her shoulders sagging slightly. “Nate, this... us... it’s complicated. ”

“That’s only if we make it complicated. Let's give us a trial,” I cut in, surprising even myself with the intensity of my words.

She blinks, her eyes searching mine. “Us?”

“Yes, us,” I say firmly. “Liz, I know this is all new and I'm still trying to figure all my emotions, but I know that whatever this is,I haven't felt it with any other woman, and I want us to explore it to the fullest.”

Her breath catches, and for a moment, she looks like she might cry again. But then she shakes her head, her voice trembling. “Nate, I don’t know if I can do this. I don’t know if I can handle everything that comes with you - your past, your baggage. I’m scared.”

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