Page 37 of All That She Needs

"First, I needed to know you were okay. That day, when I brought the ice cream, something was bothering you, and I was worried. Second, I needed... I needed to know."

"Know what?" I demanded, my frustration boiling over.

"I wanted to know if there's a chance that..." He trailed off as if he wasn't sure to say what he wanted to say. "I'm very perceptive, Asha. I can pick up on signs easily. I knew there were problems in your marriage."

I stared at him, still not fully understanding. "And that's your business because?"

"Because I want you."

A loud gasp escaped my lips, my hand flying up to cover my mouth. "Liam," I mumbled behind my hand.

"I'm not just attracted to you. I want you—really want you. Every part of you. Every beat of your beautiful heart. Every fraction of your brilliant mind. Every single one of your laughs, your anger, your cries, your moans, and every sigh..." He took a deep, shaky breath. "I'm obsessed with you, probably beyond reason. I want to pledge my life to you, give you all my heart, surrender my soul. I'd pluck all the rainbows from the sky and give them to you. Fill this office with white roses because it always reminds me of you. Scream your name from the top of a building to tell the world you're mine. Lock you in my room and do all kinds of filthy things to you until you understand that'swhere you belong. That kind of crazy is what I feel for you." He paused, searching my face before asking carefully, "Did I scare you?"

I was at a loss for words, feeling like I'd stepped into a twilight zone.

"I know it's probably too soon. You just separated, like, probably a day ago, but I'm not the man who passes up an opportunity, Asha, no matter how slim the chance. I wouldn't be where I am today if I did—especially not when that opportunity could crush my heart if I lose it. And damn if I let any fuckers take it from me. So, I'm going to wait for you until you're ready. I'll be patient, but in the meantime, I'm going to fucking charm you." A slow, dimpled smile spread across his face. "I'm going to shamelessly flirt with you, tease you until I see that lovely blush on your cheeks. I'll cook for you every day, even if you don't eat it. I'll be there for you, take care of you, so you'll know I'll do anything to make you happy. I'll be the man worthy of you. In time, no matter how long it takes, I'll make you fall for me. And you will fall for me, Asha. I'm a man on a mission, and nothing will stop me."

I was still stunned, utterly speechless, and he looked worried. "Are you okay, Asha?"

"No," I shook my head slowly. "I don't think so."

"Want me to kiss you and make it better?" he asked, grinning. I narrowed my eyes at him. "Too soon?" He chuckled.

"Liam..." I began, but the words stuck in my throat. I was not sure what I was going to say.

"Don't," he said, suddenly serious. "If you say it, I'm going to shut your mouth by crushing it with mine."

I didn't know how he did it, but he had a knack for leaving me speechless, and I worried that this stunned expression would be permanently etched on my face.

"But–"

"No buts," he interrupted, shaking his head. "Or I'll take it as a request for a kiss. I'll do it, Asha, and I won't ask for permission. You don't know how much I've wanted to since the first moment I saw you."

I leaned back in my chair, throwing my hands up before letting them fall back down.

"Honestly," I cleared my throat. "I never expected you to... you know."

"Fall for you?" he offered, as calm and cool as ever.

"Yeah. That." I exhaled, trying to find the right words. "I'm older than you, Liam."

"By seven years and three months," he replied without missing a beat.

"When I graduated high school, you were just eight years old. Practically in diapers."

"Which, by the way, you weren't supposed to grad uate yet," he pointed out. Then grumbled.

"And I'm a bit insulted that you think I still wore diapers when I was eight. My mom told me I stopped peeing in my pants when I was five."

"Oh, my God..." I sighed in exasperation, feeling myself losing the argument to five years old. "I'm arguing with a child."

He laughed. "I'm just kidding. I stopped when I was four and a half." Then suddenly, he stood, walked around the big table, and took a seat right next to me. I stiffened, my eyes widened in alarm, and when I was about to push my chair back,he leaned forward, maneuvering my chair around easily like it weighed nothing so that I was facing him, and he gripped the sides of my chair so that I couldn't move. I stared at his right hand, which was brushing my thighs. "I'm all man, Asha. You just need me to prove it to you."

"You weren't kidding when you said you were going to flirt with me, were you?"

"Of course, I'm not." He smiled softly.

Oh God. That smile. That dimple. I just can't. If he kept this up, there'd probably be nothing left of me by the end of the day, considering how quickly I melted into a puddle every time he looked at me like that.

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