Page 38 of Accidental Attraction

“Thank you,” was all Liam said before tugging on my arm and leading me away from the car. The air was warm but a little chilly, making me glad I packed a small sweater at the last second. It would be cold tonight.

“Where are you going, Liam? The hotel is that way,” I pointed out as he led us away from the main lobby of the hotel.

“I know. We aren’t staying there.”

“But don’t you have to check in? You can’t do that to a hotel.”

“Jenna, I own the hotel. It’s fine,” he said. I walked beside him with my mouth open. I didn’t know why I didn’t know he owned it. I actually should have expected it. “Flies will fly in your mouth if you keep it open like that.” I quickly snapped it shut. Not saying a word, I continued with Liam as we walked to the back of the hotel building toward a set of big cabanas that lined the ocean. They still looked like part of the hotel but closer to the water and probably bigger than the rooms in the building.

“We are staying in one of those,” I said, more of a statement than a question. The closer we got, the more potent the smell of the ocean became. Not even looking at the “room” we were staying in, I looked out at the ocean. Just a few feet away was white sand that looked so soft. Quite a few people were out lying around or playing in the water, but not as much as I thought there would be. The water was crystal blue and glowed from the sunlight.

We came to a door, which Liam opened, softly shoving me in and blocking my view. I was even more impressed when I stepped into the room. It was huge! Way bigger than it looked on the outside. In front of me was a big living room that was furnished with expensive-looking couches and chairs, along with a TV. To my left was a kitchenette that was the same size as my old apartment’s. And then to my right was a hallway that I bet led to the bedroom(s). Wow. This place is incredible.

“This can’t be a place at a hotel,” I said randomly. “It is the size of my old apartment back in New York. I bet this costs more than an actual home,” I muttered.

“I usually don’t stay in this part, but I thought you would like to.” Glancing over at Liam, I saw him standing at the entrance with his hands in his pant pockets. He was watching me closely, waiting for my reaction. Smiling, I made my way toward him and wrapped my arms around his waist, pushing my face into his chest.

“I love it! Thank you.” I squeezed him tightly. I felt one arm wrap around my waist and the other came up to hold the back of my neck. It had to be the best hug I had ever received. It made me feel safe and loved, like Liam didn’t want me to go.

“Glad you like it.” I felt something like a soft kiss on top of my head, but as soon as I felt it Liam retracted his arms. “I sadly have a meeting to go to in about twenty minutes,” he said, glancing down at his watch.

“Oh yeah.” I tried not to sound disappointed. I wish Liam could just stay here with me, but I knew he had work to do. He was taking over a huge company, and I couldn’t expect him to drop all his responsibilities just for me.

“How about I take you out tonight? Like on a real date. No press, no one who knows who we are. Nothing but us,” Liam said, looking at me.

“Are you asking me out, Mr. Stanford?” I asked, teasing.

“I am. A first real date.” A small smile graced his lips. Lips that I kissed not even three hours ago.

“I accept.”

“Good. Meet me at The Tidesinside the hotel at eight. It is on the first floor. If I’m not there before you, tell the front desk who you are,” he said, the corner of his mouth tilting into a smirk. I opened my mouth to say something, but a knock on the door interrupted me. Liam opened it, revealing two men carrying our luggage.

“Your luggage, sir.” With a nod, Liam stepped aside and let them place them in the entry. Glancing down at my suitcase, I tried to remember what I packed and if any of it was good enough for a date tonight with Liam.

“Let’s put these in our room. Then I have to leave.” Grabbing my luggage after slapping Liam’s hand away, I followed him down the hall. Straight down the hall was the bedroom that Liam went into. I bit my bottom lip, glancing in the other doors only to find the place had only one bedroom.

“Jenna, come put your bag in here,” Liam called out.

“There’s not another room?”

“No, you are sharing with me,” he said. I gulped at the idea of sleeping in the same bed as Liam. After a deep breath, I walked into the room, only to pause seeing Liam’s bare back facing me. The muscles in his back flexed as he reached for a shirt. I sucked my bottom lip into my mouth at the sight, wanting to run my hands down it. You will soon enough. Unfortunately the sight of Liam’s back disappeared as he slipped on a new dress shirt.

Before I could get caught gawking at him, I went and set my suitcase by the closet, trying to get my bearings. On a romantic island alone with Liam, I had to make sure I had a level head.

“Okay I have to get going. But meet me there at eight, okay? This meeting shouldn’t be long,” Liam said, making me turn around.

“I’ll be there. I’ll be the person dressed terribly.”

“You can never look terrible.” He walked toward me and came to a stop just inches away from me. Leaning down, he laid a soft kiss to my lips. “I’ll see you there,” he said, pulling away a second later. He sent me a wide smile and turned and left the bedroom. A second later I heard the door close.

I brought a hand to my lips and let a big grin spread across my face. All the feelings I had been holding in from the plane burst free. Squealing, I jumped around the room and did a little dance. Liam finally kissed me! I didn’t even have to make him do it. When I settled down a little, I touched my lips again. What was Liam doing to me?

***

After my little squealing fest I hurried and jumped in the shower. I didn’t want to look like a hobo on this date with Liam. A real date, our real first date. I didn’t know what this meant for us, but I was liking the idea that we might be more than just a business deal. Making sure I was all clean and shaved, I left the bathroom to find an outfit.

When I was going through my suitcase, I noticed I didn’t bring anything fancy at all. When packing I hadn’t thought about it. Leafing through more clothes, a piece of clothing caught my eye. I pulled it out and slowly nodded. It was a cute, flowy summer dress. It was white with pink and purple birds on it. It had thin white straps and a brown thin belt around the waist. It would have to do.

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