Page 118 of The CEO I Hate

“Where do you think you’re going?” Liam asked me, catching me by the hand as I made my way to the island for more champagne. It was only then that I realized we were running out.

“Need to pop out to the garage,” I said. We’d stored the excess drinks out there.

“Allow me to escort you, Gretel.” He tossed his arm over my shoulders. “Wouldn’t want you to take a wrong turn somewhere.”

We headed down the hall together.

“It goes without saying that I want you back in the writers’ room,” he said, pulling the garage door open. “If you can stand another season of writing with Lyle.”

We collected another bottle of champagne, carrying it back toward the kitchen.

“You know, I think I’ve finally figured out how to handle him,” I teased. “Even though this season was a bit of a…trial by fire.”

Liam threw his head back and laughed. “How long have you been waiting to use that?”

I smiled, coasting on a wave of joy from how happy he looked and how happy he made me. I entwined our fingers. “In all seriousness, part of me sort of likes the challenge. He makes me a better writer.”

“And you make us all better in turn,” Liam said. “Me especially.” He tugged me to a stop in the hall. I thought he might kiss me again, but he pressed against a door, leading me into the sitting room.

I giggled as he put the champagne down on a side table, dropping into an armchair while pulling me into his lap. “Hi,” he said.

I pressed my forehead to his. “Hi,” I whispered back. He tilted his head, nipping at my lips before taking them in a kiss that gradually grew more intense. It reminded me of New Year’s Eve over threeyears ago now, the two of us sneaking off and finally giving in to our attraction…for a few minutes, anyway, before reality came crashing back in.

This time, though, Liam wrapped his arms around me with certainty, like he never intended to let me go, and there was no hesitation in the kiss. No fear that someone might walk in and freak out. It was nice to be wanted like this.

Nice to know I was his priority while the rest of the party carried on down the hall.

“Guess what?” I said.

He pulled back enough to look me in the eyes. “What?”

“I just heard back from my agent. Apparently, my limited print run ofHeart and Hustledid so well that…”

“That…” he said, his hands tightening around my waist, making me giggle.

“I’ve just been offered a three-book deal by a major publisher.”

“Mia!” Liam said, almost displacing me from his lap in his urgency to congratulate me. “This is amazing news!”

“Well, so is season three,” I said. “Congrats, Smiles.”

“Come here, Gretel,” he said, tugging me close. He pressed his lips to mine, the kiss turning fiery, and I was totally okay with that.

Something crashed in the living room, followed by a chorus of laughter and a very distinct bark.

“What do you think that was?” Liam asked in between kisses. “Ash finally taking out the snack table?”

“Honestly, I’m surprised it took him this long,” I said, grinning.

He huffed a laugh. “This place is going to be such a mess tomorrow.”

“Probably,” I said, feathering my fingers through his hair. “But there’s no one I’d rather wade through that mess with than you.”

Liam grinned, kissing me again, and I sighed, content with our forever. Because even though I knew our story was nowhere near over, and there were probably a lot of messy moments to come, we’d found our happy ending.

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