Page 44 of Falling for the Wrong Billionaire
"I am," he says, his voice low, almost serious. "Crazy about you."
My breath catches in my throat. I wasn’t expecting that.
But before I can say anything, he adds, "I’m serious, Lucy. If you want it, I’ll get it for you."
I shake my head, a little stunned by the offer. "I can’t accept that, Liam."
He laughs softly, clearly not bothered by my refusal. "I’m not asking for anything in return. I just want you to have what you want."
I stare at him, speechless. He’s crazy. But there’s something about the way he says it, so casually, so sincerely, that makes my heart race in ways I can’t explain.
We drive in comfortable silence for a while, and before long, Liam pulls up to a small, local seafood spot. "Here we are," he says, turning off the engine.
I glance at the cozy restaurant, feeling the warmth of the moment. "This place looks perfect."
Liam smiles at me, his eyes soft. "I thought you’d like it."
And for the first time in a long time, I feel like I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be.
***
The moment we step into the small, cozy restaurant, I’m struck by the intimate ambiance. The dim lighting casts a warm glow over the tables, each one secluded enough to make it feel like it’s just you and the person you’re with.
There’s something peaceful about it, something… soft, unlike the bustling, noisy places I’m used to.
Liam’s hand gently presses at my lower back as the host leads us to our table, and I can’t help but feel the weight of his attention on me. The way he moves around me, always just a little closer, making sure I’m comfortable, it’s almost too much.
When we get to the table, Liam pulls out my chair, his movements fluid and careful, as though he’s afraid of doing something wrong. I sit, watching him as he positions himself across from me, and I can’t ignore how much effort he’s putting into making this night perfect.
He takes his seat, but not before looking at me, his eyes softening just a bit. “Are you okay?”
I nod, forcing a smile. “I’m great, Liam. Thanks for bringing me here. It’s beautiful.”
He smiles, leaning back a little in his chair, clearly pleased. “I’m glad you like it.”
The waiter arrives almost immediately, placing two glasses of wine in front of us, his hands steady as he serves us both with practiced precision.
I pick up my glass, trying to steady the nervous flutter in my stomach. I don’t know if it’s the wine or just the overwhelming sense of being with Liam in this quiet, intimate space, but my heart races.
We both sip the wine, and for a while, it’s just the sound of the gentle clink of glasses and soft laughter from nearby tables.
Liam watches me, his gaze focused, and there’s something about the way he’s looking at me that makes me squirm. It’s like he sees right through me, like he knows all my secrets. Like he knows what I’m hiding — the part of me that’s terrified of letting him in.
I don’t want to be the person who leads him on. I don’t want to be the one who gives him false hope. But every time I look at him, I want to stay. I want to let him in.
He’s so kind, so thoughtful, and I’m just… me.
I take another sip of my wine, trying to hide the turmoil brewing inside.
Liam leans forward, resting his elbows on the table, his eyes never leaving mine. “Tell me something about you, Lucy,” he says, his voice low and warm. “Something I don’t know.”
I blink, taken off guard by the question. My mind races as I try to find something interesting to say.
The truth is, I haven’t shared much with him. I’ve been careful, avoiding anything too personal, anything that might give away the parts of me that I’m trying to hide. The parts that would make him pull away, the parts that are too broken to be seen.
I try to smile, trying to keep it light. “Well, I used to be obsessed with reading when I was a kid. I’d spend hours at the library, just getting lost in books.”
He nods, genuinely interested. “What kind of books?”
