Page 44 of Knot Really Engaged
I shrug casually. “I’ve heard they can be really fun.”
He doesn’t miss my sultry voice as he says, “You’re insatiable, Audrey.”
I lean in close, my voice dropping to a seductive whisper. “I wasn’t thinking about having sex in there . . . but now that you mention it . . .”
“I’ll find you a limo next time.” He laughs, the sound rich and warm, and I can’t help but join in. As we climb into the car, the driver greets us with a polite nod, his eyes flickering to the rearview mirror. “Good afternoon, Mr. Cohen, Miss McCallister. Where are we heading?”
Liam settles back into the plush leather seat, his arm draping casually over my shoulders. “My grandparents’ place, please, Martin.” His fingers trace lazy circles on my arm, igniting a trail of goose bumps in their wake.
As the car navigates through the streets of Brooklyn, I can’t help but feel a flutter of nervousness in my stomach. It’s been years since I’ve seen Liam’s grandparents. They came often to visit him, more his grandma than his grandpa, since he had the auto shop to tend to.
“So, any tips for not messing up our story with your grandparents?” I ask, my voice light and teasing,despite the anxiety churning in my gut. “What do they know so far?” I bite my lower lip, worrying it between my teeth.
Liam chuckles, the sound soothing my frayed nerves. “I’m not sure, but for now just be your lovely self,” he says, reaching over to give my hand a reassuring squeeze. His touch is warm and comforting, anchoring me in the moment. “Don’t forget they’ve always loved you.”
I raise an eyebrow, a smirk playing on my lips. “Like you do?” The words tumble out before I can stop them, and I feel a flush creeping up my neck.
Liam’s eyes darken, his gaze intense as he leans in close. I can feel the heat radiating off his body, the scent of his cologne filling my senses. “Good one,” he says, his voice low and rough. “Obviously, no one loves you more than I do, princess.”
I swallow hard, my mouth suddenly dry as I try to ignore the heat pooling in my belly. This is completely fake, right? We’re just playing make believe, and neither one of us is going to catch feelings. None whatsoever. I repeat the mantra in my head, my heart racing as I try to convince myself that the electricity crackling between us is just a product of our shared mischief.
“So, tell me about the times you used to visit your grandparents,” I say, desperate to change the subject before I do something foolish like kiss himsenselessly in the back of this car and ask if he really loves me—or worse, beg him to love me.
Liam sits back, a wistful smile on his face. His eyes take on a faraway look, as if he’s lost in the past, some memory that’s tucked in his heart and he’s finally letting it out, to share it just with me. “We used to go on the subway to the city, visit museums and eat at hole-in-the-wall joints. But there was this one time when Grandma forgot her keys inside the car,” he says, his voice warm with affection. “Since Grandpa knows cars like the back of his hand, he could open them without keys and without trouble—and taught me.”
“So, what you’re telling me is that you can steal cars,” I say casually, and then gasp, my eyes widening in mock horror. I clap a hand over my mouth, fighting back a grin.
“Pfft,” he scoffs, waving a dismissive hand. “That’s not what I’m trying to tell you with this story.”
Then it dawns on me, and I sit up straighter, my mouth falling open in realization. “Oh my God, you were the one who helped open the cars when Max used Mom or Dad’s without permission.” I point an accusing finger at him, my eyes narrowing in suspicion.
He scoffs again, his expression the picture of innocence. “I don’t know what you’re talkingabout.” He shrugs, but the corners of his mouth twitch, betraying his amusement.
“So you know how to hotwire them too,” I say, my voice filled with a mix of awe and disbelief. I shake my head, a laugh bubbling up from my chest.
Liam holds up his hands in surrender, his eyes twinkling with mischief. “Again, I have no idea?—”
“Stop playing dumb. I know your game, Cohen.” I cut him off, my tone teasing and playful. I lean in closer, my face mere inches from his, and I can feel the heat of his breath on my skin.
He laughs, the sound rich and warm, and I can’t help but join in. “Fine, it was me. Grandpa taught me to do both—in case Grandma ever lost her car keys and I was with her.” He grins, a boyish charm radiating from him that makes my heart skip a beat.
“You thief,” I gawk at him, my eyes wide with exaggerated shock. “What else do you steal?” I raise an eyebrow, a smirk playing on my lips.
“Hearts and souls,” he winks at me, his voice low and seductive. I have to bite my lower lip to keep from letting out a whimper.
As we sit there, trading barbs and banter, I can feel the tension between us growing, the air crackling with a palpable energy. It’s a dangerous game we’re playing, this flirtation that toes the line between pretense and reality.
But even as I try to remind myself that this is all just an act, a charade to fool our families, I can’t help but be drawn in by the magnetism of his presence, the way he makes me feel alive in a way I never have before.
As the car slows to a stop, I catch sight of Liam’s grandparents waiting outside their charming brownstone. Their bags are neatly stacked next to his grandfather, and the sight of them standing there, hand in hand, makes my heart swell with warmth. They look adorable, like a picture-perfect representation of enduring love.
“One day, I want to find someone I can grow old with, like them,” I say softly, pointing at his grandparents. The words slip out before I can stop them, and I feel a flush creeping up my neck.
Liam turns to me, his eyes searching mine with an intensity that takes my breath away. For a moment, it feels like he’s about to say something profound, but then Martin opens the car door, breaking the spell.
We step out of the vehicle, and I watch as Liam strides over to his grandmother, enveloping her in a tight hug. The joy on their faces is genuine, and I can’t help but smile at the heartwarming scene. But as I draw closer, I notice the subtle signs of Liam’s sadness and then his grandmother not looking as radiant as she usually does.My heart clenches, knowing how much this might be hurting Liam.
“Congratulations, you two. I saw the engagement picture. You did good, Son.” Liam’s grandfather exclaims, his face splitting into a wide grin as he pulls me into a warm embrace. “We couldn’t be happier for you both.”
