Page 20 of Recklessly You
Liam sits with a couple and an older woman who must be his mother. They’re having dinner, and I don’t know how long he’s been sitting there. I return my gaze to Chad. He hands the waiter his card.
“Oh, I can cover my part,” I offer, not wanting to feel like a freeloader.
Chad reaches for my hand and places a kiss on my knuckles. “Absolutely not. I would never let you pay.”
“Thank you for dinner. I’m having a great time,” I say honestly.
“The night is not over, beautiful. We need to head to the rooftop to bring in the new year.” He winks as he stands and reaches for my hand.
I take it and feel Liam’s stare burning right through me. Why the hell does he care? I’m not doing anything dangerous. I met a man at my job, and now I am on a date with him. Countless other humans do the same every day. Either he’s entirely unreasonable or…worry is not his reason for overreacting at all. Jealousy is. No. No, he made his motivations very clear—he worries for my safety because I’m Mila’s friend. He’s just an unreasonable dickhead.
Besides, Casanova only has one-night stands, and he wouldn’t be interested in me. Chad holds my hand as we walk out of the restaurant and take the escalator to the rooftop.
I shiver as we walk into the cool night air. Damn, it’s cold. Not as cold as New York. But cold enough to make me want to go home and cuddle on the couch with a comfy blanket and some hot cocoa. My coat is not heavy enough.
We shuffle over to a small table by one of the outdoor heaters placed around the space. As we sit, it engulfs us in warmth. Chad shifts in his seat, edging closer and closer to me with each passing moment. A waiter interrupts our conversation with a tray lifted high in the air, offering glasses of champagne, Sangria, or golden-hued bourbon. I study Chad out of the corner of my eye. His thick sandy-brown hair, square jaw, and hazel eyes make me wonder why he’s single, why he lacks experience in the dating game.
As straightforward as I am, I blurt it out. “Why are you single? You’re smart, handsome, funny, and successful.”
He grabs the bourbon off the tray and takes an extended nip of it. “I had a long-time girlfriend. We dated for five years. She cheated on me two years ago. Since then, I haven’t really dated or been in a relationship.” He stays quiet for a hot minute. After another sip, he places his drink gently on the smooth glass table. He turns to look at me.
“I realized she wasn’t the one. We had just been going through the motions since we had been together so long. I think we just felt forced. It hurt me when I found out, and it took me time to see it was for the best. We both loved each other at some point, but we fell out of love. I didn’t even realize it until she left. She’s married now and has a kid. She looks happy—the happiest I’ve ever seen her.” He shrugs it off.
I wonder if that’s how things were with Eric and me—going through the motions. Although he wants me back, or so he thinks.
“I’m sorry you went through that,” I murmur.
He chuckles. “It is what it is. You want to dance?” He smiles boyishly.
Crimson Flowers, the live band, starts playing something vaguely pop and country at the same time. A swarm of people start dancing in front of the stage. Chad clasps his arms around my waist as we dance, undoubtedly influenced by the alcohol. We’re not good, and we giggle at ourselves, having fun anyway. As we move together, he twirls me around, and our heads accidentally collide.
“Oh, shit, sorry.”
I rub my forehead. “I’m okay. I think it’s the alcohol and all the twirling. I’m fine.”
We walk back to our seats. He licks his lips hungrily and lifts my chin, skimming his soft lips over mine. A chilly breeze passes between us as I long for warmth. It’s too damn cold. I wrap my arms around his neck, letting him pull me into his heat. He kisses me, slow and steady. Our tongues tangle. It’s sweet and warm.
I pull away as he kisses my cheek and whispers in my ear, “That was nice.”
It was lovely. However, just like with Ryder, I felt nothing. It was dry.
“Yes, it was. I’m going to run to the restroom.”
“Okay, beautiful. I’ll be waiting.” He kisses my cheek.
I turn on my heels and head down a long hall toward the restroom.
After using the restroom, I reapply more lipstick. The door swings open. I pay no attention. Then I hear a clearing of a throat—a man’s deep voice. I straighten up, pressing my back against the tile wall.
Liam’s steel gray eyes blaze fiercely, his arms rigidly folded across his torso. He stands like a statue. His hard muscles flex beneath the fabric of his clothes. His jaw is clenching, his eyes are narrow, and he looks like something out of a Greek myth. Liam’s dark hair is meticulously combed over, and he is impeccably dressed in a perfectly tight black leather jacket, a fitted button-down shirt, and a pair of dark jeans.
My eyes roam slowly over every inch of him, shamelessly drinking in the sight before me. The heat between my legs becomes unbearable. After a few drinks, I’ve lost control over myself. It’s like a force from within me is telling me what to do. I lick my lips. He stalks toward me with a glare that could cut through glass. He leans in with the palms of his hands above my head. His demeanor is powerful and intimate. My heart pounds rapidly. The heat of his minty breath intoxicates me. The masculine scent of his cologne sends me into a whirlwind of arousal that spikes throughout my body.
“I thought I told you not to go on dates,” he growls. He’s breathing heavily, his nostrils flaring.
I cluck my tongue in irritation. My eyes burn fury-hot. Who does he think he is to tell me who not to date?
“And I thought I told you to mind your own damn business. You don’t need to be concerned about my safety. I can care for myself, Casanova. If you’ll excuse me, I’d like to get back to my date,” I bite out. I’m trying to maneuver my way out, but he’s a solid brick wall of muscle.
