Page 24 of Liam
“Careful,” I warn, fighting a smile. “That almost sounded like a compliment.”
He winks, sending an unexpected flutter through my stomach. “Don’t let it go to your head. We’ve still got a competition to win.”
It’s unsettling how well we work together when we’re not at each other’s throats.
But our moment of victory is short-lived as Stephanie approaches. “Excellent work! Now for your next challenge.”
She produces a pair of handcuffs, and my stomach does a somersault.
“You’ll need to navigate the rope maze while bound together,” she explains. “Remember, communication is key.”
As Stephanie locks our wrists together, I become aware of Liam’s presence and how warm his hand is against mine.
“Well, Dr. James,” Liam murmurs, his breath tickling my ear, “looks like we’re stuck with each other. Try not to swoon at my proximity.”
I roll my eyes. “Please, Valeur. I’m more likely to have an allergic reaction. Is that your cologne, or did you bathe in a vat of overpriced pretension this morning?”
He chuckles, the vibration traveling through our connected hands. “It’s called ‘Eau de Success.’ I’m surprised you can’t recognize it, given how often I wear it around the office.”
“Ah, so that’s the scent of inflated ego. Noted.”
“Ready?” Liam asks, his voice low and close.
I nod.
We step into the maze, our movements as graceful as a newborn giraffe on roller skates. I stumble, my back pressing against Liam's chest as we squeeze through a narrow gap. His breath is warm on my neck, sending an unwelcome shiver down my spine.
“You know,” he murmurs, his lips far too close to my ear, “for someone who claims to despise me, you seem awfully eager to get close.”
“Don’t flatter yourself,” I retort, trying to regain some distance. “This is pure physics. Mass and momentum. Nothing personal.”
“Is that what we’re calling it?” His low chuckle vibrates through me. “And here I thought I was having a positive influence on you.”
“If by positive influence you mean raising my blood pressure, then congratulations,” I say, wincing as the handcuffs pull us closer together. “I'm trying to tolerate you. Like bacteria developing resistance to an irritant.”
“Ah, so I’m a catalyst for your personal growth? How generous of me,” Liam quips, his voice laced with amusement. The handcuffs clink as he shifts, pulling my arm with his.
“More like an invasive species that I’m developing antibodies against,” I shoot back, trying to ignore the warmth radiating from his body.
Liam’s chuckle vibrates through me. “I prefer to think of myself as a rare, exotic specimen you can’t help but be fascinated by. And now you’re literally attached to me.”
“The only thing rare about you is your ability to fit your ego through doorways,” I retort, tugging at the handcuffs in a futile attempt to put some space between us.
“And yet, here you are,” Liam points out, his eyes twinkling. “One might think you enjoy our little bond.”
I spin to face him, nearly losing my balance. Our joined hands instinctively rise, Liam’s steadying me while pulling me closer. I try to ignore the jolt of electricity at his touch. “The only thing I enjoy is the opportunity to deflate your oversized sense of self-importance, Valeur.”
“Keep telling yourself that, Dr. James,” Liam says with a smirk. “Your denials are almost as entertaining as your attempts to hide how much you’re enjoying this.”
I glare at him, acutely aware of how little space there is between us. “Trust me, the moment these cuffs come off, I’ll be putting as much distance between us as physically possible.”
“Until then,” Liam says, raising our joined hands, “duck,” he murmurs, his free hand guiding my head down. His touch lingers, and my cheeks flush.
As we weave through the ropes, our bodies fall into anatural rhythm. It’s like a dance, our movements synchronized, communicating more through subtle shifts and touches than words.
My foot catches on a low-hanging rope. I stumble, a small gasp escaping my lips. But before I can fall, Liam’s arm wraps around my waist, steadying me.
“I’ve got you,” he says, his voice husky. Our faces are inches apart, and for a moment, the world narrows to just us.
