Page 68 of Liam
“Yeah,” I whisper, more to myself than to Mia. “Definitely worth it.”
Later, in the lab, I peer through the microscope, adjusting the focus.
“How’s the research coming along, Dr. James?” Liam’s voice is smooth, cutting through the quiet hum of the lab.
I glance over my shoulder, careful not to overreact. His presence fills the room before he even steps into it, histailored suit a striking contrast to the sterile environment around us. My eyes flick to the way the fabric hugs his broad shoulders before I rein myself in.
“Progressing well, Mr. Valeur,” I reply, turning to face him.
A flash of movement catches my eye, and the new lab tech approaches with a slow, deliberate sway in her step. She’s holding a tablet to her chest, pushing up her cleavage just enough to be obvious.
“Mr. Valeur,” she purrs, her hand finding its way to Liam’s arm. “I have those numbers you requested.” She bats her eyelashes at Liam like it’s an Olympic sport. “You know, I’m new here. Perhaps you could show me around?”
Liam, to his credit, looks annoyed.
“Actually,” I say, a smile playing at my lips, “I’d love to assist. I can walk you through the data and give you a thorough tour of our lab’s latest updates. The centrifuges, for example, are fascinating.”
Her smile falters, but she doesn’t protest. I catch Liam’s gaze, and he’s smirking. As I lead the blonde away, his eyes follow me. When she isn’t looking, I shoot him a subtle glance and the hint of a smirk, more defiant than playful.
After assigning the new tech a quick task, I return to my workstation and resume my seat. Liam’s fingers graze mine, his touch deliberate, lingering. He leans in, pretending to examine the nearest readout, but his lips brush my ear, his voice low and hot.
“Jealousy suits you, Dr. James,” he murmurs, his tone dripping with suggestion. “Almost as well as my fingers between your legs.”
Heat floods through me at his words, memories of our lastencounter flashing in my mind. My pulse races, but I keep my composure, forcing a bright smile as the blonde turns with an arched brow.
“Done already? This way,” I say, guiding her past. “You’ll want to see our new spectrometer. Its resolution is astonishing.”
I add a slight sway to my hips, my steps measured, teasing. He wants to play? Two can play this game.
The tour stretches on, my explanations growing more elaborate as the blonde’s attention wanes. By the time we circle back to the main lab, her glazed expression makes it clear she’s more than ready to escape.
“And that concludes our tour,” I say, suppressing a grin. “Any further questions?”
She mumbles something incoherent about an experiment and excuses herself, practically fleeing from the room.
“Well played,” Liam’s voice comes from behind me, amusement thick in his tone. I turn to find him standing closer than I’d expected, his body inches from mine, the space between us charged. “I enjoyed your enthusiasm for the autoclave’s sterilization cycle.”
“I believe in being thorough, Mr. Valeur.”
His eyes darken, the playful glint giving way to something deeper. “Is that so?” he murmurs, leaning in just enough that his breath tickles my neck. “I look forward to experiencing that...thoroughness...firsthand.”
For a moment, I forget where we are, forget the lab techs and the sterile environment. It’s just him, his lips inches from mine, the heat between us undeniable.
A voice from across the lab breaks the spell, pulling usboth back to reality. We step apart, the moment disrupted but far from forgotten.
“I should get back to work,” I say, my voice softer, still carrying the breathlessness of our unspoken connection.
“Of course.” His professional mask slips back into place, but as he turns to leave, his hand grazes mine one last time—a silent promise, a reminder.
I watch him go, my heart pounding. This secret game, this dance between us, is a dangerous thrill—one I’m not sure I want to stop.
We’re gathered around the table, the team focused on our latest development for ASTRA. The models for the miniaturized light source are up on the screen, and I’m supposed to be leading the discussion, but my mind is a mess of distractions. Not least of which is the fact that Liam walked in minutes ago and is leaning against the back wall, arms crossed, eyes fixed on me.
“So, we need to push harder to penetrate the market,” I say, gesturing to the data chart. Then the double meaning hits me, and heat rushes to my face. “I mean, we need to force our way to the forefront of innovation.”
I cringe. Seriously? I try to recover, shuffling papers in front of me like they might shield me from my own words. “Just, you know, advance the science.”
There’s a pause, and a few of the lab techs exchange confused glances. Heat creeps up my neck.
