Page 110 of Begin Again, Part 1

A myriad of emotions danced across Eden's face as she opened her mouth to speak. But whatever she was going to tell him died instantly with a quick shake of her head.

Liam stifled his frustration when he sensed her withdraw from him and retreat into her shell again.

"Eden," he said softly, trying his best not to lose his temper. "You can't keep doing this. You can't keep shutting me out. Work with me here!"

"I'm not doing anything, sir," she said. "And if this is your apology, you'll have to work harder at it."

"I'm willing to do anything—" he said, but she held up her hand, interrupting his pleas again.

She wasn't done talking. "I get that you hate me, but my feelings for you are equally the same, if not worse. But you can't keep toying with me—"

"Excuse me?" Liam whipped up his head, cold fury burning in his veins. Did she just admit she hated him? Now, why would she hate him? What right did she have to hate him? Did he leave her broken and half the woman she was after that night?

Eden carried on, her voice shaky and her gorgeous eyes sparking with fury she was struggling to control. "Also, I don't think your wife would appreciate you fondling me!"

"Fondling you?" Liam lost his shit, all thoughts of using this golden opportunity to his advantage forgotten. "Are you out of your mind? And why the hell do you keep mentioning my wife?"

"Because one of us has to remember you're married!" Eden yelled back, and he laughed, but there was no joy in his heart.

"When did I say I have a wife?" he demanded, stepping closer to her again. "Who said I'm married? And is that why you've suddenly decided to push me away?"

"I saw you with her two years ago when I came to find you," Eden said sadly. "You looked so happy with her."

"You came to find me? When?" Liam forgot his anger and zoned in on her words. She came to find him. To see him. She'd looked for him. She never left without a backward glance. This revelation changed everything.

"It doesn't matter now," Eden said stubbornly. "Fact of the matter is you're married, and you should behave yourself, especially when your kids are in this building. I don't think they'd like knowing their father has a roving eye, never mind how small they are."

Now I have kids? Liam thought. What drugs was she on? Was she drunk?

He moved closer to sniff her breath, but he only caught her light floral scent and cherry lip balm.

"I don't have any kids," Liam said. "And I'm certainly not married. So whatever you think of me, I'm none of that. Once I commit to someone, you can rest assured, Ms McBride, they will be my world, and my life will revolve around them."

"But you were engaged to Laura when we met. I saw the photos. And you said you were celebrating your last night of freedom when we met. And you knew so much about the daycare centre. On orientation day, you kept going on about it—"

"So, because I know so much about the daycare centre, that automatically means I have kids?" Liam was gobsmacked at how she'd even arrived at that conclusion. "I know so much about it because this is my company. I have to know what's going on. I make monthly visits to all the different areas. Laura was never my fiancée."

"But the newspapers said—"

"I know damn well what the newspapers say, Eden," Liam roared, irritated that he had to discuss his ex with her. "The newspapers call me the Three Months Prince and Rock Castle's Billionaire Playboy, and I'm engaged to some lingerie model or actress every second month. You can't tell me you believe all the crap they write about me!"

"But you said...You told me..." Eden whispered as utter confusion flitted on her face.

"Come with me!" He grabbed her hand and dragged her out of his office and into the private elevator when she refused to follow him.

"Where are we going?" Eden asked shrilly, but Liam remained silent and stared straight ahead as the elevator purred to the ground floor. He held her hand firmly as he led her to the waiting car.

"You can't just take me with you; I have work to do!" she screeched beside him, but he paid her no mind.

"Don't worry, Princess, you're with the boss. You won't get in trouble," he smirked.

They were at his childhood home in Glen Eagles in fifteen minutes.

Sitting around the fireplace and enjoying their mid-morning snack, his parents were surprised to see him when he walked into the parlour with Eden in tow.

"Sit!" He glowered at her, pointing at the loveseat in front of the French windows overlooking the back garden. Eden hesitated ever so briefly before she took a seat.

"Mom, Dad," Liam began. "You both remember Eden, my new assistant. She has a few questions for you."

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