Page 55 of An Inevitable Marriage

Why was he always working his body harder than most people? Was it just to keep in shape, or was it possible that demons really were chasing him?

A fire stirred inside my belly. I wanted—no, needed—to find out.

Desperately.

But what good would that do?

Licking my lips, I kept my gaze on him for a few more seconds before finally making my way to the kitchen.

But I couldn’t shake the feeling he was running from something. I drove myself mad trying to figure out what it could be while I sliced an apple and made my tea. By the time I was done, I finally had to concede that whatever it was, was none of my business.

“Oh well.” I sighed.

Teacup and plate in hand, I spun around. And screamed. Like a freaking banshee. Liam stood in the doorway, all broody and sweaty, watching me with an amused expression.

His eyebrow slowly rose, and that minuscule action wreaked havoc on my nervous system and limbs.

My legs wobbled, and my stupid fingers forgot how to hold on to things. The cup and plate tumbled from my hands, hitting the floor simultaneously. The glass shattered with an earsplitting crunch.

Apple slices slid across the tiles while the hot tea splashed and pooled around my feet. I should’ve been happy I was wearing shoes, but these were my favorite heels, and now they were likely ruined.

Suede and tea didn’t make for a good match.

I had another two seconds to silently mourn the loss of my stilettos before my brain switched gears. The kitchen floor was a mess, and it was totally my fault.

“Oh my gosh,” I muttered as I dropped to my knees. “What a freaking disaster.” Shaking my head, I tried to gather the scattered fragments of glass. I’d collected four pieces and was going to grab the fifth when strong hands gripped me under my arms and yanked me up.

Another yelp left my throat, and then a louder and more pitched one when I realized what was happening.

Liam had picked me up, and I was moments away from smashing into his big, hard body. I didn’t want that. Nope. No, thank you.

In desperate need to get out of his space, I took a huge step backward. But since the tiles were slippery and my balance not the best, I ended up sliding around on the wet floor like a baby animal taking their first step.

Felt like one, too.

Arms flailing, legs wobbling, I knew it was just a matter of time before I went down, hard. I’d prepared myself for it, too.

Only, my butt never hit the floor.

Liam was right there. Banding a thick arm around my waist, he pulled my body flush against his. My hands instinctively slipped over his shoulders, fingers digging into his skin to keep myself from falling.

“I’ve got you,” he murmured.

And boy, did he ever. With every part of me pressed up against him, there wasn’t even an inch separating us. He was wet and warm. So was I. It was ridiculous and embarrassing. He’d barely touched me, and my lady bits were awake and ready for action.

“You can let go now.” Shit, I even sounded breathless.

Liam’s blue eyes collided with mine, sending the butterflies in my stomach into a frenzy. “Not a chance.”

I tried to swallow, but my mouth and throat had suddenly gone dryer than a freaking desert. In stark contrast with the damn waterfall below the waist. Made ten times worse when I could feel his palm and splayed fingers burning my skin through three layers of fabric.

And when his gaze slowly roamed over my face like he was trying to commit my features to memory, I knew I had to get away.

Pressing my hands against the front of his shoulder, I tried to wiggle out of his embrace. Well, that’d been the idea, but all I ended up doing was rubbing my breasts against Liam’s bare chest. And since my hormones were totally out of control, that little bit of friction hardened my nipples.

I was completely mortified.

Even more so when Liam let out a low grumble and tightened his hold around my waist, attempting to stop my movements. Well, I had news for him. If he didn’t like me rubbing up against him, he had to take the damn hint and let me go.