Page 70 of An Inevitable Marriage

“Even I know when it’s time to stop poking the bear. Goodnight, Evie.”

Chewing my cheek, I tried to hide my laugh. “Goodnight.”

It was Rafe’s turn next. He completely ignored the sounds coming from his friend and pulled me to my feet, straight into a hug.

I was stunned for about two seconds before I came to my senses and hugged him back.

“I was right. You’re exactly what he needs.”

I couldn’t ask him what he’d meant. Liam gripped him by the shoulder and yanked him away from me.

Rafe only laughed. And with one last wave, the three men headed for the front door.

I, on the other hand, stood frozen in place. What was I supposed to do? Go to my room? Wait for Liam and say goodnight?

I had no freaking clue.

Things between us had shifted. I just wasn’t sure in which direction.

That uncertainty led me to the kitchen to clean. Covering the leftovers and loading the dishwasher was far safer than unpacking the mixed emotions swirling inside me.

I’d just started rinsing the plates when the hair at the back of my neck stood on end. Chills danced up and down my spine, and my skin prickled.

Liam.

I couldn’t see him, but I knew he was there. Watching me.

My breath caught in my throat. I was torn. One part wanted to turn around, and the other wanted to ignore him until he left.

I didn’t turn around.

And Liam? Well, he didn’t leave like I’d hoped.

Instead, he crossed the room, those long legs eating up the distance between us in a few easy strides. He stopped right next to me, causing every cell inside my body to go haywire.

My feet burned with a fierce desire to get away from this man. While my hands itched with desperation to touch him.

I’d never felt like this before.

Wreaking more havoc on my system, Liam stepped even closer. Close enough for the heat of his body to seep into my pores. Then, just when I thought my heart couldn’t possibly beat any faster or louder, Liam invaded my space and snatched the plate from my hand.

“I’ll do that.”

His fingers brushed against mine. A simple touch. He didn’t even linger. But he might as well have held live wires in his hands. Electricity zipped and zapped up my arm, goosebumps pebbling my skin.

Dragging my palm over the little bumps, I nibbled on my lip. “I don’t mind.”

Liam immediately shook his head and left the plate in the sink so he could roll up his sleeves. Such a small thing to do, and yet my eyes were glued to those long fingers as he folded the fabric just below his elbows.

I shouldn’t have found it so sensual, so sinful. And yet, I couldn’t deny the low tug in my belly or the tingles between my thighs.

I needed help. Serious help. Because who the hell got turned on by a man rolling up his sleeves?

Unaware of the craziness happening inside my body, Liam turned and leaned his hip against the sink. “Did you have a good time tonight?”

“I did.”

The words came easily because they were the truth. The evening had been filled with laughter and conversation, and for the first time in I didn’t even know how long, I’d genuinely enjoyed myself.