Page 26 of Collided (Dirty Air 2)

Sophie

It’s been a few days since Liam’s win in Russia, which means my time for avoiding our date is over. Unfortunately for him, I change his original plan into a double date by inviting Maya and Jax. Some call it cowardice, but I prefer cleverness. Poor Liam doesn’t know me well enough to anticipate my usual tricks, but he should’ve been more specific about the logistics of his bet.

After I begged Maya to join me on a double date, I decided to repay the favor by taking her out to lunch and telling her about my Fuck It list. My secret lasted a total of one month between Shanghai and Barcelona. Damn Liam and his performance in Sochi, pushing me to reveal my plan because I needed to convince Maya to come with me.

“Who would’ve thought Sweet Sophie made a naughty list.” She smiles behind her water glass.

“Screw being sweet. I want to be called sexy and seductive.”

She laughs as she shakes her head. “Okay, naughty Sophie. Just to be clear, this is one date, right? And you won’t ditch me in the end? I need to make sure you won’t run off with Liam into the night.”

“Of course not, don’t be ridiculous. I’ll even take you out tomorrow for brunch as a thank you. Think of all the sangria I can supply you with—all that bottomless, sugary goodness can count as your daily serving of fruit.”

“I’ll never say no to brunch. But seriously, do you even think Liam’s cute?” She tilts her head at me.

“Of course, I do. Hence the problem! Liam is funny, charismatic, handsome, and his usual philosophy aligns with everything I crave.”

“So how is he not a good fit to help you with your list?”

“To start, he drives for the enemy, and I think I’d die of embarrassment seeing him all the time after doing half my items. Imagine me running into him and blurting out: ‘Hi, Liam, remember the time you tied me up in bed and made me come? Good times, right?’”

Maya smiles. “You can always ask him about the weather.”

“‘Feels pretty cold outside today, kind of like the time you licked my body with an ice cube!’”

Maya lets out a laugh that gains the attention of other restaurant goers. “You need to work on your small talk. But jokes aside, I’m curious about what your dad will say about this double date then?”

I wave her off. “He’s not going to find out. He’s old and goes to sleep by 8 p.m. anyway.”

Maya bringing up my dad reminds me of his expectations, shrouding me with guilt and mistrustfulness. His rules sound like a sad sort of three commandments holding me hostage from getting intimate with someone like Liam. I don’t want to disappoint my dad, especially when he does so much for me.

We visit different shops in Barcelona to purchase a new outfit. I may not want to go on this date, but it doesn’t mean I can’t look the part.

“Really, I don’t know why you can’t go out by yourselves. It’s one date and you’re both adults.” Maya exits her dressing room, showing off a sexy red dress.

Innocent Maya. Unaware of Liam’s seductive nature.

I toy with the satin dress in front of me. “You know what happens when you go on one date? It ends with two dates, and then three, and next thing I know, TMZ is featuring an ugly picture of me leaving a hotel claiming I’m pregnant with Liam’s love child.”

Watching him last week as he stood on the Sochi podium solidified how I need help because a moment of weakness hit me. I couldn’t take my eyes off him, all smiles and sexiness, teaching me how temptation and self-doubt pairs nicely with a race suit and fuck-me smile.

Her eyes dance with humor. “Ay, dios mío. You’ve really thought this out?”

“Duh. Have you seen Liam? His looks alone could get me pregnant.”

Maya throws her head back and lets out a melodic laugh. “You know, there’s a first time for everything. That’s one hell of a conception story that your dad might believe.”

I give her a pointed look. “No thank you. Let’s go on this one date and call it quits before anything begins.”

“Mm, sounds like you’re worried about wanting to do more with him than only one date.”

“You’re underestimating the power of a strong-willed woman with enough restraint to challenge a chastity belt.”

We wrap up shopping and head back to our respective hotel rooms, needing time to get ready for the night.

Sadly, a few hours later, my self-control is nearly thrown out the window when Liam and Jax pick us up from Bandini’s hotel.

Liam strolls up to me, his expensive leather shoes clicking against the lobby tile. His muscular legs strain against the material of his tailored pants. My eyes land on his golden arms, accentuated by the rolled-up sleeves of his button-down shirt. He shoots me a wink when my eyes meet his. They’re the same blue as the sky on the brightest day of the year, shining as he assesses me from head to toe.