Page 83 of Collided (Dirty Air 2)

With everything in me, I resist escaping the room. At least they keep my name out of the question because my dad would murder me before sending my body bag on a flight back to Milan.

“It’s not polite to bring up people’s exes, so no comment. I would’ve hoped your mom had taught you better than that.”

“How do reporters get these inside stories?” I whisper to Maya.

She lifts her shoulders. “No idea. I mean there’s nothing wrong with dating someone here, but I’m guessing for him it’s not a good look.”

I swallow back my nerves. The reporter smooths over his comb-over before fidgeting with his mic. A few reporters around him shake their heads, trying to discourage him.

“I’m wondering if McCoy’s worried you have an opposing team insider warming your bed.”

Earth, I wouldn’t mind falling into a sinkhole.I fidget with a loose thread on my shorts, tugging on the strings to hide my shaking fingers.

“I don’t need to sleep with someone to do my job well or negotiate a contract. I’m done commenting on these types of questions so leave my personal life out of this.” Liam’s eyes find mine once I glance up. I don’t think he likes what he sees based on how his frown deepens.

I stick it out for the rest of the conference because I don’t need to show my embarrassment or guilt. Liam and I aren’t serious, so it’ll all disappear after the season’s over and he finds someone else.

The idea eats away at me as I head to my favorite spot. Liam finds me soon after the conference, knowing my preference for the F1 Corp’s deck spot.

“I’m sorry. Thank fuck they didn’t say your name.” He tucks a stray curl of my hair behind my ear, a sweet gesture I’ve come to love.

Like. Come to like.

“It’s okay. That’s probably the most action that reporter’s gotten all year.” I scrunch my nose.

Liam lets out a rare nervous laugh. “Right. But seriously, you’re okay with this?”

“Sure. But we need to be more careful because my dad is already annoyed with me. Eventually you’ll get a new contract and I’ll go home, and everyone will move on to other stories once the season ends. There’ll be no more warming beds for this insider.”

He fails to grin, lacking any humor in his eyes, giving me absolutely nothing to go on. I don’t want to overthink anything about us because it usually gets me into some sort of trouble. But could Liam want more too? I can’t decide between optimism and skepticism.

Hopefulness is like smoke, dissipating at a moment’s notice. No matter how hard I clutch onto the idea of Liam and me, there’ll always be someone waiting in the shadows, biding their time before ripping away my faith.

I accepted heartbreak the moment Liam threw me on his bed, grinning at me like I was part of his world. Stupid me for adding an invisible item when I handed over my list to Liam.

Get my heart broken.

* * *

My heart thumps along with my knuckles as I knock on Liam’s hotel room door. He opens up in nothing more than a white towel around his waist with water dripping down the ridges of his abs, tempting my tongue to lick the droplets.

Liam smirks at me as he opens the door wider, giving me room to enter. He grabs the list from a nearby table before I have a chance to make myself at home.

“I’ve been thinking about this all day.” He drags me toward the bedroom, anticipation eating away my nervousness.

My chest feels tight and hot. “I wonder if you’re worth the millions they pay you. If only fans knew how much you daydream.”

“At least I get to turn my dreams into a reality.” He shoots me a dazzling smile before he disappears into his walk-in closet.

“Well. Shit.” Yup. At least I got two words out.

Liam comes out of the closet carrying a tie. I walk up to him. He starts to protest, but I brush my index fingers against his mouth.

“Nope. I get to call the shots now.” I take my confidence and run with it.

His eyes expand a fraction before his lips tug into a smile and he throws the tie onto the bed. My hands explore the stiff muscles on his stomach, his skin feeling smooth and warm beneath my palms. Liam’s chest tremors at my touch. I smile, enjoying the reactions I pull from him.

My hands work to undo his towel, the damp material falling to the carpet with a thud. Liam’s dick springs free, tempting me as I run my hand across the smooth flesh. I lick my lips as I lower myself to the ground. The sound of Liam’s ragged breathing sends a rush of excitement through me, feeding my courage. He brings out a seductress in me I fail to recognize.