Page 34 of Falling for the Wrong Billionaire

"You wish what?"

I force a laugh and shake my head. "Nothing. Just… I wish I could stay here forever. If I was permitted."

The way he’s looking at me now makes it hard to breathe.

"You are," he says quietly. "You can. Everyone already sees you as family, Lucy."

I smile weakly and glance down at Pip, who’s now trying to burrow into my sweater.

But I can’t tell him what I really mean. That in less than two months, I’ll be gone.

I change the subject instead, nudging his knee with mine. "You’re getting sentimental, West."

He grins. "Don’t tell anyone. I’ve got a reputation to maintain."

I laugh, and he laughs, and just like that the air between us shifts. Lighter.

I scramble to my feet and grab Pip, holding him high. "Come on, West. Bet you can’t catch me."

He arches a brow, but before he can answer I take off, laughing, weaving between the trees.

And then he’s chasing me.

His footsteps thunder behind me, closer, closer until I feel his hands at my waist.

He tackles me down onto the grass, and we roll, breathless and laughing.

Pip and Nibbs dart around us in circles, chittering indignantly.

When we stop rolling, I’m flat on my back, Liam leaning over me, his hands braced on either side of my head.

We’re both breathing hard.

And then I realize how close he is.

His chest pressed to mine. His breath warm against my cheek.

I stop laughing.

So does he.

The air thickens around us, charged. His gaze drops to my lips. My hands grip his shoulders before I even realize it.

I want to tell him to kiss me.

But before either of us can move, Pip barrels into my side, squeaking furiously.

We spring apart instantly.

I laugh nervously and scoop Pip into my lap. "Guess he doesn’t approve," I say, my voice too bright.

Liam doesn’t answer right away. He just keeps watching me. And his gaze… it’s enough to undo me.

Later, we wander toward the cliffs.

The ocean stretches out before us, endless and calm, the sunset spilling gold and pink across the horizon.

We stand side by side, hands brushing occasionally. Every time his fingers graze mine, something sharp and sweet twists inside me.