Page 26 of Liam

“We did it,” I breathe.

“We did,” he agrees, his voice husky.

For a moment, we just stare at each other, the air between us charged with something I’m not ready to examine too closely.

Stephanie’s cheerful voice announcing the halfway point of the hunt breaks the spell. As we catch our breath, I realize we’re neck-and-neck with another team. Breathless and flushed with exertion, Liam and I lock eyes. The intensity I see there matches the determination coursing through my veins.

“We’re not losing this,” I say, surprising myself with the vehemence in my voice.

Liam nods, his usual smirk replaced by a look of intense focus that makes my breath catch. “Agreed.”

As we prepare for the second half of the hunt, I’m struck by a realization that’s both thrilling and terrifying. Liam and I make one hell of a team. And I’m not sure how to feel about that at all.

“Ready for the next round, partner?” Liam asks, offering his hand.

“Ready as I’ll ever be. Just don’t slow me down, Valeur,” I reply, but I know he won’t.

He grins, that infuriating, charming grin I’m finding lessinfuriating and more…something else. “Wouldn’t dream of it, Dr. James. Let’s show them what we’re made of.”

Chapter Eight

LIAM

“We’re winning this thing,” I declare, my competitive spirit ignited. “Ready to get uncomfortably close, Dr. James?”

Aleria’s eyes widen, a blush creeping up her neck. “I...um... That is...scientifically speaking, proximity doesn’t correlate with success rates in team-building exercises,” she stammers, her hands fidgeting with the hem of her shirt.

“The next activity is the Three-Legged Race. We need to get close.” I tilt my head toward the course.

“Oh. The course. Of course.” She bites her lower lip.

“What did you think I meant?”

But before either of us can speak, Stephanie’s voice cuts through the tension, calling us to the next challenge.

“Remember, communication is key,” Stephanie chirps, her enthusiasm grating against my frayed nerves.

Aleria snorts, the sound sharp withdisdain. “Great. Because we’re so good at that. Maybe we should communicate in equations, Valeur. It’s the only language you might understand.”

Back to safer ground.

“At least equations have logic,” I retort, jaw clenching. “Unlike certain scientists who can’t seem to grasp basic coordination.”

My left foot lurches forward just as Aleria’s right heel digs into the ground. We collide, shoulders bumping, arms flailing for balance. I stumble backward; she totters to the side. Our joined hands strain as we pull against each other, like two processes competing for the same resource. The crowd’s cheers fade to confused murmurs.

Aleria’s face flushes red. We lock eyes, a silent battle of wills, before attempting to realign our movements.

This is a disaster.

“Left, right, left—no, my left!” I growl.

“You know your left from your right, don’t you, Mr. CEO?” Aleria retorts, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “Or do you have people to do your directional thinking for you, too? Perhaps we should call your assistant to guide us through this complex task of walking.”

“At least I’m not the one with two left feet,” I snap back, my patience wearing thin. “Scientists are supposed to be precise. Or does your scientific method not apply to anything outside the lab?”

“Oh, I excel at precision,” she shoots back, her eyes narrowing with a daring glint. “I could precisely calculate the force needed to knock that smug grin right off your face. Want me to show you?”

Our bickering reaches a crescendo as we round a corner,our voices rising above the encouraging cheers of our colleagues.