Page 10 of Liam (The Valeur Billionaires #4)

Chapter Six

ALERIA

T he silk of my cocktail dress whispers against my skin as I smooth it down for the hundredth time. The ballroom of the Elysian Grand looms before me, a glittering monument to wealth and refinement that makes me feel like a hydrogen atom in a sea of noble gases.

Priceless Asian artifacts adorn every surface, their delicate beauty a stark contrast to the sterile lab equipment I’m used to. I gulp, my hand clutching my raffle-won ticket like a lifeline.

“Well, if it isn’t Dr. James. I didn’t realize you’re a Go player.”

That voice sends an involuntary shiver down my spine, a reaction I instantly resent. I whirl around, my elbow almost catching a display of origami cranes.

Liam Valeur.

The tuxedo hugs his broad shoulders, the crisp white of his shirt a stark contrast to the healthy tan of his skin. His blue eyes dance with amusement, crinkling at the corners in a way that softens his sharp features. That damnable smirk plays on lips that have no business being that perfect.

A faint whiff of his cologne reaches me—something woodsy and expensive—and I hate how much I want to lean in and breathe deeper.

“Cat got your tongue, Dr. James?” he asks, his voice a low rumble I feel more than hear.

I swallow hard, cursing the heat rising to my cheeks. “I’m just surprised to see you here,” I manage, hating how breathy I sound. “Shouldn’t you be at a corporate takeover or crushing the dreams of small businesses?”

Liam’s eyebrow arches, a perfect parabola of amusement. His gaze sweeps over me, lingering in a way that makes my skin prickle with awareness. “When I’m not crushing dreams, I’m a Go enthusiast. But I must say, Dr. James, you clean up rather nicely. That dress, it suits you.”

His unexpected compliment catches me off guard. The room feels warmer, and I resist the urge to fan myself. “I... Thank you,” I stammer, thrown off balance. “You don’t look terrible yourself.”

A slow smile spreads across Liam’s face, causing my heart to perform a series of arrhythmic beats.

“High praise indeed.” He chuckles. “Tell me, how did you secure an invitation to this event? I wasn’t aware the scientific community had such a vested interest in ancient board games.”

I straighten my spine, trying to regain my composure. “For your information, I won my entry through a university raffle. I’m a member of their Go club. Some of us don’t need to buy our way into everything.”

“Ah, the luck of the draw,” Liam muses, his voice low and rich. He leans in slightly, and I catch another whiff of his intoxicating cologne. “Just remember, luck can only take you so far. I’m eager to see how it stacks up against skill on the Go board tonight.”

“Get ready to eat your words, Mr. CEO,” I fire back, fighting the urge to lean closer. “I’m about to give you a masterclass.”

A gong sounds, signaling the start of the pre-tournament reception.

Liam offers his arm with exaggerated gallantry. “Shall we, Dr. James? I’d hate for you to get lost.”

Gritting my teeth, I place my hand on his arm, ignoring the warmth that seeps through his jacket. “Lead the way, Mr. Valeur. I’m sure you’re an expert at navigating shark-infested waters.”

Liam navigates the room with the grace of a ballroom dancer, each handshake and smile a perfectly choreographed move.

His laughter rings out, genuine and warm, drawing people into his orbit like moths to a flame.

Business cards appear and disappear from his hands as if by magic, slipping into pockets with practiced ease.

I hover at the edges of conversations, a forced smile plastered on my face. My fingers fidget with the stem of my champagne flute, twirling it as I struggle to find an opening in the polite chatter around me.

I glance at Liam .

My pencil skitters across the page as I wrestle with the complex equations of calculus. Liam leans back in his chair, dark hair tousled and eyes bright with mischief.

“Why are you staring at it like it’s going to bite you?” He flashes that infuriating grin, the one that sends my heart racing.

“Because it’s pretending to be harder than it is. It’s trying to mess with my head,” I huff, rolling my eyes.

He leans forward, elbows on the table, gaze gleaming. “You know, math is like a puzzle. You just have to find the right piece.” He nudges my shoulder. “And I think I can help you with that.”

The warmth of his touch ignites a fluttering sensation deep within. Is he still talking about math? I glance down, pretending to be engrossed in my notes. But the butterflies take flight, and a whisper of caution echoes in my mind. Be careful. Heartbreaker.

“Okay, Mr. Expert,” I reply, forcing a light tone. “Let’s see what you’ve got.”

As he explains the problems, the tension shifts between us. It’s no longer just about studying; an electric energy crackles in the air. Our eyes meet, and he holds my gaze a moment longer than necessary.

“Got it?” he asks with a teasing lilt in his voice, leaning closer, our arms brushing.

“Yeah, I think so. Thanks to you.” My pulse quickens.

His laughter rings in the air, rich and inviting. “Just wait until the next exam. You’ll be begging me to help you again.”

The warmth in his gaze wraps around me, holding me captive. My mind races with thoughts of losing myself in him, of falling headfirst into the deep end, and the warning bells chime again. Heartbreaker.

Yet, as he smiles, a flicker of hope dances within. Maybe, just maybe, this could be something real.

“Aleria?”

The sound of my name jolts me back to the present. I shake my head, dispelling the bittersweet memory.

“So, what do you do?” a silver-haired man asks, his eyes glazing over as I launch into an explanation of my research.

“Well, I’m working on a specialized light source that will emit precise wavelengths that interact with specific biomarkers. It’s fascinating how you can target different types of tissues.”

He nods, eyes already scanning the room for an escape. I trail off, taking a large sip of champagne to fill the awkward silence.

Liam’s eyes meet mine. His smirk softens for a moment into something almost like sympathy before he’s drawn back into conversation with a distinguished-looking couple. They laugh at something he says, hanging on his every word.

I square my shoulders and approach another group, determined to make at least one successful social interaction.

“Hello,” I begin, my voice a touch too loud.

“Lovely evening, isn’t it? Did you know that the game of Go has more possible board configurations than there are atoms in the observable universe? ”

The group stares at me. I take another gulp of champagne, wishing I could dissolve into the bubbles and float away from this disaster of an evening .

“So, Dr. James, is it?” a portly man in an expensive suit addresses me. “What’s your favorite opening strategy in Go?”

“Oh! Opening strategies! Well, that’s a fascinating topic. Did you know that there are over three hundred and sixty possible opening moves in Go? It’s like the Big Bang of the game, setting off a chain reaction of possibilities. Personally, I’m partial to the San-ren-sei opening.

It’s a flexible three-star opening that establishes influence over three corners. It’s like setting up a triangulation experiment in the lab, you see. Each stone acts as a data point, and the interactions between them create a complex system of?—”

The man’s eyes glaze over, and he excuses himself. Liam’s low chuckle sounds behind me.

“I think you lost him at ‘chain reaction,’ Dr. James,” Liam says, stepping closer. “Not everyone appreciates the...depth of your enthusiasm.”

I spin to face him, my cheeks burning from both embarrassment and his proximity. “Well, excuse me for not dumbing down the intricacies of Go for the masses. Some of us respect the game’s complexity.”

Liam’s eyes lock onto mine, a challenge dancing in their blue depths. “Oh? And you think you’re the only one here who understands the game, Dr. James?”

“I—”

“Tell me,” he murmurs, his breath warm against my ear, “what’s your real game here? Trying to impress everyone with your vast knowledge, or are you actually here to play? I’ve never seen you play before.”

I swallow hard, my heart racing. “I’ll have you know, Valeur, that I’ve been playing Go since I was twelve. It’s not just a game, it’s a complex system of strategy and psychology. It’s a perfect model for studying decision-making processes and?—”

“Aleria,” Liam says, his use of my first name startling me into silence. His hand brushes my arm, leaving a trail of heat in its wake. “I’m well aware of Go’s complexities. Perhaps you’d care to show your skills on the board rather than pontificating about them?”

I blink, thrown off balance by his challenge and the intensity of his gaze. “I... Yes. Yes, I would. Prepare to have your ego dismantled, Valeur. I hope you’re ready for a lesson in strategic humility.”

Liam’s smile widens, predatory and alluring all at once. He leans in, his lips almost brushing my ear. “Bring it on, Dr. James. I do so enjoy a passionate opponent.”

As we banter, our voices carry over the low hum of conversation, drawing amused glances from nearby tables.

An older man with a booming voice interrupts, his tone dripping with humor. “Well, now, seems we’ve got a pair of strategists here. Careful, boy, she might wipe the board with you!”

Liam chuckles, leaning closer. “Oh, I’m counting on it,” he says, his voice low enough for only me to hear.

My cheeks heat again, this time from a mix of irritation and something else entirely.

The Go master takes the stage, his presence drawing attention away from the scene.

Liam leans close, his breath tickling my ear. “You belong here, Aleria,” he murmurs. “You can win this.”

I swallow hard, the warmth in his words surprising me, steadying me. He’s not just saying this—he believes it. I can see it in the way he looks at me like he’s daring me to believe it, too.