Page 20 of Liam (The Valeur Billionaires #4)

For a moment, I think I see the ghost of a smile on Aleria’s face. But it vanishes as quickly as it appeared, her expression hardening into something cooler, more distant as she slides inside the back seat.

“How’s the view from that ivory tower of yours?” she asks as I get seated beside her. “Must be nice to play around while the rest of us do the work.”

Her words hit me like a sucker punch, catching me off guard. “You have no idea what my job entails.”

Aleria’s eyes widen as if she’s surprised by the effect her words have had.

“Oh, I’m sorry. Is it hard work piling impossible deadlines on your employees? Or maybe it’s the strain of micromanaging every aspect of my research?”

The sarcasm in her voice is palpable, and I struggle to maintain my composure. This isn’t our usual playful banter. There’s real anger here, real hurt.

“Aleria,” I start, my voice softer now, “about that?—”

But she cuts me off, her eyes flashing with a mix of exhaustion and anger. “Save it, Mr. Valeur. I don’t need your explanations or your pity. What I need is a boss who respects the work we do and doesn’t use his position to...to...”

She trails off, seeming to catch herself before she says too much. But the implication hangs in the air between us. To punish her? To keep her from her date? The guilt I’ve been trying to ignore comes rushing back in full force.

I open my mouth to respond, to apologize, to explain, but no words come out. Because how can I explain my actions without admitting to the jealousy that prompted them?

I sneak a glance at Aleria, her profile illuminated by passing streetlights, softening the lines of fatigue around her eyes. A strand of hair has escaped her bun, curling against her neck. I have a sudden, irrational urge to touch it .

I clench my fists, forcing my gaze away. What’s wrong with me? This is Dr. James. Brilliant, infuriating, off-limits Dr. James. I’m just tired, that’s all. Tired and guilty about overworking her.

Yes, that’s it.

The silence stretches between us, thick and uncomfortable. I’m about to resort to commenting on the weather when the car takes a sharp turn. Aleria’s hand shoots out, seeking support.

Her palm lands on my thigh, fingers splaying across the fabric of my trousers. The touch, though innocent, sends a jolt through my system. Heat blooms beneath her hand, spreading outward like wildfire.

For a moment, neither of us moves. I’m aware of the warmth of her hand, the slight pressure of her fingers. My muscles tense under her touch.

Aleria’s eyes widen as she realizes where her hand has landed. A blush creeps up her neck, staining her cheeks. She pulls away, but another turn of the car has her gripping tighter to maintain balance.

“I... I’m sorry,” she stammers.

“It’s fine,” I say. I clear my throat, trying for a light tone. “Trying to get closer to the boss, Dr. James?”

Aleria’s eyes flash. She pulls her hand back as if my thigh has turned to molten lava.

“I think I was close enough to you once before, and you made it abundantly clear what you wanted. Or rather, didn’t want.”

I swallow hard, a lump forming in my throat. “Aleria, I?—”

“No,” she cuts me off, her tone leaving no room for argument. “We’re not doing this. Not now, not ever. I’m not that naive girl anymore. I won’t make the same mistake twice.”

She turns away, staring out the window. The distance between us in the backseat suddenly feels like a yawning chasm.

I open my mouth, then close it again. What can I say? That I was young and scared? That I’ve regretted that night every day since? That seeing her in the lab, illuminated by the harsh fluorescent lights, stirred something in me that I thought I’d buried years ago?

“Aleria, I... I never meant to hurt you. Back then, or now. I’m sorry.”

She looks at me, surprise clear in her expression. For a moment, I think I see a flicker of something else—vulnerability, maybe even longing. But then it’s gone, replaced by a weariness that makes her look older than her years.

“But you did,” she says. “You did hurt me, Liam. And I can’t just forget it.”

The use of my first name, soft on her lips, sends a shiver down my spine. I want to reach out to her, to bridge this chasm between us. I want to tell her how sorry I am, that I want to cancel the stupid bet and take her on a date.

But before I can, Marcus’s voice cuts through the tension.

“Sir, we’re approaching Dr. James’s apartment.”

The interruption breaks whatever spell had fallen over us. Aleria straightens in her seat, her professional mask sliding back into place. As the car rolls to a stop, I realize how close we’ve gotten during our argument, our knees almost touching.

Aleria moves away, reaching for the door handle. “Well, this has been an experience. Thanks for the ride, I guess. ”

“Just doing my duty as a responsible employer,” I respond, hating how formal and cold I sound.

She’s halfway out of the car when I reach out, my fingers closing around her wrist. “Aleria, wait?—”

I’m not sure what I’m going to say, what I can say to fix this mess between us. But before I can figure it out, my phone rings.

The phone continues to ring, and Aleria uses that moment to leave. With a sigh, I fish it out of my pocket but miss the call. Logan’s name flashes on the screen with a follow-up text.

Logan

Emergency meeting tomorrow.