Page 48 of The CEO I Hate (The Lockhart Brothers #1)

MIA

“ Y ou look beautiful,” Liam said. “Have I told you that yet?”

“Only a couple dozen times,” I replied, smiling softly as I turned away from the limo’s window which offered a view of the red carpet where camera lights flashed and security directed the best-dressed for photo ops.

We were currently in the drop-off line, and nerves had started to rattle around my gut.

What the hell was I doing at the Emmys? I couldn’t believe it.

I distracted myself by drinking in every sexy inch of Liam—and God, what a distraction he was clad in a fitted dark burgundy Dior tux, his hair swept back, his brown eyes darker than ever. My stomach flipped pleasantly. “You don’t look half bad yourself.”

He winked at me. “Part of me would really like to take that dress off you here and now.”

“That’s a dangerous game,” I said as the limo pulled forward. “I am pinned into this thing so perfectly I don’t think we’d ever get it back on again. ”

He huffed a laugh. “Well there’s a best-dressed idea.”

I ran my hand down the bodice of the dress. I’d gone with classic black, though the sheer cutouts in the corset made it a little fun, a little daring, and I’d caught Liam admiring my cleavage more than once. “As amazing as limo sex would be,” I said, “you’d definitely end up missing the show.”

Liam’s lips twitched as if he was considering it. “Believe me, the show I’d be watching would be much better,” he said, leaning toward me.

I caught his chest with my hand. “Don’t you dare ruin my makeup.”

He grinned in challenge, tipped his head, and pressed a soft kiss to my neck, enough to make my heart flutter but not enough to leave a mark.

Despite the temptation, we both knew we had to be careful.

Season one of End in Fire was up for a ton of awards tonight, and we’d be in front of cameras all night.

We couldn’t afford to look less than perfect.

“I’ll be good,” he whispered against my neck. “But I promise to ruin you later.”

“I’m sure there’s some sort of after party you’ll be invited to.”

“You’re the only after party I want,” he said, pulling back and waggling his eyebrows at me.

I laughed. “You’re so corny.”

“Is it corny if I open your door?” he asked as our limo finally came to a stop.

I hummed. “I’ll allow it.” Liam hopped out, walked around the back of the limo, and waved the security guard out of the way so he could pull my door open himself.

A wave of excitement washed through me, momentarily replacing the nerves.

Liam reached for my hand, giving me a little tug to help me stand .

“Welcome to the Emmys, Mia,” he said, smiling down at me.

“Thank you for bringing me.”

“I wouldn’t have wanted to come with anyone else,” he said, tucking a stray curl behind my ear. I was about to answer when a sudden bark cut through the hum of arriving limos.

“Oh my God,” I said, spinning to the source.

On the far side of the arrivals gate, behind the velvet ropes, Ash was perched like a furry little paparazzo, sitting proudly next to Jake, who was watching us with a knowing smirk.

“You brought them?” I asked, grinning.

“Technically, they brought themselves,” Liam said. “Ash lives with Jake now, remember? But he still has visitation rights at every major VeriTV event.”

“He’s got better red carpet access than some of the nominees,” I muttered.

“And more fans,” Liam added. “There’s merch now, apparently.”

I waved at them, and Jake waved back. I pointed at Ash, who immediately barked again like he was cheering us on. I clutched Liam’s arm, heart so full I could barely take it.

“He’s still on set a few days a week,” Liam said, guiding me toward the press line. “Refuses to retire. I think he’s waiting for someone to offer him a spin-off.”

“ End in Fur ,” I said.

Liam groaned. “Don’t give the internet ideas.” But he was smiling too.

Security waved us forward to make room for more arrivals, so Liam wrapped his arm around my waist and swept me into the chaos.

The red carpet unfurled before us, a massive step-and-repeat framed behind us as we posed for pictures.

Liam was pulled into interview after interview, but he didn’t once let me go, keeping me tucked against his side.

I answered a couple impromptu questions about season two, but we were keeping spoilers to a minimum.

The carpet was a whirlwind as we bumped into fellow cast and crew.

Leo looked stunning, and I imagined these photos would end up on the fan forums tomorrow tagged with #EyeCandyOfFirehouse14.

We mixed and mingled, and by the time we reached the building, my cheeks ached from smiling so relentlessly.

An attendant guided us to our seats where we were reunited with Jerome, Kait, Tanya, Paula, and Lyle. A bunch of other studio execs filled the rows around us, as well as their guests, and Liam made the necessary small talk while Jerome whistled at me.

“Girl, you look stunning.”

I beamed. “Thanks. I’m trying not to breathe too deeply so nothing busts out.”

The group laughed. Sophie and Craig rocked up fashionably late.

Craig darted right to Jerome’s side, pecking him on the cheek.

I beamed at them. Sophie did a little spin at Jerome’s insistence, her dress so sparkly we could hang her up as a disco ball.

She inched her way down the row, sitting on my other side.

“Where have you been?” I asked.

“Handing out business cards.” She gave me a smug grin. “Craig bet me fifty bucks I couldn’t link up with a celebrity by the end of the night.”

“And how’s that going?”

“Well, I don’t plan on losing. ”

I shook my head, smirking. I wouldn’t bet against her either.

A hush washed over the room as the audience took their seats and the night began.

I’d worried the jokes would make me cringe, but the hosts were great, riffing off each other, and I found it was easier to laugh in this room than it was curled up on the couch at home.

The first season of End in Fire took home some early awards for Outstanding Directing, Stunt Coordination, Lighting Design, and Music Composition.

Lyle and the writing team were up for Outstanding Writing, which they lost to another brilliant show, but there was always next year.

When Leo won Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series for an episode he’d done of another show, the entirety of the End in Fire team jumped to our feet.

“He could totally win Supporting Actor for End in Fire next year,” Jerome said over the sound of applause.

I nodded. If his season two performance resonated with audiences the way we thought it would, I could see him walking away with a stack of awards.

We all settled back down again. It felt like we were flying through the awards, everyone anticipating the outcome for the highly competitive Outstanding Drama Series award.

The competition was fierce this year. I took Liam’s hand, squeezing encouragingly. It wasn’t like it would be make-or-break for our show anyway, because Liam had produced an amazing show that the fans loved, but it was always nice to be recognized.

“And the winner is…” the presenter said, flipping open the card.

I held my breath.

“ End in Fire !”

I was on my feet in an instant, clapping and cheering and celebrating with the crew.

It was madness in our rows. Liam latched onto my hand, pulling me along with the massive crowd that surged to the stage to accept the award.

I hadn’t had anything to do with season one, so I didn’t really have any ownership in this win, but I was caught in the swarm.

Lyle was first on the mic, thanking the Academy for Television Arts and Sciences and the fans and the cast and crew and Liam for believing in his story.

Paula took over from him, giving another little speech that thanked the fans for giving us the ability to keep telling this story in season two, and then she turned the mic over to Liam.

“I want to thank this dedicated team standing up here with me today,” he said.

“And all the hardworking cast and crew who are watching from home. Anyone who touched this show, who believed in it…We wouldn’t be here without your amazing work, and we’re beyond excited for everyone to come along for the ride next season.

But what I’m most excited about is standing right here next to me. ”

My smile faltered as Liam’s words registered. He handed off the mic to Paula, and before I even knew what was happening, he’d pulled a ring box from his pocket and gotten down on one knee.

“Mia,” he said softly as the whole audience gasped, especially the End in Fire crowd squealing around us. “Will you make me the happiest man in the world?”

A burst of elation got wedged in my throat. “Is this real?” I choked out, still in disbelief.

“The realest story we’ll ever write, if you’ll agree to share it with me,” Liam said, taking my hand and holding the ring to my finger. “Will you marry me?”

I nodded, still so stunned that all I could manage was to let him slide the ring on my finger before I fell into his arms and burst into happy tears. The sound of my yes was drowned out by thunderous applause and the teleprompter flashing at us to get off the stage .

“They’re totally not going to invite you back next year,” I said.

“Doesn’t matter,” Liam replied. “I’ve just locked down the best prize of all.”