Page 114 of Vicious Little Snakes

“You don’t have to admit that I’m right.” He grins, hovering over me as he takes one of my hands.

He’s staring down, tracing his thumb over my fingernail as he says, “You’re so pretty when you’re mad,” under his breath. My eyes drop, watching him lift my hand, bringing my fingers to his mouth, slowly kissing the tips. Liam’s making it impossible to keep a clear head.Why do you have to do things like this?

“Like what?” He grins, lifting his sparkling eyes to mine. “Get lost in you? Because I am, Carebear.”

I don’t think I’m breathing as I stare back at him until he speaks. I don’t have time to freak out about what I thought was said in my head—was actually said out loud because his answer’s rendered me speechless.

“I thought about us the whole night—well, mostly just about you. I almost came upstairs, but I knew if I did—I wouldn’t be coming back down. So I’ve been waiting to have this conversation, sober.”

Liam smiles, letting go of my hand, and tucks my hair behind my ears before cradling my face.

“Don’t be mad at me, Carebear. I woke up wanting to kiss you, and it made me a little frisky.” He brings his lips closer to mine, rubbing his nose over mine. “I meant everything I said. I don’t give a fuck about the shouldn’ts. And after debating every fucking con, I realized that you can’t do anything to make me stop needing you. It’s me and you, Carebear. And you know it.”

I push his hands away as I take a step back. Part of me is disbelieving, and the other part is afraid that he’s really this determined. Both scare the shit out of me.

“What Kai and Donovan said, Liam. They’re right. We’re toxic.”

“So?”

A v forms between my perfectly manicured eyebrows.So? How is that an answer?

“So?” I look up at the ceiling and back to him. “Liam, we’re damaged goods. Neither of us knows how not to be. I’ll hurt you, you’ll hurt me, and we promised not to do that anymore. Jesus, let me be decent—once.”

He closes the distance between us again, reaching up and taking a strand of my hair around his finger.

“I like you better indecent.” I try to sweep my hair back, but he bats my hand away, continuing to play with it. “I’ll never break you again, Caroline. And even if you try to hurt me”—he smirks—“I won’t let you.”

My heart is beating so fast. Why is he doing this? It’s almost mean. I grip his chin, tugging his eyes to mine.

“Every odd is stacked against us, Liam.”

“I like a challenge.” He shrugs, dipping his face to kiss the inside of my wrist.

“Why are you doing this?”

I groan, trying to turn away, but he growls, bending to cage me in his arms around my waist. My hands grip his shoulders as I look around to see if anyone is witnessing this spectacle. Liam leans in, kissing the hickies that he left on me last night, hidden under my dress.

“What are you doing? Liam, stop.”

“No.” He rests his cheek on my chest, holding me like a prize he’s won. “You don’t fucking get it. All I see is you, Carebear.”

His head pulls back, speckled green and amber eyes locked to mine. “I walked out of that closet only to sit in a room full of people and think about kissing you. Everywhere I look, it’s you. Tell me how I walk away from that?”

“We can’t just start over. It’s not that simple.”

His face nuzzles my neck, breathing the words into them, “It is that simple. Be my New Year’s date. Let’s do our midnight over again.”

I’m staring down at him, trying not to squint because he’s so fucking bright. There’s no saying no to this, Liam. It’s impossible.But is it selfish to let him try to love me when I know I’ll only disappoint us both?

My lips press together, but he scrunches his nose and starts to shake me gently from side to side.

“Don’t do that. Say it. Come on, Carebear.” His smile spreads over his face. “Come on. Say yes.”

I laugh, “Goddammit. Okay, Fine. But don’t tell anyone; I don’t want to deal with the peanut gallery just yet.”

“Deal.”

His lips push out, and he jerks his chin at me, so I give him a quick peck.