23 The Rules of Attraction
Hazel’s POV
The working day had been intense. First Julian’s assault, then Liam’s protective intervention, followed by new security protocols and an impromptu Thai food dinner in his office with Damian and Evelyn. My emotions were all over the place.
“Earth to Hazel,” Owen waved his hand in front of my face. “You’ve been staring at that screen for five minutes without blinking”
I snapped out of my daze. “Sorry, just thinking”
“Well, think faster because the big boss is headed this way,” Owen whispered, straightening his
tic.
Sure enough, Liam strode toward us, his presence commanding immediate attention. He wore a charcoal suit that emphasized his broad shoulders. Our eyes met, and my stomach flipped.
“Ms. Vance,” he said, his tone formal but his eyes soft. “I was hoping you’d join us for dinner tonight. Damian, Evelyn and I have some matters to discuss.”
Before I could respond, Owen leaned against my desk. “Taking our pretty woman away for the evening, Mr. Sterling?”
I froze, mortified by Owen’s casual reference to our movie night joke.
Liam’s lips quirked upward. “Yes, I am taking our pretty woman to dinner. Problem with that, Owen?”
The air between us crackled with tension. Owen chuckled nervously, clearly surprised by Liam’s direct agreement.
“No problem at all,” Owen retreated back to his desk. “Have fun, Hazel
I grabbed my purse, my cheeks burning. “Where are we going?”
“Italian place downtown,” Liam replied, guiding me toward the elevator with his hand lightly touching my back. “Damian and Evelyn are meeting us there.”
The elevator doors closed, leaving us alone. His cologne – a spicy, masculine scent–filled the small space.
“How’s your neck?” he asked, his fingers brushing lightly against where Julian had grabbed me.
“Better, I murmured, hyper–aware of his touch.
“Good,” he said, his voice deep and rumbling. “Because I want you to enjoy tonight.
When we arrived at the restaurant, Damian and Evelyn were already seated at a table in a
23 The Rules of Attraction
private corner. Damian stood and pulled out my chair with a flourish.
“The lady of the hour,” he announced with a grin.
Evelyn smiled warmly. “You look lovely, dear.”
“Thank you,” I said, settling into my seat beside Liam. “I appreciate the invitation.”
“It was Liam’s idea, Damian winked. “He insisted.
Liam shot him a warning glance but didn’t deny it.
Dinner was surprisingly fun. Damian told hilarious stories about their college days. Evelyn shared office gossip from before I started. And Liam… Liam watched me. His violet–blue eyes tracked my every laugh, every sip of wine.
When dessert arrived, Liam pushed his tiramisu toward me. “Share with me?”
I hesitated, remembering our chocolate cake encounter.
“I promise to behave,” he added with a mischievous glint.
“That’s a shame,” I replied before I could stop myself.
Damian nearly choked on his drink. Evelyn raised her eyebrows, a knowing smile on her lips..
“Well, well,” Damian recovered, grinning broadly. “The kitten has claws.”
Liam’s eyes darkened as he handed me a spoon. “She certainly does.”
I took a bite of the tiramisu, the rich coffee flavor melting on my tongue. When I looked up, Liam was watching my mouth with undisguised interest.
“Good?” he asked, his voice husky.
“Delicious,” I responded, licking cream from my lip.
His jaw tightened visibly.
Damian cleared his throat. “So, who’s driving who home?”
“I’ll take Hazel,” Liam said immediately. “You’re in the opposite direction.”
Evelyn and Damian exchanged meaningful glances.
“Perfect,” Evelyn said, gathering her purse. “I’m exhausted anyway!”
After saying our goodbyes, Liam led me to his sleek black Audi. The interior smelled of leather and his cologne. He drove skillfully through the city streets, one hand on the wheel, the other resting between us.
“Thank you for dinner,” I said, breaking the comfortable silence.
23
The Rules of Attraction
“Thank you for coming, he replied, glancing at me. “It’s been a long day for you.”
I nodded, then gathered my courage. “Mr. Sterling-
“Liam,” he corrected. “We’re not in the office now.
behavior
“Liam,” I repeated, liking how his name felt on my tongue. “I want to apologize for my today. And yesterday. I’ve been unprofessional, and I understand if you want me to resign.”
He abruptly pulled over, turning in his seat to face me. “Resign? Why would I want that?”
“Because I’ve been…” I struggled for words. “You bring out this side of me I can’t explain. It’s
inappropriate.
“You think I want you to quit because I bring out your fire?” His laugh was warm, genuine. “Hazel, that’s exactly why I want you to stay.”
My heart pounded. “I don’t understand.”
“I investigated you,” he admitted, surprising me. “When Evelyn recommended you. Your references were impeccable. Your work history, flawless. But your background check… it
showed someone who follows rules. Someone reserved.”
I swallowed hard. “And that’s a problem?”
“No,” he shook his head. “It just makes me wonder what it is about me that makes you break
character.”
Heat flooded my cheeks. “I–1 don’t know.”
“Do you want to know what I think?” he asked, his voice dropping lower.
I nodded, unable to speak.
“I think we have chemistry, he stated matter–of–factly. “Undeniable chemistry. Do you know what you did to me during that video conference yesterday?”
My eyes widened. “What?”
“Your little stunt with the pen,” he said, his eyes darkening. “I had to sit through another hour of meetings painfully aroused, thinking about your mouth.”
My breath caught. “I didn’t mean to-”
“Yes, you did,” he challenged. “Just like I meant to watch you eat that tiramisu tonight.”
He wasn’t wrong. Something about him made me bold, reckless even.
“So what do we do?” I asked softly.
“We let it flow,” he said simply. “We stop pretending there isn’t something happening here. But I need one promise from you.”
1|
23 The Rules of Attraction
“What’s that?”
“Don’t distract me during important meetings,” he grinned. “Any other time is fair game.”
I laughed, tension draining from my shoulders. “I can agree to those terms.
He started the car again, the engine purring to life. “Good. Because I enjoy this side of you, Hazel Vance. Don’t hide it from me.
When we reached my apartment building, he insisted on walking me to my door. We stood facing each other in the hallway, electricity buzzing between us.
“Thank you for the ride, I said, fumbling with my keys.
“My pleasure,” he replied, watching me with those intense eyes.
I unlocked my door and turned back to him. “Goodnight, Liam.”
He stepped closer, his fingertips lightly tracing the line of my jaw. “Goodnight, Hazel:
For a breathless moment, I thought he might kiss me. Instead, he stepped back, a knowing smile playing on his lips.
“Get some rest,” he said, turning to leave.
I watched him walk away, my skin still tingling where he’d touched me.
Just before he reached the stairs, he called back, “Haze, I’m going to keep provoking you!” His laughter echoed in the hallway as he disappeared down the stairs.
I closed my door and leaned against it, heart racing. Whatever game we were playing now had. new rules – and I was both terrified and thrilled to find out what they were.
Comment
L
