Liam winces, squeezing his eyes together and stays quiet a beat too long. Finally, he lowers his arm, but just when I reach for it, he pulls back and moves it to his other hand. Unable to stop him, he opens it, and his eyes bulge open.
“What the fuck is this, Maddie? Who gave this to you? Where’d you find it?” Liam’s seething like I’ve never seen before, and the vein in his throat pulsates as his eyes darken.
“I don’t know, no idea. It was in the dressing room.”
“Where in the dressing room?”
“On top of my clothes.”
His jaw clenches, and his forehead creases. “Let’s go.” Liam grabs my hand, interlocking our fingers, and leads me outside. He looks around and checks over his shoulder as we make our way to his truck. My heart pounds in my chest as he all but pushes me inside and slams the door shut.
“Liam, what’s going on?” I ask as we buckle, then take off.
“Nothing, but I’m not letting you stick around to find out.”
We drive home in silence. He doesn’t say a word to me, but every time I glance at him, I see the wheels turning in his mind and notice how tense his body is. I don’t know why he’s so angry. The note is probably from an envious classmate, but by the way he’s acting and has been acting, I’m worried it’s something more that he’s not telling me.
The house is quiet, and I hate the tension hanging in the air. Liam charges into the kitchen, and I hear him open and close the fridge, followed by the sound of a beer opening. Instead of questioning him again, knowing I won’t get any answers, I go to my room and unpack my bag. Afterward, I grab clean clothes and take a shower. As I wash my hair and clean off my makeup, I replay the expression on Liam’s face as he watched me dance.
He was mesmerized and fascinated by every step, studying me like a rare million-dollar painting. Regardless, he’ll still deny his feelings without hesitation.
Once I’m done and dressed, I blow-dry my hair and slather on moisturizer. I chuckle at the memory of Sophie teasing me when she first saw all my facial creams. She said I was too young to worry about wrinkles and crow’s feet, but I begged to differ. Being a dancer means I have to look my best. Competition is a real bitch.
The moment I open the door, my breath hitches at the sight of Liam leaning against the wall. He looks at the floor with his arms crossed over his chest, defeat written all over him.
“Liam…what is it?” I walk toward him as he lifts his tortured gaze.
Without a word, he grabs my wrist and pulls me toward him, then spins us around until my back flattens against the wall. Our chests press together, and I release a little gasp, shocked by his sudden movements.
I’m too stunned to speak, but my heart is pounding hard enough for him to feel it between us.
“Maddie…” His head dips down as he whispers my name, tickling my ear with his breath. Propping his hands on either side of my head, Liam cages me in.
I look up, wishing he’d be honest about what’s bothering him. With my eyes, I plead, begging for him to open up to me, and it’s as if he reads my mind because Liam just shakes his head. His eyes move until they land on my lips.
Liam’s never been an open book, and while I wish he’d change his mind, I don’t expect him to. There’s always been something more between us, even if he fights it every single time.
“Liam, please talk to me,” I tell him, cupping his cheeks and forcing him to look at me. “Let me help.”
He squeezes his eyes shut, the vein in his throat bulges, and his nostrils flare. Pain is written all over his face, but the moment his gaze meets mine, he wraps a hand around the back of my neck, and our mouths collide. Liam slides his tongue between my lips, tilting my head back and heating my entire body.
This kiss is nothing like the one on my birthday.
It’s more.
So much more.
I sink into him, looping my arms around his waist and holding him close. Tipping my chin up to his greedy mouth, I release a moan from my throat as our tongues tangle. Liam kisses with expertise and passion, and it’s a wonder I’ve survived this long without his lips on mine.
“Fuck,” he mutters, pulling back to rest his forehead against mine. As he plants his hand on the wall, our heavy breaths mix.
“Liam.” My voice catches, gravelly and low, desperate for him to continue. Sliding my palms up his chest, I fist his shirt and hold him in place as if he’ll slip from my grasp.