Chapter 15
Chapter Fifteen
Liam
Family dinners are . . . something I haven’t missed in a long time.
The McCallisters decided to have an impromptu dinner to celebrate our engagement. Since we’re the guests of honor, we couldn’t excuse ourselves and leave the house, or the country, as Audrey suggested when we were ambushed.
I’m currently sandwiched between Audrey and a tower of cream-colored peonies that will become the centerpieces for Saturday. The delicate scent of the flowers mixing with Audrey’s intoxicating perfume are like an aphrodisiac. My current thoughts are, how the fuck do we get out of here? And . . . how do I convince her to take the PDA to another level?
Kissing was great. No, it was fucking amazing. But I bet that fucking will be out of this world. There you go, you fucking bastard. Thinking with your dick. Stop it. She’s off-limits—unless she wants me to touch her that is.
Audrey leans on my shoulder and whispers, “Is it time yet?”
I shake my head because we haven’t had dessert yet and I doubt our mothers will let us go. I kiss her temple. “Sorry, babe. A little longer and I’ll get you out of here.”
This has been a long ass day and as soon as this dinner is over we’re both flying back to the hotel. I’m not dealing with the continuous interrogation for longer.
“Isn’t this just magical?” Max muses from across the table, his voice dripping with a sarcasm that’s almost undetectable to the untrained ear. I know the fucker is enjoying watching us squirm—mostly Audrey .
“Absolutely enchanting,” I respond, matching his fake enthusiasm while giving Audrey’s knee a gentle squeeze.
Which is a mistake, because her knee is soft and warm beneath my palm. My fingers tingle with the desire to caress higher along her silky thigh. Ever since I saw her wearing this red dress I’ve been having very sinful thoughts. Nah, that’s a lie. The thoughts started last night right when I saw her. And if I could just . . . Stop what you’re doing, Cohen. She’s Audrey, not some woman you can drag to the closet and fuck to calm your nerves.
I tear my gaze away, focusing instead on the contemptuous sneer twisting Max’s thin lips.
The weight of Audrey’s hand pressing against my thigh makes me stiffen, my breath catching in my throat. My body betrays me, heat coiling low in my belly as her fingers linger a little too long before retreating. I cut my gaze toward her, meeting those mesmerizing eyes that seem to see straight into my soul. A secret smile plays on her full lips, and it makes me wonder if she knows exactly the effect she has on me.
You wish, Cohen? You wish?
Earlier today, I might’ve given a made-up story about the way we met, but a lot of that wasn’t fake. I did find her gorgeous the moment we reconnected. Also, I wanted to spend more time with her .
But . . . Well, I really can’t blur the lines between us. I swallow hard, trying to push down the desire that threatens to consume me. This is all just an act, I remind myself, a carefully crafted illusion to fool everyone around us.
“Isn’t young love charming?” Max’s voice drips with sarcasm. And fuck, what is his deal. I swear he’s pissing me off. “Though, the honeymoon phase won’t last forever, lovebirds.”
I open my mouth to retort, but Audrey beats me to it. “You’re just bitter because Angelina left you for her kickboxing instructor.” Her tone is light, almost playful, but her eyes glint with quiet challenge.
I gawk at her because we don’t talk about Angelina. She was . . . not exactly his girlfriend but they were together for some time, until the kickboxer instructor snatched her from him.
Max’s face flushes an ugly crimson. “That was more than three years ago. I’m over it.”
“Sure you are.” Audrey leans into me, resting her head on my shoulder. “Which is why you’re still single and desperately trying to ruin everyone else’s relationships.”
“Whatever you say, princess. So, when’s the big day?” Max asks in that obnoxious tone he always uses to rile his sister up. His lips curve into a smirk, and I can see the gleam of challenge in his eyes .
“Don’t start on her.” I warn my supposed best friend who’s all too aware of the fake engagement but digresses because he likes to give his little sister a hard time. I narrow my eyes, silently warning him to back off.
“I’m just trying to make conversation.” Max’s eyes widen with his hands held up in a gesture of surrender. But the quirk of his lips betrays his amusement, and I know he’s enjoying every second of this.
Beside me, Audrey shifts in her seat, her body tense. “Didn’t you hear earlier? We haven’t set a date yet,” she says, her voice calm and even, but I can hear the underlying strain. “It’s not so easy to organize a destination wedding.”
“You would know if you had been paying more attention earlier today,” I add, my voice even. Tamping down the urge to reach across the table and smack that stupid grin off his face. My fingers curl into fists beneath the table, and I have to force myself to relax.
“We want it to be perfect,” Audrey adds, her hand finding mine. I can feel the tension in her grip, the way her fingers tremble slightly against my skin. She’s trying to keep her shit together, but I can see the cracks in her composure.
“Yes, perfect for my princess,” I agree, leaning closer to her and pressing a soft kiss to her cheek .
Her tantalizing scent surrounds me, which makes concentrating on anything else impossible. This close proximity is torturous, her warmth seeping into me, awakening the longing that I’m trying to bury deep in the darkest parts of my mind. I inhale deeply, savoring the moment, even as my heart aches with the knowledge that it’s all just a charade.
Under the table, Max kicks my shin, jarring me back to harsh reality. “Eyes and mouth off my sister, fucker,” he warns, his voice low and threaded with a hint of protectiveness.
“Fuck you,” I mouth, shooting him a withering glare loaded with silent promises of payback. He just grins wider, the asshole, his eyes sparkling with mischief.
“Stop with your nonsense,” his mother warns him. “They’re happy and in love.
“My baby boy, finally settling down. We’re just so happy for you both,” Mom suddenly says, her voice wavering slightly. I feel a pang of guilt in my chest, knowing that we’re deceiving her, even if it’s for a good cause.
“Liam, you must feel like you hit the jackpot,” Maximilian continues, folding his arms and leaning back in his chair as if he’s settling in for a show. His tone is light, but I can hear the underlying challenge in his words. “A whirlwind romance, and now you get to be a part of my awesome family.”
“Jackpot is an understatement,” I respond, my words laced with irony. I pop a cherry tomato into my mouth from the salad Audrey hasn’t touched, hoping the burst of flavor will distract me from the tightrope walk of this conversation. The tartness explodes on my tongue, but it does little to ease the tension.
“I’m just happy that you two found love—and with each other.” Mrs. McCallister’s words are kind, but her husband’s glare slices through me like a knife.
His eyes narrow, lips pressed into a thin line as he stares at me from across the room. I can feel the weight of his gaze, the unspoken accusation hanging heavy in the air.The guy used to like me, but now that he thinks I’m fucking his little girl, he just wants to kill me. He was very clear earlier today that I should’ve asked for his blessing. Which is weird though.
If I were to get married, I only need the blessing from Audrey and no one else. Still, Steve McCallister is ready to finish me or hire an assassin. Damn hostility, but it’s not like I can set him straight, is it? If I tell him that I haven’t done anything but kiss his gorgeous daughter this farce is over.
I swallow hard, my throat suddenly dry. My heart pounds in my chest, and I have to resist the urge to squirm under the intensity of his stare.
Since there’s no point in paying attention to Mr. McCallister, I glance toward his wife and say, “Love often strikes when you least expect it.” The words feel hollow on my tongue, a pretty lie wrapped in a bow of sincerity. I force a smile, hoping it looks genuine enough to fool her.
I thread my fingers with Audrey’s and set them on top of the table, less for show and more for . . . not sure if it’s solidarity or to de-escalate my anger. I cling to her hand, drawing strength from the connection between us.
“Right, life is full of surprises,” Maximilian says, his gaze lingering on our intertwined hands before flicking up to meet my eyes.
There’s a warning in that look, something that almost says, “Little sister is off-limits.” I feel a flicker of irritation, my jaw clenching as I meet his stare head-on. Who the hell does he think he is, trying to dictate what I can and can’t do? This would be Audrey’s choice, not his.
Okay, I’m seriously digressing here. I have to stop thinking with my dick and start paying more attention to what’s happening around me. Maybe Audrey was right when she said no PDA.
Like I can stay away from her though. My fingers itch to wrap around her waist and pull her against me. Kiss her deeply just to spite everyone in this house. To show Max that she’s not some fragile doll he can dictate to. She’s a grown woman who can make her own choices.
My eyes drift over the curve of her hip, the slight swell of her chest beneath the thin fabric. The more I touch her casually, the more I want her. Want to run my hands over those soft contours, press my lips to the sensitive spots that make her breath catch . . .
I squeeze my eyes shut, grinding my teeth as I force the heated images from my mind. Get a grip, man.
I clear my throat. “Surprises are what make life exciting, don’t you think, Maxy?” I counter, using that nickname he’s always hated. “And if love isn’t the greatest surprise of all, I don’t know what is.”
Audrey’s soft yawn catches my attention. Though we’re expected to stay, I take that as a sign to leave right now.
“I think it’s time for us to head out,” I say. “Audrey’s still battling jet lag, and we have a busy day tomorrow.”
“Busy?” Mom asks. “What are you doing? Remember your grandmother will be here.”
“No. I remember telling you that I would go and head to New York to pick them up. That’s a long ass drive,” I lie since we plan on using the company’s jet for that. Though they don’t need to know that. I shoot a pointed look at Max, silently warning him not to say a word.
“Language,” Mom chides me.
I roll my eyes. “Sorry, Mom.”
Max leans back in his chair, his hands held up in an acquiescence. “Far be it from me to keep the lovebirds from their beauty sleep,” he quips
I roll my eyes, biting back the retort that dances on the tip of my tongue. Instead, I turn my attention to Audrey, as I stand up. “Come on, babe,” I murmur, my lips brushing against her ear. “Let’s get you to bed.”
We say our goodbyes, exchanging hugs and kisses with our family members. I can feel the weight of their stares, the unspoken questions lingering in the air. But I keep my head high, my smile fixed firmly in place, even as my heart races with the fear of being discovered.
We finally reach the car, and I help Audrey into the passenger seat, my hands lingering on her waist a moment longer than necessary. She looks up at me, her eyes heavy with something. Something that makes my breath catch in my throat.
“Thank you,” she murmurs, her voice soft and sleepy. “For everything—including getting me out of there alive.”
I swallow hard, my throat suddenly tight with emotion. “Anytime,” I manage to say, my voice rough and low.
As I slide into the driver’s seat, I can’t help but glance over at Audrey, her head already lolling against the window. She looks so peaceful, so beautiful, that it makes my heart ache with longing.
It’s just too fucking hard to remember that this is just an act, a game of pretend that we’re playing for the sake of our families. And as much as I might wish otherwise, I know that Audrey doesn’t share the same lust as I do or wants me the way I do her.
Though, while I drive I wonder what would happen if we decide to cross that line. If the next time we touch is with intention—and without any clothes.