Chapter 112: A Kiss and a Secret

The fluorescent lights of the office hummed, casting a sterile glow over Ava's desk. Each tick of the clock felt like an eternity as she wrestled with a particularly stubborn spreadsheet, the numbers blurring before her eyes. Liam's image, a ghost of his smile and the lingering warmth of his touch, kept intruding on her focus. She pushed the intrusive thoughts aside, burying herself deeper in the work, determined to conquer the spreadsheet before she succumbed to the siren call of daydreams.The office, usually a hive of activity, had fallen into a hushed lull as the clock ticked towards five. A collective sigh of relief seemed to permeate the air as the final chime echoed through the room. Ava, seizing the opportunity for escape, gathered her belongings with a newfound sense of urgency.Sarah, Liam's assistant, materialized beside her, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Off to see your adoring husband, I presume?" she teased, her voice a playful lilt.Ava chuckled, a genuine smile finally breaking through the tension that had been gripping her all afternoon. "You know me too well, Sarah.""Indeed I do," Sarah replied, her gaze lingering on Ava for a moment longer than necessary. "Though I must admit, the way you rush out of here every evening... it's quite the spectacle."Ava blushed, feeling a warmth creep up her neck. "He's just… well, he makes me feel like I can conquer the world."Sarah winked. "Spoken like a true woman in love. Now go, before he starts to worry."With a final wave, Ava hurried out of the office, a lightness in her step that belied the stress of the day. The cool evening air was a welcome relief as she stepped out onto the sidewalk. Across the street, she spotted Liam leaning against his car, his attention absorbed by the screen of his phone. The sight of him, his broad shoulders relaxed, a hint of a smile playing on his lips, sent a jolt of warmth through her."My man," she whispered to herself, her heart fluttering.Liam looked up, his eyes locking with hers across the street. The smile widened, transforming his face into a beacon of warmth and welcome. He slipped his phone into his pocket and strode towards her, his long strides eating up the distance between them."Ready?" he asked, his voice a low rumble, a hint of a question in his eyes.Ava nodded, her hand instinctively reaching out for his. He took it, his fingers intertwining with hers, sending a shiver of anticipation down her spine. As they walked towards the car, a comfortable silence settled between them, punctuated only by the rhythmic thud of their footsteps on the pavement.Inside the car, the air was thick with the scent of leather and something faintly masculine, a scent that always seemed to evoke a sense of calm within her. Liam slid behind the wheel, his eyes gleaming in the fading light."So," he began, his voice a low drawl, "what did you accomplish today, other than successfully avoiding my calls?"Ava laughed, feeling a blush creeping up her neck again. "Mostly spreadsheets, I'm afraid. And a healthy dose of frustration.""Spreadsheets, huh?" Liam chuckled, his eyes twinkling. "Sounds exciting.""Not as exciting as this," she retorted, her gaze meeting his in the rearview mirror.He grinned, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Oh, I'm sure we can remedy that."He leaned across the console, his hand brushing against her cheek. "I had something special planned for tonight," he whispered, his breath warm against her skin. "A little surprise."Ava's heart leaped. "A surprise?"He leaned closer, his lips brushing against hers in a fleeting touch. "You'll see."The kiss, when it came, was a whirlwind. It started slow, a gentle exploration of lips and breath, then deepened, a hungry demand that left her breathless. Ava lost herself in the sensation, her fingers tangling in his hair, her body arching towards him.He pulled back, his eyes dark and intense. "I meant to ask you earlier," he said, his voice husky, "but I seem to have gotten distracted."Ava, still reeling from the intensity of the kiss, could only manage a breathless laugh. "Distracted?" she echoed, her voice a mere whisper.He leaned back in his seat, a slow, satisfied smile playing on his lips. "Terribly so."He started the engine, the car lurching forward. As they pulled away from the curb, Ava felt a thrill course through her. The "surprise" he had mentioned earlier, the lingering intensity of their kiss, the promise of an evening yet to unfold – it all combined to create a sense of anticipation that was both exhilarating and terrifying.