Chapter Fourteen

Grace had always loved mornings something about it was always quiet, precise. But not this one

This morning carried heat from the night before and the sting of every unspoken word that followed.

She hadn't slept , not really, not after that kiss, not after the car door closed and she stood on her front steps, still feeling Liam's Lips on hers, still tasting a promise they hadn't dared to finish.

She had walked inside, alone, then spent the night with her thoughts ,flushed, restless and undone.

Now, dressed in tailored navy slacks and a silk blouse that felt too soft against her skin, Grace stepped into the Vale Systems boardroom like it wasn't spinning.

It was filled with suits. Executives. Planners. Architects. Half a dozen stakeholders waiting for her input. Liam sat at the head of the table, cool and unreadable in charcoal gray. He didn't flinch when she entered. Didn't smile. But his gaze dragged over her like a whisper, and it burned just the same.

"Grace ," he said with a nod, smooth as ever. "Glad you could make it."

'Professional' she told herself 'This is just business'

She dropped her bag beside the seat across from him and opened her folder like her hands weren't still shaking

"We're reviewing the revised sustainability layouts," one of the architects said. "You asked for green roofing and expanded public access zones."

"Yes," Grace said, clearing her throat. "We're not just planting trees. We're designing equity."

She felt Liam's eyes on her as she flipped to the proposal 'Don't look at him' she told herself.But she did.

And he was already watching.

Heat coiled low in her stomach. She crossed her legs. Sat taller. Her voice didn't waver, but her spine buzzed with the memory of his hands on her hips. The way he'd said her name like it wasn't something he should touch but had to anyway.

"We also need to restructure the zoning approach," she continued. "If we're serious about inclusion, we can't let five luxury towers choke out everything around them. Scale one back. Add community resources."

One of the VPs frowned. "That would cut profit margins by…"

"Do it," Liam said, without hesitation.

Everyone paused. The room tilted.

Even Grace looked at him. He didn't look back at anyone but her.

"We brought Ms.Cole in for this exact reason," he said smoothly. "If we're building a legacy, let's make sure it's worth more than a line on a stock report."

A few murmurs followed. The executives nodded reluctantly. The conversation moved on.

But Grace could feel it , that certain shift.

He'd just backed her in front of everyone. Not challenging her. Not debating her. Just trusting her word like gospel.

It rattled her more than it should've.

After the meeting ended, the room cleared slowly ,papers rustling, chairs scraping. Grt packed up in silence.

Liam didn't move

When the door clicked shut behind the last suit, he stood.

Walked toward her.

She tried to look busy when she wasn't.

"I didn't sleep," he said, voice low.

She blinked up at him, heart slamming. "That's your problem."

"No," he said. "You're my problem"

He closed the distance, now standing right beside her chair.

"You kissed me back."

"That was a mistake."

He crouched slightly, eyes level with hers. "You didn't look like you regretted it."

"That was the heat of the moment."

"And this isn't?" he asked, voice rough. "Because if you think I'm capable of looking at you across a table and pretending nothing happened, you're the one lying."

She stood abruptly, almost knocking her chair back. "We agreed…"

"No," he cut in. "You said we'd keep it professional. I never agreed to anything."

Grace felt her control slipping again, the way it always did when he stepped too close. When he looked at her like she was the only thing in the world that wasn't for sale.

"You want me to pretend I don't feel it?" he asked. "That I didn't spend last night with your kiss still on my lips , your voice still in my head…?"

"Liam stop."

But he didn't.

"I've spent my life controlling everything," he said. "And last night ,For the first time, I didn't want control, I just wanted you"

The room crackled

She was breathing too fast. Her back hit the table behind her as he stepped closer.

"Tell me to walk away," he said, now barely a whisper. "Say the word, and I'll leave you alone. But if you don't…"

His hand brushed hers.

"Then I'm going to kiss you again"

She should say it. Say 'walk away'

But her silence screamed louder than any no ever could.

He kissed her.

Not like the car. Not rushed. Not wild.

This was slower.

Hotter.

Worse.

Because it felt like surrender.

Her hands clutched his shirt. His mouth moved like a secret, coaxing everything out of her every protest, every line she swore they wouldn't cross.

She moaned softly into it. He pulled her tighter, deepening the kiss until her knees nearly buckled.

When they broke apart, she was shaking.

"I told myself I wouldn't let this happen"she whispered.

He leaned in, his forehead brushing hers. "I told myself I'd never want someone enough to ruin everything"

Her phone buzzed on the table between them. Loud. Invasive , like a reminder.

She stepped back first

"I need to go," she said, trying to catch her breath.

Liam didn't stop her.

But as she turned for the door, he said one thing.

"Grace "

She paused

"I'm not going to pretend anymore"

She swallowed hard. Then left heels echoing down the corridor, pulse still trapped in the taste of him.