Chereads / FINDING LOVE AGAIN / Chapter 18 - 18

Chapter 18 - 18

The sound of a slightly unsteady gait echoed through the entrance hall as Liam stumbled into the mansion, his steps faltering. The pungent scent of alcohol clung to him as he attempted to maintain some semblance of composure. Maya, waiting in the living room, couldn't help but shake her head in disbelief at the sight before her.

She lets out an exasperated sigh before grabbing his arm. "Look at you," she remarks, her tone a mix of annoyance and concern. "You can't even stand properly."

Liam grins lopsidedly, attempting to play it cool. "I've had worse nights, trust me."

Maya, unimpressed, guides him upstairs, his stumbling steps echoing through the quiet house. Upon reaching his room, she unceremoniously throws him onto the couch. Crossing her arms, she gives him a stern look. "You're a mess."

Liam, now on the couch, shoots her an irritated glance. "I can handle myself, Maya. You don't have to babysit me."

With a nonchalant "OK," Maya turns toward the door, ready to leave him to his own devices. Just as she reaches for the handle, Liam's voice stops her in her tracks. "You're not really gonna leave me like this, are you? All smelly and dishevelled?"

Maya turns back to him, a smirk playing on her lips. "Well, you did say you could handle yourself, didn't you?"

----

With a hint of sarcasm in her tone, she asked, "Mr. Foster, do I help you take a shower now?"

He nodded, admitting, "My head is wobbly, and it feels hot in there."

Maya reassured him, "The A.C. is on its highest. It's just the effect of alcohol. But if you want, I can help you freshen up."

Liam, somewhat defeated, grumbled, "Don't lecture me on alcohol. Just help me or leave me alone."

Maya nodded, uncrossing her arms. "Alright, Mr. Foster. Let's get you sorted."

With that, Maya took charge, guiding Liam to the bathroom. The room was dimly lit, the cool tiles providing a stark contrast to the warmth outside. She turned on the water, adjusting it to a suitable temperature. Liam, still in a state of inebriation, followed her lead as she helped him undress and step into the shower.

---

In the shower room, she helps Liam Foster undress, carefully leaving him in white Calvin Klein boxers.

She maintains professionalism: "I'm here to assist with your shower, Liam, let's keep it professional."

Liam, with a teasing grin, presses on: "Come on, join me. It's just a shower, after all."

She hesitates, emotions entangled: "Liam, we need to focus on the task at hand, not our feelings."

Liam persists: "Sometimes, rules are meant to be broken. What do you say?"

Caught off guard, a gasp escapes her mouth as Liam pulls her into the shower fully clothed. He covers her mouth and pulls her close, the unexpected aggression igniting a complex mix of emotions.

She manages to muffle a protest: "Liam, what are you doing?"

Ignoring her words, he pulls her even closer, their bodies pressed together. The running water soaks them both, her clothes clinging to her skin.

His piercing gaze meets hers, and in that moment, the untold passion between them becomes palpable. Water droplets cascade down her face, mirroring the tumultuous emotions swirling within.

She attempts to speak, but Liam's hand on her mouth silences her, leaving only the sound of the shower's rhythmic cascade. The air thickens with desire as he holds her close, their wet clothes clinging, creating an electric connection between them.

Liam whispers, his voice a husky undertone: "Sometimes, you need to let go of the boundaries that confine us."

Her heart races, conflicted feelings warring within her. Yet, there's an unspoken acknowledgement that the barriers are breaking down, revealing a raw, unexplored passion.

The untold passion lingers in the air as he gently slides her wet hair back, revealing a glimpse of her face beneath the cascading water. The intensity of the shower becomes a metaphor for their entangled emotions.

---

Liam's gaze deepened as he confessed, "Maya, you intrigue me in ways I never expected. Your words, the way they hit me – it's like you have a direct line to my senses." He continued, his voice filled with a mixture of sincerity and intensity, "I admire the strength you have, the way you handle things. I couldn't have anyone better, even if it's unexpected."

Maya, caught in the moment, bit her lip, her eyes tracing down Liam's chest and locking with his again. Her heart raced, and her breathing echoed the intensity of the situation. "Liam," she whispered, feeling the undeniable chemistry between them.

He lifted her chin gently, locking eyes with her. "I know I'm not in the best state right now, but I can't deny what I feel, Maya. You make me see things clearly, even in the midst of this mess."

Maya, torn between desire and rationality, took a step back, her back meeting the cool glass of the shower door. "Liam, we might regret this later," she cautioned, her breath shaky.

Liam, undeterred, closed the gap between them, his arms caging her against the glass. "Maya," he said, his voice a low whisper, "I want this, and I want you. Regrets be damned."

As the water continued to cascade around them, their connection intensified. Maya's internal struggle was palpable, but Liam's gaze held a determination that sparked something in her. She swallowed hard, her resolve weakening.

In that charged moment, Liam lifted her chin once more, locking eyes with her. "Maya," he said again, a hint of vulnerability in his voice, "I can't resist you... from the moment you walked through my office door. Let go of the doubts, just for tonight."

Maya's breathing quickened, her heart pounding in her chest. The room filled with the sound of the running water as they stood in the embrace of desire and uncertainty. The decision loomed, and the consequences hung in the air, waiting to be acknowledged.

Maya, caught in the whirlwind of emotions, hesitated for a moment. The intensity of Liam's gaze and the raw connection they shared made it difficult to resist. Her logical mind warred with the desire that pulsed through her veins.

"Liam," she murmured, her voice barely audible over the sound of the shower, "we can't let this happen. You're not yourself right now."

Liam, undeterred, pressed his forehead against hers, his breath warm against her skin. "Maybe that's the point, Maya. Sometimes, we find what we truly want when we least expect it."

Her resolve weakened as his words lingered in the air. The steam from the shower surrounded them, creating an intimate cocoon. Maya's internal struggle played out on her face, torn between the passion that ignited between them and the rational fear of consequences.

Liam's fingers traced a gentle path down her arm, leaving a trail of shivers in their wake. "Maya," he whispered, his voice laced with a mixture of longing and sincerity, "I can't get you out of my head. I want to feel this connection, even if it's just for tonight."

His admission hung in the air, creating a charged atmosphere. Maya's eyes searched his, seeking answers in the depths of his gaze. The water continued to cascade around them, a metaphorical barrier between reason and desire.

Finally, with a conflicted sigh, Maya whispered, "Just for tonight, Liam. But no regrets."

Liam's eyes lit up with a mixture of gratitude and desire as he captured her lips in a fervent kiss. The water served as a witness to the union of their intertwined souls, as if the universe had conspired to bring them together in that fleeting moment of passion.

The warmth of the water enveloped them, intensifying the shared vulnerability and desire. As their lips met in a fervent kiss, the world outside the shower seemed to fade away. Maya's reservations gave way to the magnetic pull between them, and Liam's gratitude transformed into a hunger for connection.

They moved in a dance of passion, the water creating a sensual rhythm around them. Maya's hands explored the contours of Liam's wet skin, and his fingers traced delicate patterns along her back. Each touch spoke volumes, expressing unspoken emotions that had lingered in the shadows for far too long.

Liam, breaking the kiss momentarily, whispered against Maya's lips, "No regrets, Maya. Just us, here and now."

Maya nodded, a mix of longing and acceptance in her eyes. The shower became a sanctuary where time seemed to stand still, and the outside world ceased to exist. Their bodies, entwined in the cascading water, mirrored the intensity of their connection.

As the minutes slipped away, the steamy air carried with it a sense of liberation and surrender. The echoes of their shared desires filled the room, drowning out any lingering doubts. In that moment, they found solace in each other's arms, seeking refuge from the complexities of the outside world.

When the water finally began to lose its warmth, signalling the passage of time, Liam held Maya close. The quiet acknowledgement of what had transpired lingered in the air. Maya, her eyes reflecting a mix of emotions, took a deep breath.

"Liam," she said, her voice a gentle murmur, "this changes nothing, you know that, right?"

He nodded, his gaze locking with hers. "Nothing changes, Maya. We'll face whatever comes together."

And as they stood under the fading warmth of the shower, a newfound understanding bound them, transcending the boundaries of the night. The journey ahead remained uncertain, but in that moment, all that mattered was the connection they had forged in the intimacy of the water's embrace.