The elevator ride felt like an eternity, the hum of the machinery blending with the chaotic swirl of emotions within me. As I stared at my reflection in the sleek metal doors, my mind drifted to that unexpected, yet all-too-familiar encounter. When my widened eyes met with his piercing green eyes, I was lost immediately, just as I had been years ago when we first met. Liam James Collins the name that once sent my heart fluttering with excitement, now only filled me with dread and confusion.
Why now? I asked myself as the memory of his intense gaze lingered in my thoughts. Everything in my life had been going so smoothly until this moment. My heart betrayed me, skipping a beat at the sight of him, but my mind, always the rational one, was quick to remind me of the arrogance and mischief that lurked behind those green eyes. He was the same man who had taken my heart away, only to shatter it. Why do I have to meet him now?
I could still feel the warmth of his hands on my mouth and waist, the way I had fit so perfectly into his arms. It was almost too easy to fall back into the spell he cast, but I wouldn't let myself make the same mistake twice.
"Oh, how I love being in his arms," my inner voice whispered with a hint of longing.
"Will you shut up?" I snapped back mentally. It's not your time to talk now. But despite my reprimand, I could feel the ghost of his touch still lingering on my skin, making it hard to focus on anything else. My mind was a battlefield, with my heart and reason waging a silent war.
"I know, right? Wait, what...? Will you calm down?" my inner voice replied, trying to make light of the situation. But I wasn't in the mood for her teasing. Not now. Not when my emotions were already frayed, tangled in the web of our complicated past.
As I stood there, lost in the depths of his eyes, I struggled to find the right words. Silence seemed safer, though the air between us was thick with tension. And then it hit me, the realization that this was his company. Liam James Collins was the CEO of Collins Industries. The man I had once loved, the man who had broken my heart, was now my potential employer.
Why didn't Ava tell me? I wondered, a sharp pang of betrayal cutting through my thoughts. Ava knew about the Collins family, knew everything I had gone through. So why had she set me up like this? I made a mental note to confront her the moment I got home.
Before I could spiral any further, Liam broke the silence, his voice deep and teasing. "You're the first person I've ever seen scream at someone's chest. It's not like you haven't seen one before."
His words brought me crashing back to the present, my cheeks flushing with embarrassment. He was right; I had screamed, not because of the sight itself, but because it was his chest. A chest I had never forgotten, even after all these years. His hands left my waist, and I immediately missed their warmth, though I would never admit that to him or myself.
"I miss his arms around me," my inner voice piped up again, more insistent this time.
"Shut up," I hissed internally, trying to regain control. My face felt like it was on fire, and I could tell by the glint in his eyes that he was enjoying every second of my discomfort. Of course he is. I had only ever seen bare chests on TV or in magazines, never up close like this, especially not one as perfect as his. My inexperience felt like a neon sign hanging above my head, but he didn't need to know that.
"Why are you naked?" I blurted out, avoiding the sight in front of me as best as I could. My cheeks burned hotter, and I cursed myself for the poor choice of words. Naked? Really, Destiny?
Liam's smirk widened, his amusement evident. "Are you sure, Princess? This is what you call naked? I think you've been taught the wrong definition of the word. I could show you what naked really means."
My eyes widened in shock at his boldness, and before I could think, I slapped my hands over my eyes, taking a few steps back until my back hit the glass wall. His deep laugh echoed in the room, and I knew he was laughing at me. He's still the arrogant jerk I remember.
"Well, I'd be very happy for him to teach us what naked means," my inner voice teased, adding fuel to the fire of my embarrassment.
"I ignored her, focusing instead on the irritation bubbling within me. I was sure any girl would have loved the idea of him stripping down completely, and the thought of how many must have seen him like this before didn't sit well with me. But why should I care? I didn't care. Or at least, that's what I told myself.
"I didn't mean that," I stammered, trying to correct my slip. "What I meant was, why are you naked from the chest up? I didn't mean you should be fully naked. I know what naked means." My voice was shaky, and I could hear him chuckling softly as he leaned back, clearly enjoying my discomfort.
"Well, you should have said that more appropriately, Princess. But to answer your question, I spilled coffee on my shirt, and there isn't an extra one around. So I'll be like this until a new shirt arrives." His voice was filled with amusement, and I knew he was smirking, savoring every moment of my flustered state.
Taking a deep breath, I slowly lowered my hands from my face, though the heat in my cheeks remained. Clearing my throat, I tried to regain some semblance of professionalism. "Can we complete this interview quickly? I'm here for the job, after all."
Even if he was the CEO, I wouldn't let that deter me. I needed this job more than anything, and I wouldn't let my history with him ruin my chances. I squared my shoulders, determined to prove myself.
"Alright," he replied, still smirking as he moved towards his chair and took a seat. I followed, taking the chair opposite him, and pulled my file from my bag, placing it on the desk between us. My hands were still shaking slightly, but I pushed the file towards him, hoping he wouldn't notice.
He picked up the file, leaning back in his chair as he began to read. I couldn't help but notice how much more built he had become. Back in high school, he had been tall and lean, but now he was all muscle. My gaze drifted over his chest, and I quickly looked away, cursing myself for the distraction.
"Why do you need this job, Ms. Walker?" His voice broke through my thoughts, pulling me back to the present. "And how do you expect me to hire you with so little experience? A few internships won't cut it."
I had expected this question, not just from him, but from anyone. It was a valid point, and I knew I had to answer it well.
"Sir, I need this job because I want to earn my own living. I can't keep relying on my parents' money when I'm capable of working and supporting myself," I began, my voice growing stronger as I spoke. "I may not have much experience, but I'm confident in my abilities. I just need someone to give me the opportunity to prove myself."
He nodded, seemingly satisfied with my answer, but then his next question caught me off guard. "Do you have a boyfriend, Ms. Walker?"
"What? No, I don't have a—hey, that's not a professional question!" I replied, crossing my arms over my chest in a defensive gesture.
He smirked, placing my file back on the desk and leaning forward, his gaze never leaving mine. "I was just checking where your attention was, Miss Walker."
I fought the urge to roll my eyes. He hasn't changed one bit. "My attention is here, Mr. Collins. Now, can we continue with the interview?"
"Alright, Miss Walker," he said, still smirking. "What have you been doing this past year since completing your master's?"
His question was professional enough, but the intensity of his gaze made it hard to focus. With the file no longer covering his chest, I could see every defined muscle, every line. *Focus, Destiny!*
Clearing my throat, I answered, "I've been working as a waitress at a hotel."
He nodded again, taking in my response before pushing the file back towards me. "Well, you'll hear from my secretary soon with our decision. She'll call you."
I felt a pang of disappointment, but I kept it hidden. "Thank you, sir," I said, standing up and extending my hand for a shake. When his hand met mine, a jolt of electricity shot through me, making my heart race. He held my hand firmly for a moment before letting go, and I quickly gathered my things.
As I reached for the doorknob, I felt his presence close behind me, and I froze. How had he moved so quickly? I could feel his breath on my ear as he bent down and whispered, "Can you please inform Alexis to come to my office as you pass by?"
I nodded, my body tense with the proximity, and bolted out of the room the moment I felt him step back. My face was burning, and I knew I must