The moment their lips met, everything else disappeared. Sophia's mind, always sharp and calculating, felt like it had short-circuited. Liam's kiss wasn't rushed or demanding. It was slow, deliberate, like he was savoring her, drawing out every bit of resistance she thought she had left. Her hands, which had been hanging uselessly at her sides, found their way to his chest, feeling the steady thrum of his heartbeat beneath her fingertips.
He pulled back slightly, just enough to look into her eyes, his breath warm against her lips. "Tell me to stop," he murmured, his voice thick with restraint. "If you don't want this, I'll stop right now."
But the last thing Sophia wanted was for him to stop. Her body was on fire, every nerve ending alive in a way she hadn't felt before. There was no room for doubt, no space for logic. She shook her head, her voice barely above a whisper. "Don't stop."
That was all Liam needed. He closed the small gap between them, his hands sliding down her back to rest on her hips, pulling her closer. This time, his kiss was deeper, hungrier, and it sent a shiver down her spine. Her fingers tangled in his hair, pulling him even closer as her body pressed against his.
The world tilted as Liam guided her backward, her back meeting the plush couch. He leaned over her, his weight grounding her, his lips trailing from her mouth to her jawline and then to the sensitive spot just below her ear. She let out a soft gasp, her body arching instinctively toward him.
"You're incredible," he whispered against her skin, his voice a low growl that sent a ripple of heat through her. His hands explored her sides, skimming the fabric of her blouse, his touch firm but careful, as though he was memorizing every curve.
Sophia's head swam with the intensity of it all. This was nothing like she'd expected. Liam wasn't just taking—he was giving. Every movement, every touch, felt like a question, asking for permission, seeking her response. It wasn't just physical; it was intimate in a way that unsettled and excited her.
Her hands found their way under his shirt, her palms sliding over the hard planes of his stomach and chest. His muscles tensed under her touch, a sharp intake of breath the only sound he made. It was intoxicating to feel him react to her, to know she wasn't the only one losing control.
"Are you sure about this?" he asked again, pulling back just enough to search her face, his eyes dark and filled with something she couldn't quite name.
Instead of answering with words, Sophia pulled him down to her, her lips capturing his in a kiss that left no room for doubt. Whatever this was between them, she didn't want to fight it anymore. For once, she was ready to give in—to him, to the moment, to whatever might come next.
Liam responded with a quiet groan, his restraint finally snapping. His hands slid beneath her blouse, his touch igniting her skin as he explored every inch of her with a reverence that made her breath hitch. The room felt charged, the air between them heavy with anticipation.
Sophia didn't know what tomorrow would bring, but right now, in Liam's arms, nothing else mattered.