When I stepped back into the ballroom, I pretended like nothing had changed. But inside me, everything had.


    Sophia caught my eye immediately, her look brimming with curiosity and teasing smirks. I gave her a nk expression, silently begging her not to say a word.


    She didn’t. And I was grateful.


    She only raised a brow like a cat who knew too much, then turned back to her champagne.


    The party was still alive, louder than ever. The music had shifted to a seductive beat that made people cling closer on the dance floor. Laughter floated over the pulsing bass. And yet, I felt like I was walking on ss.


    From the corner of my eye, I saw Liam. Or rather, I felt him. Our nces collided, sharp and fleeting. I could feel the tension radiating off him.


    “So,” a voice said beside me, breaking the moment.


    Mason.


    He smiled, easy and warm, theplete opposite of the storm Liam carried.


    “Stilling on tour with me? Or have you changed your mind?”


    I didn’t miss a beat. “I’m more than excited. Do I need to sign something? Bring snacks? What’s the protocol for tagging along with a rockstar?”


    Heughed, eyes crinkling with amusement. “You just need to be there. That’s more than


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    enough.”


    I could feel Liam watching, probably imagining a thousand ways to murder Mason with his


    stare. Good.


    I looked back at Liam briefly. ra was talking to someone else now, but she had one hand curled possessively around Liam’s arm.


    I took a sip of champagne and tried not to re.


    Eventually, I excused myself to the restroom. The hallway was quieter, the music a distant thump now. I washed my hands, stared at myself in the mirror. Deep breath. Lipstick check.


    When I stepped out, ra was waiting for me. Her eyes raked over me like I was something on clearance.


    “You know,” she began, her voice calm butced with venom, “Liam is very important to me. He doesn’t need distractions. Especially not from someone who clearly doesn’t belong in his world.”


    I blinked. “Excuse me?”


    “I’m just saying, if you’re one of those girls,” she looked at me condescendingly. “You know, gold diggers or opportunists. It’s better to quit now before you embarrass yourself.”


    Who is this bitch? Who sent her?


    I tilted my head. “You have no idea who I am, and I have no idea what makes you think you can talk to me like that. But I’m going to let that slide. Just this once. Next time, not so much.”


    And with that, I stormed out, anger burning a trail behind me.


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    Back inside the ballroom, Sophia intercepted me with a smirk.


    “Okay,” she said, “what was that face about? You look like someone threatened to kill your puppy.”


    “ra is an absolute delight.”


    “Oh God, what did she do?”


    I gave


    her a look. “Just tell me. What exactly is she to Liam?”


    Sophia sipped her champagne, clearly amused. “Why ask? I thought you didn’t care.”


    “Sophia.”


    “Okay, fine. They’re childhood friends. Family friends, whatever. She’s been into him since the first time she swiped on lip gloss.<i>” </i>


    “Great. That exins everything…and nothing.”


    She grinned. “Still don’t care though, right?”


    “Shut up.”


    The DJ shifted gears again, ying something upbeat and sexy. Sophia grabbed my hand.


    “Let’s dance. Come on.”


    We started together,ughing and spinning. Then Jay joined. Then one of his friends, some cheeky guy named Lucas who made meugh so hard I nearly spilled my drink. Finally, Mason cut in with his signature smirk.


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    He pulled me close, and we danced like old friends. Comfortable. yful. Harmless fun.


    Everything was under control. Until it wasn’t.


    Liam stepped in like a storm I hadn’t prepared for.


    “May I?” he asked Mason. It wasn’t a question.


    Mason looked at me, and I nodded. He gave a slight bow and walked away.


    Now it was Liam and me.


    And it was nothing like before.


    His hand gripped my waist, his other catching mine. We moved in slow, sultry rhythm, the room falling away. Everything narrowed to heat and silence between us.


    He leaned in, and suddenly the air between us felt charged.


    “You’re driving me insane tonight.”


    I didn’t answer. I wasn’t sure I could trust my voice.


    “That dress,” he murmured, lips near my ear, “should be illegal. I haven’t been able to think straight since I saw you.”


    My breath caught in my throat, sharp and sudden.


    “Every curve, every move… it’s like you’re trying to ruin me.”


    “Liam…”


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    His voice dropped lower. “Do you know what I’ve been imagining all night? You, out of this dress. On your knees. Moaning my name.”


    My heart thudded. My skin felt too tight.


    “You’re sweating,” he whispered with a grin. “What, is the room not cold enough for you?”


    I shot him a re. He answered with a wicked, all–too–knowing smile.


    “I want to kiss you so badly right now,” he said. “But I want you to ask for it.”


    My mouth went dry. Every part of me screamed yes, but my pride was louder.


    “Keep dreaming,” I whispered.


    He chuckled. “Oh, I will.”


    We were still dancing, still moving, but I could barely feel my legs.


    Because right now, Liam ck was setting fire to my sanity.


    And I didn’t know how much longer I could resist the burn.


    His fingers syed a little wider at my waist, possessive. I was hyper aware of every point where our bodies touched, every inch of heat sparking between us.


    He pulled me in closer. Our foreheads nearly brushed.


    “Tell me the truth,” he said, voice a low rasp. “Are you still pretending you don’t want me?”


    I looked away. My lips parted, but the words wouldn’te.


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    “Because I’m done pretending,” he added.


    My pulse hammered as I looked into his eyes, dark, intense, almost desperate. The music swelled around us, people moved like shadows, and still it felt like we were standing in a bubble.


    I could’ve said something reckless. But instead, I stepped back.


    He let me go, reluctantly.


    “I should get another drink,” I said, barely recognizing my own voice.


    “Emily,” he said again, almost like a warning. “Don’t run. Not from this.”


    But I already had.


    I turned, forcing my feet to walk away


    away before my resolve melted entirely.


    And even as I moved through the crowd, the feel of his hands stayed imprinted on my skin. <fnf866> ???? ????s? ???????s ?? find~novel</fnf866>


    This night wasn’t over. Not even close.


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