Vivian's POV
My breathing faltered as his words hit me. "What?" I tried to pull my hand back, but his fingers wrapped around my wrist, holding me in place.
Part of me didn't want to escape anyway.
"Stay," his voice dropped to a rough whisper. "I need to feel this."
I swallowed hard, watching my palm rest against the solid warmth of his chest. His muscles contracted beneath my touch, and he drew in a sharp breath that made my pulse race.
His grip on my wrist loosened. Any rational person would have jerked away and bolted from the room.
But rational had never been my strong suit. My thoughts were clouded, and though every instinct screamed that this man spelled trouble, I ignored the warnings.
Because right now, trouble felt like exactly what I needed.
"Why are you doing this to me?" The question slipped out barely audible. "You claim to know everything about your staff, but no employer would be insane enough to memorize every person their workers associate with."
Silence stretched between us.
I pressed on, my courage building. "Somehow you knew about my sister. You knew Ryan was involved with her. How is that possible?"
He remained motionless, offering no explanation.
So I continued my dangerous game.
My fingertips began tracing tentative patterns across his chest. I was playing with fire, but the alcohol coursing through my veins had numbed my better judgment along with my fears.
The edge of dark ink caught my attention, visible where his shirt collar had shifted. Sharp, intricate lines that seemed to connect to the tattoo I'd glimpsed on his wrist earlier.
I wanted to explore every mark on his skin.
God help me, I wanted to memorize them all.
Each gentle movement of my fingers across Liam's chest made his eyes grow darker, his body more rigid. Like he was fighting an internal war against touching me back.
He desired me.
More than that, he looked at me like he wanted to possess every piece of me.
"Is that truly what you're curious about, Vivian?"
The way he spoke my name made my eyelids flutter. Gentle yet commanding, with an undertone that suggested if he told me to sit my ass down, I wouldn't hesitate.
My throat went dry as I chose honesty. "No," I whispered, shaking my head slowly.
Because the truth was, I didn't want answers. Somewhere in this madness, I'd come to a startling realization.
I wanted him just as desperately.
Not for his stunning looks. Not for his obvious wealth. Not even because of his connection to Ryan.
But because for once in my existence, someone was truly seeing me.
Not Abby.
Me.
How pathetic was that?
I withdrew my hand with a heavy sigh. "I don't understand what's happening to me. You're a complete stranger."
His intense gaze captured mine. "But you want to change that."
I hated how accurately he read me.
I lifted my shoulders in a helpless gesture. "My judgment is compromised right now, Liam." A hollow laugh escaped as emotion threatened to overwhelm me, tears gathering in my eyes. "I've been completely deceived."
The words poured out before I could stop them.
"Ryan and my sister have been manipulating me for years, and I was too blind to see it. I was such a fool. I actually believed he cared about me."
I fought desperately not to break down in front of this enigmatic stranger, but when he suddenly pulled me against his chest, I went rigid.
"Don't fight it," his voice rumbled deep and rough against my hair. "Release it all."
I hadn't intended to lose control. Certainly didn't want to show such vulnerability.
But my defenses crumbled completely.
One moment I was holding back tears, the next I was sobbing into his shirt, my fists clutching the expensive fabric as my body shook with the force of finally being allowed to shatter.
Liam's palm moved in soothing circles along my spine, offering comfort I desperately craved.
"Just give me the word," he murmured suddenly.
I pulled back, using my sleeve to wipe away the tears. "What word?"
His hand reached for my hair, and my heart thundered as he tucked loose strands behind my ear. The gesture was tender, but his expression was absolutely lethal.
"Say it and I'll deliver the revenge you're craving."
I stared at him in bewilderment. "What makes you think I want revenge?" Nervous laughter bubbled up.
Liam exhaled slowly, a dangerous smile playing at his lips. "You can't hide it from me, Vivian. You want payback against Ryan. Against your sister. You want them to suffer for what they've done."
He stepped closer and I backed away instinctively.
Not from fear, but because I wanted him to pursue me.
Soon my spine met the wall and Liam caged me in, his palm flat against the surface beside my head.
Everything about this man radiated raw magnetism.
And every word from his mouth sounded deliciously threatening.
He wasn't wrong though. I did crave retribution. Abby had been destroying my life long before tonight, and now she'd stolen what I thought was mine.
"Why would you offer to help me?"
His focus dropped to my lips as his tongue swept across his own. I wished it was mine instead.
"Because you looked at me like I could shatter you," he said quietly. "And you touched me like you wanted to belong to me."
He leaned closer until his mouth almost brushed mine, stealing my breath. "I don't feel anything, Vivian. I can't respond to anyone's touch. But yours ignited something in me."
His lips barely grazed mine and I gasped.
But he didn't pause for my response or questions, though I had countless ones.
"I can give you everything you desire," he whispered. "Revenge. Power. A new name they can't touch. One that will make them choke when they realize who you belong to."
I tried to retreat further but had nowhere to go. Yes, I wanted to scream. I want it all.
Liam's next words came deliberately slow, completely stealing my breath.
"Marry me."
I blinked rapidly, my mind racing. "You can't be serious."
He shook his head once. "Dead serious."
He stepped back, allowing me to breathe again.
"How can you possibly suggest marriage when we're strangers who don't even care about each other?"
"I don't need affection, Vivian," he said, his jaw tightening. "I just need possession."
The air vanished from my lungs again. "Liam," I breathed.
His stare never wavered. "I can make them all pay. Everyone who ever made you feel worthless."
"And what do you get?" I asked, though I already knew.
"You become mine." His voice was barely human, almost a growl on that final word.
Heat raced down my spine and pooled low in my belly.
The warmth had never really left anyway.
I swallowed hard as the magnitude of everything crashed over me. Before I realized it, I was standing inches from him again.
"I have one last request," I whispered, my hand finding his chest once more, this time focusing on the buttons of his shirt.
"Name it," he said hoarsely, his nostrils flaring at my contact.
I tried to talk myself out of this madness.
I truly did.
But alcohol had dulled my inhibitions, leaving only one burning need.
The desire to experience what Abby had felt with Ryan when I discovered them together.
Heart hammering, eyes locked on Liam's, I made my request.
"I want you to take my virginity."