Vivian's POV
Liam Simon possessed the kind of devastating looks that left me breathless.
I had encountered plenty of attractive men before, but Liam was different.
His presence overwhelmed me completely. Dark hair fell across his forehead in waves, as if he had been running his fingers through it repeatedly. The disheveled look contrasted sharply with his controlled, predatory stillness.
In the shadows of the room, his eyes appeared almost black, studying me with an intensity that felt like he was peering straight into my soul.
Strong jaw, a nose that had clearly been broken at least once, stubble that suggested he had been too busy for proper grooming.
Focus, Vivian.
This stranger had spoken my full name as if we were old acquaintances. Yet I had never laid eyes on him before, only heard whispered rumors about his reputation.
I flattened myself against the wall, struggling to control my breathing.
"Have we met?" I managed to ask.
His head tilted with deliberate slowness, a cold smile playing at his lips as he moved fractionally closer without actually touching me.
"Not yet."
"How do you know who I am?" I fought to steady my voice, though alcohol still made my words slightly thick.
"I make it my business to learn about anything that captures my attention."
My stomach betrayed me by fluttering at his words. What was I even doing here? And why did I not feel revolted by what I had witnessed?
Worse still, why did I suspect that Liam had orchestrated my arrival at precisely that moment?
"What do you want?" A tremor ran through my entire body.
Liam remained silent for several heartbeats, his gaze narrowing as he studied me. "You are trembling."
His attention dropped to my chest once more, and that infuriating smirk returned.
I could not determine whether he was fixated on my obvious physical response to the cold, or the mocking words printed across my shirt.
The bride that couldn't be.
I fixed him with my fiercest glare. "Eyes up here, you creep."
Liam showed no shame whatsoever. Instead, he met my stare directly and said, "I have already studied your eyes, Vivian." His voice carried a dangerous undertone that sent heat spiraling through my core.
What was wrong with me? Why was I responding to this complete stranger with such intensity?
Why was I not fleeing from someone with his notorious reputation?
He went on. "They reveal everything you try to hide. All that pain you carry. I wanted to see what else you were concealing."
My lips parted soundlessly.
He advanced another step while I pressed myself harder against the wall. "I have heard stories about you." My voice came out unsteady and barely audible.
"From Ryan Eugene, I assume? Your former intended?"
My heart plummeted before racing again.
"Ex-fiancé," I corrected sharply. "And how do you know so much about him?"
He withdrew slightly, allowing me to exhale with relief.
Liam began removing his suit jacket, and I found myself transfixed by every motion.
His muscles shifted beneath the black dress shirt as he shrugged out of the garment, the top few buttons undone and exposing just enough skin to draw my gaze like iron to a magnet.
Then he extended the jacket toward me. "I am well-informed about all my employees," he stated matter-of-factly, as though this explained everything.
He watched me expectantly, clearly waiting for me to accept his offering. Part of me desperately wanted to wrap myself in the warmth and scent of his clothing, but I refused to make this simple for him.
"What do you want from me?"
"At this moment?" He raised one eyebrow. "I want you to wear that jacket, Vivian. You are shivering."
"Because you are terrifying me," I lied. "What the hell do you want?"
"Put on the jacket first, then we can continue our delightful discussion." His tone remained low and commanding.
"Now."
With another withering look, I complied, roughly shoving my arms through the sleeves of the jacket he had just been wearing.
"Satisfied?" I snapped, meeting his eyes again.
What I discovered there stole my breath entirely. I gasped, stumbling backward until the wall stopped my retreat.
Liam Simon was looking at me as though I were his final meal. His expression had transformed into something raw and hungry, his gaze dropping to my mouth.
"There is nothing to fear from me, Vivian. I am not your adversary." That smirk appeared again.
"Are you certain about that?" I whispered. "Then why am I here with you? And why are you staring at me like you want to destroy me?"
He moved closer, hands casually tucked into his pockets. "If I intended harm, it would already be done."
Those words should have provided comfort. And they did, to some degree.
But they also sent liquid heat pooling between my legs.
I pressed my thighs together instinctively.
Something had definitely been added to my drinks tonight. Either that, or the water I had consumed was contaminated.
Liam turned away, walking to a nearby table where he retrieved a bottle of expensive bourbon and poured himself a generous measure.
I interpreted this as my opportunity to escape.
However, before I could reach for the door handle, his voice stopped me cold. "Leave now, and you will have thrown away your best opportunity for revenge against your charming ex-fiancé."
I froze completely. "Ex-fiancé," I repeated through gritted teeth, without turning around.
Liam made a thoughtful sound. "And what about your sister? Is she your ex-sister as well?"
That made me spin around to face him. He stood casually beside the table, glass raised halfway to his lips as he sipped his drink.
"How could you possibly..." My voice broke. "How do you know about that? Are you stalking me?"
"As I mentioned, I maintain detailed knowledge about all my employees."
I laughed bitterly, abandoning the door to march toward him. "What is this really? You staring at me like some kind of trophy? Sending your intimidating bodyguard to collect me? Using my full name and feeding me ridiculous excuses about employee surveillance?"
Fury made my voice shake as I continued. "And what did you mean about getting back at Ryan? I do not require rescuing, if that is what you think you are doing here."
"You appeared to be drowning, Vivian," he interrupted smoothly. "And I cannot stand watching people drown."
This man had completely lost his mind.
Absolutely and utterly insane.
I swallowed hard. "That is rich, coming from the man who was receiving oral pleasure when I walked in."
I now stood directly in front of him. "That was unfortunate timing." His voice never wavered. "You were not meant to witness that."
My lips twisted with disgust. "Bullshit." The alcohol made my words slur slightly. "You wanted me to walk in here and see it."
I glanced briefly at his mouth. "See you," I whispered.
The alcohol was definitely talking now.
Why else would I be flirting with him?
And why was I fixated on his lips?
I had to leave immediately.
I started to turn away but my knees buckled, forcing me to grab the nearest solid surface for support.
Unfortunately, that solid surface happened to be Liam's exposed chest.
My palms landed flat against his skin, and everything changed in that instant.
His entire body went rigid beneath my touch.
The glass in his hand stopped moving completely.
Liam's eyes dropped to where we were connected, then slowly rose to meet mine. What I saw there this time was completely unguarded.
Uncontrolled.
His jaw tightened, his breathing hitched enough to make mine catch in response.
Slowly, I started to pull my hands away.
But something in his expression made me want to touch him again. And again.
Liam caught my wrist, pressing it back against his chest as his eyes searched mine desperately.
When he finally spoke, his voice was rough and broken.
Tortured.
Raw with honesty.
"You were absolutely right, Vivian," he said. "I do want to ruin you."