I swear, this was the last time I’d ever lie to Liam.
I turned the shower to the coldest setting and let the icy water wash over me. While drying my hair, I blasted it with cold air, making sure the chill seeped straight into my bones.
My health had never been great, so it didn’t take much for me to catch a cold.
As soon as I felt the cold settle into my sinuses, I sniffled, knowing I was on the verge of a fever.
When I walked out of the bathroom, towel in hand, Liam was sitting on the couch. His dark eyes locked onto me with a piercing intensity.
I stumbled toward him, letting out a dramatic oh no” as I collapsed into his lap.
Even though it was sudden, Liam’s arms instinctively came up to catch me.
For a moment, I felt like one of those seductive fox spirits from old folklore, luring a scholar into my trap.
But Liam’s gaze was steady and unwavering, cold enough to make me shiver.
“Go to bed,” he said flatly.
I squeezed his thigh, testing his patience.
His hand shot out to grab mine, holding it in place. I tilted my head, watching the way his throat moved as he swallowed.
“Why are you ignoring me?”
“Don’t move,” he warned. His voice was calm, but there was a flicker of something dangerous beneath it.
“Go to sleep.”
23:33 Mon, Apr 7
This time, his tone carried a sharper edge, a clear warning.
“Liam, I’m so good to you. Don’t you like it?” I whispered, shifting slightly on his lap and brushing my fingers against his throat.
His pupils dilated, and a low grunt escaped his lips.
He was still holding back. My brother, always holding back.
“Fine,” I said, feigning disappointment. “Next time, I won’t be so nice to you.”
“After all, Liam, you’re the one who keeps pushing me away!
Before I could finish my sentence, his hand gripped the back of my neck, pulling me
forward.
His lips crashed into mine, cutting off whatever words I was about to say.
Sometimes, I really did feel sorry for Liam.
I was the one tied up, but he was the one who was truly trapped.
I wrapped my arms around his neck, pulling him closer. “Are you scared, Liam?” | murmured against his lips.
He didn’t answer right away. When he finally did, his voice was hoarse.
“Yes,” he admitted quietly.
“You’re acting so strange, Lila. I’m terrified it’s all a trap.”
“But you know what? Even if you dug a pit and stood in front of it, smiling as you told me to jump…”
“I’d still jump.”
23:33 Mon, Apr 7
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