Liam cupped my cheek. “Moron. Forget him. Never buying his tacos again.”
I laughed, shrugging.
Still eyeing me intently, he moved to the floor, finishing the box. By the time he started the second one, I decided I was done resting and crouched next to him.
“I can do this myself, Tess. Rest for a bit.”
“No, no. I’m not a mean boss. I love doing things myself.”
“I know. One of the things I really like about you.”
My stomach somersaulted. “What else do you like about me?”
He leaned into me sideways, bringing his mouth to my ear. “I could tell you, but then we’ll never finish packing.”
“That’s how little faith you have in me?”
“No, in me. I’m hanging by a thread, Tess.”
I was caught up in his spell, unsure what to say.
He pulled back a little, looking me straight in the eyes. “Let’s make a deal. We finish packing, and then I’ll tell you everything in detail. And then I’ll claim those kisses. Every single one of them. What time do your sales associates leave?”
He spoke every word against my lips. I was barely hanging by a thread too.
“Ten o’clock,” I whispered.
“We’ll be done with the boxes by then.” He swallowed hard, looking at me for a few seconds before returning his focus to the task at hand. The next few hours flew by fast, and once ten o’clock passed and the girls left, I doubled my efforts. We only had a few boxes left.
Even though I was bone-tired and my wrists were aching again, I didn’t pause or even slow down.
“Someone’s in a hurry,” Liam whispered playfully.
“You gave me a good incentive.”
“The compliments or the kissing?” Once again, his mouth was so close that we were almost touching. My body was completely on edge.
“Not sure,” I teased just as I glued the red silk bow to the last box. “All done.”
I sat on my ass, legs curled at my side. Liam mirrored my stance. His eyes were pure fire, and I wasn’t sure I could navigate this tension between us anymore.
“So...you were saying something about me asking questions?” I whispered.
“Anything you want.”
“Elaborate on the things you like about me.”
He cupped my cheek. The touch set me on fire.
“How about I first claim all those kisses I want?” he asked.
“You mean those I owe you?”
“No. Those you owe, plus all the extra ones I want.”
Holy hell! I was drunk on this man.
I nodded, leaning in until our lips brushed. The second his mouth was on mine, I couldn’t even breathe. Emotions rolled into me, and I couldn’t tell one from the other. I was consumed by the way his lips felt on my mouth and then the side of my neck. One of his hands went to my waist, the other down my thigh. He feathered his fingers at the hem of my dress where fabric met skin.