His jaw got that determined look again. ‘I
’ll organise a chauffeur from the hotel.’
They stared at each other and then she shook her head. Smiled. Because what else could she do? She’d just made love with a man she thought she might be in love with and who was brooding because she wouldn’t agree to go out with him. Maybe she did need to look for that rabbit hole. ‘Okay.’
He released a breath. ‘Okay. And I intend to kiss you good night.’
Chloe swallowed. ‘That’s not a good idea.’
Liam moved in closer and crowded her and Chloe felt herself dissolving into a puddle of need.
‘I have it on good authority that when you start seeing someone you have to take their wishes into account,’ he said huskily.
Chloe shook her head to hide her grin but it didn’t work. When she looked back he was smiling as well and she wondered if she was a fool because she wanted to trust him so badly.
***
An hour later Chloe pushed her laptop off her knee and leaned her head back on the pillows against her headboard. As soon as she’d arrived home she’d pulled on the t-shirt and boxers she slept in and opened up the video Liam’s friends had taken five years ago. She had only ever watched it once but had never deleted it.
Now she saw that what Liam had said was true. As much a she had viewed the horrible “marry me” banner with excitement he had looked at it with utter shock and instead of it being pity in his eyes as he’d looked at her it had been more sorrowful. Then he’d looked about the room with fury firing out of his eyes. Previously she’d only noticed the horror and embarrassment on her own face.
Chloe sighed and thought about Liam’s invitation to his premiere the following night. Back at the Chatsfield she’d thought there was no way she could do it. No way she could stomach someone recognising her from five years ago and facing that again, but that was cowardly.
And somehow it no longer mattered. Talking to Liam tonight, confronting him about what he had done, having him apologise, having him kiss her, making love with him… it had changed her.
Chloe traced her fingers across her still swollen lips and wished she’d stayed at the hotel. Wished she was still wrapped securely in Liam’s strong arms.
Her phone buzzed beside her on the bed and she glanced down and saw the number Liam had programmed into it flash onto her screen.
‘You’re still up,’ she said a little huskily by way of a hello.
‘So are you?’
‘Yes.’
‘Whatcha doing?’
What she was doing was thinking about him. And his earlier words came back to her. The ones about seizing the moment. She realised that she had stopped seizing the moment as far as her personal life was concerned years ago because deep down she still felt like the ugly duckling in a world of swans. And tonight, while Cara and Charles had made her look beautiful, Liam had made her feel beautiful.
Instinctively Chloe knew that after that horrible prank she had let her insecurities dominate her decision making and that if she did that this time she might just miss out on experiencing the love of a lifetime. And even if Liam didn’t turn out to be her one true love she was ready to admit that she was far from over him. Ready to admit that she had unfinished business with him and it had nothing to do with rejecting him. ‘I’m touching my lips and remembering your kiss.’ Her voice grew huskier. ‘Your touch.’
Liam’s rough groan made her grin like an idiot.
‘What are you doing?’
‘Smiling,’ he said and she could hear it in his voice.
‘Why?’
‘Because I found you again.’
‘Excuse me.’ Chloe settled back more comfortably against her pillows. ‘But I do believe it was me who found you.’
‘Only by a few hours, Specs. I was planning to look you up before I left town.’
Chloe’s heart did a little flip. ‘You were?’
‘Don’t doubt it.’