Chapter 47
I point a finger at him. “If you say ‘we can share,’ I will smother you in your sleep.”
Liam bites back a laugh, holding up his hands in surrender. “Noted.”
But his amusement fades slightly when I don’t say anything else. When I just stand there, arms crossed, heart pound-
ing.
This shouldn’t be a big deal. It’s just a bed. People do this all the time. Friends. Strangers on long flights. It’s just ly- ing next to each other-nothing more.
But it’s been nearly a year since I’ve fallen asleep next to someone. And this isn’t just someone.
It’s Liam.
And somehow, that makes it feel even more real.
His voice softens. “You want me to take the floor?”
I exhale, already exhausted. “No. That’s ridiculous.”
His eyes flicker with something unreadable. “Then what do you want, Emilia?”
The way he says my name-it sends a shiver down my spine.
I don’t have an answer. Or maybe I do, but saying it out loud would make it impossible to ignore the truth clawing at my chest.
I want this to be real.
But instead of saying that, I roll my eyes. “I want you to stop looking so smug about this.”
Liam chuckles, tilting his head. “Can’t help it. You’re cute when you’re flustered.”
I grab a pillow and smack him with it.
Liam barely flinches when the pillow smacks against his chest. Instead, he grins wider-like I just challenged him.
“Oh, you’re in for it now.”
Before I can react, he grabs a pillow of his own and swings. I barely dodge in time, letting out a half-laugh, half- squeal as I dive to the other side of the bed.
“You started this, Em,” he teases, eyes gleaming with amusement.
I grab another pillow and hold it up like a shield. “And I’ll finish it.”
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Chapter 47
288 Vouchers
He lunges. I swing. I’m half worried about feathers flying.
I’m laughing so hard my stomach hurts, trying to smack him while dodging his attacks. But Liam is relentless-he corners me against the bed, his pillow raised.
“Any last words?” he asks, smirking.
I narrow my eyes. “Yeah. Duck.”
I throw my pillow straight at his face. It lands with a satisfying thwack, and he stumbles back just enough for me to
escape.
But Liam is fast.
Before I can make it two steps, he grabs me around the waist and tackles me onto the bed, pinning me beneath him.
We’re both breathless, laughter still lingering in the air. His weight presses into me just enough to make my pulse go wild. His hands rest on either side of me, caging me in.
And then I realize-he’s not moving.
Neither am I.
His eyes flick down to my lips for just a second. So quick I almost convince myself I imagined it.
But I didn’t.
My heart pounds.
The air shifts. The teasing, the laughter-it all fades into something else. Something dangerous.
Liam leans in slightly, his voice barely above a whisper.
“You win.”
Liam’s voice is barely more than a breath, but I hardly hear it over the pounding of my heart.
Because he’s right there.
Hovering over me, his light blue eyes locked onto mine, intense and unreadable. His messy blond hair falls over his forehead, just enough to make him look effortlessly perfect. And I can’t breathe.
This is dangerous.
I should push him away. Laugh it off. Do something.
But all I can think about is how natural this feels. How it always feels this way with him. Like when he grabs my hand without thinking, even when no one’s watching. Or when he squeezes my thigh, grounding me in a way no one else ever has. When he stands between me and the world, protecting me without question.
And now-now he’s so close.
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My pulse hammers in my ears. Thump. Thump. Thump.
The space between us is shrinking, like we’re being pulled together. Like if I just tilt my head-just a little-our lips. will brush, and everything will change.
And the worst part?
I want it to.
But if this happens, if I let myself fall, then it’s real. It’s no longer just a contract, a game, a carefully crafted lie. It’s everything I’ve been pretending I don’t want.
I’ll be exactly what they say I am.
A puck bunny.
The thought hits like ice water. My chest tightens. I don’t let myself think about why.
I break the moment. Turn my head. Push him back just slightly, but it’s enough.
“I’ll take the left side,” I say, my voice is too steady for the way my hands are shaking.
Liam doesn’t move at first. His gaze lingers on my face, as if he sees something I don’t want him to.
Then, finally, he exhales a quiet chuckle. Rolls off me. Settles onto his side.
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