Chapter 1: The Unspoken Tension
Emma leaned against the cool tiled wall of the dimly lit bathroom, her breath hitching as another wave of nausea rolled through her. The party outside pulsed with bass and laughter, but in here, it was just her and Liam, his piercing blue eyes locked on her with a mix of concern and something darker, hungrier. Her stomach churned violently, and she clamped a hand over her mouth, her sharp jaw tightening as she fought the urge to give in.
'I'm fine, Liam,' she snapped, her voice rough through a suppressed gag, her emerald eyes flashing with defiance. 'I don’t need a babysitter, so you can stop hovering like I’m some damsel in distress.'
Liam smirked, stepping closer, his broad frame filling the small space. 'Oh, come off it, Em. You’re green as a lime, and I can hear your stomach doing somersaults from here. Why the hell are you so stubborn?' His tone was teasing, but his gaze was intense, raking over her flushed cheeks and the way her tight black dress clung to every curve.
She shot him a glare, her breath catching as another deep, unrelenting gag tore through her. 'Because I’m not about to puke my guts out in front of you, asshole. I’ve got some dignity left.' Her words were sharp, but her body betrayed her, trembling slightly as she gripped the sink for support.
Liam chuckled, low and dangerous, closing the distance between them. 'Dignity’s overrated, babe. You think I care about a little mess? I’ve seen worse.' He reached out, his hand finding her waist, fingers splaying possessively over the fabric of her dress. 'Let me help you. Stop fighting it.'
Emma’s eyes narrowed, but her resolve wavered as his other hand slid to her belly, rubbing slow, deliberate circles. The warmth of his touch sent a shiver through her, cutting through the nausea with a spark of something else—something hot and reckless. 'Don’t patronize me,' she bit out, though her voice softened, a burp escaping her lips despite her best efforts. She winced, embarrassed, but Liam’s grin only widened.
'There we go,' he murmured, his voice a seductive purr as his hand pressed a little firmer, coaxing. 'Be good for me, Em. Just let it out. I’ve got you.' His words dripped with a challenge, and she hated how they made her pulse race, how they made her feel seen in a way she wasn’t ready for.
Her breath hitched, torn between the urge to push him away and the undeniable pull of his closeness. The air between them crackled, thick with unspoken tension, as his thumb brushed just under the edge of her dress, grazing bare skin. She felt the heat of him, the hard lines of his body so close, and suddenly the nausea wasn’t the only thing making her dizzy. 'You’re enjoying this way too much,' she accused, her voice husky now, her defiance laced with a dangerous edge.
Liam’s eyes darkened, his smirk turning predatory. 'Maybe I am. But so are you, aren’t you? I can see it in your eyes, Em. You’re fighting more than just your stomach right now.' His hand slid lower, teasing, as he leaned in, his breath hot against her ear. 'Let go. I dare you.'
Her resolve cracked, a fire igniting deep in her core as she grabbed his collar, pulling him closer, their lips a heartbeat apart. The bathroom seemed to shrink around them, the world narrowing to the electric charge of their bodies, the promise of something raw and untamed. Whatever happened next, she knew it wouldn’t be gentle—and she was ready to take control.
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