Page 25 of Love Unscripted

I swallow. “Okay.”

Liam presses his forehead to mine, staring into my eyes. “Okay? So you’re ready?”

“Mmhmm.” I’m not ready, but anyhow . . .

He lowers his head and nuzzles into my neck.

I giggle and squirm. “That tickles.”

He mumbles against the skin below my earlobe. “Sorry. I wasn’t going for laughter, but I’ll take it.” He chuckles.

I thread my arms over his shoulders and lift my head until our noses touch. “Thanks for helping me keep calm.” I move to kiss his cheek, but he turns and captures my lips.

Sweet mercy. His lips are soft and wet from the water. His breath is minty and ohmygosh, I’m kissing him back.

I melt into his embrace, surrendering to this intoxicating man. His fingers gently trace the contours of my jaw, sending sweet shivers all over my body, and I find myself lost in the moment.

But I have to stop this.

Now.

I slowly inch back, ending the kiss before it gets any hotter in this tub. Our eyes lock, a kaleidoscope of emotions reflects in Liam’s eyes—a mixture of surprise, desire, and an unspoken yearning for more.

I hide my face in his chest, regret flooding in. How could I let this happen? How can I backtrack what just transpired between us?

Pretend it was for show and didn’t affect me in the least.

I whisper into his ear, “Can you tell them to go now?” I remain angled away from the cameras, mortified how our kiss was recorded. I can imagine Granny Smith watching us on TV. She’ll likely applaud, but still, my whole family will see this with a bowl of popcorn on their laps.

Oh, I’m still sitting in Liam’s lap. I need to move.

Liam calls over my shoulder. “That’s it from us. Thanks for coming.”

I laugh at this. But I stay hidden, my chin resting on his shoulder. As soon as the lights move away, I slide off Liam’s lap and sit beside him. “Wow. We’re good at this fake marriage thing. Nearly fell for it myself for a second.”

Liam scrunches his nose and relaxes. “Yeah. Even had me fooled.” He reaches for my hand under the water.

I dodge his hand and move further away from him. “Thank goodness the day is over. I’m drained.” I wipe water from my brow. “I’m headed to the shower. Meet you back at the room.”

“Oh. Okay.” Disappointment lines his brow.

A pang of guilt hits me in the middle. I don’t want to hurt Liam. Oh, flipping heck. I’m caring about him now. Not good.

I reach for his towel beside the hot tub and twist my body toward him. “Um. Can you look away again?”

His smile returns. “Sure.”

“Thanks.” I slip out of the tub, water sprinkling behind me. The weight of my body grows heavy as I step onto the tiles. Wrapping the towel around me tightly, I let out a breath. “You can look now.”

Liam stands in the tub and his torso glistens from the glow beneath the waters. I’m staring. I know I’m staring, but goodness gracious me. How am I supposed to resist that tonight?

***

LIAM

Trina needs to stop looking at me like that. She took my towel, so I’m left standing, dripping, at the side of the hottub. There might be cameras out here. Probably not, but I’m not about to push my luck and say something I’ll regret later when it’s aired on national TV.

She’s ridiculously adorable standing there wrapped in a fluffy towel up to her neck.