Page 43 of Pleasure Island
It had actually started feeling better a while back, but I’d enjoyed the feel of his hands on me a little too much to make him stop just yet.
He eased my leg off his lap and turned to face me. “Are you alright? You weren’t under for long, but you obviously swallowed some salt water. How are you feeling?”
“Foolish,” I admitted. “I know better than to swim so far out. I wasn’t paying attention. Thank you.” He went to shrug, but I put my hand on his shoulder. “Seriously, Liam…thank you.”
He looked at me then, mouth parted as if he was going to say something.
But no words came out.
This time, I didn’t ask him to kiss me.
I kissed him.
It was a quick, easy kiss…or it should have been. He tensed and broke away.
“What’s wrong?” I asked.
He shook his head and got up. “I’m glad I was there to help, Mila,” he said, his voice stilted. Formal, even.
I’d rather he yell at me like he had on the beach.
“Are you mad I kissed you?” I asked him as he turned his back on me.
He glanced over his shoulder. He didn’tlookat me. It was more like he was giving the appearance of that consideration, because his gaze stayed far, far from mine.
“I’m not mad,” he said calmly.
“Then why are you so tense now? What’s with the wall you keep shoving between us?”
He rose from the couch and paced a few feet away before turning to look at me. There was a faint flush to his cheeks as he met my eyes. “There is nowall. I work for you – for your father, at least. And as for your kiss…you should save it for somebody who appreciates you the right way.”
He went to turn.
“I think you could appreciate me just fine,” I said softly.
He looked back at me then, and for a few seconds, there was no wall. It was just…him. A bleak look crossed his face. “I doubt that.”
