Chapter 10
I swear, this was the last time I’d ever lie to Liam. I turned the shower to the coldest setting and let the icy water wash over me. While drying my hair, I blasted it with cold air, making sure the chill seeped straight into my bones. My health had never been great, so it didn’t take much for me to catch a cold. As soon as I felt the cold settle into my sinuses, I sniffled, knowing I was on the verge of a fever. When I walked out of the bathroom, towel in hand, Liam was sitting on the couch. His dark eyes locked onto me with a piercing intensity. I stumbled toward him, letting out a dramatic “oh no” as I collapsed into his lap. Even though it was sudden, Liam’s arms instinctively came up to catch me. For a moment, I felt like one of those seductive fox spirits from old folklore, luring a scholar into my trap. But Liam’s gaze was steady and unwavering, cold enough to make me shiver. “Go to bed,” he said flatly. “…” I squeezed his thigh, testing his patience. His hand shot out to grab mine, holding it in place. I tilted my head, watching the way his throat moved as he swallowed. “Why are you ignoring me?” “Don’t move,” he warned. His voice was calm, but there was a flicker of something dangerous beneath it. “Go to sleep.” This time, his tone carried a sharper edge, a clear warning. “Liam, I’m so good to you. Don’t you like it?” I whispered, shifting slightly on his lap and brushing my fingers against his throat. His pupils dilated, and a low grunt escaped his lips. He was still holding back. My brother, always holding back. “Fine,” I said, feigning disappointment. “Next time, I won’t be so nice to you.” “After all, Liam, you’re the one who keeps pushing me away.” Before I could finish my sentence, his hand gripped the back of my neck, pulling me forward. His lips crashed into mine, cutting off whatever words I was about to say. Sometimes, I really did feel sorry for Liam. I was the one tied up, but he was the one who was truly trapped. I wrapped my arms around his neck, pulling him closer. “Are you scared, Liam?” I murmured against his lips. He didn’t answer right away. When he finally did, his voice was hoarse. “Yes,” he admitted quietly. “You’re acting so strange, Lila. I’m terrified it’s all a trap.” “But you know what? Even if you dug a pit and stood in front of it, smiling as you told me to jump…” “I’d still jump.”