Chapter 18: Caught in the Moment

Allie froze, her heart pounding as she stared at Liam Hart standing in the doorway. His piercing eyes locked onto hers, and for a moment, she thought she was imagining things.

“Liam?” she stammered, her voice barely above a whisper. “Why are you here?”

Liam stepped into the room, closing the door behind him with a soft but deliberate click. “This is my room,” he said matter-of-factly, his expression unreadable.

Her stomach sank. Adam brought me here… to Liam’s room?

Liam’s gaze swept over her, taking in her disheveled state—the scratches on her arms, the smudge of dirt on her cheek, and the way her hair fell messily over her shoulders. His lips curved into a faint smirk.

“Did you climb through a hedge to get here?” he teased, shrugging off his jacket to reveal the crisp white shirt underneath.

Allie straightened, her embarrassment quickly replaced by irritation. “I didn’t know it was your room! Adam brought me here to—”

“To what?” Liam interrupted, taking a step closer. “Crash my party?”

Allie’s eyes narrowed. “I didn’t want to come to your stupid party in the first place. But since I’m here, I got to witness quite the spectacle—Liam Hart, picking out brides like produce at a farmers’ market. Very charming.”

Liam raised an eyebrow, a glint of amusement flashing in his eyes. “Jealous, are we?”

“Jealous?” Allie scoffed, crossing her arms. “Of what? Watching you parade around like the perfect gentleman while your family practically auctions you off? No thanks.”

Liam chuckled, his voice low and teasing. “You are jealous. Admit it.”

“Absolutely not!” she shot back, her cheeks flushing.

Liam’s smirk faded, replaced by a serious expression as he closed the distance between them. “Then let’s settle it.

Come downstairs with me right now, Allie. I’ll tell everyone—my father, my sister, even your father—that you’re my wife. Let’s end the charade. No more blind dates, no more pretenses. Just us.”

Her heart skipped a beat, but panic quickly followed. She took a step back. “I—no! This isn’t the time or place. Look at me! I’m covered in dirt, and I—”

“That’s not the real reason,” Liam said, his voice soft but firm. “You’re scared.”

“I’m not scared!”

He leaned in, his tone dropping to a near whisper. “Then prove it.”

Allie opened her mouth to respond, but no words came out. Her mind raced, caught between her frustration and the undeniable pull she felt whenever Liam was near.

Liam sighed, running a hand through his hair. “Fine. If you won’t let me do it my way, you owe me a different kind of apology.”

“What?” Allie asked, her voice wary.

Without warning, Liam cupped her face and kissed her. His lips were warm, firm, and unyielding, stealing her breath

and her thoughts. She tried to pull back, but her protests melted into the kiss.

When she finally found the strength to break away, she whispered breathlessly, “Liam, stop. Someone might come in!”

His voice was low, tinged with amusement. “The door’s locked. And the windows—one-way glass. They can’t see in, but we can see out.”

Her eyes darted to the massive window overlooking the grand hall below. The sight of the partygoers milling about made her stomach twist. “I can’t do this,” she muttered.

Liam pulled back slightly, his expression softening as he studied her. “Alright,” he said quietly. “I’ll stop.”

He stepped away, heading toward a sleek wardrobe on the far side of the room. After rummaging for a moment, he returned holding a delicate cherry blossom-patterned dress.

“Here,” he said, holding it out to her.

Allie stared at it, her confusion evident. “What’s this?”

Liam’s lips quirked into a small smile. “A dress. It’s yours.”

“Mine?”

“Who else would I keep women’s clothes in my room for?” he teased.