All Chapters of One Night with the Young CEO: Chapter 21 - Chapter 25

“Liam?”The voice rang out like the strike of a crystal glass, sweet, commanding, feminine. Then came the slow, deliberate click of heels against stone.Sarah’s heart slammed.Panic clutched her lungs as the balcony doors creaked wider, golden light spilling into the night. She wasn’t supposed to be here, hidden away with him like this. Not when a single whisper, a single glimpse, could ruin everything.But Liam didn’t falter.He pressed her firmly back into the shadows, his tall frame cutting her off from sight. His hand tightened at her waist, grounding her even as she trembled. His body became a shield, broad shoulders eclipsing the glow, the heat of him surrounding her until it was hard to remember where she ended and he began.“Stay still,” he whispered, voice low, lips brushing against her temple in the briefest touch. “I’ll protect you.”The words burned into her, soft and merciless all at once.And then, she appeared.A vision in shimmering silver. The gown clung like liquid m

Sarah’s breath caught as she pulled away, her hand trembling against the balcony’s cold railing. What am I doing? she scolded herself, her heart a wild mess of jealousy, longing, and shame.But before she could step back into the light of the gala, the sound of heels clicked sharply against the marble floor. A honeyed, feminine voice cut through the night air.“Liam… I’ve been looking for you.”The woman’s silhouette emerged, sleek gown clinging to her every curve, diamonds glittering under the chandeliers. She didn’t just look at Liam; she devoured him with her eyes. And then she leaned close, far too close and whispered into his ear. Sarah couldn’t hear the words, but the tone alone was enough to tell her. It wasn’t just flirtation. It was a promise. A threat. A hunger.Sarah’s chest constricted, and the fire in her stomach curled into something ugly. Why does it matter? Why should I care? He’s not mine. Yet her eyes burned at the sight, and she hated herself for the twisting, green

Her fingertips hovered above him, trembling, unsure. The tension in the room was so thick she thought it might suffocate her.She could touch him anywhere, his chest, his jaw, that sinful line disappearing beneath his brief, but her hand drifted lower, almost against her will. Slowly, cautiously, she reached for his foot.Her palm brushed over the arch, tentative, featherlight. Liam’s breath hitched, the smallest sound, but his eyes never wavered from hers. Heat shot up her arm as though she’d touched fire.She traced down to his heel, her thumb brushing the curve of bone. Then up again, over the top of his foot, feeling the veins, the warmth, the life thrumming beneath his skin.Her heart hammered. What am I doing?Her throat tightened as shame crashed into her desire. She snatched her hand back, holding it to her chest as though burned. “This is... God, Liam, this is wrong.”But Liam only leaned back against the leather, muscles flexing under the straps, a dangerous smile curving hi