Ella

My heart still races from our encounter upstairs. It took everything in me to force my legs to carry me away from Liam and go downstairs, and now he sits across the counter, eyeing me like a lion eyes a steak.

I try not to pay him any attention, but it's impossible not to feel the weight of his gaze on me. Even while he talks with Tim and Declan, I can see him watching from the corner of my eye. There's something empowering about being the object of his desire. It sends a thrill coursing through me.

Through it all, Sophia watches, her smug smile growing to match his hunger and frustration. The moment his workday ended, it's been like a switch flipped. Work was forgotten, and his attention moved squarely on to other things...

"How are those peppers coming, El?" Emilio asks. He takes his cooking very seriously and is hard at work prepping the meat.

Soph, on the other hand, is too busy waging psychological warfare with Liam still as she eviscerates another vegetable while maintaining her stare down with him. Declan is going to need to step up his game soon, or none of us will have the weekend we had in mind.

I pass my plate full of red, yellow, and orange pepper slivers over to Emilio and smile. "Oh and these too," I say adding Sophia's hand full of peppers.

Emilio arches a brow and side eyes her. "Excellent technique, but I'm afraid rather slow... You could learn a thing or two from chef El." He winks at me and tosses the peppers into a big steel bowl.

Sliding over the chopped onions, I look around for anything else to do but come up empty. I'm a victim of my efficiency. Maybe he needs help cooking?

"Any good on a grill?" Emilio asks, looking at Tim.

"If by good you mean setting fire? Then absolutely," Sophia says under her breath, making Tim's face fall.

I elbow her in the ribs, but she just rolls her eyes.

"What? He's nearly burned down your kitchen twice now," she chirps.

Cringing, I have no retort. Tim is hopeless in a kitchen. The first time he set my stove on fire he was making macaroni and cheese... how a man can set water on fire, I will never know. The second time, he turned my oven into a crematorium. That poor roast never stood a chance, and it took weeks to get my place to stop smelling like smoke.

"Maybe I just need a good teacher," Tim replies, having recovered. He wiggles his brows and slips off his seat as he goes to join Emilio at the stove.

The seasoned chef doesn't miss a step, smoothly slipping behind Tim and guiding him to the cooktop. How effortlessly he slips his a hand on Tim's waist while the other wraps around his wrist leaves me blushing and looking away.

In my distracted state, I miss Liam leaving his seat and jump as he appears beside me. He slides a fresh drink in front of me and rests his elbows on the counter.

"Having fun?" he asks. There's a dangerous edge to his voice that makes my heart flutter.

"Mm hmm," I murmur, not trusting my voice.

Liam arches a brow and tilts his head, amusement sparkling in his green gaze. He inches closer, so close I can feel the heat rolling off his body, and leans in. His breath fans across my neck, setting goose bumps off in its wake.

"You know the night ends eventually, right?" he asks, his gaze boring deep into mine.

I'm torn between continuing our game and taking him up on his promise. Digging deep, I bite my lower lip and smile, focusing on the counter. "What ever do you mean, Sir?"

He lets out a tight breath, just above a growl, and lifts my chin to make me look at him. "Is that how you're going to play this?" A grin tugs at his lips as they inch closer, stopping just short of mine.

My eyelids flutter shut and I lean in, completely under his spell, but come up empty.

"Two can play at that," he teases, pulling back.

My lips part, and I stare as he steps back, grabbing the bottle of scotch to top up Declan's glass. Liam doesn't look back, but his grin grows, as if he can feel the weight of my gaze on him.

How'd he do that?! I had him in the palm of my hand, yet here I am, the one left wanting.

"Can someone shred the cheese?" Emilio asks, not wanting to leave his 'hands on' cooking lesson.

I sigh and go to the fridge, digging around until I find the cheese, then set about finding the grater. Liam stands, holding it triumphantly.

"Do you even know how to use that?" Declan asks, making Liam's cocky smirk fall.

"It's pretty self explanatory," Liam deadpans.

I bite my bottom lip to fight back a laugh and hold the cheese out for him. Liam frowns, having his play derailed by his friend.

Liam takes the cheese, all eyes on him, and turns to the counter. "What?" He grumbles, planting his palms on the granite.

"I'm just wondering if hell froze over or something cause that,"—Emilio looks pointedly at the cheese grater, then back at his friend—"isn't exactly your forté."

Declan breaks first, nearly spitting his drink as he laughs. In short order, everyone but Liam is laughing.

He straightens and rips the cheese open, then prepares to shred it, pausing when he realizes there's no bowl.

Bracing my hand on his shoulder, I reach up on my tippy toes to grab one for him. Liam's attention is squarely on me as I slide the bowl over to him.

"Thanks," he murmurs, the earlier frost having evaporated from his voice.

"Do you need a hand?" I ask, feeling my pulse flutter as a smirk creeps on his lips.

"I think I can manage, but I'll keep your offer in mind." Mischief sparkles in his green gaze as he sets to sheltering the cheese.

My jaw drops, following him off track and straight to the gutter. How the fuck am I supposed to get the upper hand if he can turn an innocent offer to help into an innuendo?

Fate smiles on me as Emilio and Tim bring over sizzling pans piled high with savory seared veggies and strips of chicken and beef. They set them in the center of the island and Sophia passes out plates and warm tortillas.

"How you can whip up a feast so fast I'll never know," Liam says, adding his cheese to the smorgasbord.

Emilio rakes his gaze over Tim and grins. "What can I say? I had excellent help." He winks at me and Sophia.

"While we're going over the mysteries of the world," Soph says, diving in. "How do you remain so well hidden? I looked into Trenton before we ever did our bid. You're a ghost."

Emilio laughs. "You almost sound mad? Low key is my thing. It's a lot easier to see people's true stripes when they think I'm just a receptionist."

"You're far more than just a receptionist," Declan says with a pointed look. "We would have never had the start up to get this far if it wasn't for you."

Emilio leans in and gives Sophia a knowing look. "This one's too modest. He's too driven to have not succeeded eventually and Mr. Control freak was always destined for the top. I just sped things along."

Tim lets out a wolf whistle. "Handsome, talented, and affluent." He holds up Emilio's hand, comically looking for a wedding ring on his bare finger. "Yet something doesn't add up."

Rolling his eyes, Emilio snatches his hand back. "Don't get too cocky."

I giggle, watching the lighthearted banter unfold. A couple of drinks have me loosened up and the fajitas are restaurant quality. After the week we've had, this is perfect.

"Old money? New money?" Tim studies Emilio like the most complex puzzle. "Usually I'm good at guessing, but you've got me stumped."

"Tim!" Me and Soph chide in unison.

The man has no filter whatsoever!

"Ladies, it's fine." He turns back to Tim and shrugs. "Technically, it's both."

I tilt my head at a loss how someone can be both.

Liam leans over, having read my confusion. "His old man is an asshole." There's a protective growl to his voice, telling how protective he is of his friend.

"Cunt," Emilio corrects. "I don't use that word often, but he is... and yet I owe everything I am to him."

"The fuck you do!" Declan snaps. "You are who you are in spite of him."

Emilio grabs his glass and throws back the last of his wine. He looks lost in thought as he grabs a fresh bottle to refill his glass and Tim's.

"I won't bore you with the details, but dear old dad wasn't happy when I brought my boyfriend home at sixteen. He disowned me and kicked me out the same night." The casual way he says it leaves my jaw on the floor.

Tim lays a supportive hand on his shoulder and waits for him to continue. Judging by the grim looks on Declan and Liam's face they've both heard this story before.

Emilio gives my hand a squeeze and winks. "Don't you worry about me, El. He might've been a heartless son of a bitch, but he was shrewd. I learned everything I know about hostile takeovers from him. The last one I did was his. Then I picked his company apart and sold it for scrap."

My jaw drops, never having expected this ruthless side of him. Every time I've seen him, Emilio has always been so friendly and upbeat. Just goes to show you can never know what someone has on their plate.

"Hey, that scrap got us off the ground, and indirectly, into this incredible house for a weekend getaway," Declan says. "So here's to assholes."

"Here, here." Soph lifts her glass high for a toast.

I roll my eyes, tiring of her passive aggressive digs at Liam. Before I can say something, she speaks first.

"To leaving the assholes in the dust and having a great weekend in this amazing house." She graces Liam with a genuine smile and tilts her head to him. "One I'm told our host worked on with his own two hands..."

Annndddd back to the sexual innuendo. But, I can work with that.

Liam throws an arm over the back of my chair and laughs. "I also contracted out some of the more complex work, but your version sounds better."

A new round of laughter breaks out and I feel the last of the tension between those two evaporate. Before long, the island looks like a buffet war zone with just a few scraps left over.

I lean back in my chair, feeling a familiar warmth as Liam guides me to rest on his shoulder. His side feels made for me by how perfectly I fit there.

With full bellies and bottomless drinks, the stories keep flowing. It turns out both Liam and Declan come from good families, both of which are more than happy to host Emilio. Many of their stores start with Declan doing something brash, then the other guys joining in and bailing him out.

Fundamentally, they are very similar to our group; tight-knit and work too much.

My thoughts drift even farther back to all that I've been through with Sophia and Tim. Without their support through the toughest times in my life, things could have gone differently for me.

Liam picks up my hand, his rough thumb tracing soothing circles on the back of it. "We thought we lost ya there," he teases. Mischief twinkles in his forest gaze.

"What? No, my mind was just wandering," I dismiss, shifting my gaze. Sophia sits very close to Declan, but Tim and Emilio are nowhere to be seen.

"Pretty far to not notice those two leaving." Sophia wiggles her eyebrows and nods out back.

"Jeezus." I laugh, palming my forehead. "He works fast."

Sophia joins in. "Right?"

"I'm not so sure it's Tim," Declan counters. He exchanges a knowing look with Liam. "Emilio is no stranger to going after what he wants."

"Maybe Tim has met his match then? Good for him." Smiling to myself, I lean back against Liam.

Tim might be a lot to handle, but his heart is pure. Unfortunately, people tend to just see that big heart and try to use it to their advantage. Somehow I just don't see that as Emilio's thing.

"Speaking if heading off," Sophia drawls. "I was thinking about taking a dip in the pool out back. Care to join me?"

She may be asking me, but I don't miss the side eye that she casts to Declan. The fact that she's no longer staring daggers at Liam is enough to let me pass.

"Tempting, but it's a bit chilly for my taste." Shifting my gaze to Declan, I give a small smile. "Maybe Declan can keep you company?"

Declan grins like he's won the lottery but shrugs. "I was thinking about turning in... but," he drawls, raking his gaze over Sophia. "If the lady says she's in for a swim, who am I to refuse?"

Sophia takes the bait and arches a brow. She stands and slowly looks him up and down like she's choosing her next high end purse. "I mean, if you need rest, by all means." Her tone is teasing, bordering on mocking.

His gaze darkens, and he wraps an arm around her waist. "I've got plenty of energy for you. Don't worry about that."

She smirks and stretches up to whisper in his ear. "Challenge accepted." Leaving Declan stunned, she saunters out back, swaying her hips.

After a moment, he recovers and wipes his face. Looking back at Liam, he laughs. "So, yeah, have a nice night." Declan doesn't wait for a response and practically runs off after Sophia.

I've seen her put men under her spell many times, but it makes me laugh each time. Her specialty is bringing type A, Alpha males to their knees, something that seems almost like an addiction for her, though Declan is far from it. There's a lighthearted side to him that really seems to bring out the playful side in her, but he's strong enough to handle her without being threatened by her; a rare combination.

Looking around the ruined kitchen, I can't help but tidy up. Liam wastes no time joining in and the two of us get it cleaned up in no time. Throughout it all, something seems to gnaw at him. There's a faraway look in his eyes that never seems to let up.

Hooking my arm with his, I pull him towards me. A motion he's only too happy to make, caging me between the counter and his larger frame. "I guess it's my turn to ask what's got you a million miles away?" Biting my lip, I force my attention to stay on my question and ignore the growing heat between us.

Liam lifts a hand to cradle my head, his fingertips slipping into the hair behind my ears. My heart flutters as his gaze bores into mine. "Did I mention how beautiful you look tonight?"

My cheeks heat instantly, and I look away. "No, but that's changing the topic..." Forcing my gaze to meet his, I search for some unwritten answer. "What's sitting so heavy on your mind?"

He sighs and moves his other hand from the counter to skim up my back. The feather light contact sets my skin on fire and has my resolve crumbling at a record rate.

"I've already messed up once. I don't intend to do that again," he murmurs, holding me close.

My heart skips a beat and I reach up, wrapping my arms around his neck and pressing my body flush against him. Liam sucks in a break through clenched teeth and tightens his grip around my waist.

"Tell me," I breathe out. Lust clouds my thoughts and leaves me wondering if I can even process a conversation right now.

His lips brush mine, ending my debate. The contact that I've yearned for all night leave our game forgotten as I struggle to keep up with him. His lips are demanding and hungry, leaving me breathless and my head spinning when he finally pulls back.

"I'd rather show you..."