Professional Restraint

41 Are You In Or Out?

Ella

"What kind if game?" I ask when his grin only grows.

Liam casts a cautious look over his shoulder, then inches closer. "You seem to be having fun playing with me. I think it's only fair I return the favour."

I roll my eyes, refusing to let him know just what effect his proximity is having on me. "I just wanted to cook," I dismiss.

"Right," he drawls. "Are you in or out?" He asks.

Sighing, I grumble, "I don't even know what the game is."

His grin grows, having me on the line. "It's simple, we pick something—" he pauses, arching a brow "—like rolling your eyes, and call it a strike."

I cross my arms over my chest and grumble. "I don't roll my eyes."

Liam lets out a throaty chuckle. "El, you've rolled your eyes in the last sixty seconds."

Gaping at him, I frown, feeling the fun leaving this game. "That hardly sounds fair. It sounds like you're setting me up for failure." I duck under his arm and resume my preparations for dinner.

Strong hands grip my hips and pull me back against his chest. "Where's that sassy spirit that was egging me on not long ago?" he whispers, his breath fanning against my ear. "Afraid to lose?"

I glare over my shoulder at him. "It's one sided. I literally can't win."

Liam turns me in his arms and pins me against the counter once more. "And what would you want?"

The intensity of his gaze empties my mind and makes my throat go dry. What would I want? More of last night and today...

"Name it."

"More," I say breathlessly.

He leans in, nuzzling his nose against mine. The way his lips tease mine, never fully capturing mine, leaves me straining in frustration.

"More what?" he whispers.

Tangling my fist in his shirt, I pull his lips down for a proper kiss. He needs no encouragement to take over. One minute I'm standing pressed up against him, the next he stands between my parted thighs with me on the counter. I gasp at the shift, only encouraging him further.

"Tell me what you want," he demands, his voice thick with desire.

"You," I breathe out. "More of last night." My mind fails to function further as his lips trail down my throat.

Liam smiles against my neck. "Kitten, I intend to give you all of that and more."

His lips hit a spot that makes me go boneless and tilt my head back, giving him better access. I bite my lip to hold back my moan, half praying, and half past caring if we're drawing any attention.

"How about this?" he says, pulling back to look me in the eye. "If you roll your eyes, it's a strike, and if I talk about work, it's a point for you."

I mull over the option and shake my head. He's been far away from work, and isn't likely to stray.

An idea hits that instantly brings a smile to my face. "Scowls. If I don't get to roll my eyes, you don't get to scowl."

Liam quirks a brow. "Scowl?" he parrots back. "I don't scowl."

Shrugging and turning my attention out the window to hide my grin, I set the hook. "Just like I don't roll my eyes..."

Liam slips his hand lower, from my hips to my butt, and squeezes as a predatory grin takes hold. "Dangerous game, kitten. I look forward to enjoying the spoils of victory."