Chapter 12

Twelve

Mia

The sleek black car pulled up in front of the Grand Hotel in downtown San Antonio, its towering height making me feel small and out of place. As the valet opened my door, I stepped out, trying to hide my nerves. The place oozed luxury, far beyond what I was used to.

"I'll get our bags," I offered, remembering Liam's ankle might still be bothering him, but his hand brushed mine as he gently nudged me aside.

"The valet will handle it," he said, his voice firm but calm.

I hesitated, not used to having someone else take care of things for me, but his touch and the ease with which he dismissed my concern made my pulse quicken. The valet came around, swiftly gathering our bags, including my garment bag, without a second thought.

We made our way into the lobby, where the cool air-conditioning offered a welcome break from the Texas heat. Inside, everything gleamed—chandeliers sparkled overhead, reflecting off the polished marble floors. The whole place felt like something out of a movie, far removed from my usual world.

And as we walked in, side by side, I couldn't shake the feeling that I was stepping deeper into Liam's life, a life that seemed to grow more mysterious with each passing day.

Liam spoke briefly to the concierge, securing our room keys, and soon enough, we were heading up to our suite. The elevator hummed softly as we ascended, and I tried to focus on the feeling of excitement rather than the nerves buzzing beneath my skin. This was supposed to be fun, right? A fancy gala, playing dress-up in a world I didn't belong to, and pretending—at least for tonight—that Liam and I were something we weren't.

When we reached our room, I couldn't help but gasp. The suite was even more stunning than I'd imagined. Floor-to-ceiling windows overlooked the city, and the bedroom was complete with a massive bed draped in pristine white linens. The kind of place I'd only ever seen in magazines or movies.

The bellhop wheeled our suitcases into the room and left them near the bed. As he pressed some bills into the man's hand, Liam turned to me, "Not bad, huh?"

I shook my head, still taking in the view. "Not bad? This is... this is incredible."

He chuckled, limping slightly as he moved to open the curtains wider. "You'll get used to it."

I glanced at him, narrowing my eyes playfully. "Do you always stay in places like this?"

He gave me a lopsided grin but didn't answer directly. "I like comfort. Who doesn't?"

I resisted rolling my eyes, but there was no denying the flutter in my chest. Liam Archer, with all his mystery and charm, was impossible to pin down. And somehow, I found myself more and more drawn into his orbit.

I set my suitcase down near the bed and grabbed the garment bag that held my gown. "I should probably start getting ready," I said, glancing at the clock. I didn't want to be late, and the gala was only a little more than an hour away.

Liam arched an eyebrow. "Need any help?"

I laughed, shaking my head. "Pretty sure I can manage."

"Well, I'll be here if you change your mind," he said, smirking as he stretched out on the couch. His eyes sparkled with that playful glint I'd come to know all too well.

I smiled back, though a flicker of nerves lingered in my chest. As I stepped into the bathroom to do my hair and makeup, I caught my reflection in the mirror, my eyes betraying the uncertainty swirling inside. This night felt like it would be a test—a test of playing a role I wasn't sure I belonged in, a test of whatever this was between Liam and me.

When I emerged, the sight of my gown hanging on the doorframe was a small comfort. I slipped it on, the smooth fabric falling over my body like it was made for me. But when I struggled to zip up the back, Liam stepped around the corner, and his voice came softly from behind.

"Let me help you."

I turned, finding him standing there in his crisp tux, looking as effortlessly handsome as ever. His gaze lingered on me for a moment, making my breath catch. I nodded, and he stepped closer, his fingers grazing my back as he pulled the zipper up. The intimacy of the moment was undeniable, his touch sending a shiver through me.

When he finished, he leaned down and pressed a soft kiss to my shoulder. "You look beautiful," he murmured against my skin, his breath warm and his voice filled with a sincerity that made my heart flutter.

The grand ballroom mesmerized me with its opulence. Crystal chandeliers hung overhead, scattering prisms of light across the room, creating a dazzling spectacle. The walls were lined with sleek, modern décor, and the hum of conversation mixed with the soft clinking of champagne flutes created a symphony of wealth and privilege. I stood at the entrance with Liam, feeling the eyes of the attendees sweep over us as we walked in.

Dressed in my new gown, I should've felt confident, but instead, I was fighting to steady my breath. I wasn't used to this world—the world of glittering jewels and designer tuxedos. Beside me, Liam moved with practiced ease, his hand resting lightly on the small of my back, guiding me through the crowd. He was calm, collected, and completely at home here, and I couldn't shake the growing feeling that I was the outsider.

As we made our way through the room, people turned to greet Liam with enthusiasm. A few nodded politely at me, but it was clear their focus was on him. They spoke to him with familiarity, like they were used to seeing him at these events. Several guests stopped to shake his hand, smiling brightly as they exchanged pleasantries.

"Liam, good to see you again! Your continued support for Derek's cause is invaluable," one man said, clapping Liam on the shoulder like they were old friends.

Liam smiled back, the expression easy and genuine. "Happy to help in any way I can," he replied smoothly.

My brow furrowed slightly as I watched the exchange. Liam had never mentioned being so involved with Derek's hospital. He'd made it seem like this was just a favor for a friend, but clearly, he had deeper ties here than I realized. The way these people flocked to him, treating him like some kind of celebrity... It didn't fit with the Liam I thought I knew.

Another woman approached us, her diamond earrings sparkling in the light. "Liam! We're so grateful for your generosity. The new wing that was finished last year wouldn't have been possible without your contributions," she said, beaming up at him.

Liam chuckled lightly, his hand still resting on my back. "I'm just glad to see the progress. Derek's done an incredible job with this place."

As the woman walked away, I glanced up at him, my confusion growing. "You're a lot more involved with this hospital than I thought," I said, trying to keep my tone casual.

Liam's gaze flicked down to me, and I saw something flash in his eyes for a moment. It was quick—gone almost before I could register it—but I could tell he was gauging my reaction to the conversation.

"Derek is a client of mine. I've helped him out a few times, yeah," he said, brushing it off like it was no big deal. But there was something in his voice, something that didn't quite match the easygoing smile on his face.

I opened my mouth to press him further, but before I could, another guest approached, pulling Liam into yet another conversation about his "generosity" and "continued support."

Generosity? Support?

I kept replaying those words in my head, the pieces not quite fitting together. Liam was supposed to be a private investigator, someone who had come to Cedar Cove to have a quiet place to do his work. But the way these people were treating him like he was some kind of benefactor made no sense. The more I watched him interact with these high-profile guests, the more out of place I felt.

I stood beside him, smiling politely when necessary, but internally, my mind raced. Who exactly was Liam Archer? And why did it feel like there was so much more to him than what he'd told me?

As the night wore on, my curiosity only deepened. I tried to shake off the unease, telling myself I was overthinking things. But it was hard to ignore the strange tension building between us—like there was something unspoken.

Liam's hand brushed mine as we moved toward our table, and I felt a spark run up my arm. I glanced up at him, my breath catching for just a moment as our eyes met. There was that look again—the one that made my heart race and left me wondering if this attraction between us was as one-sided as I thought.

But before I could say anything, Derek stepped onto the stage at the front of the room, microphone in hand, and the room fell silent.

"Thank you all for being here tonight," Derek began, his voice echoing through the ballroom. "We're here to celebrate our progress and also to look forward to what more we can do. The new cancer center we're planning for Riverstone Children's Hospital is going to save countless lives, but we need your continued support to make it a reality."

Polite applause filled the room, and I found myself glancing at Liam again. He sat beside me, his posture relaxed, but there was a tension in his jaw that hadn't been there before. As Derek continued his speech, I noticed Liam shift slightly in his seat, his hand moving to his pocket.

Then, at the end of Derek's presentation, as he urged the guests to contribute to the new center, I watched as Liam pulled out his checkbook. He didn't hesitate as he scribbled down a figure, his pen moving quickly over the paper.

Curiosity prickled at me, but I couldn't see the exact amount he wrote. All I knew was that the way people around him reacted to his donation made my chest tighten.

I couldn't help but wonder—how much did Liam just contribute? And more importantly, why was he doing this?

As the evening wore on, the champagne flowed freely, and the buzz of conversation grew louder around us. I tried to push my suspicions aside, telling myself I'd ask Liam about it later. For now, I played the part of the supportive girlfriend, smiling and nodding as we mingled with the other guests. But deep down, I couldn't shake the feeling that something wasn't adding up.

By the time we were ready to leave, the champagne had worked its magic, and the edges of my thoughts had softened. The questions swirling in my mind were still there, but they didn't feel as urgent anymore. Instead, all I could focus on was the way Liam's hand lingered on the small of my back, guiding me toward the exit.

As we made our way to the room, I turned to Liam, feeling a mixture of curiosity and something deeper—something I wasn't ready to name.

"You're not going to talk about work, are you?" I asked, half-teasing, half-serious.

Liam chuckled, shaking his head. "Not tonight. Tonight, we're here to have a good time. Business can wait."

His words were light, but there was a glint in his eyes that told me he was keeping something from me. But for now, I let it slide. There would be time for questions later.

Right now, all I wanted to focus on was the way his touch made my heart race and the undeniable pull between us that was getting harder and harder to ignore.

We stepped into the elevator, the air between us thick with tension. Liam pressed the button for our floor, his gaze settling on me with an intensity that made my heart race. I could feel the anticipation building, the weight of everything unsaid hanging in the small space.

His hand brushed mine, and before I could react, he reached out and caressed my face. The soft touch sent a jolt through me, and I found myself leaning into his palm.

"Mia," he murmured, his voice rough, his eyes flicking down to my lips.

With a fierce hunger, he captured my lips in a searing kiss, his hands cupping the back of my head as he pulled me closer. The heat between us grew with each passing second, our bodies pressing together as we devoured each other.

The elevator bell sounded, but we were lost in our own world, unable to break away. Our desire was palpable, the tension thick as we waited for the doors to open.

But as soon as they did, we didn't care about anything else. We needed each other, and nothing else mattered. And as I surrendered to him, I knew there was no turning back from this intoxicating passion that consumed us both.