Chapter 16

Olivia Bennett

S creams resonated through the empty haunted house as I adjusted a motion sensor. I shivered, my skin prickling despite the stuffy air. Even after weeks of setup, this place still gave me the creeps when I was alone, and I hadn’t even had the full experience of walking through it when it was up and running.

I moved to the next room, cataloging what still needed fixing before opening night. Fright Night had been rescheduled to two weeks from now, and I wanted to be sure it was perfect. Flickering lights cast eerie shadows across the walls. The creak of a floorboard made me pause. Footsteps echoed through the space. Had Derek come back?

“Hey, did you forget something?” I called out, adjusting a cobweb-draped mirror.

No answer. The footsteps grew closer.

I turned, freezing when I saw Liam standing there. His usual polished appearance was gone. Hair disheveled, tie loose, he looked like he hadn’t slept in days. Maybe even since the last time I’d seen him standing in his kitchen. We’d kept our distance from each other since then. The last three days, I’d only seen Derek. I assumed it was because Liam was avoiding me, and honestly, it was probably for the best.

“Liam?” I asked, concern creeping into my voice. “Is everything alright?”

His green eyes, usually so sharp, seemed unfocused. “I-I needed to see you.” he said, his voice rough.

My heart raced. “It’s pretty late,” I replied cautiously. “Is there a problem with the house?”

Liam ran a hand through his hair, messing it up further. “No, no problem. I just…” He looked lost. Had he been drinking? I didn’t think so. His body language was solid, and he wasn’t staggering or slurring.

I’d never seen him like this. It was unsettling. “Liam,” I said softly. “What’s going on?”

He met my gaze, and the intensity there made me catch my breath. “I couldn’t stay away,” he admitted. “I tried, but…”

My skin tingled with anticipation. What was he about to say? Liam stepped closer, invading my personal space. His cologne, a heady mix of sandalwood and mint, enveloped me.

“Jade,” he murmured, his voice low and husky. I didn’t smell any alcohol on his breath. Did I have him so frazzled? I swallowed hard, acutely aware of every inch between us. The haunted house seemed to close in, amplifying the silence. Liam’s eyes roamed my face, filled with an emotion I couldn’t name. Desire? Regret? Fear? My heart pounded so loudly, I was sure he could hear it.

“I shouldn’t be here,” he whispered, contradicting his actions as he inched closer.

I wanted to step back, but I felt rooted to the spot. “Then why are you?” I managed to ask, my voice barely audible.

The silence stretched, thick and heavy. Finally, Liam spoke, his words shattering the quiet. “I lied.”

I stood frozen. The words tumbled out before I could stop them. “About what?” I asked, confusion etching my features. Liam’s eyes flickered with uncertainty. The dim light cast shadows across his face, accentuating the sharp angles of his jawline. He opened his mouth, then closed it again. I held my breath, waiting.

Liam’s shoulders sagged slightly. “About not wanting to cross lines,” he admitted. “About us.”

Us. I tried to process what he was saying, what it meant for our relationship. Part of me wanted to run, to escape the intensity of this moment. But another part, one I’d been trying to ignore, longed to step closer, to bridge the gap. I stood there, caught between desire and caution.

“So what does that mean?” I challenged, my voice wavering slightly. “What are you really saying, Liam?” Part of me hoped he'd backtrack, laugh it off as a joke. It would be easier that way. Safer. But the look in his eyes told me he wouldn’t.

Liam took a step closer, his proximity sending a shiver down my spine. “I’m saying I’m not sorry about that kiss,” he murmured, his eyes locked on mine. “I’m saying I want you, Jade.” I wanted to look away, to break the spell, but I couldn’t. He inched even closer. “I told myself this was just professional. That I couldn’t mix business with… this.” He gestured with a hand between us. “But I can’t keep pretending anymore.”

This was dangerous territory. I had responsibilities, expectations, and he was my suspect. But standing here, surrounded by the eerie quiet of the haunted house and the closeness of him, those concerns felt distant, unimportant.

“Liam, we can’t…” The words felt hollow, unconvincing even to my own ears.

He stepped closer, close enough that I could feel the warmth radiating from his body. “Can’t we? We’re two consenting adults.” His voice was low, enticing.

I closed my eyes, trying to regain my composure. When I opened them, I saw the same conflict I felt mirrored in his gaze. “This is more complicated than just that,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper.

“I know,” he replied, running a hand through his tousled hair again. “But denying it isn’t working anymore.”

I wanted him, God help me, I did. But the consequences… “What if we made a deal?”

“I’m listening.”

“No rules when we’re here. We can be whatever we want inside Dead Man’s.”

“So what?” he finally asked, his voice tinged with doubt. “We just… pretend this doesn’t exist outside these walls?”

“Exactly.” I bit my lip. This was reckless, unprofessional. Probably stupid on my part. But the thrill of being with him… it called to something deep within me.

“And outside?” he asked.

“Business as usual,” I replied, my tone steady, but his eyes were burning into mine.

My fingers twisted into the hem of my shirt. The logical part of me screamed to walk away, but my body yearned to stay.

“Fine,” I heard him say, accepting the deal. The moment the words left his mouth, I felt a shift. The air seemed to crackle with electricity, then his lips crashed against mine.

Liam slammed me against the wall, his lips melding into mine with an intensity that made my knees weak. The kiss was everything I’d ever wanted—hot, needy, desperate. His tongue slid against mine as his hands roamed my body, igniting sparks wherever they touched.

I’d never experienced anything like this before. The haunted house faded away, leaving only Liam and the fire he was stroking inside me. I could feel the hard length of him through our clothes and a needy whimper escaped my throat.

My hands tangled in his dirty blond hair as he kissed along my jaw and down my neck. Every touch, every kiss sent shivers through me. Part of my mind screamed that this was a bad idea, that I shouldn’t be doing this, but I couldn’t bring myself to care.

“Liam.” I gasped as he nipped at my pulse.

He pulled back slightly, his green eyes dark with desire as they met mine. “Tell me you want this, Jade.”

“I want this,” I breathed. “I want you.”

A wicked grin spread across his face before he captured my lips again in a searing kiss. Liam’s hand trailed down my body, his touch leaving fire in its wake. He slipped his fingers between my thighs, causing a moan to escape my lips.

“How many times have you whimpered like that to thoughts of this?” he murmured against my neck, his breath hot on my skin. His fingers moved teasingly, sending jolts of pleasure through me. I couldn’t think straight. My mind was clouded with desire, every nerve ending on fire. I arched into his touch, craving more.

“Tell me,” Liam demanded, his voice low and husky. “Have you?”

I could barely form coherent thoughts as Liam’s fingers worked their magic. “Yes,” I half-moaned, half-whispered. My hips bucked involuntarily, seeking more friction.

Liam’s lips curved into a satisfied smirk against my neck. “Fuck, kitten, you’re already so wet for me.” His voice sent shivers down my spine. I gripped his shoulders, desperately trying to anchor myself as waves of pleasure washed over me. I was drowning in sensation, lost in the feel of his touch, his scent surrounding me.

He kissed a trail along my jaw, then down my neck, nipping and sucking as he went. All the while, his fingers worked relentlessly, bringing me closer and closer to the edge. I was so close. My breath came in short gasps, my body trembling with need. Just a little more… Suddenly, Liam’s fingers stilled. I groaned in frustration, my body aching for release.

“Liam, please.” I whimpered, not caring how needy I sounded. I’d deal with my pride later. Right now, all I wanted was for him to continue.

“No… not so fast,” Liam growled against my ear. “I’m going to torment you, just like you have me from the moment you showed up in my office.”

My heart raced as he lifted me off the wall. I instinctively wrapped my legs around his waist, clinging to him as he carried me away. Each step jostled us, sending sparks of pleasure through my core.

“Liam, I—” I started, but he silenced me with a searing kiss. We stumbled up the stairs, our hands frantically tearing at each others clothes as he set me back on my feet. I kicked off my pants and he did the same and then he was on me again.

“Fuck, Jade.” He groaned, pushing me against the hallway wall. “Do you have any idea what you do to me?” I didn’t answer, couldn’t answer. All I could think about was how much I needed him.

We finally reached his bed. Had he even closed the door? Liam tossed me onto it, his eyes dark with hunger. He crawled over me, his touch teasing, building me up only to back away. It was maddening.

I arched into him. “I need—”

“I know what you need.” He smirked. “But not yet.”

Frustration and desire warred within me. I’d always prided myself on my control, but Liam was stripping it away, layer by layer. It was terrifying. It was intoxicating.

Liam’s lips brushed against the inside of my thigh, sending shivers through me. His hands held my hips firmly, holding me in place as he continued to tease me. Touching, kissing, licking everywhere but where I wanted him too.

“Please, Liam.” I whimpered, unable to take it any longer.

He lifted his head and gave me a wicked smile. “Are you begging for it now?” I nodded eagerly, my body trembling. I had never felt so desperate for someone before. Liam finally gave in and lowered his head between my thighs. His warm breath was a delicious contrast against the cool air of the room. His tongue moved in slow circles, teasing at my entrance before moving up to flick at my clit. I moaned loudly, gripping the sheets tightly as pleasure washed over me.

Liam’s skilled tongue worked until I was writhing beneath him, moaning his name over and over again. I felt like I was on fire, each touch sending electric shocks through me. Just when I thought I couldn’t take it anymore, Liam pulled away. I wanted to scream.

Finally, I snapped. With a growl, I flipped us over, straddling him. Liam's eyes widened in surprise, then darkened with approval.

“That’s it, kitten,” he purred. “Take what you want.”

I sank down onto him, gasping at the fullness. For a moment, we were both still, savoring the connection. Then I began to move, chasing my pleasure and his. Liam’s hands gripped my hips, guiding me as I rode him. Our movements were frantic, desperate. We’d both been holding back for so long that now we couldn’t get enough of each other.

His lips found mine again and we kissed with an intensity that left me dizzy. The heat was almost unbearable, but I couldn’t bring myself to slow down. Liam’s fingers dug into my skin as he thrust up to meet me. Every touch, every kiss, every moan pushed me closer and closer to the edge.

Just when I thought I couldn’t take it anymore, Liam flipped us over again, his body covering mine. His pace quickened, and I clung to him as wave after wave of ecstasy crashed over me.

I came so hard I saw stars.

“Fuck,” Liam cursed as he thrust once, twice, and then pulled out as he climaxed, hot streams of cum covering my chest and stomach, leaving us breathless and trembling for a moment. Once Liam gathered his composure, he got up to grab a small towel in the kitchen and came back over to the bed and cleaned me off. It was closer than the bathroom down the hall.

I stared into Liam’s eyes, searching for… what? Reassurance? Doubt? His gaze held mine, intense and unwavering. I could hear my own shallow breathing, feel the heat radiating from his body.

This is insane , I thought. We were lying to ourselves. How long could we keep this up? A week? A month? But as Liam’s eyes roamed over my sprawled-out body and darkened with desire again, I realized I didn’t care. For now, this reckless game was enough.