Chapter 12 - The Shift in the Tide
The kiss was soft at first—a gentle, hesitant touch of lips that tasted of salt and relief.
But the moment Liam realized what was happening, a low, deep groan escaped his chest. His hand moved up from my waist to cup the back of my neck, his long fingers tangling in my hair, pulling me down as he deepened the kiss.
His mouth was warm, demanding, and fierce, sweeping away every boundary that had existed between nurse and patient, employer and employee. I wrapped my arms around his broad shoulders, melting against the heat of his body, my heart hammering a wild rhythm against my ribs.
When he finally pulled back, both of us were breathing heavily, our foreheads resting together.
His icy blue eyes were burning with a dark, intense flame. "I've wanted to do that since the day you pulled those blinds open," he rasped.
"You were throwing glass at my head that day," I reminded him, a breathless laugh escaping my lips.
"I was trying to drive you away because I knew you were dangerous," Liam corrected, his thumb tracing the soft line of my lower lip. "I knew the second you stood up to me that you were going to break down every wall I had built."
"Are you angry that I broke them?" I whispered.
Liam smiled—a real, genuine smile that illuminated his entire face, erasing years of hardship and violence. "It's the best thing that ever happened to me."
A polite knock sounded at the door.
I quickly scrambled off his lap, smoothing down my scrubs, my cheeks burning bright red as Leo stepped into the room holding a small leather folder.
Leo looked from my flushed face to Liam’s satisfied expression, a knowledgable smirk touching his lips.
"Am I interrupting something, boss?" Leo asked innocently.
"Yes, Leo, you are," Liam said flatly. "This better be important."
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"It is," Leo said, stepping forward and setting the folder on the table. "The Moretti assets in South Chicago have been fully liquidated. The Commission met this morning and confirmed your absolute control over the Midwest shipping routes."
Leo looked at Liam, his expression turning serious. "You're completely back in command, Liam. You don't need to stay hidden in this estate anymore."
