The Coldest Summer✓

Fifteen

"Lights off, please." Liam points at the bedside lamp.

I comply, a smile on my face. Liam holds me gently when I return to his side. With cheek against his cheek, he wraps his strong arms around my body. I hear his heartbeat, and it's a very soothing song to my ears. It's pure bliss lying next to someone your heart desires—now I know.

"I said to sleep, Ms. Jones," Liam urges, dissolving me from my sweet reverie.

"Yes, Mr. Darcy," I reply with rolled-eyes.

How grumpy can he get?

I don't mind, however, I just can't help but wonder about his personality at times. We stay in silence, and I can't say I'm sleepy at all.

This is so new to me.

"Your body feels warm," I think out loud, hoping he's fast asleep.

But hell no.

"And so does yours," he answers, his voice hoarse and soothing. He plants a brisk kiss on top of my head. "You're perfect," he adds.

"Oh my." I bite my lip, my heart fluttered.

Silence stretches between us in a fleeting moment.

"It may sound very pathetic," Liam starts, making me frown attentively, "what I'm about to ask you." He glances down at me through the pair of his blue orbs piercing through the darkness.

"Um, why don't you go ahead and be a little pathetic?" I remark, and a little laugh from him draws my lips into a sweet smile. "I mean, it's only human to be pathetic sometimes . . . So go on and ask me."

Oh, my curiosity knows no bounds.

Liam chuckles lightly. "You're something else, Ms. Jones," he says with a sigh. My smile broadens. "Well, do you have a boyfriend?" he finally asks, and I nearly laugh aloud.

Seriously, Mr. Darcy?

"If I had one," I answer haltingly while rolling myself so that I face him, "I wouldn't be in your arms right now."

"I see." I sense a reprieve, his body more relaxed as he says this.

I smile. "And what about you? Do you have anyone special in your life?"

Am I ready to hear his personal details?

"You know what?" I say stoutly before he opens his mouth. "Don't answer that."

"Why?" he quizzes, a small laughter lingering in his voice. "Why don't you want me to answer, Ms. Jones?"

Because I don't want to give myself some hopes that shouldn't dwell in my heart. I better assume this is just a summer fling—something temporary—that when the dawn breaks I'll go to my senses. No expectations, no disappointment.

"I'd rather not hear about it." is my simple reply, and he doesn't press further.

Another silence follows, feeling each other's breath. Could anything else feel this good?

Well . . . maybe. Maybe there is still a lot to discover in this world of emotional attachments.

"What are you thinking of?" Liam croaks his voice a bit groggy, sexy, unleashing unbidden desires from my cooled body. "Because you think a lot, Ms. Jones."

"Maybe something weird," I confess.

"Weird? How weird?" He chuckles.

"Utterly weird, but not really weird."

"Now you are being weird." He sighs and I gently run my fingers on his chest, drawing in the smooth scent of him while thinking of how I can deliver my thoughts. "Say it. Whatever it is." He sounds curious to know what's on my mind.