Mistake
Chapter 44

Chapter 44

By the time Liam tried to stop her, it was too late. Every bottle in their wine cellar was top–notch and really strong, and even Liam, a guy who knows his way around a party, always took it slow.

“You okay?” Liam had hopped over from the other side of the table to sit next to her.

Cynthia felt her stomach heat up after that gulp. She looked at the bottle weirded out. ‘It says it’s red wine, so why is it burning so much?‘ she wondered.

Liam couldn’t help but laugh a little. “That bottle’s special–the kind that sneaks up on you. Don’t guzzle it next time, okay?”

“Would’ve been nice to get a heads–up!”

Liam just shrugged. “You were throwing it back so fast I didn’t have a chance.”

Cynthia poked her tongue out, but then everything started spinning, and her body didn’t want to listen. She tried to stand, but her knees were like jelly, and she started tipping forward.

But Liam was right there, catching her and pulling her in close. Her cheeks were all red and her eyes were out of focus, and he just looked at her, stunned. While trying to keep her steady, he asked, “Did you get drunk from just

that little bit?”

Cynthia, her eyes all wide, started giggling and mashed Liam’s face, asking, “Why am I seeing double?”

Liam was at a loss. “Half a glass and you’re this wasted?” He’d never seen anyone get so trashed so quick.

Cynthia was way beyond caring now. She wobbled a bit, and when she finally got his face back to just one, she stared at him and slurred, “You’re super cute,” pretty sure she’d never seen anyone as good–looking, well, except for herself.

With her vision all fuzzy, Liam looked less like his usual serious self and more like the coolest guy at a party, teasing, “Why don’t you come over and kiss me?” He seemed so different from the Liam she knew, it freaked her out just a bit.

She shut her eyes tight, shook her head hard to clear it, and tried to get rid of those weird thoughts. But when she looked again, Liam was leading her toward the bedroom. Cynthia fought hard, finally getting free. She leaned on the table, took a stance with her hands on her hips, and declared with all her might, “Hold up. I’m not gonna go all weak just because you’re cute.”

Liam was cracking up. Trying to take care of Cynthia was turning out to be more challenging than any business. deal. As she swayed again, he reached out to steady her. But drunk Cynthia still had some moves–she nearly took him down with her without any warning. Over and over, she insisted, “Like I said, I’m not that kind of girl. Don’t

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Chapter 44

think you can tempt me with your looks. If I lose control later, it’s on you.”

‘What’s going on?‘ Liam thought. He couldn’t believe what he was hearing. This bold lady thought he was after her like some kind of paid date. He started to wonder what kind of wild stories she was making up when she was

sober.

Cynthia was acting all funny, like she thought this cute guy in front of her didn’t want to miss a shot with her. “I already told you, I’m not that type of girl. Plus, I’m married.” She leaned in close and whispered, “And just between us, my hubby is way hotter than you.”

Liam realized she remembered she was married, so he didn’t lecture her. He rolled up his sleeves and figured the best move was to carry her straight to the bedroom.

Cynthia was really freaking out, scared she’d do something silly, so she was fighting hard.

Try after try, Liam just couldn’t get near her. He ended up laughing–she was a hot mess, but she still had a strong. sense of self–preservation. Finally, when he got a hold of her, he said in a serious tone, “Look at me; see who I am.”

That voice was familiar to Cynthia. She squinted and looked hard. Suddenly, everything clicked, and she burst out laughing. “Honey, what are you doing here? C’mon, give me a kiss.” With liquid courage, she was throwing out pet names she’d never use sober, no matter how much Liam begged or dared her.

“Say it one more time,” Liam asked gently, loving this brave version of Cynthia and wanting to hear those sweet

nicknames again.

“Honey, honey, honey,” she said, hanging onto his neck and repeating

Hearing her say that right next to his ear made Liam feel all sorts of things. He just went for it and kissed her, feeling her warmth and pulling her close. His kisses got stronger, with low growls coming from deep inside him.

But right when things were heating up, and he felt like he was about to lose control, Cynthia made two little sounds of protest and stepped back from him.

Liam was left holding nothing, looking sullen, trying to cool down. He shot a glare at the wine and wished he’d never kept it around.

Cynthia was still feeling the buzz and was all confused after that intense kiss. She finally caught her breath and noticed Liam looking kind of tense, with his neck muscles all tight. She reached out and touched his forehead, asking. “You okay?”

Liam, already all worked up, got even more flustered with her touch, and blurted out with a bit of a playful tone, “I

want you

Cynthia thought about it. Just as Liam suspected she didn’t understand due to the alcohol, she hesitantly said, guess that’s not a no, but…‘

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Chapter 44

She stopped, looking like she was thinking hard about something serious.

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Liam felt like he was going to burst. She was driving him nuts after just a few drinks. He was about to forget the rules and just go for it, when Cynthia came up with something else.

“This time I want to be on top.” Now, Cynthia was totally lost, not even sure what she was saying. She grabbed the front of his shirt and started heading to the living room couch.

Liam was curious now and let her lead the way.

When they got to the couch, Cynthia pushed him down.

Feeling what she might be up to, Liam quickly said, “You know we’re in the living room, right?”