Claire
Oh my God, he's looking right at me.
What is Liam doing here?
I came here to escape him, to banish thoughts of him. Instead, I'm laid bare in front of that penetrating gaze once again. When Liam looks at me, it's as if he's staring into the depths of my soul and there's no hiding from it.
"Shit, Charlotte. Um, that guy is here. Remember Liam from Dignity Creative? He's right over there," I mutter and turn my head in the opposite direction, pretending not to have seen him.
Charlotte looks over in a blatant manner and I scold her. "Don't look! He'll think we're talking about him."
"Um," she begins, "we are talking about him. Besides, he is fine. I can definitely see why you like him."
"I do not like him," I lie. "I just think he's hot. He's our competition, remember? I would never date someone in the business or someone who is a known player, for that matter."
She giggles and I wonder at her levity during such a dire situation. Maybe it's only critical to me because I'm the one he seems to have set his sights on.
"Charlotte, it's not funny. He keeps staring at me in an intense way that makes me feel uncomfortable."
"Claire, he is so good-looking I wish it was me he's looking at. Let's go over and say hello."
She's pulling me away from our spot at the bar before I have time to protest.
"Charlotte, wait, no. We can't say hello. I can't be the one to make the first move," I say in a harsh whisper.
"Oh my gosh, you are so into him," she says, beaming widely.
Fuck. We're almost there. I attempt to regain my composure, gearing up for an incredibly awkward meeting.
He sees us coming and, again, those eyes are all over me.
"Hi, are you Liam? I'm Charlotte and this is Claire. We're also working on the Velvet Luxe campaign."
He flashes us a radiant grin that would melt any woman. It’s enough to make me want to become his.
In a cool tone, he says, "I'm delighted to meet you. It's always good to know the competition."
I toss my hair over my shoulder in defiance. I will not crumble under the weight of his rugged handsomeness. He's my competition and I need to keep the end in sight.
I offer my hand. "We represent Epica. I think you'll find our little firm is a force to be reckoned with."
He takes my hand and grazes soft lips over it in a gentle kiss. "You're Claire, right?"
"How do you know my name?"
"I make it my mission to know everything that has to do with my business. Apparently, you're our great contender."
Charlotte can sense that sparks are flying because she quickly finds an excuse to leave.
"Oh, I see my friend over there. Liam, it was nice to meet you. I'm Charlotte, by the way. Claire's best friend and business associate. I guess I'll see you in the boardroom when this all goes down."
"May the best man win," he says to her with a wink and a smile as she takes her leave.
Knots form in the pit of my stomach as I realize I'm now alone with this guy. He's so tall and imposing I wonder how I'll keep my wits about me.
"So Claire, what are your ideas for the campaign?" he asks so brazenly.
"Well, sir, I certainly can't reveal them to you. You're the enemy."
"Am I?" His eyes light up with fire.
"You own Dignity Creative, right?"
"Ah, so you've also heard of me?"
"I make it my mission to know everything about my business, including potential threats," I say, mirroring his previous response.
His eyes are dancing. "Is that right? Well, then you should certainly know me. We're gonna win Velvet Luxe, you'll see."
God, his arrogance is infuriating. At the same time, just being in his charismatic presence is making me weak at the knees.
I find myself staring at his mouth, at his lush, full lips and wondering what they would feel like pressed against my own.
"Liam, I think you underestimate me," I say, staring directly into his eyes.
What Liam doesn't know about me is that I'm a fighter. I'm scrappy and I make it my mission to beat corporate suits like him. He represents everything I'm not.
"I've heard about your abilities," he says.
"You have? Well, that's a nice compliment," I say, knowing he's just fed me a line. "I am more into the creative side of things than into business."
"Is that why you're struggling?"
His question makes me flush red with anger.
"What are you talking about? What have you heard?"
The nerve of him to bring up my precarious financial position on our very first meeting is unbelievable. His cockiness is starting to really annoy me.
"I can't even believe you just said that," I say, turning to leave.
He grabs my arm and with the touch comes a sense of heat that radiates between us. I want him bad, despite his arrogance and the way he's treating me.
Maybe his egotism is turning me on. I don't know. I suddenly feel very confused and dizzy, like I need air.
"Let go of me," I exclaim, pulling my arm away.
"Come on, stay. I'm sorry. Just stay with me and we can talk about it. Let me take you to the VIP area where it's quieter."
I turn around and study him, trying to judge his position. I know his type. Cocky, bad boy, used to one-night stands. I don't know what he thinks he'll get from me, but it won't be that.
"Please," he says, his eyes imploring.
In the end, I can't resist.
"Okay,” I begin, “maybe just for one drink."
He takes my hand and leads me through the club to the VIP area. I text Charlotte on the way and tell her to meet me there. There's no reason I should enjoy the exclusive perks alone.
She's there before we are and Liam leads both of us in. It's definitely nicer on this side of the velvet rope. But I care less about the money than I do about the man.
He introduces us to his friends and Charlotte takes an instant liking to one of them. He takes her upstairs to the VIP balcony while Liam and I tuck into a low-lit booth.
"I'm sorry I said that about your company," he says with sincerity.
"My finances are none of your business," I snap, brows furrowed.
"I know." He sighs heavily. "It's just that I want to know everything there is to know about you."
I look up at him. "Why?"
He pours us both some vodka over ice and twists a lemon into it.
"Because I think you're gorgeous," he says. "And I think you know it."
I say nothing while sipping the cold liquid. At least it’s something to take the edge off in this heated encounter.
"Well, I'm not your type," I say.
"Why is that? Is gorgeous not my type?"
"I'm not some bimbo you can fuck tonight and then forget all about the next morning," I say wryly.
My words seem to have taken him aback.
"I could never forget about you," he says. "Not for one moment."
He leans in close and I can smell his musky cologne. Every part of him is sexy and yet I know I shouldn't go there. His magnetic appeal is just too good. I know this is how he scores tons of women and I fear I might become his next victim.