Liam

Liam's lips curved with disbelief.

'This woman is crazy.' He thought.

Roselyn uncorked the bottle, pouring the liquid in both their glasses while they sat beside each other on the bed, close enough to feel each other’s warmth but far from comfortable.

The quiet stretched—until the alcohol finally loosened Roselyn’s restraint.

Her gaze drifted to Liam who wore only sweatpants, his chest bare, relaxed yet guarded.

“Well, you’re pretty hot yourself, sir… do you mind?” She placed her glass on the nightstand and crawled towards him.

“You can continue, You said you wanted to talk—so talk.” He said impatiently, creating a safe distance between them.

“Oh” her face lowered.

“Today was awful. Just… give me a second.”

She slipped off the bed and sank onto the small couch, to face him but too shy to meet his eyes.

Liam remained seated, a playful smirk tugging at his lips as he waited.

“I always wanted to graduate with top marks, so I could get my dream job."

she began quietly.

She clenched her hands in her lap.

“But it was taken from me.”

She paused.

“I went to Foster Corporation to present my ideas, and that’s when I found out—my cousin Mia had already submitted my presentation. She passed it off as her own."

Her head lowered, shame and anger weighing on her shoulders.

“Now she’ll be hired… and I’ll forever be the plagiarist.”

"That’s awful,” Liam muttered. “So what are you going to do?”

His eyes assessed her, Somewhere between her slurred confidence and forced composure.

" Nothing," Pity crept in before he could stop it.

“It’s not like those executives would believe me anyway.” Her chest tightened when she met his deep gaze.

“You’re still young,” his eyes softened. “You’ll find something soon enough. He offered her a soft, encouraging smile.

“It’s funny,” Roselyn scoffed, her voice tinged with bitterness. “My mom said the same thing earlier today. But it’s not fair.” Her words came faster now. “David divorced her, and now we have to sell our house since we're on survival mode.” She shook her head. “Isn’t that awful?”

Liam nodded slowly. He wanted to say something—anything—that would ease the weight pressing down on her. But when tears finally spilled down her cheeks, silent and uncontrollable, the words abandoned him. Helplessness settled in, heavy and unfamiliar, and all he could manage was a quiet sigh.

“Uh… sorry,” Roselyn murmured suddenly, swiping at her tears with pale hands. She looked at him as if noticing him for the first time. “Who are you?”.

"After chilling for two hours, you didn’t even ask my name?” Liam raised an eyebrow, clearly amused.

“My name is Roselyn,” she said softly. “And I’m sorry for being a bother here.”

She tried to stand, but the room tilted as she dropped back onto the couch with a quiet groan.

“I'm not fond of introductions but my name is Liam.”

He winked at her.

“Nice to know you, sir.” She let out a small laugh. “I’m sure your woman would be furious knowing I’m in your suite.”

“There’s no woman in my life right now,” Liam replied calmly. “Women are awful distractions.” Then, with a straight face, he added, “Though I’m sure your man would kill you if he found out you were alone with the most handsome guy.”

Roselyn’s smile faded. Her brows knit together.

“Oh, him?” she scoffed coldly. “He was making out with my cousin this morning. "

Her voice hardened. “Imagine seeing your boyfriend naked for the first time—only it’s your cousin who’s experiencing the pleasure.”

Liam stared held his laughter.

“Today was truly awful for you, Roselyn,” he finally said. “You seem better now, so… can I sleep?” He yawned loudly and stretched, clearly trying to retreat from the emotional weight of the moment.

“I don’t need your pity anyway,” Roselyn hissed, lifting her head sharply.

She froze.

Liam was standing right in front of her now, his earlier amusement gone, replaced by a cold, unreadable stare.

"I can’t sleep with you here,” Liam said coolly. “But I’m sure the couch out there is waiting for you.” He pointed toward the other room.

Roselyn wasn’t the type to follow a man’s orders like a puppy.

She stood, trying to match his height—then sighed when she failed. Liam narrowed his eyes, amused and wary at the same time.

“I’m cold,” she declared stubbornly. “So I guess we’re sleeping together tonight.”

She nearly toppled, catching herself by gripping his shoulder. Using the moment to her advantage, she threw herself onto the bed, leaving Liam standing there in disbelief.

“Have you ever slept with strangers before?” Roselyn asked, stretching comfortably across his bed as if she owned it.

Liam shook his head helplessly, then walked over and nudged her to the other side before lying down beside her. He closed his eyes, determined to ignore her.

Roselyn mistook the silence for rejection and scooted closer.

“Oh, I can’t sleep in this,” she complained suddenly, struggling with the zipper of her dress.

She sighed, slid off the bed, and swayed unsteadily as she tried to undress. When her fingers fumbled uselessly, she shuffled back to Liam’s side and shook him awake.

Liam’s face darkened the moment he saw her standing beside the bed.

“I’m sorry, lady,” he muttered irritably, “but some of us actually have work tomorrow—unlike you, freelancing around—”

He stopped short, realizing too late what he’d said.

Fortunately for him, Roselyn either didn’t hear it or chose to ignore it entirely.

She turned her back to him, fingers fumbling at the zipper. This time, giving way.

The dress slipped down her shoulders, pooling at her feet. Liam inhaled sharply. The sight of her exposed back too compelling.

Roselyn turned, catching his stare. The look in his eyes made her pause.

“Fuck this,” Liam muttered.

In one swift motion, he pulled her onto the bed, his weight pressing her into the mattress as he hovered over her. His gaze swept over her, dark and hungry, as if he were trying to memorize every inch.

“Are you gay?” Roselyn slurred lightly, brows lifting in teasing disbelief.

Liam silenced her with a urgent kiss, stealing her breath. She gasped into his mouth before melting into it, her hands clutching at his shoulders as the world narrowed to the heat between them.

He pulled back just enough to measure her skin.

“Can I?” His voice was low, now serious.

She nodded, cheeks flushed.

The rest unfolded in stolen breaths and trembling touches. Roselyn’s body reacted before her mind could catch up, every sensation new, overwhelming, dizzying. She clung to him, caught between nerves and desire, trusting him even as her heart raced.

Liam moved carefully at first, then with growing intensity, reading every sound, every shift of her body. When she tensed, he slowed, murmuring reassurance against her skin.

“It’ll hurt for a moment,” he warned softly. “Just stay with me.”

She nodded again, fingers clenching the sheets.

He thrusted carefully, the sharp moment causing her to cry out, panting in his neck.

Liam paused, grounding her as the sensation eased.

He stayed patiently, and steady until her breathing calmed down, She finally relaxed beneath him.