Page 42 of The Focal Point

“I do,” Liam replied. “But we donated a bunch of tech to the children’s wing of the hospital there, and something’s gone down. Everyone at the office is gone for the day, and it needs to be up and running.”

“Oh.” That made a lot more sense.

The hospital administrator met us just outside the children’s wing, his face showing stress lines.

He offered his hand as we approached. “Liam, thank you for coming. I wouldn’t have called, but we have patients waiting.”

“No problem. I’m sorry the program is causing problems. I’ll have it back up as soon as possible.”

Liam took off his suit coat and rolled up his sleeves before he settled into the chair at the computer terminal, his gaze and attention already on the screen. I took a moment to admire the corded muscles of his forearms as his fingers flew over the keys, his attention entirely on the task at hand.

But realizing it might be a while, I settled in one of the chairs and took out my phone to get some work done.

“You ready to go?”

I’d been so absorbed in an article about tile trends, Liam’s voice intruding into the silence startled me. I jerked my head to find him standing above me, coat draped over his arm, watching me with that same light in his eye that sent another pulse of electricity through me, straight down to the growing itch between my legs.

“Yeah, sorry.” I scrambled up, smoothing my skirt and straightening my shirt.

“Don’t apologize. I’m sorry to have dragged you here.”

I smiled, shaking my head. “No worries. Did you figure out the problem?”

“I did. It was an easy fix but difficult to find. At least they can use the program now.” He retook my hand. The gesture was starting to feel natural, his hand seeking mine whenever we were close, our fingers twined.

“So they use a program you developed?” I asked.

“And other tech, including the units we just released. We donated them.” His gaze slid toward me, then away, a sly smile curling up one corner of his mouth. “I got in trouble with my CFO because I donated too many.”

I shook my head, amazed at the man beside me.

“What?” Liam asked.

“You can’t seriously be that good of a person. No one is. Did you murder someone? Am I going to find an actual skeleton in your closet someday?” I asked with a wink to take the sting from my words.

Liam shrugged, but his grin was mischievous. “I have my flaws.”

“Oh, yeah? Like what?” I challenged.

“I forgot to throw my recycling into the right bin the other day. And I threw it in there without washing it or removing the label.”

For a moment, I stared at Liam, but then I began to laugh. I laughed so hard that I had to stop walking to catch my breath.

“You okay?” Liam asked. “I didn’t know what I’d said was so funny.”

His joke had been funny, but I honestly didn’t know what had caused me to laugh so hard. Maybe it was the exultation, the elation I felt when I was around him, or maybe it was the elation of being free from having to watch my every step and word. Whatever it was, I had to wipe the tears from my eyes.

But my laughter stopped as Liam stepped forward and brushed away a tear with his thumb. Electricity crackled through me again, my breath hitching, my entire body buzzing with the awareness of his proximity. I couldn’t tear my eyes away from his and the blazing emotion swirling in their dark depths, an emotion I could finally name—desire.

“Do you want to go back to my place?” Liam asked, his voice husky.

“Yes.” I gulped the word, unable to say any more.

As Liam took my hand to lead me back down the hallway, I swallowed again, wiping away a bead of sweat with the back of a shaking hand. My entire body felt slightly weak, like I’d had too much coffee. But instead of caffeine, it was desire mixed with anticipation.

Was I ready for this? It had been literal years. After Russ, I had cut myself off, unable to open enough to welcome any kind of romance and desire into my life. Was I ready to open up to Liam, mentally and physically? Well, I was ready to try, the pulse between my legs making me squirm in my seat.

I could barely contain myself as Liam let me into his house. But my building lust was forgotten for a moment as I realized it was nearly as perfect as I’d left it the day the project finished those months ago.