Page 70 of The Naughty or Nice Deal

He chuckles like I’ve said something charmingly naive. “Oh, it’s awkward all right. It always is when you realize how much you’ve missed someone.”

“I’m not sure I follow.” I think I know exactly what he’s getting at, but I’m going to make him say it out loud if he’s really going down this path.

Liam gives me a look that he probably thinks is fondly indulgent and devastatingly attractive. He used to give me that exact look all the time, and it always made me feel so small, like I was a silly little girl who didn’t understand the world. The fact that he doesn’t mean to be hurtful softens the blow slightly—he’s not smart enough, or self-aware enough, I’ve realized, to know how condescending he sounds—but that doesn’t mean it didn’t hurt when we were together.

“I made a mistake,” Liam tells me, softening his voice like he’s delivering romantic dialogue. “Letting you go was the worst decision I ever made.”

That’s exactly what I was afraid he’d say. I straighten my spine and lift my chin. “You didn’t let me go, Liam. I left you, remember? After you cheated on me. If you didn’t want me to leave, then you shouldn’t have treated me like garbage. I left then, and I’m leaving now.”

I walk away with my heart racing at my own boldness. I find a server and hand over my drink and empty plate, then quickly scan the room for someone—anyone—to talk to. I’m happy to make conversation with a potted plant as long as it’s not Liam. I refuse to let him corner me again.

My stomach is twisted in knots. How on earth could he think that approach would work? How could he say something like that? Even if I had the complete lack of self-respect to be flattered, I’m supposedly with his brother. It’s disgraceful. I wish I had an excuse to punch him in the face, although I suspect that would only make everything worse.

There are a few people Lydia introduced me to standing by the piano where the hired musician is playing something classical, and I seize the opportunity. I slip over to them and start listening to their conversation, then jump in with a comment when it feels appropriate.

Luckily they’re discussing art, and while I don’t know much about it, I can at least share my appreciation and ask intelligent questions.

One of the guys—I think his name is Robert—seems happy to answer my questions and show off his knowledge. I glance around periodically, but thankfully, Liam is nowhere to be seen.

“There’s actually a really impressive art collection here in the house,” Robert says, puffing up with self-importance. “I could show you around if you’d like. Give you the proper tour.”

“Oh, that sounds lovely.” I’ve got nothing better to do, and it’ll get me even further away from Liam.

Robert leads me from the main room down a hallway to a quieter wing of the house. “Are you sure we’re allowed to be back here?” I ask, suddenly uncertain. I don’t want to get in trouble for wandering where we shouldn’t be.

“Oh, it’s perfectly fine. Sharon and Harry won’t mind at all—they’re my cousins, and they’re always thrilled to show off their collection. I’m just doing it for them.” His smile takes on a different quality. “Besides, who wouldn’t jump at the chance to be alone with you?”

I frown at him and pointedly flash my engagement ring. It’s funny—I’m actually used to wearing it now, the weight and feel of it on my finger.

I don’t want to embarrass Robert, but I know Lydia introduced me as her brother’s fiancée. Hopefully the obvious display of my ring will remind him of that and prevent him from saying something else inappropriate.

“What’s this one?” I ask, gesturing at a painting of a pompous-looking man on horseback.

“Oh, you don’t recognize it?” Robert asks with poorly concealed superiority, then launches into what sounds like a rehearsed lecture.

I have to work not to roll my eyes. The man is more than a bit pretentious.

“Of course, he was actually terrified of horses,” Robert continues with obvious relish. “Horses can sense fear, you know—they know they can’t trust a nervous rider, so they’ll try to throw you off. This horse bucked him right into the mud during the sitting. The painting had to be finished with him straddling a sofa, and the artist combined the two images.”

I can’t help but laugh. The idea of this arrogant-looking man in all his finery being unceremoniously dumped in the mud by a stubborn horse is genuinely funny.

Robert grins and reaches toward my face. “Oh, you’ve got a stray lock of hair…”

I automatically flinch back, already forming words to tell him to keep his hands to himself, when Robert’s wrist is suddenly caught in a grip that makes him yelp.

“Richard.” Hayden’s voice is icy. “I might have known.”

Oh, his name is Richard. Oops.

“How about you keep your grubby little hands to yourself?” he growls, his grip tightening until Richard winces. “Especially when it comes to other people’s fiancées.”

Richard is clearly in pain from the way Hayden is twisting his wrist. “It’s not—I was just⁠—”

“Touch her again, and I’ll break every finger on both hands,” Hayden snaps. He shoves Richard back hard enough to send him stumbling, then turns and scoops me up, tossing me over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes.

“Hayden!” I squeak in shock. He’s literally carrying me away like some kind of caveman. I smack him lightly on the back a few times. “Are you insane? People are staring! Put me down!”

“You think I give a damn about any of these people?” He scoffs, his arms tightening possessively around my legs.