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Liam
I sent Amelia to the master bath to clean up after our little impromptu romp in the kitchen. I’d had no intention of having sex with her again but being so close, I couldn’t contain myself. I needed one last taste before things went back to how they had been before she came into my life.
The next day, she’d be ready to get on with the life she’d planned before I ever turned her world upside down. I could tell there was a part of Amelia that cared for me, but every time she started to get close, she pulled away. Too much had happened between us for her to ever see me as anything but the monster I was. I hoped when she looked back on our time together that she would remember the good and not just the bad.
I cleaned the counter and started cooking dinner while she took her time in the bathroom. I’d just added all the ingredients into the saucepan when there was a knock on the door. I turned the stove on simmer and wiped my hands on a dish rag before heading over to see who it was.
I looked through the peephole and was surprised to see the female agent from the movie theater. I unlocked and opened the door.
“Hello?”
“Hello, Liam.”
I stood there looking at her curiously. It was highly irregular for agents other than Chase to just show up at my door unannounced. I didn’t even know this woman’s name and yet here she was in her tight red cocktail dress and fifties style make-up, red lips and all.
“Aren’t you going to invite me in?”
I moved out of the doorway and motioned for her to enter. “Please, come in. I’m afraid you have me at a disadvantage. I never caught your name last time.”
“Olivia.”
“What brings you to my home this evening, Olivia?” I led her to the living room and motioned to the couch. “Please, have a seat.”
“Thank you.” She lowered herself onto the cushion with the grace of a debutante. I swore she could have balanced a book on her head and not dropped it once. “I needed to discuss something with you.”
“About?”
“I have a case I was assigned recently. I was hoping you might be able to help me with it.”
I was intrigued by the mention of a case and sat in the armchair angled to face the couch “How can I help?”
“I’ve been assigned a case in Lesbos to locate and acquire a valuable asset.”
“I’ve been assigned a lot worse locations. What do you need from me?”
“The cover is a honeymooning couple.”
“Oh.”
“The agency is letting me pick my partner. Maybe it was my imagination, but I thought we had good chemistry at the theater. I want you.”
A loud clanging noise drew my eye to the hallway entrance. Amelia stood like a deer in the headlights. My miniature globe had been knocked off the side table and rolled at her feet. “I’m sorry I didn’t mean to interrupt. I didn’t know you had company.” She stumbled back toward the hallway.
“Amelia, this is Olivia. We work together.”
“Nice to meet you. If you’ll excuse me.” Amelia’s cheeks were bright red with embarrassment as she stuttered and backed away down the hall.
“She’s not the witness I heard about, is she?”
“She is.”
“Liam, what are you doing?”
“That’s none of your concern.”
“It is foolish to get involved with someone who isn’t in our world. Especially with all the muddied water surrounding this whole situation.”
“You don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“You have a bright future ahead of you still at the agency. Don’t throw it away on some fling that’s going to blow up in your face.”
“You don’t know me, and you don’t know the situation. I think it’s best you leave now.” I walked to the door and opened it for her. Reluctantly, she followed, pausing just inside.
“Fine. But you should seriously consider my offer. We’d make a good team, and it could be fun.”
“Goodbye Olivia.” She stepped out into the hall, and I closed the door without looking back.
I locked the deadbolt and went back toward the bedroom to find Amelia. She was sitting on the bed, staring out the window.
“Hey, she’s gone. I’m sorry about that.”
“I’m sorry I interrupted.”
“Don’t be. She was the one intruding on our time.”
“You work with her?” She finally turned to look at me and I stepped closer.
“Yes.”
“Is she like you?”
“She is.”
“Are you two... involved?”
“No.”
“But she said—”
“She was hoping I’d join her for a mission.”
“Is that what they are calling it these days?” She snipped.
“Are you jealous?” I raised my brows but my wolf preened at the thought of her jealousy.
“Oh, please. What do I have to be jealous of? This was just one last night before we went back to the way things were before, right?” Was she angry that another woman showed interest in me or that I’d accused her of being jealous?
She was making me mad. I felt like we were becoming more than just that but clearly, she felt different. “That’s what we said, yes.”
“Then why would I be jealous of how you spend your time? I was just embarrassed to stumble into the room in front of your guest.”
“Don’t worry about it. She’ll get over it. I need to check on dinner.” I spoke coldly and turned to walk out.
I cast one last glance back at her. Was she wiping a tear away or just a strand of her hair? The thought of her crying pained me, but my anger pushed me on. I went back into the kitchen and stirred the pot of sauce, grateful I’d remembered to turn it to simmer before going to the door. I stirred the sauce and tasted it. It was nearly ready.
Cooking calmed me. It helped center me, but it didn’t take away the sadness I felt knowing Amelia would be leaving the next day.