Chapter 128

Alaria

The world had a way of quieting down when Liam was like this. It was as if everything was falling in place despite how messy it seemed.

His arm around me, his touch steady, his lips brushing mine as though nothing else mattered. It wasn’t the heat of desire, not the sharp edges of arguments or accusations, it was something softer, something I hadn’t let myself lean into in a long time.

“Why do you always do that?” I asked quietly as we walked down the hall, my voice half a murmur against his shoulder.

He tilted his head, a faint smirk tugging at his mouth. “Do what?”

He kissed my bare shoulder, letting his lips linger there for a few seconds before pulling away to look me in the eye. I had to fight back laughing and pushing him away as he looked at me, knowing the effect that he was having.

“Act as if all it takes is a kiss to make me forget that I’m furious with you.” I said casually.

His chuckle rumbled low in his chest, and