Maybe I shouldn’t ever examine it.
Liam took a corner fast, but then we hit traffic and slowed. A cab cut in front of us.
Hell, I just wanted Liam safely back in his office.
“So, you aren’t a blackmailer or marketing assistant, I assume.”
I didn’t look at him.
“Who are you?” he demanded.
“We’ll talk at your office. I want you off the street and safe.”
Liam Kensington was smart. He’d already been adding things up, and I could see it all working behind his blue eyes.
Grabbing my phone, I tapped in a message to Erica. Plan’s changed. I need to tell Kensington what’s going on.
Next, I messaged Doyle. WTF? You could’ve killed me and Kensington.
Did Doyle know that I’d returned fire? Would it make him suspicious of me?
I should have maintained my cover, but I sure as hell wasn’t going to die, or let them kill Liam.
My phone pinged with a message.
It was a warning. That’s all.
I tapped in furiously.
The assholes were aiming to kill. Hire better people.
I glanced at Liam.
His body was tense, his jaw tight. He turned his head and met my gaze.
“I’m tired of lies and secrets, Penn.”
“Sometimes my whole life seems like lies and secrets.” I tried to relax my shoulders. “You get used to it.”
The Kensington Group building appeared and Liam drove into the parking garage.
He parked the sexy, little Aston, and as soon as I got out, he grabbed my arm and towed me toward the elevator.
“I can walk myself. I’ve been doing it for several years now.”
He shot me one searing look and I closed my mouth.
Liam Kensington was really, really angry.
We exited on the executive floor and he kept a hold of my arm as we headed for his office. A male assistant appeared.
“Mr. Kensington, I put Mr. Crown in the main boardroom for your meeting.”
“Something came up. Give him my apologies and reschedule.”
The assistant’s eyes widened, and he shot a curious glance in my direction.
We sailed right past Eleanor’s desk.
His personal assistant rose. “Liam—?”
“Hold all my calls, Eleanor.”
The older woman shot me a narrow stare.
Then Liam slammed his office door closed.
He released me and strode toward his desk. He stripped off his suit jacket with jerky moves and tossed it over the guest chair.
I took a second to admire him, even though his blue striped shirt was a little rumpled, he looked delicious.
He spun, his hands on his lean hips. “Talk.”
“I suspect that you’re so used to giving orders that you don’t even realize how bossy and supercilious you sound.”
His gaze narrowed. He started toward me.
My pulse spiked. “Liam—”
He kept coming, fire in his eyes.
I backed up.
He kept coming and my shoulder blades hit the wall.
“Who. Are. You?”
My brain whirred. Erica hadn’t responded. I needed to talk with her first. Everything had gone to hell and I wasn’t sure what the next step should be. “I can’t share that with you just yet.”
He grabbed my chin. “Do you ever give a straight answer?”
I met his gaze. “Yes. Most of the time, actually.” I sighed. “I want to tell you, but I can’t yet.”
His fingers stroked my skin and I shivered.
There was something else in his gaze now.
“You like that?” he asked quietly.
“It doesn’t matter if I do or don’t, getting involved with you is a very bad idea. For both of us.”
His head leaned closer. “I have no doubt about that.”
“Liam,” I breathed. His nearness was sending my body haywire. I’d always prided myself on never losing control over a man. Ever. Why did this one affect me so much?
“Do you know what it’s like to feel so drawn to a woman, so attracted, and realize I don’t know a bloody thing about her?”
I heard the frustration in his voice. “I’m sorry.”
He studied my face. “I actually think you are, but it doesn’t change anything. I want to know who you are and what the fuck is going on.”
“I can’t. Yet.” Come on, Erica.
Liam’s grip tightened.
I pushed his hand away and put some distance between us.
He reached for me again and I automatically blocked his move.
He reached again and I knocked his arm aside.
Those beautiful blue eyes sharpened. I saw the killer businessman in them—assessing for strengths and weaknesses.
He grabbed my shirt, and I gripped the front of his. We moved in a half circle, like two predators ready to fight.
I aimed a light punch at his flat stomach, but he blocked my hit, surprising me.
My other arm swung up, and his hand snapped out, circling my wrist.
He’d read my moves, blocked them.
“You have some moves,” I said.
“As do you.”
He backed me up a step and my butt hit the edge of his desk.
“I didn’t expect you to,” I said.
“Do you think billionaires are too busy breathing rarefied air and buying designer suits?” He arched a brow.
He leaned into me, that hard male body tantalizingly close. And he smelled so good.
I cocked my head. “Um, pretty much.”
Then my phone vibrated.
I slid it out and saw the message from Erica. Finally.
I’ll do whatever you think is best. I just want Jake back.
I pressed a hand to Liam’s chest. “Back up, Liam.”
“No.”
Stubborn. Fine.
I lifted my chin. “My name isn’t Penn Channing.”
“I’d already guessed that,” he said dryly.
“Penn isn’t a total lie. I use it sometimes as a nickname.” I pulled in a breath. “My name is Aspen Chandler.” I felt his attention sharpen on me. “I was hired by one of your employees, who also happens to be a friend of mine. Her husband was kidnapped by a crime group called Nexus. All we want is her husband back safely. Nexus wanted to use her to get close to you, but I made myself a better option. I’m a private investigator.”
Not Sure This is a Good Idea
Liam
What. The. Hell?
Penn’s revelation, or should he say, Aspen’s, rocketed through Liam.
She was a private investigator.
She wasn’t a criminal.
She wasn’t a blackmailer.
She hadn’t betrayed him.
“I’m undercover with Nexus, and—”
“Quiet.” He dragged in a breath. “You’re a private investigator?”
She nodded. “I’m working for Erica Knox. They abducted her husband, Jake.”
Liam was somehow angry and elated all at the same time.
“I am sorry, Liam.” Aspen’s eyes were earnest. “I never wanted to hurt you, but there’s a man’s life on the line—”
Liam lowered his head and kissed her.
She froze at the touch of his lips, then she moaned and her hands sank into his hair.
He yanked her closer, tongue plunging into her mouth. She tasted so, so good—sweet, with a touch of spice.