Chapter 190 It Takes One to Solve One
"Stay and join me," Liam said, causing Diana's mind to go blank for just a moment.
When she came to, she smiled. Thankfully, Liam had turned away and hadn‘t seen her reaction.
"Would that be okay?" she asked, reining in her elation.
"As long as you'd like to, there's no inconvenience," Liam answered without looking back.
"I'd love to," Diana replied without a second thought.
"Then have a seat for a little while; it'll be about half an hour."
Watching his graceful form, even while washing vegetables by the sink, Diana's heart raced uncontrollably. She hesitated, then offered, "How about I help you out with dinner, and you can confirm the documents?"
"Can you cook?" Liam paused his task and finally turned to look at her.
Diana cracked a smile, "Of course, when Teresa and I were abroad, I did most of the cooking."
"That settles it, you're up," Liam said without a hint of formality. He grabbed a couple of paper towels to dry his hands, then approached Diana, taking the documents from her as he instructed, "Grab whatever you need from the fridge, and the spices are all in the cabinet to the right of the stove."
"Okay," Diana nodded, finding it increasingly hard to meet Liam's gaze.
As he passed her, Liam noticed her clearly flushed cheeks and his lips quirked up a little.
As Liam left, a wave of relief washed over Diana, and she made her way into the kitchen to finish washing the vegetables that Liam had started.
"Here, use these slippers; the floor can get quite chilly," a deep voice resonated from behind her as a pair of slippers landed at her feet.
Startled, Diana whirled around to find Liam's handsome features taking her breath away, her heart pounding so fiercely that her complexion reddened even more.
"Oh, right... thank you!" she managed to say.
With a faint smile, Liam headed toward his study.
Diana patted her chest to calm her racing heart, relieved she had somehow avoided unnerving thoughts of intimacy with Liam. No more distractions, it was time to focus on dinner.
Resolved to get her act together, she got to work on cooking. Wanting the supper to be lavish and filling, Diana took an hour to prepare a meal that Liam would have finished in half an hour, maybe because she was nervous.
When the dishes filled with aroma and flavor were finally on the table, Diana once again sighed in relief. After setting the tableware, she went to call Liam.
Gingerly approaching the study, the sight of Liam engrossed in his work eased her tension.
She knocked lightly, "Liam, dinner's ready!"
Hearing her, Liam looked up, put his papers aside, and stood up. As he stepped out and moved closer to Diana, he gave her a gentle look and said with a soft smile, "I appreciate it."
"That’s alright; cooking is pretty easy for me," Diana replied, walking with him to the dining room.
As he entered the dining room, Liam peered appreciatively at the piping-hot meal and said, "Looks as good as I bet it tastes."
Diana poured him a bowl of soup, "Glad you like it."
Liam looked up, their gazes fleetingly locking in the warm air of the room.
Diana quickly averted her eyes, feeling a slight embarrassment.
Liam flashed a grin, took the soup from her hands, and after tasting it, complimented, "This is pretty good."
Relieved, Diana settled down across from him.
"Let’s tackle this meal together," Liam said, noticing Diana wasn't moving at all and instead fixated on him. He chuckled as he took a bite.
Diana smiled, picking up her fork, "That means you're in for an extra helping."
He nodded, "Deal, I'll do my best. But you ought to add a bit more to your plate, too."
"I gain weight so easily, unlike Teresa who can eat anything without a worry," Diana laughed while eating.
"A little curve could be good; feels better to the touch."
Feels better to the touch.
Diana paused mid-bite as her previously settled heart rate began to race again.
"Eat up," Liam grinned as he observed her abrupt rigidity, and then topped her plate with a piece of ribs..
"Thank you." Trying to control her beating heart, Diana bowed her head and started eating robustly.
Throughout the meal, Diana felt discomfort and nervousness she hadn't felt before. When she volunteered to clean up the dishes after eating, Liam suddenly grasped her.
His palm was unusually warm. Feeling his large hand wrap around her wrist sent a jolt through her, causing her cheeks to blush as she turned to look at him, "What's up?"
"No need for you to worry about the dishes. The cleaner will take care of it," Liam said, still seated, holding onto her hand and looking up at her flustered and embarrassed face.
"Oh, okay!" she responded, clueless about what to do next. She blushed, stammering, "Then... I won't disturb you, I'll just..."
"So, you're leaving just like that? Hmm?" Liam held onto her wrist, a playful smile on his half-curved lips.
Diana looked up at him, looking very awkward. "Then what else... should we do?" she asked.
"I have some documents that need organizing," Liam said with an assertive air.
"Sure... where are they?" Diana asked, her heart unsure whether to feel happy or disappointed.
"In the bedroom, come with me," he said, standing up and pulling her in the direction of the bedroom.
In the bedroom.
Diana was momentarily stunned as she was led away by Liam.
As it dawned on her, her face flushed deeply and a fog seemed to take over her mind.
What was Liam implying...?
Lost in thought, Diana found herself suddenly pulled into the bedroom by Liam.
She looked up sharply, coming face to face with Liam's alluring features, flushed with desire.
"You have feelings for me? When did that start?" Liam lifted Diana’s chin, pinning her against the wall, his voice husky as he asked.
"Liam, I—"
He chuckled and interrupted her before she could say anything more. "I think you're at your cutest when you've had a bit too much to drink—open and forward, spilling nothing but truths," he added.
"You—" Diana gathered all her courage, peering up at him, "You like it when I take charge, don't you?"
Liam's lips curved into a smirk, and the next second, he dipped his head and captured her lips with his...
