Collided: Dirty Air (Book 2)(57)

What the actual hell.

Butterflies be damned because Liam is too naughty for that. Being around him feels more like hornets wreaking havoc inside of me as they try to escape.

“What are you doing?” I whisper.

“Things I should have done a long time ago.”

My eyes look everywhere but at him. “Why?”

“Because I’m ending the game.”

“What game?” I can’t tell what’s gotten into him. He tears me up inside, my rules disappearing along with my self-control.

“The one we both already lost. Fuck ignoring how we feel because we’re both too chickenshit to do anything about it.”

Does he like me for real? Or is it only about something physical?

“What kind of feelings?” I leave things open-ended, despite how my brain begs to ask a different question.

“The ones that make me want to rip that dress off you and fuck you with your sparkly sneakers wrapped around my waist. I want them pressed against my ass while I come inside of you, your fingers clawing at my back because you can’t get enough.”

So, the physical kind of feelings. Got it. I can’t deny how my heart squeezes, awareness flooding me about how Liam wants nothing past our friendship and fuckship.

I pretend his words don’t bother me. “You’re only horny after not getting with anyone for months.”

“You’re shit at trying to ignore my advances. I’d almost believe you were unphased if you didn’t squeeze your legs every time I flirted with you.”

My cheeks flame. Cheeky bastard, this one.

A new voice breaks our staring contest. “Oh look. Liam and a new tart.”

I’m going to use context clues and guess that I’m the tart. My lips purse at the shrill voice ringing across the table, a British accent lacking the usual allure.

Liam’s body goes ramrod straight in his chair. Gone is flirty Liam, replaced by stormy eyes and a clenched jaw. It’s a much scarier version of himself.

“This tart’s name is Sophie. Nice to meet you.” I put my hand out, but it remains in the air unshaken. Liam pulls my hand away and holds on to it.

“Claudia.” She leers at me.

I strangely feel like the other woman based on how she treats me. Claudia looks beautiful, but her scowl and rough personality make her unattractive to me. She’s all long legs with pale skin, dark hair, and sharp cheekbones.

“What do you want?” Liam’s voice sends a chill across my skin. He puts a possessive hand on my thigh, drawing Claudia’s eyes to them. His thumb traces slow circles across my skin, a calming gesture I desperately need once Claudia sits in a chair next to me.

“Oh, Liam. I thought we were giving up on these games.” She lazily assesses me. It doesn’t make me feel too great to be honest, not that I’m the one to put myself down, but damn her intimidating stare unnerves me. Screw her for making me feel less than. But she looks like she walks runways on the weekends so it’s no wonder why Liam had a thing for her.

“There are no games. We’re over.” Liam’s hand continues its slow torture on my leg.

Claudia taps her heel against the marble floor. “And you think being with someone like her is really going to improve your chances at a McCoy contract? Think about your future. Do you really want to be a has-been driver with only two World Championship wins?” She looks at me the same way I check out a salad.

“Why don’t you leave the contract deals to those who actually work for a living.” Liam squeezes my leg reassuringly.

“It’s hard to not offer a word of advice.”

“Yet I didn’t remember asking. Next time I need some help, I’ll be sure to ask someone who can reference something other than People Magazine as their reliable source of information.”

I fidget in my seat, beyond uncomfortable by their exchange and the toxicity throwing off my positive vibes. No champagne buzz can cure this.

“For someone keen on not ending up in another magazine, you sure are okay with tempting tabloids to talk about you and the daughter of Bandini’s team principal. How interesting. That sure is one way to secure a contract, I’ll give you that.” Her lips purse together like she ate a lemon.

Her assumptions can’t be further from the truth. I take a deep breath, pissed about sitting next to this manipulative woman who looks at me like I have the personality of a houseplant.

A wave of possessiveness controls me. “Are you usually this much of a bitch? If Liam and I fuck around, it’s none of your business. Quit acting like a sad cliché because the scorned woman desperately clinging to a man storyline is overused. Feel free to leave whenever you want; this conversation is a bit dull.”

Liam’s wide eyes make me worry I went too far. My heart pumps fast, the rhythm drumming in my chest while my emotions run amuck inside of me. If I wasn’t a classy lady, I’d shift my weight from foot to foot with my fists up, ready to pounce. Verbal sparring will have to do for now.

“Liam may not want my advice, but I’ll give you a piece of my mind anyway.” She pats my arm like she has the sweetest intentions. Her touch makes me frown, fighting back the urge to shake her off. “This man uses women until they have nothing left to give. Then he’ll disregard you like you mean nothing. He did it to me, and he’ll do it to you. You know how many women he’s played with? He’s not like Noah, who sleeps around. No, Liam is the worst kind of guy who fucks around with you until you think he wants you back. That is, until you aren’t convenient anymore.” Mary freaking Poppins glares at me.