Chapter 6 6

Liora's POV

I braced myself against the edge of the sink, staring at the restroom door as it continued to sway on its hinges.

Kade had fled fast. His suit had been soaked, his hair in disarray-nothing like the perpetually arrogant man I remembered.

The door banged against the frame and swung back with a dull thud.

I closed my eyes and pressed my trembling palms against the cold marble countertop, forcing myself to breathe. The nausea twisting in my stomach hadn't faded. My skin still seemed to remember where he had touched me. I scrubbed at my arm hard, as if I could erase the feeling.

If Rowan hadn't shown up. what would he have done?

The thought alone made my stomach churn. I almost wished I had killed him when I had the chance.

That bastard.

"You're ruthless."

The lazy voice drifted from across the room. I opened my eyes.

Rowan leaned against the opposite sink, arms folded across his chest, one brow arched, that familiar crooked smile tugging at his lips.

"The poor idiot looked like he was about to piss himself. You're scarier than I am."

I lowered my hand and straightened my spine. "What are you doing here?"

Right now, I had no desire to talk about Kade.

He tilted his head, his smile deepening, but didn't answer. Instead, he pushed off the counter and walked toward me-unhurried, confident, as if he knew I had nowhere to go.

Instinctively, I stepped back until my lower back hit the edge of the sink. The chill of marble told me the truth.

I was trapped.

He was too close. Close enough that I could catch his scent. Close enough to drag me straight back to that night.

Heat rushed to my cheeks.

"What are you thinking about?" His voice dropped, almost a whisper. "Blushing already?"

I pressed my lips together and forced myself to look up at him. His gaze was lowered, heavy and intent, studying me like he wanted to carve the moment into memory.

"What do you want?"

He lifted a hand and brushed a loose curl from my cheek, tucking it behind my ear. His fingers grazed the shell of my ear, sending a subtle shiver through me.

"I want your thanks. I did save you."

I took a steady breath. "Fine. What do you want? Money?"

He shook his head. The way he leaned closer silenced me completely.

"Money means nothing." His eyes darkened. "I want something more valuable."

"Your kiss."

I jerked my head to the side. "No."

Of course, he didn't listen. He lowered his face slowly, deliberately, giving me plenty of time to stop him.

and I did.

My palm came up between us, pressing flat against his chest. It was solid, warm, unyielding. He didn't step back. Instead, he shifted slightly, a wicked curve tugging at his mouth.

His lips descended, not to my mouth, but to my collarbone.

A sharp breath caught in my throat.

Right where he had marked me that night, he pressed a lingering kiss, then grazed the same spot with his teeth.

The sensation was intense enough that I couldn't fully suppress it. A faint, traitorous sound slipped from my lips before I could stop it.

Rowan pulled back, satisfaction glinting in his eyes, his mouth flushed and damp.

I swallowed hard, fighting the reckless urge to grab him and kiss him properly. In the dim light, his eyes seemed brighter than ever.

"You like it," he teased.

I wanted to deny it. I really did.

But the question that burst from me wasn't the one I'd planned.

"Why did you mark me?"

The moment the words left my mouth, I regretted them. But it was too late.

"Impulse," he said lightly.

Impulse.

I parted my lips, a hundred questions crowding my throat.

What did that mean? Did he act on impulse with every woman? What about now?

But I didn't ask.

Something hollow opened in my chest, and I couldn't name the feeling.

Before I could steady myself, he leaned down again, intending to kiss me.

I stepped away sharply.

"You're just trying to provoke Kade. You only wanted to ruin whatever he was planning. To you, I'm nothing but a tool. Right?"

Rowan stopped. He didn't argue. Didn't deny it. He only shrugged, almost as if he agreed.

"Does it matter?" he said casually. "I like your kisses. You like mine. Isn't that enough?"

I stared at him-at that infuriatingly indifferent expression, at those unreadable eyes.

Damn him.

Damn all men.

I wanted to slap him. To wipe that careless look off his face. But more than that, I wanted to run, from the heat coiling in my stomach, from the foolish flutter in my chest, from this chaotic tangle of emotions I couldn't sort out.

"Get out," I said coldly.

I shoved past him and headed for the door.

My steps were quick. Too quick.

Like I was fleeing.

He didn't call after me.

Cool air from the hallway rushed over me as I stepped out of the restroom. I didn't look back.

The corridor to the private room felt strangely short.

By the time I entered, I had forced a smile onto my face-thin and hollow.

Raya was holding a wineglass, eyes sparkling, words spilling out of her mouth.

"There you are!" she called cheerfully. "Touch-up or murder plot? You were gone forever."

"Long line," I lied, trying to keep my voice steady.

She didn't believe me. Her smile turned sly. "You missed the best part-guess what I did?"

I blinked, grateful for the change of topic. "No idea. Ordered three more bottles?" I arched a brow. That would've been very on brand for her.

"Please, I'm not that predictable." She practically bounced in her seat, dark curls tumbling over her shoulders. "I submitted one of your old pieces-the garnet and obsidian necklace, remember? I sent it to the Carla Showcase under your pen name, 'Nine.'"

My stomach dropped.

"Raya."

"It won, babe. First place. 'Number Nine' just stepped into the spotlight!" She let out an excited squeal at my stunned expression.

I gripped the edge of the tablecloth, fingers curling tightly. "You crossed into my work without asking," I said quietly.

"Yes, because you would've said no. But look what happened!" She thrust her phone toward me. On the screen was an email-clean logo, bold serif font declaring: Congratulations.

I stared at it.

"Major jewelers are already reaching out," she said, almost trembling with excitement. "You're about to blow up."

"That's. amazing," I managed. "It really is."

But my voice sounded distant to my own ears, as if I were still trapped in that dim restroom, caught in the aftermath of Rowan's touch.

"You don't sound excited," Raya pointed out with a frown.

"I'm just. processing."

"I know it's overwhelming. Now that so many people want to work with you, we have to celebrate." She grinned brightly.

I nodded.

It was incredible news. Truly.

If Kade hadn't tried to assault me. if Rowan hadn't stirred up feelings I didn't want to face. I might have been happier.