Chapter 3 The Cold Touch

"Why are you looking at me like that?" I whispered, trying to steady my breath.

Liam didn't answer right away. He just stood very close, so close that I could feel the heat coming off his body. His dark eyes locked onto mine like I was the only thing that mattered.

"Amara," he said low and serious, "stop pretending."

I shook my head, confused. "Pretending what?"

"That you don't want this."

My heart hammered inside my chest. I wanted to say no. I wanted to push him away. But my body didn't listen.

His hand brushed lightly against my arm, and a sharp shock ran through me. I jerked back, afraid of how much I wanted to stay.

"I'm not yours," I said, voice shaking.

He didn't look angry. Instead, his jaw clenched. "You will be."

We stayed like that for a long moment. The air between us thick and heavy. I felt like I was drowning, caught between fear and desire.

Liam took a step closer, so close that his breath was warm on my cheek.

My heart pounded so loud I thought he might hear it. I couldn't stop looking at him.

"Why are you so cold to me?" I asked, my voice barely a whisper.

He didn't smile. "Because I don't do soft."

It was true. His whole life was hard and cold. No space for weakness.

"Then why do you stay?" I asked, feeling small.

"Because I want you," he said simply. "All of you."

For a second, I wanted to believe him. I wanted to forget the pain I carried. But I was scared.

Suddenly, the doorbell rang, breaking the moment.

I jumped.

Liam's eyes snapped to the door, sharp and alert.

"Don't answer," he said.

But I couldn't ignore it.

I walked to the door and opened it.

My best friend Sarah stood there with a smile.

"Hey!" she said. "I thought I'd check on you."

Relief flooded me. Sarah was the one person I could trust right now.

I let her in.

Liam took a step back, but his eyes stayed on me, cold and watchful.

"Want some company?" Sarah asked me.

I nodded quickly.

Sarah tried to cheer me up, telling silly stories and making me laugh a little. Liam mostly stayed quiet, watching us both like a shadow.

When Sarah left hours later, the house felt empty and cold again.

Liam stayed too.

We sat near each other, the silence filled with things neither of us said.

I could feel him looking at me.

"Amara," he said suddenly, voice soft, "you're breaking me."

I looked at him, surprised. For the first time, I saw something I hadn't before - tiredness. Vulnerability.

Maybe we were both broken in our own ways.

"Maybe we are," I said quietly.

He didn't say anything. Instead, he leaned in slowly.

His lips brushed against mine.

It was soft, almost gentle.

I froze, unsure what to do.

Then, just as quickly, he pulled back.

"I can't do this," he whispered.

Before I could say anything, my phone buzzed in my hand.

A message.

From my past.

From the man who left me broken.

"You belong with me."

My breath caught in my throat.

Liam's eyes darkened dangerously.

Without warning, he grabbed my wrist tightly, his fingers digging into my skin.

"We'll see about that," he said, voice low and hard.

I looked at him, confused and scared.

What did he mean?

Was this a promise or a threat?

I didn't have time to think.

Because suddenly, the lights went out.

Complete darkness swallowed the room.

My heart slammed against my ribs.

"Liam?" I whispered, reaching out blindly.

No answer.

I could hear my own breathing, fast and shallow.

The silence pressed down on me, thick and heavy.

"Stay still," Liam's voice came from somewhere close, low and calm.

I froze.

Then, I felt his hand brush my cheek.

Cold fingers, gentle but sure.

"Don't move," he said again.

My mind spun. Was this protection? Or something darker?

I felt a sharp crack somewhere-glass?

Suddenly, my phone buzzed in my pocket, breaking the silence.

I fumbled to pull it out, but Liam's hand grabbed mine.

"No," he said, voice rough.

"But what if it's an emergency?" I asked, panic rising.

He tightened his grip. "Trust me."

I nodded, heart pounding.

Seconds passed like hours.

Then the power flickered back on.

Light poured into the room.

We weren't alone.

Standing in the corner was a shadowed figure.

My breath caught.

"Who-?" I started.

Liam stepped forward, blocking me.

The figure moved toward us.

I recognized the sharp suit, the familiar cold eyes.

The man who sent the message.

My past.

"Back so soon?" Liam said, voice icy.

The man smiled thinly.

"This isn't over," he said.

Liam's eyes burned with warning.

But before he could say more, the man reached into his jacket.

I froze.

Was it a weapon?

The room went deadly silent again.