Chapter 8

Ava found herself smiling back, a genuine, unforced smile.

"Of course, I came. We have a contract, remember?"

She impulsively reached out and hugged him. It was brief, but the solid warmth of him was surprisingly comforting.

He returned the hug, his arms strong around her.

"Thank you for making the trip out here," he said, his voice rumbling pleasantly against her ear. "I appreciate the effort. I' m all yours, as promised."

Ava pulled back, a little flustered by her own boldness.

"Right. Well, first things first. We need to get you some new clothes. Something more... appropriate for Malibu."

She wanted him to look the part. Her part.

He glanced down at his attire. "What? You don' t like my struggling artist chic?"

Then he picked up the shabby duffel bag from the ground. "And I' m rather attached to this bag. It' s seen me through some lean times."

Ava was taken aback. "You can keep the bag, of course. I' m not trying to... change you. Just... enhance the presentation."

She didn' t want to be like the Ashworths, controlling every detail.

"I respect your... attachments," she added, a little awkwardly.

Liam' s expression softened. He looked genuinely touched.

"That' s... surprisingly considerate, Boss Lady."

His blue eyes held a warmth that seemed to see right through her carefully constructed defenses.

"Most patrons have very specific ideas about how their... companions should appear."

Ava felt a strange sense of pride.

"Well, I' m not most patrons," she said, a hint of defiance in her voice.

She was offering him a different kind of arrangement. A partnership, almost.

Even if it was built on a foundation of lies and revenge.