Liam’s jaw tightened as Valarie pressed closer, her perfume curling into his senses like smoke.
She was poison. Her venom dripped like honey.
Soft, dangerous poison.
And he knew it. Her knew her like the back of his palm.
But that didn’t stop his pulse from racing, didn’t stop the conflict that boiled beneath his skin—the part of him that still remembered the late nights with Valarie years ago, back when they were allies in both business and the bedroom.
Before Lisa.
Before love got in the way of power.
“Let go of me,” Liam hissed through gritted teeth, his fingers tightening around her wrist.
Valarie’s lips parted in a wicked smile, her eyes dark with satisfaction. “Oh, Liam, you’re so tense. Relax. This isn’t a war—yet.”
He yanked away from her, his breath sharp, chest rising an
