Chapter 3

The next my father took it upon himself to tour Carla and Liam around.

I was pursuing my Literature degree from UCLA and lived in the dorms there. Dad was a lawyer and mostly stayed in LA for work.

I grew up in LA only.

But this was Malibu. Our sweet home that Dad bought when I was seven. Since then we would always come here for the summer break, which didn't change when I went to college.

I was a sophomore and just like last year I came here for my semester break.

Dad planned to live here after retirement that's why he invested so much in this house. It was beautiful, its back facing the ocean. The beach was within walking distance. I could cross the backyard of my home and a few meters ahead I'll find my feet in sand.

It was a wonderful place. Somewhere I would want to live as well.

As Dad toured us through everything, the famous eateries, the weekly organic farmers market, etc, I grew bored.

I already had walked through all of this countless times. Dad insisted that we all go together or I wouldn't have bothered to come.

With the June sun up in the sky, I also grew thirsty.

I looked around to find something to soothe my thirst and almost instantly a bottled water was in front of my face. I followed the hand that held it with my eyes and met Liam's sparkling brown eyes.

His face was glistening with a light blanket of sweat, making his appeal all the more attractive.

Taking the bottle from his hand, I muttered a brief thanks before straying my eyes away from his face.

Last night was not something I wanted to happen again. Or maybe I did. But clearly, I couldn't afford to.

Maybe it was my hormones that made me bold enough to do what I did last night.

Lost in thought I took a few gulps of water and barely managed to dodge a guy on a bicycle.

I felt a hand on the exposed skin of my waist pulling me in a warm body. I looked up to see Liam glaring at the guy on the bicycle behind us.

Every inch of my skin that was touching his was burning with desire. I could feel the heat rushing to my face.

Liam glanced down at me and our faces were mere inches apart, if either of us moved we would be kissing. And for a moment it felt like we would.

But that was until someone honked at us from behind. Almost instantly, Liam let go of my waist, softly muttering a sorry before moving to my other side.

I smiled at his thoughtful actions but didn't say anything. We both continued to follow our parents the rest of the way, side by side in comfortable silence.

The rest of the day and the following ones ahead passed relatively quickly with not much happening.

Especially because Liam left the very next day of our Malibu tour. According to Carla, he needed to meet his business partner as they were about to secure a deal with some organic farmers.

His business had two different sides one was of security and the other was of Organic farming.

Dad and Carla were mostly occupied with themselves, going out to meet friends, sometimes taking a day trip to LA for business, etc.

The only time I saw them was for dinner because the rest of the day either I was packed in my room binging Netflix and working on my project or out to a very aesthetic library Cafe to read.

It was Saturday and they were out again for a date. And while they were away I took this chance to step into my bikini and go dive in the ocean at six in the afternoon.

After seeing the sunset as I dipped into the water, I decided to head back as it was slowly getting dark and the beach was empty.

Getting through the backyard, I took a shower in the outside shower area and then proceeded to get inside the house but stopped midway when I saw the towel resting on the beach chair by the indoor swimming pool.

And I knew it had to be Liam's.

A ridiculous idea popped into my head and instead of heading inside as I was initially planning to, I directed my way to the pool and stepped into it.

Swimming to the farthest end of the pool, I rested my hand on the tiled wall and gazed at the ocean ahead. Not much time passed when I heard the water splash, the vibrations and waves caused by it meeting my waist.

I smirked when I felt him moving behind me.

“I would like to believe you didn't know I was about to use the pool,” Liam said as he stood beside me.

“Oh… you were? I didn't know you were back. I just got back from the beach and thought I should do a lap or two before heading in. I missed my morning workout this morning,” I explained but I knew that he was aware I was bluffing.

He stared at me with an expression I couldn't place my fingers on but inevitably felt warm inside from his gaze.

He shook his head before muttering, “Stop what you are doing Avery, there's still time. Because God knows If you don't, I won't be able to stop.”

I gulped at his words. His serious tone which was meant to warn me only increased the desire I felt for him and confirmed my doubts that he did feel the same.

With a moment of courage, I took a step in his direction and then another, until we were chest to chest.

I gazed up into his brown eyes and whispered, “And what if I don't want you to stop?”