20:45 5/5 26 Unfinished Business 26 Unfinished Business Hazel's POV I watched Liam as he sat behind his massive desk , staring out the window . His normally commanding presence seemed diminished , his shoulders slightly slumped . The afternoon sun cast shadows across his face , highlighting the dark circles under his eyes . " You wanted to see me ? " I asked , closing his office door behind me . Liam turned to face me , his violet - blue eyes clouded with worry . He looked exhausted , nothing like the intimidating CEO who typically dominated every room . " I called Albert , " he said , his voice uncharacteristically quiet . " He confirmed everything you said about Apex Steel . He's flying in tomorrow . " " That's good news , I offered , stepping closer . " Albert's the best at uncovering this kind of fraud ." Liam ran a hand through his dark hair , disheveling it . " If we lose Sterling Group … " His voice trailed off , and I suddenly understood the weight crushing him . This wasn't just a business to him - it was his parents ' legacy , his last connection to them . I moved toward him without thinking . " We won't let that happen . " His eyes locked with mine , vulnerable in a way I'd never seen before . The office felt charged with an unfamiliar tension - not the usual battle of wills between us , but something deeper . Liam stood abruptly , crossing the distance between us in three strides . Before I could react , his arms were around me , pulling me into an embrace . I froze , stunned by the unexpected contact . This wasn't like our heated encounters . filled with banter and desire . His embrace felt different - almost desperate . " Liam ," I whispered , my hands cautiously rising to rest against his chest . " Just … give me a minute , he murmured against my hair . I relaxed into his arms , feeling his heartbeat against my palm . The scent of his cologne . 20:45 C 1/5 20 Unfinished Business surrounded me , familiar now after all our close encounters . His grip tightened slightly , and suddenly the nature of our embrace shifted . I felt his breath quicken . His hand moved from my back to my waist , then lower . " I need you ," he whispered , lips brushing against my car . Heat flooded through me instantly . My body responded to his words before my mind . could process them . His lips found mine , gentle at first , then increasingly urgent . I kissed him back , forgetting where we were , forgetting everything but the feel of his mouth on mine . His hands tangled in my hair , tilting my head back as his kisses traveled down my neck . " Liam , " I gasped as he backed me toward the leather couch in the corner of his office . " We shouldn't- " " Tell me to stop , " he challenged , his eyes darkening with desire . " Tell me you don't want this . " The words died in my throat because they would be lies . I did want this - want him- with an intensity that frightened me . We tumbled onto the couch , his weight pressing me down into the soft leather . His hands were everywhere - sliding up my thigh , unbuttoning my blouse with practiced . ease . " You drive me crazy ," he murmured against my collarbone , pushing my shirt open . His lips trailed fire down my chest , making me arch against him . My fingers fumbled with his tie , desperate to feel his skin against mine . The world narrowed to just us - his hands , his mouth , the delicious weight of him above me . " God , you're beautiful ," he whispered , staring down at me with such raw desire that I blushed . His fingers worked the buttons of my shirt , exposing more skin for his hungry gaze . I should have felt embarrassed , sprawled beneath him in his office , but all I felt was need -desperate , consuming need . " What are you doing to me ? " I whispered as his lips brushed the swell of my breast above my bra . 2/5 26 Unfinished Business A knock on the door interrupted us . " Ignore it , " Liam growled , continuing his assault on my senses . The door opened before either of us could react . " Hey , Liam , about those- Damian's voice cut off abruptly . I gasped , trying to cover myself as Liam quickly shifted to block Damian's view . My face burned with mortification as I fumbled with my blouse buttons . " Damn it , Damian , Liam snapped , though there was no real anger in his voice . He grabbed his suit jacket from the back of the couch and handed it to me . " Learn to wait for an answer . " Damian's deep laugh filled the office . " Clearly I should have . My bad ." I buried my face in Liam's jacket , inhaling his scent while dying of embarrassment . " Give us a minute , Liam said , sounding remarkably composed . " Take your time ," Damian replied , amusement thick in his voice . " I'll be in my office when you're … finished ." The door closed with a soft click , leaving us in silence . I couldn't look at Liam , couldn't believe what had just happened . We'd been caught like teenagers by his best friend and company VP . " I'm so sorry ," I whispered , still hiding behind his jacket . To my surprise , Liam laughed . " For what ? Being irresistible ? " I finally looked up . Instead of embarrassment , his face showed only amusement and lingering desire . " But Damian Just- " Damian will tease me mercilessly for weeks ," Liam shrugged , helping me button my blouse . " But he's seen worse . " My phone buzzed in my purse , a welcome distraction from my humiliation . I reached for it , checking the screen . My heart stopped . 20:46 3/5 20 Unfinished Business " Leo has a fever of 102 , " I read the text from my babysitter . " He's asking for you ." Panic slammed into me like a physical force . All thoughts of desire and embarrassment- vanished instantly . I jumped up , nearly knocking Liam aside . " I have to go ," I said , grabbing my purse and smoothing my hair . " I'm sorry - it's an emergency . " Liam caught my wrist . " What's wrong ?" " My son - he's sick , I need to get home now without looking at them . I pulled away , stuffing papers into my bag " Your son ? " Something flashed across Liam's face - surprise , confusion , I couldn't tell . " Yes , my son , " I repeated , too worried to care about his reaction . " He has a high fever . " I hurried toward the door , but Liam stepped in front of me , blocking my path . " We have unfinished business , " he said softly . My temper flared . " Are you serious right now ? My child is sick ! " The hardness in his expression instantly melted . " No , that's not- " He shook his head . " I meant , just a minute , I'll drive you . " I blinked , caught off guard by his offer . " I can drive myself ," I said , though the thought of navigating traffic while worrying about Leo made my stomach churn . " You're upset ," Liam said firmly , already grabbing his keys . " Let me help . Please . " The genuine concern in his eyes made something shift inside me . This wasn't my demanding boss or the passionate man who'd just had me sprawled across his couch . This was something else entirely - something that frightened me far more than either of those versions of Liam Sterling . " Okay , " I whispered , too worried about Leo to argue further . Liam nodded , placing a steadying hand on the small of my back as he guided me toward the door . " Let's go take care of your son ." 20:45