Begin Again novel Chapter 124

Eden raced back inside the building, planning to sneak in and out of Liam's office to grab her phone.

She knocked once and eased inside when she didn't get an answer.

Her heart splintered in two when she found Liam on the couch, cradling his face in his hands, his shoulders sagged in defeat.

He turned when he heard the door close softly behind her, his gaze darkening when their eyes locked.

"I forgot my phone," Eden explained, lingering just inside, feeling like she'd intruded on a private moment.

"It's here." Liam held it up in the air, and she dashed over to grab it.

When she tried to reach for it, though, he grabbed her instead, and she clumsily fell on his lap.

"Mr Anderson," she cried breathlessly, startled by his swift move.

"Liam," he groaned, his lips hovering so close to hers she could smell the bourbon on his breath.

"Liam," she said, matching his quiet tone. "I don't think I should be here."

"You are exactly where you should be," he said hoarsely, scanning her face. "Stay with me for a little while. I don't want to be alone right now."

Eden knew she shouldn't. Not like this, in the dark. Not when he's just been drinking. It wasn't a lot judging by the still-full bottle on the coffee table beside the unused whisky glass. But, this—whatever this moment is and drunk or not—was a terrible idea.

"Please?" He pleaded, his eyes lingering on her lips, robbing her lungs of air and igniting an ache inside her so deep she thought she'd die from craving him.

"Okay," Eden cried, even when her mind screamed at her to abort the mission and go home before she fucked up both their lives even more.

"I'll stay." She added just to hush the terrified voice in her head, warning her this is a disaster of epic proportions waiting to happen.

The words were barely out of her lips when Liam swooped down on her and drew her closer, gathering her in his arms as his mouth smashed hers in a desperate kiss.

For the longest time, everything disappeared into the background, and it was just the two of them and his heartache.

It took Eden a little while to realise the tears she tasted on her lips weren't just hers and the sobs filling up the room weren't only from her.