The CEO’s Masked Secret Wife novel Chapter 26

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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.

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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.

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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.

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20 Unfinished Business

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