“To the hospital…? Why…?” Xander frowned at her. He seemed confused. “Are you not feeling well?”“I will tell you on the way there.” Liz briskly stood up, grabbing her purse and her car keys. “Can we head out first?”Xander hesitated at first but then, shrugged in indifference. “I guess, yeah!”Liz didn’t need to be told twice. She was already making her way out of her office, her pace difficult for Xander to match with that he kept lagging behind.When they reached the underground parking slot, Liz’s hands wouldn’t stop shaking. She faked a short laugh when she caught Xander making a face at her. “I got it, just give me a second.”Xander shook his head in exasperation before snatching the car keys from her shaky hands. “I don’t think you can drive in this state and I won’t even allow you to drive. Let me drive it,” he didn’t wait for Liz’s response and got into the driver’s seat.When Liz kept standing right in the spot he’d left her, he snapped his fingers to get her out of her froz

Adrian Moore stood inside Liz’s house waiting for her to make it pass the doorway. Shame burned up the back of his neck. He’d never let anyone fight his battles for him, and he wasn’t about to start now. He’d deal with her scolding one more time like he had for the past few weeks.He’d been so determined that he hadn’t stopped pestering her and he would do it until she would agree to give him a second chance. He’d even moved-in to his new apartment from the extended-stay hotel where he’d been living when he’d finally found one closest to Liz’s house.He didn’t care what people or what their neighbours would say when they would see him constantly waiting outside her house.One day, Liz was so fed up with his persistent visits that she gave him a spare key to her house so that their nosy neighbours who seemed more interested to know what was going on between them than worry about their own houses.And unlike the way she’d been treating him before, her attitude toward him was slowly gett

When Adrian didn’t respond, Liz placed her hands on his waist, his chiseled abs tightening at her touch. “Ticklish?”“You’ll never get me to admit it.” He stated, sounding so confident of himself.Biting her lower lip, she dug her fingers into his sides.He shouted and danced out of her way, the towel slipping as low as it could around his hips without falling off. “You’re not playing nice, Liz. I’ll retaliate.”Palms out, she held out her hands in the universal sign for stop. “Okay! I have to go at the office and get a few things down tomorrow afternoon, and then I also have a little employee gathering afterwards. But after that, I will be free.”He ran a hand around the back of his neck and pulled hard enough that his muscles shook under the strain. Taking in a deep breath, he looked at her. “Employee gathering, huh…? Must be a big deal, afternoon tea break with the staffs…why am I not invited to this gathering?”She considered him, taking in the tight lines around his eyes and the

Liz Walters shook her head gently and pulled away just far enough so she could meet his stare. “You paid that guy to say that to me, didn’t you? It was all an act, and this is part of your plan to ruin me, using classic movie references to break down my defenses.”“I wish I could claim I’d done that because it would have been brilliant.” He shook his head at her as he took her hand and lifted her fingers to his lips for a quick, gentle kiss. “Unfortunately, it was a coincidence.”Impulse drove her to lean in and take his mouth in a quick kiss. “You’re a devious man, Adrian Moore.”“You have no idea.” He winked at her.A smile tugged at Liz’s lips but she hid it away from him.Side by side, they started up the stairs. Halfway up the second flight, the soft, sweet scent of cooking pastry hit her. By the time they reached the second-floor landing, the area was infused with the smells of baking and chocolate and strong coffee.A vintage door with an oval glass pane and oval brass doorknob

Liz Walters proceeded to open the car door to get out when Adrian opened it for her. She arched an eyebrow at him, impressed and slightly touched by his act. “Being a gentleman, huh?” He simply shrugged, holding her gaze. “Only for you…” Her heart skidded at his words. Butterflies fluttered in her belly. Keeping a hold of her emotions, she got out of the car and stepped around him, all while avoiding his eyes. “I know you told me that you’ve got some work to do this afternoon but I really want to see you tonight, for dinner?” He sheepishly asked, seemingly a tad bit scared of her response. “Adrian, you already know that I have to attend an employees’ gathering tonight.” She reminded him in case he’d forgotten. “I can’t.” “I know but –” He stopped talking altogether before sighing. “It’s okay. I can understand. Let’s head inside,” he tilted his head in the direction of the office building. “You’ve got work and I need to assist you.” He didn’t wait for her reply and began turning ar