Chapter 5

Samantha stood frozen, her lips still tingling from Liam's kiss. Her mind reeled as she tried to process the whirlwind of emotions. Divorce, kiss, and now...chase?

She pinched her cheek, the faint sting grounding her in reality. The sounds from the kitchen broke the spell, and she drifted towards the noise, her heart still racing.

Liam stood at the counter looking for a pot while Beatrice cooed in her baby seat beside him. Suddenly he looked up and his eyes met Samantha's. 

Immediately the air seemed to vibrate with tension. 

"Hey," he said, his voice low and husky.

Samantha's heart skipped a beat. 

"Hey," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper.

Liam's eyes locked onto Samantha's as she stepped into the kitchen. 

"How long have you been standing there?" he asked, his voice low and husky.

Samantha's cheeks flushed as she shrugged. 

"Not long."

Liam's gaze lingered on hers, the tension between them palpable. Samantha broke the silence, her voice barely above a whisper. 

"What are you doing?"

Liam's eyes crinkled at the corners as he smiled. 

"Making dinner."

Samantha took a step closer, her eyes fixed on his. 

"Let me help."

“No, I've got this,” he said calm.

But Samantha was adamant.

“I insist. Let me help,” she said, trying to approach him.

Liam's expression turned stern, his voice firm. 

"I said I've got this."

The air seemed to vibrate with tension as Samantha's eyes flashed with defiance. 

"You're not exactly being fair, Liam," she muttered under her breath.

Liam's eyes narrowed, his voice low and rough. 

"What did you say?"

Samantha's cheeks flushed as she shook her head. 

"Nothing."

The silence that followed was oppressive, the only sound the sizzle of meat on the stovetop. Samantha's voice cut through the tension, her words barely above a whisper. 

"Why do you want a divorce, Liam… sir?"

Liam's eyes locked onto hers, the pain and vulnerability in his gaze making Samantha's heart stutter. 

"I'm not doing this for me," he said, his voice rough with emotion. 

He turned to Beatrice.

"I'm doing it for her.”

Liam's voice cracked with emotion as he spoke, his eyes burning with a mix of frustration and sadness. 

"Gianna hasn't been around much since she was born, always chasing her career. That is all she cares about." 

He paused, his gaze piercing Samantha's. 

"Honestly, I don't think of us as a family anymore."

Samantha's heart stuttered as Liam's eyes wrinkled at the corners, his smile a whispered promise. 

"But You're here, Samantha. You're the one who's been there for Beatrice, who's shown her love and care." 

His voice dropped to a whisper, sending shivers down Samantha's spine. 

"With you by her side, she'll never feel like she's missing out."

Samantha's heart fluttered, her skin burning under Liam's gaze. She felt like she was melting, like she was drowning in the depths of his eyes. She turned to flee, but Liam's voice caught her, his words a gentle command. 

"Hey, take Beatrice with you. I'll call you when dinner's ready."

Samantha's heart skipped a beat as she met Liam's gaze, the air between them crackling with tension. She nodded, her voice caught in her throat, and turned to scoop up Beatrice, her heart pounding in her chest.

As Samantha turned to leave, Beatrice's tiny hands wrapped around her neck, holding her in place. The little girl's giggles filled the air, and Samantha's heart swelled with affection. For a fleeting moment, Liam's words faded into the background, and all that mattered was the warmth of Beatrice's hug.

But as she reached the kitchen door, Liam's voice sliced through the air, sending a shiver down her spine. 

"Samantha?" he called, his tone low and husky.

Samantha turned, her eyes locking onto Liam's. His face was etched with regret, his eyes crinkling at the corners as he looked at her. 

"Hey, I'm really sorry about the way I spoke to you earlier," he said, his voice rough with emotion. 

"I was way out of line."

The air seemed to vibrate with tension as Liam's gaze held hers. Samantha's cheeks flushed, her heart racing with anticipation. She knew exactly what he was apologizing for – the kiss.

"It's fine," she said finally, trying to sound nonchalant despite the butterflies in her stomach. 

But her voice betrayed her, trembling slightly as she spoke.

Liam's eyes narrowed, his expression unreadable. For a moment, they just stared at each other, the silence between them crackling with electricity. Then, Liam's face softened, his eyes burning with intensity. 

"I was wondering... would you like to join me for dinner tonight?" he asked, his voice low and inviting. 

"Just the two of us?"

The room seemed to hold its breath as Samantha hesitated, her heart pounding in her chest. Liam's eyes locked onto hers, his gaze burning with anticipation, as he awaited her response. The air was thick with tension, the silence between them palpable, as Samantha weighed her decision.

As Samantha stood there, her heart racing with anticipation, Liam's eyes seemed to bore into her soul. The air was electric with tension, the silence between them crackling with unspoken emotions.

"I...I don't know," Samantha stammered, her voice barely above a whisper.

Liam's eyes narrowed, his expression unreadable. For a moment, they just stared at each other, the silence between them oppressive.

Liam walked towards her, holding her gaze. He stood few inches away from her, fighting the urge to grab her and plant a hot kiss on her lips. 

His face softened, his eyes burning with intensity. 

"Come on, Samantha. Just dinner. We can talk about...everything. Maybe about the kiss too."

Samantha's heart skipped a beat as Liam's words washed over her. 

She wanted to know why he kissed her like that. She wondered if she was the reason he wanted to divorce his wife, Gianna, or not.

While she felt like she was drowning in the depths of his eyes, Liam's heart raced hoping to get a positive reply.