Liam was frozen for a moment, entirely unprepared for the force behind Vanessa's kiss—the way her lips crashed into his, fierce and really hers. Her hands wrapped around his neck as though she couldn't let him go. Time slowed, and for a second it felt like the world had narrowed to only her, only that moment.
Then his instincts snapped back fiercely. He gently but firmly removed her hands from his throat, pushing her back just enough to create distance. His breaths were shallow, heart pounding with adrenaline and tenderness. His touch was gentle as he guided her away from him.
Vanessa staggered back a step, clutching at the hem of her gown. Her eyes were wide, lips quivering. "I'm… I'm sorry," she whispered, choking on the last word. "I couldn't control it."
Her voice cracked. He could hear it. The raw emotion spilling through the words.
