Begin Again novel Chapter 212

Since she couldn't fall asleep after Liam left for the gym, Eden decided to get started on her day as well.

She fired up her work laptop and caught up on her reports and emails, and by the time Aiden woke up an hour and a half later, she'd cleared out her inbox and sent her creative plan for Lydia's onboarding in two weeks to the head of marketing.

Pleased with her work progress, Eden stretched and yawned before she shut down her laptop and padded to the nursery, where she found Aiden trying to jump out of the crib.

"Aiden Clarke McBride!" She scolded him. "I've taught you better than that!"

Ordinarily, her son would have laughed at her and blew her a kiss or two. But today, for some reason, he was feeling a little sensitive. His face melted into a puddle of tears, and he wailed like someone had stolen candy from him.

She was about to scoop him up when a sweaty and sexy as fuck Liam sprung into the room.

"Don't they have washrooms at your fancy gym?" She asked, scrunching her nose in mock disgust, making a point of staring at his soaked t-shirt.

"So I can catch funny shit in their showers? No thanks," he drawled as he reached for Aiden and held him. "Why is he crying? What did you do to him?"

"Me?" Eden pointed at herself. "Ask him. He was trying to escape from his crib when he knows not to."

"Dad!" Aiden touched Liam's cheek ever so gently and babbled away, pleading his case tearfully with him.

"I know, Kool-Aid. I know you just wanted to get out of your crib. You didn't mean to upset mommy," Liam assured him and kissed his forehead. Turning to her, he smiled. "Go ahead. I've got him."

"Are you sure? I mean, he still has to potty, brush his teeth and wash his face—"

"I can handle it," Liam said again. "He taught me his routine on Saturday, remember?"

"Right! Thanks," Eden gave him a thumbs up and headed back to the master bedroom to get ready for work.

She was halfway through her shower when Liam stepped inside and reached for her.

"Is everything okay?" She asked over his shoulder.

"It's perfect now that you're in my arms," he replied.

Her gut clenched, and she knew nothing was perfect. There was an edge in his voice matching the wariness in his eyes.

"It's your meeting with Aleksei, right?"

Liam nodded and began to soap his hair, and for a little while, Eden forgot about the crazy Russian as she took in his toned body and all the muscles rippling with every movement he made under the water sprays.

Thirsty as fuck, she salivated—no, she slobbered—unable to believe she got to have her way with him whenever she wanted.

"Come here," he smirked, pulling her under the shower. "If you don't stop eye-fucking me, we'll never leave this house."

"I wasn't eye-fucking you."

She totally was, and her flaming-hot cheeks and the heat between her thighs were enough proof.

"Sure, Princess," he laughed, his eyes sparkling with amusement.

"You are full of yourself, Mr Anderson!" She groaned and hid her face on his chest, willing her heart to stop beating so fast. "So what time is the meeting with Aleksei. I'll come with you. I'm a good negotiator, you know."

"I'm well aware of that. You did rob me blind over your salary," Liam kissed her nose and gave them both a rinse-over before he stepped out of the shower and snatched a clean bath towel from the towel stand. "But you are not coming with me to the meeting. I'll handle Aleksei. He's an asshole, but he loves money. So that twenty percent should make him happy."

"Anyway, did you know I had to take a pay-cut because of your crazy demands!" He added, wrapping the towel around her body.

"Well, you weren't thinking with your brain—"

Before she knew what hit her, Liam was all over her, kissing her hard.

"Every time you sass me, I'll have to kiss you. That's your punishment."

"I was speaking facts—"

He pounced on her again, this time though he was slow and gentle and so tender, her toes curled, and she sighed blissfully, praying things between them will always stay this good.

"I love you so much, Princess. You are my heart!"

"And you are mine," she whispered back.

Ready to take on their first meeting, they headed downstairs almost half an hour later and found Aiden with Brenda at the breakfast counter, nibbling away at their cereal.

Eden made herself a slice of brown toast and black tea and wolfed it down quickly.

"That's all you eat for breakfast?" Liam gawked at the piece of bread in her hand while he picked Aiden up from his highchair.

"Says the man who doesn't have breakfast," Eden shot back as she grabbed her handbag and laptop and stepped into the shoes she'd worn at the benefit. They were too sparkly for the office, and her outfit— her distressed jeans and Liam's white shirt— was way too casual for Monday, but since all her clothes were still at her place, her disco-vibe look would have to do.

She kissed Aiden, hugged Brenda and dashed for the door with Liam following behind her.

"Bye-bye, be good!" Aiden called after them.

"You be good Kool-Aid, don't give Brenda a hard time." Liam waved back at him.

The moment the door shut behind them, Aiden screamed his head off.

"The elevator's out," Liam announced, pointing at the maintenance message on the floor display panel.

"I'll take the stairs," Eden decided quickly, but he pulled her back before she could dash for the emergency exit.

"Stop running. Everyone will find out soon anyway," Liam said, holding her hand firmly in his as they waited for one of the public elevators.

Eden gave him a blank stare. She had no idea why anyone would find out about their relationship if they both decide to keep their mouths shut and act like the professionals she knew they could be when they were at the office.

"The press release for our engagement party is going out in a few days."

"But you said you'd stall—"

"I said I'll stall the wedding, Princess," Liam reminded her. "We'll go along with the party to appease the board and get ahead of the news cycle when the tabloids find out about Aiden."

"I don't under—"

The doors slid open before Eden could tell him she didn't understand why every little thing affected share prices and the company's profits.

The millions of eyes inside the elevator jumped straight to their entwined hands, and she tried to wiggle hers away. But Liam held it tight in his vice-like grip and dragged her beside him as everyone crammed themselves into the corner and sang their greeting almost in unison.

"Morning, Mr Anderson."

Liam grunted a hello back and stared straight ahead while Eden wished the floor would just open up and swallow her whole.

As if she was not under the spotlight already, they had to stop on almost every floor, and if people didn't know they were an office romance before, there was no doubt in their minds now. The level of intimacy between them was plain for all to see because each time people jumped in and out of the elevator, Liam would pull her in front of him and hold her way closer than the code of conduct recommended.

Liam was all over her like a rash, kissing her like he hasn't seen her in years, the moment the elevator emptied and they were the only ones left as it continued to surge upward.

"You can't do that here!" She admonished him when they reached the 36th floor.

They paused outside her office, and Liam smirked, his eyes shining with amusement. "I can! The board approves!"

"No, they don't," she rolled her eyes. "They wanted to fire you."

He leaned in and kissed her cheek. "Enjoy your day, Aiden's mom!"

"You too, Aiden's dad," Eden's heart burst with sheer joy at his words as she watched him walk down the corridor and turn the corner to his office.