Mr. Villain's Lovely Wife

Chapter 64

“You-“Izzy’s words faltered as her gaze betrayed her, dropping to Liam’s lips. The faint sheen from his earlier drink caught the Night, drawing her attention despite her efforts to look away. Her stomach twisted, an unsettling mix of frustration and something else she refused to name.

He was too close. The subsile scent of him–warm, clean, with a hint of spice–wrapped around her, invading her senses. She hated how much she noticed it. Worse, she hated how much she liked it.

Her grip on the counter tightened, her knuckles turning white as if the cold surface could anchor her. Her pulse quickened, the memory of their past kisses flashing in her mind, uninvited and far too vivid. She swallowed hard, willing the thoughts away, but the harder she tried, the more persistent they became

Izzy straightened, trying to regain her composure, but every nerve in her body was acutely aware of his nearness. She could feel the warmth radiating from him, see the faint curve of his smirk in her peripheral vision. It wasn’t fair how easily he unsettled her–how effortlessly he seemed to take control of the space between them.

“Say it again.” Liam said, his words hanging between them like a challenge.

Izzy’s lips parted as if to protest, but she stopped herself. Her chest tightened as she looked at him, his expression unreadable but entirely focused on her. She shifted her weight, feeling her heart race.

“You’re full of surprises,” she finally said, her voice steadier than she expected.

Hearing this, Liam’s smirk deepened. He closed the remaining distance between them. His hand came to rest lightly on the counter beside her, effectively caging her in. Izzy’s pulse hammered in her ears. She forced herself to hold his gaze, refusing to back down despite the way her body reacted to his nearness.

“I like hearing you admit that,” he said, his eyes locking onto hers with an intensity that made it impossible to look away.

Izzy inhaled sharply, her composure slipping for a fraction of a second. “Don’t let it go to your head.”

He leaned in slightly, his breath warm against her cheek. She stiffened, the space between them now nonexistent. “Too late.”

Her fingers twitched against the counter, and she silently cursed her body’s betrayal. This was too close–too much. Izzy turned her head to the side, breaking the moment as she muttered, “We should check on the ratatouille.”

Liam didn’t move immediately, his presence still heavy next to her. Then, with an almost imperceptible sigh, he stepped back, giving her room to breathe. “You’re right. Wouldn’t want to ruin it.”

gaze lingering long after he moved. Her hand trembled slightly as she adjusted the

behind her, the warmth of his presence unsettlingly near. She bit her lower lip, pretending to focus intently

his voice calm as he gestured toward the sleek appliance. “This oven’s new. It’ll alert you when it’s done or if something is wrong. Technology these days can do

return. Turning to face him, she leveled a glare his way. “I’m aware,” she said sharply, though

smile. “Is this your first time baking, Mrs.

hers.

through her, and for a split second she faltered. But she quickly

scoff.

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Chapter 64

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Izzy–announced, brushing her hands against her skirt. “I need to change. I didn’t get the chance earlier.” She turned toward

following her Do you need help with that?” he asked, the corners of his lips tugging upward in

glare at him. “Liam!” she exclaimed,

said with a chuckle, holding his hands

her heel and marched toward the staircase. Her steps were brisk, each one an

stairs, she dared a glance over her shoulder. Liam was still standing there, his smirk firmly in place, his eyes following her. She turned away quickly,

her with more force than necessary. She leaned against it for a moment, her heart still racing. She shook her head, muttering curses under her breath. “This is all his

the shower, letting the hot water cascade over her. The tension in her shoulders began to ease, but her mind refused to follow suit. Instead, it replayed the memory of their kiss, unbidden and vivid. Her hand clenched into a fist against the

does he have to make everything so complicated?” she muttered, scrubbing at her skin as though she could erase the lingering heat from earlier.

shower, she quickly dried off and brushed her teeth, trying to push her thoughts aside. It didn’t help. Even as she dried her hair, her mind kept circling back to Liam–his infuriating smirk, the way he moved closer without hesitation as