Where Petals of Vengeance Bloom

Chapter 267

Mandy stared at him, her expression unreadable.

Realizing he'd crossed a line, Liam fell silent. After what had almost happened between them last time, it was no wonder she wanted nothing to do with him-let alone accept a ride home.

He immediately dropped the teasing tone. "Let me take you to your hotel," he offered quietly.

Mandy didn't refuse.

The car ride was tense, weighed down by everything unspoken.

Mandy kept her eyes fixed on the passing city lights, her face half-lit by the golden haze of street lamps flickering by. Shadows danced across her features, revealing nothing.

Liam watched her in the rearview mirror, catching her frosty demeanor. He sighed, resigned. Clearly, his behavior last time had scared her.

He couldn't blame her. She was just a college student-young, earnest, a little naïve. He really needed to stop with the boundary-pushing jokes before she started thinking of him as some creepy old man.

What Liam didn't realize was that, if Mandy hadn't assumed he was gay, she would have made her move on him long ago.

long. Liam parked, stepped out first, and opened the car

handled the check-in process for her, making sure

his pocket and pulled out the debit card he

out of line before. I'm sorry," Liam said, his voice low and sincerely apologetic. "This is a

tried to sound as gentle as possible, but ultimately pressed the card into her hand with a firmness

momentarily surprised to actually see the

as cool as ever. Only she knew how desperately she wanted the money. But she had to keep up appearances.

the card right back. "You keep

a little rebellious, but still had that unspoiled honesty

down. But Mandy? She didn't even hesitate. His

least his efforts tonight hadn't been

back at her. "I said it's for you, so

tone left no room for argument, eyes glinting

help but arch an eyebrow, secretly pleased with himself. Surely that little show

that Mandy, watching his retreating back, was