Where Petals of Vengeance Bloom

Chapter 340

His fingers tapped lightly on the steering wheel, each movement steady and almost playful.

Inside the car, tension hung in the air, subtle but unmistakable. Mandy clung to the bouquet of roses in her lap, as if hoping it could shield her from the awkwardness churning inside.

Just when she thought this painfully long drive was finally about to end, something unexpected happened.

Without warning, Liam reached over, his gesture casual as he rested his arm on the center console. But under that easy air, his large hand found its way to Mandy's slender waist, his fingers deliberately kneading the sensitive dip at her side, right where he knew she was most ticklish.

A startled gasp escaped Mandy's lips before she could stop herself, her whole body going rigid.

She spun around to glare at him, but Liam kept his eyes fixed on the road, his face calm and collected-like nothing at all had happened.

Yet his hand remained exactly where it was, lingering with a secret relish, clearly enjoying the thrill of getting away with it.

Mandy's cheeks burned red. She wanted to snap at him, but with Claire and her mother sitting in the back seat, she couldn't risk drawing their attention.

Her breathing quickened, her heart pounding so hard she was sure everyone could hear it. But she hardly dared to move, biting her lower lip and trying desperately not to make another sound as the teasing pressure at her waist sent wave after wave of tingling sensation through her.

May had caught that little

concern made Mandy's heart leap into her

a thorn," Mandy stammered, clutching the roses

in the back seat hadn't noticed anything unusual. If they had, she'd have died of embarrassment

sparkled

Mandy, the rest of the drive dragged on

time they finally reached the

a stop, Mandy scrambled

after her,

had already darted into the restaurant, tossing back a hurried excuse "I, um, need to use the restroom!"—just

ladies' room, turned on

flush in her cheeks faded. She looked up into the mirror, meeting the gaze of her own disheveled reflection-wide-eyed, beads of water clinging to her skin, looking as flustered as she felt. She silently cursed herself for letting Liam get

felt so mortified before. This was

watch yourself.

to regain her composure and finally step out of the

to walk straight