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

are you alright?" May's gentle concern made Mandy's heart leap into her

the roses closer and angling them toward

prayed the three people in the back seat hadn't noticed anything unusual. If they had, she'd have died of embarrassment right then and

eyes sparkled with

the drive dragged on forever, every

time they finally reached the restaurant, she

the car came to a stop, Mandy scrambled out, barely waiting for it to

May called after her, worried by her daughter's sudden

already darted into the restaurant, tossing back a hurried excuse "I, um, need to use

for the ladies' room, turned on the faucet,

reflection-wide-eyed, beads of water clinging

mortified before.

better watch yourself. Or

her composure and finally step

walk straight into