Grace stirred before the sun.
She blinked slowly, adjusting to the soft gray light filtering through the windshield. Her head rested against Liam's chest, one hand still curled in his shirt. The car had gone cold sometime in the early hours, but his arms around her were warm, steady, protective.
For a moment, she didn't move. She simply listened to the rhythm of his heartbeat which was strong, even and calm. Like nothing in the world outside could touch them.
But it would. It always did.
She tilted her head back slightly, studying his face. Liam Vale, the man who challenged her, infuriated her, and somehow ,slowly, irrevocably , earned a place inside her heart. Last night hadn't been impulsive. It had been inevitable.
And terrifying.
She eased upright carefully, not wanting to wake him just yet. Her body ached in quiet ways, reminders of how deeply they'd crossed the lines they'd drawn so many times. But her heart… her heart was louder.
Her phone buzzed from the cupholder between them. She reached for it quickly and saw a dozen missed messages from Maya, a board member, even her father. The world was waking up, demanding her again.
"Grace "
His voice was low and rough with sleep, but it sent a ripple through her.
She looked over. Liam's eyes were half open now, his hair a mess, his expression unreadable but soft.So soft.
"Morning," she whispered.
He sat up, rubbing a hand over his jaw. "Did you sleep at all?"
"A little." She hesitated. "You?"
"Not really." He looked at her, serious now. "I kept thinking this was a dream. That you'd be gone when I opened my eyes"
Something tightened in her chest "I'm not gone"
He nodded, but didn't smile "But are you still here?"
That was the real question, wasn't it?
She looked down at her hands. "I don't regret anything that happened last night."
"But"
"But we still have to walk back into a world that doesn't want us to exist like this. Together. My father, the board, the press.."
"Let them come," he said firmly. "I'm not hiding what you mean to me."
Her breath caught.
"And I'm not saying last night didn't change everything," he added. "I know you're scared. I am too. But don't push me away because it's easier."
She closed her eyes "I don't want to. But I've spent my whole life being watched. Judged. Me being with you… it doesn't just put me at risk, Liam . It puts my entire firm, my family's legacy.."
"Then let me protect it. And you." He leaned closer, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "This isn't just about last night. I've loved you from the moment you challenged me in that ballroom"
Her eyes opened, wide and stunned.
"I didn't know it then," he admitted. "But I do now. I love you, Grace Cole ."
Silence stretched.
Her heart raced like it was trying to leap out of her chest. She wanted to say it back. She almost did.
But instead, she reached for his hand and laced her fingers through his.
Not ready for declarations. But not running either.
He seemed to understand.
They sat there like that for a long moment two people caught in the calm before the next storm.
Eventually, Liam started the engine. "Let's get you home."
She nodded. But before he could shift the car into drive, she leaned over and kissed him slow, deliberate, promising.
When she pulled away, she whispered against his lips, "I may not be ready to say it yet. But I feel it. And that's not going away"
His smile, when it came, was devastating.
"Good," he murmured. "Because I'm not going anywhere my love ."