Chapter 50: Are you feeling guilty, perhaps?

Flushed with embarrassment, Charlotte tucked her hands behind her back as if they might hide her fluster. With a scowl that could slice through the tension, Liam reached for her hidden hands. "They're absolutely filthy," he grumbled. His grasp was firm as he guided her hands back and forth over the stain, the heat of his skin and the solidity of his muscles beneath her touch sending her mind into a tailspin, leaving her momentarily paralyzed. His strength was undeniable, her skin reddening under the pressure of his vigorous attempts to transfer the stubborn wine stain onto her palms. "I..." Charlotte's breath felt hot, "Mr. Parker, now my hands are dirty." He was spotless, but what about her? "What's the rush?" Liam's voice was a calm contrast to the urgency of the moment as he picked up the soiled shirt, meticulously wiping her hands clean. Their proximity was intimate, their breaths intertwining, adding layers to the already thick atmosphere. Charlotte couldn't bring herself