Love and Lust in Contract Marriage

"I have no interest in getting married, much less in this way. I'm sorry my father wasted your time with the idea of ​​our matchmaking." The short sentence full of rejection flowed beautifully from Kate's lips. She didn't even have to bother sitting in front of her interlocutor. The words just came out as soon as she stopped in front of him. Although he was about to stand up to greet her. Now, the man in front of her was silent, with an expression that revealed his confusion. "You mean you refused this matchmaking?" the man asked after brief seconds of silence, returning him to his senses. "Of course," Kate answered firmly. Her eyes showed the same determination. Sharp, firm, and immovable. "And I guess this dinner is meaningless. Neither is my presence here. So excuse me." There was no chit-chat in her following sentences. She started to walk away from that place. In her mind, Kate had to leave as soon as possible. As quickly as she expressed her refusal, as soon as she had to get out of there. She didn't want to wait any longer and wasted her time listening to the whimpers of those she had been beaten. Kate no longer looked back and continued to swing her legs forward. That was how she was. There were no second chances on the sheet she had closed. The story was over for good. "Refusing to the arrangement again, huh?" The question immediately stopped Kate's steps and made her stay in place. Oh, she clearly knew who it was. His deep voice was too familiar to her. Moreover, that person was the only one who dared to mock her actions publicly. And when she looked back, she was right. Liam was there, sitting and shoving a piece of steak into his mouth. "None of your business," Kate replied curtly. She grumbled inwardly. Of all places, why did that man have to have dinner here? "This is already the- "Liam paused from picking up his wineglass "-eleven times, isn't it? Why are you being so stubborn?" "I told you it's none of your business." Kate hissed sharply. She cast a scornful glance at the man who, apparently, wasn't looking back at her. His eyes were closed, busy enjoying the red wine. "You better take care of the woman you're with," she said after finding Liam not alone there. A handbag, which clearly belonged to a woman, slumped in the chair opposite Liam. Even though the owner was not there. "I don't mind if you want to join us. A threesome dinner... Sounds pretty fun." The invitation came out in a relaxed tone as if his dinner with the woman who owned the bag was meaningless and was like any other night. But that was how it was. Liam Ortiz would have no shortage of women to just accompany him to dinner. "No kidding!" Kate called out her disapproval. Of course. Who wanted to spend time with a lousy Don Juan like him? Her sanity obviously never liked that. Kate decided to get away from Liam immediately. Precisely, she wanted to get the man out of her sight, and the only way was to leave that place. However, she had only taken a step forward when a hand grabbed her so that she couldn't help but turn around and look back at his blue eyes. "Let it go." Liam chuckled. And instead of following her words, he got up from his chair and began to cut the distance between them. "You better start changing your attitude. Or you really will be single forever." He commented, still in his laid-back style, that, over time, made Kate sick. Kate snorted in disgust. Half of her wanted to laugh at Liam and his nonsense. How could a playboy like him advise her with insignificant advice that should apply to himself? How hypocritical. "I don't need a man." "Oh, really?" It was evident that his surprise was deliberately faked. "Especially a man like you," said Kate, full of sarcasm at her interlocutor. But, of course, Liam was unaffected. He just chuckled at the hatred in her eyes. "I'm flattered to hear that." There was amusement in his voice. That was not a compliment! For God's sake! He must have been insane to find her hatred funny. "You're crazy." Really, she didn't understand and didn't want to understand his way of thinking. Liam laughed again. He took her hand and then landed a light kiss on it. "People say that the difference between hate and love is so thin." See? That guy was weird, wasn't he? How could he make futile seductions at her in this situation? He might need a hard slap from her to wake him up. She was not a woman he could flirt with. Kate tried to pull her hand, which tight enough had been held by him. But then, the corner of her eye caught the movement of her ex-future husband walking towards them. Instantly, panic hit her. The look on the man's face evinced disappointment and annoyance, complete with a prepared protest against her unilateral decision. Liam saw that. He caught the nervous movement in her eyes that automatically made him follow her gaze. He smiled after realizing one thing. She turned out to can be afraid, too. Without thinking, he tugged at Kate's chin, and in an instant, his lips had landed on her red lips. It took her brain a few seconds to process everything. Liam's movements were so sudden that she didn't know how to react. Surprised or... Kate pushed Liam so hard that their lips parted. Likewise, with the man's grip on her hand. "What were you doing?!" She tried to muffle her screams as she remembered this was a public area. Damn it, Liam! Liam glanced over at the man, who had changed his course and was no longer interested in approaching them. Of course, all of that was because of the scene from him. He shrugged nonchalantly. "I saved you," he replied simply. Okay. Kate knew the man who had made her nervous was gone. And she knew it all, thanks to Liam. But should it be like that? She remembered very well, giving her refusal to have absolutely no interest in marriage. The same excuse she always presented to the men her father arranged for her. Then, she kissed him, right after saying that? Surely the man thought her reason was only a lie. Her hands clenched into fists in annoyance. Wanted to be angry, but the source of her anger didn't even show his guilt. After all, her surroundings didn't support her shouting at Liam. So, she decided to leave—again. However, again, Liam prevented her from moving. Lightly, he said, "That man just left. You can still see him if you leave here now." And Kate was forced to turn around and cancel her plan. If she had to choose between Liam or that guy, staying longer at this restaurant was the answer. Of course, by taking a seat some distance away from Liam. Liam smiled, amused at the change in her demeanor. The woman with the excessive pride seemed to wear her haughty mask no more. A nervous and scared Kate. This was the first time he had seen her like that. He couldn't hold back his laughter anymore. Liam laughed quite a loud, which again drew the attention of the restaurant diners who had been focused on him since their kiss scene earlier. A little drama that made his night different and fun. His dinner partner finally showed up, just as the calm had returned. And that woman was none other than his secretary. Such a great seducer!