The Taste of Trouble

Guilt had a funny way of sinking into your bones.

It didn't just sit there. It spread.

Like wildfire. Like a sickness.

That's what I felt as I lay in bed, staring at my ceiling, trying and failing to push the last 24 hours out of my mind.

Tessa's anger.

Ethan's regret.

And the unmistakable feeling that someone had been watching us.

I should have been focusing on fixing things.

On making things right.

But instead?

All I could think about was him.

The way his hands felt on my waist. The way his voice sounded when he murmured my name. The way he had kissed me like he was starving for it—for me.

And worst of all?

The way I still wanted more.

My phone buzzed.

Ethan: Can't sleep.

My stomach flipped.

I stared at the screen for a long moment before typing back.

Me: Neither.

A pause.

Then—

Ethan: Come over.

I inhaled sharply.

I should have said no.

I should have turned off my phone and forced myself to forget him.

But I was already reaching for my jacket.

Because the problem with reckless temptations?

They never really gave you a choice.

Ethan's house was dark when I arrived.

I hesitated at the front door.

Last time I was here, Tessa had looked me in the eye and told me I'd chosen him over her.

And maybe she was right.

Maybe I had.

Because here I was.

Choosing him.

Again.

The door opened before I could knock.

Ethan stood there, shirtless, sweatpants hanging dangerously low, his dark eyes unreadable.

"That was fast," he murmured.

I exhaled, stepping inside before I could change my mind. "I almost didn't come."

His smirk was slow, knowing.

"But you did."

The air inside was thick with tension.

Neither of us moved.

Neither of us spoke.

But the pull between us?

It was impossible to ignore.

Ethan took a step forward, closing the space between us.

I could feel the heat of him—so close, too close.

"This is a bad idea," I whispered.

His gaze flickered to my lips. "Then why aren't you leaving?"

I swallowed hard.

Because I couldn't.

Because walking away felt as impossible as breathing without air.

Because he was my favorite mistake.

And I was about to make it all over again.

His hands found my waist.

My fingers curled into his chest.

And then—

We crashed.

Mouths. Hands. Desperate, frantic hunger.

I gasped as he pinned me against the wall, his lips everywhere.

This wasn't just a kiss.

This was months of tension snapping like a live wire.

This was losing the battle we had both been fighting.

This was reckless and dangerous and perfect.

And I didn't care about the consequences.

Not anymore.

His grip tightened.

I pressed against him, needing more, needing everything.

And then—

A loud bang from outside.

We froze.

Our breaths ragged.

Our bodies still tangled together.

Then—

Another bang.

And this time, it wasn't just noise.

It was someone at the door.

My stomach plummeted.

Ethan's eyes darkened.

And suddenly, I had a feeling—

We weren't alone.

Liv gives in to her feelings for Ethan—again.

Their secret is spiraling out of control.

Someone is at the door—bringing danger with them.

The threats become real, and Liv learns just how deep Ethan's secrets go.