Itexted Becca to tell her I’d be working from home today, I’d had enough for one week. Thankfully she didn’t ask any questions and she’d sent a new intern to my place with all the files I needed. I spent most of the day with my head buried in law books, looking for previous cases and laws that could potentially help my client. Yes, I know the internet exists but with certain cases it’s easier to head to the paper version and to the index at the back. When the thumping at the back of my neck started and my eyes started to turn fuzzy from the laptop I called it a day and headed for a shower. I needed some down time. I turned on my music and headed for the kitchen for a refill of wine when the intercom buzzed. Frowning I headed for the phone.
“Hello?”
“Mia, we have a gentleman here demanding to see you” Rick my receptionist tells me. He wouldn’t have said gentleman if he knew who it was. Unease sets deep in my stomach at the thought of my mother. I felt instantly sick and my hands started to tremble. I haven’t had another letter for weeks, I thought they’d got bored and realized they weren’t getting a reaction out of me. I clutched the side board for support before continuing.
“Who is it?”
There was a muffled conversation on the other end of the line before he came back on the line.
“He says he’s Liam Hadleigh. What do you want me to do with him?” I sigh in relief that it’s not my mother, but also at the thought of Liam being here. Shit shit shit shit. I just wanted a quiet Friday night but that’s obviously not going to happen! Groaning, I drain my glass of alcohol as visions of him at his office yesterday flutter through my filthy brain. What the fuck does he want now? The wine is warming my throat when I come to the conclusion that if I don’t give in to him he will continue to pester me. But if I do give in to him now, then he could be easier to work with later. But he could also be worse. Besides once we’re in that building there’s nothing he can do about it. He can’t even run to daddy now that he’s fired him. On that thought I deserve to know what the fuck happened there.
“Send him up” I hang up the phone and unlatch my door. Why would he be here this late and on a Friday night? Doesn’t he have a woman to screw? I turn back towards the kitchen and catch my reflection in the window. Shit! I threw on some yoga pants and an oversized t-shirt after my shower, and my hair is tied up in a messy top knot. I dash towards my bedroom to throw on something more flattering, but I stop dead in my tracks when Liam stands in my doorway. Too Late. What is he the Flash? Jesus, how did he get up here so quickly?
He’s wearing workout clothes and he looks annoyingly delicious. A skin tight black t-shirt hugs his chest, highlighting every bump and curve. While matching, loose fitted shorts show off his chiseled thighs. I instantly feel self-conscious and cross my arms across my chest. Liam steps into my flat and closes the door behind him with a soft click, before stalking towards me slowly. The muscles in his legs flex as he does, and wild thoughts scatter my brain. His hair looks wind swept, probably from his workout and I itch to run my fingers through it. I turn my gaze to the floor, needing to look at anything else but him. Get a grip. I bring my head back up before speaking.
“What do you want Liam?” I question as I watch his face for any reaction. A small sigh escapes his soft lips as he braces his hands on his hips and walks further into my flat, bursting the bubble of calmness. Unwarranted excitement courses through me, flowing through my blood stream like an overflowing river. I wonder if all women react like this around him. Heat bounces from him to me as he nears, obviously still warm from his workout, and my skin prickles. He walks with known confidence and determination, causing my own to falter slightly. My nipples harden against the fabric of my t-shirt, unwillingly showing him the reaction, my body has to his. Tightening my arms further around myself, I wait patiently for him to answer me.
“If you’re done arguing with me, I want to talk” His loud voice carries around my space before I gasp at his words.
“Are you serious?” my mouth hangs open.
“Deadly” his hands stay rooted on his hips, drawing my wandering eyes to the obvious length beneath his shorts. Snapping myself out of the stupor I straighten my spine before arguing back.
“If you came here to proposition me then you can leave, right now” I answer through gritted teeth.
“Are you done?”
“Huh?”
“Quit the whole bravado Amelia. I’m already tired of it” he flicks his hand through the air and I can’t help but gawk at him even more. My eyes go wide at his commands, he well and truly has lost the plot.
“I’d like you to leave”
“No”
“For fuck’s sake what do you want?” my anger bubbles over, causing any desire I previously felt to disappear.
“You” his baby blues meet mine as he speaks the one word. I scrunch my brow in confusion.
“Excuse me?”
“I want you. I know you want me to” he explains, as if I couldn’t sense the clear as day, sexual tension between us. Does he honestly believe I will drop my knickers just because he says so?
“You can’t have me”
“The hell I can’t”
I raise my eyebrow in question and smugly smile. I’ve got him by the balls as realization hits me.
“Oh dear, is Liam Hadleigh suffering from a case of I can’t have it, so I’ll throw a huge tantrum?”
His eyes glaze over and turn to a midnight blue. I huff and shake my head in mocked disbelief.
“Please, where you expecting me to just drop to my knees for you? You aren’t that great of a catch.” I lie, the man’s a flipping masterpiece. “I’m sorry if you’re used to women doing that for you, you’ll never get that from me. I’ll never be the woman who spreads her legs on your fucking desk!” my voice has risen throughout my little speech, and I turn to face the kitchen. With my back to him I hear his trainers on my wood floor as he follows me slowly. I turn to face him before taking a sip from my now empty glass. Jesus, I’ll be an alcoholic if he keeps pissing me off like this. I see anger in his eyes as he takes a deep breath. Licking around his teeth, he seems to contemplate something before he’s says anything.
“I need to explain” his voice is deep and slightly broken. Slight hurt shadows in the depths of his baby blues, overshadowed by a need I understand.
“You don’t owe me an explanation” I say, cocking my head to the side, silently wishing he would. My curiosity getting the better of me, it would make it easier for us to at least be acquaintances for work. As much as I feel slightly bad for the guy, the way he carries himself makes me realize he doesn’t deserve my pity. While he’s used to women falling at his feet, I stand my ground. The image of him in his office, with that slut plays on repeat in my head, showing me what kind of man, he is. I can almost guarantee you that I will be seeing that sight more than once when we’re in the new office together. I’m not opposed to people having sex, I like sex, I love sex when it’s with the right guy. I don’t appreciate someone jeopardizing my career, and my business all for a quick shag. What does he want to explain to me anyway? I can almost guarantee that he will try to justify his actions in some way, making me look like I’m in the wrong forever judging him. If he wants to live his life that way then, fine. Who am I to stop him?
“I don’t have to explain myself to you. I want to. And you will fucking listen” he says as a matter of fact. Deciding that this man-child always gets what he wants anyway, I throw my arms up in the air and start to stalk into my living room. Why does he have to be so damned demanding? Why couldn’t he have turned up with an apology or something? It’s not that hard – you give a woman, flowers, ice cream, shoes, chocolate and I guarantee she will at least hear you out!
“Liam, I don’t care what you do with your time! I don’t care who you are, what you do, or who you do it with!” I almost shout. “All I care about is your fucking ability to push this company to the heights it deserves and while you’re knee deep in pussy on your desk I can’t see that happening!” I blow out before turning and facing away from him, unable to watch his emotionless features any longer. I can’t believe that his father has missed this, does he even know his Son? And if he does know, how the hell have they managed to gain such an accredited reputation if this is all they do?
A million and one scenarios are running through my head of what I can expect over the next couple of months and I close my eyes willing them away. Live images of important cases, deadlines and other work-related projects being misshaped and failed due to an incompetent CEO. It had been David Hadleigh who pushed for the merger on behalf of his son. Why has Liam fired him? I had no idea he had the ability to do so. I don’t think I have the will power in me to work alongside Liam, he’s ego needs a gigantic reality check and I can’t be the one to give it to him. I turn back to face him, his shoulders are lowered, and he looks defeated. The pain in his eyes buries into my chest and I can’t help but want to hear what he has to say. I know what that pain feels like and I wouldn’t wish it on anyone. Fuck. This man is spinning me in circles.
“Fine. Can I get you a drink?” I ask quietly. Unlike some I can play nice. He lets out a breath he was obviously holding and nods.
“I was having wine; would you like some?”
“Please”
“Sit, I’ll be right back” I say pointing at my sectional.
I head to the kitchen to refill my glass and grab another. I turn the music down on my docking station, so we can hear each other. Walking back into my living room, Liam is sat on the sofa, his back to me. His head is in his hands and I can’t help but wonder what’s going on with him.
“Here you go” I say handing him his glass and taking a seat on the arm chair opposite.
Clearing his throat and sitting a little straighter, he looks at me intently.
“Thank you”
“How did you know where I live?” I ask before taking a sip of my wine and tucking my legs up underneath me.
“It was on the contracts we signed” his deep voice echoes around my room, I hadn’t realized and crinkle my brow in confusion.
“Stalking me now, then are you?” I accuse before taking a large gulp of my wine.
“Will you stop arguing with me” he hisses, tightening his grip on his wine glass.
“Oh, give me a break Liam. I know you, and I don’t like what I’ve seen so far. Do you honestly think what you said to me in your office is acceptable?” I turn my head away. My chest aches a little at the sight of him, but I can’t bring myself to feel sympathy for him. Not yet, anyway. He’s filling my safe space and unease creeps into my core. I don’t know this man, and from what I’ve seen, he isn’t someone I want to get to know outside of work.
“Amelia, if you stopped with the attitude for a second, you would see what I’ve been trying to show you” he inhales before continuing “you have to listen to me when I say this!” he demands before jumping to his feet. I decide to ignore his comment about my attitude again as his jaw ticks tightly and I’m sure he’ll crack a tooth if he bites any harder. “The woman you seen at my office isn’t, well, I don’t know what the fuck she is. She’s psycho! She walked into my office, jumped on my fucking desk and spread her legs! What the fuck was I supposed to do?” he shrugs as if I should know the answer. “Cassidy needs help, I didn’t know she was going to get so attached after I fucked her” he seethes. I flinch at that part, images of him fucking her dance behind my eyes, I shudder. “She started playing with herself right there for fucks sake! She was there for seconds before I threw her off and had her escorted out of the building! You just had to see the worst part of it all! That’s why I was late coming into the meeting, I can even show you the CCTV footage if you want!” He scrubs his hand down his face in frustration.
“So, she’s a scorned lover who just happened to come by and jump on your desk? Aren’t you a lucky guy” I snap. His gaze turns thunderous, as I hide behind my glass.
“Don’t prove yourself to me for my sake” I spit before taking a large gulp of wine. A part of me wants to believe him, and I think I do, much to my own disbelief. He lowers his head before saying, “I didn’t want you to think of me like this. I’m not that man Amelia. I don’t have to explain myself to you. I just wanted us to be on equal footing. I get it now that you’re not like that, I shouldn’t have said what I said, but you pushed me” A few seconds pass before he rakes his hands through his hair and he turns to leave.
“What type of man are you then Liam? Because so far, you’ve told me you’re going to bend me over your knee, told me you want to have me, oh and had your face between another woman’s legs! It’s been three days! And don’t get me started on your office. Don’t you dare think you can pin this on me!” I point out before I jump up from where I was sitting, careful not to spill my wine and cross my arms over my chest and look up at him. Agitated that I’m still arguing with him when I know it’s fruitless. Those huge ocean blues glare down at me through thick lashes and I can feel my heart fluttering. I know why women drop to their knees for this man, and the urge is so strong I barely resist the urge to do so. In a split-second Liam moves, places his glass on my coffee table and closes the gap between us.
“You don’t know me at all. You have no fucking right to judge me!” he hisses through clenched teeth.
“I don’t want to know the man who’s made his intentions very clear these past few days! You’re just like the rest of them! You have everything you ever need and more, and still you take and take without giving anything back! You hate being told you can’t have something and you hate me for being the one to say it!” I spit back. Anger flashes in his eyes and I instinctively step back. The look of hurt and confusion on Liam’s face makes me cower away even more. I can’t help it, it’s a reaction I tried desperately to bury away unsuccessfully. I hear him growl over the loud thump of the blood in my ears, as I take another step.
“Stop it Amelia!” he advances again, and I will myself to stay rooted on the spot.
“Look, I know you’re used to women listening to your every command. You will never have that from me. I just want to get this business off the ground and then I won’t have to deal with you” I say quietly and flick my hand through the air. I want him to leave. No. I need him to leave.
“Stop underestimating me Amelia. It won’t get you anywhere” he hisses back at me.
“You are the most infuriating man I’ve ever had the pleasure of working with! If you want to fuck women, then do it on your own time! And stop underestimating you? How about you stop underestimating me!”
“I don’t want to fuck women! Do you know the last time I fucked someone? It’s been months! I’m sick of having to prove myself to you!” he turns and walks to the window, slapping his hand against the glass in temper.
“I don’t want you to prove yourself to me! Just stop being such a big headed spoiled brat! You can’t have everything you want Liam! If you would stop being such a daddy’s boy, then maybe we could work well together!” I shout back, realizing instantly that the words that just left my mouth could land me in serious hot water.
Spinning on his heel, he steps closer to me again and this time I find myself stuck, not wanting to move. His eyes hold me in place, and I can’t look away. All the ups and downs I’ve felt over the past few weeks come to the surface and I want to hide away from them all. The emails, phone calls and the way he outright refused to use Bellucci in the new name had taken its toll. I wanted something good to come of my name, to rid it of its taintedness. I needed it. Then I remember the new name he included on the contract and I feel slightly guilty for being all snappy with him. He’s right he doesn’t have to explain himself to me, why should he? I let my head hang slightly and soft tendrils of my hair escape my clipped up top knot and fall down my face. Soft music from my docking station fills the room, mixed with our erratic breathing and I can’t shift my eyes away from his. Why do we have this invisible string attached to us? I shouldn’t care what he does, I should just let him get on with it, I am, but he isn’t letting go of his end of the rope. The smell of autumn fills the space around me, joining the crackling electricity emanating between us. Liam steps closer, his lips slightly parted and light mahogany curls fall against his tanned face. My hand twitches against my side, fighting the urge to reach up and brush them away, when he steps closer again, bending slightly so the tip of his nose almost brushes mine. My breath catches in my lungs, my tongue darts out to lick my bottom lip and Liam’s eyes glaze over with what I think is lust. My body vibrates with the need to feel his touch again. He barely touched me yesterday but the scorching line he left down the top half of my body reignites as he closes around me.
“Say it again Amelia”
“Stop calling me that” I hiss back, clenching my teeth together to the point of pain. The anger wins over all other emotion, lust quickly depletes, and I resist the urge to lunge at him.
“Say it” his minty breath washes over my skin, and I inhale a deep breath. The closeness of his body radiates heat all over me, the smell of him invades my senses and my body reacts as it should. My nipples pebble even more against the fabric of my t-shirt and the throb between my legs intensifies. I know I shouldn’t call him a daddy’s boy again. The threat of putting me over his knee awakens a need within me that I need to expel. My damned curiosity wants to see if he’s true to his word.
“You’re a spoiled daddy’s…” before I can finish, his lips are smashed against mine, cutting off the end of my sentence. It takes a second for my brain to compute what the hell is happening, so I just stand there, limp, my eyes fluttering shut as he continues to urge my lips to move. Keeping my eyes closed, my senses are heightened. The soft music, the firm grip he has on my hip and the way his soft lips press harshly against mine. I stifle a groan as his hand comes up to my hair, unclipping it and letting it fall around my shoulders. The clip sounds on the hardwood floor somewhere far in the distance but my mind is elsewhere. Taking full advantage of my now free strands, he grabs a handful gently in his fist before urging me closer into his body. Blood roars in my ears, drowning out everything else as he tilts my head for an easier angle, I melt into him, opening my lips slightly to grant him access. The taste of him finally mixing on my tongue sends shockwaves through my nerves, waking them up after lying dormant for so long. A small moan escapes me, and I bring my arms up around his hard shoulders, curling them around his neck. Threading my fingers through his hair, it’s soft strands flow through my fingertips. I grab hold of it lightly, tilting my head more to deepen our kiss. His lips are softer than I ever imagined, but the ferocity of his kiss gives me no time to admire them. I hadn’t realized the tension in my body had been building and I find it ebbing away the more he kisses me. Suddenly I don’t care about anything that has happened. The way his hard body feels against my soft skin feels too good to even consider thinking about anything else.
The more I grip onto his hold, his one strong arm holding me up, grasping at my hair, the more my need intensifies. His other hand pushing against the small of my back with long, splayed fingers, urging me into his tight body, the tension inside me builds and almost pushes me into madness. Eager for more, my body reacts of its own accord, we’re all teeth and tongue, desperate for…something. Liam teases me, pushing and pulling against my body, giving me a taste of what we could do, without pushing it past the point of no return.
Pushing his tongue between my lips, it brushes against mine as he softens the kiss. I melt into the minty flavor on his tongue, like it was my favorite desert. Our tongues waltz together for a few seconds, his grip on my hair lightening before realization sets in. I gasp but Liam takes that as a sign of me wanting more. How did you let him kiss you? Stupid!
I push against his rock-hard pecks, breaking the kiss and stepping backwards out of his hold. Wringing my bottom lip between my teeth, Liam’s eyes land on them. I resist the urge to bring my hands up and feel the swollen flesh that I know will be there. The taste of him lingers in my mouth, mixing with my own. I swallow hoping to get rid of it. I can’t believe I allowed that to happen. Well, I can, but I shouldn’t have let that happen! The angel and the devil begin to argue across my shoulders and I can’t seem to make any sense of them. Only our labored breathing and the soft sounds of classical music fill the room. Why I had chosen classical slips my mind, it’s not my usual listening preference. Liam’s eyes are full of lust, his ocean blues darkened by the sweet, devilish emotion. His lips, equally as swollen as mine, glisten in the light of the room. His chest rises and falls in sync with mine, and the tenting in his shorts gives his arousal away. My core clenches at the possibilities, but my neediness is unattractive. I love knowing I have that effect on him, but I know I’m not the only one. I close my eyes, before wringing the hem of my t-shirt between my hands.
“We shouldn’t have done that” my voice almost a whisper breaks the sexual tension so obviously floating around the room, I’m sure a black light could pick it up. The silence is deafening and I’m sure the beat of my pounding heart is loud enough for him to hear. I chance a glance at him when he doesn’t say anything. His fists clenched at his sides, the muscles of his arms ticking wildly lead to the tussled brown hair on his head. My fingers tingle with invisible strands as I itch to feel it again. I only got to tickle the strands at the back of his neck, and I want to feel it all. Run my fingers through it when he’s making love to me. Shit! I wince and close my eyes, willing such images away. He probably doesn’t make love anyway, he just fucks you and then leaves you. I knew that, and yet here I am. The devil on my shoulder hisses He could just fuck you. God knows you need it. While the angel fires back Nope! Bad Idea! If that’s your game then, go for it. But I’m not in the right place to fuck around with a man I know I’ll already fall to hard for.
“Amelia” his voice is rough, croaky even. I snap my eyes back to his, my brow furrowed. I’m pissed. At him and at myself. Why the fuck did we let that happen? It’s all his fault!
“Don’t” I manage before turning and heading for the window, crossing my arms across my unforgiving chest. Can’t my body be on the same page as me for once? My nipples are aching to be touched and the urge to rub my legs together to put the fire out between my thighs is off the charts. As if things couldn’t get any worse right now! I have enough on my plate. I don’t need some good looking, sex god interfering and turning my brain to mush! I don’t do one night stands anyway. Sex is sex but I need to feel a connection before I sleep with a guy. It doesn’t have to be deep, but still it helps.
“I think you should leave” I say rashly. My emotions are all over the place and him being here is not helping. I hear him suck in a breath, before the soft squeak of his trainers alert me to his leaving. The soft click of my door tells me he’s gone. I let out the breath I hadn’t realized I’d been holding. Tilting my head back, focusing on nothing on my ceiling I cringe. Why the hell had I done that? I know I can’t blame it all on Liam, I wrapped my arms around him. You invited it. The evil little voice in my head snickers. I groan out loud and stomp towards the kitchen. I need wine.