Page 114 of A Simple Reminder
“You’re pathetic,” I spit, standing to my full height. “Both of you. But let me make one thing very clear.” My voice drops to a low growl, “You’ll never touch Sophie’s career, her name, or her reputation again.”
Jared pales, his lips trembling. “I swear—I didn’t?—”
”Shut up.” My voice cuts through his pathetic attempt at an excuse. “You had your chance to think this through, and you blew it. Enjoy whatever corner of obscurity you crawl into next because your time here is done.”
He nods frantically, his fear palpable as he clutches his injured cheek. “I swear I’ll never mention her again.”
“Good.” My voice drops to a deadly whisper. “Because I will ruin you. Just like I promised. Your name, your reputation, your future—everything. I’ll destroy it all without breaking a sweat.”
Without waiting for a reply, I turn and head for the door. Just before I step out, I glance back, pinning him with a gaze as cold as steel. “And Jared? Consider yourself fired. You’re never working in this city again—or any city that isn’t some little forgotten town on the outskirts of nowhere.”
The door slams shut behind me, the sound reverberating like a final verdict. I lean against the hallway wall for a moment. My hands tremble slightly, the adrenaline still coursing through me, but it’s starting to fade.
One breath in and one out.
Lilly’s next. She’s getting fired too. She and Jared can move to the same damn village for all I care—as long as they stay as far away from Sophie as humanly possible.
Hell, leaving the country would be even better.
I’ll deal with Lilly later.
But right now? It’s time to go home to my fiancée.
FORTY-FOUR
LIAM
Iwake to the softest sensation—a warmth pressing against my chest, the faint tickle of hair brushing against my skin, and a featherlight press of lips to my neck. For a moment, I think I’m still dreaming, but the weight of her body curled against mine and the quiet sound of her breathing pulls me into reality. I groan softly, my hand instinctively sliding to her back, holding her closer.
Sophie.
She’s snuggling closer, her leg hooking over mine, her arm slipping around my waist as she kisses the same spot again, this time lingering a little longer. My heart stirs before my eyes even fully open, her presence weaving its way into every part of me like sunlight seeping into a dark room.
“Mmm, good morning,” I murmur, my voice thick with sleep, wrapping an arm around her. My hand strokes the curve of her back, and I feel her smile against my skin.
“Morning,” she whispers, her voice soft but teasing. Another kiss lands on my neck, followed by a gentle nip that makes my breath hitch.
“You’re trouble,” I say, a grin tugging at my lips as I open my eyes to find her looking up at me, her blue eyes glowing with warmth and mischief.
“I thought you liked a little trouble,” she teases, her fingers lightly tracing patterns on my chest.
“I likeyou,” I counter, pulling her closer, burying my face in her hair and breathing her in. “This is the best way to wake up, Sunshine.”
“Let’s make it better,” she whispers, her lips brushing against my jaw. She shifts, moving to straddle me, her thighs pressing against my hips. Her hair cascades around us like a curtain, her lips capturing mine in a slow, searing kiss. The heat of her presses against me, and I feel her smile against my mouth.
She sits up, her hands splaying across my chest as she grinds down, her ass rolling against my already rock-hard cock. A groan escapes me, rough and primal. “Sophie,” I growl, gripping her hips, “don’t start something you can’t finish.”
Her laugh is light, teasing. She tilts her head, her hips rotating again in a way that sends a jolt of pleasure through me. “Who says I’m not finishing?” she taunts, her smile wicked.
My hand moves, brushing her hair from her face as I lean up, about to capture her lips again, but she stops me. Her eyes land on my knuckles, red and cracked, a stark reminder of the night before.
Her hips stop grinding abruptly, her gaze locking on my hand. “What happened?” she asks. She reaches for my hand, her fingers gentle, but I pull away instinctively, flipping her onto her back in one swift motion.
A surprised yelp leaves her lips, quickly replaced by a moan as I dive down, my lips finding the sensitive spot where her neck meets her shoulder. I kiss it slowly, deliberately, before sucking on her skin, eliciting another moan that sends my blood racing.
“Tell me,” she demands, her voice breathless but firm, her hands tangling in my hair. “What happened?”
“Nothing,” I murmur against her skin, the vibration of my voice drawing a shiver from her. I trail kisses along her collarbone, my hands roaming her sides.
