I got home from work, the tension of the day still clinging to me. I dropped my bag on the couch as I spoke on the phone with Richardson. I had to update him on my progress in gathering information about Liam. I told him everything I discovered about his new hotel. Richardson also had new and valuable information about one of my father's leading and old suppliers from South America.After my parents died, Don Antonio had laid everything out for me—the business partners, the suppliers, the clients. He showed me who my parents worked with and who they trusted. But after their deaths, those deals vanished almost overnight. Most of the partners backed out, too wary to keep working with a family whose power had crumbled and were suddenly killed.For five of the ten years I spent under the Don's guidance, I studied those old connections. I learned who my parents' true allies were. The Don tried to help me rebuild, to regain some of the partnerships my family had lost, but it was a hard stru
LIAMBy the time the day had finally slowed down, most of my employees had already filed out of the building. I glanced at the digital clock on my computer—just shy of ten PM. It had been one of those days, the kind where the hours bled into each other, swallowed by meetings, calls, and decisions.I'd sent Monique home at the usual closing time. I knew if I kept her around any longer, I wouldn't be able to resist. There was something about the way she walked around, all businesslike and professional, that drove me to the edge. The casual way she acted like she didn't feel the heat simmering between us only made it worse. If she stayed past office hours, I knew how it would end—with her bent over my desk, that red dress hiked up, and all semblance of professionalism shattered.I wasn't ready to play that card just yet. I was still trying to figure her out—what made her tick, what she wanted, why she was really here. But one thing was certain: keeping her close was part of the plan. She
The rush of satisfaction as I watched Liam's jaw tighten felt good. His eyes flickered with a mix of frustration and desire. The way he looked at me like he was on the verge of losing control, made the teasing game I'd started all the more enjoyable. It was dangerous, I knew, but there was something thrilling about keeping him right at the edge, never quite letting him have what he clearly wanted.I had to bite back a smile when he leaned in, just close enough that I could feel his breath against my lips. His eyes darkened, and I knew he was about to kiss me—about to break that final barrier between us. But before he could, I glanced down at my tablet, lifting it between us like a shield."Oh, it's an alert from Mr. Romano, your accountant," I said, feigning innocence as I stepped back, glancing at the notification.Liam cursed under his breath, eyes narrowing as his hand clenched into a fist at his side. I knew he hated the interruption—especially during this—but business came first,
MONIQUEA few weeks passed in a blur of work and routine. Liam and I settled into a rhythm—one that felt almost too natural. But this particular day, the tension and heat between us had started over something small—a missed deadline, a minor setback in the tidying up of Liam's new hotel. He even criticized my work several times.By afternoon, everything felt more heightened as the minutes passed. His mood was something different, with back and forth calls with different people concerning the project. When his effort had begun to seem fruitless, he decided to go to the site himself and supervise firsthand. Liam was raging at the contractor for leaving out information about a snag in receiving painting materials and went ahead to urge him to sign licensing for an incomplete building. He blamed me for not keeping a close watch on the updates. Even though I had only been working closely with the project for a few weeks."You should have caught these delays and lies and informed me. That's
MONIQUEThere was a raging fire in my mind—a violent battle between reason and raw desire. My body screamed louder than my thoughts, overwhelming any sense of logic or restraint. Every nerve burned under the weight of his touch, and it was like I was losing control, inch by inch.My blood felt like molten lava, heating me from the inside out, boiling me alive—body and soul, both unraveling with each second. His lips were hotter than I remembered, firmer, demanding more from me than I was prepared to give. The taste of him was intoxicating—sharp and wild, a mixture of danger and something I couldn't name but desperately craved.That first kiss that night had been a blur of alcohol-fueled lust, but this? This was different. This was deliberate. Raw. There was no hazy excuse to blame it on now. Every sensation, every taste, every touch—it was clear. Searing.His scent enveloped me, rich and masculine, almost woody and cinnamony. It wrapped around me like a noose, drawing me deeper into h
I heard a ringing in my ears when he slammed into me, my body arching as the force of it left me breathless. If not for already being folded up on the desk, I was sure my legs would've given out entirely."Fuck... Monique." He breathed out my name, low and rough, as if he couldn't control the sounds tearing out of him. Each syllable sent a jolt through me, making the heat between us unbearable. He slammed into me again, harder this time, and I swore I saw stars."Please." The word slipped out of me, but I didn't even know what I was begging for. For him to stop? For him to never stop? For him to go faster? I couldn't think straight. My mind was lost in the overwhelming sensations crashing over me.Liam answered my unspoken plea by picking up his pace. Each thrust harder, more forceful, more determined than the last. I didn't know how it was possible, but it was as if he was punishing me and himself at the same time. Then came the sharp smack of his hand on my ass, the stinging heat ra
LIAMI sat at my desk, staring at Felix and Romano going back and forth about payments from clients, but my mind wasn't on the numbers. It was on her.Monique.I ran a hand through my hair, frustration creeping in as I tried—and failed—to shake her from my thoughts. I'd told myself it was just physical, just the thrill of the chase. But now, the high was different. She was different.The last time I'd felt this consumed, I had a line of coke in front of me. The rush, the immediate hit, the way it filled my veins like liquid fire. It used to make me feel invincible, unstoppable. And then it'd leave me in a wreck, crashing hard and craving more.Monique was becoming my new addiction.Every time I was with her, it was a rush—like that first hit, sending a jolt through me that I couldn't get enough of. But even when she wasn't around, she lingered in my system. The memory of her, the scent of her skin, the way she looked at me like she saw something beyond the surface, it clung to me. I c
LIAMI didn't exactly have a playful mind, and I never really enjoyed games and surprises, but when Monique pulled me with her out of my office and down to my car, I let her have her fun. I enjoyed her playfulness, how she whispered in the ear of my chauffeur to drive us somewhere. I had asked her what she was up to, and she flashed a playful smirk, teasing me with a flap of her lashes. She had said, "Relax, don't ruin the surprise."I could have asked my driver where he was taking us, but I decided against it. Soon, we were on the street of one of my clubs. Monique giggled and stepped out of the car. She came around to pull me out of my seat and dragged me to the front of the club."What are we doing here, Monique?" I asked. "Shh. Just come with me and stop being grumpy." She tugged at my hand.It was one of my most exclusive clubs. Monique led me through the back entrance. I hadn't expected her to bring me here, of all places, but as we passed through the dimly lit corridors towar