Page 4 of Liam

“Do you need any help?” I ask her, startling her into dropping the butter knife on the floor. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you.”

“Are you hungry?” she says, handing me the sandwich she finished making.

“Yes, but I can make my own.”

“I don’t have cooties.” She has no idea that I want to lick her from head to toe. It’s not cooties I’m afraid of catching. It’s the fuckers called feelings. I’m not equipped to handle it.

“Okay, that’s not why. You made it for yourself. You’ve got to be hungry.”

She grabs a knife and cuts the sandwich in half. “Here.”

“Thanks.” Fuck, she’s so damn pretty. How can she have been with him? I can see it, but I hate the idea that he touched her smooth skin, tasted those soft lips and buried himself deep into her. He gave her the kid I should have given her.

I can’t stand to look at her any longer. I make quick work of my sandwich, thank her, and grab a beer. I have a mess to clean up with the press. I’m sure once my investors hear the rumors and see the media footage, I’m going to be challenged over it.

At twenty-two, I took over full control of the company from my father, but he had done some massive damage to the credibility and bankroll of the business. I’ve had to take on investors during the transition, even though my father had amassed a serious retirement package. Now, after a great deal of work, I no longer need investors, but I publicly can’t take a hit on my reputation which would reflect on the company.

Chapter 4

Renee

A ton of baby things arrive at the condo that I didn’t have for the baby around seven at night. One of the guys said that they came from my apartment. I gave them a cross eye because I don’t know where any of this came from. As soon as they leave, I grab my cell and call my roommates. “Hey, did a bunch of guys come in here and take a bunch of shit?”

“Yeah, what the fuck is wrong with people? First, they drop shit off, killing my chill. Then someone comes twenty minutes later to take all the shit away,” Jared gripes. He’s a stoner, and I wish that I knew that before I signed the lease. I got another version of my parents.

“What?” I’m confused as hell.

“Dude, you need to tell them big dudes that they owe me twenty bucks because my high was wasted.” I want to strangle him, but of course I can’t.

“Well, you owe me the freaking rent.” I hung up furiously. Now I get the reference to slamming down the phone when mad. Pressing down on the screen does jack shit to ease my mood.

I know immediately that I’ve been set up. I was a desperate teenager looking for some extra cash fast. I have a feeling she did this because if he doesn’t claim the baby, I’ll be too kindhearted to give the little guy up. Damn it, I’ve been played big time. I need to speak to Liam and get him to take the baby. It’s getting late, and Liam never came back to talk to me, so I set Max down in his play yard after changing and feeding him, then hit the hay.

The next morning, Liam is gone, which I expect since he’s a busy man, but I hate it at the same time. The house is immaculate. Every single thing is organized and clean. I’m sure he’s not going to like having a baby around destroying his things. I bet that’s why he’s in denial about the baby.

I circle his living room, looking at the bookshelves he has lined up on both sides of the walls. There must be over a hundred books per bookshelf. Most of the reads are classic literature followed by shelves of crime novels. I move across the room and check out those books. They’re a lot of historical non-fiction reads. I wonder if this is for show or if Liam reads often.

A large television sits on the wall with a PlayStation 4 resting on a fancy TV stand. So he likes video games; it makes me curious about what games he plays. The room has a massive and deep microfiber sofa. It looks so comfortable that I can’t stop from laying on it.

A sigh of comfort escapes me. He has excellent tastes, at least in furniture. Everything in this condo is cozy and relaxing. It’s like he loves to lounge. Although looking at him, you’d never get that impression.

The door opens, and I pop up from the sofa. Shit, I struggle to get up, but it’s cool because it’s not Liam. It’s another guy carrying several grocery bags. I walk up to him and try to help. “Whoa. Who are you?” he asks, smirking and checking me out, pulling the bags out of my reach.

“I’m a guest here. You are?” I ask.

“I picked up Mr. Hart’s groceries.”

“Oh, I can help put everything away.” I already feel way out of place here. It’s not like I belong in Liam’s home, even if it’s a wonderful condo.

“No, I got it, angel face. I can’t believe he has someone here. Hmm. You must be something special.” He doesn’t know the truth, so I leave the comment alone.

“The name is Renee,” I informed him.

“I’m Sam.” We shake hands, and I help put things away despite his refusal. I can’t stand around and do nothing.

As soon as he grabs the last empty bag, slipping it into a larger canvas bag, he says, “I’ll send the boss man a message and be out of your hair.”

Seconds later, the head of security comes up to escort the guy out. “Well, it was nice to meet you.” He wags his brows at me with a smirk.

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