Page 68 of Recklessly You
The man dominates my body with ease. Liquid heat courses through my veins. He keeps his word. He fucks me throughout the night until I pass out.
Early the following day, Liam covertly presents me with a charm bracelet. It’s made of shining silver and encrusted with minuscule charms—a camera, a poppy, and tiny dumbbells, symbolizing the activities we’ve shared. He’s bashful as he hands it to me, evidently embarrassed that he’d purchased such an item for me, embarrassed by his genuine thoughtfulness.
When he hands it to me, he says, “I bought you this. A lady with a stand on the side of the street was selling it.”
In the box is a price tag that tells the truth. The bracelet costs more than what a lady on the street would sell it for, and it’s custom-made. A feeling of excitement tingles through my veins as if a hundred tiny lightning bolts are traveling toward my heart. I close my eyes and inhale deeply, savoring the sweet scent of hope that lingers in the air.
All day long, I smile at the bracelet dangling from my wrist. All day at work, I’m eager to get home to Liam. Just thinking of him sends my stomach into a swirl of emotions, like butterflies dancing around inside me. Frequently, I have seen him with a joyous expression on his face, laughing with a beautiful, genuine smile.
CHAPTER 23
SOPHIE
Weeks, days, and months have passed. Last week was Mila’s wedding. It was such a magical night for all of us to see them come together. Liam and I danced to a couple of songs. He’s not big on dancing, but we still had a great time. Rosaline, or Rosa, as she told me to call her, came home for Mila and Dominic’s wedding.
“So, are you sure you and my cousin aren’t seeing each other?” Rosa asks, fluttering her eyelashes as she lays her fluffy beach towel on the wet sand.
“Not exactly. We’re just hooking up.”
Rosa eyes me with her big brown eyes, raising her perfectly shaped brow.
“How long have the hook-ups been going on? You’ve been staying at his place, no?” She squeezes a good amount of sunscreen into her palm. “Auntie said he smiles and laughs more than he has in years. I’d say it’s more than just a hook-up.”
A rush of complex emotions washes right over me like a rainstorm.Love.Fear.Hope. If it all goes to shit, I can live knowing I did what I promised myself I would do for him—bring him back to life.
“He’s not looking for more—”
“Oh, I’ve been there and done that, and at the end, we’re the ones walking out of it with a broken heart,” she softly says, gazing at the ocean.
My heart falters because she’s so damn right. Who hurt her?
She clears her throat. “We’re going to the club on Saturday—Ivan and me—if you want to come with us. Before we go back to Oregon.”
“Sure, that would be fun. It’s been a while since I’ve been to a club. Since I moved here, I haven’t done much clubbing. In Manhattan, I went to jazz clubs, raves, you name it.”
She clasps her hands. “Great.”
Liam and Ivan arrive with a cooler full of drinks. Liam studies me, a hint of hunger in his eyes. When I went shopping for a swimsuit, I tried to find something that would catch his attention. I’ve never gone swimsuit shopping intending to attract a man’s attention, and I’ve never felt as comfortable wearing a bikini as I do now in the one I just bought, with little triangles covering my nipples and the bottom just covering the front.
He kneels on the wet sand and grabs the sunscreen, moving my hair to the side so he can apply it to my back. A shiver runs down my spine at his touch. His big, muscular hands rub up and down my body, down to my ass.
“Your ass better stay rooted to this chair. No man better stare at your beautiful body. You’re goddamn practically naked out here,” he sneers.
I burst into a fit of laughter. “You know, there are plenty of women out here who are practically naked. I’m sure you’re staring at them.” My tongue coats with jealousy.
He continues applying sunscreen, moving to my arms and chest. “Nah, there’s only one woman I want to stare at. And she has a small triangle cloth covering her pointed nipples and one barely covering her pussy. My eyes are very much hypnotized. I’m so close to finding a place to fuck her.”
Butterflies flutter in my belly. I love how he talks to me and makes me feel like no man has. My eyes wander to Rosa and Ivan. He’s holding her in his arms as the waves hit. They look so cute.
I turn back to Liam, who’s staring at me. “Do it. Find a place to fuck me.” It’s a challenge.
He growls and sweeps his thumb across my nipple. A shiver shoots up my spine.
“Don’t underestimate me, grenade. I’ve fucked you in the car, in the alley, by the lake, and locked you up in the restroom. I’d fuck you here in this chair. The only problem is no one gets to see you like that. Your moans. Your screams. Your breathing is only for me to hear.” Liam’s warm arms gently wrap around my neck, bringing me close to his lips.
Call me crazy, but having his hands wrapped around my neck is so hot. His soft lips brush mine.
“I’ll fuck you, baby, as soon as we can disappear from these assholes. I forgot I had invited them.”
