Page 72 of Recklessly You
I whisper in her ear, “I’m sorry, Sophie, Crystal is just an old high school friend. I’m not interested in her. I don’t even want a friendship with her. She’s in the past. She asked if we could be more before she moved, and I said no, I wasn’t into her like that.” I nibble on her earlobe and continue. “You left, baby. You didn’t hear when I told her we were hooking up and you’re my date tonight. I also told her I didn’t want to meet up with her. I had another woman I wanted to spend my whole time with.”
She stiffens, and I pull away to meet her eyes. They swallow me like a current. Fuck, she’s beautiful.
“You had your arms wrapped around her for a hot second too long, and you let her touch you. And you said she looked good,” she says dryly. She turns from me, her head held high.
I chuckle. “Baby, if you only knew what I was thinking. My mind was in a haze. I can still feel your ass grinding on my dick. I was smiling like an idiot because it was the hottest thing ever. Erotic is what it was. I mentioned to you I’d never danced with a woman so close. I didn’t even realize my hands were on her or that her hands were on me. I was thinking. I just wanted to get home and do some more grinding.” I can’t help but grin, and she responds with a roll of her eyes.
She’s still mad. I understand where she’s coming from—it looked fucked up.
“And she didn’t look good, baby. I was trying to be polite. No one matches you, Sophie. No one.” I mean it.
I cup her cheeks, and her lips make a fish pout. I peck a kiss. “My first time, I wasn’t looking for a memorable moment. I was a teen wanting to get my dick wet, and Crystal was the type to spread her legs for anyone. I went down on her once because I was curious, and let’s say…it wasn’t enjoyable. I never did again until you,” I say honestly. Stepping back, I sweep my gaze down her body.
Sophie literally takes my breath away. She is sexy, gorgeous, intelligent, and has a big heart. Her creamy, soft skin melts underneath me every damn time. Her lips twitch into a smile of satisfaction. I take advantage and nuzzle her neck.
I whisper to her, “Mi bebé is jealous.” I throw my head back in laughter when she pinches my side.
“Me…jealous? Whatever. And you were like,she’s with me,”she mimics my voice.
We both fall into rolling laughter, realizing we both are jealous idiots. Smacking her ass, I gently put her in the back seat of my car in the empty parking lot, showing her how much I enjoy my tongue between her lips, swallowing every drop.
* * *
“Are you ready?”I shout to Sophie, who’s been in the room getting ready for the fallen officer’s charity gala tonight.
The last two years have been a success. My mother went through a lot financially and emotionally when my father passed. When you lose someone, the last thing you want on your mind is to worry about money. The charity event will help families with funeral services, rent for the first three months, counseling, and support for kids who lost a parent.
“Just a second, I’m coming!” she yells.
I shove my hands in my slacks, blowing out the candle in the living room.
Sophie fills the house with the lingering smell of her candles and coconut scent. The whole house has her touch; she’s even changed my curtains because she said the room needed a splash of color. We go to my mom’s for dinner—she insists on having Sophie over. My mom lights up and smiles wider when Sophie is around. I haven’t seen her this happy in years. Sophie’s presence is like a salve for the bones. She soothes the soul. She just seems to penetrate deep into her heart. My mom even has Sophie sit in the empty seat at the table that has been vacant for decades. Unvaryingly, my grandma appears as if she just dropped in, not knowing Sophie would be there. My grandmother stares at us like she’s in a telenovela—crazy old lady.
Abuelita whispers her riddles to me. “She has the key around her neck; only you have the power to use it.”
Whatever that means.
The clicking of heels grabs my attention as I turn to see the woman who’s crashed into my life. My jaw drops to the ground, and my eyes fill with stars. My heart beats like a drum.
Fuck me.
She spins around, her cobalt blue silk dress flowing around her like a dream. The halter top shows off the smooth curve of her neck and shoulders, and the glittering high heels I bought her perfectly complete the look. When I saw them in the store, I knew they were perfect for her. The dress is the exact shade of her eyes—a bright, vibrant blue that could light up any room.
“What do you think?” Sophie inquires.
I can feel my arousal grow, and I bite my lip in anticipation. Finally, I exhale a breath I’d been holding. What do I think? Fuck, I’ve never felt the need to drop to my knees and worship a womanlike I do now.She has no idea the power she has over me.
Clearly, neither doI.
Taking a leisurely walk toward her, I say, “You look gorgeous.” I softly cradle her cheeks in my hands so she looks directly at me. Sophie’s lips are a deep red hue and form a straight line. “Stunning. Sexy and breathtaking.” I peck at her red lips and add, “The most beautiful woman I’ve ever had on my arm.”
Sophie’s soft lips press on mine as I inhale her steady breath. She’s too beautiful, a hidden gem who has managed to tug at the strings of my black heart with her tender touch. She deserves so much more than I can offer. My darkness would only weigh down her light.
I search Sophie’s eyes, and I can see what I hoped to avoid—she’s fallen for me.
“Liam,” she whispers in her velvety, soft voice.
Closing my eyes, I swallow the knot in my throat and step back. “We should go before it gets late,” I mumble, adjusting my tie. The damn thing is squeezing the breath out of me, and I can’t bring myself to look her in the eye.
