Page 92 of Recklessly You
His head snaps up, and tears begin to flow. Watching a man in his sixties bawling is a little uncomfortable, but I understand he’s releasing that pent-up guilt.
The world isn’t perfect. We are born to make mistakes and learn from them. We have the power to forgive ourselves, just as we have the power to forgive others. Holding a grudge only makes us bitter, and that’s not who I want to be. I want to be free.
“I’m sorry, Liam. I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable.”
I shake my head. “No, you didn’t. I understand.”
“I know for sure Manny is so proud of you, Liam. You’re just like him, you know? You’re an honorable man. You fill his shoes perfectly.”
I swallow the knot in my throat. “Thank you.”
He nods and stands. “I’m going to visit Manny for a bit. Is that okay?”
“Of course. I’m heading out. Thank you, Rick, for telling me. Let’s keep this between us.” We say our goodbyes, and then I get in my car. For the first time in years, I feel lighter.Free.
* * *
My body movesfluidly toward the woman sprawled on a beach towel, lying on her stomach, reading a book with a tiny bikini on.
Fuck me.
The air is alive with the squawking of seagulls, and a cool breeze caresses my face like an old friend. Knots of tension tighten in my stomach, and my heart races like a teenager approaching his crush. My breath heaves as I approach. She’s wearing a thong bikini, for Christ’s sake. Anyone can see. She sits up, takes a drink of water, then fixes her towel and lies on her back.Fuck. My dick twitches, seeing the tiny squares covering her nipples and the flimsy strip of material covering her pussy. The need to roll her up like a burrito in that towel is maddening. I’d like to throw her over my shoulder so men can’t gawk at what’s mine.
Mila said Sophie recently returned from New York. After calling and sending multiple messages without a response, I figured out she had blocked me. It hurt more than I wanted to admit, and the what-ifs started spinning in my head. Had she moved on?
When I step toward her, my heart stutters. It’s been two long months without her. She’s so engaged in her book that she doesn’t notice me next to her. She lets out a soft moan and presses her thighs together.Fuck. I found one of her books at my house, so I decided to read it, not knowing what kind of book it was. I knew it was romance, but not smut. Hell! My eyes bulge out. No wonder she’s an animal in bed. It’s basically a guide for men on how to fuck a woman properly. I’d say I did a hell of a good job fucking her. I do it better than those other fucks.
“Sophie,” I say, my voice coming out raspy and raw. Her body stiffens, and then she closes her eyes tight. “Sophie, baby,” I repeat.
Instinctively, she stands and grabs her swimsuit coverup, quickly wrapping it around her waist. Avoiding eye contact as best as she can, she stuffs her belongings into a bag, obviously preparing to make a quick escape.
“Sophie, can we talk?” I plea.
Her brows collide in the center, and she side-eyes me. Her beautiful blonde hair blows with the light breeze. “We have nothing to talk about, Liam. You said plenty that night.” She reaches for her bag, but I grab it first. She tugs it from my hold, muttering words under her breath. She looks like an angry Barbie.
“Baby…I need to talk to—”
She turns, and our gazes collide. My breath hitches like always. I bite my lip. That’s just how she affects me. I have missed her so damn much. She’s been the calmness in my storm and the light in my life. As beautiful as she is…it’s who she is on the inside that made me fall in love with her. She taught me the meaning of love.
“I’m happy you’re doing better, and that the son of a bitch is dead. But I’m not playing games with you. We are done. You wanted it this way. I’m not some chew toy. I’m worth so much more than just a quick fuck. So why don’t you go find yourself a fuck buddy. I’m not it. I found someone who will love me.”
I flinch. Her words wound my heart. She found someone else?
“I meant what I said—I don’t want to cross paths with you.” She whirls on her heels, and angry Barbie marches to her car. A hot tide of jealousy rips through me. I grind my teeth, and my breathing roars with anger.
“Who is he?” I follow her.
“Who?” She doesn’t glance back. She keeps walking.
“The guy you’re with. You said you found someone who loves you.”
“Me!Ilove me, and I won’t allow any man to walk all over me again, to degrade me.”
Relief washes over me.Thank the fuck.
“That a girl,” I say.
She growls, pressing on the key fob. Sophie jumps in her car without a word, shutting the door in my face. She peels out, leaving me in the parking lot just like I left her that night I broke both our hearts.
