Changing Roles

“What a jerk.”

“Yeah, he was. He loved to spend my money. All under the guise of ‘helping’ me, when really it was just helping himself and his friends. It took me a while, but the argument we had that day was it for me. I walked out, went to Everett, and made him an offer. He only had two other clients, but I liked how he treated them—with respect.” I rubbed my face roughly with my hand. “He had been much more than a friend for a while. Always there to advise me or help if I needed it. He always had my back—something I knew Jack didn’t anymore. Whatever was better financially was the direction Jack seemed to be taking. I knew it was only going to get worse. The more famous I became, the more we argued. Jack proved he wasn’t loyal to me—only the money I made him. Everett was a true friend, and I knew I could trust him. He had proven it time and time again.

“Bloody hell, it was an awful scene when I fired Jack. Everett was there, doing most of the talking, thank God. And my lawyer was there. It got ugly. But once it was done, things got much better.” Smirking, I rolled again, making Shelby gasp in surprise as I hovered over her. “Then I fired that nutjob, Marie, and got you. And my life became pretty bloody perfect.”

She smiled at me, her gaze filled with love. We were close enough I could see the flecks of gold amidst the blue of her eyes. Our eyes held as the heat built back up around us.

Fuck, I wanted her again.

I drifted my fingers across her shoulder. “Does it hurt?”

“Not really. Just a little achy.”

Leaning down, I brushed my lips over the bruise. “I’ll kiss it—and anywhere else you’re aching,” I murmured, trailing my lips to her ear. “Just show me, and I’ll make it all better.”

I liked the shiver my touch caused.

She wound her arms around my neck, pulling me down to her sweet mouth.

I went willingly.20LiamMy phone buzzed with an incoming text. Shifting carefully so I didn’t disturb Shelby, I grabbed it off the nightstand.

Everett: Picked it up. On my way. Be there in 10. She is going to kill you, btw.I grinned—there was that chance. Looking down into Shelby’s sleeping face, I decided the chance was worth the risk. And I knew exactly how to get her on board with my plan. I snickered quietly to myself.

I was pure genius.

Pressing closer, I nuzzled the sleep-warmed skin of her cheek, ghosting my lips over her skin. “Shelby, my darling girl. Wake up.”

Her eyes opened, her sleepy smile welcoming. “Hi.”

“Everett is going to be here any minute. We need to get up.”

She pulled the covers tighter and snuggled into my chest. I wrapped my arms around her, enjoying the feel of her being close.

“Is he coming to yell more?”

“I’ll make you a deal. I won’t let him yell. But you can’t yell either.”

“Really?”

“Promise.”

“Okay.”

Chuckling, I got up, grabbed some jeans and a T-shirt from the drawer, and threw them on. Bending, I grabbed Thor, placing him on my shoulder. “Get dressed and come downstairs.”

“Commando, Liam?”

I winked at her. “My girl likes me that way.” I paused at the door. “Come on, Beaker.”

“I’m coming!” I heard her get out of bed as I walked down the hall, and then she called out, her voice suspicious. “Wait—what are you up to Oscar?”

I kept walking.Shelby walked around the vehicle silently, stopping a couple of times to glare at me, then she would move again, opening the doors, peering inside, but not saying a word. I heard her rummaging around the front at one point, and I braced myself for her wrath.

Finally, she stopped in front of me. “You bought a new car.”

“SUV—the safest one in its class. It’s an Acura MDX.”

Everett grinned. “It’s a sweet ride. This thing is loaded.”

“Why does the registration have my name on it, Liam, if it’s your car?”

“SUV,” I corrected.

“Fine,” she huffed. “Your SUV.”

“Ah, tax purposes.”

I looked at Everett, who nodded with approval.

Good one.

I probably shouldn’t have raised my hand for a fist bump while Shelby was looking.

Big mistake.

“You better not have bought me this, Liam. If you did, you can take it back…right now.”

I shook my head. “No refunds.”

“So, you did buy this for me?” she spat out, crossing her arms over her chest. “Is my car not good enough?”

And there it was. I looked at Everett, who shrugged as if to say, “You’re on your own,” and faced Shelby.

“No, actually, it’s not.”

Her eyes narrowed and I moved closer, keeping my voice soothing. “Shelby, this SUV is safe. A nav system, completely synced with your phone, extra air bags, tinted windows, air conditioning.”

She snorted. “You sound like a car salesman. Why do I need that stuff? I’m fine without it! I’ve done without all of it until now!”