Fat Cat Liar

“Stop fucking talking. You’re going to listen to me now. Everything about us has been real. There were no false promises because every single word I spoke was a vow. I am going to take care of you. Your money doesn’t matter because I will work myself to the bone to provide for our family and our future.

“And don’t ever say I got laid again. Every single kiss, touch, and memory of our making love is seared into my brain. The project design means nothing to me. The only reason it is as spectacular as it is, is because of you. When I walk away from it all, the whole world will know Greer Palmer was the inspiration. There is nothing I won’t do to gain your forgiveness. There’s a long way to go for me to regain your trust, but I’ll spend the rest of my life striving to prove to you that you are my life.”

“Why would you think I’d ever give you the chance? It’s over between us.”

“Because I love you, Greer. I love you with every fiber in my soul. You own me and you always will.”

The tension in my body starts to diminish, and my strength weakens. Tears sting my eyes as his words sink in. A piece of me fell in love with Lawson Hall on that rooftop months ago, and the rest of me has been falling every since.

And now he’s given me what I’ve longed to hear.

As if he can read my thoughts, he lowers his mouth to mine, cupping my chin a little tighter.

“I love you. Looking back, it started when you took me to that café and showed me this city through your eyes. I love that you have no reservations and give with your whole heart. I love that, anytime my eyes land on you, my chest tightens with such force it rocks me. I love that you are smart, sensitive, compassionate, and care so deeply that anyone in your presence falls to your grace. I love you so much, and every time I look at you, I know my life will be filled with beauty. There are so many more reasons, Greer, but the point is, it’s not over between us. It can’t be, because I can’t survive without you in my life. A man like me falls in love, it’s forever. And you are my forever.”

Forever.

The single word that meant so much just five days ago now becomes the harshest of realities. For weeks, I wondered if he felt the same way, if the depth of his feelings were as strong as mine. When I told him I loved him, it was life-changing, exposing my soul in a way I’d never regret.

Because he gave me forever.

And I believed him.

Tears stream down my cheeks, and the last bit of resolve dies. The tug of war between my head and my heart calls a truce. I let go of my sanity and give into the passion. All clarity and reason evaporate, so that the only thing I can think of is having Lawson one last time.

I should pull away, demand he leave, and start the long process of healing. Instead, I lift on my toes and crush my mouth to his.

He stiffens as I fight to slip my tongue inside. “Greer—”

“Stop fucking talking,” I hiss, stepping away and pushing the jacket off his shoulders. It doesn’t even hit the floor before I’m gripping his shirt and splitting it open, tearing it from his body.

His face is frozen, almost scared, as I continue my assault on his clothes. My hands fly around, yanking his belt until it’s soaring through the air and popping the button on his pants until I can rip his zipper down. He remains still, even when his boxers fall, exposing him fully.

I don’t quit, my goal on one thing and that’s getting him inside me. My emotional pain fuels me, driving me to the brink of insanity as I undo my coat and throw it off. The zipper on my dress won’t cooperate, my haste causing me to snag it on the fabric.

“Fuck it.” I yank as hard as I can, destroying the five-thousand-dollar couture gown I adored hours ago.

I hear him gasp at the sight of the satin panties adorned with crystals along the strings. The fact that I bought them for him creeps into my head; I knew they would drive him crazy.

They aren’t going to survive this either, I decide, ripping them from my body, the crystals pinging on the floor.

When I’m standing in only my shoes, he comes out of his trance. He barely has time to brace before I’m on him again. Like a madwoman, I leap up, locking my arms and ankles around him, and swiveling my hips until his cock is teasing me. Without warning, I slam down. He grunts, and I scream as a shot of pain scorches through me.

His hands clutch my ass, trying to stop me, but I can’t. Not now. I throw my head forward, my teeth finding skin, and sink down. He roars, finally coming alive, thrusting up and giving me what I desperately need.

His fingers dig into my flesh, and the cold steel coats my back as he crashes me into the refrigerator.

“Goddammit, Greer, slow down,” he demands.

“No,” I reply through gritted teeth.

There are two thumps followed by the brush of his thighs against mine as he kicks off his shoes and remaining clothes. I squeeze my legs, spearing my heels into his lower back until he hisses.

His hips pound into me… once… twice… until I take over, riding him roughly. My body is strung tight as I use him to chase my release.

His mouth comes to my ear. “Baby, stop. This is not us. Let me love you.”

I shake my head violently, barely hearing his groan when my forehead knocks his jaw.