Sinful Rapture (The Rapture #2)(18)

As much as she’d wanted to blame Liam, deep inside she’d known she would never be a suitable replacement for Luc.

“Then what are you sorry for?”

His lips traced the line of her nose before sweeping over her brows, his touch offering an unexpected comfort even as a jolt of excitement clenched her stomach.

Astonishing, really.

She’d expected the heat. The passion. The breathtaking pleasure.

But never in a million years could she have suspected he could make her feel…cherished.

“That you were hurt when I took over the company and I have no way of making it better,” he said softly, his lips settling at the corner of her mouth.

“It’s not your fault.”

He stilled, slowly lifting his head as he absorbed the full implication of her confession.

“It’s not?”

“No.”

Their gazes tangled, both of them sensing something profound had just altered between them.

Then, feeling oddly vulnerable, Holly forced a smile to her lips.

“Don’t gloat.”

His fingers smoothed the long strands of her hair over her shoulder before trailing down her arms to grasp her hands.

“Never,” he assured her.

Holly believed him. Liam might tease and even torment on occasion, but he was never one to wallow in his own accomplishments.

“Luc warned me,” she admitted.

“Warned you about what?”

“That my father was destined to disappoint me.” She shrugged. “He said that Vigo Angeli had no interest in anyone but Vigo Angeli, and he was right. Nothing I’ve done has impressed him because he truly doesn’t care.”

He lifted her hand to press his lips to her fingers. “What about your mother?”

Holly had to battle her instinct to retreat from the blunt question.

Tory Sullivan had been twenty-one when she’d caught Vigo’s roving eye and become his mistress. She’d done her best to try to be a mother, but the truth was she didn’t want to be domesticated.

She enjoyed the lure of the bright lights and handsome men. Reading bedtime stories to her daughter was nothing but a bore as far as she was concerned.

Holly lowered her lashes, hiding her inner emotions.

“She never wanted a child, but she was smart enough to know that Vigo would pay if she kept me. I was a convenient meal ticket,” she said, struggling to keep the bitterness from her voice. Her childhood hadn’t been perfect, but it sure as hell was better than many kids had to endure.

He swore beneath his breath, pressing his lips to her forehead.

“Neither of them deserved to have you as a daughter.”

She gave a sudden shake of her head. Dammit, she was done with self-pity.

Time to put on her big girl panties and move on.

“I’m done,” she sharply announced.

Liam lifted his head to observe her with a brooding gaze. “What does that mean?”

“I officially retire my obsessive need to earn my father’s approval.”

He studied her for a long time before he pressed another kiss to her knuckles.

“Who knows what the future holds?” he said. “Perhaps someday Vigo will realize what he’s missing.”

She rolled her eyes.

Yeah, and she’d probably win the lottery.

Both had about the same odds of coming true.

She gave a lift of her shoulder. “Maybe, but I truly don’t care.”

“Hmm.” He didn’t look entirely convinced, but clearly accepting she was finished with the subject, he stepped closer, wrapping his arms around her waist. “What would you like to do today?”

Her mouth went dry as desire rushed through her like a wildfire.

She knew exactly what she wanted.

A soft bed and this man naked.

It didn’t matter that they’d spent the entire night sating their need. Or that there was a voice in the back of her mind warning that her entire relationship with this man had fundamentally altered during the past twenty-four hours.

She wanted him.

End of story.

Heat flushed her cheeks as she cleared her throat.

“What do you mean?”

His brows arched, a teasing grin curving his lips.

“If you could choose to do anything, what would it be?”

He knew. The aggravating beast. He knew exactly what she was thinking, but he was going to make her say the words.

Instead, she deliberately glanced at the clock on the wall.

“Don’t you have to work?”

***

Liam allowed his hands to lower, cupping her ass so he could tug Holly against his hardening cock.

He’d sensed the second that Holly’s thoughts had turned to sex.

It’d been visible in the darkening of her cognac eyes and the faint flush on her cheeks.

And he was more than happy to indulge her simmering desire.

Hell, happy didn’t begin to express his eagerness.

But while he was all for a day spent indulging in their mutual need, he knew that he wanted more.

He had her body. Now he wanted her heart.

“I think the boss will give me the day off,” he teased.

Almost as if sensing the sudden intensity of his emotions, Holly began an instinctive retreat.

“Actually I should—”