Twenty-Six
TWENTY-SIX
LIAM
PRESENT
I was fuming the entire weekend. If I were a cartoon character, flames would’ve burst from my skull.
Her text still echoes in my mind. It should never have happened. I take it as regret—she regretted what we did. While I don’t, I’ve tried to see her point of view. Tried to squeeze out a sliver of understanding.
Do I get it? A little, yes. Do I like it? Not in the slightest. But if that’s what she wants, then that’s what she gets. I can’t push myself on her. However, this means that the ball is in her court. If she wants anything from me ever again, she has to come and take it.
Today, Sophie and Jared are holding their presentation about the terrace for me. And honestly, we all know this whole ”project” was just my way of screwing with them because they annoyed me. Making them create ten concepts might have wasted their time, but here we are. I just hope one of them is good enough.
It will be—if Sophie’s involved. I’ve overheard some bits and pieces of her ideas, one being the one —which I think is amazing and will be the one I choose. I’ve already made up my mind.
Though, I’m still going to make them sweat through a presentation for ”the boss.” Nothing’s easy in life. I know that well enough.
When I get to the hotel, both of them are already sitting outside my office. Lilly is furiously tapping away on her computer, her fingers moving with barely contained agitation. What’s up with her? Every few seconds, she casts glances toward Jared, a subtle smile playing on her lips. His eyes are glued to her, too, locked on her cleavage, watching her every movement. Smooth, Jared. Real professional. Maybe next he can drool on her shoes while he’s at it.
When she spots me, her assault on the keyboard halts, and she quickly stands up. “Good morning, sir.” She rushes around her desk to greet me. Rather eager, if I say so myself. “I’ll get you a coffee. Anything else?”
“Good morning, Lilly. Thank you, just a coffee is fine.”
“I’ll have a coffee too,” Sophie says, her voice cool, though there’s a bite just beneath the surface.
Lilly pauses, her smile stiffening for a fraction of a second before she responds, “Of course, I’ll get right on that.” The words are sweet but just a shade too sharp to be sincere. She turns on her heel with a little more force than necessary, disappearing.
Sophie lets out a quiet sigh, her eyes drifting up in an exaggerated roll as Lilly walks away, the tension in her posture unmistakable. There's a flicker of irritation on her face, barely contained, as if she’s holding back a sharp remark. It's subtle, but the way her fingers tap rhythmically against her knee tells me everything I need to know.
“Are you two ready?” I ask them, and Sophie’s head snaps back to me, but she doesn’t meet my gaze.
Jared loops his arm around Sophie’s shoulder, and it irks me to no end.
“Yes, we are!” he says, flashing that weird, forced smile of his.
“Okay then, let’s go.”
I stride into my office and take a seat behind my desk, twirling my ballpoint pen between my fingers while they set everything up. The air is tense, charged, and I’m more than ready to see how this unfolds.
I watch Sophie as she moves around, setting up the stand with Jared. My eyes follow her from head to toe, taking in every detail. Her perfectly tailored maroon dress hugs her body in all the right places. It cinches at her waist, highlighting her curves, while the skirt flows elegantly just above her knees.
I can’t help it. My mind drifts back to the weekend—how that same body, now hidden beneath layers of fabric, had been under me. The memory of her skin, soft and warm, of the way she responded to my every touch, ignites something primal in me. I tell myself to stay in the present, but my body betrays me. All the blood in my body starts flooding down to my cock. It’s not easy when all I can think about is how magnificent she looked, how she felt, and how she had melted into me with every moment.
Damn it, focus .
She’s all business, her attention locked on the task. Her hands are steady as she hands over the large concept boards to Jared one by one, her movements fluid and practiced.
On the fifth one, something changes. She hesitates, just for a second, and as she hands it over, there’s a small, almost imperceptible smile tugging at her lip. It’s different from the others. Something sparkles within her, a flicker of pride she can’t hide. And I know. I know that’s the one. That’s her idea, her vision. It’s completely her, and she loves it. Which means, of course, I love it too.
They finally stand tall on either side of the stand, looking polished and professional. Jared looks eager, ready for my approval. But Sophie? She’s guarded, her eyes flicker toward me as she speaks. “We are ready if you are, Liam.” Her voice is firm, but she still doesn’t look at me. She avoids my eyes like I’m a bomb waiting to explode. And maybe I am.
Sophie starts off, presenting their first concept, “Stargazing Bar Nights.” She gestures to the board where a sleek, modern rooftop setup is displayed, featuring plush seating and dim lighting designed to evoke a cozy, intimate vibe under the stars.
“The idea is to create an environment where guests can enjoy a sophisticated drink while feeling like they’re stargazing,” she explains. “Even in the city that never sleeps, we can bring a sense of serenity to the rooftop.”
I look at the concept. The design is fine, sure, but stargazing in New York? With all the light pollution, this city rarely sees stars. It’s a nice idea, but it’s not practical. I cross it off mentally. No.
Sophie reads my expression, her lips pressing into a thin line as a sound escapes from the back of her throat—half frustration, half resignation. “Let’s move on to the second one,” she says, quickly passing the baton to Jared.
Jared steps forward with a bit too much enthusiasm, his chest puffed up like he’s presenting the next big thing. “Okay, stargazing might not be it, but how about glow-in-the-dark cocktail tables? It adds an element of fun, keeps the energy going after sundown. We can even add some body coloring booths and…ehm”
What the hell is this? I can’t help the way my face looks at this moment, but it probably says are you two serious?
“No. Next,” I don’t have time for this nonsense. I just need them to get to number five.
Sophie steps up again, her hands gesturing toward the board as she speaks. The third concept is a step up, and it's starting to sound better, but it still doesn’t have that oomph factor that Leora always talks about. It’s missing something, a spark. By the time we reach the fourth, Jared chimes in again, but it’s clear he’s just throwing in ideas that don’t align with the vision. Too gimmicky.
Finally, we reach five.
Sophie’s smile widens, and she takes an unconscious step forward. “Okay, so this one I think you’ll like. We wanted to give the terrace an ambiance that screams luxury but still keeps that homey, cozy feeling. Just like Ayoub d'Or,” she says, her eyes gleaming with excitement. We . She’s used it a lot today, but I know this is her concept and only hers. I heard it in passing when she thought no one was paying attention. But I was. I’m always paying attention to her.
“We wanted everyone to feel relaxed up here,” she continues, her voice soft but full of passion. “To feel like the money they’ve paid for their stay was worth it. Every single penny.”
As she speaks, I stare at her lips, which move confidently. Her smile remains, radiating something undeniably captivating. She’s utterly magnetic. Just by looking at her, I feel my anger slowly melting away. I’m barely paying attention to the concept, but I know it’s incredible. The way her energy vibrates off her, the passion in her words—this concept has that spark.
It’s all about comfort within luxury: plush, oversized seating that invites you to sink in and never leave, modern fire pits that add just the right amount of warmth without overpowering the space, and soft, golden lighting that bounces off the floors, casting a warm glow over the entire terrace. The lush greenery is designed to make the space feel like a private, elevated oasis—a sanctuary above the hustle and bustle of the city below. A high-end restaurant with floor-to-ceiling windows provides a stunning panoramic view of the skyline, while several sleek bars offer handcrafted cocktails, each station with its own unique theme and ambiance.
There's even a private dining area for intimate gatherings. And then, the crown jewel—a personalized butler service exclusive to guests staying in the premium suites. It’s the kind of experience that whispers luxury but still feels personal. A perfect balance. It’s perfect.
Sophie’s smile beams with pride as she finishes explaining, her eyes sparkling as she watches me take it all in.
But just as I’m about to respond, Jared cuts in, leaning forward with an air of confidence that grates against the moment. “Yeah, so, I thought adding those private cabanas with individual fire pits would really elevate the space and make it more intimate, you know? And I suggested the separate themed bars too—gives guests different vibes to explore.”
“Actually, the cabanas—” Sophie tries to jump back in, but Jared interrupts again, waving his hand dismissively. “Yeah, we also thought the butler service was a nice touch, something that came to me while we were brainstorming.”
Sophie’s lips tighten, and I can see her jaw clench for just a moment before she steps back slightly, frustration building behind those ocean blues. But Jared either doesn’t notice or doesn’t care, and he continues to ride on the success of her work, pretending it’s his own. What a piece of shit.
I narrow my eyes, watching Sophie silently as she bows her head slightly, and my gut twists. Speak up, Sunshine. Say something. My thoughts scream, but her lips remain pressed together, her gaze fixed downward. Why won’t she just stand up for herself?
My teeth grind together, heat rising from every pore as rage boils inside me. I’m fuming. Jared? Sure, that’s expected. But Sophie? How can she just stand there, letting him take credit for her idea? The concept that she crafted so meticulously, the one that’s absolutely brilliant. She's amazing, incredible, fantastic and everything in between.
The sun never cares who it blinds; why does she diminish her own light for others? Especially for people like Jared, who already broke her once. Of course, he'd do it again. It's in his nature to take advantage, to leech off brilliance.
I’m practically shaking with anger, my jaw clenched so tight I’m sure I could crack my teeth. I glance at Sophie again, and she’s staring at the floor, not at me. Why won’t she look at me? She won’t after everything that’s happened between us, not after our night.
“That’s enough. I don’t need to hear more.” I stand up, my voice sharp, leaving no room for argument. “I choose number five. Your idea, Sophie. Great job.”
The asshole stiffens, his mouth parting like he wants to argue, but shock steals his voice. Good on him, because if he would speak I’d probably break his nose.
Sophie’s head snaps up. “We both–ehm,” she says softly, almost as if she’s trying to convince herself as much as me. Her voice is low, nearly broken. She still won’t meet my eyes, and that only fuels my anger further. She’s still protecting him.
“You are dismissed,” I say, cutting off any more excuses before they can leave her lips.