P.S. You're Intolerable (The Harder They Fall, #3)(87)

However, I would let the money I invested burn to ashes if I needed to walk away. The fact that I was willing and able to lose millions without blinking was my trump card. I was certain Tom Bergerman and Edgar van der Wyck would not be as willing to lose a large portion of their fortunes if this project went down in flames.

“I urge you to think this through, Liam. Consider the widespread consequences if you choose to proceed with this line of thinking.”

His jaw was working now, grinding hard, and his hands were balled into fists. Whether he was angry at the thought of losing Josephine or pissed off at being backed into a corner, I couldn’t tell. Probably the latter since he’d shown no concern for her, even now. He hadn’t even asked her name.

He slowly opened his fists. “So, what am I supposed to do? Forget she exists?”

“No. I’m not saying that. If you want a relationship with her, you’ll do it on the terms Catherine lays out.”

“And those terms are…?”

“I don’t know. That isn’t my place. You’ll have to speak to her about that.” I dropped my foot to the ground, preparing to stand. We were almost done here. “But know this, Liam, if you set foot on US soil and try to stake some kind of claim on the baby, I will encourage Catherine to press charges against you. If you threaten her in any way, I will notify your future father-in-law of your past misdeeds and pull my investment from the waterfront faster than you can blink. Catherine is no longer alone, and she will not be taken advantage of ever again.”

His eyes narrowed. “You say speaking for her isn’t your place, so why are you here, mate? This isn’t the kind of thing a boss sticks his nose in.”

“You’re right, it isn’t.” I rose to my feet, tucking my hands in my pockets. “Catherine’s mine. If you choose to step up and build a relationship with her child, I’ll be there, always. Hope you like my face because you’ll be seeing it for eighteen years.” My brow winged. “Or not. That’s up to Catherine.”

Message delivered, I walked out of his office. It was time to go home to my girls.





Chapter Thirty-two





Catherine





My heart was lodged in my throat as Elliot walked toward me. Forgetting I was holding a silly little sign with his name on it, I drank him in. Two weeks was far too long. Any tolerance I’d built up to his staggering presence had evaporated. Seeing him again made my knees weak.

He finally made it to me, dropping his bag at our feet. Knuckle underneath my jaw, he tipped my head back.

“Hi, sweetheart.”

“Hi, Elliot.”

“You’re a sight for sore eyes.”

“You too.”

“What are you doing all the way over there? Come give me a hug.”

I walked right into his waiting arms and melted against him. Tension I’d been carrying unraveled as he held me and kissed my head and face.

“Missed you,” he murmured.

“Me too.”

“Joey with Freddie?”

“Mmhmm. I thought I might have you to myself for a bit. Don’t tell my boss I left work early.”

“Never.” He pulled back slightly to touch his lips to mine. “Let’s get out of here.”

It physically hurt to step out of his arms, but I managed, joining my hand with his. We walked outside to the passenger pickup area, where a driver was waiting for us.

The driver took Elliot’s suitcase, and Elliot helped me into the back of the limo. He slid in after me and immediately hit the button to close the privacy screen.

“You picked me up in style.” He picked up the paper I’d discarded on the seat between us. “And made me a sign. This is very sweet.”

My heart thudded inside my chest. “I turned to crafts to keep myself busy.”

“That’s cute. You’re adorable and lovely.” He tossed it to the ground then snatched me around the waist before I could register anything. “Get over here so I can kiss you for real.”

This.

This was what I had been waiting for. Straddling his lap and sinking into his bones. His mouth melded to mine. His fingers tangled in my hair. I slipped my hands down the back of his shirt, moaning at the feel of his skin. Bliss.

“There’s my girl.” He spoke against my lips. “Better than I remembered.”

I rocked against the bulge in his pants, thankful for my decision to wear a skirt today. Elliot and I had been apart for so long even the thin satin covering me was too much.

“Need you.” I raked my nails across his shoulders and pressed my core against his. “Please. I can’t wait.”

“Do you think I can?”

Slipping beneath my skirt, he trailed along the crease of my inner thigh and shoved my panties to the side.

“You feel so good. Wet for me already.” He played with my slit, then spread me wide to dip his fingertip inside, making me flutter around him. “Yes, baby. That’s perfect. Take your tits out for me.”

I yanked my shirt over my head and tugged the cups of my bra down below my breasts. Elliot fell into them, running his warm tongue along the edges of one nipple, then the other. While he licked me, I reached between us, scrambling with his pants.

I was trembling all over, so it took a few tries, but I finally got his zipper down and his hard, smooth length in my hand. His lips closed around my nipple at the same time I rubbed his thick head against my clit. We groaned in tandem, so sensitive and reactive to one another.