Page 115 of Corrupted Pleasure

But I was too eager to get to him. And I didn’t want him climbing so many stairs. I rushed down the steps. One step. Two steps. Three steps.

A hand on my back. Then a push. I tried to lean back and regain my balance. But my foot tripped against the narrow step, and the next thing I knew, the world tumbled. Falling through the air, I outstretched my hands, reaching for my grandpa, but I couldn’t reach him.

A scream tore through my lips as I flew through the air.

And Grandpa’s voice crying in my ear. “Wake up, my Davina. Wake up.”

My eyes shot open.

I was on my stomach and my face down, while sweat covered my skin and I hung on the edge of the bed, my fingers gripping the sheets. My heart raced, thundering so hard it hurt my chest.

My chest tightened, making it hard to breathe. I swallowed a lump in my throat. I occasionally had nightmares like this, but it had never been so vivid and clear like tonight. I forgot about that Oak Island Lighthouse and that entire incident. And the woman. Somehow, I didn’t think she was a stranger, yet I never saw her again.

No fucking wonder I was scared of heights.

Slowly shifting, I glanced to my right and found Liam asleep, his hand outstretched to me. Just like in my dream I reached for my grandpa. As if to assure myself he was real, I reached out and touched his hand. A feather light touch and instantly comfort washed over me.

Liam’s here.

A slow relieved breath swished through my lips and my heart’s wild thundering eased. It made no sense why I cared that he was here. He forced me into this marriage.

After you stole from him, my reason whispered.

Yet, he felt safe. My instinct told me he’d protect me, no matter what. My eyes roamed over his naked body. He really was beautiful. Yes, he was in his forties, but he’d put twenty-year-olds to shame with his fit and muscled body.

From the first moment I saw him three months ago, my attraction to him was instant. There was no doubt he was good-looking with that sculpted, tattooed body, but it was more than that.

It was like a pull. Like the ocean and tides. Or rivers and currents. It would always draw you in.

I carefully got out of the bed, my bare feet silent against the hardwood. I was completely naked, and I expected Liam’s cum to run down my thighs since I fell asleep without cleaning up. But there was none. Did he clean me up? It was the only logical explanation.

My eyes had gotten used to the dark, so I searched for something to put on. I couldn’t go around his penthouse naked. I found his shirt and bent over to pick it up. His unique scent of sandalwood, clean and crisp, hit me, and instantly I was aroused. Despite my aching muscles.

Ignoring my body’s response, I pulled it over my head.

I padded across the room, the hardwood floors cool under my feet. It felt good against my hot skin. His bedroom was so much bigger than anything I was used to. Especially after spending four years in a dorm room sharing it with four girls. Our combined dorm fit into his bedroom with still plenty of room to spare.

I headed toward the bedroom door and out into the hallway. I was dying for a glass of water. The only problem was that the kitchen was an extension of the dining room and the large floor-to-ceiling window extended into it. Inhaling deeply and then slowly releasing my breath I eyed the entrance to the dining room.

My heart skidded to a halt.

Large shutters covered the entire window. Liam had the entire window with the most magnificent view covered.For me.

Something fluttered in the pit of my stomach and my heart felt strangely… warm. Or something. Unlike anything I had ever felt. The only other man that ever did thoughtful things for me was my grandfather.

I licked my lips and padded into the kitchen, then grabbed a glass. This place was so pristine and clean, I feared just pouring a glass of water would mess up the immaculate surface.

After finishing my water, I placed my glass into the dishwasher, careful not to make too much noise. Then I continued to wander around until I found Liam’s office. Three monitors were seated on the large mahogany desk. Just like everything else this man owned, this room was large and decorated with taste and luxury. It exuded an intense masculine vibe.

A black leather sofa and chairs placed on the furthest side of the large office gave it an approachable feel. A large chair sat empty behind the desk and I could imagine him seated behind the desk.

I trailed my fingers over the smooth surfaces of the furniture. The leather couch, then the desk, the fancy handles. My fingers wrapped around the handle of the drawer and I tugged on it. I didn’t expect it to open but it did. To reveal a handgun.

“Well, he is a mobster,” I muttered. It wouldn’t make him a good mobster if he didn’t have a gun.

I tugged on the second drawer and it revealed documents. Curiously, I pulled them out and started reading. My eyes widened with each word I read.

It was a will made by the Cullen family. With birth certificates enclosed. Juliette's and her brother’s. It had to be the birth certificates Juliette found.