4.

~SCARLETT.

She hesitated before pulling off her crop top, revealing her perky breasts, no bra beneath it, then dropped her shorts, leaving only her black thong.

Moving closer, his eyes trailing over her body. "Beautiful."

I was shaking now.

She gasped when he grabbed her waist, pulling her into a rough kiss. Her arms wrapped around his neck as she gave in, pressing closer.

When he pulled back, his hand came down sharply on her ass. The sound was loud in the quiet room, and she let out a yelp, followed by a soft moan.

"On your knees," he ordered, and she dropped to the floor without hesitation, meeting his eyes. He ran his thumb slowly across her bottom lip, and she opened her mouth. His thumb slid inside, and she sucked on it gently before he pulled it back.

Unzipping his jeans, he pulled out his hard length. "Suck." She obeyed, her lips wrapping around him.

He groaned softly. "Good girl."

His hand tangled in her hair, guiding her to take him deeper. The wet sounds filled the room, blending with the pounding of my heartbeat.

My thighs pressed together involuntarily. My eyes were fixed on them, despite every instinct telling me to walk away.

"Enjoying the view?" The deep voice startled me so badly that I jumped.

I spun around, my breath caught in my throat. The door clicked shut as my wide eyes met a pair of burning hazel ones.

My throat tightened as the shame washed over me. Heat rose to my cheeks, and I pressed my back against the door, trying to steady my breathing.

"I-I…" I stuttered, struggling to find words. "I wasn't—"

Liam tsked, interrupting me as he stepped closer, while I stayed rooted to the spot. “You stayed. You watched." His gaze flicked to my lips before meeting my eyes again. "Why?"

My heart raced. I couldn't explain it. "I didn't mean to…"

"But you did," he said softly, his body pressing closer, pinning me in place. "You didn't leave."

"L-Liam, please... I—" I pleaded, pushing weakly against his hard chest, but it was useless. He didn't budge.

Instead, he brought his hand to my face, brushing away a stray strand of hair and tucking it behind my ear. His fingers lingered just long enough to make my breath catch.

"You didn't push me away last night," he murmured roughly, almost a growl. "What's changed now?"

I turned my gaze away, avoiding his eyes. "It was a mistake," I said, barely above a whisper. "I have a boyfriend. It shouldn't have happened."

His jaw sharpened, and he let out a bitter laugh. "You mean the boyfriend who dragged you like a piece of luggage this morning? Or the same one who had you crying alone at the bar last night? "

I flinched. "You don't understand," I said quickly, the need to defend Jake pinching at me. "Jake is not—"

"Not what?" he pressed, his eyes boring into mine. "Not good for you? Not treating you right?"

Anger bubbled inside me. "You don't know anything about my relationship," I snapped, glaring at him.

He shook his head. "No... but I know enough to see you deserve better."

Something inside me cracked. I inhaled sharply, the anger slowly dissolving into confusion. "Why do you even care?" I choked out.

His expression darkened, a flicker of something darker passing over his features before he answered quietly, "Because someone has to."

My heart thudded painfully. His words shook me in a way I couldn't explain. I opened my mouth to respond, but instead, a question tumbled out before I could think. "How do you know Jake?"

The memory of their strange exchange earlier burned in my mind, and I couldn't push it aside any longer. I needed answers.

Something shifted in his eyes. The intensity faded, replaced by a blankness I couldn't decipher. I kept my gaze fixed on him, waiting for an answer, but he didn't offer one.

Instead, he turned and walked away, leaving me standing there, completely rattled, unable to process what had just happened.

I sagged against the door, my mind racing with unanswered questions. Why had his words affected me so much? Why did it feel like, somehow, he was right?

I tried to push the thoughts aside, but the more I thought about it, the more I questioned everything. Was Jake really the right choice? He wasn't perfect, he had his flaws and mistakes, but I owed him my life. He'd saved me when the world turned its back on me. That had to count for something, didn't it?

Shaking off the wave of doubt that had crept in, I forced myself to move. Liam didn't know anything about me or my relationship with Jake. He didn't understand. I couldn't let his words cloud my judgment.

Entering the suite, the silence welcomed me. Jake wasn't back yet. I glanced at the door, half-expecting him to walk through, but it remained empty.

Sighing, I collapsed onto the sofa, my body exhausted, and my mind a tangled mess. Closing my eyes, I fought the chaos in my mind, but eventually, sleep took over.

*****

A soft touch on the nape of my neck stirred me. Groggy, I blinked, the faint brush of lips against my skin confusing my senses. My body tensed, but the familiar scent reassured me, momentarily calming my racing heart.

"Jake?"

"Shh," he whispered. In an instant, he was on top of me, straddling me as his lips crashed against mine. The taste of alcohol in his kiss made my stomach twist.

No, not again.

I went on full panic mode as I tried to push him off, but his weight kept me pinned. His hand shot up, locking my wrists above my head, and I gasped, jerking in protest against his iron grip.

When he finally pulled away, his bloodshot eyes stared down at me, wild with a strange mix of awe and something darker.

"Jake, w-what are you doing?" I panted, my chest rising and falling, my heart pounding loudly in my ears.

"I missed you," he slurred, his lips trailing down my neck, sending a chill of dread through me.

His free hand moved to my breast, fumbling over my top before sliding beneath it to find bare skin.

"No," I whimpered, twisting beneath him, desperately trying to break free. "Jake, stop!"

But he didn't listen. His touch became rougher, and I felt my wrists burning with the strain as I pulled frantically against him. Tears welled in my eyes.

"Jake, please stop," I croaked.

He met my gaze with a cruel smile that made my skin crawl. "You gave Liam what belongs to me. Now, it's only right I erase every trace of him from you."

I gasped as he pulled his hand from under my top and slid it between my thighs, his fingers brushing against my panty-covered pussy before his lips crashed onto mine again.

Desperation surged through me. I couldn't let this happen.

Summoning every ounce of strength, I sank my teeth into his bottom lip, biting down as hard as I could. The metallic taste of blood filled my mouth.

"Fuck!" he hissed, pulling back in pain. His grip loosened just enough for me to wriggle my wrists free. I shoved him with everything I had, and he staggered back, crashing to the floor with a loud thud.

I scrambled to my feet, adrenaline pumping through my veins.

Jake slowly sat up, fury burning in his eyes. The blood on his lip only made his expression more menacing.

"You shouldn't have done that," he growled, rising to his feet.