All Chapters of BAD REPUTATION : Chapter 51 - Chapter 60

Derek was leaning against the kitchen doorway, watching her. His arms were crossed over his chest, his expression somewhere between amused and curious.For a second neither of them spoke. Then he pushed himself off the doorframe and stepped into the kitchen. “Well,” he said quietly. “This is unexpected.”“Derek… you scared me,” Olivia gasped, pressing a hand lightly against her chest as if to steady her racing heart. “Announce yourself, will you?”A slow grin spread across his face, “And miss that gorgeous view of yours from behind?” he said lazily. “Never.”Olivia’s eyes widened slightly. Instinctively she glanced toward the hallway, half-expecting Isabella or Tessa to wander in at any second. The apartment suddenly felt far too small. She lowered her voice sharply. “You can’t talk to me like that here,” she whispered.Derek shrugged, completely unconcerned. “Why not?”“You know why not.” She replied. He took another step toward her, closing some of the distance between them. The ca

Olivia stood stiffly near the refrigerator, her hands clasped together awkwardly in front of her, hoping Isabella wouldn’t notice the way her face still felt like it was burning. “I’ll be attending,” Isabella said finally, turning to Olivia. “If that helps.” She tilted her head slightly. “And it would be nice if you were there too.” Derek immediately straightened, looking victorious. “See?” he said, turning back to Olivia with an eager grin. “Please say yes, Liv.” Olivia didn’t look at him. Her thoughts were still spinning from Isabella’s sudden appearance, and she still couldn’t shake the horrible suspicion that her friend might have seen more than she let on. But refusing now would only make things look stranger, so she exhaled slowly. “Fine,” she said quietly. “I’ll come.” Derek’s grin widened instantly, but Olivia still didn’t look at him. Instead, she rubbed her forehead lightly and stepped away, “I should probably go home now,” she added. Isabella blinked in surprise. “

Claire Hawthorne noticed them first, and her eyes lit up the moment she saw her son. “Derek!” she exclaimed, her tone instantly shifting into mild exasperation. “You’re late.”Derek leaned forward to kiss his mother’s cheek. “Hello to you too, Mom.”“You know how much planning went into this evening,” Claire continued, clearly unimpressed. “The least you could do is arrive on time.”“Mom, please. Enough,” Derek said patiently. He straightened and gestured toward his father with a faint grin. “You worry too much. Don’t you think so, Dad?”Henry Hawthorne gave his son a thoughtful look. Then he shook his head. “I’m not taking sides with you, son,” he replied dryly.Derek groaned quietly under his breath as Isabella moved forward to hug her parents, then Henry’s gaze shifted past his children to where Olivia stood beside Derek and his expression softened with interest. “Well now,” he said. “And who,” he continued with a warm smile, “is the beautiful young lady by your side?”All attentio

Isabella rolled her eyes dramatically. “Mind your business,” she shot back. She looked back at Olivia and gave her a smile and a shrug that bordered on apologetic. Not even their usual sibling banter and humour could ease the effect of her warning. Isabella walked away, disappearing back into the crowd and Olivia stood frozen for a moment. She couldn’t even bring herself to look at Derek. Her chest felt tight. Her thoughts tangled. Her apprehension keeping her eyes fixed on the exit as she headed straight for it. She didn't look back, but she could tell Derek was following behind her. “Liv?” he called after her. She didn’t stop. The cool night air hit her the moment she stepped outside, and the sudden drop in temperature sent a chill across her skin, but she barely noticed. The rhythmic clicking of her heels echoed against the stone walkway as she hurried forward. Footsteps followed behind her, but still she didn't stop. “Hey—hey.” Derek quickly caught up with her and stepped in

Izzy had warned her, and she knew she ought to listen but all she could think about now was Derek inside her, fucking her against the wall. The ecstasy she knew he’d deliver, the sex, between them so easy. The only easy thing in her life right now.She scrunched her eyes closed, willing the rapture she knew was out there. But it hovered just out of reach, her mind warring with the needs of her body and, for once, coming out on top. “What’s wrong, Liv?” His eyes cleared as he noticed her withdrawal. His fingers stilled. He removed his hand from her panties and smoothed her gown over her hips, hands lingering there.She looked away. Still confused. Still balanced on a tightrope, afraid to look down for fear of what she might see. She shook her head. She had no right to probe or ask questions. Her mouth opened and closed as she folded her arms across her waist. And did she really want those answers when they could mark an end to the best sex of her life?“I—” Her throat scratched. “I th