Chapter 65 Just Like Him
Claire
I took a deep breath and walked to the door, opening it slowly, careful not to make a sound that might wake anyone.
I tiptoed down the hallway toward the stairs, clutching my shoes in one hand like a young girl sneaking out to meet her boyfriend, afraid of getting scolded by her father. Except this time, I was sneaking out so my own kids wouldn’t discover their mother couldn’t control herself, couldn’t stop craving a man’s touch.
I finally reached the front door, glanced back one last time, then slipped out and closed it softly behind me. The cool night air brushed my skin, and I drew in a long, steadying breath.
I was out.
Ahead, parked under the dim streetlight, was a black car. A moment later, the driver’s door opened and someone stepped out.
My legs carried me forward almost on their own. Even in the dark, I knew it was him—Liam. His eyes were locked on me as I approached.
“You’re not on the runway, Mrs. Claire,” he said. “Walk faster.”
I didn’t want to give in to every command he gave, but I quickened my steps anyway.
When I reached him, he stepped aside to let me slide into the car, then followed as he got into the driver's seat, closing the door.
The second we were inside, he didn’t give me time to settle. He pulled me against him, burying his face in my neck. A small gasp slipped from my lips.
“Liam, wait,” I said, pressing lightly against his chest.
He paused, lifting his head to look at me.
“What is it, Claire?” he demanded, voice low and rough.
I took a deep breath.
“I’m starting to think… I’m behaving just like Ian, I am pushing my kids away. I can feel it.” I said, because it was bothering me so much.
He eased back enough to really see my face, his eyes searching mine in the faint light.
“You’re actually saying that now?” he asked.
I nodded sharply. I had literally pushed Isa away just so I could sneak out and see him—Liam.
He studied my face for a long moment, then pulled away completely, putting space between us.
“What would you do if you were in my position?” I asked suddenly.
He looked away, refusing to meet my eyes.
Why had I even asked him that? It wasn’t like he’d give me decent advice.
“You’re no different from him. That’s true,” he said, finally turning his gaze back to me.
“You’re dating someone younger—just like him. And now, you like it, just like him. Here you are, you're even neglecting your children, Claire, just like him, so yes, it's natural you feel like you're just like him.”
The words hit like a slap across the face.
I couldn’t speak. I just stared at him, stunned, as he continued.
“But they aren’t kids anymore. Although they need you right now, but your twins are adults, for crying out loud.” he barked.
I had been so happy when my children came home for the holidays. I’d prepared everything for their arrival. And now… it felt like I was drifting away from them exactly when they needed me most.
I didn’t want to be like Ian—abandoning my kids for my own pleasure. I wanted to be better. The only way to do that was if I…
I hadn’t even finished the thought when his voice cut through.
“That thought in your head? Drop it immediately, Mrs. Claire. Trust me—it’s you and me until I’m tired of you.”
I kept staring at him.
If I wanted to get myself back, I’d have to end things with Liam.
But there was a problem.
Just thinking about doing it already made me feel sick to my stomach.
Suddenly his hand reached over. He took my chin in his grip, his face hardening as he looked straight into my eyes.
“You just have to balance it, Claire—mothering them and pleasuring me. It’s not like I call you every day for sex. It wouldn’t be that hard.”
I swallowed hard.
This man would never understand what it felt like to be in my shoes. All he cared about was his own pleasure—his dick, his needs. I couldn’t believe I’d actually started thinking I might be falling for him.
Claire, snap out of it.
This whole thing began with blackmail.
Liam isn’t a good person.
He doesn’t love me.
He might never.
I blinked, the fog in my head clearing for a second. Had I really forgotten why I was still doing this?
It was only for the pleasure. Nothing more.
I shouldn’t let it interfere with my children—or with me.
Just like he said… I’d find a way to balance it.
I’d keep the two worlds separate.
Mother by day. His by night.
That’s all this was, that’s all it would ever be.
“Kiss me,” I said then.
His eyes widened for a second, surprise flashing across his face, before he crashed his mouth against mine in a possessive, claiming kiss.
My life had become such a tangled mess. The longer I procrastinated, the harder it would be to untangle it. I needed to fix this.
It might never go back to how it was before, but for my kids, I had to do better. I wouldn’t just be Mrs. Claire anymore. I’d be just Claire, the one who is present for her children and maybe, just maybe, keep this twisted thing with Liam going quietly on the side.
When he thrust his tongue into my mouth, I welcomed it, drawing him deeper as his hand slid up to my breast and squeezed hard. A small, helpless sound escaped me.
He pulled back abruptly, voice thick with lust.
“Not here.”
He started the engine. I sank back into the seat, letting my body relax against the leather.
Whatever he had planned for me tonight… At least for this moment, I wanted to feel every second of it, I wanted to enjoy it all.
Now here we were in one of his homes. My coat lay discarded on the floor, leaving me exposed in the red see-through lingerie I’d chosen just for him. His mouth was on mine again, kissing me like a starving beast—rough, desperate, claiming every inch.
“You know how hard I tried holding myself back because of your daughter, Claire?” he asked, finally releasing my lips. His voice was low, gravelly. “If she hadn’t been there, I would’ve fucked you right on that hospital bed.”
He stepped away then, and the sudden loss of his heat made me feel like my favorite toy had just been snatched away.
He took another step back, eyes raking over my body slowly, deliberately. His hands fisted at his sides, knuckles white.
“Strip,” he commanded.