Typical.
A mirthless laugh burst out of Liam. “I would never seek to control her like you do Mother. Cerise isn’t one for trifling social gatherings and schmoozing with the other pretentious wives. She can do whatever she wants. If she wants to work, she can work. Whatever job she wants. And if she doesn’t want to, I have plenty of money. I don’t need you.”
My heart grew a size at his declaration.
“Do you have any idea what your refusal means? I will be retiring in the next few years. Our business has always been passed down to the sons of the family. No one has ever refused, Liam. This is an embarrassment. Your brothers are already flourishing. It’s time you joined them.”
“That’s all that ever mattered to you. That I didn’t embarrass you. Shall I make a scene, father? Shall I get on a table and wax poetic about how all you care about is your reputation?”
Oh, gods. This was about to get ugly. I pushed off the wall and opened the door, stepping inside the room. Both men turned to me, surprised.
Straightening my spine, I stopped beside Liam and took his hand in mine. “That’s enough. This conversation isn’t productive.” I faced Liam’s father. “I don’t know you, but from what Ijust heard, you don’t seem to care to understand your son at all. But let me tell you something. Liam is one of the most passionate people I have ever known. His students adore him, his colleagues respect him. He’s intelligent. He’s kind, unlike you. And if you can’t see how special he is, then you are missing out on an amazing human. Your son.”
Liam’s father was speechless, his eyes narrowed as he glared at me. “Get out.”
“Gladly,” Liam said, pulling me after him.
He hurried farther down the hall, turning a corner.
“Liam, I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t have?—”
He shoved me against the wall, his lips meeting mine in a bruising kiss, hands gripping my face. His kiss was all dominance, all power. A low rumble sounded in the back of his throat as he deepened it.
Parting my lips, our tongues clashed as my hands wound around his neck. The kiss was messy, rough. As if Liam was releasing all of the pent up emotions from the night.
At last he pulled away, panting, eyes wild. “Shit. I’m sorry. That was just—I…” He took a deep breath. “Thank you.”
“It’s all right. Are you okay?”
“Yes. That was nothing compared to what he’s said in the past.”
“Well then”—I straightened my dress—“are you ready to leave?”
“Let’s get out of here.”
Chapter 39
Failure
Cerise
The night sky shone with moonlight through the window of my modest-sized office. I typically never stayed at work this late. Ever. But my proposal was just around the corner and I was feeling overwhelmed; stressed.
And honestly, a bit panicked.
Logically, I knew it was probably perfect. But I wasn’t the only one seeking this grant. And my mother was right about one thing; women in academia had to work harder. Much harder. Because though the colleague I was competing with had less experience than I, he wouldn’t have to bend over backwards to prove himself.
So here I was, hunched over my desk, teacup in hand as I reveled in the quiet.
“All right,” I said out loud. “I’ll review it one more time, then go home and go to sleep.”
I took a sip of tea, set my cup down, picked up my proposal, and began to read.
“I’m sure you’ve read it a hundred times already, sunshine.”
I yelped, jumping at Liam’s voice and dropping my papers in hand. My gaze snapped to my now open door. I pressed a hand to my chest, attempting to calm myself.
“For goodness’ sake, Liam. You almost gave me a heart attack.”
