Liam's Celebration

Liam's POV 

The sound of my phone ringing broke the silence of my penthouse. I smirked as I read Sophie's name on the screen. It was a perfect time. Who better to celebrate my newfound freedom with than the woman who had enabled me to achieve it?

 "Sweetheart, I whispered into the phone. "Exactly who I wanted to talk to."

There was a pause at the other end. "Liam," she continued, her tone hesitant. "I... I don't think we should be chatting right now. After what happened with Diane—" I interrupted her with a laugh. "That is precisely why we should be talking. In fact, it goes beyond simply communicating. We should celebrate!" 

"Celebrating?" Sophie's voice was a blend of perplexity and fascination.

"Oh, of course! Sophie, we are free. There won't be any more guilt or sneaking around. I want to savor every second of my newfound freedom with you as a single man.

 I could practically hear her resolve weakening. "I don't know, Liam. It feels... wrong."

"Wrong?" I scoffed. "What's wrong is denying ourselves happiness. Come on, Sophie. Meet me at Euphoria in an hour. Let's paint the town red."

There was a long silence, and I wondered if she would refuse. But then I heard a gentle sigh. "Alright," she said. "One hour." I smiled triumphantly as I finished the call. 

I entered Euphoria, the trendiest club in the city, an hour later. The bass shook my whole body as I moved toward the VIP area. I had just settled into the plush leather couch when I saw Sophie maneuvering the crowd.

"You came," I murmured, rising to greet her. I drew her close, my hands resting on her hips. "I knew you would come."

 Sophie bit her lip, looking around the crowded club. "Liam, I don't know about this. What if someone sees us?

 I laughed, and the sound was buried by the pounding music. Let them see. Sophie, I'm not hiding anymore. "Are you?"

I gestured to the waitress without waiting for a response. "Give me a bottle of your best champagne," I said. "We're celebrating tonight."

As the champagne arrived, I poured us each a glass. "To freedom!" I shouted, raising my glass. My companions – a mix of business associates and beautiful women I'd met tonight – echoed the sentiment, clinking their glasses against mine.

Sophie sidled up next to me, her lithe body pressing against mine. "Having fun?" she purred into my ear, her breath hot against my skin.

I dragged her onto my lap, without caring who watched. "More fun than I've had in years," I said, seizing her lips in a searing kiss. 

As we separated, I noticed my reflection in the mirrored wall across from us. I barely knew the man staring back at me, with untidy hair, a loosened tie, and a wolfish grin that spoke of unbridled hunger. This was the genuine Liam Ashton, not the buttoned-up businessman I had pretended to be for so long.

Another round!" I yelled out to the waitress, who rushed to help. Money talks in scenarios like this, and I had plenty to keep the celebration going all night. 

As the drinks flowed and the music played, I found myself on the dance floor, surrounded by an array of attractive women. Their hands caressed my body, and I enjoyed the attention. This was what I deserved: adulation, desire, and the ability to grab everything I wanted.

Sophie looked from the VIP area, her gaze narrowing. I knew she was jealous, but I couldn't care. She knew what she was getting herself into when we began this affair. I was not about to be tied down again so soon after leaving my marriage.

 As the night went on, my thoughts turned to Diane. I wondered what she was doing now, presumably weeping her eyes out at her favorite beach cottage. The image caused me to smirk. She'd always been too gentle and trusting. It made her easy to manage, but eventually, it was getting boring.

"What are you thinking about?" Sophie asked as I returned to the VIP area, her voice filled with mistrust.

 I drew her closer and nuzzled her neck. "Just about how fortunate I am to be here with you," I lied effortlessly. 

She slipped into my embrace, her envy forgotten. It was almost too simple.

 "See?" I whispered in her ear, my lips against her flesh. "This is the way it should be." "No more hiding or guilt."

Sophie shuddered in my embrace, her willpower evidently weakened. "Liam," she said, barely audible over the music. "We shouldn't..."

 However, even as she spoke, her body betrayed her. She pressed closer, her hands gliding up my chest and connecting behind my neck. I could feel the heat emanating from her, which matched the fire that was growing inside me.

 "Why not?" I challenged, slipping my hands down her back. "Both of us are consenting adults. We are no longer causing harm to anyone."

As soon as Sophie's eyes locked with mine, I could see her surrender. She kissed my lips and let out a tiny sigh that made my spine tingle.

With all the suppressed desire we had been holding back, the kiss was electrifying. I entwined my fingers with her hair, intensifying our kiss while we rocked to the tunes. 

We became lost in our own personal bubble of want, and the world around us eventually vanished. Upon our eventual separation, we were both panting heavily. With her lips swollen from our kiss, Sophie's eyes were filled with want. "Take me home," she murmured in a hushed voice. "Now."

I did not need to be told twice. I grabbed her hand and escorted her off the dance floor and out of the club. The cool night air reached us as we stumbled into the sidewalk, but it didn't do anything to relieve the fire between us. 

The ride back to my penthouse was a whirlwind of wandering hands and stolen kisses. By the time we walked through the front door, we were both half-dressed and fully aroused.

 I pulled Sophie against the wall, letting my kisses run down her neck as I unbuttoned her dress. It slipped to the floor like a whisper of fabric, leaving her with only a lacy black bra and matching underwear.

"Oh my goodness, you're stunning," I moaned as I looked at her fiercely.

 Sophie's hands were also occupied, frantically unbuttoning my shirt. "Talk less," she gasped. "More action."

 I was glad to comply. I picked her up and took her to the bedroom. We collapsed onto the bed, a mass of limbs, hands, and lips, inspecting every square inch of flesh that was visible. 

What ensued was a night of untamed desire. We made love with an intensity I had never felt before, devoid of shame and concealment. Sophie was insatiable, and I was delighted to satisfy her desires.

I couldn't help but feel victorious as we lay tangled in the blankets afterwards, both of us exhausted and content. This was the passion, the excitement, the thrill of the chase that I had been lacking for all those years with Diane.

 "What are you thinking?" Sophie questioned as she raised an elbow to have a better look at me. 

I smiled and drew her in for a second kiss. "I'm thinking that freedom suits us both very well."

She smiled back, but there was a hint of doubt and sadness in her eyes. My thoughts vanished as soon as she planted another kiss on me.

As we fell asleep, I couldn't shake the notion that this was only the beginning. Now the world was my oyster, and I was going to savor every second of it.

 I was enjoying my newfound liberty, but I had no idea that forces were against me. Diane was going to show me exactly how formidable a rival she could be; she was not the simple target I'd always assumed her to be.

But, for the time being, with Sophie's warm body crushed against mine and the taste of victory on my lips, I was blissfully unconscious of the storm clouds rising over the horizon. I am Liam Ashton, the wealthy playboy, and the world was mine to take.

One last thought occurred to me as consciousness faded: I hoped Diane was as miserable as I was.. It was only fair, after all. She had held me back for years. Now is her time to feel the agony. 

I woke up the following morning with a pounding headache and a taste in my mouth like something had died. After leaving a note about a client's picture shoot that she couldn't miss, Sophie disappeared. As I staggered to the bathroom, I was thankful for the silence, piecing together what had happened the previous evening. 

I started to feel more human as I stood in the hot shower spray. The alcohol-induced haze cleared, bringing with it an unexpected clarity. Was this the life I truly wanted to live? Incessant celebrations, pointless interactions, and a never-ending desire to prove oneself?

However, I remembered Diane's expression when she gave me those divorce documents and pictures. Her eyes conveyed her hurt, rage, and resolve. No, I couldn't question myself at this point. I had to follow through on the decision I had made. 

I got dressed, looked semi-presentable, and headed to the office. My secretary gave me a worried-looking greeting. "Your lawyer has been trying to get in touch with you all morning, Mr. Ashton. He claims it's important."

I waved her off and entered my office. I was prepared for anything Diane had in store for me. I am Liam Ashton, and I

always win.

 As I settled in behind my desk, I couldn't shake the feeling that I was missing something crucial. But what could Diane possibly have up her sleeve that I had not expected?

 I picked up the phone to contact my lawyer, prepared to face whatever task lied ahead.